Is it worth the extra money to get adjoining concierge rooms?

[Sixpack]

I booked two concierge rooms (category V) on a 7-night cruise on the Fantasy for my family of six. Unfortunately, I was not able to get adjoining rooms. The rooms are directly across from each other (they are on either size of the concierge lounge). I've been calling periodically to see if any adjoining rooms in that category have become available and today I was told there is a category T (one bedroom suite) room right next to one of our V rooms. Problem is, it will cost $4,000 more to book that room. I want to go for it, but my husband is not in agreement and says being in different rooms is not a big deal. He thinks the kids will have fun "visiting" different rooms and it also allows us to see different sights (since we will have access to a room on the port and starboard side). Our kids are small (ages 5 to 10).

Any info that might help change his mind would be appreciated. Or, any information that might ease my concerns about having separate rooms would help too. Thanks!

[Holly123]

We just got off the Fantasy and we were in room 12504. I would pay extra for a one bedroom ( sorry to your husband). There is a long way in between rooms. The lodge is wide and you can not see across the hallway at any point. Ou would never be able to Hear if one of the kids left their stateroom to come get you in the middle of the night. They would have to walk all the way to one end of the hallway or the other to get to your room and vise versa. This is because the lounge is in the middle of the two hallways and it runs the length of all the rooms. One end of the hallway is closed but the other end is open to the general public with a stairway, elevator, and doors to the pool. I would not want my 5 year old wondering out there for any reason. On the flip side, you will love your room, the concierge team and the ship. It is amazing and nothing less. You might try calling the concierge team on land - their number should be listed on your reservation #. This is different than the booking staff and maybe they could help with getting adjoining rooms?
Good luck!

[Sixpack]

Thank you for that visual of the layout! I studied the ship specs, but I have never actually seen the concierge level in person, so I wasn't sure how that would work. Just for the record though, my husband and I would split up and sleep with two kids each (if we do not do adjoining room). My kids are generally well-behaved, but I would never trust them in a room alone! I would never do that to our cabin neighbors either! That's one of the many reasons it stinks being separated. I won't even get to sleep with my husband on the cruise!

The concierge folks are who I called. I'm slightly annoyed that all these months they wouldn't just keep my name on a list to call me if they had an adjoining room available. They said I just need to call every now and then and check. This is the first time I called that they actually had anything. She said every single category V room is now booked and we are still several a months out! Crazy how fast they fill up!

[jjones144]

Across the hall is not really right across the hall. Is one parent going to be in each room with different kids? I personally wouldn't want my husband with half the kiddos across the hall, and me with the other kiddos on the other side for a whole week. Do either one of your rooms have a connecting room besides the higher category? Maybe they can switch rooms around. $4000 more is a lot of money. Surely dcl can figure something out, so that you guys can all be together without having to spend that much more.

[Sixpack]

Originally Posted by jjones144

Across the hall is not really right across the hall. Is one parent going to be in each room with different kids? I personally wouldn't want my husband with half the kiddos across the hall, and me with the other kiddos on the other side for a whole week. Do either one of your rooms have a connecting room besides the higher category? Maybe they can switch rooms around. $4000 more is a lot of money. Surely dcl can figure something out, so that you guys can all be together without having to spend that much more.

I think you and I were posting at the same time! LOL! Yes, one of us will stay in the room with each set of kids. No way I'd leave them alone without an adult. But, nope, not one more category V room left and even in May they had no adjoining rooms left (at category V).

[kcashner]

Interesting situation....there are just 4 of you, but you are opting for 2 cat V rooms? My guess is that you want the "more space." Would you be just as comfortable with all 4 of you in the one bedroom suite?

I'm not sure I'm getting this clearly, but that's what I think you are asking. Of course, this leaves you with moving a concierge deposit to a different cruise and changing the other one to the suite...so be sure of the "move" dates as they only allow you to move it once (supposedly).

