Does is really matter if you get oceanview or inside?

[beach_babe]

I am booking a cruise for this January on the NCL Spirit and I was just wondering if there really is a noticeable difference between the oceanview rooms and inside rooms. Is it worth the extra money to have that window? or does is end up being pretty much pointless? also, do you get claustrophobic without the window? Any opinions are appreciated!

[shoreguy]

It only matters if you want to know if it is day or night, sunny or raining.

[Kuki]

Frankly I'm spoiled now, and find it tough to cruise without a balcony. However, if the choice was between inside and a window, I'd go inside.

The window doesn't open anyway, so I'd save the money and go for the inside cabin.... which also makes sleeping in pretty darn easy

[nmnita]

like others have said, an inside cabin will make sleeping day or night easy. We have only had an inside once and never again. On the other side of the coin, I have clients that book inside, outside, suites etc based on the sailing and reason for sailing. Early this year they went with a deluxe suite to the tune of buco bucks, this Dec they have chosen an inside cabin.

If you haven't cruised before you won't know the difference especially if you don't mind no windows. Booking inside gives you extra money for other things.

Nita

[Delft]

On Spirit, no differance. On this ship, the inside room and out side are very much the same size. If you are on abit of a budget, go with inside, you will sleep better, room is darker.........and use the money for something else. The window for us gave us one thing........a ledge for my son and me to put our glasses. You cannot say it really lets you see anything at all. Not to mention, you are just never in your room if you are truly taking advantage of all a cruise has to offer. Yes we have a balcony on GEM , but only because the price was very right, other wise, I am Dutch, and Dutch people dont spend one penny more than they have to..........If I had an amazing deal, but it was an inside, I would not care for even a moment...........

[sandyandbill]

Originally Posted by beach_babe

I am booking a cruise for this January on the NCL Spirit and I was just wondering if there really is a noticeable difference between the oceanview rooms and inside rooms. Is it worth the extra money to have that window? or does is end up being pretty much pointless? also, do you get claustrophobic without the window? Any opinions are appreciated!

I've only been on four cruises compared to all these seasoned pros but I have been in an inside cabin, oceanview and balcony. If you're young and will probably spend minimal hours in the room other than sleeping, probably wouldn't bother you. Personally, I would be claustrophobic having experienced the other options. It is truly pitch black in your room and felt like a tomb to me when the lights were out. We'll never cruise again without going the balcony route. It truly adds to the experience.

[ute_fan]

I've sailed in an inside, a balcony, a porthole window, a picture window, and went back to an inside for our last cruise. I personally don't think the balconies are worth the extra money, but I realize there are a lot who consider them essential. I do like the windows -- just so you can have an idea of the weather conditions and whether it's day or night. However, if there's a big price difference, I'd rather be cruising and spending the money on excursions rather than sitting at work!

It's really an individual thing. Some people do get claustrophobia -- which I was worried about, but had no trouble with, some like to sit on their balcony, but the wind noise really bothers me. Some, like my friend, prefer an inside because he sleeps so well in the dark. Good luck deciding what will work best for you!

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by ute_fan

I've sailed in an inside, a balcony, a porthole window, a picture window, and went back to an inside for our last cruise. I personally don't think the balconies are worth the extra money, but I realize there are a lot who consider them essential. I do like the windows -- just so you can have an idea of the weather conditions and whether it's day or night. However, if there's a big price difference, I'd rather be cruising and spending the money on excursions rather than sitting at work!

It's really an individual thing. Some people do get claustrophobia -- which I was worried about, but had no trouble with, some like to sit on their balcony, but the wind noise really bothers me. Some, like my friend, prefer an inside because he sleeps so well in the dark. Good luck deciding what will work best for you!

ute, don't let my DH hear yo say that, he agrees so we hardly ever get balconies. Actually, I pretty much agree. When I cruise with my DD it has to be a balcony, with DH or others, I am not particular, but I really am not crazy over inside.
Nita

[hombre]

i always book an outside on the lowest deck, midships. HAL has very deep windowsills, and i love to sit up in the window at night and watch the sea go by before literally sliding down into bed. i also like the sun in the morning and being to raise up in bed, slide the curtains back, and check to see that the world is still there! HAL's insides and outsides are virtually the same size, but the window makes the outsides seem larger. since i always sail solo, i never book a veranda cabin. i'd rather do my sittin' in public areas like the lido deck.

[katlady]

I have booked inside, oceanview, and balcony. No question in my mind balcony is my favorite. I like to sit on the balcony and have breakfast with my hubby.

However, bewteen oceanview and inside depends on you. Do you need it completely dark in order to sleep well? If so then a inside is better. Do you need some light or you feel claustrophobia then oceanview is better. For me bewteen oceanview and inside I will save the money and go inside. If I'm not save money it's balcony all the way. Hope that helps.

[beach_babe]

thanks for all the opinions everyone! spirit only has porthole sized windows, so im probably going to go along with what most of u advised and save my money for other fun things on the cruise and just go with inside! the balcony rooms are quite a bit more expensive than the other two, so those are pretty much a definite no. thanks again, any opinions are still welcome since im not booking it until the end of the week.

[NonaMary]

We have done the balcony and the inside stateroom. I agree with the others that it is personal choice, but we will never again book an inside room.

We tried it once, a one week trip to Bermuda, thinking with the extended stay in port it would be ok. Felt like I was stuck in a closet.

At home if you prefer having the window shades up I don't think an inside room will work.

