Cat 5E at the back of the ship - why? why not?

[FigmentSpark]

Some people love these, but they don't seem to be snapped up that fast. What's good about a 5E? I mean, I know the extended balcony, but what's better about the rooms? What about noise or motion? Also can you feel the wind more or less (or same) on those balconies? And does the deck make a difference? I'm thinking Dream class, btw.

 

[mernin]

I've only cruised once - on the Dream and we had a 5E (7690). We didn't hear any noise from the hallways as there weren't people walking by our room really at all. We didn't find the motion to be bad for us. There wasn't much wind but don't have anything to compare it to. I've read that deck 10 can hear some noise from Cabanas in the early morning when they are setting up as well as water on the verandah from the deck above getting cleaned. We LOVED the large balcony and booked a 5E guarantee for our cruise in April 2018 - I'll be disappointed if we don't end up in that category!

 

[sharonabe]

We were in 6188 on the Dream in Nov. We could feel the vibration from the motors, but didn't notice more wind or anything. We loved our big verandah, the quiet hallway, and the aft elevators were rarely busy. It was quite a hike if we were going to a show on Deck 5 or the adult area on Deck 11, but the restaurants are all on the aft in, so that made up for it.

The same room was available for our next cruise, and it was tempting, but we need two connecting rooms, so took the two that are around the corner instead. We figured opening the two verandahs will be almost as nice as that big one.

 

[elvispursley]

We LOVED the large balcony and booked a 5E guarantee for our cruise in April 2018 - I'll be disappointed if we don't end up in that category!

Do you know if they charge more for a 5E guarantee than other verandahs? If we decide to change our current cruise, would love to book one!

 

[jaiminee krikit]

We were on 6192 (flag room) last summer. It was wonderful! I loved how quiet it was in the hallway. I seriously thought no one was staying in the rooms next to us because it was so quiet, but one night while enjoying our verandah I was leaning against the rail and so were our neighbors. Happened again the next night with the neighbors on the other side. I do not recall feeling any vibrations. We had no wind and lots of shade. Our first night was rough everywhere, forward, mid, and aft. Our stateroom host asked us if we had a few too many at dinner because we couldn't walk straight, but our assistant server also had a rough night. After that, we felt absolutely nothing. I loved being on deck 6 - we would use the stairs as often as we could (working off all that delicious food!) I didn't mind being all the way aft, I find the walks relaxing and enjoyable - especially because I like looking at all the door decorations. If we come back to DCL, an aft verandah will be a must.

I am very disappointed because our next cruise (not DCL) doesn't have aft verandah rooms in the category we want. I searched and searched. We were spoiled by DCL - I loved the aft verandah, but I really loved the size of their bathrooms, too. We were going to cruise with RCL with a huge side aft verandah, but I couldn't get over their teeny tiny bathroom.

 

[FigmentSpark]

I noticed the flag verandah and had visions of my kids wanting to climb it. Thanks for the reviews, all. My DH really loved the verandah on our last cruise. I think he spent most of his day there, so I wondered if he'd like a larger verandah. I found it to have a cool wind most days (luck of the draw I guess), so spent less time out there. I might enjoy it more if it was more enclosed, as the longer ones are.

@elvispursley - I did notice they are pricey, but didn't seem any worse than other cat 5 rooms and they seem to be less than the cat 4s.

My only other concern was that we had cat 4a last time and I wonder if I'll miss the extra footage in the room?

 

[mernin]

Do you know if they charge more for a 5E guarantee than other verandahs? If we decide to change our current cruise, would love to book one!

When we booked our 2018 cruise the 5E's were only available as a guarantee and they were about $200 more than the other regular verandah rooms.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Maybe that's why I'm seeing cat 5Es available now. There are some that are GTY and some that are just able to be chosen, but it's been 6 months since the cruise was announced.

 

[Dug720]

When we booked our 2018 cruise the 5E's were only available as a guarantee and they were about $200 more than the other regular verandah rooms.

And booking a GTY does not guarantee you will get one. You could be placed in a higher category. Part of the chance you take.

 

[noahsmom]

We were on deck 10, very back of the ship once. The extended veranda was the draw, we were very excited. Turns out we hardly went on the veranda. Couple of main reasons: 1) very hot! We always sail in the summer (husband is a teacher) and there was no breeze. I think because of the high walls and the ship blocking the breeze. 2) soot - everywhere! Everything had to be cleaned off before you could sit down.

As I type this, I remember a 3rd reason why we wouldn't book this room again - noise. It's right below Cabana's outdoor area. Every morning (before 5am) they would clean the deck and drag the chairs around. We don't sleep late, but this was a bit earlier than we preferred.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Oh, yes. I forgot people were complaining about soot.

 

[rcchello]

We were in one of these on the Fantasy and my wife would sleep out on the veranda at night. It was nice having lounge chairs on the balcony where you could lay out.

Just got one of these for our next Fantasy cruise!

 

[elvispursley]

Thanks everyone for the answers on pricing on the 5Es! Very helpful for if we do change cruises--I think we will give them a try if we end up changing. Is it deck 6 that has the flag? We typically like deck 8 and have always cruised on that deck. May need to change it up

 

[Chrissie & Kids]

We have cruised in 6190 and 6192 (with the flag) before and will be in 7194 on our next cruise. Having the extra space and lounge chairs was great. We had no issues with soot or vibrations.

Some people avoid these rooms on deck 6 (and sometimes even 7) because of the flag obstructing the view but it was not a concern for us.

That said, I would never book one of these rooms on deck 10 because of Cabanas right above and anticipated noise in the wee hours of the morning.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Yeah, if it was deck 10 or nothing, then deck 10 it is.

I wonder why some people have the soot problem, while others don't.

 

[mareed]

We were on deck 10, very back of the ship once. The extended veranda was the draw, we were very excited. Turns out we hardly went on the veranda. Couple of main reasons: 1) very hot! We always sail in the summer (husband is a teacher) and there was no breeze. I think because of the high walls and the ship blocking the breeze.

I haven't sailed in these, and the above reason is why I won't! My cruises are always warm/hot weather and after checking out the now extinct Wonder/Magic public deck 7 "secret" verandah at the back where it was blazing hot with no breeze while the ship was sailing, I knew the coveted aft verandah cabins weren't for me. They might be great for Alaska though!

 

[mevelandry]

Some people love these, but they don't seem to be snapped up that fast. What's good about a 5E? I mean, I know the extended balcony, but what's better about the rooms? What about noise or motion? Also can you feel the wind more or less (or same) on those balconies? And does the deck make a difference? I'm thinking Dream class, btw.

I love the 5E extended aft balconies because you get a very nice view. To be honest, I don't know if we hear more noise. Maybe when we dock... ?

 

[PurplePencil]

We have cruised in 6190 and 6192 (with the flag) before and will be in 7194 on our next cruise. Having the extra space and lounge chairs was great. We had no issues with soot or vibrations.

Some people avoid these rooms on deck 6 (and sometimes even 7) because of the flag obstructing the view but it was not a concern for us.

That said, I would never book one of these rooms on deck 10 because of Cabanas right above and anticipated noise in the wee hours of the morning.

I was in an extended on the classics on Deck 8. It was surprisingly quiet, the only time that Cabanas was heard was an early port day and moving chairs

 

[FigmentSpark]

I like that idea of Alaska in a 5E. I bet there are some nice views there.