I stayed in Carnival's cheapest, $90-a-day cabin on its new ship. It was ugly and windowless but shockingly spacious. (2024)

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

Cruises can be overstimulating and overwhelming. Private balconies are the only place I've gotten peace, quiet, and fresh air on some ships.

So, unsurprisingly, I was dreading the interior cabin I had booked for my four-night Carnival Firenze cruise in mid-May.

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

I expected a small, dark, moldy dungeon deprived of life, happiness, and light.

Turns out, I was being a bit too dramatic. Who would've guessed?

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I'll admit was pleasantly surprised.

But before I get to the positives (spoiler alert: it's size), I have to address the negatives.

It might've been the ugliest cabin I've ever stayed in. And that's coming from someone who's sailed on a Margaritaville cruise.

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

Firenze joined Italy-based Costa Cruises' fleet in 2020. The company, owned by Carnival Corp, had planned to launch the ship in China but couldn't because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Firenze's stint with Costa was then shortlived. In 2022, Carnival announced it would acquire Firenze and its sister ship, Venezia, to grow its US footprint amid "strong interest in people wanting to sail with us," a Carnival spokesperson told Business Insider.

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

That would explain the otherwise unnecessary photo of Florence, Italy behind my bed.

The print was both the only decor and the only reference to Italy in my dingy cabin. Unfortunately, it looked both tacky and misplaced.

It did, however, disguise the ominous "pull the cord for assistance" feature.

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

The ship is less than four years old. The cabin looked quadruple its age, no thanks to the dated furniture that all came pushed against the wall.

The chaise's greyish pattern clashed with the yellow and red eyesore of a rug. And the small wood and faux-marble side table looked cheap and misplaced.

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

On the bright side, the mattress was comfortable. And the large desk and closet could have provided enough storage for more than two travelers.

The room also had motion-sensing lights mounted by the floor, a necessary amenity for a space devoid of natural light.

Plus, the unappealing decor encouraged me to spend more time around the ship's common spaces.

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

It was about as glamorous as a gas station restroom.

Most of my cruise cabin bathrooms have had modern, cool-toned decor, like the one pictured on the left. Carnival seems to have avoided the industry trend as much as possible.

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

Unbeknownst to me, the cruise line had put me in one of the ship's accessible, wheelchair-friendly accommodations. This meant the shower (as in, a curtain and a few drains on the floor) was one of the most spacious I've had at sea.

However, it only came with a two-in-one body wash and shampoo. Apparently, both Royal Caribbean and Carnival seem to have a BYOHC (bring your own hair conditioner) policy.

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Some storage would've been nice, too.

An unnecessary number of stacked tissue boxes and toilet paper rolls occupied the only shelves in the bathroom.

There was no need for these excess paper products. My cabin attendant already cleaned and restocked my stateroom once a day, as is typical with Carnival.

I'm a girlie with an extensive skincare routine and a compulsive need to organize my products. With almost no storage in the bathroom, I needed these shelves.

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

It's all because of one major feature: Its size. I never felt claustrophobic despite being stuck in a windowless 150-square-foot box.

The bathroom, one of the most spacious I've seen on a cruise ship, was so big that it could comfortably fit a family of four.

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

Heck, I could've comfortably starfished on the floor without hitting any furniture. I don't know if I can say the same for most of my previous cruise accommodations.

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Would I have preferred a balcony or window? Yes.

Did it feel more like a hospital room than a floating hotel room? Yes.

However, for the spaciousness, the cost is hard to beat. As a solo traveler, I paid $735 for my cabin, including $64 in optional gratuities.

In 2024, the cheapest interior cabin for two guests on Carnival Firenze starts at about $360 per person, including taxes and fees, for the same four-night itinerary as the one I went on.

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

Plus, it's much cheaper than the newest ships of other cruise lines (I'm looking at you, Royal Caribbean).

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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.

Yes, it isn't lovely. But at least it's completely functional and large.

If I — spoiled — can do it, so can you.