How to choose stateroom location?

[BigredNole]

We are creeping slowly at booking a cruise. I am cheap and prefer not spending more on a room. However, looking at what is available for a cruise we may take, it is an increase of $200-$400 for a Deluxe Family Ocean View room.

Now that we may have an idea on a cruise we may take, my questions are as follows...

Which decks are better...is it better to be on a higher deck or lower deck?
If forced to chose forward or aft, are the rooms at way back or front going to cause too much walking?
Is choosing a room near an elevator important?

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

1/ choose your budget.
2/ whatever deck try for midship, not toward not aft.
3/ Look at deck plans, avoid laundry rooms, being under bars, theatre etc.

Lower decks are closer to the engines, closer to the sea, the vibration, and are all enclosed. You have small random movements that cause you to feel sick. Walls do not move, but as your ears detect movement you eyes will say , I can't be moving.

Higher up us better, the movement us ironed out, it is further from engines, further from the sea, and more open, you can view the horizon, and least chance of sickness.

Ships are very we'll stablized.

All cruisers ( except concierge) get the same food, entertainment, etc.

A factor is how long the cruise is, short the room doesn't matter so much, longer a verandah is better. Also where you go, Alaska, Panama, the Med a verandah is essential or you miss a lot.

Walking isn't a doctor, you can get anywhere very fast from any location. Very aft will have more movement.

 

[BigredNole]

1/ choose your budget.

We would start with a Bahamas/Caribbean cruise. I have started on my diet of animals that can regenerate body parts to prepare for the loss of an arm and leg when I book.

Since we have never been on a cruise, these are the types of questions I am trying to answer when we do decide to book.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

We would start with a Bahamas/Caribbean cruise. I have started on my diet of animals that can regenerate body parts to prepare for the loss of an arm and leg when I book.

Since we have never been on a cruise, these are the types of questions I am trying to answer when we do decide to book.

I understand,

For a Bahamas 3/4 night cruise to be honest it doesn't matter much.

For anything over that, say a seven night Caribbean cruise a higher deck and verandah is very useful.

Things to consider, anyone get motion sick or claustrophobic, if so a mid deck to higher deck in a midship location is best.

 

[DisneyMom111]

We were in the same boat (no pun intended) last year. Trying to make all of these decisions. We opted for the Bahama cruise to start out and see how we liked cruising first. We opted for deck 6, mid ship. Not to high or too low, not forward or aft. I think it was perfect. We had the veranda and it was so worth the money. We were in cabin 6598 and we were close enough to stairs and elevators to be convenient, but far enough away to not have alot of noise or foot traffic.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

We would start with a Bahamas/Caribbean cruise. I have started on my diet of animals that can regenerate body parts to prepare for the loss of an arm and leg when I book.

Since we have never been on a cruise, these are the types of questions I am trying to answer when we do decide to book.

My advice is:

Don't do a 3 night, start with at least a 4 nighter, that will give you 1 sea day to really experience the fun of a Disney cruise.

Verandas are over rated, start with a more inexpensive room, chances are you will spend very little time in your cabin. There are some cabins on decks 5 and 6 of the Dream class ships that are ocean view that are over sized square rooms that look like they'd be great. Check out the deck plans and you'll see which ones I'm talking about, they are forward rooms. There are also 6 rooms on the classic ships, deck 5 forward that are considered inside rooms but have a large window with an obstructed view.

We prefer decks 6-9 on the Dream class ships and 6-8 on the classics for ease of walking up and down the stairs to dinner, activities, etc, we rarely use elevators so this makes it a little easier to get from cabin to these places.

This of course is just my opinion for what works for me and my family. Enjoy your cruise and make sure you book at least book a placeholder cruise while on board.

 

[cruisehopeful]

Our first cruise was a night on Dream. We were so busy the whole time, we were only in our room to change clothes, shower and sleep. We didn't see many things on the ship because there wasn't enough time. You'll be so busy, it won't really matter which room you book. Book the cheapest room you'll be able to stand. For me, that's a window room since I get claustrophobia without windows. Others are fine without a window.

 

[CurtisB]

We like booking forward and mid/lower deck. We have no kids so like being between the adult pool deck and the bars since that's where we spend most of our time. We don't mind walking to the aft end whenever we need to, it burns more calories for more snacks! We actually like feeling the ship move too. It helps us sleep and it's nice to remind ourselves we're on a cruise to begin with. If we didn't want any movement, we'd just book a resort.

 

[Sytrace]

We like Decks 6, 9 and 10 mid to forward and starboard side and we like to book verandah because we get enough use out of it to justify the cost.

However, being your first cruise and opting to sail on a 3 or 4 night voyage, I would say that an Oceanview on Decks 6- 9 on the Dream would suit your purposes. A verandah would be great on a longer cruise because you would really have the time to enjoy it to full advantage bu there is so much to see and do that you probably will not be in your cabin more than to shower, change clothes and sleep.

