Cat 3-Fill me in Please!!!!!!!

[gbanshee]

On a Category 3 room:

what can I expect to be able to do ahead of time?

What can privledges on board that is different than the reg cabins?

What do I need to know!!!!!!

Does anyone have pictures or trip reports about staying in a category 3? With the search not fully functional, I cannot go through every report to look.

gb

 

[MickeyB426]

I stayed in a Category 3 last year and next year I'm going in a Category 1.

All of the amenities revolve around one simple concept...is money a serious consideration?

The rooms are bigger. You can order dinner any night as room service, from ANY of the restaurants (except Palo's).

You have concierge come to your room shortly afeter you check in and takes your excursion / spa / Palo's requests person. There are usually given priority and chances are, the first choice on your list, you'll get.

They also give you some goodies (ie., a fruit basket) at the start of the trip.

I'm also going to guess that during the Captain's dinner, you usually have a higher ranking officer seated with you (that was the case with me, that may not be the case for all).

Overall, I thought it was fantastic. When I go on vacation, I don't worry about cost...I worry about that the other 50 weeks out of the year. But the cost IS something to consider if you're on a budget (or even if you're not).

 

[Michelle]

I've sailed in a Cat. 3 twice, the most recently in December on the Magic.

On that ship you go to a group concierge reception the first afternoon and they will take care of all your bookings for you -- Palo, Spa, Tea With Wendy tickets, Wine Tasting tickets, shore excursions, rentals on Castaway Cay. You can also sign your kids up for the kids programming there.

There are CDs and videos available for check out from the concierge as well.

Do NOT expect an invitation to dine with the Captain, however, that sometimes happens to those in the suites but is not at all guaranteed.

We got "goodies" throughout the trip, including fruit, cookies and arcade game cards for my daughter. We also got the book "The Making of the Magic" at the end of the trip.

As MickeyB426 says, it is a MUCH more expensive proposition to go with the suites (especially during promotional periods when the lower category cabins are discounted...no discounts for suites) but if the money is not a major consideration it is a wonderful splurge.

 

[gbanshee]

I have it booked, just want to make sure I have all the information I need in order to fully utilize and enjoy it.

Can you do advance itineraries for excursions, spa and Palo? who do you call?

gb

 

[Michelle]

Everyone can book excursions in advance now, once the final balance is paid.

You can book Palo, spa and everything else once onboard. The concierge will take care of it all for you.

 

[MickeyB426]

That raises an interesting question, Michelle.

Next March I'll be doing the Western cruise in the Roy Disney suite.

Does the fact that DCL now allows advance excursion booking mean that I won't get priority booking if I were to book when I board the ship? Or do they hold sopts aside "just in case"?

I'm just wondering if I also have to book in advance now. It's my preference that I do it when I'm on board.

Thanks!

 

[Michelle]

Mike, since excursions are open to all for pre-booking I really would suggest doing it in advance for any that are "must do". I don't think they hold aside slots on excursions for the concierge guests, as they do with Palo and the spa. If you're willing to take the risk that an excursion may be sold out then you can wait till you get to the ship, but for anything that you really want to do I would go ahead and book it in advance.