I stayed in Carnival's cheapest, $90-a-day cabin on its new ship. It was ugly and windowless but shockingly spacious.

Brittany ChangJun 4, 2024, 03:44 IST

For about $90 a day, guests staying in Carnival Firenze's interior cabin get an ugly but surprisingly spacious hotel room at sea.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

I booked the cheapest interior cabin for my four-night cruise on Carnival's new Carnival Firenze.
It was ugly, dated, and lacked decor, but shockingly spacious.

One of the best parts about cruising is feeling the open ocean's cool breeze rush around your skin.

So imagine how grumpy I was when I had to book a windowless interior cabin for my most recent sailing — on my first Carnival cruise, no less.

As a travel reporter, I go on several of these vacations at sea every year. I'm usually put up in balcony staterooms, the most popular cabin category.

Yes, I've been spoiled. And yes, that means I've always feared inside cabins.

My balcony on Oceania Vista.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

No fresh air? No cool ocean breeze? The horror!

Carnival Firenze is the company's 27th ship.Business Insider/Brittany Chang

I'll admit was pleasantly surprised.

The bare, subtly warm yellow-tinted walls had me relating to "The Yellow Wallpaper" short story more than ever before — further afflicted by the lack of windows and decor.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

To understand the stateroom, you must understand the ship's relatively short history.

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

The spokesperson said Firenze underwent a two-month refresh to 'install the Carnival Fun Italian Style Concept.'

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

It's 2024. Why weren't there any bedside outlets?

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

Gripes about aesthetics aside, everything in the joint living room and bedroom was perfectly functional.

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

But if you think the bedroom looks old, wait until you see the bathroom.

The bathroom in my Norwegian Prima balcony cabin (left) is more modern and cool-toned than the one in my Carnival Firenze cabin (right).Brittany Chang/Business Insider

The yellow and red tiles were giving vintage McDonald's.

The shower came with a two-in-one body wash and shampoo.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Some storage would've been nice, too.

The shelves to the left of the sink were the only ones in my bathroom.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

With all these complaints, you may wonder why I said I was pleasantly surprised by my stateroom.

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

Back in the living room, I could've rolled out a yoga mat and worked out without moving anything around.

All the furniture came pushed against the wall, leaving plenty of space in the middle of the stateroom.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

Would I have preferred a balcony or window? Yes.

The closet is the perfect size for two travelers.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

That's $90 a night for a cabin, food, onboard amenities, and stops at Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico.

The fare includes access to amenities like the waterslides and kid's water playground.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

So, if you are desperate for a dirty and cheap getaway, and Carnival Firenze has been catching your eye, don't be afraid of the interior cabin.

My cabin came with a Carnival-branded pool towel.Brittany Chang/Business Insider

I'm a New Yorker who stayed in a tiny house for the first time. The cozy experience made me want to give up city life forever.

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