Forums Closed
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As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
So it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our long-running forums. They came online in 2000 and brought together so many wonderful Disney fans. We had friendships form, careers launch, couples marry, children born ... all because of this amazing community.
Thank you to each of you who were a part of this community. You made it possible.
And a very special thank you to our Guides (moderators), past and present, who kept our forums a happy place to be. You are the glue that held everything together, and we are forever grateful to you. Thank you aliceinwdw, Caldercup, MrsM, WillCAD, Fortissimo, GingerJ, HiddenMickey, CRCrazy, Eeyoresmom, disneyknut, disneydani, Cam22, chezp, WDWfan, Luvsun, KMB733, rescuesk, OhToodles!, Colexis Mom, lfredsbo, HiddenMickey, DrDolphin, DopeyGirl, duck addict, Disneybine, PixieMichele, Sandra Bostwick, Eeyore Tattoo, DyanKJ130, Suzy Q'Disney, LilMarcieMouse, AllisonG, Belle*, Chrissi, Brant, DawnDenise, Crystalloubear, Disneymom9092, FanOfMickey, Goofy4Goofy, GoofyMom, Home4us123, iamgrumpy, ilovedisney247, Jennifer2003, Jenny Pooh, KrisLuvsDisney, Ladyt, Laughaholic88, LauraBelle Hime, Lilianna, LizardCop, Loobyoxlip, lukeandbrooksmom, marisag, michnash, MickeyMAC, OffKilter_Lynn, PamelaK, Poor_Eeyore, ripkensnana, RobDVC, SHEANA1226, Shell of the South, snoozin, Statelady01, Tara O'Hara, tigger22, Tink and Co., Tinkerbelz, WDWJAMBA, wdwlovers, Wendyismyname, whoSEZ, WildforWD, and WvuGrrrl. You made the magic.
We want to personally thank Sara Varney, who coordinated our community for many years (among so many other things she did for us), and Cheryl Pendry, our Message Board Manager who helped train our Guides, and Ginger Jabour, who helped us with the PassPorter-specific forums and Live! Guides. Thank you for your time, energy, and enthusiasm. You made it all happen.
There are other changes as well.
Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:
We go on to the joy and through the tears
We go on to discover new frontiers
Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
Moving forward now as one
Moving on with a spirit born to run
Ever on with each rising sun.
To a new day, we go on.
It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
But eventually, we must move on and move forward. It is the right thing to do.
So we are retiring this newsletter, as we simply cannot keep up with it. Many thanks to Mouse Fan Travel who supported it all these years, to All Ears and MousePlanet who helped us with news, to our many article contributors, and -- most importantly -- to Sara Varney who edited our newsletter so wonderfully for years and years.
And we are no longer charging for the Live Guides. If you have a subscription, it's yours to keep for the lifetime of the Live Guides at no additional cost. The Live Guides will stay online, barring server issues and technical problems, for all of 2019.
That said, PassPorter is not going away. Most of the resources will remain online for as long as we can support them, and after that we will find ways to make whatever we can available. PassPorter means a great deal to us, and to many of you, and we will do our best to keep it alive in whatever way we can. Our server costs are high, and they'll need to come out of our pockets, so in the future you can expect some changes so we can bring those costs down.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your amazing support over the years. Without you, there's no way us little guys could have made something like this happen and given the "big guys" a run for their money. PassPorter was consistently the #3 guidebook after the Unofficial and Official guides, which was really unheard of for such a small company to do. We ROCKED it thanks to you and your support and love!
If you miss us, you can still find some of us online. Sara started a new blog at DisneyParkPrincess.com -- I strongly urge you to visit and get on her mailing list. She IS the Disney park princess and knows Disney backward and forward. And I am blogging as well at JenniferMaker.com, which is a little craft blog I started a couple of years ago to make ends meet. You can see and hear me in my craft show at https://www.youtube.com/c/jennifermaker . Many PassPorter readers and fans are on Facebook, in groups they formed like the PassPorter Trip Reports and PassPorter Crafting Challenge (if you join, just let them know you read about it in the newsletter). And some of our most devoted community members started a forum of their own at Pixie Dust Lane and all are invited over.
So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!
Best wishes for a wonderful and magical new year!
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Welcome! We're happy you've found the PassPorter Community -- the friendliest place to plan your vacation to Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland, and the world in general! You are now viewing the PassPorter Message Board Community as a guest, which gives you limited access. As our guest, feel free to browse our messages by selecting the forum you want to visit from the list below.
To post messages and ask questions, join our FREE community today and you'll get access to tools and resources not available to guests, such as our vacation countown timers, "living" avatars, private messaging system, database searches, downloads, and a special PassPorter discount code. Registration is fast, simple, and completely free. Just click the Join Our Community link.
If you think you've already joined, log in below now. If you don't remember your member name or password, please visit our Member Name and Password Recovery page. You are also welcome to contact us.
