I'm thinking about upgrading

[cruisnfamily]

We're currently booked in a cat 10 on deck 7 for a 4 day wonder cruise in Sept. Now I'm thinking about upgrading and am waiting for my TA to call me back (boy I hate voice mail!).

Anyway, I was thinking a porthole would be ok but I don't want decks 1 or 2....so, guess if I go for a porthole, I need a Cat 8.

But, of course the veranda would be even better. We are a family of 4 so I understand that the Nav Ver wouldn't work for us. I guess that leaves us with a Cat 6 if we want a veranda.

So.....Any opinions??? What would be a reasonable price to pay for the upgrade? Thanks in advance for all your input!

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

Guess you'll have to decide what a "reasonable" cost for the upgrade would be, but here's my two cents worth...

When we initially booked our first cruise we did the porthole (don't even remember the cat now) but because of the delays with the Magic being ready we were forced to rebook and Disney both discounted rates and upgraded us to a regular verandah. We probably wouldn't have chosen one otherwise. However, once we had it we're hooked and probably wouldn't consider a different cat.

For us here is the benefit - DH loves to be able to stand and watch the ocean. DD loves to be with people, but on occasion needs to get away from them all - so the verandah provides privacy without being "indoors". I tend to wake up early and take my novel out to the verandah so I don't wake the sleeping ones up before it is necessary.

However, I have friends who wouldn't consider springing for the veranday because they are rarely in their stateroom!

 

[kamgen]

We have cruised three times on DCL (with and without a porthole). We love Cat 9 rooms and I love Deck 2. So many people seem to not like the lower decks, but I do. It is convenient to the atrium and the restaraunts (and clubs when I have been drinking LOL! )

Cat 9 is a great room and the porthole is huge. JMHO.

Kamy

 

[cruisnfamily]

Ok, here's what it will cost me:

$480 to upgrade to a Cat 8

$780 to upgrade to a Cat 6

Now....I just have to decide whether these figures are "reasonable" or not. I guess I'll run them by DH tonight and get his opinion. Frankly I was hoping it would be about $300 for the Cat8 and $500 for the Cat6. I guess I'm kind of cheap, huh?

Thanks for all of your opinions....Any more??

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Why don't you go ahead and get a quote for the Category 9 as well? Just so you have that info...

 

[Mjasp]

Category 9 should be 280 as it is usually 100 per adult per category to upgrade each step up. Once you hit category 5 though to go to a 4 is a bit more money.

Did you check and see if any category 10 secret porthole rooms were available?

I'd say if your going that much more, go for the verandah.

Just my 2 cents but your money

 

[Hygiene99]

try cat 10 on deck 5 if u can get one those rooms it is a secret porthole room would not cost anything ... and u still would get the porthole sept. is close they r probably all booked but
worth a try.... peter

 

[cruisnfamily]

I already tried (6 months ago) for cat10 on deck 5...All taken long ago. We were actually waitlisted to get one and I was crossing my fingers at the 60 day mark when people cancel but no luck.

Anyway, no decisions have been made yet about the upgrade thing...still mulling it over.

I was leaning away from Cat9 because we were on deck 2 last time and I remember every time we headed for the cabins feeling like we were going down to the "low rent district"....I know, just my perception of things but I'm on deck 7 with my Cat10 this time so I'm thinking I would prefer no window on 7 to a window on deck 2. Are there Cat9's on any decks besides 1 and 2?

 

[Hygiene99]

you could always take your chances , we did we upgraded at the port from cat 10 deck 5 secret porthole room to cat 4 deck 8
room 8502 felt like the high rent district , second state room
from the front of the ship , grreat spot we paid 1700.00
for the cat 10 and $1000.00 for the upgrade so 2700.00 for the whole thing not sure if we saved any money or not but we felt it was worth it was 2 adults it was the inaugural western cruise we r so lucky some times,,,,,
peter and jen

 

[jkester]

Hi, I read your post about considering upgrading to a verandah and wanted to let you know of our expensive lesson in waiting. We decided that we would go with a category 8 (porthole) room. While waiting in line to check in at the terminal, our family of 4 decided we would go ahead and upgrade to a verandah. They said this would be just fine with them. The only problem was that the category's that had a verandah AND slept 4 people had been entirely sold out, however, we were welcome to upgrade to a Category 4 that had a verandah and would accomodate our entire party. By this time we decided we would go ahead and do it (the bill later was painful). Anyway, we have now decided to call as early as possible with any changes as the rooms that sleep 4 fill up quickly. Good luck with whatever you decide. We enjoyed the Verandah, but had just as nice of a time in a category 11 at a later cruise!

 

[mcnuss]

I think I would pass and spend the extra money on more fun stuff! Think about it, that money would cover all your tips, pix, etc... and then some.

 

[aseafish]

mcnuss,

You have a very good point there--especially on a shorter cruise. One could buy a lot of fun stuff or activities for that amount of money.

 

[wovenwonder]

I'd stay in the room currently booked and earmark any extra funds you have available to apply to the deposit of rebooking on board.

 

[CRB#33]

I must warn you first that I am completely sold on the verandah and don't think I could ever cruise otherwise now. I know, spoiled rotten, I am .

I did not sleep well on the cruise. I went out on the verandah in the middle of the night and was soothed. I woke very early and the pull of that verandah was incredible. I watched us dock at Nassau and Castaway Cay, with coffee and danish. I saw a rainbow on our day at sea close to sunrise. I enjoyed the view of the Atlantis hotel at nighttime. I enjoyed wine before dinner with my honey. I kissed my honey at sunset with the waves sounding softly in the background. I was also lucky enough to enjoy a full moon. Every down moment in my room, was spent on the verandah.

It was unbelievably awesome.

 

[cruisnfamily]

Thanks Everyone for all of the advice

We have decided to do as a few of you suggested.....forget about upgrading since it is only a four day cruise...and spend the extra money doing fun stuff.

We had previously decided that the dolphin encounter was too pricey but are now thinking about doing that because our daughter would really enjoy it. That will spend a pretty good chunk of the upgrade money right there!

We're gonna keep that Cat10 and spend the rest on fun!

thanks again...you guys are a great sounding board, it kind of helps you sort it out in your head better when you have folks like you all to bounce the ideas off of.

 

[cruisnfamily]

Ok, I now need more opinions.....I found out the Fl Res Rates do apply to my cruise and I need to decide on whether I want to make a change....I know you guys will help me out.

Here's the deal:
Keep my Cat 10 on Deck 7 at my original price.
Or....
Save $150 and get at Cat 9 on Deck 2

So, I could save $150 and get a room with a view but it would be on deck 2 as opposed to the room on deck 7 I have now.

Decisions, decisions....Help me decide!