So, Stateroom 12000 Has Become Available....Do I switch?

[southerngirl528]

Ahoy, fellow DCL cruisers!

So, I grabbed a great guaranteed 5C a couple of months ago for the Fantasy Sept. 8th sailing. Then decided to surprise my DH and upgrade to a Concierge Cat T last month. Woohoo!!! We've never done concierge and I am over the moon super excited! There were no available "T" staterooms on Deck 12 when I booked.

So today, I am, as usual, stalking the DCL site, and see that #12000 has popped up as available. I have spent the last 2 hours scouring the Dis and the net for pix, videos and reviews to see if I want to grab it instead of my Deck 11 Cat "T". And I'm not sure I do want to, though I would like to be on Deck 12 I think, but for no huge reasons really.

I have NOT grabbed it as yet because I don't think I would like having a forward ONLY view. I love standing at the railing of my verandah and looking down to see the sea, and watching the ocean go by. And from a side of ship stateroom, I think one has a much broader view of whatever port you might be in.

I'm also not sure I would like that I would very frequently, if not most of the time, have folks looking down onto our huge verandah from Deck 13.

Yes, I know that Deck 11 staterooms have the so-named "gerbil ball" verandahs, but our stateroom will have part of the bump-out and be quite a bit wider than a non-bump out verandah. I have studied videos and pix of our current stateroom. Like a LOT.

Sooooo, I would be greatly interested in hearing input. I am very aware that most folks consider 12000 the "belle of the ball" of Cat "T" on the Dream class ships. And I can see why with that HUGE verandah. I just don't think I would be as happy with the rather narrow, straight ahead view.....

Thanks in advance!

 

[lklgoodman]

I haven't stayed in a Cat T cabin before, so can't give you advice from personally experience about either. However when reading your post you gave several reasons why you would like the deck 11 cabin and several reasons why you don't think you would like the deck 12 cabin. The only reason you gave for the deck 12 is because other people say that it is suppose to be such a good cabin. I think you should keep the cabin you have on deck 11.

 

[southerngirl528]

I haven't stayed in a Cat T cabin before, so can't give you advice from personally experience about either. However when reading your post you gave several reasons why you would like the deck 11 cabin and several reasons why you don't think you would like the deck 12 cabin. The only reason you gave for the deck 12 is because other people say that it is suppose to be such a good cabin. I think you should keep the cabin you have on deck 11.

LOL! Thank you for being a good "counselor" in reflecting back what I had said, lklgoodman!

The tempting part is that everyone (almost) that stays in that stateroom seems to LOVE it! I mean, how often does one have the option to grab a coveted "special" DCL stateroom? Oh well, if I don't switch, and I am definitely leaning toward not, then maybe someone else on the same sailing will be able to get it!

 

[FSU Girl]

I've watched some videos of the room and I don't think I would stay there. It was available for my January cruise when I booked, but I picked a bump out room on deck 12 instead. I've read complaints that it can be noisy from the two Royal suites on either side using the hot tubs. Plus the balcony looks a little weird to me. I agree with all your points about why you should stay on deck 11 and I think that would be a good idea.

 

[southerngirl528]

Disney doesn’t “scan” IDs or driver’s licenses, but if the ID is expired or invalidated in a visible way (corners cut off, holes punched, etc) it won’t be accepted. A passport isn’t proof of FL residency by itself in any circumstance.

OP, assuming your spare ID isn’t valid, you will need to present a valid form of identification from somewhere - your passport will fulfill this part of the requirement - plus a proof of Florida residency. Since you don’t have a mortgage or utility bill, your best bet is probably to show a bank statement with your Florida address. If you have a car registered in Florida, that registration will work as well, as will a statement of car insurance with your Florida address.

Thanks! I really appreciate your and lklgoodman's input! Most helpful!

 

[DCLDVC1]

The huge verandah is nice but it can get very windy and people can easily see it from above. The semi-enclosed Deck 11 verandahs are underrated. I'd stick with the room you have.

 

[southerngirl528]

The huge verandah is nice but it can get very windy and people can easily see it from above. The semi-enclosed Deck 11 verandahs are underrated. I'd stick with the room you have.

Thanks DCLDVC1! That is what I am thinking. But ultimately I think it is the very different view difference that is making my decision. I mean, the Disney Suites are both front AND on the sides of the ships so they get the best of both worlds, view-wise IMO, though I've never been in them. But from watching video's of those suites facing the front of the ship, it does seem VERY windy, even with the glass windbreaks. Thanks again!

 

[DCSWO]

I wouldn’t consider 12000 the “bell of the ball”. More often than not, it seems to be the last Cat V left. I’ve read a number of posts for people who upgraded at the port and 12000 was the one room available. Perhaps because of the forward only view and the amount of ship you have to look over before you can actually see the water, but there must be some reason. I stayed in a bump out last time we sailed (12510), and we loved it. If you have an equivalent room on deck 11, keep it. The tone of your post seems to indicate that is what you are leaning towards. Enjoy your cruise!

