How do you choose staterooms when booking several?

[uandmfan]

We are looking at booking a cruise when the new itineraries are released. It's likely going to be an inside room for us, an outside for my parents and another inside for my sister. Maybe an additional one for my MIL. How do you figure out which rooms to try to book? I don't know where to start. We will want them close together but not necessarily connecting.

Thanks!

 

[FigmentSpark]

Start by deciding which floor you want to be on. Do you have an idea which ship you'll be on? I know nothing's been released, but you have an idea, I expect.

After you've decided which floor, decide whether you want to be forward, Mid or Aft. Some people feel there's a difference for movement or vibration. Also, do you want starboard or port side? This might depend on the itinerary you're looking at. After that, I'd suggest staying farther away from the elevators, if you can and maybe make sure you're not next to or across from the laundry facilities.

 

[uandmfan]

That's helpful. Thanks.

If things don't change too much I think we are looking at the Wonder. I have no idea what floor we want to be on. I'd like to be away from the engines and loud stuff (like not under the pools or close to the night clubs). My mom gets seasick so I was thinking mid ship somewhere.

At least I have somewhere to sort of start now. Thanks. If you have any other advice please let me know!!

 

[FigmentSpark]

I found this article. It might be helpful to you:

http://cruiseadvice.org/CruiseShips/BestCabins.aspx?ShipName=disney+wonder

 

[uandmfan]

Thanks, that's really helpful!

 

[lanejudy]

If things don't change too much I think we are looking at the Wonder. I have no idea what floor we want to be on. I'd like to be away from the engines and loud stuff (like not under the pools or close to the night clubs). My mom gets seasick so I was thinking mid ship somewhere.

I suggest looking at deck plans. See where there the types of rooms are located and what might work for your group's needs. By "outside" do you mean an oceanview or verandah? Pricing will be different, but also location -- if you want midship oceanview, then you'll need to be lower decks; midship on upper decks are verandah rooms. Then look to see where you can get an oceanview/verandah that is near inside rooms (might be across the hall, might be around a corner). Not under the pools on the Wonder will means avoiding deck 8 (pools are on 9); the nightclubs are on deck 3.

Again, looking at the deck plans can help picture where everybody's rooms will be as well as what is nearby. The DCL website has deck plans, and I also like the ones on www.cruisedeckplans.com.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[RedSox68]

Yes, start by looking at the deck plans.

We have sailed mid, mid-aft, aft and forward. Forward was the only one I didn't personally like because I could feel the rise and fall of the bow. We love mid-aft or aft because you are just a deck or two away from the buffet. I would say if you don't want to risk any sounds from the engines, deck 7 mid-aft or mid would be good. I think mid-aft is slightly cheaper than mid.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

The good thing is that once the bookings open, you'll be able to see lots of choices available, and be able to choose three that work for you. (That part is a LOT of fun!) I am told that not ALL available choices show up, just some of them, so if you don't like what choices you are given, exit out and try again.

Also, make sure you like all of your rooms together so that you can reserve the room together. On the Disney ships there are a lot of veranda rooms, so if you really want only outside and inside, you might not have a TON of parts of the ship where they are together.

One other thing to consider, veranda rooms might not cost THAT much more (for us it was like 5% extra). It depends a lot on the particular sailing. So keep that in mind too. I know you won't know the exact prices ahead of time, but if the prices were close, would you want to switch?

Last thing, you didn't ask about a travel agent, but keep in mind, even if you want to book it yourself, after you reserve the rooms you want, you still have a few days (I forget how many) to switch the booking to a TA if you want. We did this. That way, we had control of the initial booking and room selection process, but we got the benefit of the TA's experience for other aspects of our trip. Of course, it did mean booking airfare through the TA and paying through the TA, but it didn't cost extra.

 

[uandmfan]

Thanks! It's hard to know what we'll pick exactly until we see the prices. At the moment, I'm thinking a deluxe inside, a regular inside and a deluxe ocean view. Believe it or not I can have all the rooms together. It depends on pricing though. If the veranda isn't much more, weay upgrade.

I'm sort of considering deck 2. Is it really bad to be at the bottom of the ship?

My mom gets seasick. Is being in a forward cabin really that much worse than midship?

Thanks!!

 

[PoopDeckPappy]

Thanks! It's hard to know what we'll pick exactly until we see the prices. At the moment, I'm thinking a deluxe inside, a regular inside and a deluxe ocean view. Believe it or not I can have all the rooms together. It depends on pricing though. If the veranda isn't much more, weay upgrade.

I'm sort of considering deck 2. Is it really bad to be at the bottom of the ship?

My mom gets seasick. Is being in a forward cabin really that much worse than midship?

Thanks!!

I think deck 2 is great for when you return from excursions. If you're up on a high deck it's too much to walk the stairs and you can wait a long time for an elevator with the rush of people returning to the ship (think Castaway Cay). Deck 2 allows you to take the stairs. On the other hand if you're on a higher deck you can easily take the stairs to the buffet or the pool. I don't think being on 2 makes a difference movement-wise. Same for fwd, mid, aft. I don't like aft because the rumbling makes my stomach uneasy (goes away once I leave that area). I personally like being near the elevators. I've never had an issue with noise.