Category 6 versus Category 8

[rsschneck]

Okay, we are kicking around the idea of upgrading for the Ca/Fl repositioning cruise.

We have a Category 8 room 5018. We are thinking about upgrading to a Category 6 because of the veranda.

Our travel agent at Dreams Unlimited says the upgrade will cost $800 more for us. However, we would be in a GTY Category 6 and wouldn't have a room assigned.

The cruise is 2 weeks and a veranda would be nice since the cruise is quite long.

My question is, is the actual room size any different from an 8 to a 6? Is there any extra storage space? Is the only difference the veranda? Is the Veranda worth the extra $800?

Would you pay the extra money to have a Veranda, but not know your exact room number?

 

[ivanova]

The sq foootage of a cat 6 is 268 ... cat 8 is 214 ... not sure if the 54 sq foot difference is all verandah or not (I suspect it is).

Personally for 2 weeks, I think the verandah is worth it.

 

[invaderzim]

I have paid extra to make sure we have a verandah -- ever since the first cruise. We have always felt it was well worth the money. Even with just a GTY, you will still get a stateroom with a verandah.

Differences:

1. Category 8 stateroom is 214 sq. ft, Category 6 is 268 sq. ft.

2. The Cat. 8 has the bed against the back wall, the couch in the middle of the room. The Cat. 6 has the bed in the middle of the room, with the couch, tv, vanity in the back of the room with the verandah. It's almost like have a separate little "living room".

3. The verandah and sliding doors and more light and fresh air give the impression that your room is even bigger. Plus you get two chairs and a table. We have eaten our room service breakfast out there many times. At night, we take our drinks out there or just watch the flying fish or dolphins or islands in the distance. No on deck noise -- just the quietness of your little private balcony.

We love it and my husband won't travel without one.

That's just my personal opinion.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

The interiors of Category 6 and Category 8 rooms are the same -- same size, same split bathroom, same amount of storage, same configuration. The difference in the official square footage number is due entirely to the verandah.

Is the veranda worth $800. It wouldn't be worth $800 to me, but others would probably be willing to pay twice that much. It depends how much time you will spend on the verandah over the course of the cruise. If you spend 8 hours, is it worth $100 per hour? I don't think so. If you spend 80 hours, is it worth $10 per hour? Yes, I would think so.

A GTY Category 6 room could mean a verandah with plexiglass below the railing, or it could mean a verandah with solid metal below the railing. I'm sure bothe are fine, but some folks around here seem to prefer the plexiglass.

Let's suppose you decide to stick with 5018. Keep in mind that just because you don't have a private verandah doesn't mean you can't sit outside and enjoy the fresh sea air. From 5018, it's a quick walk down one flight of stairs to the comfortable, padded teak chairs on the Deck 4 Promenade.

There's one other difference. A Category 8 room has a big, round porthole on the exterior wall. A Category 8 room has floor-to-ceiling glass.

Oh, one more thing. Category 6 is better if you're a smoker. All staterooms are non-smoking, but you're allowed to smoke on your verandah.

 

[SeaSpray]

Originally posted by rsschneck
Okay, we are kicking around the idea of upgrading for the Ca/Fl repositioning cruise.

We have a Category 8 room 5018. We are thinking about upgrading to a Category 6 because of the veranda.

Our travel agent at Dreams Unlimited says the upgrade will cost $800 more for us. However, we would be in a GTY Category 6 and wouldn't have a room assigned.

The cruise is 2 weeks and a veranda would be nice since the cruise is quite long.

My question is, is the actual room size any different from an 8 to a 6? Is there any extra storage space? Is the only difference the veranda? Is the Veranda worth the extra $800?

Would you pay the extra money to have a Veranda, but not know your exact room number?

We paid an extra $840 to upgrade from a Cat 9 to a Cat 6, and that's just for a 1 week cruise! I definitely think it's worth it to pay $800 for a verandah for a 2 week cruise Not knowing the cabin number is a minor drawback, but I still would do the upgrade to get the verandah.

 

[WDWLVR]

Well as my tag says - have veranda will cruise. I definately think the veranda is worth it. Not knowing the cabin number wouldn't bother me. You know you are going to be on either decks 5 or 6. The only thing you don't know for sure if what part of the ship (forward, mid-ship, or aft) you'll be on. We've done all 3 and I personally noticed no difference.

