I Stayed in The Cheapest Cabin on a 'Luxury' River Cruise

Cruises onboard the ship usually start at around $500 per person per night, so my expectations were high-much higher than usual. Given that there was only one way into and out of the cabin, I hoped I wouldn't feel claustrophobic.
This cabin was described by the cruise line as elegant and nostalgic and I stayed here for a week with my dad. I’m not sure they’re the words I would use necessarily but we certainly did see some interesting sites from down here, including the padded walls and lots of water.
To find out what we got up to outside the cabin, check out this video: • 7 Days on a Luxury Riv...
Fancy taking a cruise like this? Check out the itineraries on the Uniworld website here: shorturl.at/N7qQJ (affiliate)
For years I’ve wanted to take a luxury river cruise but I’d never found a trip within my budget. That was until I found a cruise on sale on the SS La Venezia sailing from Venice. It did make me wonder why the cruise had been reduced so much but I decided to book the cheapest cabin on the ship to find out for myself.
The cheapest and smallest cabin was called the Classic and that sounded good to me. There was a note about the windows being situated on the waterline but I didn’t read too much into that at the time, I was just so excited to be able get onboard.
I hoped that I wouldn’t find it strange if we literally had water splashing over the windows but in reality the problems we had weren’t ones I had thought about before.
The majority of the cabins on the ship are either called Deluxe cabins with a big window or they are balconies or suites. I found the cabin on the deck plans I had booked all the way down on deck 1, cabin 107. There were only 7 cabins like this on the entire ship, the rest of the cabins on this deck are for the crew.
The plan of the cabin did make it look like the beds separated which I was happy to see but it didn’t look like there would be much space there which as a little bit worrying.
I was trying to find video tours or pictures but there really isn’t a lot of information about this ship out there that showed the bed situation. I assumed that I would have been told if the beds couldn’t separate, or I wouldnt have booked this.
We boarded this cruise at around 10am which is very early but our cabins weren’t ready until 3pm. We had full access to the rest of the ship and could enjoy the included drinks and food. When we were walking to the restaurant for lunch we walked down the corridor that had the suites on it. I of course had to have a look inside, it’s impossible to resist, it’s always exciting to look around cabins and perhaps even more so when they’re not yours.
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[@EmmaCruises]

Is this your definition of elegant? Let me know 😂🥰 To find out what we got up to outside the cabin, check out this video next: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3Pao6qai7yGeqssi=1DRpjZ0XHfxK1nsD 😁👌 Fancy taking a cruise like this? Check out the itineraries on the Uniworld website here >>> shorturl.at/N7qQJ (affiliate) Ps, Captain Hudson V5 is available to buy right now! All profits go to a charity called Mercy Ships and he makes a great present: EmmaCruisesShop.com. Thank you to the 2297 of you who have already orders yours!! When they are gone, they are gone. 🥳🥳 PPS, watch to the end of the video? Comment 'do not disturb beanbag' so I know 🤣💻

[@HHh-ej4rl]

That wallpaper would drive me mad

[@EmmaCruises]

Haha! ;)

[@lillyfranzen7802]

I agree beautiful in small portions/ accident wall. Crazy in large amounts!😂

[@Erika1lee]

It's not very calming. That's for sure

[@taraoakes6674]

I mean…it’s literally everywhere! Yikes!

[@joelsense9031]

Nope, nope, nope. that decor would drive me nuts! lol

[@EmmaCruises]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@mad1538]

The cabin looks like one of the those pranks where they put wrapping paper on everything in a room

[@EmmaCruises]

^^ BEST COMMENT 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@frankfuller975]

🤣

[@ownedbyaspaniel]

The scary thing is that just 4 yrs ago a team of people agreed this interior decor was a great idea and a great look...... I literally just couldn't sail on that. Goodness gracious.

[@passportalwaysready]

And then paid good money to buy it!

[@stephengrimmer35]

Italian! The Berlusconi school of interior design.

