Staterooms About This Page:

[KathyL]

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

[DebiDebiDebi]

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 ]

[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?

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]

[AKLRULZ]

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?

<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.

[Belle*]

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]

[DebiDebiDebi]

Originally Posted By Belle: We spent so little time on our room, I'm glad we didn't pay the extra for a verandah.

<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!

[Dave Marx]

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]

[LilMarcieMouse]

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.

[chezp]

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

[AKLRULZ]

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 ]

[simbarel]

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!!!

[Bert & Sully]

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

[AKLRULZ]

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 ]

[katerkat]

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.

[DebiDebiDebi]

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!