Claustrophobia...

[Jennifer48]

I would love to do my first Disney Cruise but right now the only stateroom that I can afford is an inside stateroom, cat 11 & 12. The only thing that I am worried about is feeling claustrophobic in this room since it does not have a window. I usually need to have at least one other exit in a room in order for me to feel safe. My question is, has anyone felt claustrophobic in an inside stateroom? Do I stick it out since I won't be in the room that much or should I be on the safe side and splurge for a porthole window? Thanks for any advice you have.

Jen

 

[HooKooDooKu]

Standard staterooms (Cat 11 & 12) are pretty much the same size as Deluxe staterooms (Cat 10 thru 5). The only real difference is the split bath which elongates your entry hallway and increases your storage space.

The main part of the stateroom doesn't really get bigger until you move up to a Cat 4 stateroom where the length of the room is extended to may space for the murphy bed by the verandah.

You'll still have to decide if you can handle an inside stateroom vs a stateroom with window (porthole) or verandah. If you can stand to be in a windowless bedroom, then you shouldn't have a problem with an inside stateroom onboard. The size of the staterooms is equal to a queen size bed with 2 feet a clearance on three size, and multiply that space by 2 (I'm not sure, but the side of the stateroom with the couch/coffe table/tv feels to be the same size as the "bedroom" half of the room).

We've always done a Cat6 except for once we took a last-minute cruise when they had a special trying to fill up Cat 11 rooms during off-season. The size of the room didn't really feel any smaller, but we instantly noticed the decreased storage space (both in the cabin AND the bathrooms). Make sure you take along an over-the-door shoe holder for extra storage.

I'm going to make a guess that the size of the "main" part of the stateroom (based on the furniture and the way it's laid out) is about 9 feet wide and about 16 feet deep. Seems to fit in with the quoted square footage (184 for standard which is about equal to 9x20 when you include the space for the bathroom, and 214 for deluxe which is about equal to 9x24 (four more feet for the split bath)).

BTW, to give you an idea how similar the rooms are, I noticed that DCL's own web site uses the same "movie" (those 360 degree views) for both Deluxe and Standard inside staterooms. You don't really see a difference until you look at the floor plans. But there again, you will see that the main portion of the room is the same size for all these cabins

 

[Mickeyhugger]

I'm one who's very claustrophobic.

However, DH and I were somewhat naive about cruising when we booked our first cruise, and booked an inside stateroom. I never felt claustrophobic. We DID book a Cat 9 for our next cruise, but mainly to have more closet/drawer space. (DD and I bring a LOT of clothes and shoes. LOL)

You might be pleasantly surprised!

 

[Aisling]

should I be on the safe side and splurge for a porthole window?

This is a tough one.
I'm claustrophobic, and I don't think I'd take a chance with no windows. But then again, if it was the only way I could afford to go, I might get the cat. 11/12 and just go for a walk if I started to feel closed-in.

 

[swcruiser]

Last Summer we had a cat 11. It was only a 3 day. It did bother me, however, I was fine when I was in the room to shower, watch tv etc. It was night time that bothered me. So I made sure that I didn't go into the room and try to fall asleep. I made sure I was exhausted and I fell asleep. However, next month we are doing the 7 day West Coast and have a verandah. I know that there was no way I could do seven days with no light. However, that being said, I tend to have panic attacks at night when I am in strange places. Usually, I just get up and get some fresh air so I made sure I had really nice pj's and a robe! LOL! Seriously though if you have a three day you won't spend enough time to notice.

 

[carleesmom]

I originally thought I could only afford an inside room however someone on these boards suggested using www.cruisecompete.com & I actually got a quote for a cat 6 veranda from The Magic For Less TA (through cruisecompete) which was only $50 more than an inside stateroom. We went 5/26-5/29/05 & loved every minute of it. So you might try that option - you never know.
Good luck!

 

[aprilgail2]

I am generally NOT claustrophobic but I would never again book a Cat 11 room....I did feel closed in, never knew what it was like outside unless I put the TV on and the storage was TERRIBLE in the Cat 11. The other rooms have the steamer trunks which make a GIANT difference in storage space. We had no where to put most of our things in the Cat 11 and I am a light packer! Plus the only one bathroom makes limited space in the bathrooms to put things, the over the door shoe holder was a life saver for shampoos, toothpaste etc...

 

[TooPure4u]

I have never been in an inside stateroom but chatted both my cruises with people who were and they described it as feeling like they were in a coffin. Very small, very very dark and all around they hated it. But...I hate to see you not go on a disney cruise due to that so I suggest bringing a night light or sleeping with the tv on etc. You can request a wake up call so that you dont sleep the day away because of no light. Good Luck...

 

[mommommouse]

I was very worried about this before my May 7th cruise but I worried for nothing. I didn't feel closed in at all. Now put me on a plane and I can't breath. It was very dark. You don't know when it's day light but it was great for sleeping. Your only in your room to sleep and get dressed. I would do it again and will be doing it in 2006. Everyone has their own preference thoough. I would rather have the extra money to spend. Well good luck. You'll love the DCL.

 

[Jennifer48]

Thank you all very much for your feedback. I was thinking of trying out the 3 night cruise first in the cat 11/12. This way its only 3 nights that I have to deal with it. If I can, then I'll probably book it for a 7 night cruise but if not, then I'll know! Thanks again everyone!

 

[RealMickeysGirl]

I have never been in an inside stateroom but chatted both my cruises with people who were and they described it as feeling like they were in a coffin. Very small, very very dark and all around they hated it. But...I hate to see you not go on a disney cruise due to that so I suggest bringing a night light or sleeping with the tv on etc. You can request a wake up call so that you dont sleep the day away because of no light. Good Luck...

I have been on a 4 night and a 7 night - both times with inside rooms - I believe they were cat 10. We brought a night light just because it is very dark - as in totally dark - when the lights are out. I never felt like I was in a coffin. Our room had a large round mirror in the same spot as the porthole in the porthole rooms. It helped the room feel larger - or at least not so closed in.

I have a 10X10 bedroom in my house that seemed smaller to me than our ships room. We use it for an office because I think it is to small for a bedroom.