[@lorigrimaldi194]

The old decor was much better then the current pattern

[@markmaz56]

That room looks like something from The Shining! 🙀

[@taraoakes6674]

Redrum…

[@OutlierConcepts]

"And I hoped I wouldn't feel claustrophobic" Is it just me or does the wallpaper somehow make it seem even more claustrophobic than my brain knows it is? I know its not a HUGE room but that pattern makes it feel even smaller than it is.

[@KarenG.-qs7wc]

That pattern would do my head in.🤯

[@Trektrendy]

Wow now that's quite a cabin design! Shame about the ineffective cabin blinds / fixed beds but looks like a river cruise I'd like to try! Excellent video as usual Emma :)

[@EmmaCruises]

I'd looooooooooooooove to see the biggest suites so please do! 😂🥳🥰

[@angelabarton5146]

Why does it enrage me that they insisted on using more of that pattern for blinds….that didn’t work?!?

[@suchisjess37]

as a fellow ocular-migraine sufferer, I would go absolutely mad staying in that patterned room

[@EmmaCruises]

Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼

[@boomerbobable]

As a person who loves seeing things that most people don't when travelling (quirky stops, weird events, etc.) being at water level would be a blast. Seeing the stuff growing on the dock walls and the occasional crab walk by would be awesome.

[@shanewaterman4125]

"I don't have words to describe the padding?". I do ... VULGAR - VULGAR- VULGAR!!!! YUK YUK YUK!

[@Rammstein66-u9v]

I get "shining" vibes of that decor

[@MikeBaxterABC]

6:23 .. These are simply called "Upholstery Tacks" or sometimes "Carpet Tacks" .. They are functional as the name implies, physically holding the fabric to the wall ... And OH!! :Another pretty dress!! ... It suits you well :)

[@jamesmartin1895]

I can still see the patterns even after finishing the vid 🤣 - as always, another awesome vid, Ms Emma - I do have a suggestion about the hot weather - get yourself a personal cooling fan that you can easily charge up, it kinda looks like a headphone you wear around neck - it helped me immensely on my trips to Southeast Asia 😊

[@TVandManga]

The old decor was lovely, the new decor makes my eyes ache. Thanks for the video Emma!

[@laurenschenck5355]

Fabulous review Emma and happy holidays to you and your family 💚❤️❤️❤️❄️🛳️💚💚💚💚❤️🌨️🌨️🌨️🎁🛳️🎅🏻

[@krlchristian1]

Thank you for the river cruise videos. I love them!

[@HHh-ej4rl]

Love being early to watch your awesome cruise videos!

[@EmmaCruises]

Yay!! Thanks so much. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼

[@lawrence2087]

As always, Emma, your travelogues are excellent. Afraid I must agree with other comments as to the wall papering in your cabin…Ugghh! 😂😂

[@danielcomptonangling3677]

Another great video. Thanks Emma.

[@barrydavies2977]

We have only done 1 river cruise. All the others were sea cruises. We really loved it. It was with Riviera cruises. We were on the lower deck, but the water never came over the windows. It might not have been as "posh", but it was not austere. It was lovely. It was definitely one of my favourite cruises. If it were not for the fact that river cruises cost about twice sea cruises, I would go on more. Looking at your review, it looked to me more like they were giving you some "luxury" but missing some basics. I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of your review.

[@alisonlearwood2419]

If you could paint a picture of a migraine, I suspect it would look like the decor in your room! How weird, now you’ve mentioned migraines 😂

[@hypergolic8468]

"We've over ordered the wall paper, we'll have lots of it left...." three hours later.... "where's it gone???...." "dada! problem solved". That cabin wallpaper must be the first circle of hell.

[@angelabarton5146]

“Should we wallpaper the beds too?….No, that would be too much. BUT we do need blinds.”

[@Jazzykatt23]

These river cruises are so expensive but the whole point is seeing the scenery and I would not want to have that little window. I don’t think it’s worth going at all if you can’t get a decent view. Unfortunately, they are all out of my price line.

