First cruise and could use advice

[neverland23]

We are going on our first cruise in 2016! We have a balcony room booked now but we are wondering if it's worth the extra cost. There is a $300 different for a five night for a window room on decks 5, 6 or 7 and a $600 different for a room on deck 2 with a window. The square foot difference is 54. For those who have been in both does the size make a difference? What about the decks?

Thank you for any help! We are excited and I'm sure either will be a good choice.

 

[Drusilla99]

As far as decks, I like to be close to the top, so I'm near the beverage station; or if I want a late night snack I can grab something quick by the pool.

 

[JMHDisney]

I love having a balcony. On my first cruise, I was worried about getting seasick and it helped to have my own outdoor space. You will likely see a lot of opinions of people who wouldn't cruise without a balcony and a lot who just don't care. I spent a ton of time drinking wine I brought with me on my sunny balcony on our recent cruise and think it is well worth the money. I don't think decks make as much difference.

 

[jack87891]

We're probably in the minority but the balcony was only ok for us. It was nice but we don't mind floor 2 at all so, we just save the money

 

[Disneyteachers]

For our Alaskan cruise we booked an oceanview on deck 7. DH is afraid of a balcony so the verandah rooms were out. I was really bummed, until I saw the price difference and now I'm a little less upset. We are traveling with friends who will have a verandah so we won't miss out completely.

 

[MelSpees]

We haven't been in a veranda, but we like OV on deck 2 midship. It's very convenient for us.

 

[griffindesign]

I love having a balcony! It's so nice to go out on the balcony when pulling in or out of port, and other times to relax in privacy. Sometimes we eat out on the balcony too. It's good for listening to the horn too.

 

[GatorMomInNC]

For a 5 night cruise at $120 per night extra for a balcony I would save the money and stay on deck 2. The big windows are great. Now, full disclosure, I am doing a 5 night on the Magic in December, and I went with a balcony, but I struggled with the decision. But in my case it was only $20 more per night.

 

[MelInAZ]

I've only cruised once but I spent so much time on the balcony - I loved it. At one point my husband, both of my kids and myself sat there for a good 15 minutes just staring out over the ocean and not talking. It was so serene, we all loved it. We just booked our second cruise an sought out a 'bump out' room so we could have a larger verandah.

If you think you'd use a verandah, then go for it. If you're unsure then I'd save the money.

 

[PryncessLace]

We loved our verandah room, but our DD9 didn't care for it. She asked if we could get an ocean view this time so she could sit and read in the giant porthole. It was hard to convince DH to give up the verandah though!

 

[Aby]

We love having a balcony! I love being able to have fresh air without having to go up on deck. We've taken 2 Alasskan cruises, and we have an upcoming Caribbean cruise - all with a balcony - not sure I'd ever go for a non-balcony room unless I couldn't afford it - I'd rather be in any room on the ship rather than at home!

Aby

 

[Jennifer Brown]

I spent a ton of time drinking wine I brought with me on my sunny balcony on our recent cruise and think it is well worth the money.

 

[goodgodmrsmolly]

I loved the veranda. At night, I would turn off the air and fall asleep to the sound of the ocean. We were on deck 10 of the Dream, there were a few times where it got a little loud from things banging above us but we couldn't hear any noise from the balcony. The nice thing was though, we tried to call room service twice and was told both times it was over an hour wait. I just walked up one flight of stairs, got food and drinks and was back in my room in less than 8 minutes.

 

[Dopey416]

If you can afford it go with the balcony, there's nothing like it. I've done both, the giant porthole is perfectly fine but there's nothing like a balcony, the higher the deck, the better. I'm with Drusilla99, love to be near the beverage station.

 

[jrabbit]

...There is a $300 different for a five night for a window room on decks 5, 6 or 7 and a $600 different for a room on deck 2 with a window. The square foot difference is 54. ....

I assume that you are on the Magic or Wonder. If that is the case the 54 sq feet IS the veranda - the rooms are actually the same size.

I "live" on deck 2 - Ocean view. Best value on the ship. DCL has "pixie dusted" upgraded us once to a verandah - it was "nice" but we only went out there a few times when we were in the room (usually changing clothes / getting cleaned up) because it was there and we felt that we should use it. None of us LOVED it. We all actually prefer deck 4 or the pool or top deck of the ship. One other cruise we booked "late" and there were no ocean view rooms available so we booked a balcony on the Fantasy. Went out a couple of time for a few seconds (yes seconds) because it was too hot and too humid.

