Once a Cat 3, always a Cat 3?

[Gretel]

We stayed in a Cat 3 on our seven day cruise. Now I am looking to book our next seven day (a ways off), but want a Cat 3 again, but looking at the price differnce makes me second guess myself and think maybe we should do a cat 6 again. Anyone ever do a cat 3 and then go back to a cat 6 or 5?

 

[Michelle]

Absolutely! I did my first cruise in a Cat. 3 and after that have sailed in a Cat. 5, 6 and 9. I do the Cat. 3 occasionally but it IS expensive and I can't justify the cost every time we sail. We'll be in a Cat. 6 this December after being in a Cat. 3 last year, and that is just fine with me. It's still a great room and a great cruise!

 

[Towncrier]

Gretel - Our first cruise was in a Cat4 cabin. When we were on the cruise with you, we opted for adjoining Cat10 cabins. We had much more room with two cabins and honestly didn't miss having the verandah. I would much rather cruise more often by staying in a less expensive cabin. The food and entertainment are the same regardless of what type of cabin you have.

 

[TartanFan]

Depends entirely on budget IMHO. On our first cruise, we were in Cat 5 (4 day) coz we could afford it. Second, we were in Cat 10 coz we really wanted to do 7 day and that Cat was what we could afford at the time. We're doing Western in Aug and have Cat 6 coz we have a little more disposable (!) income but want to have some spendies for shopping!

All a matter of personal priorities, IMHO!

 

[howardk613]

Gretel,
If you think that you are in trouble then you should be me. On our 1st cruise we booked a category 3 suite but were upgraded to a category 1. My wife was hooked and we just had a book a category 1 suite again for our 2nd cruise. We are booked for a category 1 suite again this Nov. Although the room is beyond description, so is the price.

 

[Pluto4President]

Ah, I like to dream about anything above Cat 4. Just can't justify the price. 4 was nice, but next time, I'll try 6. I agree with TC, certain sacrifices we must make to cruise more often. I just don't think I can give up the Verandah

 

[minster22]

For all of you who have done Cat 3, did the plus of having reservations for the spa and Palo figure into the mix at all? We are thinking of spending the extra $$$ just to be sure to have these options for our trip. We are still awaiting the quote from DU and so do not have the sticker shock yet. Also one of the group {3 women} is a bit claustrophobic and a little wary of how she will do on a ship so we are leaning towards the Cat 4 at least just for that bit of extra space for her and our comfort. The spa and Palo are important to us and since this is the 4 day cruise my understanding it that these ressies can be tough. Any thoughts??

 

[minster22]

Anyone out there with some thoughts on my last post??? thanks in advance

 

[Gretel]

We booked a Cat 3 last time for the space, not the services. Our concergie booked our spa and Palo reservations with no problem. The people traveling with us had a different cat and had no problem getting there ressies the other way. When we went on our four day we had no problem getting ressies either and we were in a Cat 5.

 

[inkkognito]

I think the reservations would come into play if you won't be able to arrive at the ship early. If you know that you will get there with plenty of time, you should be okay making them yourselves (as long as you get in the lines early). But if you are coming in on a later flight or a bus from the resorts and will probably arrive after the spa and Palo ressies have begin, the concierge would become more valuable.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[minster22]

We will probably fly into MCO from Boston the day of the cruise, arriving at the airport at 10:30. At this point we are planning on buying Disney transfers since this will be our first cruise. Will the bus leave for Port Canaveral shortly after we arrive at MCO? Have you stayed in the Cat 3 cabins? Once you start looking at how spacious they are and think about how nice it would be to have the concierge services we are thinking of spending one less day at the Beach Club Villas and going with Cat 3. I know for some people the cabin is not that important but for us our accomodations are a integral part of the vacation experience. I'm sure the Cat 4 would work fine but...

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Originally posted by minster22

What do you think? We will probably fly into MCO from Boston the day of the cruise, arriving at the airport at 10:30. At this point we are planning on buying Disney transfers since this will be our first cruise. Will the bus leave for Port Canaveral shortly after we arrive at MCO?

You might be pushing it. My experience with flights from BOS to MCO is that they're often delayed. I wouldn't count on arriving into MCO until about 11:30 with a bus departure by 12:15. That would put you with a port arrival of 1:00. Add some check-in time and you'll probably be on the boat around 1:30. You'll likely have missed the prime Ressies Scramble. If getting the good spots is important to you, then maybe the Concierge Reservations benefit of a Category 3 would be a good thing for you.