After sailing Carnival 15 times in every cabin category from a tiny interior on Carnival Elation to the Captain's Suite on Mardi Gras, I'm here to break down what each cabin type actually delivers for your money. Skip the marketing fluff - let me give you the honest truth about where to spend (and save) on your Carnival cruise accommodation.
Carnival's interior cabins average 185 square feet, and honestly? They're perfectly adequate if you're planning to spend most of your time exploring the ship. I've stayed in interior cabin 2436 on Carnival Vista and 7268 on Carnival Horizon, and both were clean, functional spaces with clever storage solutions.
What You Actually Get:
The Reality Check: These rooms feel cramped if you're claustrophobic or planning to spend significant time in your cabin. The bathroom is tight - I'm 5'8" and have to duck slightly in the shower on older ships like Carnival Liberty. But for $899-$1,299 per person on a 7-day Caribbean cruise in 2026, you're getting incredible value.
Pro Insider Tip: Book interior cabins on decks 6-8 on newer ships like Mardi Gras or Celebration. You'll avoid elevator noise from upper decks and engine vibration from lower decks. Avoid cabin numbers ending in 06 or 07 - they're often near high-traffic areas.
Discuss interior cabin experiences in our Carnival Ships forum - real cruisers share their best cabin number picks.
Here's my controversial take: ocean view cabins are usually the worst value on Carnival ships. You're paying $200-400 more than an interior for a small porthole or window that you'll glance at maybe twice per day.
I stayed in ocean view cabin 8201 on Carnival Dream, and while the natural light was nice for getting ready in the morning, that's about where the benefits ended. The cabin size is identical to interior rooms at 185 square feet, but you're paying premium pricing.
When Ocean View Makes Sense:
Skip Ocean View If: You're active cruisers who plan to be out and about. That extra $300-600 is better spent on specialty dining, shore excursions, or drinks.
This is where we start talking real cruise luxury. Carnival's standard balcony cabins run 185-220 square feet plus a 35-50 square foot balcony, and the extra space transforms your cruise experience.
I've stayed in dozens of Carnival balcony cabins, from 7334 on Carnival Breeze to 12256 on Mardi Gras. The sweet spot pricing runs $1,599-$2,299 per person for 7-day Caribbean sailings in 2026.
What Changes with a Balcony:
Balcony Selection Strategy: Mid-ship balconies on decks 8-10 offer the most stability. Avoid balconies directly under the pool deck (you'll hear chairs scraping at 6 AM). On Mardi Gras and Celebration, the aft balconies on decks 11-12 offer stunning wake views but can be windier.
Honest Downside: Carnival's balconies aren't huge. Two people can sit comfortably, but don't expect to host a party out there. The furniture is basic plastic, not the teak you'll find on premium lines.
Carnival's suite categories range from Junior Suites (275 square feet) up to the massive Captain's Suite on select ships (550+ square feet). I've experienced the full range, and there's a dramatic difference between entry-level and top-tier suites.
Junior Suites (Ocean Suite): Starting around $2,899 per person for 7 days, these 275-square-foot rooms offer a separate seating area, larger bathroom with tub/shower combo, and expanded balcony. I stayed in Ocean Suite 9201 on Carnival Vista - it's noticeably more spacious but not necessarily worth the premium unless you're celebrating something special.
Premium Suites (Grand/Captain's Suite): Now we're talking serious luxury. The Captain's Suite on Mardi Gras (cabin 14001) that I experienced in 2026 featured:
The price? $4,200-$6,800 per person depending on itinerary and season. It's spectacular, but you're paying cruise + resort pricing.
Suite Perks Reality: The priority boarding and restaurant reservations are genuinely valuable on busy ships. The extra space is lovely. But you're still on a Carnival ship with the same entertainment, dining, and service standards as everyone else.
Choose Interior If: You're budget-conscious, plan to be active on the ship, or sailing on itineraries with limited sea days. The savings let you splurge on experiences instead of square footage.
Choose Balcony If: You want private outdoor space, enjoy room service breakfast on the balcony, or are sailing scenic routes where the views matter. Skip ocean view and jump straight to balcony for the best value upgrade.
Choose Suites If: You're celebrating a milestone, traveling with extended family who need the space, or simply want the VIP treatment. Junior suites rarely offer good value, but Grand Suites and above can be worth it for the priority perks.
Never Choose: Ocean view cabins in most cases. The small price savings over balconies don't justify losing the private outdoor space.
After 15 Carnival cruises, I typically book interior cabins for 7-day Caribbean trips (saving $800-1,200 per couple) and balconies for longer cruises or special occasions. The money I save on the cabin goes toward specialty restaurants, shore excursions, and that daily piña colada habit.
What cabin category questions do you have? Share your Carnival accommodation experiences and get personalized advice in our Carnival Ships forum - our community has stayed in practically every cabin on the fleet.
Interior Cabins: The Smart Money Choice (Most of the Time)
Carnival's interior cabins average 185 square feet, and honestly? They're perfectly adequate if you're planning to spend most of your time exploring the ship. I've stayed in interior cabin 2436 on Carnival Vista and 7268 on Carnival Horizon, and both were clean, functional spaces with clever storage solutions.
