Inside Cabins

[HookedonMagic]

We recently sailed for the third time with DCL. On past cruises we've enjoyed both an outside Cat 9 with porthole and a Cat 7 with Navigator's Verandah. I was VERY NERVOUS about the inside categories.

When I booked my inside gty stateroom, I must admit that I hoped for a freebie upgrade, but because this was a last minute trip, determined to be happy with "just an inside!" Just a tinge of disappointment welled within when my documents arrived with the "dreaded" inside cabin assigned. Well, MUCH TO MY SURPRISE, not only was I happy, I was THRILLED with my stateroom. We REALLY ENJOYED our inside stateroom, so much so that we've already booked another cruise with one.

We liked the stateroom for several reasons. First, while we love DCL, I do have some motion sickness concerns, but we didn't seem to sense the ship's movement as much with the inside room. We had some choppy seas and I felt great when in our room. Secondly, we thought we might feel trapped in a closet but found that when we wanted a peak outside, we simply tuned our television to the deck cam for a look at the water, sports court and weather. I guess we learned that for our dollar, we'd rather enjoy more vacations than the view from our room!

Also, the layout of our inside category actually worked better for us than the outside cabins. Our room was situated so that we walked into the seating area, with the bed/dressing table to our left and the bathroom to our right. That layout just seemed to flow better than when you walk in at the bathroom and have to go through the living area to the sleeping area (with the sleeping area lit by the window or slider.)

Another concern I had before we sailed was that the level of service might be different for those of us sailing in the "cheap seats!" This wasn't a problem at all...we had the BEST stateroom hostess to date (tidy room, prompt service, twice daily towel animals and ice...) and a great serving team at our table for four in the dining rooms (BTW, we had the same table (#4) on this cruise as our last one two years ago!)

Anyway, now I'm curious. I read so much about verandah's on this board (and I'm certainly not against them and would LOVE to one day try a suite!) so I need to know...Am I the only one who actually LIKES the INSIDE cabins or are there more of you out there? I'd like to read your opinions. Thanks and Happy Sailing!

 

[mmouse37]

We have never had an inside on our 7 DCL cruises but love hearing that you enjoyed yours. Everytime I see an inside door open while walking down the hall, I always think to myself that the room does look very nice and functional.

We used to stay in Cat 4 with a veranda and since decided that we like to cruise too much so we "downgraded" to Cat 9's. Love those just as much. We were also worried about being on Decks 1 and 2 and found out we love the location! One day will definately try the inside!!! Thanks for posting.

MJ

 

[BethC1952]

We loved the inside cabin! On both of our DCL cruises, we had a Cat 11 inside room and were thrilled. We're going again in December, and deciding this week between Cat 11 or 10.

We'd rather cruise more often in an inside room than less frequently with a view. I can always either watch the view on TV or go out on deck. We live two blocks from the ocean, so I can see it any time I want to, and save the rooms with the views for those poor souls who live where there is no ocean view.

Beth

 

[kpros]

Our first Disney Cruise was in 1999 (4 day Magic). It was my first cruise experience and we had an inside room. I at first thought that I wouldn't like the windowless room, but it was fine. I actually slept better because of the total darkness.

In 2001, we went on a 7 day Eastern and got an outside room with a verandah. We enjoyed the mornings and evenings sitting on the verandah. Watching the comings and goings in the Ports was also nice.

We are scheduled for the May 10th Western in a Cat. 3 room. We have an extra person along this year (brother-in-law), and the extra space will be nice.

I wouldn't hesitate to book an inside room if that's what makes the trip affordable.

Ken

 

[savs]

I have stayed in one with a window and one on the inside without a window and I have to say I like the inside one better. I had a slight sick feeling everytime I was in my room on the 1st cruise with a window, but on the last one we had no window and I had no problems at all. It could just be luck, but I think it had a lot to do with where the room was located at.

My one question is: Do the cat 11 rooms have a refrig. just like the rest of the rooms? I know that cat. doesn't have a tub, but that is ok with me. Also does the refrig. have a little freezer part in it too?

Thanks,

 

[momofofo22]

On our first time we had an inside cabin (cat 10) and we loved it. Anyway your are not often in your cabin.

Our next trip next year is in a cat 10 cabin again.

 

[disneybets]

the cat. 11 rooms do have a refrigerator(cooler no freezer) but do not have the split bath. We were comfortable in an inside room and would not hesitate to book one again, We really didn't spend time in the room. If you have a baby and plan to spend a lot of time in the room because they have to nap, you should consider a cat. 6 balcony room. The refrigerator will keep things cold but does not chill things really well. Put stuff in that is already chilled.