[@kevanhubbard9673]

I hope that those water level windows have good rubber gaskets to seal them!

[@itsmephil2255]

Beat me too this comment 😂😂

[@lauraketteridge324]

The patterns in the cabin is lovely. However, no, HOWEVER, on the scale it was used makes it hideous. I am not claustrophobic, but this design has taken me close. If I could change rooms, I most definitely would.

[@Alybee.cosplay]

Aaaaa I’ve never been this early! Absolutely love these cabin showcase videos Emma!

[@EmmaCruises]

Yay!! Thanks so much. Love making them. Appreciate it. 🥳

[@irenedavo3768]

@@EmmaCruiseswho chose that paper?

[@jjs2351]

Crosses out Uniworld for future river cruises. Thanks for the warning, Emma.

[@T_Jonesy]

Wow, those fabric walls were a DELIBERATE choice in 2020?! Can't believe you couldn't even get relief from all the craziness by looking at the ceiling. Maybe that's why these staterooms are underwater -- that way they know you can't throw yourself overboard when it become too much.

[@angelabarton5146]

7:37 even the blinds 😳 wow

[@ellisonketovore]

Oh dear...looking out your cabin window is like looking at the window of my clothes washer during a washing cycle.

[@iamintentional]

Not even if it was just $1 per person per room. That wall covering is untenable. Just looking at it makes me nauseous, but then I am someone who is challenged with sensory overload of which that room is nothing but

[@yyyfffff33333]

Submariners would love that cabin .

[@EmmaCruises]

MAYBE!! 😂😂😂

[@richardg8651]

As bad as the wallpaper is, water washing over the windows would be a bigger issue for me. That would feel suffocating.

[@sunnyscott4876]

Yessss exactly right ✅️

[@SoloSueTravels]

That much pattern would definitely give me headaches. But having the windows below the waterline looks kinda fun.

[@EmmaCruises]

So fun!! Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼

[@juno2013]

Who agreed that decor was a good idea? I need to meet them.

[@StillPooh62]

I don't understand why you would sleep "upside down" when you had separate bedding. Personally I would rather risk waking up staring into my dad's eyeballs to getting kicked in the face. The wallpaper explosion would be a big nope for me, though, and I'm not even prone to migraines. I can't imagine why they would consider the redesign to be an upgrade 🙈

[@fredihayes6391]

Finally!!

[@gerardacronin334]

You could not pay me enough to stay in that room. Uniworld will not be seeing me as a guest!

[@ReyOfLight]

I hate, hate, HATE all the patterns in that room! Oh, did I mention that I hate it? This ship definitely looked better before it was refurbished! They totally changed it from classy and elegant, to some tacky clusterfuck that really looks like if migraine was a room

[@cyber2526]

"did you order the 10 rolls of wallpaper i told you to?" "10, you texted 100" "damn must have been a typo.. welp lets get some use out of it then"

[@bonzofotheringham8225]

Hiya Emma. Decor's a bit busy.

[@ludi7083]

OMG... the pattern in this cabin would make me lunatic and after that cruise I'd need an appointment at a psychiatric hospital 😀

[@EmmaCruises]

Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼

[@suzy8109]

I had a feeling of deja vu watching this video. Was this video posted a few days ago and then re-posted again today?

[@volrathy1]

all wallpaper and no balcony makes volrathy go crazy

[@stephengrimmer35]

@6:30 Those are upholstery tacks.

[@davidwelch6796]

So a premium price trip with dreadful décor in a cabin the same size as any other river cruiser - I hope other aspects of the cruise justified the additional expense because so far it looks like a boat to avoid.

