How the cheapest interior and balcony cabins on Carnival's new cruise ship compare — and why the pricier one is worth it

Brittany ChangJun 22, 2024, 18:03 IST

An interior stateroom on Carnival Firenze is $160 cheaper per person than a cabin with a balcony. I recommend paying more for the private outdoor space.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Carnival's new Carnival Firenze cruise ship set sail in late April.
Its interior cabins are $160 cheaper per person than the ones with balconies.

I finally realized that my parents are, in fact, always right. Unfortunately, learning my lesson took a stint in a windowless cabin on a Carnival cruise.

In mid-May, I found myself stuck on a four-night Carnival Firenze cruise with my family. I was there for work — they were there to enjoy the sun. And that they did, as they luxuriated in a cabin with a balcony while I was stuck in a drab, windowless dungeon.

Never again will I think of my parents as 'snobby' for wanting the more expensive accommodation (sorry, Mom and Dad).

Carnival Firenze is Carnival Cruise Line's 27th ship.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Carnival Firenze, the company’s newest vessel, set sail in April.

Costa and Carnival are both owned by Carnival Corp. A spokesperson for Carnival said Firenze would retain its Costa-branded funnel "for now."Brittany Chang/Business Insider

But my interior cabin looked more like an ancient motel than a four-year-old ship.

A cabin attendant made my bed once a day.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

The furniture was functional, but that doesn’t mean it was pretty.

All of the furniture was placed against the wall.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

'Expensive' and 'modern' could be the antithesis of my bathroom. It was a total eyesore.

The bathroom was ugly but spacious, a reoccurring theme of my cabin.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

On the bright side, the bathroom and bedroom felt surprisingly spacious for 150 square feet.

All of my furniture was pushed against the wall.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Complaints about its appearance aside, the room was large and almost perfectly functional — easily worth its $90-a-night price tag.

My cabin had a sizable desk attached to the closet.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Some of the furniture in my dungeon and their breezy hotel room at sea looked identical.

The chaise could convert into another bed.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

However, no amount of natural light could've saved the stateroom from feeling cramped.

The balcony cabin is 222 square feet including the outdoor space.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

The tiny bathroom made the one in my interior accommodation feel palatial.

The bathroom in the balcony cabin felt cramped but came with several open shelves.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

But the tight layout is worth it for the private outdoor space and light.

The balcony cabin had a window and a glass-lined door, bringing in plenty of natural light.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

A quiet outdoor space is especially important on a ship like Carnival Firenze.

Carnival Firenze has an indoor pool.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

I should probably add an asterisk next to 'truly quiet spaces.'

The walkways around the bed felt tight.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

But, like I said, I'd trade a gloomy stateroom for a balcony and the chance to eavesdrop on my neighbors.