As an afterthought, if you have small ones who need to nap and have quiet time, a verandah might be a nice option for you and the family. As they nap in peace, you can still have sun and fresh air on the verandah.

 

[BigredNole]

Thanks for the feedback. We are loosely eyeing the 5-night Bahama trip on the Dream or a 7 night on the Dream/Fantasy. We'll have to see what may work best with our timing.

 

[RedSox68]

Which decks are better...is it better to be on a higher deck or lower deck? We like aft on decks 6 thru 9 (new ships) or 6 or 7 on older ships. Midship is the best for motion, but aft is cheaper (usually).

If forced to chose forward or aft, are the rooms at way back or front going to cause too much walking? Not on the old ships, but on the new ones it can be very long. We discovered that if you get off on guest services deck and walk forward or aft to your room, at least there's stuff to see other than stateroom doors and it seems less overwhelming.

Is choosing a room near an elevator important? It depends -- you will get a lot more traffic and possible noise from people in the elevator foyer. We've been a couple of doors down fro the elevator and never had a problem. I personally wouldn't get one near the laundry rooms though.

 

[RedSox68]

We like Decks 6, 9 and 10 mid to forward and starboard side and we like to book verandah because we get enough use out of it to justify the cost.

However, being your first cruise and opting to sail on a 3 or 4 night voyage, I would say that an Oceanview on Decks 6- 9 on the Dream would suit your purposes. A verandah would be great on a longer cruise because you would really have the time to enjoy it to full advantage bu there is so much to see and do that you probably will not be in your cabin more than to shower, change clothes and sleep.

As an afterthought, if you have small ones who need to nap and have quiet time, a verandah might be a nice option for you and the family. As they nap in peace, you can still have sun and fresh air on the verandah.

And the oceanview rooms in some of the categories (I think family oceanview) on the new ships have huge windows with window seats. Very nice for kids

 

[Quellman]

We are creeping slowly at booking a cruise. I am cheap and prefer not spending more on a room. However, looking at what is available for a cruise we may take, it is an increase of $200-$400 for a Deluxe Family Ocean View room.

What else would you use that $400 for? An excursion maybe? The deluxe family ocean view also has more space than the family ocean view, so it may be worth it if traveling with 4 people.

Now that we may have an idea on a cruise we may take, my questions are as follows...

Which decks are better...is it better to be on a higher deck or lower deck?
Main Restaurants and the adult lounges are on lower decks, theaters, kids clubs, are mid decks, pools and outside activities are of course the top deck. Which do you think matters the most to your party? We prefer deck 8 on the new ships 6 on the older ships. Easy to walk up to the pool deck but most importantly easier to walk down all the stairs than it is to wait for an elevator.

If forced to chose forward or aft, are the rooms at way back or front going to cause too much walking?
Forward and aft do not have to mean the forward most and back most cabins, there are some that are more centered than the other ones. Forward and Aft rooms are cheaper than those listed as 'midship'. Look at deck plans, where do you think you will spend most of your time. Adult pool deck and spa- choose forward. Dining rooms and kids clubs and family pool areas - mid or aft.

Is choosing a room near an elevator important?
Only if you have mobility issues. We prefer being past the forward and aft elevators because there is less foot traffic. On the Dream and Fantasy, some floors have the Mid Ship detective agency game and it alternates forward and aft elevator lobbies, so kids are going to be running up and down midship hallways.

My answers in blue above and more comments below.

We recently did a 3 day followed by a 4 day cruise (back to back). For us, longer cruises are better, the 3 day is really only 2 full days. By the time you are unpacked it is time to pack up again. You also didn't mention who is in your traveling party, so we cannot give you recommendations based on your preceived parties needs. But I hope it will give you some things to consider as you begin make decisions for your upcoming trip.

 

[just2girls1]

I prefer midship, mid deck with a veranda. I for one am the person who gets motion sickness. I found that this location was best for me. Less movement and with the veranda we could have the doors open for fresh air. We also use the veranda a lot. Even when we are all getting done someone is on the veranda enjoying the view and fresh air. It is nice to sit and have coffee early in the morning or relax before bed. We do always have 2 adjoining rooms, need the space, and if the wall opens between the verandas even better. As far as walking, this is a pretty central location so depending on where you are heading to will depend on the distance. We rarely use the elevators due to crowds. Sometimes it is crazy. The steps are right by the elevators and are fairly decent, not steep, and wide enough for a child and adult to maneuver on.

Whatever you decide I am sure it will be a great trip. Enjoy!

 

[BigredNole]

You also didn't mention who is in your traveling party, so we cannot give you recommendations based on your preceived parties needs.

It would be my wife, my daughter (11 by the time we cruise), and myself. If we did a 5 night double dip at CC, we would most likely not get off the ship in Nassau. We would use that time to explore more, go to the AquaDuck, and other things on board. We may go into the port to look at the port stores, but that would be it and only for maybe 2 hours.