[@karmenmrak]

So basically, cheapest cabin comes with headache😂

[@EmmaCruises]

Haha. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼

[@theonlywoody2shoes]

Not a great fan of the wall coverings on your cabin, but my CDO (that’s OCD in alphabetical order) is having major problems at 4:24 because they didn’t match the pattern on the bathroom door to the adjacent wall, and then at 7:29 they managed to line up the pattern vertically between the windows, but it off horizontally again - maybe it “matches the bathroom door” but I doubt it! Cadbury and Lindt, maybe I can forgive the decor 😋😋😋

[@AndyHill]

Blimey, that's er... busy! Was unlimited Migraleve included in the fare? Did it mess with your depth perception at all? Got visions of you reaching for the door handle and it's still 3ft away 😂😂

[@eugenius1192]

Duck View cabins. This is the sarcastic name I've heard for these lowest level cabins on river cruises because about all you can see from them (besides the water) are the ducks swimming by.

[@itsmephil2255]

A cabin that's at water level, I'm guessing you can't open the window then 😂😂 Have you seen this film called, what was it....oh yeah....Titanic 😂😂 Great video though 👏🏼

[@alastairmackay4589]

Padded cell with water torture!

[@BeKozTube]

Definitely got ripped off (almost scammed) on this one. Thank you for taking the hit for the rest of us to make sure to avoid it

[@EmmaCruises]

Haha, absolutely wasn't a scam we had a great week. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼

[@1234j]

Good grief re wallpaper. Someone got good money to convince others that was the way to go. Specsavers, red alert 😂😂😂 to save passengers' retinas😂.

[@jessicaabney5449]

Oh my goodness, the wallpaper is hurting my eyes just looking at it through the screen!

[@EmmaCruises]

Sorry!! ha ha 😂😂😂😂

[@jessicaabney5449]

Don’t be!! ❤ I’ll be on RC’s Brilliance of the Seas out of New Orleans next week with 9 other family members and absolutely can’t wait! Watching your videos makes me feel like I’m already there … thank you Emma!! 💕🤗

[@loumello8813]

That pattern would drive me crazy. I would paint the walls white.

[@EmmaCruises]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@BoBandits]

Did I watch this video last week? In Venice?

[@taraoakes6674]

Most people I know in the US would call that hobnail trim along the edges of the upholstery.

[@EmmaCruises]

Never heard of that! Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼

[@GenKrug-bl8mq]

It didn't look bad to me. However, I love sailing from port to port IE EXPLORING, so I may not book if they seldom sail!!! EMMA, WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COOKIE???😱🤔🌹

[@EmmaCruises]

CHOCOLATE CHIPPPSSSSSSSS! Ha ha. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼

[@martinaltmann4031]

This wallpaper thing is a prime example of overdoing things.

[@EmmaCruises]

😂😂😂

[@howardosden3112]

Oh! Having the pattern on the bed would have been too much?! 😂

[@EmmaCruises]

Too much!! Ha ha. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼

[@sunnyscott4876]

I still have 80s wallpaper in my house 🏠 so that wouldn't bother me, but having water splashing on the windows would make me very uneasy.

[@ccccssss9251]

Like my old house wall paper in the 80s

[@sunnyscott4876]

Lol...refer to my comment about this 😅😅😅😅

[@jimbo7223]

Have you reloaded this, I watched it last week.

[@clpar-k2x]

No it was another vlog about the ship and excursions, this is a cabin tour.

[@EmmaCruises]

Thanks! Yes, this is a cabin tour video. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼

[@Parkhopper1985]

Hi Emma & Hudson

[@OutlierConcepts]

"This ship was actually refurbished in 2020...this is the new design" OOOF so they're gonna be stuck with that pattern for a while I guess

[@MarciaMehl-e5h]

Studs - USA, midwest

[@zzygyy]

I would spend most time outside the cabin. Cabin for sleep and shower.

[@nil2k]

I would not even pay the discount rate for this one. all inclusive rates always feel pointless to someone who doesn't drink alcohol. For the full rate you could afford to stay at the expensive contemporary resort at Disney World and get tours and park passes too for five days.

[@GlobetrotterGranny]

I would be extremely unhappy with that decor! Ugh!!

