It can be difficult to choose the right stateroom for your family. When my family of five sails together on Disney Cruise Line we prefer to book two staterooms, so cost is always a factor, but so is comfort and convenience. Each time we have cruised at least one, and sometimes both of our rooms, have always been an inside stateroom. These rooms have lots of benefits, but a few downsides as well.
Two Types of Inside Staterooms on Disney Cruise Line
An inside stateroom on Disney Cruise Line is a room that is on the interior of the ship, so they have no porthole windows or balconies. When you book an inside stateroom, you have two choices:
The difference? A Standard Deluxe Stateroom has a single bathroom with a toilet, sink and tub/shower unit. While a Deluxe Inside Stateroom has a split bathroom configuration where one bathroom has a toilet and sink, and the other has your tub/shower unit and another sink.
This is a Standard Inside Stateroom Layout.
This is a Deluxe Inside Stateroom layout.
Pro: Inside Staterooms Cost Less
The main perk of an inside stateroom is the cost. If you aren’t as interested in scenic views or extra square footage, and mainly use your room to sleep and shower, then this might be the perfect room for you.
Con: You Will Not Have an Exterior View
Inside staterooms have no windows and no balcony doors (I read that in the voice of your Ghost Host from the Haunted Mansion). So, you will have no private view of the scenery as you sail through the Caribbean or the shoreline of Alaska.
On some itineraries, I am fine with this, specifically on a Bahamian or Western Caribbean cruise – both of which I have sailed multiple times. However, there have been times when the view was worth every penny.
If this is a once in a lifetime cruise for your family, I recommend getting the balcony.
Pro: Magic Portholes
Your inside stateroom may lack a real view, but Magic Portholes (exclusively on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy) offer real-time views of the ship, and from time to time special visitors like Mickey, Donald or Aladdin will sail or fly by your window.
Pro or Con? Inside Staterooms Have No Natural Light
This is a pro for some, and a con for others. For us, this is a big pro!
My husband works odd hours. This means his daily schedule is independent of when the sun rises or sets. Having no natural light in the room allows him to sleep in and relax a little longer each morning. We also have three young adult children who like to sleep in on vacation.
And Like Anna in Frozen, when the sun is up, I am up, so I have had some of the best sleep of my life in these darkened cave-like rooms. Talk about relaxing!
Pro: Two Rooms are Better Than One
Sure, our family of five could technically sail in a Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom (with or without a verandah), but we prefer to sail in two rooms. Inside staterooms may be some of the smallest rooms on the ship, but when you combine two, you get excellent space for the money, and more importantly, two rooms means we get two full bathrooms.
And with three kids, no one has to share a bed.
Update: Inside Staterooms on the Disney Wish
At this time, Disney Cruise Line only lists Standard Inside Staterooms in the Disney Wish’s stateroom inventory. There are no Deluxe Inside Staterooms on the ship. These rooms are approximately 169 square feet – which is the same size as on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy.
The artist renderings of these rooms do not show Magic Portholes, though the deck plans do list them as a feature (which could be old programming from room features on other ships). Instead, over the queen bed, we see a painting depicting Cinderella’s approach to the ball at the castle.
Another notable difference is the location of the television. Instead of residing in a movable frame next to the desk, it is mounted to the wall next to the bed, which could make for uncomfortable tv viewing.
The Standard Inside Staterooms have a three-piece bathroom that includes a tub/toilet with a glass door, toilet, and sink.
While the bedding and decor are updated, the overall layout is similar, with a few notable changes. The closets have been moved next to the vanity/desks, and the bathroom door opens out to the main room area – not sure if that is a choice I would have made. But as an avid inside stateroom cruiser, I am excited to experience a cruise in one of these beautiful rooms.
The Biggest Pro of an Inside Stateroom: The Disney Service Standard is the Same!
When you book any stateroom on Disney Cruise Line, you can expect the same gold standard of service. Your amazing Stateroom Host (or room steward) will visit your room twice a day for housekeeping, turn-down service and to replenish towels and toiletries. You still have the same access to shows, dining and all other on-board activities as guests booked in more expensive rooms.
As avid cruisers, we like that having an inside stateroom frees up a little extra cash to spend elsewhere on our vacation. That’s not to say we don’t splurge on a verandah from time to time, but we know that we are perfectly happy no matter the category of room we book.
Need help choosing the right stateroom for your family. This episode of the DCL Show will help.
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