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What To Expect In Carnival’s Interior Rooms 🚢🌊

If you’re planning a cruise with Carnival, you might be wondering what to expect from their interior rooms. After all, these rooms are typically the most affordable option, but they often come with a few trade-offs. However, as the saying goes, ‘don’t judge a book by its cover.’

While interior rooms may not have windows or natural light, they still offer plenty of amenities and features that can make your cruise experience unforgettable.

As someone who values freedom and flexibility, I was initially hesitant about booking an interior room. But after doing some research, I realized that there are many different types of interior rooms to choose from, each with their own unique perks and benefits.

From Cloud 9 Spa access to exclusive pool areas, there’s a lot to consider when booking an interior room. So, if you’re curious about what to expect from Carnival’s interior rooms, keep reading to learn more.

• Interior rooms on Carnival Cruise Line are the cheapest and smallest rooms on board and do not have any windows.
• These rooms can sleep 2 to 5 guests and size depends on the ship and category, between 155 and 185 square feet.
• There are different types of interior rooms with category codes, including Upper/Lower stateroom, Porthole rooms, Obstructed view rooms, and Premium Interior rooms.
• There are also specialized interior rooms, such as Cloud 9 Spa Interior Rooms, Family Harbor Interior Rooms, and Havana Interior Rooms, each offering unique perks and access to exclusive areas on the ship.

Location and View

I’ll be honest, the Interior Rooms on Carnival Cruise Line are situated on the inside of the ship away from the sides and do not have any windows, but that just means they’re perfect if you’re looking for a cozy and cost-effective space to catch up on some much-needed rest. While some may see the lack of windows as a downside, it can actually be a plus for those who love sleeping in complete darkness. Plus, the smaller size of the room can make it feel even more intimate and comfortable.

When it comes to room amenities, the Interior Rooms come equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay, including a private bathroom, flat-screen TV, and plenty of storage space. However, if you’re looking for more natural light and a view of the ocean, there are alternative room options available, such as the Porthole and Obstructed View rooms.

It all comes down to personal preference and budget, but for those who prioritize rest and relaxation, the Interior Rooms are a great choice.

Size and Bed Configuration

The size of the beds and the room itself varies depending on the ship and category, ranging from 155 to 185 square feet. Interior rooms on Carnival Cruise Line typically feature either two twin beds or a King-size bed, which can be converted from the twin beds. The comfort level of the beds is subjective, but I found them to be comfortable enough for a good night’s sleep.

However, the Pullman beds, which are available in some Upper/Lower staterooms, may not be ideal for adults as they are smaller and less comfortable than the regular beds. Compared to other cabin types, Interior rooms are the cheapest and smallest on board. They are perfect for those who don’t plan to spend much time in their cabin and want to save money for other activities.

However, if you’re claustrophobic or prefer natural light, then Interior rooms with no windows may not be the best option for you. If you want more space and a view, you can opt for a Porthole or Window cabin, or even a Balcony cabin.

Overall, the size and bed configuration of Interior rooms provide a comfortable and budget-friendly option for those who prioritize activities over cabin amenities.

Types of Interior Rooms

When considering my options for a Carnival cruise, I researched the different types of cabins available and found that there are various categories of rooms classified as ‘Interior’ that offer unique perks and benefits. While they may be the cheapest and smallest rooms on board, they are perfect for those who prioritize budget and a good night’s sleep. However, the lack of natural light and view may not be ideal for everyone.

To help you decide which type of Interior room to choose, here is a table summarizing the different categories, their decor and amenities, as well as their pros and cons:

Overall, there is a type of Interior room for every type of traveler, whether you prioritize budget, relaxation, or family-friendly amenities. Consider the decor, amenities, and pros and cons of each category before making your decision.

Specialty Interior Rooms

Exploring the different categories of cabins on a Carnival cruise, I discovered that there are specialty options for Interior rooms that offer unique perks and benefits. These cabins are designed to cater to specific needs and preferences of guests, and offer a more personalized experience on the ship.

Here are some of the specialty Interior rooms available on Carnival cruises:

Cloud 9 Spa Interior Rooms – These rooms provide guests with spa-related perks such as priority bookings for Cloud 9 Spa and access to Thermal Suites. They also offer discounts, complimentary yoga or Pilates classes, and extra spa-branded bathrobes and slippers. These rooms are perfect for those who want to indulge in some relaxation and pampering during their cruise.

Family Harbor Interior Rooms – These rooms are family-friendly and provide access to the Family Harbor lounge. The lounge offers breakfast, daily snacks, board games, video games, and family movies. Kids eat free at most specialty restaurants with a Family Harbor cabin, and one free evening of Night Owls babysitting is provided at the kids club. These rooms are ideal for families who want to spend quality time together on the ship.

Havana Interior Rooms – These rooms provide access to the exclusive Havana Pool area, which is only for guests aged 12 and over. The pool area has swimming pools, hot tubs, and a relaxation area. The Havana Bar has lively Latin music and Cuban-inspired drinks. These rooms are perfect for guests who want to experience a more adult-oriented atmosphere on the ship.

