Need Cabin Category/Selection Advice

[vossjemi]

We are planning a 4 day cruise next september (cheaper). There will be 4 of us (myself, DH, DD--5yrs old, DS--3yrs old). We are debating on several different types of cabins:

Category 11 (cheapest Standard Inside)

Category 10(Deluxe Inside)

Category 9 (Oceanview)

Category 6 (Balcony w/out obst)

I've been on 2 cruises (Carnival--cheapest cabin) (RC--balcony), but those were w/out kids. I've researched some of the price differences on various travel sites, so I'm aware of that. I guess the thing I'm interested in hearing about most is your opinions. What category did you prefer to stay and why? And, within that category, where on the ship do you prefer to be located (aft, stern, starboard, port, midship, etc...)? Are there any floors/places to avoid?

If we went category 10, 11, or 6, it looks like some deck 5 and 6 rooms are available. Do you like it there? Also, some rooms look horizontal instead of vertical...what was that like? Which did you like better?

If we go with oceanview (cat 9), it looks like deck 1 or 2. Has anyone ever stayed on either deck? Pros/cons? It looks like deck 2 is right under the promenade and public floor of deck 3 (any probs w/noise?)

Thanks a bunch for letting me know your experiences!

 

[ann-e-mator]

I know you will get a lot of opinions on this and I don't have as much experience as other cruises...(going on my second in a few weeks), but I liked the cheaper ones better for many reasons...

We were on deck 1 which is very quiet with only a few cabins for guests down there...

No matter what cabin you get, you enjoy all the same amenities...

We only changed clothes and slept in the cabin, so we only stayed in there maybe 7 hours a night total...

I'd rather spend the money I saved on the room on other things...

Even the cheaper rooms were really nice...we did go for one upgrade though, the 2 half baths... that was well worth it with a difference in price of only $100 or so...

Hope this helps...

Anne

 

[mmouse37]

We have sailed 10 times on DCL in all different cabins and decks from balcony to inside and from Deck 8 to Deck 1....

I love balcony cabins but they are steep in price...I do not like inside cabins..felt to closed it...our best bet is the Cat 9's on Decks 1 and 2 and I really like those decks...very quiet and easily accessible to most ship board activities (obviously not the pool deck though it was never hard to get an elevator on Deck 2). Deck 2 has a much larger porthole compared to Deck 1 which has 2 smaller portholes.

No noise from Deck 2 under the common areas except maybe the night clubs. Check out www.dcltribute.com and Dave has a noisy room list that you can check out to see where people have found their rooms to be on the noisy side.

Here is a link directly to the noisy room list

http://www.dcltribute.com/faq/deck2noise.htm

MJ

 

[Zandy595]

We stayed in a cat. 9 on deck 2 (2554) and liked it so much we booked another cat. 9, deck 2 for our next cruise. It wasn't noisy there at all.

Tip: IMO cat. 9's on deck 2 are better than on deck 1 because you get a HUGE porthole, instead of two really little ones.

I'll send you a PM with the deck 1 pictures because DIS won't let me post them using the URL from Barb's site.
Oops, guess I can't PM you.

 

[Mom2Belle&PeterPan]

We had a Category 9 on our June cruise on deck 2 We loved the aft close but not too close to the elevator. Loved having a big porthole, one of my favorite things was to watch the ocean glide by. Did not worry about the verandah with kids (know most do not worry about this, but I would), and it was more stable on the few nights we had rocking. I was also not thrilled about the possibility of a smoker being next to us in the next verandah. Mind you, smokers should have there place including their verandah it's just I and dd are allergic to smoke.

A personal decision it is, but this is my opinion.

Good luck!

Barbara

 

[CAMICKEY]

We have had a CAT 6 on each of our DCL Cruises as we prefer to have a balcony (it is pricey though and sometimes hard to justify). We had an inside cabin on our first cruise we ever took and overslept as no natural light can enter the room. We also prefer midship on Deck 6 (both for the motion as well as being close to the Oceaneers Club for our DS6 - one floor down). I think any cabin you have will still allow you to enjoy the magic of a Disney Cruise. - Mike

 

[TheWog]

I agree with Mike, loved our Cat. 6 midship and the convenience to everything. We also had to have the verandah as we didn't know what to expect motion wise (my DW is sensitive to motion). We loved it so much we would not cruise again without one. That is of course our personal preference. If you can afford it and justify the added cost to yourself go for the 6. But be on the ship no matter what. Have fun!

 

[lilo62]

My hubby and I had a Cat 6 this past May for our first cruise and loved it! We had the sliding doors open the whole time to get the fresh sea air. We loved having a balcony and the Western cruise we will be taking in May 2005 - we are getting a Cat 6 again.

It is a little pricey, but we thought it was worth it and mid-ship IS the best!!

 

[vossjemi]

Zandy595,

Sorry, I didn't have PM enabled. I wasn't real sure what it was as I'm new to this site. I figured it out and am enabled now, so pls I'd love to get a PM from you w/photos of deck 1 for comparison.

Thanks everyone for your comments. I will check out dave's website and see if there are other helpful cabin selection hints. I'd love to have a balcony, just not sure if affordable. Wouldn't mind the cheapest, but would be nice to have a porthole. So many choices!

Someone mentioned the add'l half bath. Which category is that? Also, would anyone worry about their 5 year old falling out of the bunk? Just curious. Thanks.

 

[TN Traveler]

Vossjemi--It is so wonderful to have this website to get so many ideas and suggestions for your cruise! I recommend the next thing to do is contact a reputable travel agent in your area. Not only can they give you brochures and videos, they are a wealth of knowledge. Many travel agents have cruised several different lines including the Disney cruise line and know the ins and outs. I have been a TA for 9 yrs now, a Disney Specialist for the last 8. I have sent many people on DCL as well as CV, RCI, HAL, NCL and others. By far I strongly encourage you to get a mid-ship cabin and make sure you are not by the elevators or a staircase. A good travel agent will make sure to do this for you automatically. It is your personal decision whether to get an inside cabin vs an Ocean view. Most of my clients chose inside simply b/c it's cheaper however on some lines the OV rooms are only $100 more and in that case, it is definitely worth it. Again, your personal choice. Whatever you decide to do, book it through a travel agent. They will take care of you and make sure no problems arise. Have a fantastic time!

 

[Zandy595]

http://www.disney cruiser.info/deck1.htm

try this URL, but take the space out of disney cruiser