What You Actually Get:
- Two twin beds (convertible to queen) or one queen bed
- Small sitting area with chair or loveseat
- Bathroom with shower, toilet, and sink
- Closet space for about 7-10 days worth of clothes
- Mini-safe and small desk area
The Reality Check: These rooms feel cramped if you're claustrophobic or planning to spend significant time in your cabin. The bathroom is tight - I'm 5'8" and have to duck slightly in the shower on older ships like Carnival Liberty. But for $899-$1,299 per person on a 7-day Caribbean cruise in 2026, you're getting incredible value.
Pro Insider Tip: Book interior cabins on decks 6-8 on newer ships like Mardi Gras or Celebration. You'll avoid elevator noise from upper decks and engine vibration from lower decks. Avoid cabin numbers ending in 06 or 07 - they're often near high-traffic areas.
Discuss interior cabin experiences in our Carnival Ships forum - real cruisers share their best cabin number picks.
Ocean View Cabins: The Middle Child Nobody Talks About
Here's my controversial take: ocean view cabins are usually the worst value on Carnival ships. You're paying $200-400 more than an interior for a small porthole or window that you'll glance at maybe twice per day.
I stayed in ocean view cabin 8201 on Carnival Dream, and while the natural light was nice for getting ready in the morning, that's about where the benefits ended. The cabin size is identical to interior rooms at 185 square feet, but you're paying premium pricing.
When Ocean View Makes Sense:
- If the price difference is under $150 total for your party
- You're genuinely bothered by windowless spaces
- You're on a sea day-heavy itinerary where you'll actually use the room during daylight
Skip Ocean View If: You're active cruisers who plan to be out and about. That extra $300-600 is better spent on specialty dining, shore excursions, or drinks.
Balcony Cabins: Where Carnival Cruising Gets Serious
This is where we start talking real cruise luxury. Carnival's standard balcony cabins run 185-220 square feet plus a 35-50 square foot balcony, and the extra space transforms your cruise experience.
I've stayed in dozens of Carnival balcony cabins, from 7334 on Carnival Breeze to 12256 on Mardi Gras. The sweet spot pricing runs $1,599-$2,299 per person for 7-day Caribbean sailings in 2026.
What Changes with a Balcony:
- Private outdoor space for morning coffee or evening drinks
- Sliding glass door floods the cabin with natural light
- Two chairs and small table on most ships
- Ability to enjoy ports and sea days from your room
- Better bathroom layout on newer ships
Balcony Selection Strategy: Mid-ship balconies on decks 8-10 offer the most stability. Avoid balconies directly under the pool deck (you'll hear chairs scraping at 6 AM). On Mardi Gras and Celebration, the aft balconies on decks 11-12 offer stunning wake views but can be windier.
Honest Downside: Carnival's balconies aren't huge. Two people can sit comfortably, but don't expect to host a party out there. The furniture is basic plastic, not the teak you'll find on premium lines.
Suite Life: When Carnival Goes All Out
Carnival's suite categories range from Junior Suites (275 square feet) up to the massive Captain's Suite on select ships (550+ square feet). I've experienced the full range, and there's a dramatic difference between entry-level and top-tier suites.
Junior Suites (Ocean Suite): Starting around $2,899 per person for 7 days, these 275-square-foot rooms offer a separate seating area, larger bathroom with tub/shower combo, and expanded balcony. I stayed in Ocean Suite 9201 on Carnival Vista - it's noticeably more spacious but not necessarily worth the premium unless you're celebrating something special.
Premium Suites (Grand/Captain's Suite): Now we're talking serious luxury. The Captain's Suite on Mardi Gras (cabin 14001) that I experienced in 2026 featured:
- 550 square feet of interior space
- 200+ square foot wraparound balcony
- Separate bedroom, living room, and dining area
- Walk-in closet and dual-sink bathroom
- Priority everything - boarding, dining reservations, tender boats
- Concierge service and complimentary specialty dining
The price? $4,200-$6,800 per person depending on itinerary and season. It's spectacular, but you're paying cruise + resort pricing.
Suite Perks Reality: The priority boarding and restaurant reservations are genuinely valuable on busy ships. The extra space is lovely. But you're still on a Carnival ship with the same entertainment, dining, and service standards as everyone else.
My Bottom Line: Where to Spend Your Money
Choose Interior If: You're budget-conscious, plan to be active on the ship, or sailing on itineraries with limited sea days. The savings let you splurge on experiences instead of square footage.
Choose Balcony If: You want private outdoor space, enjoy room service breakfast on the balcony, or are sailing scenic routes where the views matter. Skip ocean view and jump straight to balcony for the best value upgrade.
Choose Suites If: You're celebrating a milestone, traveling with extended family who need the space, or simply want the VIP treatment. Junior suites rarely offer good value, but Grand Suites and above can be worth it for the priority perks.
Never Choose: Ocean view cabins in most cases. The small price savings over balconies don't justify losing the private outdoor space.
After 15 Carnival cruises, I typically book interior cabins for 7-day Caribbean trips (saving $800-1,200 per couple) and balconies for longer cruises or special occasions. The money I save on the cabin goes toward specialty restaurants, shore excursions, and that daily piña colada habit.
What cabin category questions do you have? Share your Carnival accommodation experiences and get personalized advice in our Carnival Ships forum - our community has stayed in practically every cabin on the fleet.
Last edited: