Ever stayed in Cat. 1?
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justmestace
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Although I've not been in the Cat 1, on our last cruise, we were upgraded (free) from a Cat 3 to one of the two Cat 2 rooms. We are a family of four, and it was really nice and roomy, BUT....I would not have even paid the extra money for that one. We are cruising again in Sept and still reserved a Cat 3. Unless you had several adults willing to split the cost of the Cat 1, I would say that it is not worth the money. Don't get me wrong, these rooms are incredibly gorgeous, but I don't need the ego boost of being able to say that I stayed in the Walt or Roy. (I see flames and arrows coming!) I'd just rather spend the extra $$ on something else. If a Cat 3 (or lower) gives you enough room for everyone to sleep, I'd say save the extra money and take another cruise!
howardk613
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boggydoll -
We have been on 3 Disney cruises and all 3 have been in a category 1 suite (once in the Roy and twice in the Walt) and we recently booked our 4th ctuise in the Walt Suite. We are asked all the time "was it worth it ?" and in a word the answer is yes to us.
Although the other rooms are great (pur married children stay in the adjoining categroy 4 rooms and our friends stay in every other category from 5 to 12 ) , if you can swing the extra cost ,
I would recommend a splurge and stay in one of the finest accommodations at sea.
We have been on 3 Disney cruises and all 3 have been in a category 1 suite (once in the Roy and twice in the Walt) and we recently booked our 4th ctuise in the Walt Suite. We are asked all the time "was it worth it ?" and in a word the answer is yes to us.
Although the other rooms are great (pur married children stay in the adjoining categroy 4 rooms and our friends stay in every other category from 5 to 12 ) , if you can swing the extra cost ,
I would recommend a splurge and stay in one of the finest accommodations at sea.
Thanks, we are thinking about taking my DH's mother along, so I have been trying to figure out the best way to do this so we have some privacy. The suite vs. 2 cabins.
Do any cabins actually adjoin w/o having to go into the hall.
Howard do you spend much time in the room? Do you usually have a bunch of friends and family that come hang out with you? Is it just having s p a c e that makes it so wonderful?
Do any cabins actually adjoin w/o having to go into the hall.
Howard do you spend much time in the room? Do you usually have a bunch of friends and family that come hang out with you? Is it just having s p a c e that makes it so wonderful?
There are a number of "adjoining" Cabins on the ship. DW and I havbe booked a set. One cabin for us and one for the two DD's. We like our privacy and can use the space.
They are marked on floor plans of the ship.
They are marked on floor plans of the ship.
house_of_princesses
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Interesting thread!
We are booked (DH, 4 DD's and myself) in the Roy Suite for our first cruise. My DH said for our first time out, let's do it right! It's not an ego boost (no arrows from me, justmestace), just a desire for some spreading out room. With 4 DD's, ages 2 to 10, space is a hot commodity. We are blessed to be able to afford it, and still go on another cruise. Funny thing is, we'll be spending the week before the cruise at Fort Wildnerness in our camper. (Again, no egos here!)
We are booked (DH, 4 DD's and myself) in the Roy Suite for our first cruise. My DH said for our first time out, let's do it right! It's not an ego boost (no arrows from me, justmestace), just a desire for some spreading out room. With 4 DD's, ages 2 to 10, space is a hot commodity. We are blessed to be able to afford it, and still go on another cruise. Funny thing is, we'll be spending the week before the cruise at Fort Wildnerness in our camper. (Again, no egos here!)
dizneykids
DCL Fire Cruise Survivor<br><font color=purple>Doe
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...it's not an ego boost to be in the walt suite. it's a question of space and pampering. dh and i have 3 boys (10, 9 and 4), and very active ones at that. it is so great to be able to put them in another room on vacation (between them they grind teeth, suck thumbs, talk in their sleep). with them and dh all in one room, i get no sleep. i get very little with dh's snoring as it is, so, with the suite i have the ability to kick him out of bed if it gets too loud (as i do as home!). so, as you can see, dh sees being in the larger suite as a way to pamper me.
is it worth the $10K it roughly runs? that would depend on whether you have a spare $10K (we use dh's bonus...my thought is that it is his, he earned it, he has the right to spend it as he wants...if i benefit from that, so much the better!). it also depends on how much time you spend in your stateroom. personally, our last 2 cruises were in the walt suite. on 5/24, we're in the walt suite again (we're still shooting for the roy suite!). we eat breakfast each day in the suite. and all the goodies throughout the week. the boys loved the arcade cards. whatever we asked for, we received. is it worth it to be pampered for a week when you work so hard providing for your family 51 other weeks of the year????
