input on options please?

[Rock'n Robin]

Is every cruise "newbie" as annoying?
Which one of the following would you do. I will be booking next week one way or the other as we will be 11 months out and am using DVC points. We are a family of 5, kids will be 5,8,11.
1) a 3 day Wonder cruise in a cat. 4.
2) a 4 day wonder cruise in 2 connecting cat. 10s on deck 2--I already checked, on the 6/29 wonder the "secret porthole" rooms are no longer available.
3) same 4 day Wonder, but in 2 connecting category 9 rooms. We would have 3 days in the parks instead of 4, but would have some light in the room.
We have never taken a cruise. I see by the navigators that there is a lot to do and we might not be in the room much, but I wonder about being in a completely dark room. DH is intrigued by the verandah but I am leaning toward the more relaxed 4 day cruise. Any and all opinions are appreciated.
Robin M.

 

[din]

Try for the cat 9. The window is great. When we are in the room to changes or get ready for dinner, it was great to have the natural light in the room. The curtains are heavy enough to block the light. And our 2 DS loved looking out at the water... it seem close from deck 2...

 

[opsomyo]

I have only sailed once, a catagory 10. It was just my DD5 & I so it was perfect for us. We were only in our room late at night. We would order room service & watch a movie before we went to sleep. I was worried about it being pitch-black while she was trying to sleep & would be scared. I just brought a dim night light & it was just enough to illuminate the room. One thought though, we were in 2047 & it was loud at night. We were right under one of the clubs & every few min I could hear the boom boom boom of the music upstairs, pretty annoying! Good luck I am sure you will have a wonderful time no matter what you decide.

 

[mouseclick1]

Hi Robin,
As much as I love having a verandah, I think I would take 4 days with a window over 3 days with a verandah. I would have a hard time in a cat. 10 without any view at all, but that is just me. As far as loosing a day at the parks, as DVC members you know you will be back plenty of times, so I wouldn't worry about that. Just hit your favorite attractions, and plan on getting to the rest on your next trip!

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Thanks for the replies so far--looks like a cat. 9 on a 4 day is the winner so far--does anyone else have an opinion?
Robin M.

 

[WDWLVR]

Robin,

As you can see by my tag line I love verandas, but having said that I would choose a 4 day over a 3 day anytime. On the 3 day you are just getting into the swing of things and it is over. That extra day makes a big difference.

Now because I love verandas the next bext thing to me would be a porthole so I say go for the 9's.

 

[JLSE50]

We enjoyed our category 10. One day we slept in intil 11 am and had no sunlight wakening us. We were so tired and needed that.

We were mostly only in the room at night except for changing clothes. When we wanted to see the ocean we went to a deck and had the whole expanse of it all to enjoy rather than just a veranda. We have also had a hidden porthole room once. It was nice, but we are again in an interior room, category 10 and expect to find it as enjoyable as before.

My advice is to maximize your money. If you want a view--go up to a deck. When you are in your stateroom, rest and enjoy the cool darkness. (We did not have a night light before as our senses of direction are good in the dark, but may take one this time. Never thought of it before reading it on these boards.)

Jan