Are there any interior rooms that are larger than the Premium Interior Rooms?

I’m not aware of any interior rooms larger than the premium option. From my experience, Carnival’s interior rooms vary in size and pricing. It’s important to compare room sizes and prices to find the best option for your budget and needs.

Is it possible to have more than 5 guests in an Interior Room?

Can you fit more than 5 guests in an interior room on a Carnival cruise? Unfortunately, no. Interior room privacy and entertainment options are limited and may not be suitable for larger groups. Consider upgrading to a larger room or booking multiple rooms for more space.

Do all Interior Rooms have the same amenities?

Not all interior rooms have the same amenities. Some have spa-related perks or access to exclusive lounges and pools. Room decor varies, but noise level can be an issue due to proximity to ship’s activities.

Are there any restrictions on who can book a Cloud 9 Spa Interior Room or a Havana Interior Room?

I found out that there are no restrictions on who can book Cloud 9 Spa or Havana interior rooms. The benefits include spa perks and access to exclusive areas. It’s important to consider location preferences when choosing a room.

Can guests in Interior Rooms use the same facilities as guests in Balcony or Suite cabins?

As a guest in an interior room, I have access to all the same facilities as those in balcony or suite cabins. However, interior room benefits like Cloud 9 Spa or Havana Pool access are exclusive to their designated rooms.

Everything you want to know about cabins and suites on Carnival Cruise Line ships

Picking a cabin on a Carnival Cruise Line ship isn't nearly as complicated as picking a cabin on, say, a Royal Caribbean or a Celebrity Cruises ship.

Unlike some of its biggest competitors, Carnival isn't known for a huge range of cabin categories on its vessels.

That means that when you're trying to find the best Carnival cruise ship cabin for you, you'll have an easier time than you will when booking with some other lines.

The vast majority of the accommodations on Carnival ships fall into one of three broad buckets: Windowless "inside" cabins, oceanview cabins and balcony cabins.

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You'll find relatively few suites on Carnival ships. Each of the vessels in Carnival's recent Vista-class series, for instance, offer fewer than 75 suites. Each of the line's earlier Conquest-class ships have around 50 suites. The oldest Fantasy-class vessels have 28 suites and 26 junior suites.

This is in part due to Carnival's focus on offering an affordable product. The typical Carnival customer isn't in the market for a super fancy, high-priced suite.

Related: The ultimate guide to Carnival Cruise Line

That said, Carnival has seen the success that some of its competitors have had with a bigger range of upscale accommodations, and it's eyeing more suites for future vessels. The line's two newest ships, Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration , each have 180 suites — more than twice the number found on the vessels Carnival was unveiling a few years ago.

Note that Carnival's two oldest ships — those that are part of the 1990s-built Fantasy Class — have relatively few balcony cabins by today's standards. (After retrofitting, they have around 150 balcony cabins, out of a total of more than 1,000 cabins in all.) In part because of this, Carnival has been phasing Fantasy-class ships out of its fleet in recent years.

A Carnival Cruise Line cabin primer

As is typical for many cruise ships, Carnival vessels offer cabins in four broad categories: Windowless "inside" cabins, oceanview cabins, balcony cabins and suites.

On newer Carnival ships, a significant portion of cabins are balcony cabins — the rooms everyone wants these days. But the ratio of balcony cabins to non-balcony cabins on Carnival's newer ships isn't nearly as high as on the newer ships of some rival lines such as Royal Caribbean.

About 44% of the 2,004 cabins on Carnival's Carnival Panorama (launched in 2019) are balcony cabins, for instance. Compare that to the 65% of cabins on Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas (launched in 2018) that are balcony cabins.

As noted above, Carnival ships also have fewer suites than you'll find on the ships of some of its rival lines. By contrast, the line's newer ships have a higher percentage of inside cabins than you'll find on the newer ships of some rival lines.

Here's a breakdown of the broad cabin categories on Carnival Panorama, which is typical of the line's newer ships:

Inside cabins: 789 (39%) Oceanview cabins: 254 (13%) Balcony cabins: 891 (44%) Suites: 70 (3%)

On older Carnival ships (and, in general, all older cruise ships), there are far fewer balcony cabins. Fewer than 10% of cabins on the line's two oldest vessels, Carnival Paradise and Carnival Elation, are balcony cabins. The two ships date to 1998.

On both Carnival Paradise and Carnival Elation, inside cabins and ocean-view cabins make up the majority (nearly 90%) of accommodations, and suites account for fewer than 10% of rooms. Here is the breakdown for Carnival Paradise:

Inside cabins: 420 (40%) Oceanview cabins: 466 (44%) Balcony cabins: 98 (9%) Suites: 78 (7%)

The takeaway here is that you'll have a tougher time locking down a balcony cabin on an older Carnival ship than on a newer vessel. If you're planning a cruise on one of the line's older vessels and a balcony cabin is a must, you'll want to book early to make sure you get one.

You'll also want to book early if you're aiming for a suite — particularly if you want one of the best suites on a Carnival ship. An old saw in the cruise industry is that "ships sell from the top and the bottom." That is, the first cabins on any vessel to sell out are the most expensive cabins, which are the suites, and the least expensive cabins, which typically are the inside cabins. The "middle" sells last.

