Worth to upgrade to Cat 8

[catzle]

We booked Cat. 9 but was wondering if you are better off on the higher decks and book Cat. 8? I think it's only a $175 difference.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

We've been in both. The rooms are identical if your Cat 9 is on Deck 2. If you're on Deck 1, they're identical in size and layout except you have two small portholes vs one large porthole on Deck.

Advantages to Cat 9: Easier to exit ship on port days (Deck 1). Close to most dining locations (Deck 3 or 4). Generally, easy to get an elevator going up.

Advantages to Cat 8 (Decks 6 or 7): Closer to kid's clubs (except for Ocean Quest on Deck 2 of the Magic). Easy to get to Deck 9 or the shows and shops on Deck 4 via stairs.

Disadvantage to Cat 8 -- I believe they're all located forward on the ship. We found more rocking motion in our Cat 8 then we did in our Cat 9. Also, because it is forward if you want to get to Topsiders or the drinking station you have to walk all the way aft (granted this could also happen with a Cat 9 located forward). If you go to Deck 9 first before you go aft, you will find yourself walking through the adult only pool area everytime you go to the drinking station.

 

[catzle]

So we are better where we are?

 

[KSDisneyDad]

So we are better where we are?

I think it's just a matter of preference. The rooms are identical, it's just where you prefer to be located. Is $175 worth it for the sole reason to be 4 or 5 decks higher on the ship?

How long is your cruise? $175 may cover a part or all of your tips. We really enjoyed Deck 2. If you have a GTY Cat 9 stateroom, vs a specific number, you might upgrade as you never know where you'll get placed on the ship. With a cat 8, at least you know where you'll be (Deck 6 or 7 forward).

 

[HallsofVA]

The rooms themselves are identical, unless you're on Deck 1, which has the different portholes as someone mentioned. We've started booking only Oceanview rooms, and generally opt for the Cat 9 rooms on Deck 2. However I am somewhat picky about where my room is located so I only look at Cat 9 rooms in certain areas and will book Cat 8 if none of them are available. There were 2 recent situations when we booked a Cat 8 instead of Cat 9 -

1. January 4nt cruise on Wonder - Cat 8 was lowest available with Kids Free offer. We had room 7514, and while we loved the room, and the fact that the forward elevators were much less crowded than the midship or aft elevators, we found that we would rather be more aft and closer to the areas that we tend to go to with little kids, than being near all of the adult areas. We did a lot of walking to get to the restaurants, buffet restaurant, drink station and kids pool. It was nice though to be able to run quickly up to the room while waiting for the big shows to start.

2. Westbound Transatlantic in September - We've booked Cat 8 GTY for 2 reasons. The first was that at the time we booked, I didn't like any of the locations of the available Cat 9 rooms on Deck 2. The ones available were under or near kitchens or nightclubs. I also didn't want to book Cat 9 GTY when they came available because I didn't want to risk getting assigned a Cat 9 room in a location I didn't want. The other benefit of booking Cat 8 GTY is that while we're guaranteed of getting at least a Cat 8 room (and there aren't any really horrible Cat 8 rooms), we could get an upgrade to a Cat 6 or 5 verandah room. On a 14nt cruise, that would be great! So no downsides for us, and well worth the $90 extra it cost us to book the Cat 8 vs Cat 9.

 

[catzle]

We are in room 2606.

 

[kcashner]

I've been in a deck 2 cat 9 and a cat 8. Frankly, I don't think it is worth paying the difference. As others have said, the rooms are identical. If you don't already have a cabin assignment, wait till you get one. THen, if you are unhappy you can pay for the higher category.

 

[HallsofVA]

We are in room 2606.

The room reviews on that room are good. You are under the Promenade lounge so could have some noise from above when they have someone singing up there. I probably wouldn't pay the money to switch (unless switching to 8 GTY for possibility of getting an upgrade.) As I mentioned above, I found being closer to the AFT elevators more desirable for us than being by the Forward elevators. Plus you're so convenient to the deck 3 restaurants and atrium.

 

[catzle]

How loud will the room be?

 

[MouseMomx2]

We actually prefer Deck 2 to the upper decks. I'd keep the 9.

 

[NancyIL]

I wouldn't pay $175 more for the same cabin just to be on a higher deck. We had a cat. 9 on deck 2 in December, and I loved the location.

 

[SnowWhite2]

I love my deck 5 cat 8 rooms. And I'm very prone to seasickness. It is a personal decision.

HallsofVa - I just cancelled my WBTA cat 8 a few weeks ago.