Claustrophobic with No Porthole?

[Lollipop's Mom]

I can't imagine not being able to look out a window for 7 days......or is it as bad as I would think? Of course the cheaper the better - but is it worth paying a couple hundred bucks more for a porthole?

 

[sunkissed212]

Well, I've never been on a DCL cruise and I wouldn't consider myself "claustrophobic" but I was on a cruise from Sweden to Finland about 12 years ago and had a major panic attack in the cabin. I felt closed in, I felt like I was trapped! It was awful. Then, with the goofy little lock thing they had on the door, I coudln't get out and started freaking out even more!

If it were me, and you're already worried about it...I'd spend the extra money for a cabin with a porthole. I think that if you're worrying about it already, then you're bound to be worrying about it when you're actually on the ship and thats going to ruin all the fun.

JMO...have a great time!

 

[RKB]

The first cruise we went on was with no porthole. The room lights are bright enough and with the tv on also it is not that bad. But I really like natural light so the second cruise we booked a catergory 9 for the porthole. I since found out about the secret porthole rooms. They are cat 9 rooms priced as cat 10 rooms due to some obstructed view. They are rooms 5020, 22 and 24 then 5520, 22 and 24. You have to book them quicly because they go fast! With these you pay inside stateroom prices, but actually get a porthole...

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

Yah - being someone who suffers panic attacks in very crowded situations, I am going to need a porthole! Can I book a cat. 9 and if I find I have more $$ towards the trip date, upgrade to a cat. 8 with a balcony (if available of course)?

 

[inkkognito]

I am not usually claustrophobic, although I did have a panic attack on an airplane after a six hour delay, a diversion, and an aborted landing attempt. I'm thinking those circumstances had something to do with it! We have been in Cat. 11 staterooms many times and have never had a problem. But we tend to only sleep in the stateroom and spend a lot of time on the deck 7 "secret" verandah or in the Rainforest. If you could handle it for sleeping and clothes-changing, you'd probably be okay.
Barb

 

[jel0511]

Yah - being someone who suffers panic attacks in very crowded situations, I am going to need a porthole! Can I book a cat. 9 and if I find I have more $$ towards the trip date, upgrade to a cat. 8 with a balcony (if available of course)?

A Category 8 is the exact room as a category 9, but just up on a higher deck. A category 7 is the first category with a veranda, and it's an enclosed veranda. The first category with a true open veranda is a category 6.

 

[giljr]

My wife and I have cruised twice in a Cat. 11 room (6139 and 6141) and we haven't had any problems. You can always tune the TV to the bridge cam, and pretend it is a window! You just aren't in your room that much.

 

[Skywalker]

OMG, for the love of all that is holy GET A WINDOW! Even if you have to sell one of your pets to do it. Disclaimer: This is my personal opinion only. (But it is a strong one!)

 

[jon46]

I have had Cat 10 now on three cruises (wonder) You have a lot of room the area with the couch and the area with the bed. Instead of a port hole you have a round mirror. As said lot of light and there is always the TV with the ships cam looking over the front of the ship at the basketball courts. John

 

[Muushka]

OMG, for the love of all that is holy GET A WINDOW! Even if you have to sell one of your pets to do it. Disclaimer: This is my personal opinion only. (But it is a strong one!)

Too funny! , but I agree wholeheartedly .

 

[kikipug]

I can't imagine not being able to look out a window for 7 days......

Are you really planning on spending 7 days IN YOUR CABIN????

Seriously- you'll only be in there to sleep (eyes closed and dark, windows don't matter), shower (no window in that part anyway) and change your clothes (which you would close the curtains for anyway)... so, if its a choice between a cabin without a window and not going... GO!!!! If its a $$ thing, I wouldn't spend the extra $$ if its not in your budget... I have had inside and outside cabins, and it really doesn't make that much of a difference!!! That said, I do have an outside cabin for our upcoming trip, but would have been just as happy without!

 

[taeja71]

There is one mirror that looks like a port hole (above the bed) if I remember correctly. I also agree about having the lights on and keeping as much clutter out of the way helps your phychie. Ditto: you won't be spending too much time in your room except for sleeping from exhaution from having so much fun. If you are prone to motion sickness take all the percautions advised on the DIS board (patch, wristband, pills, whatever -not all at once plz!). I ended up needing the patch and pills to keep my stomach calm.

 

[Footnotegirl]

I've never liked enclosed places or crowds too much, and once suffered a panic attack at a large concert. That said, I had no problem with a Cat 11. on a 7 day cruise. It's not like you spend that much time in the room, and a window is never more than a few steps away. I would say it's not a big problem if you're just nervous in closd places, but if you are honestly at the level where it's a phobia, yeah, you're best off getting at least a porthole room.

 

[snoopy_mom]

I struggled with this decision, too. There are certain situations where being closed in bothers me. I have never been on a cruise, so I did not know what to expect. I decided on booking a veranda (6042). I thought I'd rather spend the extra $$$ than taking a chance. I'd hate to pay for a cruise and be miserable with the room.