Shanti
Momketeer
- Joined
- Nov 29, 2015
- Messages
- 9,102
My son and I just got back from our Eastern Caribbean Fantasy cruise last week, and I wanted to pass along how much we enjoyed our standard inside stateroom. We booked this relatively pricy Christmas-season cruise last-minute, and the cost of even an inside was sky-high, so I resisted the urge to upgrade. So glad that I resisted & saved the money! The size of the cabin was just fine for 2 people (but not more, imo), and with the spacious closets, hollow coffee table and storing suitcases under the bed, there was ample storage even though I overpacked.
[Edit: We stayed in a standard inside this trip and I've never stayed in a deluxe inside, but another poster has since told me that deluxe insides are significantly more spacious, which would make them a better bet if you have more than 2 people.]
Our cabin (8523) was attractive and comfy, and had everything we needed. I've read some people's comments that "insides are okay if you're only there to sleep", etc., but we actually enjoyed spending a few hours each day in the cabin. Like many insides, it was off a separate hallway, so traffic noise outside was never an issue. I also liked that the bed was in the back of the room, rather than just past the entryway as in oceanview rooms. That made the cabin seem more spacious when you were lounging in bed, which is something I like to do on vacation.
The magical porthole was a delight. It genuinely helped the room feel more open, and helped orient us to where we were each morning. The roving characters were frequent and varied. It was always a special moment when they'd pop up and one of us would notice: "Oh, look! There's Goofy...Peter Pan & the kids...Donald & his nephews...the pegasus from Fantasia...Eve from Wall-E...Mr. Potato Head," etc., etc. It really brought the Disney magic into our stateroom and I'm glad we booked an inside at least once so we got to have that experience.
Fyi, the classic ships (Magic and Wonder) don't have the virtual porthole, but we did a standard inside on the Magic last year and were satisfied with it, too. Not as fun as having a magical porthole, but the room was just as nice. One benefit about the classics is that their insides actually are a bit larger than insides on the Dream and Fantasy, which helps. The Magic and Wonder also have some "sideways" inside staterooms (although we weren't in one of those last year) that have a different room configuration and reportedly make the room feel even more spacious.
Btw, I'm not against booking other stateroom types (I have an oceanview booked for our Alaska cruise next summer, and then another inside for our Dream cruise next January). Please don't respond with the comment that insides are fine for "some people", but that verandahs are necessary for you, or that insides make you feel claustrophobic or whatever. I've seen a lot of those comments on these boards, and the reason I'm sharing our experience is to let people know that for 1 or 2 passengers who have open minds, insides can be great. Not a necessary evil, or place to only sleep and shower, but as a cozy haven to enjoy lounging in. I wouldn't hesitate to sail in one again on DCL.
[Edit: We stayed in a standard inside this trip and I've never stayed in a deluxe inside, but another poster has since told me that deluxe insides are significantly more spacious, which would make them a better bet if you have more than 2 people.]
Our cabin (8523) was attractive and comfy, and had everything we needed. I've read some people's comments that "insides are okay if you're only there to sleep", etc., but we actually enjoyed spending a few hours each day in the cabin. Like many insides, it was off a separate hallway, so traffic noise outside was never an issue. I also liked that the bed was in the back of the room, rather than just past the entryway as in oceanview rooms. That made the cabin seem more spacious when you were lounging in bed, which is something I like to do on vacation.
The magical porthole was a delight. It genuinely helped the room feel more open, and helped orient us to where we were each morning. The roving characters were frequent and varied. It was always a special moment when they'd pop up and one of us would notice: "Oh, look! There's Goofy...Peter Pan & the kids...Donald & his nephews...the pegasus from Fantasia...Eve from Wall-E...Mr. Potato Head," etc., etc. It really brought the Disney magic into our stateroom and I'm glad we booked an inside at least once so we got to have that experience.
Fyi, the classic ships (Magic and Wonder) don't have the virtual porthole, but we did a standard inside on the Magic last year and were satisfied with it, too. Not as fun as having a magical porthole, but the room was just as nice. One benefit about the classics is that their insides actually are a bit larger than insides on the Dream and Fantasy, which helps. The Magic and Wonder also have some "sideways" inside staterooms (although we weren't in one of those last year) that have a different room configuration and reportedly make the room feel even more spacious.
Btw, I'm not against booking other stateroom types (I have an oceanview booked for our Alaska cruise next summer, and then another inside for our Dream cruise next January). Please don't respond with the comment that insides are fine for "some people", but that verandahs are necessary for you, or that insides make you feel claustrophobic or whatever. I've seen a lot of those comments on these boards, and the reason I'm sharing our experience is to let people know that for 1 or 2 passengers who have open minds, insides can be great. Not a necessary evil, or place to only sleep and shower, but as a cozy haven to enjoy lounging in. I wouldn't hesitate to sail in one again on DCL.
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