Will the smallest cabin category be big enough? Some things to consider when choosing a cabin size include the number of travelers in your party, the length of your cruise, how much time you plan to spend in your cabin, and whether having access to natural light is important to you.
On most cruise lines, the smallest cabin category is called an "inside stateroom," said Emily Motycka, a travel agent with AAA Travel in Omaha, Nebraska. "That means just what it sounds like." The room will be on an interior hallway and will have no outside windows. This means that there will be no natural light coming in.
"The average square footage for one of these cabins is about 138-145 square feet," Ms. Motycka said. That's about the size of a typical college dorm room - or smaller. And whether that's enough room, says Ms. Motycka, "is really a matter of opinion."
"I personally think the inside cabins feel small and claustrophobic," she said. "Not because of the square footage, but because of the lighting." The lighting in an inside stateroom is provided completely by artificial light sources, such as lamps and overhead lights. No natural light is available to travelers in the inside staterooms. "Some people, including myself, like to have that natural light coming in each morning and during the day."
However, Ms. Motycka continued, "I have loyal cruise clients who always take the least expensive (inside) choice. They feel that they are not in the cabin very often, and taking the least expensive option allows them to sail more often by keeping their costs down."
Some things to consider when choosing a cabin size include the number of travelers in your party, the length of your cruise, how much time you plan to spend in your cabin, and whether having access to natural light is important to you.
"Obviously," said Ms. Motycka, "if you are traveling alone or if you have just two people in your party, the smallest cabin category will feel a lot roomier" than if you are traveling with a larger party, such as a family of four.
The length of your cruise should also be taken into consideration. During shorter cruises, such as those lasting three or four days, travelers tend to spend most of their time off the ship or on deck. But on longer cruises, according to Ms. Motycka, "travelers usually spend more time relaxing in their cabins." Having some private time can be more important on longer cruises, especially if a traveler wishes to enjoy a book or movie without interruption.
Travelers who plan to spend more time in their cabin might want to consider a larger cabin, said Ms. Motycka. "But not all cruisers want to spend much time in their cabins" other than when they are sleeping. This is largely a matter of personal habits and preferences.
Finally, travelers who easily feel claustrophobic, or who strongly need natural light to maintain their internal sense of balance should choose a larger, exterior cabin. "Many travelers, such as myself, just need this access to natural light," said Ms. Motycka. "However, many travelers do not feel that they are negatively influenced by having only artificial light in their cabins." These travelers simply go on deck to enjoy the sunlight.
The choice in cabin size "really comes down to the individual traveler's personality and preferences," said Ms. Motycka. "It's a balance between saving money and enjoying some of the amenities that come with larger cabin sizes."