Design-wise, Carnival's cabins and suites are fairly basic and comfortable, if not super stylish. Cabins on recently unveiled or overhauled vessels mostly have a soothing palette of creams and blues. Cabinetry in these rooms is a crisp and clean faux wood. Cabin bathrooms are neutral.

One exception is the new Carnival Venezia , which has a darker (faux) wood finish to furniture in cabins that ties into the ship's Italy theme.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Carnival ship

Inside cabins on Carnival Cruise Line ships

Inside cabins are the cabins you stay in when you're on a tight budget. On any Carnival ship, they almost always are the least-expensive option when you're booking a cabin, and you often can save considerable money by booking an inside cabin versus an ocean-view or higher-level cabin.

What you'll give up, of course, is that ocean view. Your room will have four walls and no windows offering a glimpse of the outside world.

On many cruise ships, inside cabins are smaller than oceanview and balcony cabins. But on Carnival ships, that's not always the case. On Carnival Panorama, for instance, most inside cabins measure 185 square feet. That's the same size as the interior area of some oceanview and most balcony cabins on the ship (not including the extra square footage from the balcony).

Related: Why inside cabins aren't as bad as you think

Inside cabins on Royal Caribbean's new Wonder of the Seas , by contrast, measure just 149 square feet — quite a bit less than the inside cabins on Carnival Panorama.

Note that, in a quirk of the cabin categorization system at Carnival, there are a few inside cabins on some Carnival ships that do, indeed, have a view to the outside world. These cabins either have an obstructed view (often due to lifeboats) or a porthole, such that the view isn't all that great. For that reason, the line classifies them as inside cabins.

Oceanview cabins on Carnival Cruise Line ships

With an oceanview cabin, you get a window looking out to the sea but not an attached balcony where you can sit outside and enjoy the fresh air.

Carnival's newer ships have relatively few such cabins, as generally cabins that face outwards now are built with balconies. But older Carnival ships are loaded with oceanview cabins.

Oceanview cabins on Carnival ships can sometimes be bigger than inside cabins and even bigger than balcony cabins (when comparing their interior space). On Carnival Panorama, some oceanview cabins measure 185 square feet — the same as inside cabins. But there also are bigger "standard" oceanview cabins that measure 220 square feet and "deluxe" oceanview cabins that measure 230 square feet.

Related: The 5 best cabin locations on any cruise ship

Balcony cabins on Carnival Cruise Line ships

Balcony cabins are what everyone wants these days, and Carnival is building its newest ships with far more of them than in the past. As noted above, about 44% of the cabins Carnival Panorama are balcony cabins. But that percentage jumped to 56% on the newer Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration. It will be the same on Carnival Jubilee, a sister vessel to Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration coming out in December 2023.

The typical Carnival balcony cabin has a contemporary look, with clean lines and relatively minimalist furniture. It typically features twin beds that can be converted into a king bed, a built-in desk area and a sofa that often pulls out into an additional bed. Some rooms have pull-down bunks to create more sleeping spaces. Balcony cabins typically measure around 185 square feet, not including the veranda area, which often measures 35 square feet.

Note that on some Carnival ships, specific categories of balcony cabins have larger balconies than most. These are wonderful for sitting out and watching the waves. Often these rooms are at the back of the ships overlooking the wake.

Related: 6 reasons to book a balcony cabin on your next cruise

For instance, Carnival Panorama has "Family Harbor" and "Havana" balcony cabins with 60-square-foot balconies overlooking the wake. That's 71% more balcony space than the typical balcony cabin on the ship.

Carnival Panorama also has "Havana Cabana" balcony cabins with even bigger, 100-square-foot balconies.

Suites on Carnival Cruise Line ships

As noted above, Carnival ships generally don't offer a lot of suites. For the most part, the suites they have are relatively modest in size and amenities compared to the suites at some of the line's rivals.

The biggest suites on Carnival Panorama, the ship's eight Grand Suites, have 345 square feet of interior space, plus an 85-square-foot balcony. Contrast that to the biggest suites on Royal Caribbean ships, which can measure more than 1,500 square feet.

Suites on Carnival ships also haven't traditionally come with butlers and access to private concierge lounges like the suites on many other vessels.

Related: This amazing new cruise ship suite measures more than 4,000 square feet

Still, some of that has begun to change with the debut of Carnival's new Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration. Carnival went big with the suites on the groundbreaking, 5,282-passenger vessels — the biggest Carnival ships ever.

Unveiled in 2021 and 2022, respectively, Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration each feature two sprawling Presidential Suites that measure 1,120 square feet — bigger than any other accommodations in the line's fleet.

Located at the top of each ship on Deck 17, the complexes have separate living and sleeping areas and the most expansive balconies in the Carnival fleet — all unusual-for-Carnival features. Measuring more than 600 square feet, the balconies also offer a lounging area with a large sunbed and a private outdoor hot tub and shower.