Enjoy your cruise!
NonaMary

[ute_fan]

If you do book an inside, here's a couple of hints that I picked up. First, take a night light. It really is quite black in the room without it. Ours is a little "indiglo" type, that doesn't affect my sleep at all, but gives just enough light that I can find my way from the bed to the bathroom .

Also, if you find that not knowing what the weather is doing bothers you, you can leave the Tv turned on to the bridge cam channel and mute the sound. In the middle of the night, you won't be able to see much, but when you wake in the morning, you'll be able to tell if it's sunny or rainy outside.

[BigE11378]

i always have had at least a porthole, and now balconies. go for the balcony or window it makes the cruise so much nicer but if it is a cost issue then do what u can afford and get onboard since the most important thing is being there.

[Got2Cruise]

It depends how much time you spend in your cabin. For us, we wake up, get dressed and are out the door. When we come back it is for a nap or to change or clothes. We do not spend any time looking out the window. If you want to know if it is day or night, or what the weather is, simply put on the T.V. and look at the web cam. I used to think I needed a window, but now I would rather take the money saved on the inside cabin and spend it on drinks or the casino. jmo

[cookie1207]

In the Caribbean,r Mexico' Panama and other hot weather destinations...we skip the balcony.(its too hot to sit out anyway.) For more moderate places such as Alaska or northern Europe or New England we go with a balcony.

[PeterC]

I'm a balcony person but I read somewhere, probably on this site, where someone suggested getting an inside cabin on the Promenade deck. Much cheaper and a short walk to sort of your own balcony. I thought that was a good idea. Or possibly get an inside near one of the top decks. Personally I'd hate to be in an inside cabin and then have to go down long hallways and up or down stairs or elevator to get outside.

[BigE11378]

it is so nice to get up early and sit out on the balcony looking at the ocean. or een better watching the ship dock in the morning. we always get port side.

[Kayak Captain]

Unless I get a super deal on a balcony I always book inside. That gives me more cruises for the same bucks. Given a choice between sleeping in the engine room and staying at home, I'd be in the engine room.

[jefarl]

let me throw my 2 cents in. We have been on 15 cruises, inside, outside, porthole, picutre windows, balcony.. done it.
First thing I do is check the room sizes to see if outside is much larger than inside. I was spoiled on the Carnival ships with insides at 180-200 sq ft vs a Princess at 135!.
We do enjoy a balcony for morning coffee and maybe a cigar on sea days and that's it.

When you talk inside vs outside, remember every ship has a number catagories for both and the prices go up depending on deck and location. We have had luch getting an outside obstructed view cabin for less than an inside. It gets you the light via window, a little larger cabin, and can cost less...

[NAS-KARR]

Are you NUTS ??????
do you want to travel in a closet ????
we have always gotten a balcony cabin and NEVER looked back, it's $ well spent.......LIVE A LITTLE , you only live once . What are you saving the $ for ?? the day you die ??

CIAO,b][/b]

[BigE11378]

now i guess to each his own but i will book at least a balcony from now on (i even try to get suites etc so we have a concierge) i love the open air it is great. nothing better than sitting and having breakfast on the balcony in hawaii on our honeymoon. i think this deserves to be a poll so i am going to create one

[rdhearne]

If you suffer from motion sickness you might consider a window. I feel better if I can see the horizon.

[BigE11378]

good point

[threecruisers]

If you dont want to be spoiled stay inside...If you want to see the world GET A BALCONY!!!!!!some of the ports are beautiful ex.St Thomas..it really opens up the room the drapes are so thick our rooms were dark at 9am....its also nice to hear the water see the stars,the whales?

[lgfromdg]

beach babe - I think you said that a balcony was not an option for you. So, as someone who has only sailed in an Inside or an Ocean View, I would say an Ocean View is only worth it if it doesn't cost much more than an Inside. If you are looking for a cheaper fare, you would probably be on a lower deck anyway and there's not much to see when you're so close to the water. I can be claustrophobic and had no problem at all in an Inside.

[BigE11378]

either way enjoy your cruise.

[vacaqn]

On the Spirit, either the inside, outside or suite would be the same. This was the worst ship and cruise we've ever been on. We've cruised a total of 14 times and many on NCL. Unfortunately, we were on the Spirit for 13 days visiting beautiful islands. The islands were great but the ship left much to be desired. NCL should consider putting this ship on short runs (ie., Bermuda) rather than the deep southern Caribbean.

The Spirit was purchased or leased from a Singapore company and NCL tried to retro fit it to the NCL design. It didn't work.

There are so many other NCL ships in the fleet. Consider sailing on one of their other ships. The Dawn is a great ship, as is the Jewel. We're looking forward to traveling on the Gem in Dec.

[BigE11378]

we are also sailing on the Gem in December the 29th. As to the Spirit it was given to NCL by its parent company,because the Pride of America sunk while being fitted out. That being said I liked the Spirit and sailed her on an 8 day cruise last year and found her Asian hints kind of nice and maybe even a bit tasteful. It was nice not having neon all over the place. That being said beauty (etc) is in the eye of the beholder and to each his own. So I hope we all love our Gem cruise and have a great time. when do u sail?

[busy_body_traveler]

Good looking out everybody! I am a first timer myself and these were all really good opinions that made alot of sense. I personally booked an inside because I felt I could use the extra $150pp ($300) on cocktails and the specialty restaurants. So I guess at this point we will see. I will definitely take the advice of the nightlight and the bridge channel someone mentioned. There are many times in life where you make decisions based on certain circumstances and when challenges present themselves...you find a way to work around them. 8)