Upgrade DCL cabin vs. Days at WDW?
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Belle* · 06-10-2002, 10:32 AM

I was all set to plan 3 nights at WDW after our cruise when last night I dreamed we had a room with a verandah. Now I don't know what to do! [img]graemlins/ukid.gif[/img] So - do I upgrade the cabin and skip the days at WDW? Or stick with the porthole room and add the WDW days?

A & J's Dad · 06-10-2002, 10:40 AM

According to my cruise veteran parents go for the lower end room. All you're going to do in the room is sleep [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] and shower.

AKLRULZ · 06-10-2002, 10:46 AM

It's fun to spend other people's money and I was soooo tempted to say do both, but honestly - I'd go for the verandah cabin. We've cruised only twice, but so enjoyed having a larger cabin.

tinksmom · 06-10-2002, 07:53 PM

Speaking from experience -- Our first Disney cruise we were fortunate enough to be given an upgrade to a verandah. It was absolutely unforgetable! It was part of the land/sea package. Last year we did the 7 day cruise and booked the verandah (once you experience it, there's no going back!). That was supposed to be the whole vacation. Then I couldn't stand the thought of being in Orlando and not going to the World, so we added days to the end of the cruise.

If you can possibly afford it, go for both!

tinksmom

DisneyFan · 06-10-2002, 07:55 PM

Belle,

To have your morning beverage out on the verandah just seems like heaven to me.
To relax on the verandah staring out at the ocean while the sun is setting just seems like heaven to me.
To sit out there in the late evening after you've had a wonderful dinner, show, tons of fun on the ship...just letting the wind blow in your hair seems like heaven to me.
Are you seeing a pattern here? Let me know what you decide as I may have the same scenario come Jan/Feb03.
On the other hand - 3 nites at the All Stars afterward with the latest discount wouldn't be tooooo bad. Ut ohhh, would that kill the budget?

I'm still voting for both! YOu only live once, do it to the fullest. Besides, you deserve it.
Disneyfan

[ 06-10-2002, 07:58 PM: Message edited by: DISNEYFAN ]

**Dave Marx** · 06-11-2002, 03:56 AM

If there are two of you, and you have a verandah you may do more than just sleep and shower in the room--you might make greater use of room service, read in privacy while your companion snoozes inside, or enjoy panoramic views from the comfort of your bed. With three or four in the room things may still seem to cramped, and you may still prefer spending less time the room.

What I like best about the verandah is the way those big wall-to-wall glass doors open up the room, making it seem far larger than comparable non-verandah rooms. I also enjoy the freedom to wander outside at any time of day or night, regardless of attire (except when in port, of course [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] ). However, in all but the top categories, the verandahs are fairly small and don't come equipped with the cushy deck chairs you'll find on Deck 4. So, if you want a quiet, breezy place to read that really thick book, I'd still vote for Deck 4, rather than a Cat 6 or 7 verandah.

Bert & Sully · 06-11-2002, 06:59 AM

Ok, in a perfect world I agree upgrade both [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] . Realistically speaking I'd have to go with the cruise upgrade. DH's editor cruises all the time and does all different categories, cruise lines etc. So we deferred to her when planning our first cruise in November and did Category 6 with verandah. I agree with Disneyfan and Dave as that's basically how it was presented to us. Get ahold of Jean. She's done Disney as well as some other cruiselines and helped us ALOT. We couldn't decide between 6 and 5. When she made our ressies they had both. She described both to me on the phone. DH is the sailor who grew up on Lake Winipisabi in NH (sorry for butchering the spelling - coffee hasn't kicked in so I'm doing it phoenetically) and Long Lake in Maine. There was only a $200. difference and I asked her sage advice. She said save the $200. for shore excursion or shopping! That's what we did!

iloverags2 · 06-11-2002, 08:13 AM

I'm going against the verandah, and saying add WDW days to the trip. You will be on the 4-night cruise, with a stop in Freeport rather than a day at sea. With all that's going on, and with the port calls, you probably won't be spending as much time in the room. If it were a 7-nighter, than definitely the verandah, but for the shorter cruises, I would stick with adding days at WDW.

Keep in mind the verandah rooms aren't any larger than the non-verandah rooms (unless you are talking category's 11 & 12), so you aren't adding space, except for the verandah. Also, with a bit of luck and ***pixie dust*** you may get a coveted upgrade to boot (although, don't count on it. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] )

Enjoy your vacation, no matter what you decide! [img]graemlins/wavin.gif[/img]

Belle* · 06-11-2002, 09:27 PM

Well, for $200 more we upgraded to a Navigator Verandah. Thanks so much for all the advice! I am really looking forward to having the fresh air and we are really the types to just sit near the opening and read or enjoy breakfast with the doors open. Plus, we got a Cat 7 guarantee so there is still a chance for an upgrade. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

P.S. I should note, I have not ruled out adding a couple nights at WDW. It all depends on airfare and room rates for that time period! [img]graemlins/puter.gif[/img]

[ 06-11-2002, 09:27 PM: Message edited by: Belle* ]

Bert & Sully · 06-11-2002, 10:46 PM

Sara, I was under the impression the Navigators' Verandah's are enclosed.....although the Wonder's NVs have bigger "window"s. - That was why went with a regular "verandah stateroom".

Belle* · 06-12-2002, 11:47 AM

No, the Navigator's Verandahs are open i.e. there is no glass. But the opening is in the shape of a porthole (Round on the Magic, slightly bigger Oval shape on the Wonder). So you get privacy AND fresh air! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] At least this is my understanding. Has anyone ever been in an one of these rooms? I read about them and saw pictures on www.castawayclub.com but I'm starting to doubt myself.

Belle* · 06-12-2002, 03:38 PM

I double-checked. They're open! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Bert & Sully · 06-12-2002, 03:48 PM

No kidding?! - Can you sit outside; or just open a "window"?

tinkerose · 06-12-2002, 03:50 PM

Sara,

If you haven't already seen this site, you might like it.

http://www.mytravelco.com/cruises/cruiseship/360/

You can view a 360-degree Virtual Tour of different cabins. Very [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img] but it does take some time to load. I just checked it, and agree the Navigator's Veranda looks open.

iloverags2 · 06-12-2002, 04:26 PM

We had a Navigator's Verandah, and loved it! They are definitely open air, and there is a small table and chair outside. Also, on one side, there is a small bench built into the wall. Very cute, and definitely worth the price.

Sara, you will love this. It gives you the verandah experience (open air, fresh air!) at an unbeatable rate.

If I can find our pics and get the scanner up and working, I will post. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]