Related: 7 reasons you should splurge for a suite on a cruise ship

The Presidential Suites are among 180 suites you will find on Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration, the most ever for a Carnival ship.

The two ships have 11 different categories of suites in all, four of which are part of a new premium "Excel" category of suites with extra amenities and access to a new-for-the-line, resort-style enclave at the top of the ships called Loft 19.

In addition to the two Presidential Suites, the Excel suites include a dozen 861-square-foot Excel Aft Suites that overlook the back of each ship and boast separate living rooms and bedrooms and large wraparound balconies with hot tubs.

Slightly smaller are a dozen 710-square-foot Excel Corner Suites offering separate sleeping and lounging areas and wraparound balconies. A step down are six smaller Excel Suites that measure 614 square feet.

Every one of the suites in those categories is bigger than any suite found on Carnival Panorama.

Passengers staying in all four categories of Excel suites on Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration have access to a dedicated concierge phone line and guaranteed dining times at the extra-charge specialty restaurants found on the ships (except for Japanese eatery Bonsai Teppanyaki and the Chef's Table). Other upgraded amenities for Excel suite passengers include complimentary Bottomless Bubbles soda packages, room service and laundry service, sparkling wine upon arrival and upgraded bathroom toiletries.

The new Loft 19 enclave found on both Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration offers full bar service, a private pool surrounded by sun loungers and cabanas available for rent.

Related: A guide to Carnival's VIFP loyalty program

Bottom Line

Fun-focused Carnival offers a solid mix of cabins on its vessels for a range of price points. If you're looking for an inexpensive vacation option, the inside cabins on Carnival ships are more spacious than the inside cabins you'll find on the ships of some rival lines. Oceanview cabins on Carnival ships also can be larger than normal for the category. Balcony cabins on Carnival ships hold their own in size against most competitors. Just don't expect a huge number of suites when sailing with Carnival.

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Carnival Horizon Interior Cabin Review With Photos (Stateroom #7238)

Are you thinking of booking an interior cabin on Carnival Horizon? Then you’ll want to know what to expect before you decide to purchase that room. Or if you’ve already booked, then you’ll want to know what to expect when you board.

Carnival Horizon is Carnival’s newest ship, sailing on six and eight-day journeys from Miami. The ship is large — measuring more than 1,050 feet and carrying about 4,000 guests on a given trip. You can read our review of the entire ship here  or you can see our must-have tips here . Bottom line: If you are thinking about booking a trip on the Horizon, then you should have no worries and be excited about sailing.

That said, picking the right cabin can make a big difference in the enjoyment of your cruise. Even though most people spend a lot of time out and about on the ship and in port, your cabin is your home during your cruise. It’s where you can relax, rest, and regroup after a long day. You definitely want a cabin that will fit your needs and budget.

With that in mind, we recently stayed in stateroom #7238 aboard the Horizon. This interior cabin is classified as “4E”, one of the most common cabins on the ship. Below are our thoughts and impressions from staying in the cabin.

Cabin Overview

Cabin #7238 is an interior stateroom on deck 7 of the Horizon. It is located forward on the ship, six cabins down from the forward elevators and stairs.

According to Carnival’s specifications on their website, the room measures 185 square feet. That number includes both bedroom and bathroom space. This cabin is also a connecting stateroom with a door that can be opened to effectively turn two rooms into one large suite.

In our case, we had two beds separated. You also have the option of pushing them together to form one king-sized bed.

As you enter, you have closet and storage space on your left and the cabin bathroom on your right. Enter further into your room and you’ll see a small desk with mirror and pull-out stool on the left. To the right is a cabinet with refrigerator, with a TV mounted above.

As mentioned, Carnival says the interior cabin measures 185 square feet. What does that mean for you? Simply that the cabin is small. It was fine for two adults who spent most of their time out and about the ship and in port. However, we would not want to fit anymore people in the cabin. Even having a child in the room would be too tight of a squeeze.

While we expect interior cabins to be small, we were still a little surprised at how little room there was. Other interior cabins we’ve sailed in have a small sitting area with a couch. That was not the case in this stateroom.

There was still ample storage to keep suitcases and bag out of the way. Not only was there a closet with some drawers and shelves, but there was also plenty of room underneath the beds to put empty bags.

Features & Amenities

If you’ve sailed on a cruise before, then you know the regular amenities you can expect in the cabin. In this area, the Carnival Horizon didn’t disappoint. In fact, there were a few items that were unexpected and welcomed.

Starting before we even opened the door, the ship features RFID-style door locks. You simply tap your card to the reader and it will open. As you enter, you must put a card into a reader to turn on the lights. This helps to keep you from leaving the lights on when you aren’t in the room. However, it can be easy to walk out of the cabin and forget your keycard in the reader.

There were a number of things you’d expect in the cabin, including a flat-screen TV with remote, in-room safe, a controllable thermostat, a mini-fridge, telephone, and a full-size closet for hanging clothes.

What stood out to us was that our room had two outlets and two spots for charging via USB. Considering many older ships just have one outlet for the entire cabin, this is a nice change given the amount of electronic devices we all travel with today.