I've done a Cat 8 before but it was only on a 4 day. For a 7 day or longer I would always want a veranda.

 

[lotsofboys]

I will most definitely be in the minority here, but we had a verandah our 1st cruise Cat 5 and a Cat 8 our 2nd cruise. We purposely booked a Cat 8 for the CA - FL repositioning cruise because we just didn't use the verandah enough. Especially for the time of year of the repositioning cruise it will be HOT and HUMID which is exactly what we experienced our first Eastern cruise July 2002. You can't leave the verandah door open because your room will get too hot and it takes a whole day for the air conditioning to catch up (learned that from experience ) and the times I could have gone out there I didn't want to wake DSs up who sleep right by the door. It really depends on your personal preference, whichever you choose at least you will be on the Magic for 14 days....what could be better?

 

[OJulie67]

Is it worth 800.00...Oh yes!!!! We were only on for 4 days and we enjoyed our verandah morning, noon and night! We never dreamed we would use it as much as we did! We will never cruise without one again. If I was taking a 14 day cruise I would never bat an eyelash about spending the extra money!

 

[Hygiene99]

oh yeah worth it sitting on verandah as u go through the canal
hello roomservice may i have another Bottle of wine i think so...

Go with the gty......

 

[piglet33]

I agree go with the verandah. I've had one on a 4 day, 7 day and now the 14 day. Hubby does not want to cruise without one. It is so relaxing to sit out there or to sleep with the door open.

Reneé

 

[Bmwdsny]

Hey we are in Cabin #5012 for the Ca to Fl repo cruise too! Iam thinking exactly what you are thinking too..Kicking back and forth whether to get an upgrade to Cat 6 or not. The only problem that i have is that my parents are in #5009 and i wish DCL can tell me where i would be if i upgraded. I don't want to end up on the other end of the ship with my kids going back and forth to their grandparents room, i don't mind a different deck if we were just walk down the steps to their room...But i LOVE the idea of the vernadah for 2 weeks, seeing the canal and all!!! What to do, what to do???

BTW, Cat 6 and Cat 8 are exact same configuration!! The difference in sqare footage is the verandah!! What we are paying the difference IS THE VERANDAH!!!

 

[TheWog]

I would do the upgrade. 14 days is a long time to be on the ship. You will love having the fresh air and verandah. Room is larger too.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by TheWog
Room is larger too.

Actually, Category 6 and Category 8 staterooms have the same interior square footage.

 

[cruisin'Mike]

I think the extra $800 for 14 days worth of verandah is worth it. Especially with going through the Panama Canal. You can grab a nice, quiet seat and check out the view.

Mike

 

[Bmwdsny]

OK, you got me convinced!! I just got off the phone with DCL and i upgraded to Cat 6!!! Best move i made this morning!! I know i won't regret it!!!

Rsschneck, i suggest you do the same!! After all, we will be on the cruise for 2 WHOLE WEEKS!!

Thanks!!!

 

[invaderzim]

Yes, the interior square footage may be the same between a 6 and 8, but having the verandah sure makes you feel like you have a bigger room!

 

[rsschneck]

Thought I would post our decision.

Our DU travel agent could not get anything other than a GTY category 6. We passed on the upgrade for a couple of reasons. We have a room that is close to the kids club. It will be DD first cruise where she can sign herself in and out of the kids club. I wanted the room close for her comfort level. We have a room that is not connecting. We have had a connecting room before and it can be a little noisey.

My Mom called her TA at Allseas and was going to upgrade too. We were going to give them our room. Well, her TA said that they wouldn't get our room they would get a GTY cat. 8. Then he said DCL is making all ressies in a GTY status right now. He said he couldn't even guaratee they would get the upgraded room. If they paid for the upgrade and didn't get it then they would be refunded the difference through DCL. HUH! If I am paying for an upgrade then I anticipate getting the room I have paid for.

Too many if's for a GTY room. I have a room that is in a good location, etc. The only thing missing is a veranda. So, I guess I'll use that $800 to go on more excursions, spa treatment, palo's or if I must to drink more!

Thanks for all the replies. I agree $800 for a 2 category upgrade is a GOOD deal, just too many unknowns for me.