From balcony to inside stateroom (Wonder)

[mevelandry]

Hi!

DH and I had two cruises on the dream, the first one with a navigator's verandah and the second with a 5E (turned out to be gigantic).

We are currently planning a three night cruise with my in laws and chose to stay in two inside cabins. First or all because the price difference to go from inside to balcony was insane (especially when you consider the exchange rate with CDN $)... And, since it's only a 3 nights cruise and we decided to give Atlantis a chance this time (we used to stay on board) we think 15-30 min/day on a balcony is not worth spending an extra 400$ US.

But, there is one thing I'm going to miss deeply: each time we were leaving with the Dream, (we were always aft) and we used to watch the land disappear and the dolphins swimming behind us from our balcony.

I was wondering if there was a public place on the Wonder (new ship) where we could go and (potentially) spot the dolphins as we leave?


Also, all other tips regarding inside rooms would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Hi!

DH and I had two cruises on the dream, the first one with a navigator's verandah and the second with a 5E (turned out to be gigantic).

We are currently planning a three night cruise with my in laws and chose to stay in two inside cabins. First or all because the price difference to go from inside to balcony was insane (especially when you consider the exchange rate with CDN $)... And, since it's only a 3 nights cruise and we decided to give Atlantis a chance this time (we used to stay on board) we think 15-30 min/day on a balcony is not worth spending an extra 400$ US.

But, there is one thing I'm going to miss deeply: each time we were leaving with the Dream, (we were always aft) and we used to watch the land disappear and the dolphins swimming behind us from our balcony.

I was wondering if there was a public place on the Wonder (new ship) where we could go and (potentially) spot the dolphins as we leave?


Also, all other tips regarding inside rooms would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Currently the Wonder has a secret aft area on deck 7, just follow the hall all the way back and exit the door. We were out there a couple times in September and had it to ourselves. However, that may be going away after her dry dock this fall.

On a side note, we've done 3 Dream class cruises, (2 inside rooms) before our most recent cruise on the Wonder, (1 verandah). She is a lovely ship and in really great condition. I missed the Aquaduck but was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed the AP show. I still prefer the Dream class ships but wouldn't hesitate to do the Wonder again. We also decided the verandah was not worth the extra cost for us and are going back to the 2 insides when possible. Enjoy your cruise.

 

[mevelandry]

Thank you, we'll see if secret deck 7 is still there after the dry dock.

Are there any rumors of it disappearing after refurbishments?

 

[professorandmom]

I made a similar switch to an inside room as others have...we discussed it in this thread...perhaps these posts will be helpful
http://www.disboards.com/threads/inside-staterooms-and-claustraphobia.3422139/
Enjoy your cruise!

 

[dclpluto]

A inside is perfectly fine for me since I don't have money coming out of my butt. I have been on 18 cruises and 14 of them have been in a inside stateroom. Some longer cruises also. A 15 night a 14 night a 13 night a b2b a 12 night not Disney. Got a 14 night repo cruise coming in May In a inside stateroom. Remember when you are sleeping or outside your stateroom it doesn't matter if you are in a inside stateroom or a verendah.some people will tell you the better stateroom you get the more time you will spend in there. Well I didn't go on a cruise to spend extra time in my stateroom.

I use the stateroom to get dress and to do the 5 things that starts with the letter S.

 

[Flossbolna]

I love watching the wildlife from deck 4. We sailed the Wonder in an oceanview and deck 4 was like my verandah, rarely crowded and great views!

 

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

We are veranda stateroom people. We do spend time out on our veranda on and off throughout the day. I am always the first one up, early in the morning. Sometimes I go out and walk the decks while most everyone else are sleeping or getting ready for the day. But I also love just sitting out on the veranda, with my coffee and the Navigator planning the day waiting for my family to start moving. I love sitting out there while my wife is getting ready for dinning or an event. I live sitting out there at the end of a busy day enjoying the sea air and NO CROWD before calling it a night! I sometimes like to take a break during the day and read on the veranda. Not everyone is out of there stateroom each and every minute except to sleep.

That being said, for a three night cruise I would take an inside stateroom to save $400.00. Or for any length of cruise if I don't plan on using the veranda.