One other perk we liked was that pool/beach towels were already in the room for our use. Because of this we didn’t have to bother going to a towel station when we were ready to hit the pool.

The cabin bathroom was a traditional size as other ships we’ve sailed, which is to say it is small but manageable. It features a counter, shelves for toiletries, a commode and standing shower. There was also a makeup mirror that folded in and out to save space.

There is no controllable vent in the bathroom, so if you need to have some white noise while you go, we suggest turning the shower on low. You can also use one of our tips and head to a public bathroom on the ship if you don’t want smells to linger in the cabin.

The shower is a handheld wand shower, which raises and lowers to match anyone’s height. There are also soap and shampoo dispensers in the shower if you don’t bring your own.

One area that surprised us was the bedding in our cabin. Most cruise ship beds feature mattresses that are rather thin and can feel lumpy from so many nights of use. Perhaps it was because the ship was new, but the mattresses felt thick and supportive, giving us a great night’s sleep. Pillows were also soft but firmed up under pressure.

What we liked most, however, were the comforters. Our room was set extremely cold at night but the comforter kept us warm — borderline hot — while we slept. If you’re worried about thin blankets, then you can put those fears aside.

Noise Level

Overall our room was perfectly comfortable, if a little small. The one major complaint we had was the amount of noise in the cabin.

First, we had a connecting stateroom. When guests in the other room were talking they could clearly be heard through the adjoining doors. Thankfully our neighbors weren’t party animals and didn’t spend much time in their room, so the noise wasn’t bad.

What was more disturbing was the late-night music that could be heard in the cabin. Our room sat above the Circle C teen club, which itself sits over the Liquid Lounge theater. During our cruise thumping bass could be clearly heard — as well as felt through the floor.

The good news is that the music ended at midnight, so it didn’t go on all night. The bad news is that if you are a light sleeper, the sound and vibration was more than enough to keep you from getting to sleep.

Overall Impression

Overall, the interior cabins on Carnival Horizon are clean and comfortable, albeit small.

If traveling with one other person, booking an interior cabin on Carnival Horizon is a great way to get on the ship for the least amount of money possible. While small, the cabins still offer plenty of space given that most people aren’t in their room most of the day. If you want to put three people in a cabin, upgrade to a larger room.

That said, we highly recommend looking at the deck plans to see what is above and below your cabin. In our specific case, the noise from other areas of the ship was easily heard in the cabin.

Have more questions about cabins on Carnival Horizon? Let us know in the comments below.

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How do I specify bed configuration?

By BENHANDEL , November 5, 2018 in Carnival Cruise Lines

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We will be in a family harbor suite on the Horizon at Christmas (fits 5). 

On the cruise manager, our bedding is listed as "2 twin beds". I thought I would have a chance to specify the preference at final check in, but I was never given an option. How can we ensure the beds are configured into the king? Will they figure we are a married couple with 3 kids and push those twins together to make a king?

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Your room steward will set it up for you. If you do not see the steward just leave a note about your request. Enjoy the Horizon, we loved it!

how did you book? I would just ask.

what cabin do you have?. most of the cabins i seen with the beds from the wall/ceiling only work best when the beds is configured as two twins with the beds along the wall. It is may be impossible to have a king bed with the beds folded down from the ceiling.

In your cruise manager where you see it saying 2 twins, it says "edit" beside of that. Click on 'edit' and specify how you want them done. 

1 hour ago, teknoge3k said: In your cruise manager where you see it saying 2 twins, it says "edit" beside of that. Click on 'edit' and specify how you want them done. 

 There is no edit button next to the bedding...

1 hour ago, teknoge3k said:

I do not have the edit button. I would show a screen shot but I cannot figure it out, lol. 

1 hour ago, shof515 said: what cabin do you have?. most of the cabins i seen with the beds from the wall/ceiling only work best when the beds is configured as two twins with the beds along the wall. It is may be impossible to have a king bed with the beds folded down from the ceiling.

We have a family Harbor Suite. It is supposed to have two twin beds that can configure to a king size bed. On the other side of the room it also has the couch which converts to a double or queen, with an upper Pullman above that. I actually saw a YouTube video of my exact room. The beds in the video were configured as a king.

1 hour ago, coevan said: how did you book? I would just ask.

I called Carnival to book the cruise.

This is a video about our exact cabin. 

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We stayed in the cheapest rooms on Carnival's mainstream and luxury cruises, and the latter was worth the extra $20 a night

• The Carnival Corporation owns Carnival Cruises and Cunard , its mainstream and luxury line, respectively.
• Our NYC and London reporters stayed in interior staterooms, each ships' smallest and most affordable rooms. 
• For $20 more a night, Cunard's standard room offered more amenities than Carnival's, and we thought it was worth the extra cost.

Although the Carnival Corporation owns both Cunard in the UK and Carnival Cruise Lines in the US, our reporters found that they couldn't be more different.

Carnival Cruise Lines was founded in 1972 by business mogul Ted Arison, according to Cruise Critic. The cruise line is known for its "fun ships," which operate budget-friendly cruises with various entertainment, the website adds. 