[sissy_ib]

Originally Posted by kcashner

Interesting situation....there are just 4 of you, but you are opting for 2 cat V rooms? My guess is that you want the "more space." Would you be just as comfortable with all 4 of you in the one bedroom suite?

I'm not sure I'm getting this clearly, but that's what I think you are asking. Of course, this leaves you with moving a concierge deposit to a different cruise and changing the other one to the suite...so be sure of the "move" dates as they only allow you to move it once (supposedly).

They have 6 people. 4 kids age 5-10.

[All Things Simba]

I like the one-bedroom suite idea for all of you. It sounds dreamy!
Or... what about two adjoining balcony staterooms in another category?

[jjones144]

We stayed in the family verandah room, it was nice. Of course you wouldn't get the perks of the concierge, but if they had adjoining rooms, would be plenty of space, and you could all be together. You would miss out on concierge, but with the money difference, you could pamper yourself with other things. Just a thought. Glad to hear you weren't thinking of putting the kids across the hall by themselves. Right next door with the doors open between you is fine. My boys did great!

[kcashner]

Originally Posted by sissy_ib

They have 6 people. 4 kids age 5-10.

Sorry, I didn't see that in the first post...

[Sixpack]

Yes, I agree, adjoining rooms are like having one big room, so I'd have no issue with the kids sleeping in there w/o us (with the door a bit ajar).

One other question. Is it totally unreasonable to think we might ALL sleep in one of those category V rooms. Clearly, we have to book two rooms because there are six of us, but I doubt Disney will care if six of us sleep in one of the rooms. With two five year olds, a 7, and 10 year old, could we do it? I'm thinking the rooms are for a family of five anyway, so maybe adding one more isn't a big deal--especially with two five year olds (i.e., small people)? I hate the idea of us not sleeping together, and DH is not budging on the extra money issue (but I too think it sounds dreamy to have a one bedroom! )

When I booked this it didn't seem like a big deal to not have the rooms together, but now that I'm going into planning mode, I really wish we just hadn't booked w/o adjoining rooms!

[STLEdge]

Is it totally unreasonable to think we might ALL sleep in one of those category V rooms?

No, it's not unreasonable at all. But know what you're getting into - you'll have to have one child either in bed with you and your husband, two children in the one of the bunks of a bunk bed, or one child in a sleeping bag on the floor. It's not impossible, but you know better than we do what your kids will tolerate.

Edited: Obviously this is a solution for a family of 5. I've only sailed in Category 5 rooms with 4 people so I don't know how they accommodate the 5th person - but you get the idea. If your kids are willing to sleep in the same beds, it's probably workable.

[kcashner]

You can do it, but....yuk. That will be small space. Of course, you have teh other room for storage space, bathrooms, etc.

[kristinfly2]

We were on the magic 11/3 sailing with our 4 youngest 11-3 and I vote for two adjoining rooms in any category!! We had two 5Cs and thought about upgrading to 4As but we ended up loving our rooms! There was plenty of space for all of us and our stuff. And I way over packed!!! We made one room into the "kid" room and one into the "adult" room! The kids loved having their own space and we left the connecting doors open the whole time. It also gave DH and I our own quiet space! It would not be a vacation for us if DH and I had to sleep in separate rooms!

[all5ofus]

I would not do anything that is not connecting for given your family makeup and ages. As others have said on the other side of the ship is not just across the hall on the ships. You are actually quite far away.

I am a huge fan or concierge, especially on the new ships and think they are totally worth it. IMO five in a Cat-V is would be too crowded so six would be impossible. We are doing the connecting Cat T+Cat V on our next cruise for our family of five. To us the importance of being together as a family outweigh the concierge perks if we can't do the connecting suites. The only time we've cruised non-concierge was when we couldn't get suites on the Dream MV and we went with connecting Cat-5's on deck 10. It was decent space but we did miss the pampering you get on concierge level.

Do the connecting T&V if you can afford it but if you dont want to spend the extra $ I would downgrade to two lower category connecting rooms before separating into two cat V's.