Help Me Decide - Cat 7 & 11, or a cat 4

[Cinderelli]

Hi - we are making our reservations for our 1st cruise. We are a family of 5. Our DC will be 9, 10 & 12 when going (next May). Would it be better to have a cat 7 & 11 across from each other, or all go in a cat 4?

Is the cat 4 big enough? Is it nicer? Do you think we'd like the extra space of 2 rooms (7 & 11)?

The only drawback of 2 rooms would be my DH and I would split up at night so we would each be in with 1 or 2 of the kids. But, they are so excited about the Kids Clubs that we would probably have plenty of "alone" time during the day. So, the sleeping arrangment doesn't bother us.

Your input is appreciated.

Lissa

 

[glindamood]

Lissa,

This is a very personal question and you will probably get may different responses. I have cruised 5 times on the Magic and once on the Wonder with 2 more coming up so my suggestion is based on our experiences and what we do while cruising. Just to clarify also, we have stayed in Category 4, 6, 10 and 11 with our upcoming Wonder trip in a Category 5 (DMIL taking entire family, we are all side by side) and December is in 3 Cat 11's.

We don't spend ANY time in the room except to sleep and change clothes - we are always out and about. My children are 24, 22 and 16 so I don't need to be in the room or connected but can understand your need to be close at hand. I would suggest two connecting category 10's or connecting category 11's. I do prefer the split baths in the 10's, but our upcoming December cruise will be 2 11's (because that is all they had left when I booked).

Whatever you choose - happy planning!

 

[Cinderelli]

Gail,

Thanks for your reply. I appreciate it. I would go for the connecting cat 10's in a heartbeat because I don't think we'll be spending much time in the rooms, either. However, having said that - my DH said that having a verandah is a must. So, one of the rooms must be a cat 7 or higher.

Thanks so much for your input.

Lissa

 

[Sabor]

WE did a Cat 4 on our Eastern.
We are going on the Western Sept 25 and have booked connecting Cat 7's
It was only $200 more than a Cat 4.

The 4 was nice but my kids are younger than yous but we opted for the extra bath. For me a Verandah is a must.

 

[mommasita]

You know that even though you have two rooms, if you wanted you could all sleep in the one room. Depending on yourselves of course.. IF you wanted, the smallest could, perhaps sleep with you, or double the kids up. You could still have the other room for washing up, storing clothing and stuff.

Personally, I would do it this way. You could have one room to "live in", and the other solely for washing, and dressing...

Just my 2 cents..

 

[yazee1]

Lissa, we were content to have two category 9 rooms for our family of five. Being budget conscious (the deluxe family suite was over 1200 more) and indifferent to the veranda because we'd never cruised before, an oceanview seemed good enough. We were unexpectedly upgraded to adjoining category 6's, and now we (dh and I) are spoiled for life. So, our next trip, dh and I are in category 6 with youngest dd and we booked a room accross the hall for the older boys.

 

[annrae]

Does anyone know if Cat. 7 has split baths? I know we have an enclosed verandah with a large porthole. We will be sailing on the Magic - Western Cruise.

 

[abca]

We had a category 7 last year and booked the same for this June. Yes, a category 7 has a split bath. The "porthole" on the veranda is a very large opening. It did not feel claustrophobic and it kept the wind out so you could sit outside comfortably while underway. I would recommend it!

 

[the kabuki]

Cinderelli, I feel as if we might be living parallel lives here. That is the exact same thing I am debating right now. I think at this point I've decided on the CAT 7 & CAT 11. For DH , verandah is a must and the CAT 4's just seem a little too small for 5 of us. I know that they will fit 5, but the question is should they have 5 in them?? My 3 will be 12, 8 and 4 and I did have the idea of bringing along a good baby monitor to keep an eye (ear?) on things across the hall. Plus DD12 is super responsiable, I think she may have been born 40 yrs. old, so with her in there , I don't think I'll be too worried.

Wouldn't the CAT 3 be nice though? Oh well, another time maybe!

 

[the kabuki]

We had a category 7 last year and booked the same for this June. Yes, a category 7 has a split bath. The "porthole" on the veranda is a very large opening. It did not feel claustrophobic and it kept the wind out so you could sit outside comfortably while underway. I would recommend it!

Your comment has me confused about the "porthole" in the CAT 7. I had one TA tell me that it is completely enclosed and the porthole opening has plexiglass over it. Then I asked on these boards and others responded that it is open, like I could stick my head out and look down at the water. Your comment about keeping the wind out while underway has me confused again. Is it like a window? or is it open?

Thanks

 

[CM_Mom]

Cat 7 is a partially enclosed verandah. The opening is OPEN to the outside...not a plexiglass window.

 

[the kabuki]

Cat 7 is a partially enclosed verandah. The opening is OPEN to the outside...not a plexiglass window.

Thanks, I'll never doubt again!!

 

[abca]

Sorry about the confusion. The porthole is open to the outside and you can stick your head out and see the water. (Just don't fall out into the water) Because it is enclosed on 3 sides and the area around the opening is solid, the seating area is more protected from the wind!

 

[Cinderelli]

The Kabuki,

We are going down the same road. Now I 'm concerned about the Navigator's Verandah on the cat 7. I really think I want the more open verandah (I've posted another question on this). I've put in for a new quote for a cat 6 and a cat 11 (across). We'll see how much more it is. My DH thinks the enclosed would be fine, but I'm never happy with an enclosed balcony at WDW or Vero, so think I'll not be happy with NV. However, if the price difference is huge, I guess I can live with it, hee! hee!

We probably won't be in the room much for it to matter, but I wanted the bright light coming into the room from an open verandah. I hate dark places.

Good Luck with your planning,
Lissa