Cunard, meanwhile, was founded in 1840 and was taken over by the Carnival Corporation in 1998. Cunard is one of Britain's most formal and luxurious cruise lines and received the Best Luxury Cruise Line Award at the 2019 British Travel Awards. 

This year, Insider's Monica Humphries went on a Carnival cruise, and Mikhaila Friel went on a Cunard cruise. They respectively stayed in standard interior staterooms on each ship and saw how they compared.

In July, Insider's US-based lifestyle reporter Monica Humphries embarked on a seven-night cruise on the Carnival Vista . The ship stopped in Mahogany Bay, Honduras; Belize; and Cozumel, Mexico.

It marked the cruise line's first voyage to leave the US since the pandemic. 

Then, in October, Insider's UK-based senior lifestyle reporter Mikhaila Friel embarked on Cunard's five-night Western Europe voyage on the Queen Elizabeth . The ship stopped in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, for two nights, and the voyage marked Cunard's return to international sailing. 

The first difference our reporters noticed came with booking the rooms. Cunard's interior stateroom on the Queen Elizabeth cost $20 more than the Carnival Vista stateroom per night, and it was 33 square feet smaller.

Both rooms fit a king-size bed, bathroom, and closet.

The interior stateroom on Cunard's Queen Elizabeth , which cost slightly more, was advertised online as 152 square feet , while the room on the Carnival Vista was a bit larger at 185 square feet .

The Queen Elizabeth's stateroom cost £628 without gratuities for five nights, which worked out at £125 a night, or around $174 per night. 

Meanwhile, Carnival Vista's stateroom was $1,081 without gratuities for seven nights, about $154 a night, or around £111 per night.

(For full disclosure, Insider paid for both cruise accommodations, according to our reporting standards.)

They noticed the decor was different. Mikhaila's room had art on the walls; Monica's had just the essentials.

Mikhaila's room on the Queen Elizabeth was decked out with art and throw pillows. 

A blue blanket and two matching pillows — both of which featured Cunard's logo — were on the bed when Mikhaila arrived at her stateroom. Mikhaila's steward removed them from the bed every evening and replaced them in the morning.

There was less decor inside Monica's room. Housekeeping had laid out a mat so Monica could unpack a suitcase on her bed on the first day. Besides that, Monica thought the walls and beds looked largely unadorned.

But the most significant difference was in the amenities. Coffee was just a few steps away in Mikhaila's room on the Queen Elizabeth. To get coffee on the Carnival Vista, Monica had to leave her room or call room service.

When Mikhaila arrived in her stateroom, she found a coffee station complete with coffee, tea, sugar, and creamer. 

Monica's room lacked a coffee machine, but you could order breakfast via room service each morning for your cup of joe or walk to the nearest eatery. 

While both Mikhaila and Monica had robes waiting for them in their rooms, Mikhaila also had slippers.

Mikhaila found a robe hanging on the bathroom hook and a pair of slippers inside the closet when she arrived.

Monica found a robe but no slippers in her room.

Cunard provided royalty-approved shampoos and soaps, while Carnival's toiletries were brandless.

Throughout Mikhaila's room, there were plenty of references to royalty — even inside the shower. The shampoo, body soap, and hand soap in Mikhaila's bathroom were by royal-warrant holder Penhaligon's. 

A royal warrant is a distinction provided to companies that offer goods or services to the Queen, the late Duke of Edinburgh, or Prince Charles, according to the official Royal Warrant website .

The hand and body soap retails for £38, or around $51 , at the British department store Harrods.

Carnival did not prominently label the brand of products offered in Monica's bathroom.

Each guest on Cunard's ship received a bottle of wine. On the Carnival Vista, Monica's minifridge was empty.

Mikhaila was pleased to find a bottle of wine waiting for her in the minifridge, a complimentary gift given to all guests at the start of the voyage. It was accompanied by a note from the captain, welcoming all guests on board.

Her steward also left a Godvia chocolate on her pillow each night. The brand has a special connection to the Belgian royals. In 1968, it was given a Royal Warrant, making it the official chocolatier to the Royal Court of Belgium, according to its website.

A box of 45 chocolate pieces from Godvia's fall collection retails for £52.40, or around $70.80 in the UK.

Meanwhile, Monica didn't receive any chocolate or wine gifts during her stay. 

There were other differences, too, like the process of ordering room service. On the Queen Elizabeth, a room-service order was placed over the ship's phone. On the Carnival Vista, you ordered through a QR code on your personal phone.

As Insider previously reported , one of the most significant changes on Carnival Vista's ship since the start of the pandemic has been the use of QR codes practically everywhere.

To order room service, Monica could access a digital menu and place orders through her cell phone.

On the Queen Elizabeth, Mikhaila had to order room service through the room's phone. A dining room card was provided in the drawers of each guest's room.

While Mikhaila's room was decked out in the Cunard logo, Monica could find only a few instances of Carnival's logo in her room.

The Cunard logo, which features a lion rampant, a crown, and laurel leaves, was prominent in Mikhaila's stateroom. It was on the throw pillows, the blanket, and the complimentary pair of slippers and robe. The logo was a constant reminder that Mikhaila was on a luxury cruise linked to royalty . 

