How is it on Deck 1 or 2?

[HookedOnDCL1]

So, I'm considering paying for my parents to join us on our Disney Cruise but would only be able to afford the OGT rate for them (or maybe IGT if it comes out). I am assuming they would probably end up with a cabin on deck 1 or 2 (Disney Wonder). I know they would really appreciate a "free" cruise but I'm worried about them enjoying it down on deck 1 or 2. It is a long cruise (2 weeks, panama canal), if the cabin is not good. So, is it worth it? How is the motion/vibration down there?

I have visions of them stuck in a dark, dingy cabin in the basement while we are "living it up" on our veranda on deck 7.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

So, I'm considering paying for my parents to join us on our Disney Cruise but would only be able to afford the OGT rate for them (or maybe IGT if it comes out). I am assuming they would probably end up with a cabin on deck 1 or 2 (Disney Wonder). I know they would really appreciate a "free" cruise but I'm worried about them enjoying it down on deck 1 or 2. It is a long cruise (2 weeks, panama canal), if the cabin is not good. So, is it worth it? How is the motion/vibration down there?

I have visions of them stuck in a dark, dingy cabin in the basement while we are "living it up" on our veranda on deck 7.

Deck 2 on the Magic and Wonder is where we've done all our cruises on those ships. Totally worth it to us. Deck 1 does have two small portholes (about 1 1/2' across, each) and deck 2 has a large porthole (about 4' across).

This is an oceanview room on deck two on the Wonder:

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Inside rooms have no windows, so the room would be the same whether it is on a lower deck or not. Outside rooms are fine on Deck 2. I actually prefer Deck 2 on the classic ships. I would assume they would not be watching the canal transit from inside their room, as they would mostly see the lock walls. Have not tried Deck 1. The rooms will be pretty much the same as yours except no verandah. Unless they get put in a standard inside which does not have the split bath.

There will be vibration in an aft room when the thrusters are on.

 

[jrabbit]

I'm a deck 2 dweller and take OFFENSE (no not really ) to you referring MY deck to a basement!!

We stay mid ship - found out that there's less vibration there than aft (at least on the new Magic) because we were traveling with a group and aft is where we could get rooms close together (that was important to the whole group).

The porthole is very large and while sitting on the couch you can see out. And when going through the locks it gives you a unique perspective of the locks and just how close you are to them.

For Panama canal cruises I can see spending some time (but not very much) on your veranda. I like being up on deck 10 to be able to go from port to starboard to forward to aft as "needed" for different views of the proceedings. I can see the veranda a getting a "break from the crowds" and as you transit the lake. For the Culebra Cut I prefer to be back up on deck for the all around views again.

These are ALL from our room looking out the porthole (going down) - I visited our room once going through the locks just to see what it was like. And it was pretty cool - and even more so as we were entering and exiting the locks.

 

[moremouse]

I'm a deck 2 dweller and take OFFENSE (no not really ) to you referring MY deck to a basement!!

We stay mid ship - found out that there's less vibration there than aft (at least on the new Magic) because we were traveling with a group and aft is where we could get rooms close together (that was important to the whole group).

The porthole is very large and while sitting on the couch you can see out. And when going through the locks it gives you a unique perspective of the locks and just how close you are to them.

These are ALL from our room looking out the porthole

Love the pics! How do they NOT hit the walls that close??? It's insane!

 

[cwkehoe]

We've sailed twice mid-ship deck 2, and we have LOVED being down there!! Go for it!

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

I've only stayed deck 2 once but loved it. My DS and DH were apprehensive at first but I said, "trust me" and they did. The water isn't as close as it looks, however what's awesome about deck 2 is that you can see the water from anywhere in the cabin including sitting on the sofa. The higher up you go you have to stand up to look outside and see the ocean a lot of the times. Just my two cents but again, would not hesitate to book deck 2 and we have a 9C GTY for our Norway/Iceland cruise and I can't wait!

Heather

 

[jrabbit]

Love the pics! How do they NOT hit the walls that close??? It's insane!

