Navigators cabin

[kkob1516]

We're planning a July 2003 Eastern cruise. We're a family of 5 and we'll be taking 1 outside cabin and 1 inside cabin - is there much of a difference between the Navigators cabin vs the cat. 5/6 veranda? Is it worth the difference in price to get the cat. 5 cabin.
Thanks for any input.

 

[Ashley24]

The only difference between a cat.5 and cat.6 is the floor they are on. I would save the money and go with the cat. 6. I believe all the rooms for the cat. 6 are on the 6th floor which is what I was on and it was very quiet. As far as the Navigators go, you can only have up to 3 people in the cabin. It is an enclosed balcony with a large porthole that is open (big open hole). There are pictures of it on the
Castawayclub.com website. I am staying in a Navigator's verandah in four weeks and am very excited to try one! I have heard they are very cozy and not quite as windy as a reg. verandah, plus have a nice bench, table, and chair with a nautical theme.
Hope this helps
Ann

 

[taswira]

Ann, everything you said about the Navigator's stateroom is correct. I actually <I>prefer</I> it to the the Cat. 5 I stayed in! I have pics <a href="http://www.primateprojections.com/travel/DCL/7628/">HERE</A>, but these were shot on the Wonder, which has bigger, more rectangular portholes. On the Magic, the portholes are a bit smaller and round. But the nautical touches of the verandah are the same. Anyone who actually <I>wants</I> a Navigator Verandah should make sure they are not put in one of the newly reclassified (formerly Cat. 5 or 6) "obstructed view" staterooms which are now Cat. 7 but do not have the Navigator Verandah features.

 

[ncligs]

taswira ,

Sent you a PM, need some advice.

Thanks

 

[Ashley24]

taswira,
I just checked out your pics and guess what??? That is the exact room WE have on the Oct. 17, 2002 Wonder cruise! I am SO excited! Looks like a great room! How is the room steward???
Any room noise (engine)?
Any problems with motion?
Did you go to AP for the drill?
Any other info would be greatly appreciated!!!
Thanks!
Ann

 

[taswira]

My stateroom host was Dalton Boyce and he was EXCELLENT! You might not necessarily have the same person, but I'm sure you won't be disappointed if you you do.

7628 is my favorite room! The only engine noise I heard at all was during maneuvering for docking, and it was nice because I awoke so I could go to the verandah and watch. The only motion I've experienced on either cruise was rolling (side to side, instead of rocking fore and aft), and that was very slight on the first night, but coming back the last night it was enough to make the closet doors slide back and forth! I felt fine though. You really can't predict how rough the sea will be, but with rolling, it doesn't much matter whether you are fore or aft I guess. I love being aft as it is relatively quiet (especially Deck 7) and very nice. And the best part, YES, for the drill you go to AP so no standing in the sun on deck! I love that stateroom, but for my upcoming two cruises I am Cat. 7 Deck 5 because my favorite on Deck 7 was not available. For my western on the Magic next year, I have 7628.

 

[Ashley24]

It also looks like this room is very close to the big verandah area at the back of deck 7. Did you use that at all? I have been jumping around like a little kid since looking at your pics!
Ann

 

[taswira]

Ann, yes - It's very near the Deck 7 aft "secret verandah". That was our meeting point for a little DIS meet.

 

[kkob1516]

Ashley24
Thanks for the info. Before I booked i wanted to make sure i got a veranda this time, but i didn't know if i should get the open air one or the navigator. If possible, it'd be great if you could let me know how the navigator veranda is when you get back.
Thanks again.
Kathy

 

[Señor Ferrari]

We stayed in a category 5 on our first cruise, then a category 7 on our second. Like Taswira, I prefer the Navigator's verandah, too. After having done cat. 5 and 7, we booked two more in 7. I prefer deck 7 aft, for the not-so-secret verandah, as well as its proximity to the aft stairs and elevators. I really don't think you give up much between the regular verandah and the navigators. The only way I'd do a category 6 or 5 is if I could somehow get it at the category 7 price. Our favorite is 7624, just because we've stayed there twice. We've also had 7122, which is just as good.

 

[taswira]

Yes, Señor Ferrari - Having stayed in Cat 5 and Cat 7 myself, I would even prefer Cat 7 over Cat 5 if they were the same price, but ONLY if it was the "real" Navigator Verandah and not the newly reclassified "partially obstructed" regular verandahs that they now call Cat 7 Nav. Verandahs (There is nothing "Navigator" about them!). Those regular verandahs with the bare-bones little metal table and NON-cushioned chairs just don't provide enough "atmosphere" for me! But that's JMHO, and ANY verandah is better than no verandah at all.

 

[Ashley24]

Kathy,
I would be glad to let you know if I prefer the Navigators over the reg. verandah. I leave in 29 days and I'll let you know when I return. I am excited to try one!
Ann