Inside vs. Oceanview

[tayalltheway]

My wife and I are planning our first Disney Cruise to Alaska in May and are trying to decide between Inside and Oceanview staterooms. We know we definitely can't afford Verandah, but we're wondering if Oceanview is actually worth it (it's about an extra $600 above the cost of Inside). Anyone had personal experience and can offer up opinions? Thanks.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We do enjoy watching scenery go by, so for our Alaskan cruise we definitely had an outside cabin. Short Bahamas cruise, I would be OK with inside. Because we could see scenery we did use our cabin, and I just think it's more relaxing than have to always leave the cabin to see the beautiful scenery.

 

[ludari]

I have always purchased an oceanview stateroom and I have to admit the Alaska views are amazing but I wasn't in my stateroom that often. I also like the split bathrooms but since I travel alone that's not a big deal either. My upcoming cruise I decided to go with an inside cabin to save on cost and use the money I am saving on port adventures, gifts, etc. I guess you if spend a lot of time aside from sleeping in your cabin you might want to consider an oceanview stateroom and if there is one cruise you splurge on for the views it is definitely the Alaska cruise.

 

[Dizney73]

We have sailed Alaska TWICE. Once in an inside cabin and once in an aft balcony. Certainly, we loved just being on board while in our Inside cabin and I would do it again in a heartbeat but we did love our view while getting changed for dinner and having breakfast in the morning with the view from the room. Alaska is a scenic cruise and you won't want to miss anything! You just never know when a whale might pop up! I suppose if I had to choose I would take the view...

 

[blondietink]

Friends of mine did an Alaska cruise last year. They were grateful that they had an inside cabin because it is light out so late/early, that they could actually get sleep whereas others on the cruise who had ocean view and balcony cabins claimed to have a hard time sleeping.

Me, I would just put a pillow over my head if the light bothered me.

 

[tayalltheway]

Interesting hearing all your points of view.

It's our first time cruising, so I have no idea how much time we'll want to spend in the stateroom. We've definitely been thinking about how many extra excursions and whatnot we could do by saving the $600. On the other hand, the views I've seen from pictures do look spectacular, and I don't want to miss anything.

If anyone else has any thoughts, please weigh in. We probably need to book in the next few days.

 

[SunshineCoast]

We haven't gone yet so I can't speak through experience, but we have booked and can give insight to our thought process. We booked an ocean view, cat 9d. It has the two smaller portholes vs one big one. But the price was lower then other options and only $100 or less/pp compared to the different inside room categories. (According to cruisefish). We just recently booked it so a lot of the rooms had gone up already (ours hadn't). This is our first cruise so I don't plan on spending much time in the rooms. At this point I think Id rather walk around the ship enjoying everything (including views) then sit in my room and watch.

At first I really wanted a higher category but we saved enough that we can do more excursions AND go sooner then planned.

 

[beaglefan]

When the concept of cost comes up, it is such a personal decision that it is tough to offer commentary. $600 is to some an entire month's salary, to others it is what they spend on groceries each month.

What I would say since you haven't been on a cruise before, is that most people do not spend a lot of time in their cabin. There are plenty of common areas on the boat, both outdoors (which may be chilly), or inside with plenty of portholes, windows or floor to ceiling glass.

We found that about the only time we spent in our room was sleeping, changing clothes, or resting between activities. Otherwise, we were watching movies or shows at the theaters, visiting characters, swimming in the pools, etc.

You can get plenty of memories for $600 (professional photo CD from Shutters, nice dinners at Palo, shore adventures, etc) I would think this would be a better use of funds to help take a little bit of Alaska with you. I would hate to not have any money for shore excursions in Alaska - I hear that some of these are fabulous for whale watching, etc.

Good luck, just being on a Disney cruise is fabulous. There is not a wrong choice here, just personal preference.

 

[huskydogg]

Think of this as well... In the past when you stayed in hotels or motels, how often did you look out the window?
We've always had veranda (Caribbean EB and Mexican Riviera) or oceanview (California Pixar) and with the oceanview, I liked opening the curtain in the morning to see what the weather was like but never actually sat in the room to watch the scenery. Veranda (aft) was definitely useful though as we would spend afternoons out there relaxing in the sun instead of on the crowded decks.
To me, 600.00 would be worth the upgrade to a veranda as we spent lots of time out here, but for the oceanview, we personally never spent that much time looking out the window. 600 is a lot of cash someone could really use towards better ways to see Alaska as in excursions and such.
One other thing to consider though is if you can handle being in a room with no natural light. Some people might go a bit crazy :s

 

[DahliaRW]

The other thing to consider is that if one of you falls ill and is confined to your stateroom, you'll miss out on a whole day of scenery. If you have a window, you can at least look out and see it still.