Meanwhile, Monica thought that the Carnival logo wasn't as prominent throughout her room.

While there were plenty of differences between the two rooms, our reporters also noticed some similarities.

Each room had two single mattresses pushed together to create a king-size bed, two lamps, a TV, and a bathroom with a shower.

Mikhaila and Monica had their keys waiting for them outside their stateroom doors.

Both reporters were left to find their staterooms by themselves when they embarked on their respective journeys. They found their room keys outside their stateroom doors.

Mikhaila and Monica could also use their room keys as credit cards to purchase items on board their ships. 

When our reporters walked into their rooms, the TVs were playing safety videos.

Former NBA star Shaquille O'Neal led the safety video in Monica's room detailing where to find her life jacket (the closet) and where to go on the ship if there was an emergency alarm.

While the video in Mikhaila's room shared similar safety information, it didn't seem to feature celebrity talent.

On both cruises, bottled water was available for a fee.

Monica thought one of the  smartest things she packed on her cruise  was a reusable water bottle. This meant she didn't have to shell out $4 for a 1.5-liter water bottle. The nearest drinking fountain was about a five-minute walk away, or she could've refilled from her stateroom's bathroom sink.

While the bottle of wine in Mikhaila's room was free, the water was not. A 2-liter Hildon water bottle cost her $4.50. (Since Cunard is owned by an American company, the water was priced in dollars, not pounds.)

Like the hand soap in Mikhaila's room, the brand of water has a Royal Warrant from the British royal family. 

Mikhaila and Monica were both happy with the storage options in their rooms.

Mikhaila's room had a closet with hangers and two chests of drawers on each side of the bed left open for her when she arrived. She also had a safe for storing personal items, which she thought came in handy during port days.

Monica's room also had a closet with hangers and a safe. Her room had one dresser in the closet and two nightstands that were similar in size to those in Mikhaila's room, though they lacked drawers. 

Overall, while the rooms had a similar layout and size, Mikhaila's room oozed luxury that the reporters agreed was worth the extra cost.

Mikhaila and Monica agreed that the complimentary wine, decor, and an in-room coffee station created an atmosphere of luxury and were worth the extra $20 each night.

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• Main content

• Cruise Advice

7 Carnival Cruise Room Photos

Doug Parker

• February 11, 2017

When it comes time to book a cruise, what type of stateroom you want to book is sometimes one of the deciding factors in finalizing the booking. Here are the major stateroom categories offered on Carnival Cruise Line.

1. Upper/Lower Stateroom

This cabin is configured for two people cruising together. It has the same amenities as an oceanview cabin, with a little less space. Instead of two twin-size convertible beds, this cabin has one twin bed and one bunk bed or sleeper sofa. Sleeps two guests.

2. Interior Stateroom

This is one of the most affordable ways to cruise. There is no window (excellent sleeping!) and the same amenities as the other cabins. This cabin has the option of two twin beds that convert to a king. Depending on the configuration, some cabins can sleep up to three guests.

3. Porthole Stateroom

For the cruiser that wants a peek outside without the price tag of an oceanview cabin, the porthole cabin has the same amenities as an oceanview cabin, with two twin beds, convertible to a king. Sleeps up to three guests.

4. Oceanview Stateroom

You can always have a view of what’s going on outside when you book an oceanview stateroom. Oceanview staterooms come with a panoramic window, two twin beds that are convertible to a king, and some ocean view rooms even have 1.5 bathrooms. Sleeps up to four guests.

5. Balcony Stateroom

A balcony stateroom is a pricier but more scenic option when cruising. Have your own sailaway party and space with your private balcony cabin.

A more affordable option is the Cove Balcony, which is located on the lower decks and is inset from the side of the ship. Balcony staterooms can sleep up to four people.

It is one of the most expensive stateroom categories on the cruise ship. There are a variety of suite classes, from a Junior Suite, Ocean Suite, to a Grand Suite, and on the newer ships, Family Harbor Suites.

Designed with space in mind, the suites typically have an extra changing room, more square footage, a larger balcony, and VIP check-in. Depending on the category, suites can sleep up to five guests.

7. Cloud 9 Spa Suites

One of the most popular and quick-to-sell categories across the Carnival fleet. This category has larger rooms, an expanded balcony size, and a whirlpool tub in every room.

You won’t find this on every ship. Cloud 9 Spa accommodations guests have private access to the spa and are eligible for exclusive spa packages and discounts.

Right now, these rooms are only available on Carnival Breeze, Carnival Dream, Carnival Splendor, Carnival Sunshine, Carnival Magic , and soon-to-come Carnival Horizon.

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• CruiseMapper

Carnival Valor cabins and suites

Carnival valor staterooms review, floor plans, photos.

Carnival Valor cabins and suites review at CruiseMapper provides detailed information on cruise accommodations , including floor plans, photos, room types and categories, cabin sizes, furniture details and included by Carnival Cruise Line en-suite amenities and services.

The Carnival Valor cruise ship cabins page is conveniently interlinked with its deck plans showing deck layouts combined with a legend and review of all onboard venues.

