Age old question... verandah or no verandah?

[ThreeJ's]

We went on the July 17th cruise and stayed in 6634. It is a navigators verandah that was reclassified from a full verandah. There are 4 in total. The view is partially obstructed to be called a full verandah. I call it wonderful. We really enjoyed the convience of having fresh air in our room and the ability to sit outside where it can be quiet. We would have a verandah again. You can see a picture at castawayclub dot com and click on staterooms. Maybe this could be an option.

 

[jgalecpa]

(good management terminology there jgalecpa - are you a CPA?).

Yeah, in fact I'm a full professor of Accounting and Taxation with one masters degree in Cost Accounting and another in Taxation (I know, it sounds boring, but it's profitable!).

Jim Gale, CPA

 

[cruisinthecarribean]

I am responding to your comment about saving your son's school sick days. I was so concerned about my daughter's sick days too. She is now 10 and I know the really important schooling comes WAY later than Kinder. If he's keeping up with the class (she was homeschooled to 2nd grade before starting kinder) Take Him Out! Have fun, and enjoy while he's little. Stuff starts getting really serious about middle school and impossible in High School. That's when GPA really counts.

 

[brack]

.... I would rather save the extra $$ for excursions and "stuff". I think because my children are older now we just weren't in the room much. If your child still naps every afternoon I would say yes don't give it up, if not save the $$ on the room and go crazy shopping!!

Just my humble opinion....

We had a verandah on our first cruise and rarely used it. Our next four cruises we took (and our next one) is in an inside cabin. We then have more money for shopping.

I almost hate to recommend this to others just because I want to make sure there are plenty for us to book in the years to come!

No more verandahs for us

 

[keishashadow]

No cruising experience to speak from, however, I'd save the $2K and bank it towards the next trip (or do an add on @ WDW).

We originally had a lovely L&S pkg (verandah & Poly), but my DH gave me a choice: DVC or an inside stateroom at times life is a series of trade-offs.

 

[Kimmielee]

Wow, thanks to everyone for their advice... I originally thought mid-ship was more "stable"... that is an obvious myth....

I could go down to a category 7 with room 7112 for a $400 savings OR do a Category 8 with room 6014 for a $1400 savings... or Category 9 with room 2072 for a $1600 savings.... <sigh> decisions, decisions....

I like the idea of the fresh air while the little one is "hopefully" napping or still snoozing in the a.m.... I'm going to sleep on it... and read my PassPorter that I just bought today as well...

Again... THANKS!!!

 

[snoopy_mom]

I am responding to your comment about saving your son's school sick days. I was so concerned about my daughter's sick days too. She is now 10 and I know the really important schooling comes WAY later than Kinder. If he's keeping up with the class (she was homeschooled to 2nd grade before starting kinder) Take Him Out! Have fun, and enjoy while he's little. Stuff starts getting really serious about middle school and impossible in High School. That's when GPA really counts.

I have taken my kids out of school for vacations in the past. I would not hesitate for 1 second about pulling him out of kindergarten! My son is also 10 now, we pulled him for a week in 3rd grade and that was not a problem at all!! I have found everytime I pull my kids that the teachers are supportive and understand that family time is also important.
And, I will be pulling my kids again in Nov 2006, my son will be 11 and my daughetr will be 9.

 

[jgalecpa]

or Category 9 with room 2072 for a $1600 savings.... <sigh> decisions, decisions....

I like the idea of the fresh air while the little one is "hopefully" napping or still snoozing in the a.m....

Again... THANKS!!!

$1,600 is a heck of a lot of fresh air!

In fact, I would nearly guarantee that $1,600 would (more than) pay for you entire onboard ship account at the end of the cruise, including excusions, and most if not all of your on shore shopping!

Cat 9's give BIG portholes, the split bathrooms are great and $1,600 is well, $1,600.

Jim

 

[jgalecpa]

BTW, due to power outage, just bought a real nice battery operated desktop fan at Bed bath and beyond.

Cost $8.99

Use that for "fresh air" for nap time and save $260.00/day (not including the cost of -4- size "C" batteries!)

Jim

See, that old CPA stuff keeps creeping in!

 

[jel0511]

I'm from the veranda camp. We booked our West Coast Sailing late, so we paid full price. It was $2000 difference between a veranda and a oceanview and we booked the veranda. To us it is completely worth it. When we were in the cabin during the day, the door was almost always open to let the fresh air in, and it was nice to sit out there and look around. To wake up early and watch us pulling into port was great too. I wouldn't book a cabin without a veranda, to me it's worth the extra money.

 

[Kimmielee]

I've put almost every scenario together.... taking him out of school... not taking him out... Memorial Day... wait until school is out... do Thanksgiving instead of Easter... I'm just at a point where I think I stick with my original plan, miss just one day of school (The Thursday before Good Friday) and pay more $$.

It's more because of Easter (ok, someone explain that to me... are they paying overtime to the DCL staff due to the holiday?)... it's more because I'm a wimp and can't live without a verandah... and it's more because I just booked it instead of doing it last September when rates came out.

Lesson learned... I'll rebook the next one on this cruise and make part of it up then!! Early booking, discount, room credit.... lesson learned...

So, ressie stays as is.... Dream 3 day vacation at WDW @ POFQ and 7 Day Eastern Caribbean Easter 2006 cruise... here we come!!!

Thanks, so much, to everyone and their advice. It was very helpful!!