[@EmmaCruises]

😂😂😂

[@MikeBaxterABC]

I have a fear of snakes. I would literally have to tape over the snake door handle!!

[@janettesinclair6279]

I never spotted the door handle - that's two of us who would want to cover it, and I'm not even sure if I could bear to use it!

[@AnnabelSmyth]

If that's luxury, I'd rather go back to the Tui Isla!

[@lorrainesherred6458]

With that wallpaper no wonder it’s the cheapest

[@Aviation129]

Nice

[@EmmaCruises]

First!!

[@John_Locke_108]

I think a balcony would not be good for that room. Water would probably get into the cabin. I definitely would not ask for them to upgrade it.

[@joemichaels4231]

Hey Emma! : )

[@EmmaCruises]

Hey heeeyyy!

[@1234j]

When ya can't move the beds and they messed up the twin/ double instructions... I love him, but not like THAT. He's my brother. Sheeeeeesh.

[@ralmslb]

Dam, $500 is so expensive

[@Brandis13]

Wow, that's really expensive. Looking at the room decor, it almost feels like a 50's Austin Powers style movie. Very oldfashioned, I prefer a more modern, streamlined look.

[@EmmaCruises]

haha! Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼

[@kyarichards2894]

Yikes, Deco Dire..... i don't like those overbearing interiors at all! Otherwise, very luxurious. Great review Emma.

[@mea3665]

Decided on Viking that decor is scarry

[@EmmaCruises]

Haha, I'd love to cruise with Viking! ❤️❤️

[@AntonyBradley]

Kind of like the cabin, but it would be tiring. Did anyone see the leaping fish?

[@hemaccabe4292]

You look very cute in your 70s pants.

[@jldisme]

That pattern would give me a headache and nightmares.

[@EmmaCruises]

Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼

[@travelfan0011]

Normally they would just put a night stand between the beds!

[@stefanrobertz9547]

When cruising in an inside cabin...or with a fixed window... aren't you afraid to be trapped in case of an event of accident????? I am thinking of Costa Concodia...

[@EmmaCruises]

Nope not really. Even in that case, which is a very very very rare case, it took a loooooong time to sink. Are you? ❤️❤️

[@stefanrobertz9547]

@@EmmaCruises well, it could be fire... anyway, in an inside cabin I would miss the "mountain View" ;-)

[@katsybo]

They seem kind of shabby for the money. That’s why I’ve never booked one.

[@bert7039]

No wonder it was the cheapest. Redrum pattern.

[@EmmaCruises]

Not just the cheapest cabins have this pattern, haha. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼

[@icturner23]

I would be perfectlt happy with the size and location but I HATE how they insist on calling cabins 'staterooms'.

[@SailorV84]

[@clpar-k2x]

Would be wearing my sunglasses in bed!

[@EmmaCruises]

Haha!! Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼

[@randolphfriend8260]

💜 🎉

[@EmmaCruises]

Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼

[@jonnysouthjersey]

the word you are looking for is "Hideous"

[@EmmaCruises]

😂😂😂😂

[@xix94]

have you ever left a cruise because it was so terribly bad ?

[@EvanBear]

I'm so sorry but I absolutely hate that pattern. I could not live there. I could not, not even for a couple days.

[@EmmaCruises]

Fair enough 😀❤️

[@EvanBear]

@@EmmaCruises I think the fact that I'm visually impaired and literally couldn't tell where anything was wouldn't be helpful either but my main issue with it is just that it is so so so ugly. Perhaps it's because I'm a sad beige millennial but I cannot with that 😭 Would love the waterline windows though, I'm currently saving up for a river cruise and looking around for good options. Safe to say, this one will not go on the list.

[@notyourtypicalgranny]

The decor shows that money doesn't mean taste. That is hideous.

[@philkfoto]

I would find that pattern uncomfortable to look at, certainly not done with taste in mind. I probably would not bother to stay if there was not an alternative on offer.