Nav.verandah vs. open verandah?

[Magic-cruiser]

OK my fellow cruisers, on my first cruise, I was lucky enough to have a clear glass verandah.
In looking at prices of my next planned cruise, I can save over $800 if I take a Navigator's verandah instead of the clear glass.
Whereas I enjoyed my balcony on the first cruise, I didn't spend as much time out there as I thought I would.
My concern is this. Is a Nav. verandah claustrophobic? Do you feel boxed in?
I look at the savings of $800 +, and think that the money could go towards some really cool shore excursions!
Any thoughts, considerations, observations, tips, etc., would really be appreciated.
Thank you in advance!

 

[huskydogg]

We had a rear Nav verendah on the Wonder last Feb. It was solid white wall up to the railing. Was still a beautiful view. We really enjoyed it. I guess, unless you want to lay on your chair and be able to stare out over the water, the Nav one still provides a terrific view. We did most of our reclining on the top deck. The verendah was just great to be out on in the AM or the evenings to view the sunrise/sets. And for 800$, I can't see how the plexiglass would be worth that much. But that's just my opinion.

 

[LyndaC]

I've had both a plexiglass veranda and a navigators veranda, for my money, I'd rather book an oceanview stateroom with one big window than the Navigators veranda.

 

[sissy_ib]

We have done a Nav verandah and a regular verandah on the Magic. DH preferred the navigator, saying it was "cozy" I thought it was too stuffy. I much preferred the clear plexi-glass. I could see sitting down and there was a breeze. HOWEVER, for $800 I would take the navigator.

 

[sissy_ib]

We had a rear Nav verendah on the Wonder last Feb. It was solid white wall up to the railing. Was still a beautiful view. We really enjoyed it. I guess, unless you want to lay on your chair and be able to stare out over the water, the Nav one still provides a terrific view. We did most of our reclining on the top deck. The verendah was just great to be out on in the AM or the evenings to view the sunrise/sets. And for 800$, I can't see how the plexiglass would be worth that much. But that's just my opinion.

The white walled verandahs are not navigators. The navigator verandahs on the classic ships are totally enclosed with a large porthole opening.

 

[luv2sleep]

Loved my Navigator's Verandah! I first had a clear plexiglass verandah and was skeptical about the 7A. I like the 7A more than the clear plexiglass. I love the nautical touches and the fact that it feels like a cozy room with a view vs just a plain verandah. I also loved the bench. I'd save the money and book the 7A.

 

[tink too]

We've booked a navigator's verandah for our Alaskan cruise next summer. We did enjoy our previous cruises with a regular verandah, but I've gone for the lower cost this time so we can use the $$$ towards shore excursions.

Plus, fresh air and a view of the ocean will still only be a few steps from our room.

 

[dismom73]

We've had both and on our upcoming cruise we have the Nav veranda booked. I really like them and so does everyone in my family and since we have to book 2 cabins it is a huge savings for us.

 

[Melissa S]

We love the Navigator's Veranda it is always our first choice at booking. We especially enjoyed it on our 8 night from NYC because it was so windy on the way down that the enclosure kept the wind out. I actually prefer it over the plexi glass open veranda we had on our first cruise. I also feel more comfortable with our 2 year old out there. Of course she is never out alone and we always lock the door when we are not using it but for some reason I am more at ease since it is partially enclosed. I would save the money and try this category

 

["Cinder" Ella's Mom]

Are all Navigator Verandahs white-walled in front? Even on the new ships?

 

[luv2sleep]

Are all Navigator Verandahs white-walled in front? Even on the new ships?

I don't know for sure but it seems like a less desirable cat on the new ships. On the Magic and Wonder you know what you are getting. You get a cabin size similar to a cat 5 (but sleeps 3) with a decent sized balcony with an open air porthole, bench, table, chair and nice nautical touches. On the Dream/Fantasy the verandahs that are about a few feet big (not enough room for a chair) or significantly obstructed in some way are in this category. I had one booked (later canceled the trip) and it was hard to find a decent report on any of them. I'd book a 7A on the classics in a heartbeat and would be skeptical at this point about booking them on the new ships. I tried to find threads that discussed the best new ship cat 7A cabins but couldn't find one.

 

["Cinder" Ella's Mom]

Are all Navigator Verandahs white-walled in front? Even on the new ships?

I don't know for sure but it seems like a less desirable cat on the new ships. On the Magic and Wonder you know what you are getting. You get a cabin size similar to a cat 5 (but sleeps 3) with a decent sized balcony with an open air porthole, bench, table, chair and nice nautical touches. On the Dream/Fantasy the verandahs that are about a few feet big (not enough room for a chair) or significantly obstructed in some way are in this category. I had one booked (later canceled the trip) and it was hard to find a decent report on any of them. I'd book a 7A on the classics in a heartbeat and would be skeptical at this point about booking them on the new ships. I tried to find threads that discussed the best new ship cat 7A cabins but couldn't find one.

We are in 8520 on the Fantasy and from the pictures in a previous thread it definitely is not a whitewall verandah. Hardly looks obstructed at all. My sister has the identical 7a on the port side, 8022. Anyone have experience with these cabins?

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Only experience is on the Wonder and Magic. I think it would depend on what type of cruise as to which I would prefer. Absolutely had to have the full balcony on a med or Alaskan cruise. Bahamas not so much. If its a 3 night cruise no balcony necessary at all. Navigators is a go between. It's really not the full affect of a full balcony.

 

[MOM 'N' 2 DISNEY!]

We are in 8520 on the Fantasy and from the pictures in a previous thread it definitely is not a whitewall verandah. Hardly looks obstructed at all. My sister has the identical 7a on the port side, 8022. Anyone have experience with these cabins?

Hello, Was wondering if you ever did end up staying in Fantasy room 8022 with Navigator's verandah?? If so, did you like it? do you have any pics you can share? did you find the verandah to be to small and obstructed and did you have much natural light in room? Thank you in advance..

 

[bethy]

For me, I couldn't do a navigator's verandah because I need to be midship. The motion on either end really bothers me sometimes.

 

[tink too]

We did stay in a Navigator's verandah stateroom for our 2013 Alaska cruise on the Wonder and really enjoyed it. I loved sitting out there in the late evening as the nights were very light (not dark until around 11pm) and because of the protection from the elements and the privacy, I would sit out there in my PJ's reading well after midnight some nights. We've sailed in all types of staterooms - inside, porthole & verandah types - and would definitely book the 7A again on the classic ships.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'll be trying a Navigator's Verandah on the Magic for this year's DVC Member Cruise. I'm looking forward to seeing what one is like!