 

[tnshsms]

I would prefer a window over the inside room because of the scenery. I agree with all the common spaces but you have to share those. You might miss out on the exciting scenery because someone else has a good seat and you don't. Just a thought.

 

[luv2sleep]

I booked an inside for Alaska. It was either an inside or no cruise. Have only cruised DCL in a veranda so while I'll miss it I'd rather be in that inside stateroom than home!

 

[fatfish]

Question - do you have kids? Do they nap or go to bed early? My dd is 12, but sleeps late in the mornings. I love to sit by the porthole and watch the sea and drink coffee while she sleeps. If you will be in your cabin while your kids are sleeping, I would definitely recommend Oceanview. Watching the sea go by while your little ones snooze is a very peaceful way to start your day, or spend your afternoon.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

On our Disney Alaska cruise we were on and off the verandah from 6am to 11 pm as the scenery is so stunning all day and evening, the views change, the light changes there is wildlife and sea life to see most people seem to call it a day by 6pm and are not on deck but there is a lot to see at 10 pm as well.

So any view is worth it and if your parents you can view when the kids are bored, tired, or watching a film.

Look at my photos in the link below it will give you a great idea.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Friends of mine did an Alaska cruise last year. They were grateful that they had an inside cabin because it is light out so late/early, that they could actually get sleep whereas others on the cruise who had ocean view and balcony cabins claimed to have a hard time sleeping.

Me, I would just put a pillow over my head if the light bothered me.

All cabins have curtains, it's not an issue.

 

[jrabbit]

I am a Deck 2 Oceanview Dweller (category 9). Our first couple of cruises were inside and we found that we did not like it!! For us having the natural light from the porthole helps!!

We spent most of our sailing time up on Deck 4, 9 or 10. The views from here are free!! But we also enjoyed our views through the port hole while we were in the room changing, etc.

We won't be going on an inside room again. But that's just us.

 

[Justacruiser]

If you are looking at the May 24th cruise, as you probably are aware they have the OGT prices right now at $1566 each for 9 nights. With the OGT that's a savings of $400 each at a minum of the regular fair. I would jump on that. And you are getting the OGT cheaper than you could get the cheapest inside room if there was no IGT, which there is a discount. But that is just me. Actually if was DW and I. we would opt for the VGT of $1900 each.

This is $600 difference over a 9 night period.

Do you see your self sitting in the room looking out the window while getting ready. Are you wanting to wake up in the morning and be able to look out and see without going to find the nearest window or outdoor space?

I would do the verandah, but my parents wouldn't care about the scenery. An inside cabit would probably be just fine for them.

If you are going to hit all the ports and stay all day, that would also reduce the time you are in your cabin.

I don't know your finances, but I would rather you spend the money and upgrade and not say, I wish I would have. More than likely, unless you are fiancially well off, this is one of the only cruises you will take to Alaska. If you think you can't take a couple of excursions you want then do the inside, if not upgrade.

 

[emilyann415]

I would definitely recommend the porthole. I think someone else mentioned it but as we would get ready in the evenings for dinner it was nice to take in the scenery and we once even saw a whale from our verandah. I think you'd find the $$$ worth it for an Alaska cruise in particular but then again it's not my $$$ so easy for me to say

 

[jungle1]

My guess is that you won't spend a ton of time staring out the porthole. The views are so expansive that it is worth actually being outside (either on deck or a verandah). Seeing Alaska through a window just isn't the same.

For me, the benefit of the porthole is to get some natural light in the cabin. Whether that is worth $600 depends on your individual financial situation and priorities.

 

[algae]

To really take in the grandeur of the Alaskan scenery, you need a full view that a verandah or being on the top deck provides. You won't see much by looking through the stateroom window. So, save the money and get an inside room. Then, plan to be outside on the top decks a lot. I think the top decks are better than verandah rooms because there's lot's to see on both sides of the ship. You can only see it all when you are on the top decks.