Have done the Caribbean, West Coast, Alaska, Panama Canal and Mediterranean cruises on Deck 2 Ocean view and never felt like we were missing out on anything. The one thing I do get tired of is "people" looking down upon us when we say that our room is on deck two ... we definatly get the vibe of "oooooh, so you are down in steerage" - and my comeback (only inside my head so far) is .. "thanks for spending 12 times what I am spending on this exact same cruise so my prices stay "lower" "

 

[JimGA]

Keep the balcony, it's advantages so far outweigh the savings.

 

[DISNEYFAN3260]

We are going on our first cruise in 2016! We have a balcony room booked now but we are wondering if it's worth the extra cost. There is a $300 different for a five night for a window room on decks 5, 6 or 7 and a $600 different for a room on deck 2 with a window. The square foot difference is 54. For those who have been in both does the size make a difference? What about the decks?

Thank you for any help! We are excited and I'm sure either will be a good choice.

We prefer to put the extra dollars into excursions or ship board activities myself (those costs can add up quickly), so we generally go with the cheapest possible room that has a split bath (deluxe inside). So personally I'd skip the balcony. We did pay for one once, but it was a very slight price difference and just a 3 night sailing so I think I only sat out there once or twice. On a longer sailing I might have utilized it more. Like so many things, it's a personal preference and probably depends most on your vacationing style (how much time you'll be in the room, etc). Also, you didn't mention whether your party is adults-only or includes children, which may make a difference for you. As for decks, if the price difference is minimal, we upgrade to the higher decks. Don't get me wrong - I'm glad to be on ANY deck just to sail and I've never had a really bad experience anywhere, but to me it is simply seems louder on Deck 2 and I feel more motion. Again, others may feel differently. Biggest thing to us - whether sailing with or without kids - is having the split bath. Windows and balconies are all good if they're affordable for us, but the split bath is a necessity! All the rooms you're mentioning will have that.

 

[MouseMomx2]

I assume that you are on the Magic or Wonder. If that is the case the 54 sq feet IS the veranda - the rooms are actually the same size.

I "live" on deck 2 - Ocean view. Best value on the ship. DCL has "pixie dusted" upgraded us once to a verandah - it was "nice" but we only went out there a few times when we were in the room (usually changing clothes / getting cleaned up) because it was there and we felt that we should use it. None of us LOVED it. We all actually prefer deck 4 or the pool or top deck of the ship. One other cruise we booked "late" and there were no ocean view rooms available so we booked a balcony on the Fantasy. Went out a couple of time for a few seconds (yes seconds) because it was too hot and too humid.

Have done the Caribbean, West Coast, Alaska, Panama Canal and Mediterranean cruises on Deck 2 Ocean view and never felt like we were missing out on anything. The one thing I do get tired of is "people" looking down upon us when we say that our room is on deck two ... we definatly get the vibe of "oooooh, so you are down in steerage" - and my comeback (only inside my head so far) is .. "thanks for spending 12 times what I am spending on this exact same cruise so my prices stay "lower" "

This is us as well. We love deck 2. Some of our favorite things about Deck 2 are...

• One flight up when you return from port...no waiting with the crowds for the elevators.
• Just a flight or two up to most of the common areas.
• A quick elevator ride to the pool deck
• Easy to get an elevator since you get in on a low floor. (They are often jam packed by the time they get to the upper decks.)
• Just a quick walk up to Deck 4 for outside access.

That said, we now go even more frugally and stay in an inside. We usually try to book one of the sideways insides because they feel more spacious, but we would go with any inside. We love the total darkness at night and never sleep better. We find that we like to be out an about on our cruises and haven't really used the verandah much when we've had one.

Since this is your first cruise I would definitely bump down...at least to "just" a porthole. There will be so much for you to see and do. You won't have that much time in your stateroom and the verandahs will always be there for your next cruise. (Be prepared...cruises are addicting!)

 

[bethy]

I haven't even cruised yet. My first time will be this October. I picked a verandah (actually 2 connecting ones) and would not even try cruising if I couldn't get one. I am worried about claustrophobia and also motion sickness. I need two exits from my room.

And on top of that I'm a tired mom and an introvert. I am craving peace and quiet. If it works out I plan to spend hours out there reading, eating and drinking. I couldn't care less about most of the activities. My kid will hopefully be off doing those!

 

[Quellman]

I haven't even cruised yet. My first time will be this October. I picked a verandah (actually 2 connecting ones) and would not even try cruising if I couldn't get one. I am worried about claustrophobia and also motion sickness. I need two exits from my room.

And on top of that I'm a tired mom and an introvert. I am craving peace and quiet. If it works out I plan to spend hours out there reading, eating and drinking. I couldn't care less about most of the activities. My kid will hopefully be off doing those!

Order coffee for the morning fro room service and you won't have to leave your room until lunch!