ABSOLUTELY!
just my two cents!
is it worth the $10K it roughly runs? that would depend on whether you have a spare $10K (we use dh's bonus...my thought is that it is his, he earned it, he has the right to spend it as he wants...if i benefit from that, so much the better!). it also depends on how much time you spend in your stateroom. personally, our last 2 cruises were in the walt suite. on 5/24, we're in the walt suite again (we're still shooting for the roy suite!). we eat breakfast each day in the suite. and all the goodies throughout the week. the boys loved the arcade cards. whatever we asked for, we received. is it worth it to be pampered for a week when you work so hard providing for your family 51 other weeks of the year????
ABSOLUTELY!
just my two cents!
I have never regreted going "first-class" on any vacation we've taken. I agree with the previous statment - you work hard all year, enjoy your vacation and if you can afford it, go for it.
I love being pampered and don't mind going without during the year to be able to afford a nice vacation.
I love being pampered and don't mind going without during the year to be able to afford a nice vacation.
queenof4hearts
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PRaffen,
I agree w/ you 100%!! I would rather cut back during the year and splurge during a vacation, if it is possible. My husband has taught me to try and enjoy a vacation and not pinch pennies and now I think he has created a monster!!
We are going on our first cruise in June 2004 in the Walt Disney Suite and already I know I will have no regrets. We also have dear friends going with us and they are staying in a cat. 3! With the balcony being so large in the WD suite we can enjoy it with our friends!
We are so excited. We are doing the L/S package and upgraded to a suite at the GF. My husband works hard and he wants us to be able to enjoy his hard work. I find it hard to not comply.
I agree w/ you 100%!! I would rather cut back during the year and splurge during a vacation, if it is possible. My husband has taught me to try and enjoy a vacation and not pinch pennies and now I think he has created a monster!!
We are going on our first cruise in June 2004 in the Walt Disney Suite and already I know I will have no regrets. We also have dear friends going with us and they are staying in a cat. 3! With the balcony being so large in the WD suite we can enjoy it with our friends!
We are so excited. We are doing the L/S package and upgraded to a suite at the GF. My husband works hard and he wants us to be able to enjoy his hard work. I find it hard to not comply.
BeanoC
I almost don't feel the way I do.
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Well, we have TRIED to stay in cat. 1, but still can't get it! 
We are booked for October of 2004 already, and yet the cat. 1 suites are already gone.
We have stayed in cat. 3 previously, and will again this Oct. We have a cat. 2 for next year, on a waiting list for cat. 1. they sure go fast!
For us, it is worth every penny. We love the space, and as previously mentioned, it's nice to have that luxury when you worked all year for it! I have never regretted going first class on our vacations. They are all wonderful memories, and frankly, once you stay in cat. 3 or higher, there's no going back!
'Beano'
We are booked for October of 2004 already, and yet the cat. 1 suites are already gone.
We have stayed in cat. 3 previously, and will again this Oct. We have a cat. 2 for next year, on a waiting list for cat. 1. they sure go fast!
For us, it is worth every penny. We love the space, and as previously mentioned, it's nice to have that luxury when you worked all year for it! I have never regretted going first class on our vacations. They are all wonderful memories, and frankly, once you stay in cat. 3 or higher, there's no going back!
'Beano'
Originally posted by BeanoC
Well, we have TRIED to stay in cat. 1, but still can't get it!
We are booked for October of 2004 already, and yet the cat. 1 suites are already gone.
'Beano'
Wow Beano.. when I sailed in Feb of 2000 I hit it off great with one of the guest relations people I was talking to and it came up that I was a travel agent.. I said I would love to see a Cat #1
The Roy Disney was not occupied so she took me up and let me have a look around... it all happened so fast I did not have my camera!
You should have been in that cabin Beano!
>>^..^<<
justmestace
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I'm sorry, I apologize for my "ego" remark...having a lousy day I guess.
