Inside Cabin vs Balcony Cabin: 7 Essential Things to Know Before You Book
Inside cabin vs balcony cabin is one of those cruise debates that never seems to end. Do you save the money and book an inside cabin, or pay extra for your own balcony and sea view?
And wow, people have opinions on this one! 😂
I recently shared this question on TikTok and the comments really got me thinking. Some cruisers couldn’t imagine sailing without a balcony, while others would much rather save hundreds of pounds and put that money towards another cruise.
So, if you’re trying to decide between an inside cabin vs balcony cabin, here are seven things I’d consider before spending the extra money.
1. An inside cabin can save you a LOT of money
Let’s start with the obvious one: price.
An inside cabin is usually one of the cheapest ways to get yourself onboard.
You won’t have a traditional window or private balcony, but you’ll still have the essentials — a bed, bathroom, storage, TV and somewhere to get ready.
And here’s the important bit…
You’re still on exactly the same cruise ship.
You can eat in the same restaurants, watch the same shows, use the same pools, visit the same ports and enjoy the same entertainment as somebody staying in a balcony cabin.
Depending on the sailing, the price difference between an inside cabin and a balcony could potentially pay for excursions, drinks, speciality dining or even go towards another cruise.
And when you look at it like that, suddenly that balcony can start looking rather expensive. 😂
2. Think about how much time you’ll actually spend in your cabin
This was one of the biggest points people made when we started discussing cabins on TikTok.
Some people basically use their cabin to sleep, shower and get ready.
The rest of the time they’re exploring the ship, getting off in port, eating, watching shows or sitting on the open decks.
If that sounds like you, paying hundreds more for a balcony you barely use might not make sense.
But we’re all different.
Some people genuinely enjoy spending time in their cabin. They like having somewhere quiet to escape to when the ship gets busy.
That’s why the inside cabin vs balcony cabin decision isn’t as simple as saying one is better than the other.
It’s about how you cruise.
3. A balcony does give you something special
I’m not going to pretend a balcony isn’t lovely.
Imagine waking up, opening the curtains and seeing nothing but sea.
No getting dressed.
No looking for somewhere quiet on deck.
Just stepping outside with a coffee and watching the world go by.
Yep. I can absolutely see the appeal. 😂
A balcony gives you your own little piece of outdoor space, and on the right itinerary that could be amazing.
For scenic cruises especially, having those views directly outside your cabin could make paying extra feel much more worthwhile.
4. Look at the actual upgrade price
This is probably the biggest thing I’d check before deciding.
Don’t just ask:
“Would I prefer a balcony?”
Because, given the choice for exactly the same price, I think most of us would probably take one!
Instead ask:
“Would I pay THIS much more for a balcony?”
If the difference is £100, you might think absolutely.
But what if it’s £300?
£500?
£800?
That’s when I’d start thinking about what else I could do with that money.
It could pay towards excursions, another holiday, spending money or even another cruise.
When comparing an inside cabin vs balcony cabin, I’d always look at the exact price difference for your particular sailing rather than automatically assuming you need the more expensive cabin.
5. Your itinerary can make a difference
Not every cruise is the same.
If you’ve booked a port-heavy itinerary and you’re getting off the ship nearly every day, how much time are you realistically going to spend sitting on your balcony?
Possibly not much.
But if you’re doing a longer cruise with several sea days, suddenly having your own outdoor space might feel much more valuable.
And then there are scenic itineraries where the views are part of the whole experience.
This is why I don’t think there can ever be one universal answer to the inside cabin vs balcony cabin debate.
The right answer could even change from one cruise to the next.
6. Don’t underestimate the inside cabin sleep!
There is one inside-cabin benefit that deserves considerably more appreciation.
THE DARKNESS. 😂
No sunrise creeping around the curtains at ridiculous o’clock.
No daylight waking you up.
Just lovely, glorious darkness.
If you’re someone who loves a lie-in, an inside cabin could actually be brilliant.
The slight downside is waking up and having absolutely no clue whether it’s 3am or 10am.
You may emerge from your cabin feeling like you’ve travelled through time rather than across the sea.
But hey, you’re on holiday!
7. The best cabin is the one that works for YOUR budget
This is probably the most important thing.
Don’t feel like you have to book a balcony because that’s what other cruisers tell you is best.
Equally, if having your own balcony is something that makes your cruise extra special and you’ve budgeted for it, enjoy every second of it.
There’s no prize for booking the most expensive cabin.
And there’s certainly nothing wrong with booking an inside cabin so you’ve got more money left for other things.
Your cabin category doesn’t decide whether you’ll have a brilliant cruise.
You’re still waking up on a cruise ship.
And that’s a pretty good place to wake up, whichever cabin you’re in.
So, inside cabin vs balcony cabin — which would I choose?
For me, it would come down to the price difference.
If a balcony was a reasonable upgrade and it was an itinerary where I knew we’d actually use it, I’d definitely consider paying extra.
But if we’re talking hundreds and hundreds of pounds more for somewhere we’re mainly going to sleep, shower and get ready?
I’d seriously consider the inside cabin and keep the difference towards another adventure.
Because sometimes the best cabin isn’t necessarily the fanciest one.
It’s the cabin that allows you to cruise more often.
Now I want to know what camp you’re in.
Inside cabin or balcony cabin?
Would you happily stay inside if it meant saving hundreds of pounds, or is opening those curtains to a sea view an absolute non-negotiable?
Let me know in the comments — because judging by the response I’ve already seen, cruisers are VERY divided on this one. 😂
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