How much time did you spend on your verandah?

[mkandk]

Trying to decide between a verandah and a porthole.

Also, what do you think of 2 adults, 2 kids in a cat. 11 for a 7 day cruise?

 

[WDWLVR]

I spend a lot of time on the veranda and I would say if you can afford it get it. I used it a lot in the morning as I usually get up before DH so I'd take my book out there and enjoy the view, fresh air and do some reading. Nice for mid-day and evening breaks as well - away from everyone else. With two children you might appreciate it even more after they go to bed so you and DH have some time alone.

 

[hsteacher]

Wonderful for breakfast and relaxing in the evening. My kids loved it. My jr. in high school found it quieter to read as she had lots of reading to do for her English class. My 10 yo DS loved watching the loading/unloading at Castaway Cay, etc. IF you have the leeway financially, it is wonderful to have the verandah. We were Cat. 11 our first cruise and were fine but went with the verandah the second cruise -- I would always like to have the verandah. Good luck with your decision.

 

[tlgoblue]

We usedours as often as possible. Mornings with coffee and tea, evenings before dinner, after dinner, waiting for everyone to use one bathroom to shower. Also, my kids used it a ot. We went during school and they would spend an hour /day doing homework, and really enjoyed doing it out there. Made me happy. Once DS told me he was going back to the stateroom to do his homework! When I arrived a 1/2 hour later, there he was, on the veranda, having some pizza he'd ordered from room service and actually doing his work! That was worth it right there. BUT, if it's the difference between going and not going, my feeling is if you have a veranda, you'll use it. If you don't, you will involve yourself in other things and not really miss it.

Tracy

 

[trobert]

We used the verandah a lot also. It was fun watching the boat in and out of port. Also, the first night when some of us got a little seasic, it helped to go out on the verandah. But I agree with tlgoblue, whether you have a verandah or not, your trip will be what you make it and it will be magical.

 

[BeanoC]

We used ours constantly! Morning coffee while leaning over the railing was wonderful. So was having a drink in the evening and doing the same thing! And if we wanted privacy away from the pool deck, we would just lay in the chaise lounges on our own verandah! It was worth the entire cost just to stand out there and watch the ship back into Castaway Cay... awesome. I don't think I could ever cruise without one now!!




'Beano'

 

[mpaone]

We had a cat4 with a veranda. I probably got the most use out of the veranda because I was always the first one up. The only problem though was climbing over the murphy bed (where my son slept) to get out there!!! I loved going out there as the sun was coming up, quite peaceful. It also served as a place to hang all our wet clothes to dry. Sometimes a night I would just hang out there and read and relax. With 5 of us in the room it made for some good escape time!!!

 

[reveric]

We also used our verandah alot. Actually I should rephrase that...my mother in law and I used the verandah alot. My DH didn't use it much at all. I'm more of a homebody so in the evenings I would put the children to bed and then go sit on the verandah with a drink and a good book. My DH is more adventurous then me so he was always on the move going to the ESPN bar and movies and just exploring the ship.

If he was cruising without me he wouldn't get a verandah because he would never use it. But I would never cruise without a verandah because I'd happily spend hours on it and leave my room only for meals or shows!

 

[CRB#33]

There was only one thing bad about the verandah---it kept me awake

I don't sleep well away from home, I pretty much just doze in and out except the deep dark of the night. So at the first waking when it was getting light, I couldn't fall back asleep. That verandah just kept calling me to come out and watch the water! I watched us dock in Nassau and CC and I watched a rainbow on our day at see ahead of us!

I was only on the four night, but I made sure that I went out there for at least a few minutes every time I was in the room! It was the best move we made on that cruise!

Coffee, wine and snacks were always out there. It was a dream!

 

[tlgoblue]

Originally posted by CRB#33
Coffee, wine and snacks were always out there. It was a dream!

OOOOOH! Those are nice memories! Getting sparklie all over!

REMEMBER THE MAGIC!

Tracy

 

[AnnMorin]

First thing in the morning, before dinner,. after dinner in the evening,, one entire afternoon while I had my ear infection I napped out there. Late in the evening DS would wind down and watch a movie while DH and I would enjoy a cocktail. It was like having an extra room. I don't think I could sail without one I love it so much. There is nothing more peaceful especially on at sea days/nights to sit there and watch the world go by!