 

[southerngirl528]

it seems to be the last Cat V left.

First, thanks SO much for the great input! It really does help to hear from folks that have actually stayed in concierge suites, or at least toured them. So thank you for that!!! Much appreciated.

As for why 12000 is often one of the last remaining Cat "T" staterooms, from my extensive research on this cabin, it seems DCL holds this room to see if either Disney suite wants 12000 as well as a connecting room. I'm no expert, but lots of folks seem to state this, and I guess it does makes sense if someone needs/wants the biggest suite onboard, but it only sleeps 5, they might need an adjoining room for more people? I do know that this stateroom just popped up as available today and I am 43 days out from sail date.

Thanks again for the input!

 

[ScooterScott44]

You are correct, similar to handicap accessible rooms it is held back in case one of the suites wants it.

You’ll enjoy no matter what you choose. Happy cruising!

 

[southerngirl528]

You are correct, similar to handicap accessible rooms it is held back in case one of the suites wants it.

You’ll enjoy no matter what you choose. Happy cruising!

Thanks much, ScooterScott44!! You're right about that!

And if anyone is on our sailing and wants this Cat "T" that just opened up as available, go for it! I'm still pondering it, but leaning toward not. I surely appreciate everyone's kind input! If anyone else wants to weigh in, I'd love it!

 

[Sandbtwmytoes]

Thanks much, ScooterScott44!! You're right about that!

And if anyone is on our sailing and wants this Cat "T" that just opened up as available, go for it! I'm still pondering it, but leaning toward not. I surely appreciate everyone's kind input! If anyone else wants to weigh in, I'd love it!

I’m on your cruise!

 

[southerngirl528]

I’m on your cruise!

Woohoo!!!! Our date is fast approaching!! Have FUN!! ( like you wouldn't or something... )

 

[Sandbtwmytoes]

Woohoo!!!! Our date is fast approaching!! Have FUN!! ( like you wouldn't or something... )

I'm just so excited! We usually book vacations a few months ahead of time, but we've had this cruise booked for a year and an half! These last few weeks are taking forever. But I still have lots to do! We have a bump out room on deck 12. I've heard great things about 12000, but I don't like how the deck above can view the end of your verandah.

 

[southerngirl528]

I'm just so excited! We usually book vacations a few months ahead of time, but we've had this cruise booked for a year and an half! These last few weeks are taking forever. But I still have lots to do! We have a bump out room on deck 12. I've heard great things about 12000, but I don't like how the deck above can view the end of your verandah.

That is WONDERFUL!!! Great location too! I think if I ever, ever book concierge again, I will try to do it way in advance.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

What a happy dilemma to have! I would stick with what you have. I have had a cabin (non-concierge) in which we overlooked someone's verandah. We saw all their business-and they smoked out there too. I would not a room where someone could see me reading, having breakfast etc. while enjoying my verandah. Not sure about the suites on either side, but i am a light sleeper, so I tend to choose the quietest room I can and then hope the fates are kind and I have quiet neighbors. You really can't go wrong with your choices Have an awesome cruise!

 

[chrisnb]

I'm also not sure I would like that I would very frequently, if not most of the time, have folks looking down onto our huge verandah from Deck 13.



I have stayed in the 12502 royal suite next door people can see you if you are standing at the railing only, if you are laying in lounge chairs they cannot see you but you can here them talk sometimes which is interesting sometimes.

You will great view of Nassau if you go there , and no view of castaway, but your deck 11 view of castaway wont be great either.

It will be a lot more convenient to go to the lounge from deck 12

And yes this room is held back until both royal suites are booked

chris

 

[southerngirl528]

What a happy dilemma to have! I would stick with what you have.

This is so very true. Yes, I feel very, very blessed. And a smudge guilty.

but i am a light sleeper, so I tend to choose the quietest room I can and then hope the fates are kind and I have quiet neighbors. You really can't go wrong with your choices Have an awesome cruise!

I too am a super light sleeper so quiet is very important. That is one reason I'm not too disappointed that I don't have a Deck 12 room, as some folks report hearing deck chairs being moved. And I have a travel sound machine that remains in my carry-on bag.

 

[ScooterScott44]

. ....as some folks report hearing deck chairs being moved.

Quick note about 12000 specifically. The area forward of the glass area on deck 13 does not have deck chairs. Also if the forward area is too windy they will rope off the area from guest access. Even when that wind precaution was in place there was not an issue on those forward verandas with wind due to the taller glass.

See image from cruise deck plans.

 

[southerngirl528]

Quick note about 12000 specifically. The area forward of the glass area does not have deck chairs. Also if the forward area is too windy they will rope off the area from guest access. Even when that wind precaution was in place there was not an issue on those forward verandas with wind due to the taller glass.

See image from cruise deck plans.

Great photo to show that, ScooterScott! Thank you!!!!