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03-09-2003, 01:17 PM
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#1
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Community Rank: Explorer 
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Connecticut Shoreline
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 8,250
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Re: Staterooms
While we have never cruised on Disney (but have cruised on other lines), I have to say that a balcony is nice to have. I especially enjoy being able to go outside early in the morning or to watch as the ship is leaving the different ports. It does also make the stateroom a bit larger. My advice, is to book the category you want and then hope for an upgrade to something bigger and better. My DH and I had gotten so used to getting upgrades on the other lines we have travelled. On our last cruise, we decided to book an inside stateroom and hope for an upgrade. Guess what, we didn't get it! We were so used to upgrades (and, we book a year ahead of time) that we were actually disappointed we didn't get it. The inside stateroom was ok, but we certainly will not book it again. While the room was spacious, I did not enjoy being able to not see outside. So, always book the cabin that you feel will best accommodate your needs and then hope for something better. That way, if you don't get an upgrade, at least you'll be happy.
KathyL
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03-09-2003, 01:19 PM
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#2
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Faith, Trust, Pixie Dust
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Sasquatch Territory, Pacific Northwest
Concierge Level: 8
Posts: 17,166
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Re: Staterooms
Cheryl
The catagory 8 rooms with Porthole are really nice too. There is a great photo of Dave sitting in his Catagory 8 stateroom (Passporter's Guide To The Disney Cruise Line, Page 66). He is sitting in front of a GENEROUSLY sized Porthole, which is bathing the room in glorious sunlight. If a verandah is not a big deal, this room would be wonderful...and less points if I understand your original post. Hope this helps!
[ 03-09-2003, 01:21 PM: Message edited by: DebiDebiDebi ]
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03-09-2003, 01:21 PM
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#3
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Community Rank: Traveler 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Lincolnshire, England
Posts: 461
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Re: Staterooms
Hey Dad2jbj, it sounds like you've got Jennifer and Dave's new cruise guide. Sure seems to be full of practical information! Which Disney cruises have you been on so far and which did you like best?
Cheryl, when we went on the cruise last year we had a category 5 with a verandah and it was really nice to be able to sit and look out at the sea / sights. I think it was all glass on that side so even if you sat on the settee you could still look out. if you can afford the points I would go for as high a category as you can - the extra space and views are worth it.
A 3 day cruise will give you a good taste to decide if you like / love / loath cruising [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]
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03-09-2003, 01:29 PM
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#4
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Community Rank: Legend 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,365
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Re: Staterooms
Quote:
Originally posted by mikki:
Hey Dad2jbj, it sounds like you've got Jennifer and Dave's new cruise guide. Sure seems to be full of practical information! Which Disney cruises have you been on so far and which did you like best?
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<font size="2" face="Comic Sans MS, Arial">I was actually fortunate enough to be a reviewer for J&D's Field Guide late last year/early this year before they published it - so I read it over and over and over and continue to do so! I keep my copies on my desk in my office as we're planning a 7 day for next Spring - Western. We've only cruised on RCCL in the past and my favorite route is Western. |
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03-09-2003, 02:28 PM
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#5
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Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Connecticut
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 16,825
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Re: Staterooms
We stayed in a Cat 9 (virtually the same as a Cat 8 just on different decks) stateroom on our last Disney Cruise and liked it so much that we booked it for our next one! The portholes are large and give you a feeling of openness and let in plenty of light.
Our 9/01 cruise was also a three night. We spent so little time on our room, I'm glad we didn't pay the extra for a verandah. I also felt the 3 night was perfect for a first DCL cruise. I would stick with the Cat 98, then when you KNOW you love cruising on DCL and can't wait to go back, you have the points you didn't borrow to use towards a verandah on your next, longer cruise! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
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03-09-2003, 07:05 PM
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#6
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Faith, Trust, Pixie Dust
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Sasquatch Territory, Pacific Northwest
Concierge Level: 8
Posts: 17,166
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Re: Staterooms
Quote:
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Originally Posted By Belle: We spent so little time on our room, I'm glad we didn't pay the extra for a verandah.
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<font size="2" face="Comic Sans MS, Arial">This is my thinking exactly. We did not request a verandah for this reason, but, if we get upgraded to a room with one, that is fine too. Besides, with all those fantastic decks...you can find a quiet place to relax and enjoy the view anytime! |
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03-09-2003, 08:30 PM
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#7
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Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Ann Arbor, MI USA
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 14,427
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Re: Staterooms
Yes, those Cat 8/9's with those huge, stylized "portholes" (they're really picture windows) feel very open (the Cat 9's on Deck 1 have small portholes, so you have to request Deck 2 to get the big picture). They also have as much floor space as the Cat 6's and 7's, if you don't count the verandah.
On your first 3-night cruise, you probably won't have time to enjoy your verandah. Like a first-time visitor to WDW, you'll feel driven to experience every activity on and off the ship. Verandahs begin to come into their own after your first cruise, and when you have at-sea days.