We hit the wall FOUR TIMES on that transit!!! My group only felt us bump twice Captain at the question and answer session said that it was 4 times. He did go on to say that the control towers did a visual inspection and that everything looked ok, and that when the canal pilot exited the ship that they did a closer inspection and we were good to go. Several days later we docked in Puerta Vallarta and our tablemates had an excursion where they went by boat - and they saw the paint on the side of the ship really messed up. When they returned later in the day, the ship looked ship shape - the Scrape, Paint and Varnish crew (yellow jumpsuits) had done there jobs quickly and efficiently!

As to how they don't bang even more ... well there's the mules. These big silver trains do NOT pull the ships through the locks, they are there to keep the ship centered. But when you literally have a foot clearance on each side of the ship, and its 965 feet long, on inch pull in the front equals many feet movement in the back. So yes even the moving of the ships through the canal is an engineering feat!

 

[clten]

We sail on deck 2 (outside) for most (31 out of 37) of our cruises. We especially loved our window on Deck 2 for the Panama Canal because as others have said, it offers a unique perspective (you can get about the same view on deck 3 as well but more privacy in your own stateroom when you are looking like an idiot smashing your face the glass).

Deck 2 is close to the dining rooms, the theater, shops, guest services, etc. so if you can do stairs, it is very convenient. Haven't had a lot of issues getting elevators from there either. Usually heading up to the top decks, we're in the elevator and are the ones who have to tell the people on decks 6, 7 and 8 that there is no more room.

 

[HookedOnDCL1]

Thanks for all your replies and reassurances! The pics are awesome!!

 

[mmouse37]

Another basement dweller lol!!! We have stayed on Deck 2 and Deck 1 several times by choice. We actually did the Panama Canal in a Deck 2 cabin and had no issues at all. Deck 1 is fine as well but I like the one larger porthole compared to the two smaller ones but I would not hesitate to sail on Deck 1 at all. The decor of the hallways and cabins are the same no matter what deck you are on so there would be no difference when they step out of their Deck 2 cabin or a cabin on a higher deck.

MJ

 

[Suecot2000]

I am a huge fan of deck one. If you want peace and quite, that's the place to be. There is a very limited numbers of guest cabins on that deck. Not much pedisteran traffic up and down the hallway. No entertainment venues above or below, so no loud music or kitchen noise. Outside cabins have two smallish portholes, inside cabins are like any other inside cabin. When I was on the Wonder Hawaii cruise, a lot of the guest entertainment seemed to be roomed down there. Since then, one of my favorite decks on the classics.

 

[krisinparis]

We like Deck 2! We moved up to 5 and 6 for awhile to be closer to the kid's clubs, but now that my son is old enough for Vibe, we're going back to Deck 2 so there will be less distractions for him as he goes to/from Vibe ("I was walking back and saw that Guardians of the Galaxy was playing at the movies").

 

[MsOnceUponATime]

On our very first cruise we sailed on deck 1, inside- no portholes. Since then we've cruised on the upper decks and my girls always say they want to go back down to deck 1. It's quieter, less motion and less commotion. The only problem I encountered on deck 1 were groups of children running amok... and it was a SERIOUS problem. I quickly alerted a CM and the problem was taken care of.

I, myself, prefer the upper deck with a veranda, but that is because I'm an early riser while the rest of the clan likes to sleep in. I like my quiet/tea time on the deck...

I say GO FOR IT!

 

[Feisty Fairy]

Out of four counting our upcoming cruise have done deck 2 three times and love it.

 

[xlxo]

I did a 7 day trip on Deck 2. Love the oversized window. It feels like a balcony without the wind. Elevator access is great without the crowds mid deck.

Perhaps the only complaint was the privacy when in port. Need to keep the drapes closed. There also the morning power wash to wake you up. I guess there was some noise when opening/closing the cargo doors.

 

[dennes]

We love deck one - great price and we love the two little portholes - they have covers over them at night which gives the room a darker feel - great sleep being had! Very quiet deck- little noise and no running down corridors.

Plus we are from New Zealand which with our exchange rate we are paying 30% more for our room - we are happy to be ON the ship