slightly claustrophobic 1st timer - help

[northwds]

My sister wants to go on the 3 day Wonder cruise with her son (8) and me. I can have bouts of claustrophobia....never really know when they will bouce out. They pass quickly. I am concerned about the staterooms that are on the inside without a porthole. But, really how big are these portholes in a cat 8 or 9. Does a lower or higher deck make a big difference? There is a great price for a cat 10 on deck 2 for the Feb 2005 cruise.....but I'm just not sure how closed in this all feels. Can anyone help me with some feedback......thanks

I really want to go..

 

[CGC33A]

Click on the link above the boards (below the DU banner) whee it says "staterooms". There are pictures of the different ones & you can see the size of the porthole very well. Just make sure you are on deck 2 b/c the cat 9's on Deck 1 have 2 smaller (more traditional) portholes and would not feel the same.

 

[amymouse]

I have an issue with claustrophobia, too. So when I booked my first cruise in 2001, I splurged for a room with a verandah. You know, just in case I felt like I had to "break free" into an open space.

The good news is, I never once needed to make that break for freedom. The bad news is, I got spoiled and don't like to book anything less then a Cat 7 now.

And to calm your fears a little more...my next cruise, I was traveling by myself so I booked a cat 11 inside stateroom to save some money. Even though this category is definitely the smallest of the small, I still NEVER felt closed in, ever, really, I promise, I wouldn't lie (well, not about this, at least).

If you need a point of reference as to whether or not we are comparably claustrophobic, just send me a PM and I'll give some examples of what DOES bother me. Okay? Do you feel better?

 

[northwds]

Thank you ........for the information... amymouse.......I will send you a PM for more feedback....hurrah, I am feeling better.

 

[lovethattink]

I'm claustrophobic too. I'm getting ready for my 4th Disney cruise. I had no trouble in the room. Had some trouble in the elevators. At 6pm lots of people in elevators, so I used the steps. Other times of the day they weren't as crowded and I had no trouble. Also stairwells were crowded to get off boat at ports, so we made sure we either were 1st in line, or took our time and got off when less crowded.

 

[rjones69]

Last week we stayed in an inside cabin. They have a mirror on the wall that is shaped like a porthole and gives the porthole affect.

 

[northwds]

Well, we are officially booked for the 3 day cruise 2/3/2005 and my sister choose a Cat 8 room on deck 6. I am full of confidence that I will be fine on board. Thanks for all the feedback, it really helped. I am officially a 1st timer. Hurrah! I am so excited, I truly love the Mouse.

 

[jrabbit]

Glad you booked. Like a prior poster said - stay out of the elevators - they are stinking small. Take the stairs. Gives you some nice excersize and as an additional bonus, also gives you more room for dessert at dinner!

If crowded rooms make you feel claustrophobic, then when disembarking in Nassau and CC, I would wait until the crowds are less latter in the morning.

 

[justmestace]

Me, too--- I almost drove myself crazy before our 1st cruise.
After watching the Love Boatfor years, I had always wanted to cruise. We were finally heading for our first cruise ever and on DCL, no less....my biggest dream....but I was a shaking nervous wreck. Thought I was going to pass out.
We walked in to the Atrium lobby, and then around the ship a little more......and I could not believe that I had wasted so much energy on being scared. We did use the stairs more than the elevators, mostly because of the wait, though.
And granted, we had a verandah, but my sister in law had an inside room (no porthole) and I spent a lot of time in her room with her. No problem!
Get excited about all of your planning, and just enjoy! Trust me.

I have DCL cruises # 3 and # 4 already booked!

 

[HappyMommy2]

northwds, glad to hear you're booked! I too am somewhat claustrophobic, but like you we booked a CAT 8 on Deck 6--and I had NO trouble in the cabin at all! The porthole was huge and that made a big difference; also I think the fact that the air conditioner could be set nice and cold helped. I never felt remotely claustrophobic in the stateroom. The only time I did feel uncomfortable was in the elevators at busy times (those things are TINY and slow). I used the stairs quite a bit, which was better anyhow considering how much I had been eating on board!