 

[CamColt]

We have stayed in a cat 11 and a 10, SPH room. We loved both! Of course, I would love to have a verandah some day. I defintely dont see anything wrong with them, and think they would be great. But I cant justify the money right now. When I priced it out for our 3 day last year, it came to an extra 200.00/day When we spend so little time in our room, it isnt worth it to me.

 

[kmc33]

I know that there is no split bath in cat.s 11 and 12, but is it true that there is no bathtub. I was under the impression that all cabins had bathtubs.
Thanks!

 

[HookedonMagic]

You are correct...there is no split bath, but there is a tub. It is exactly the same size as the other tubs we've had (i.e. tiny but functional for small kids!)

 

[savs]

Thanks, I didn't realize that about the bathtubs. I thought I heard that there was a shower only??? We really don't need the tub, but it is still nice to know that...just in case

Also about the refrig. I heard people say that they buy sandwhiches from room service and use the refrig. to keep them cool until the next day. Does the refrig. have a place to keep an ice-pak cold and ready to use for the next day???

Thanks,

 

[Joan S.]

SAVS, When we wanted food to take on a beach excursion we ordered it the morning we were getting off the ship. I did not know if you realized this was an option.I packed everything in an insulated fold-up cooler along with some cold drinks.It worked out fine! Less work too, right off the room service tray and into my cooler!! Joan

 

[HookedonMagic]

SAVS: Our stateroom host left us ice twice daily which keeps the icebox cool, but not cold. On an earlier 7 day we did exactly as Joan S suggests and ordered room service the morning of our excursions. It worked great and it was nice to have that food on the beach when the kids were hungry!

 

[Incharge]

I have been studying my Passporter, and it looks as though the actual "living Area" is the exact same for cat 10,11,&12 that cat 8 & 9 have. It seems as though the added size is due to the split bath and the hall leading into the room that makes it longer (due again to the split bath), but it sure looks like the sitting area and the bedroom area are exactly the same size. Other than where the rooms are located, I see no difference in sizes. I could be wrong, but it sure appears that way.

 

[Joan S.]

Hookedonmagic, So what is it like to LIVE in Celebration??? Is it a dream come true??? And how often to you get to visit the MOUSE!!! I would move there in a HEARTBEAT!!! Joan

 

[HookedonMagic]

Joan S.

We moved here from the midwest in July and so far, so good! We don't visit the Mouse as often as we'd like (we had a baby in November!), but do pop over to one of the Parks at least once a month (and we can see Illuminations from our backyard pool every evening at 9:10pm!) And the WDW restaurants make for a fun date night. I still feel like I'm on a mini-vacation everytime we drive through the gates!

Thanks for asking! Have a MAGICal day!

 

[Padre Disney]

HookedonMagic,
I agree with everything you said. We had 2 cat 5's on deck 7 for our 1st 3 day cruise and I was a little motion sick. We had 2 cat 10's deck 7 for our recent 7 day and I never felt sick once. We slept great and just turned on the t.v when we wanted to peak outside. We were hardly in our room which is the last place I want to be on my vacation anyway. We have booked 2 cat 11's on deck 6 for next year and can't wait to sail again. I also noticed that on our 3 day with the verandah I felt terrible for about 3 days after the cruise because I still felt like I was on the ship. Getting off the ship from our 7 day I never felt bad. Inside rooms are our favorite. If we were ever offered and upgrade to an outside room or a room with a window I think we would not take it because of the motion sickness issue.

 

[HookedonMagic]

Glad you had a great trip, Padre. And glad to hear you enjoyed the cabins! I'm inclined to agree with you about a complimentary upgrade, although it is always hard for me to pass up on a freebie (especially a Disney freebie !)

 

[Moosysmom]

I just got off a Cat. 12 room on Deck 2. We brought water bottles and kept them in the fridge with ice in a zip lock bag. That seemed to work fine.

 

[GOHoosiers]

We have been on five DCL cruises and have been in a Cat 11 four times (3 on the Wonder and once on the Magic) and a Cat 6 once (Magic). Have a Cat 6 booked for a 7 night eastern in September.

Personally, I would never spend the extra money for an outside room on the 3 night cruise as the boat for the most part is docked during the daylight hours and you spend very little time in the room. After having the Cat 6 on our last Magic cruise, I don't think I could go back to an inside room for 7 days. Sitting out there in the morning during a sea day is just awesome. Also, if you have a little one who takes a nap, being able ot sit out on the balcony is much better than hanging out in a dark room.

On our last Wonder cruise we were in Cabin 6521, a Cat 11 which runs parallel to the ship, not perpendicular like most of the Cabins on board. This is much larger and has more storage from the "normal" Cat 11 rooms. I would highly recommend picking one of these, with a caveat - the particular Cabin we were in was next to a crew entrance where the luggage comes and goes, etc. and if you don't get up at 6:00 it might bug you. Cabin 6511, which is a bit down the hall should not have that problem.