 

[InsanelyMickey]

We had a navigator's verandah and I loved it! We were on the Wonder and the opening is so big that it doesn't feel like you're missing too much. (well, for me it didn't) I was constantly in and out watching the water and moonlight at night and then getting up in the morning to see what's going on out there. It was also nice to go out there at night and listen to the waves while getting some fresh air. This was my first cruise and I wasn't sure if it would bother me to stand near the railing and look out at water all around me, but I loved it and I would definitely book another navigator's verandah again!

 

[mouseclick1]

We got plenty of use out of our verandah, definitely enough to get our money's worth out of it. We were out there for morning coffee, down time in the afternoon, drinks in the evening, actually almost anytime we popped back in the room we stepped out on the verandah for at least a bit.

We have gone on a 3 and 4 day cruise so far and had a cat. 6 for both. We have a cat. 6 booked for our summer 2004 cruise(7 day) as well.

 

[westjones]

We have thought it would be nice to have on for a 7 day cruise, but thought that perhaps on a 3 or 4 day cruise we would be so busy we wouldn't use it much.

A lot of people said they did use it, but didn't mention the length of their cruise. We are skipping it for our 3 day this year, but would love to have one on our next 7 day.

DJ

 

[westjones]

We have thought it would be nice to have on for a 7 day cruise, but thought that perhaps on a 3 or 4 day cruise we would be so busy we wouldn't use it much.

A lot of people said they did use it, but didn't mention the length of their cruise. We are skipping it for our 3 day this year, but would love to have one on our next 7 day.

DJ

 

[imgoingtodisney]

Well when we rebooked our Nov 30th cancelled cruise to this Nov 8th - we booked a verandah! We were suppose to have a spr 11/30 but it's now "costing" us less to have a reg verandah than the spr would have been.
Im sure DH will be spending lots of time out there reading/smoking. And there's the "verandah club" Im looking forward to joining - lol
Ok guys - I found a positive to the cancellation!

 

[inkkognito]

We have sailed multiple times in inside staterooms, porthole staterooms, and a verandah. I must admit that it's very easy to get spoiled with a verandah. When we have one, we always make sure to find time to use it, even on the three-day cruise. We spend a bit of time relaxing before getting ready for dinner or with a Walkman to wind down before bed at night. The absolute blackness, broken only by the stars and perhaps another cruise ship in the distance, is breathtaking. We love to have coffee or breakfast out there in the morning, and to read a while or perhaps catch the sunrise or sunset (hubby is an early bird, so if I'm sleeping during a particularly spectacular sunrise, he snaps a digital photo for me).
But even when we are in an inside stateroom, we find that there are plenty of other things to enjoy. Instead of reading on the verandah, I hole up in the Rainforest with a good book on the heated tile loungers. There is always the deck 7 aft verandah or deck 4 for some outdoor relaxation. No matter which option you chose, I think you will be happy...it's enough just to be on the ship
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[rae519]

We loved the Navigator's verandah on our first cruise (3 night) and upgraded to the Verandah on all the others (4 and 7's). I use it so much that I'd be lost without it. In the morning with my coffee and book - quiet lunch or afternoon reading time, and to have a special dinner with DH. I like having time alone from crowds, noise and even my family.

It was also wonderful this past December when we had colds and wanted to "be alone" in our misery!!! We didn't feel like we were closed up and shared the most beautiful sunset leaving Freeport with our dinner on the verandah.

Yes, the cruise is what you make of it - and I know that I couldn't downgrade just because, for me, being on the verandah is the cruise.

Rae

 

[ducklite]

Hours and hours.

I would sit on it in the morning with my tea. It was also great to watch them dock from it.

On sea days I sat on it in the afternoons and read.

I sat on it in the evenings and watched the twinkling lights from the islands as we slipped by.

Anne

 

[taswira]

I always try to book a Navigator Verandah because I find I use it <I>a lot</I> - I sit out there while doing my makeup, having my morning coffee or tea, late afternoon relaxing, and late evening writing my journal. Plus I enjoy watching the sea and the dockings. This has all been on the 3 and 4-day Wonder so far. My western Magic sailing will be October and I have a Nav. Verandah for that.

However, when I have had a <I>regular</I> verandah (on my first and my most recent cruise), I wasn't out there more than ten minutes the entire cruise! The weather happened to be cool and windy, and with a regular fully open verandah, weather plays a big part in whether you will enjoy a verandah. With a Nav. Verandah, I can enjoy it even if the weather isn't perfect. But for anyone with kids - I would <I>definitely</I> recommend some type of verandah just for some time away from the chaos, UNLESS you <I>know</I> you will be out of the room during all waking hours. Then I would opt for an inside to save money for other things.