Is the verandah worth the $$?

[turnlisa]

We have gotten two excellent quotes from DU. I am really impressed with the prices. The big question now is should we pay the extra $$ for the verandah? We are talking about getting a category 6 room vs. a category 8 room. The difference is about $600. I have two children -- ages 9 and 4 when we sail. Any advice? We will be doing the 7 day East Caribbean Cruise. I am thinking the extra space would be nice but just want to be sure since we have never cruised before. Thanks for any help!

 

[alexandrew]

If the difference between cat 8 and cat 6 is only $600.00, IMO go for it....Typically,me, DW and DSs 8 and 3 cruise in cat 9...the difference between cat 9 and cat 6 or 5 can be $1200.00+...that is alot of $...quite frankly, I'm surprised that the difference is only $600 for you on a 7 day...Are you sure???

 

[CarolAnnC]

The verandah is absolutely worth it!!

 

[WDWLVR]

Well as you can tell from my tag I would say the answer is yes - a verandah is well worth it. We don't have kids, but I love spending time on my verandah - especially in the morning.

If either of the kids will be taking naps mid-day that's another good reason to have one - you can be out there while they are napping.

Only you know whats best for your family, but I've always found the verandah worth the extra $$$.

 

[ennisb]

We have only cruised once before Cat 8 and we loved the verandah. Early in the morning watching the ship pull into a port with a cup of tea, ah the best. Then we had early dinner so while my wife, the two kids, and I got ready it was so nice to be able to still enjoy the outdoors, have a drink, enjoy the view.

Also a couple of nights we propped the door open to enjoy the breeze and ocean sounds while we slept. We liked it so much that we book another Cat 8 for our next cruise.

Either way you will have a fantastic time. Enjoy every moment

 

[DCLgodess]

Go for the verandah. It can serve just about any purpose.

 

[glindamood]

Our first 2 Disney cruises were with verandah's and the second two were inside cabins. Just DH and myself and I would rather have the saved $$'s for jewelry shopping in the ports than have the verandah. Our last cruise was a Deck 7 aft and about 30 steps for the overlook deck ther which worked great for us.

It is a personal choice - and I like cruising AND new jewels!

 

[GrayFal]

It cost DH and I $700 to upgrade from a Cat 10 to a Cat 6 for our eastern in November....it was sooooo worth it. I spent every morning out on the verandah and most evenings, too. DH likes to sleep later then me - and because of the verandah and the wonderful room service - I never felt like I needed to rush out of the room or that I was missing anything because I was indoors. The trip before that was a 4Day Wonder in a Cat 8 with our 2 teenagers - I really could have used a verandah that trip !

 

[Lizardbeth61]

. . . will do in a pinch. We've had both Verandah and no verandah on Disney Cruises. I like the verandah, I truly do, but with an 8 & 11 year old we never used it much except for wet swimsuits and a little extra space. So it really depends on your particular needs.

We're doing a 7 night in March and just went with the big round window to save a few dollars. We seem to do okay that way.

Whatever you decide, the cabins are great and you'll have a terrific time!

 

[Magic_Fan_Bruce]

I like the Verandah’s also, but often the price isn’t worth it, and I like the layout of the inside cabins better. For $600 on a 7-day cruise… That would be worth it!

FYI, there is no difference in cabin size between Cat 6 & Cat 8 staterooms, except the size of the Veranda.

 

[turnlisa]

Thanks for all the great replies! I think we are going to go for it. It will be a nice break when the kids want to watch t.v. and I want to read my book. Plus I am an early riser and this way I have a few minutes of sanity before everything begins! I really appreciate the feedback

 

[SeaSpray]

The verandah is SOOOOO worth it!!!! We enjoyed that verandah even more than I had imagined that we would. Now we have 2 more cruises booked, both with a verandah! A $600 difference is great, go for it, you won't be sorry

 

[faireygod mother]

We would not cruise any other way. It is well worth the money. You can watch the socking in ports or have some peace time in the evening with some hot coco or a drink. It is like dieing and goign to heaven.

 

[tvguy]

We got upgraded for free to a Verandah. Would have cost us $1600 if we had booked one. Did we use it? Oh yes. Was it nice? Yes. Would I pay for a Verandah? No way. My wife and I could take an 11 day cruise on Celebrity for $1600, I'd rather take 2 cruises, than one with a Verandah.

 

[pfishgirl]

I Vote Yes !!!
that is an awesome price

DH ONLY Cruises with a Verandah

 

[PiperG]

We have sailed with DS at 5, 6 and 7 years old. We usually tell him "stay up as late as you want and watch the Disney movies on TV." Of course, he is so whipped from the day, that he falls asleep right away. DH and I then spend the next several hours on the verandah just talking and drinking wine we brought on board. very relaxing.

 

[MarkLem]

We had a cat 4 last january and also 3 kids ages 8, 6, 2 1/2. The verandah was nice, it was fun to pop out onto it and watch the sea go by. But we probably spent a total of 30 minutes on it the whole 7 day cruise in increments of 5 minutes or so of standing on it with the kids.

With 3 kids, we spent mornings eating breakfast at the restaurants, then right to the pool areas on sea days, or right to shore during excursion days. Early dinner, then right to the shows, then the kids basically were ready for bed.

Without kids it we would utilize it alot more. But with kids, for us we didn't have the time.

 

[Kathyandtyler]

I've never cruised Disney before but I did a RCCL inside cabin and a Princess cruise with a balcony. I just can't go back to an inside cabin. It is just my son and I and in the mornings I'd get tea and sit out on the balcony while he slept in. It was wonderful. So wonderful in fact that when planning my FIRST Disney cruise for March, I scrimped on our days at Disney before the cruise just to make sure I could afford the balcony.

I would be hard pressed to cruise without a balcony.

It is wonderful.

 

[NYGiantsRule!]

For shorter cruises I can get by with just a window, but for a 7 day or longer I really like having the verandah. Especially on sea days, you can sit out there with a book or early in the morning with your coffee. If you can afford it, I would highly recommend it.

 

[jrabbit]

You can watch the socking in ports

Yea lots and lots of natives line the dock laying on their backs with there feet in the air and the captain goes down the line putting socks on everyones feet.