There are a lot of variables as to whether or not the money for a Cat 1 is worth it. Of course the number of people in your family has a lot to do with it. If I had more than 2 kids, it would be worth it for the space, but we do well together just about anywhere. Also, if it is a once a year splurge, then that is wonderful, too. We travel several times a year, so that makes a difference. The concierge perks are very nice, and that is one thing that is really worth it. I did get very spoiled, and won't do without that again! It's just that DCL in itself is sooo great that I don't think it really matters where you sleep, as long as you're there.
There are a lot of variables as to whether or not the money for a Cat 1 is worth it. Of course the number of people in your family has a lot to do with it. If I had more than 2 kids, it would be worth it for the space, but we do well together just about anywhere. Also, if it is a once a year splurge, then that is wonderful, too. We travel several times a year, so that makes a difference. The concierge perks are very nice, and that is one thing that is really worth it. I did get very spoiled, and won't do without that again! It's just that DCL in itself is sooo great that I don't think it really matters where you sleep, as long as you're there.
house_of_princesses
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No apology necessary. You are correct, there are many variables that play into the expenditure of a cat 1 vs. any other.
I wish you a happier Monday!
I wish you a happier Monday!
dizneykids
DCL Fire Cruise Survivor<br><font color=purple>Doe
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Beano...do what we do...call and ask to be put on the wait list for your cruise date for either one of the cat 1s. the cat 1s are usually sold out 2 years in advance. we are in the walt suite this may 24, but when we booked just about a year ago (last mar/apr), all we could get was a cat 3. we have a wonderful reservationist at dcl whom we've used since our first cruise (well, we WERE booked on the 4th magic cruise in 1998 before the delays forced us to push off until 1999) who keeps her eyes open for any cancellations. she has our okay to switch our ressie over the minute she sees one of the cat 2s or 1s become available. THEN she calls us to let us know
anyway, we booked this cruise last march or april and got a call right after the first of the year telling us the walt suite was ours. we had been hoping for the roy suite so we could say we've been in both, but we'll just have to try for it next time!
We stayed in the Roy Suite on Wonder just over a year ago.
The space was nice for the 6 of us (4 adults, 2 kids) but definitely not worth the money, as you get nothing more than extra rooms. The other "extras" were minimal (3 cookies for 6 people one afternoon(!), a few other ordinary goodies on other days) and our experience with the concierge service was horrendous. We felt that the room was a bit rundown as well...wear and tear on the furniture as well as a broken pantry door that kept sliding open and closed.
The same money or even less will buy comparable, equally nice or nicer accomodations with much better services (i.e. butler, priority reservations, etc.) on other cruiselines. But they don't have characters.
On previous cruises we've always stayed in suites but opted for adjoining Cat 5s for August simply because we didn't feel it's worth the money for a suite on Disney.
Book it because you want the extra space, not because you want to be spoiled. But space it does indeed have.
The space was nice for the 6 of us (4 adults, 2 kids) but definitely not worth the money, as you get nothing more than extra rooms. The other "extras" were minimal (3 cookies for 6 people one afternoon(!), a few other ordinary goodies on other days) and our experience with the concierge service was horrendous. We felt that the room was a bit rundown as well...wear and tear on the furniture as well as a broken pantry door that kept sliding open and closed.
The same money or even less will buy comparable, equally nice or nicer accomodations with much better services (i.e. butler, priority reservations, etc.) on other cruiselines. But they don't have characters.
On previous cruises we've always stayed in suites but opted for adjoining Cat 5s for August simply because we didn't feel it's worth the money for a suite on Disney.
Book it because you want the extra space, not because you want to be spoiled. But space it does indeed have.
howardk613
Mouseketeer
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boggydoll -
On our last cruise we took my mother (for her 80th birthday) and my aunt (my mother's sister for her 85th birthday) and they stayed in the suite in the 2nd bedroom. It was nice having them and they had their privacy while being able to enjoy the cruise and the rest of our family (our 2 married children and their families). It was really fun to see them enjoying our grandchildren (my mother's great grandchildren). The last 2 cruises were with our Disney club so we had over 125 club members , friends and family along with us. We spent a lot of time in the suite especially on the verandah and it was terrific having our room as the meeting place and hang out for our group. We especially enjoyed early mornings on the verandah (by the way it is about 40 feet long) with our grandsons (they were staying next door in the adjoining family suites and came into our room VERY early each morning). Each morning we ordered bagels juice, coffee etc. for a pre-breakfast snack. Just that made the extra expense worth every penny. The extra space is great, the concierge service is a nice plus and the suite itself (decor, furnishings, 3 bathrooms etc.) is beyond description. Overall I would HIGHLY recommend either of the category 1 suites. The only warning I would offer is that these suites are expensive and once you have stayed in one you will NEVER be happy in any other accommmodation.
