Best Ships for Inside Cabins

n inside cabin is just that: a stateroom that’s located inside the ship with no window or porthole. These are always the least expensive cabins and are ideal for passengers who would rather spend their vacation funds on excursions than on upgraded accommodations.

Inside cabins are generally just as spacious as the smallest outside cabins, and décor and amenities are similar. On the newest vessels, you may even find small refrigerators and a cozy sitting area, though you'll usually find only a chair rather than a small sofa.

To give the illusion of more space, inside cabins may have a mock window covered by curtains. On a few newer ships, inside cabins have a "virtual" porthole or balcony, giving a real-time, computer-generated view of the great outdoors—something that can go a long way toward alleviating the claustrophobia of not having a real window.

On some ships inside cabins are configured to hold three or four passengers, including one or two pull-down bunks. Essentially, they look just like a standard double cabin but have bunk beds that either fold down from the wall or disappear into the ceiling. Parents sometimes book an inside cabin for their older children and teens, while their own cabin is in an outside across the hall with a window or balcony.

For passengers who want a very dark room for sleeping, an inside cabin is ideal.

Here are our top cruise line picks for the best inside cabins.