Is There Really a Difference....

[twopeasonepod]

...between Cat. 5 and Cat. 4 on the Magic/Wonder?

I can see that it is 36 sq. ft. larger, but that space just seems to be the area where the 5th person would sleep (pull down bed next to the balcony door). Am I really going to notice a difference? Or should I spend my money elsewhere? There are only four of us and the boys will be 7 so it's not like they take up a bunch of room.

 

[jetskigrl]

The difference is basically the size of a twin bed (it is the space where the murphy bed comes down). In our 4a on the Wonder, that is also where they place the double steamer truck which provides a lot of extra storage. So if having that much more space to move around in (plus the extra storage and a chair) helps, it might be worth it. I have been inside a 5 (on a cabin crawl) but have only stayed in 4s. The 5 would have been fine for the two of us (just DH and I went on our last cruise) but when we have our whole family, I really appreciate the extra room and storage space in the 4.

 

[jahber]

...between Cat. 5 and Cat. 4 on the Magic/Wonder?

I can see that it is 36 sq. ft. larger, but that space just seems to be the area where the 5th person would sleep (pull down bed next to the balcony door). Am I really going to notice a difference? Or should I spend my money elsewhere? There are only four of us and the boys will be 7 so it's not like they take up a bunch of room.

For me it depends on the price difference. Our first cruise was in a 4B (we booked a VGT on the Dream). We were totally spoiled and I thought I would never be able to stay in anything smaller. On our second cruise (Fantasy) the price was right for a 5E. It was completely fine, even for 7 days. The kids never noticed, although I could have used the extra set of drawers! But when I had a chance to go back to a 4 for the same price as a 5 on our next Dream cruise, you know I took it! My kids are 5 and 8, btw.

Granted, you're talking about the classic ships, whereas I've only been on the newer ships, but I assume the space issue is similar. So I would say, if the price isn't more than you're willing to pay, book the large room. If it means missing out on an excursion, Palo, the spa, etc, I wouldn't do it!

 

[kcashner]

On the Magic and Wonder, the difference is a little bit of space. Whether that matter to you or not is personal. Also, you can sometimes get 2 cabins for the price of one cat 4....which give you a lot more space as well as more bathrooms, tvs, etc.

 

[cats mom]

I could never understand why anyone would pay the price jump from a Cat 5 or 6 to a Cat 4, unless they needed to sleep a 5th person. The little bit of extra space just didn't seem worth the sometimes much higher cost to me.

Then DCL pixie dusted us with a complimentary upgrade one cruise. I loved the extra chair and I especially loved having the trunk out of the way! We've upgraded to Cat 4's a couple of times since, although we've always done it at the port.

Not having a Cat 4 certainly wouldn't be a deal breaker for me, but anytime I can get one for a reasonable price, I'm all in.

 

[eva]

It is just DH and me, but we still enjoy the extra space of a cat 4. But I don't think I would spend more than $300 or $400 extra for the two of us.

 

[Goofy559]

We were just on the wonder. 3 adults and one teen. Booked a cat 5, upgraded at port to a 4 for $210. Money well spent. We didn't use the Murphy bed but having the chair and double trunk was awesome! Could we have managed in the cat.5? Sure. We're we more comfortable in the cat.4? Definitely.

 

[twopeasonepod]

Ah, I didn't know about the trunk! Is it basically another storage pseudo-dresser? Awesome! Give me details!

The difference right now is $700 (because midship is important to me do going from 5B to 4A). From what I am hearing sounds like I should wait and hope for pixie dust or upgrade at the port.

 

[klepton]

I opted for the 4 on our upcoming cruise because we'll have an infant with a crib, and without the extra space it would have been way too cramped with the 4 of us. I also liked the idea of extra storage space for diapers and all that good stuff...

Another thing that may or may not be a concern, is that with the cat 4 and a murphy bed you don't have to put either child in the "top bunk." You'd get the big bed, the murphy, and the couch made up into a bed each night. This could be helpful if your kids have a tendency to roll out of bed (like mine used to), or if you just don't want to deal with the arguments of who gets to sleep in the top bunk.

 

[eva]

Another thing that may or may not be a concern, is that with the cat 4 and a murphy bed you don't have to put either child in the "top bunk." You'd get the big bed, the murphy, and the couch made up into a bed each night. This could be helpful if your kids have a tendency to roll out of bed (like mine used to), or if you just don't want to deal with the arguments of who gets to sleep in the top bunk.

Be careful, not all cat 4's have the Murphy bed.

 

[moomy-san]

How do I check to see if our 4a does (on the Wonder)? Our other 2 rooms did, and I just assumed this one would.

 

[3Mickeys]

Be careful, not all cat 4's have the Murphy bed.

The original poster is asking about the Magic/Wonder cat 4's and I'm pretty sure they all sleep 5 which means there is definitely a murphy in them all. The Dream and Fantasy have different configurations.