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A picture of the author in the mirror holding excursion tickets.
I didn't struggle to fall asleep and could easily get up early for my 7:30 a.m. excursion.

Taylor Rains/Business Insider

  • I sailed from Miami to the Dominican Republic on a three-day solo cruise in January. 
  • My tiny inside cabin cost about $300 before taxes and fees, which was the cheapest option.
  • Despite having no windows, I found the room perfect for me and easily worth the cost savings.

I went on my first solo cruise to the Caribbean in January, sailing on Norwegian Cruise Lines for three days from Miami to the Dominican Republic.

The one-way repositioning cruise on the Norwegian Sky, the company's second-oldest and second-smallest ship, only cost me about $300 for an inside cabin.

I booked the tiny room simply because it was the cheapest option, though I was warned by several people about the woes of an inside cabin.

Turns out, the dark little nook didn't bother me. Here's why.

My solo cruise to the Dominican Republic cost about $300 for an inside cabin.
A selfie of the author on the Norwegian Sky.
I went on a solo cruise and loved it more than I thought I would.

Taylor Rains/Business Insider

I paid another $200 for taxes, fees, and port expenses on top of the $300 inside cabin fare, which was the cheapest on this sailing.

As someone who regularly saves money by staying in hostels on trips, I'm used to making do with cramped spaces.
Staying at the Jumbo Stay 747 hotel in Sweden.
Photoed is my tiny hostel room at the JumboStay Hostel in Sweden, which is a converted Boeing 747 airplane (there were shared showers).

Taylor Rains/Insider

While I now have the means to splurge on hotels when I want, I still stay in hostels at some point during my yearly travels and am used to managing with just a bunk bed and a shared bathroom.

So, anything private is an upgrade.

Still, that didn't stop friends and family from warning me against the pitfalls of an inside cabin.
The author holding her key card.
Boarding involved getting my key card and finding assembly station N to get a yellow sticker, which served as the safety briefing.

Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Most of the complaints stemmed from the size of the inside rooms. Some also mentioned seasickness being worse and struggling to wake up in the morning due to the lack of windows.

I was assigned mid-ship cabin number 9336.
The author's stateroom door, which is blue.
Any mail I got, like the daily itinerary, was put in the slot behind the silver 9336 sign.

Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Inside rooms on the Norwegian Sky measure between 121 and 147 square feet.

I liked the location because it was right in between two elevators, so I had pretty easy access to both sides of the boat.

The cabin can accommodate up to two people, complete with a queen-sized bed that can split into two twins.
The bed inside the cabin viewed from the hallway.
The hallway between the door and the bed was pretty short.

Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Other inside rooms have more space with things like a single pull-out couch for larger groups, particuarly families.

The bed itself takes up a good chunk of the room, accompanied by lamps, USB ports, and side tables.
The side table and USB charger next to the bed.
Each person gets their own USB port, lamp, and side table.

Taylor Rains/Business Insider

They're hard to find, but the USB ports are on the side of the lamps situated behind the bed.

Meanwhile, a small desk sits in the center of the room, and a TV is mounted on the wall.
The view from the bed.
The view sitting on the bed. The door open leads to the bathroom.

Taylor Rains/Business Insider

There was additional storage under the TV, as well as a few glasses.

A closet lined the entryway and was the main storage space.
The author's blue suitcase sitting in the closet.
There was enough space for a few large suitcases inside the closet, which also came with about a dozen hangars and a full-body mirror.

Taylor Rains/Business Insider

I hung up my clothes and put my suitcase in the closet and out of the way of the little floorspace I had.

The bathroom had just enough room for a sink, toilet, shower, and a few shelves.
The bathroom view from the door.
The view of the bathroom from right outside the door.

Taylor Rains/Business Insider

The bathroom was tiny, but the shower space was larger than it looked, and I didn't feel cramped inside.

The shower included body wash and a combined shampoo/conditioner.
View of the shower in the mirror.
The shower was round and fit one person easily.

Taylor Rains/Business Insider

The shower was round, with good shower pressure and hot water. And I thought there was good storage space for toiletries and towels.

One warning: the shower and sink water was sometimes steaming hot (literally), and I had to run it on cold for a few minutes before it cooled down, so be careful.

Despite its cave-like size, I loved the small room and the bed was very comfortable.
The author's bed with the TV on the wall.
There was also temperature control in the room, so I could keep it at whatever I wanted.

Taylor Rains/Business Insider

It probably helps that I don't get claustrophobic, and I was by myself, so I could sprawl out on the big bed.

I didn't feel any sort of disorientation or seasickness being inside the windowless room.
The hallway with the closet and desk with a hair dryer.
The room came with a few outlets and a hair dryer.

Taylor Rains/Business Insider

I sometimes get seasick, but I luckily didn't feel any nausea on this cruise.

I didn't have trouble with my sleep cycle, either.
The port was called Taino Bay.
Royal Caribbean's bigger Explorer of the Seas blocks the Norwegian Sky in this photo.

Taylor Rains/Business Insider

The pitch-black room put me right to sleep at night and kept me asleep until my alarm went off around 7 a.m.

At home, I go to the gym every morning, and during the winter, that means getting up before sunrise. So, forcing myself awake without sunlight wasn't anything different from my regular day-to-day.

In fact, I sleep better than I had in weeks, thanks to my dark and cozy little nook.
View of the TV on with a channel guide.
The TV was small but had information on things like de-embarkation, as well as movies.

Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Not only did the dark-out room help me sleep through the night, but I was also able to nap easier.

And even if the lack of sunlight did bother me, I didn't spend enough time in my stateroom to justify the pricey upgrade.
Author's book and Heineken beer.
Onboard, I spent most of my time reading in the lounge, playing trivia, or watching shows.

Taylor Rains/Business Insider

For me, the allure of cruises is exploring the giant ship and enjoying the entertainment, so an additional $150 for a porthole cabin — and even more for a balcony or better — didn't make sense.

I only went to my cabin to sleep, shower, and change, so I'd rather use the extra cash on activities instead of my accommodation.
The pool deck on the Norwegian Sky.
The pool deck on the Norwegian Sky.

Taylor Rains/Business Insider

I can understand some people may prefer sitting out on their cabin balconies away from the chaos of the crowds and are willing to pay more for that perk.

The room was perfect because it only had to accommodate me — two people would be too tight a squeeze.
My suitcase on the carpet next to the foot of the bed.
There was not a lot of foot space between the bed, desk, and bathroom.

Taylor Rains/Business Insider

As just one person, I found there was just enough space to maneuver the tiny cabin, so I can imagine the space for two people plus bags would be tight.

I recommend upgrading if you're worried about sunlight or want to give yourself a little extra space — especially if you're sharing a cabin. Otherwise, save the money.

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Travel
Transportation, Travel, Cruises, solo-cruise, norwegian-cruise-lines, norwegian-sky, inside-cabin
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I chose an inside cabin on my recent Norwegian cruise because it was the cheape…