5020/5022 vs. 8666/8668

[Ntsmith05]

We are first time cruisers and have been struggling to make a final decision about our ship and stateroom. We considered the Wonder but are going on the Dream instead.... for sure!

There will be 5 of us total: 2 adults, 2 kids and 1 baby. Based on the advice of DISers so far, we're going to book two connecting rooms (costs less than 1-bedroom suite). Although everyone highly recommends the verandah rooms, I think my kids would enjoy the large portholes with seats instead. I also feel safer this way... even though I know that the verandahs are impossible for young kids to open on their own.

Here's where I need help... I can either book cat 8A 5020/5022 or cat 8C 8666/8668.

I'm considering 5020/5022 because of the square shape vs. the normal rectangular room. It seems like there's much more space for the kids/baby to spread out and run around. I also like that they have a wall between the couch area and bed. The two large portholes with seats in each room are also a huge plus! I don't like that they don't have split baths, are on the 5th floor over the theater (noisy, maybe?) and are forward/port location.

As for 8666/8668, I like having staterooms above and below us. I also like that it's starboard/aft location. The split baths are a plus! I don't like how far these rooms will be from the Kids Club and that the rooms are more rectangular (less space for kids).

I'd appreciate any and all opinions about the decision I have to make! We are thrilled about cruising on the Dream and just want to ensure that we have the very best experience possible!

Thanks for your help!!

 

[reimero]

I've never sailed cat 8C. Our first cruise was on the Fantasy in 5022 (which is essentially identical to 5022 on the Dream.)
My feelings on stateroom 5022:


I'd sail in 5022 again. Repeatedly. In fact, we've already reserved that specific stateroom for our next cruise

 

[holula]

We have sailed in an 8C forward (deck 8), and an 8D aft (deck 5). Deck 8, you are only three floors away from Cabanas and the pool deck. Deck 5 has the kids club on that deck, and very close to the atrium/MDRs. I liked being aft rather than forward. It felt more convenient for everything. You do feel some vibration being aft. I LOVE the huge portholes!

We haven't stayed in the 8As but I believe they are much larger than the sq ft suggests on the website.

 

[readytogotodisney]

We had room 5022 on the dream and absolutely loved it!!!

I'm actually really disappointed that it's already booked for our next cruise.

But we never heard any of the shows below at all.

 

[Maddysdaddy]

Another big thumbs up for 5022. Loved the square footage of the room and, most of all, loved the dividing wall between the bedroom and where the munchkin slept, so the wife and I could talk, read, watch tv and build a pillow fort without disturbing her.

 

[tinkerone]

I was able to get 5522 for a b2b fantasy sailing in 2015. very excited about it, the rooms look amazing.

 

[Bear3412]

If you have an opportunity to grab connecting or adjoining cat 8a's , do it.
Even though they are different , which you understand completely with the baths.

If not, these two aft cat 8's are great too. In fact the locale is better IMO.
Of course that may depend on the traveling party make up. And ages.

Let us know cabin #, pax sailing, ages. etc. / and we can give more info.

Good Luck and Happy Sailing

 

[WanderlustNZ]

The four 8A 'mini-suites' are awesome!

Here is my blog post of 5520 on the Fantasy

http://3batteredsuitcases.blogspot.co.nz/2013/12/a-room-fit-for-king.html

Edited: Oops, just noticed that this thread is over a month old. The OP has probably well and truly made a decision.

 

[tinkerone]

The four 8A 'mini-suites' are awesome!

Here is my blog post of 5520 on the Fantasy

http://3batteredsuitcases.blogspot.co.nz/2013/12/a-room-fit-for-king.html

Edited: Oops, just noticed that this thread is over a month old. The OP has probably well and truly made a decision.

so whats your thought on the tub? is it big enough for an adult to have a bath?

 

[EyeHeartDisney]

We had the connecting 8a's on a 4 night cruise. They were perfect for the two kids in our party (a 2 and 4 year old). The last night of the cruise they were running from one side of the room to the other room (no staterooms are on deck 4, so I didn't have to worry about disturbing the rooms below us). It was great to have the space.

 

[Ntsmith05]

Thanks for all the comments! Yes, I did make a decision. We booked the connecting 8a's! I'm so worried that we'll get completely spoiled though since this is our very first cruise. So many people have said they can't go back to regular rectangular stateroom after staying in a cat 8a! As for the less favorable view of CC, we plan to view it on one of the open decks before heading off the ship. The starboard view that we had with cat 8c wasn't worth passing up all the extra space in cat 8a, in our opinion.

Thanks again!