Accessible rooms when you don't need one?

[Linc82]

Hi - we just got assigned our cabin. We had booked category 5E verandah and were assigned an accessible room aft on the 9th floor. I am concerned about the lack of tub & split bath with two little kids, and I feel bad about being assigned to one when we don't need it. Looking for any experiences with accessible rooms by able-bodied folks, esp. with kids. Anyone have any pros/cons of staying in these?

 

[lanejudy]

The accessible cabins are often larger, or feel larger even if square footage is technically similar, due to a more open layout. You don't mention which ship you'll be on, but have you tried searching for stateroom reports, maybe you can even find pictures online. As to the bath -- I have seen that question/complaint, and I guess it may depend on your kids - their ages and ability to stand in the shower. It should have a hand-held showerhead and a bench. I have used an accessible shower at the gym on occasion when she needed to shower off after using the pool. She actually liked it, sitting on the bench and directing the showerhead on or off of her body as she wished.

You probably booked either a 5E GTY or a VGT, and as such accepted that DCL would assign you any room in that category or better. If you booked as a 5E GTY, you may be able to ask for a room change. If you booked at VGT I do not believe you can request a room change unless you are willing to upgrade at port.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[tinkerone]

we were given an hc room 8th deck aft a few years ago and loved it. no, it did not have a tub and did not have the split bath. not deal breakers for us. what it did have is an open floor plan with lots of room and a MASSIVE deck. HUGE! we were pleasantly surprised.
full disclosure, it was one of the hc rooms that does not have the classification for what ever reason. look at the ship deck plans and see where exactly it is and if you have a bigger veranda. you to may be pleasantly surprised.

 

[Jennifer777]

Our experience with an aft accessible room on the Magic...

Pros: Very large room, spacious with open walkways. The balcony was huge and the closet was a very large WALK IN CLOSET!!! Aft is close to the least busiest elevators so getting up and down can be easier. The views from the back of the ship are the best IMO.

Cons: No split bath or tub, although I was surprised this didn't really cause us any issues. While the balcony was huge, it was not plexiglass so you had to stand up to look over it. I love kicking my feet up and lounging out on the balcony in the morning, sipping my coffee and watching the water churn and this wasn't an option without standing up. The aft section of the ship typically has more movement and vibrations so if you're prone to sea sickness this can be an issue. If you're on the back of the ship, the decking is tiered so the people above you can look down onto your balcony. This can make your private balcony less private.

Overall, the size of the room outweighs many of the cons. Also, you wouldn't have been assigned that room if someone else needed it so don't feel bad about it.

 

[TinkRose]

If it's on the Dream or Fantasy it is a huge room and veranda. My mother had this room on the last cruise we took and our party of 18 fit in there with room to spare. I believe the veranda was Plexiglas on the Dream. I would love to have this room! If your kids really need a bathtub it doesn't have one, but the shower is so big it's about the size of the entire regular bathrooms and has a handheld shower head. If you can make that work it will be a real luxury room. The only vibrations or sound was when the ship docked in the morning for a few minutes.

 

[Linc82]

Thank you all so much! We did book GTY. I found some pictures online and am feeling much better about it... especially since I know I'm not taking it from someone who needs it! Seeing photos definitely helped. Working on showers with the kids we still have 2 months! Really appreciate your comments.