On our last cruise we took my mother (for her 80th birthday) and my aunt (my mother's sister for her 85th birthday) and they stayed in the suite in the 2nd bedroom. It was nice having them and they had their privacy while being able to enjoy the cruise and the rest of our family (our 2 married children and their families). It was really fun to see them enjoying our grandchildren (my mother's great grandchildren). The last 2 cruises were with our Disney club so we had over 125 club members , friends and family along with us. We spent a lot of time in the suite especially on the verandah and it was terrific having our room as the meeting place and hang out for our group. We especially enjoyed early mornings on the verandah (by the way it is about 40 feet long) with our grandsons (they were staying next door in the adjoining family suites and came into our room VERY early each morning). Each morning we ordered bagels juice, coffee etc. for a pre-breakfast snack. Just that made the extra expense worth every penny. The extra space is great, the concierge service is a nice plus and the suite itself (decor, furnishings, 3 bathrooms etc.) is beyond description. Overall I would HIGHLY recommend either of the category 1 suites. The only warning I would offer is that these suites are expensive and once you have stayed in one you will NEVER be happy in any other accommmodation.
dizneykids
DCL Fire Cruise Survivor<br><font color=purple>Doe
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crsndsny....no one answered your question....the cost for the suite is the same as with any other stateroom. you pay a per person price with the first two people costing more and the remaining people cost based on their age. for the 5 of us in may (2 adults, 3 boys...10, 9 and 4), our cost (without insurance, airfare or transfers) is just under $10,000. and that is with the early booking discount!
justmestace....no apologies necessary. differences of opinion are to be expected so long as they aren't intended as flames. i hope you didn't take my response as a flame!
justmestace....no apologies necessary. differences of opinion are to be expected so long as they aren't intended as flames. i hope you didn't take my response as a flame!
justmestace
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Thank you, Dizneykids....no offense taken. Hubby just came home and said he'd take me out to dinner!!! My Monday just got a whole lot better! I had to laugh looking back at my post...every time I see Jaguar drive by I get a TINGE jealous, and then I try to calm myself by thinking "I could afford it, I just can't justify it" Yeah, right...remember, I'm the one who's happy that I'm going out for dinner, and it'll probably be Burger King!!!
Wow thank you everyone for the responses!
Now that I hear how hard it is to get a cat 1 I'm pretty sure we won't be in one. This is rather astonishing to me, in this economic climate. I was thinking that they might not even be able to book them - silly me!
The adjoining cabins is a good option. This would give us a little more privacy, which I think might be important with a 7 day cruise.
Again thank you for all the input. I am just starting on learning about DCL and it is pretty overwhelming. I've got WDW pretty well nailed. But now this is making me crazy. There are so many things, dining rotations, excurtions, cabin choice, verandas plexi or metal etc. etc. I'm a bit of an obsessive planner, because I want it to be the vacation I want, not the vacation it could have been. So anyway I'm happy to have found such a big forum on the subject.
Thanks
Now that I hear how hard it is to get a cat 1 I'm pretty sure we won't be in one. This is rather astonishing to me, in this economic climate. I was thinking that they might not even be able to book them - silly me!
The adjoining cabins is a good option. This would give us a little more privacy, which I think might be important with a 7 day cruise.
Again thank you for all the input. I am just starting on learning about DCL and it is pretty overwhelming. I've got WDW pretty well nailed. But now this is making me crazy. There are so many things, dining rotations, excurtions, cabin choice, verandas plexi or metal etc. etc. I'm a bit of an obsessive planner, because I want it to be the vacation I want, not the vacation it could have been. So anyway I'm happy to have found such a big forum on the subject.
Thanks
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