Look Honey, Category ___ is Only ___ More?

[Hopkins]

My husband and I were booked for our January 18th, 2003 vacation in a category 11 stateroom, deck 7 mid-ship. We were very comfortable with the decision. Then, "SECRET PORT HOLE ROOM". Oh, look honey, a secret port hole room. For only $100 more total, we get more space and we get the obstructed bonus porthole to the outside.

So, we made the jump from category 11 (standard inside) to category 10 (deluxe inside), but with the condition it's a secret porthole room. Well, none were to be reserved for our cruise 331 days from today. We booked a category 10, anyway on deck 7, but all the way forward and waitlisted for the secret port hole room.

Then, look honey, a category 9 (ocean view) on decks 1 and 2 for only $200 more than the jump we just made.

Then, look honey, a category 8 (ocean view) on a higher deck for $100 more than the category 9 jump.

I almost went for the category 9 jump since it was only $200 more than the jump we already made, but it was $300 more than our original room. Hubby reminded me that we really didn't need that window. As a bonus it was nice, but not for $300. It so very easy to make the "jump".

Tina

 

[callahanjulie10]

I feel your pain Tina- been there and done that. On our 1st cruise (4 night Wonder in 99) we had a cat 11. We loved it. The best vacation my family had ever taken. We rebooked for another 4 night on the Magic as soon as we got home. By the time we were to sail- they started offering 7 night for not much more than we had paid for the 4 night! So we changed to a 7 night - cat 11. About a month before we sailed, we got an offer we could not refuse- Fall Fanasty. So we upgraded to a cat 8! Holy cow- GREAT. But guess what- when we got home and decided to book #3- we couldn't go back to 1 bath, smaller room, and no window- so what could we do? Well- we actually got a secret port hole room for #3 BUT it cost more than we had paid the year before for a cat 8 and we sailed the exact same week but of course 1 year later. We returned from #3 kinda disappointed because my DD didn't enjoy the Lab like she always had before. We also had a noisy room. But- just when we had decided to try another cruiseline- DCL sent out letters that gave a a verenda room for just a couple hundred $$ more than we paid for our cat 10 (secret porthole). Well we rebooked and we leave on the Western route May 25 in a navigators verenda room. Will it ever end? Just ask Barb and Tony- they have ALL the answers!

 

[imgoingtodisney]

I was debating a cat 9 which would have only been about 16 more points than what we have. Then I was looking at a cat 8 which still could have been done. DH said just book what we can with the points we already have and stop thinking about it. So we have a cat 10 which has the split bath.
I cruised with MIL in Nov and we had inside stateroom with no split bath. So this is a step up and the Disney rooms are bigger than NCL anyways.

 

[Lavne]

That's how we ended up with a verandah for our first (4-day Wonder) cruise. Needless to say, we have the same thing booked for our upcoming 7-day in June!

 

[disneyholic family]

that's exactly how we got to the category we're in....
very seductive, isn't it...

 

[happylady]

Lot's of laughs!! We went from a cat 6 to a cat 9 (Florida Resident Special) then back to a cat 6!!

By taking advantage of the FL Resident Sepcial last fall we were going to save @$1,000. When we arrived for check-in, I asked what the cost would be to up grade (a week earlier, someone had posted that they only paid @$350), so what the heck...I was going to try.

After speaking to her supervisor, the CM quoted me $358.00 for the three of us, to go from a cat 9 to a cat 6. SOLD!!! I wish I had noticed, though, the room was directly across from the laundry on deck 6. Oh well, my husband got his dream verandah.

It was great, but I don't think we used it as much as we thought we would. I'm going for a secret porthole next time!!

 

[ducklite]

DH wanted a suite for privacy, so off to a Cat 3 it is for us. I told him it was going to be pricey, he said "it's the only cruise we'll ever take..." Hehehehehe...

Three years ago he wouldn't even consider a cruise, then someone he works with took one and came back raving about it. all of a sudden he wanted info.

Anne

 

[inkkognito]

Since I am the one who has to juggle our finances to pay for all our cruises, I usually lobby for a secret porthole room. But hubby is very spoiled with verandahs...I had to beat him into submission because he wanted one for our three-in-a-row trip, but I convinced him that he would be happier channeling that money to the spa. But I must admit it's tempting--the secret porthole rooms are forward, and I love being aft. He keeps trying to tempt me with 5650, but I am holding my ground on this one. It's bad enough that he talked me into giving up WDW this year (like he really had to twist my arm ).
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[howardk613]

ducklite -
Your DH may think that this will be his first and last cruise, but after cruising in a category 3 suite, I guarantee that he will want to cruise again. Thats the only problem with a Disney suite. Once you have been in one you will find it VERY hard to go back to a regular room.

 

[callahanjulie10]

Howard- that is true with any room- once you had a deluxe you can't go back to a standard! Once you've had a window you can't do without one- once you've had a veranda- well, you get the picture!

Anyway- you have had the best- so there is nowhere else to go except back and forth between Walt and Roy-

Must be a tough life!

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by howardk613
ducklite -
Your DH may think that this will be his first and last cruise, but after cruising in a category 3 suite, I guarantee that he will want to cruise again. Thats the only problem with a Disney suite. Once you have been in one you will find it VERY hard to go back to a regular room.

Agreed, although this will probably be the only cruise with DS. Next time it will be just the two of us, so a Cat 4 or 5 will be fine. The concierge service is a nice, but certainly not nessecary touch.

Anne