Intrigued by the affordable rates and the convenience of being a short drive away from New Orleans, I finally decided to try Carnival Cruise Line. Specifically, we wanted to know what Carnival Valor’s cheapest stateroom would offer.
The stateroom and cruise originally cost $1,066 for two people staying in an indoor cabin for a four-night cruise. However, due to a storm off the Gulf coast, our voyage was shortened by a day and we were refunded $189, bringing the total cost of 3 nights on board for 2 people to $877.
Join us as we take you inside a standard stateroom on Carnival Valor and what passengers can expect when booking a cabin on the most affordable cruise ship.
wider than expected
Despite being the most budget-friendly option, we were pleasantly surprised by the size of the bedroom area within the stateroom. At Carnival, guests can select their preferred bed configuration upon check-in, choosing between one queen-sized bed or two separate twin beds. This is a convenient option for couples, families, and friends sharing a cabin.
Each bed was equipped with two pillows per person, soft sheets, and a comfortable blanket. Even though this was an interior stateroom, I was glad to see that Carnival hadn’t skimped on basic comfort on board.
There are two small nightstands next to each bed that provide storage space, as well as a lamp and USB charging port, perfect for charging your phone throughout the night. Simple but tasteful landscape paintings adorned two walls, giving the room, albeit small, character.
This room is smartly designed in terms of functionality. A desk with ottoman and mirror sits below the wall-mounted TV, with additional storage in the form of drawers and shelves.
(Please note that the “Choose Fun” cover on the bed is not a blanket, but a protective cover for unpacking the suitcase)
We were impressed with the amount of storage Carnival packed into this compact space. The two closets had plenty of space for clothes and other belongings, making it easy to stay organized throughout the cruise.
There were also two mirrors so multiple people could get ready at the same time. This is an often overlooked detail that made the stateroom even more convenient.
Read: Carnival Drink Package Reviews and Detailed Investigation
The bathroom was hit and miss
Moving to the bathroom, my feelings became a little mixed. On the positive side, we appreciated the counter space and shelves, which were excellent for storing toiletries, sunscreen, and other essentials. Carnival has done a great job making sure you have plenty of space to organize things in this small but functional area.
However, the bathroom had one major flaw. It’s a horrible cloth shower curtain. Anyone who has gone through this knows the struggle. Despite my best efforts, water leaked out and soaked the bathroom floor every time I took a shower.
This was somewhat frustrating as after a long day all I wanted was a hot shower without the hassle of soaking the floor. That said, the bathroom was clean and functional for a short 3 night cruise.
I’ve cruised on older ships than Norwegian Cruise Line’s Carnival Valor, so I was a little surprised to see the shower curtain. It has a shower door instead of a curtain. It’s a small detail, but it’s noticeable.
Practical and thoughtful amenities
Despite being an indoor stateroom, Carnival has packed a lot of amenities into this space. The desk area was more than just a showpiece and came with an ottoman, a small trash can, a phone to contact other areas of the ship, and additional drawers for storage. There was a flat screen TV above the desk, which was handy for checking out ship activities and relaxing in the room.
One thoughtful feature I appreciated was the presence of beach towels on a small table in the room. Having pool towels available made it easy to step out on deck to soak up some sun or take a quick swim without having to go to Guest Services onboard or the poolside towel stand.
There is a mini-fridge under the small table, which comes in handy if you want to bring soda or bottled water on board. I also found a full length mirror tucked away in one of the closets. This was perfect to see if we were ready for the cruise before heading to dinner and a show on board.
Temperature control is important for a good night’s sleep on a cruise, and I was happy to find that each room in the stateroom had its own thermostat. However, I noticed that even when set to the coolest option, the room remained quite warm.
Whether it was because of the age of the ship or some other issue, I sometimes felt a little uncomfortable when falling asleep, but it wasn’t a big problem.
Read: See what I thought about my first Carnival cruise
A budget-friendly way to cruise
Carnival Valor’s interior staterooms are basic but surprisingly comfortable. For budget-minded cruisers, it’s a great way to experience all that a ship has to offer without breaking the bank.
Internal cabins are the best way to cruise Carnival on a budget, considering that internal staterooms have all the amenities you need and you still have access to onboard activities, events, entertainment, and complimentary meals. That’s clear.
What’s included
In addition to the stateroom itself, Carnival’s affordable cruise fares include unlimited meals at complimentary dining venues and access to all entertainment and activities onboard. From lively shows to trivia contests, passengers in our most affordable staterooms get the same fun cruise experience as passengers staying in the ship’s more expensive cabins.
This was my first Carnival cruise and I wanted to see how it stacked up to my experiences with other cruise lines such as Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, and Disney Cruise Line.
Read: Carnival Cruise Line Dining Guide
We are pleased to be able to offer a similar experience at Carnival, especially when it comes to value for money. Choosing a budget stateroom doesn’t mean skimping on fun, entertainment, and dining.
When it comes to food, Carnival delivered more than I expected. From delicious tacos at BlueIguana Cantina to mouth-watering burgers at Guy’s Burger Joint to Asian fare at Mongolian Wok, the food was satisfying and consistent with what we’ve enjoyed on larger cruise ships on other routes. This was something that surprised me!
How do the cabins compare to other cruise lines?
(Standard equipment in the staterooms of Norwegian Jade, one of the oldest ships in NCL’s fleet)
With over 15 cruises under my belt, many of them spent in staterooms, I’ve become pretty familiar with what to expect from most affordable cruise accommodations onboard.
In my experience, Norwegian staterooms tend to feel a little more modern, with better lighting, modern amenities, and slightly larger bathrooms. I especially appreciated Norwegian’s glass shower door. This completely eliminates the wet floor problem we experienced on Carnival Valor.
(Bathroom layout on NCL’s two oldest ships, Norwegian Jade and Norwegian Star)
Norwegian’s cabins tend to feel less “worn-in” than Carnival’s. This is likely due to the fact that Norwegian’s fleet includes some new ships, and the fact that Norwegian tends to invest heavily in refurbishments, especially in stateroom updates. Masu.
Disney Cruise Line staterooms are definitely a class above the rest when it comes to decor and amenities. Disney’s interiors feel more sophisticated and, while basic, include small touches such as split bathrooms in balcony rooms that make it easier for multiple people to get ready at the same time, and bathtubs in every stateroom. notice that it has been applied.
(On board the Disney Fantasy)
Disney also sprinkles magic with whimsical design elements, such as magical portholes where characters appear. We didn’t expect Carnival’s affordable rooms to compete with Disney’s upscale atmosphere, but Disney’s attention to detail definitely makes the inside of the cabin stand out.
That being said, Carnival’s indoor staterooms are great value when you consider the cost. Of course, you may sacrifice some of the extra features found on other cruise lines, but Carnival offers what you need for a comfortable stay at sea. Plus, considering the low price, this is a perfectly reasonable trade-off for travelers looking to cruise on a budget.
Read: A look at the cheapest staterooms on the newest and oldest Carnival ships
final thoughts
Carnival Valor’s least expensive staterooms won’t wow you with their luxury, but will provide you with a solid, budget-friendly place to call home while still enjoying the ship’s other amenities. For passengers looking for an affordable way to sail, especially for a short weekend getaway, this indoor stateroom will suffice.
Carnival is often criticized by some, but the experience on board was fun and rewarding, especially considering the price. Whether you’re an experienced cruiser or a beginner looking to save some money, Carnival’s interior staterooms are the perfect way to cruise without compromise.