I'd certainly save my points for now--you might want to bank them for that next, 7-night cruise. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]
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03-09-2003, 08:36 PM
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#8
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Mrs. Jack Sparrow
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Aboard the Black Pearl
Concierge Level: 7
Posts: 21,228
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Re: Staterooms
my sis and I had the Large port hole room,(The siter room to the one of Dave in it.) We were on the Magic. It was our first Crusie and loved it. this year we are getting a veranda. So I wont know the diffrece till Augest.
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03-10-2003, 12:09 AM
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#9
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PassPorter Message Board Manager
 PassPorter Guide Author
Community Rank: Legend VIP 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Maidstone, Kent, UK
Concierge Level: 3
Posts: 190,285
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Staterooms
We're planning on using our DVC points towards a three night cruise in May 2004. We want to start with a three day to get the idea of cruising and it also means we won't have to spend lots of points on a Friday or Saturday stay at one of the DVC resorts at Disney.
Now we can either borrow 1 point from our next year and get a category 8 stateroom, borrow 17 and get a category 7 or borrow 31 and get a category 6. Any thoughts? If it helps, we usually stay at the Beach Club when we're at Disney, which gives you an idea of what we like and what we're used to.
Cheryl
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03-10-2003, 12:15 AM
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#10
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Community Rank: Legend
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,365
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Re: Staterooms
Is the verandah important to you? If so, then you'll want to go 7 or higher. Most Category 7's have the Navigator's Verandah and they're a great value IMHO. Is it worth it to you to trade that much more point to go up to the full verandah? I personally cannot imagine cruising without a verandah - and the Navigator's Verandah will give you a tad more privacy and protection from elements - but to some it's no big deal.
ENJOY!! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
[ 03-09-2003, 12:19 PM: Message edited by: Dad2jbj ]
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03-10-2003, 12:32 AM
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#11
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Community Rank: Explorer
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Longfellow's "Jewel by the Sea"
Posts: 14,165
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Re: Staterooms
I *can* imagine cruising without a verandah, because we've done it, but probably never will again.
Verandahs are kind of a tough issue, but only because of the price difference. Lots of people have gotten them and thought it a was waste since they spent so much time about the ship and partying/relaxing with new friends. Also, you never know what the weather will be like, and it'd be a shame to have a rainy verandah (but IMO, still worth it.) I'd like to be a *little* more social on my cruises, but DBF is a non-drinker so he doesn't have as much fun in the clubs and pubs as I do. He's happy with a romantic evening on the Verandah (we've never cruised with Disney, but plan to in 2004) and because he's happy with that, then I'm happy too.
If anything, if you're playing around with points and this is your first cruise, scrap the extra points on category upgrade and go for the 4-day cruise. Once you're aboard you'll realize that three days IS NOT ENOUGH and you'll be happy just to have that extra day.
Have fun planning! I wish I had DVC points to play around with!!!
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03-10-2003, 12:39 AM
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#12
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Community Rank: Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Florida Big Bend
Posts: 17,133
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Re: Staterooms
Chery, we are newbies at cruising as well and are doing a Category Six as Keith is concerned about feeling "closed in" and wants an open verandah. The Category Seven staterooms are enclosed with plexiglass. If you are booking early enough in advance (as it appears you are [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] ) you stand a higher chance of upgrade from what we've read and experienced prior to our aborted cruise.
Elaine
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03-10-2003, 12:59 AM
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#13
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Community Rank: Legend
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,365
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Re: Staterooms
Just to clarify - actually only 4 of the Category 7's have the plexiglass (6134, 6634, 7120, & 7620) and are not enclosed, but are partially obstructed by the hull. The remainder are enclosed with an open air porthole.
[ 03-09-2003, 01:01 PM: Message edited by: Dad2jbj ]
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03-10-2003, 07:32 AM
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#14
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Community Rank: Trekker 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 1,031
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Re: Staterooms
I've cruised 10 times without a balcony, and once with a balcony. It was supposed to be a Navigator's Verandah, but it was definitely more open than the NV descriptions made it seem. Category 7 on the Magic.
Anyway, we said, "Oh, we'll have coffee every morning on the balcony." We didn't. On the 7-day cruise, we were out there three times -- to see dolphins in Cape Canaveral's harbor, to watch a lightening storm at sea, and when we left St. Maarten. It was a free upgrade, so we didn't mind, but I don't think it would have been worth the price. I'd rather pay less and have a porthole. I *do* recommend a porthole -- it's nice to be able to see outside. I get claustrophobic in the rooms without one.
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03-10-2003, 09:18 AM
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#15
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Faith, Trust, Pixie Dust
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Sasquatch Territory, Pacific Northwest
Concierge Level: 8
Posts: 17,166
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Re: Staterooms
katerkat, thanks for validating my thoughts on a verandah...while I certainly would not pass up an upgrade, I really didn't feel it would be nesessary to pay for one...not going to be in the room enough to justify the extra expense. For now, we are in an inside stateroom, but booked last year, and understand our chances of an upgrade are better than average...but will be happy with what we have if we do not get upgraded. I am content to sit in a lounge chair on deck and take in the view!
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