 

[tlwfun89]

do all itineraries see dolphins or just certain ones have a possibility?

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

do all itineraries see dolphins or just certain ones have a possibility?

It's luck of the draw. We had a pack of dolphins escort the Fantasy to port in Cozumel. That's the only time I've seen any on 4 cruises.

 

[mevelandry]

I love watching the wildlife from deck 4. We sailed the Wonder in an oceanview and deck 4 was like my verandah, rarely crowded and great views!

Right now, if secret deck 7 is not available, deck 4 it will be my plan B. What would be your best spot? Forward, middle or aft?

 

[Flossbolna]

Right now, if secret deck 7 is not available, deck 4 it will be my plan B. What would be your best spot? Forward, middle or aft?

I like being forward (between the forward and midship elevators), but not all the way forward. I usually pick one of the deck chairs and alternate between reading and watching the ocean. It is my favourite place on mornings on sea days.

 

[mevelandry]

A inside is perfectly fine for me since I don't have money coming out of my butt. I have been on 18 cruises and 14 of them have been in a inside stateroom. Some longer cruises also. A 15 night a 14 night a 13 night a b2b a 12 night not Disney. Got a 14 night repo cruise coming in May In a inside stateroom. Remember when you are sleeping or outside your stateroom it doesn't matter if you are in a inside stateroom or a verendah.some people will tell you the better stateroom you get the more time you will spend in there. Well I didn't go on a cruise to spend extra time in my stateroom.

I use the stateroom to get dress and to do the 5 things that starts with the letter S.

The first time, I asked for a porthole because I was scared to feel claustrophobic... They assigned us a navigator's verandah. We loved it. The second time, we could afford a verandah so we picked a stateroom with a verandah, once again the price difference was not bad (on the Dream) We loved spending time on the verandah, especially in the morning.

On the Wonder, it's way more expensive to go from Inside to Verandah + Our schedule (we won't be in the room at all!) doesn't make the investment worth it because we will be with my in laws and they will be cruising and seeing everthing for the first time. Plus the price of the verandah covers the total price of the activities we planned to do... That wouldn't be a smart choice.

 

[mevelandry]

do all itineraries see dolphins or just certain ones have a possibility?

So far, both times we left Port Canaveral we were followed by 3-4 dolphins.

 

[jhoannam]

DH and I like to sit at the end of the day and talk about our day while enjoying an adult beverage, we were going to get a verandah so the girls could go to sleep while we enjoyed our evening ritual. But for the same price we were able to get 2 inside connecting rooms.

 

[mevelandry]

With the exception of the coffee on the verandah in the morning and the dolphins at PC, I don't think we'll have time to miss it very much.

Is there any outside seats in Beach Blanket? (We've tried to sit outside on the dream and it was never possible - all seats taken or "reserved").

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

With the exception of the coffee on the verandah in the morning and the dolphins at PC, I don't think we'll have time to miss it very much.

Is there any outside seats in Beach Blanket? (We've tried to sit outside on the dream and it was never possible - all seats taken or "reserved").

There sure are.

 

[lanejudy]

do all itineraries see dolphins or just certain ones have a possibility?

One time we saw dolphins swimming alongside the ship as we headed out from Port Canaveral. Viewed from deck 12 midship on the Dream.

 

[krissy2803]

If you can, try to get one of the sideways cabins. They seem bigger because of the layout. We always get one on deck five because for a few reasons. First reason is that there are restrooms located on both ends of the deck. An extra toilet is never a bad thing.

Also it's one short flight of stairs down to deck four and outside. There are lounges on that deck and most times it's a quiet deck. We've seen all kinds of marine life from here. Especially on the Alaska cruise. It's like having a really big veranda to yourself. This reason is more in line with your original question, but I wanted to throw the other ones in too.

Deck five only has cabins forward and aft. Midship is the kids club, nursery, and a theater. Much less traffic around the cabins because there is no way to walk through. The only people in the halls are the people that have cabins there.(mostly)

 

[krisinparis]

As others have stated, Deck 4 is great! Hubby and I walk around the deck on sea days and on port days we pop up for a "weather" check. We've found that we can book 2 inside staterooms for the price of 1 balcony and we much prefer having twice the space and 2 bathrooms to the balcony (we have 2 kids).