Deck 6 or 8 & Many More ?

[MomTo2Princess]

This will be our first time cruising so can you help answer my questions?

Background -
a) There will be five of us (2 adults, 3 kids - 9, 7, and 4).
b) I'm prone to motion sickness (but will be taking medication).
c) Planning on going in 10/03 or 10/04.

My questions -
1) Considering that I don't do well with "motion" and knowing I don't want a room in the middle of deck 8 due to the noise level above, which would preferable - a forward or an aft located room?
2) Will I feel the "motion" more on deck 8 than deck 6 (thinking about renting two rooms so we can stay in the middle of the ship instead)?
3) Is the bridge on deck 8 open to the public?
4) If we decide to stay on deck 8, would room 8028 (end of Common Grounds) be better than 8052 (under restroom near Pluto's Dog House)? I'm looking for a room with as little noise as possible.
5) How much are taxes and surcharges generally?
6) Are these quotes good deals? (a) 10/19/03 - cat. 4 w/out transfers and insurance = $3,029.29. (b) 10/17/04 - cat. 4 w/ 1 leg of transfer and insurance = $3,419.25. Didn't get a breakdown from DU so can't decipher my costs.

Thanks for helping a newbie out!

 

[Señor Ferrari]

I personally do not feel the ship's motion more or less from fore to aft. It is more noticeable higher on the ship, but for me only slightly so. For example, we usually stay on deck 7, and I don't notice motion any less there than on deck 9, but I probably feel it less on deck 3 in the dining rooms. I don't think you'll feel the motion more on deck 8 than on deck 6, but this is a very subjective thing, and varies from person to person, I would think.

The bridge is not open to the public. They used to conduct bridge tours from the overlook on deck 9, but I think they stopped doing this after Sept. 11th and have not resumed. You can get a view down into the bridge from the exercise room at the front of the spa, though. If they are doing tours again, I'd recommend it. It was pretty cool.

I would say that room 8028 is pretty close to the center of the ship. Remember that the bridge which represents the forward end of deck 8 is set back from the bow. I'd also bet that this is the quieter spot, as it is closer to the adult pool.

I actually looked up the taxes and fees a few weeks ago for someone else. They are as follows:

7-day Eastern: $42.35
7-day Western: $44.77
3-day or 4-day: $29.85

As to the prices, I've never priced a cruise for 5, so I can't really help with that, but DU's prices are very competitive.

 

[GenieDana]

If you are prone to motion sickness, the place on a ship with the least motion is in the middle of the ship's lenght, and as close to the keel (bottom of the ship) as you can get.

On modern ships, that would also be the approximate location of the ship's stabilizers, which mostly limit the heeling over (roll) of the hull. Stabilizers also contibute to pitch stability. but might contribute noise in the cabin due to moving machinery under your feet (cannot say for sure, because I've never been there [on the Magic or Wonder] in rough seas).

You can medicate to help with motion sickness too, and Dramamine II / Bonine is effective. If you have severe motion sickness (vertigo-like), then maybe your doctor can give you a prescription for a stronger dose of Meclazine / Promethazine.

 

[AnnMorin]

Been midship, and aft and have never noticed any difference at all. In fact the only time I really noticed movement in the ship was in the theature and even then it was no big deal. The rocking is very gentle and most times minimal. I saw no difference at all being mid ship verses aft or from the various stateroom floors.

 

[TootyJane]

Originally posted by MomTo2Princess
This will be our first time cruising so can you help answer my questions?

....
4) If we decide to stay on deck 8, would room 8028 (end of Common Grounds) be better than 8052 (under restroom near Pluto's Dog House)? I'm looking for a room with as little noise as possible.
....
Thanks for helping a newbie out!

I have only stayed in the 2-bedroom suites (8016 and 8516). I have never noticed the motion of the ship either time cruising. While these rooms are forward from 8028 there was a little noise but not much. I would think if you're looking for a room with less noise I'd personally pick 8028 over 8052 any day. 8052 is right under Pluto's Dog House and the Mickey Pool. You'll definitely here chairs and such being moved! 8028 is located under the Bar/Adult Pool. There is apt to be noise from chairs being moved but there will be far less people in that area than the Mickey Pool. JMHO. HTH

 

[CRSNDSNY]

We felt the motion during some 'rough' seas on the 1/5/03 Wonder. We were Stateroom 7524 which is forward enough to not be midship.

We've also been midship on the same deck for a 7-nighter and didn't feel a thing.

I guess it all depends on the weather you have while onboard. I would suggest that if you are prone to motion sickness to definitely try to get midship. Better to be safe than sorry.

 

[my3kids]

That is a GREAT price! We are a family of 5 also. We book 2 category 10 rooms which has always been a little cheaper(first time) or a lot cheaper(second time) than a category 4 room. We are paying a lot more than that(first time was in November, second in March) When I origionallybooked the first one, Oct and Nov. prices were the same. If that was a quote for everyone including taxes and port charges, but no insuance or transfers, jump on it!

 

[RC Sunshine]

In my experience, you can really feel the pitch most at the bow of the ship. We prefer midship most of all, and then towards the aft if we can't get midship. Once stayed near the bow, and we will not do that again.