Captain's Suite

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The Carnival cruise ship Valor has a total of 29 wheelchair-accessible cabins (for disabled passengers) and 18 Spa cabins (all Balcony). The number of cabin categories is 34.

Connecting rooms ("family cabins") are located on decks 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11. The list of connecting cabins grades includes 2 beds (4E), 3 beds (PT), 2-3 beds (8B), 2-4 beds (6J-Scenic Oceanview), 2-3-4 beds (6A, 6B, 6C, 8C, 8D) and 4 bed (8F-Spa Balcony). Handicap staterooms (29 total) are in categories OS-Ocean Suie (1), Balcony (2), Oceanview (1) and Interior (24).

Follows the review of Carnival Valor staterooms as amenities, furniture, and complimentary services:

Each of the two Captain’s Suites has master bedroom (2 twin beds convertible to king, Pullman bed), dressing area (vanity, large walk-in closet), large bathroom, separate living room (double sofa bed, coffee table, desk, armchairs), second bathroom (shower), fridge and mini-bar.

Carnival Valor Suites (Captain's, Grand, Ocean) have king beds, living room (walk-in closet, desk, vanity table, chair, drawers, double sofa bed), private bathroom (WC, shower, whirlpool bathtub, double sinks).

Premium Balcony (9B, 9C) and Extended Balcony cabins (8N, 8M) have twin beds convertible to queen, ample closet/storage space, bathroom (shower), living area. Some (C staterooms have an additional sofa bed for 3rd person. These staterooms have 50% larger balconies, 3 closets (in all grades balcony rooms), full bathroom (shower). All grades balcony accommodations feature a private step-out balcony with sliding glass doors (table, patio chairs).

Passengers booked in Spa cabins (category 8F /balcony) enjoy the following complimentary amenities, services and perks (applicable for two guests per stateroom only): complimentary unlimited access to all Spa Carnival facilities, 2 fitness classes (Yoga or Pilates), 2 metabolism tests, bathrobes, slippers, deluxe in-room bath amenities by Elemis (shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, vitamin-rich body lotion, 1 hand and 1 body soap disks), priority Spa reservations (appointments must be made by 6 pm on embarkation day), spa treatment discounts on port days (while the ship is docked in ports of call- 20% off /1st, 30% off /2nd, 40% off /3rd treatment).

Scenic Oceanview cabins have floor-ceiling slanted windows, 2 twin beds (convertible to king), living area (sofa, coffee table, chairs). Some have additionally sofa bed for 3rd/4th person. Oceanview cabins have a large picture window, twin beds (convertible to queen), living area. Some have a sofa and/or upper beds (Pullman) for 3rd/4th person.

Inside cabins with windows (category 4J-Obstructed view) have Picture Window, while category PT has Porthole Window). Some 4J-Inside rooms have 1 upper bed (bunk bed) for 3rd person, and some are with not-convertible twin beds. Some of the Porthole Inside staterooms have a sofa bed or upper/bunk beds for a 3rd-4th person. Small Inside cabins have bunk beds (upper/lower Pullman beds), living area, bathroom (shower).

All Carnival Valor staterooms offer as standard/complimentary amenities a living area (vanity, seating), smart HDTV (infotainment system, Internet, on-demand-movies, bookings-reservations, Room Service ordering), direct-dial phone, electronic safe box and lifejackets (in the closet), hairdryer, en-suite bathroom (WC-toilet, shower, single sink-vanity, bathrobes, bathroom amenity basket/replenished upon request), custom-made beds (Carnival Comfort Bed System), beach towels, mini-bar/fridge, individual air-conditioning, complimentary 24-hour room service. Bibles (Gideon version) are provided upon request.

Bathroom amenities vary each time, so it’s advisable you bring your own. Samples may include toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss, body lotion, razor, antiacids. There is a wall-mounted dispenser in the shower stall (for liquid soap and shampoo). Electric power outlets are located in the desk/vanity area – one 110 V outlet (3-pronged, USA grounded) and one 220 V outlet (European standard). The bathroom’s 2-pin plug can be used only for electric razors.

The ship’s interactive TV system allows passengers to purchase movies on demand, to order room service and to check the Sail & Sign account’s status. The on-demand movie list has approx 25 films available for ordering at USD 5 per movie. Adult-content films cost USD 10 per movie. Depending on satellite reception (Carnival Valor location at sea), the complimentary in-cabin TV programming includes the following channels: ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CNN (Domestic, International, Espanol), TCM (classic movies), cartoons (Boomerang, CN), TNT, TBS. There are 2 complimentary movie channels showing a film every 3 hours (both starting at 12 noon). One shows all-time favorites (PG -13 rated) and the other shows all-time family favorites (G / PG-rated). The following TV channels are Carnival-themed and also complimentary: Fun Finds TV, Cruise Director, Fun Aboard, Park West Art, Shore Tours, Shi

Carnival Valor cabin and suite plans are property of Carnival Cruise Line . All floor plans are for informational purposes only and CruiseMapper is not responsible for their accuracy.