Is category 4A “better” than 4E?

[Lardiek]

I booked a guaranteed 04E category stateroom for our upcoming October cruise on the Fantasy. Our stateroom was just assigned and we got 10100, which is a 04A. From what I can find on the ship layout and from reviews on this board, it does not appear to be an extended balcony room, which was the primary reason I booked it. My son and I loved the extra space on our last cruise. It does appear to be a room that would be a bit bigger but I am not sure if that is correct. I am debating calling Disney to see about the bigger balcony but wondered if people who understand the categories better than me would view this as an upgrade?

 

[rcchello]

I believe you are talking 5E which are the extended balcony rooms.

In the cruise industry better means 1) bigger, higher deck, center (not forward or aft). So your 4A is better than a 5E which is possibly smaller and far aft. The far aft room will have noticeably more rocking motion which will likely induce motion sickness in susceptible people.

It is a trade-off whether the extended balcony, less foot traffic, makes up for the motion, longer walk to Get anywhere, etc.

I am sailing again in a 5E after enjoying sailing in one prior. I really like watching the wake of the ship and the rocking motion at night. I do know that a lot of people hate the rocking motion and won't book far aft on the fantasy.

 

[MomOTwins]

When you book a "guaranteed" category, it explains in the terms and conditions that that category means you are "guaranteed" that category or any category higher in Disney's classification system, but you are agreeing to allow Disney to pick the room for you in any of those categories. The only way to make sure that you would be in an extended balcony verandah is to book a specific stateroom number, not a "guaranteed" reservation. So unfortunately I don't think Disney can change the room for you now--you can always ask, but if they moved you out of the 5E category to the more expensive 4A category, it is likely because they fully booked in 5E.​

 

[Quellman]

I believe you are talking 5E which are the extended balcony rooms.

In the cruise industry better means 1) bigger, higher deck, center (not forward or aft). So your 4A is better than a 5E which is possibly smaller and far aft. The far aft room will have noticeably more rocking motion which will likely induce motion sickness in susceptible people.

It is a trade-off whether the extended balcony, less foot traffic, makes up for the motion, longer walk to Get anywhere, etc.

I am sailing again in a 5E after enjoying sailing in one prior. I really like watching the wake of the ship and the rocking motion at night. I do know that a lot of people hate the rocking motion and won't book far aft on the fantasy.

Not true. The 4e is also an extended balcony area. They are on deck 5 forward and aft of the lifeboats. They do not have much overhang and privacy that the 5e's have. It is these rooms HERE.

As for @Lardiek The actual stateroom square footage in a 4a is indeed larger than the normal rooms. These rooms have the ability to sleep 5 persons, but not all do. What you don't make up for in balcony you will have in the room. There are some pictures and videos around that you can see. At the end of the couch there is either a fold out murphy bed or an extra chair. We booked a VGT room and received a 4a for our assignment. Certainly plenty of large for a family of 3 and it worked great with the pack n play. Balcony was standard size.
You are free to call Disney and see what is available, but don't be surprised if there isn't anything they can do for you.

 

[Lardiek]

Not true. The 4e is also an extended balcony area. They are on deck 5 forward and aft of the lifeboats. They do not have much overhang and privacy that the 5e's have. It is these rooms HERE.

As for @Lardiek The actual stateroom square footage in a 4a is indeed larger than the normal rooms. These rooms have the ability to sleep 5 persons, but not all do. What you don't make up for in balcony you will have in the room. There are some pictures and videos around that you can see. At the end of the couch there is either a fold out murphy bed or an extra chair. We booked a VGT room and received a 4a for our assignment. Certainly plenty of large for a family of 3 and it worked great with the pack n play. Balcony was standard size.
You are free to call Disney and see what is available, but don't be surprised if there isn't anything they can do for you.

Thank you. It was definitely a 04E that I booked and was expecting an extended balcony on deck 5 based upon what the website said and I was perfectly content with any of those rooms.

Thanks for all of the explanations. Agreed that it is unlikely I will get it changed. Either way, I am totally fine, I just want to be on the ship and know we will have a great time no matter what, but I was just expecting the extended balcony and surprised with the room assignment. A larger room might prove to be more valubable with my growing kids, anyways!