SPH vs Veranda???

[jel0511]

O.K. I think we've pretty much decided to cruise next fall. We canceled this fall because DH didn't think he could do another cruise so soon, and we really wanted a VERY relaxing vacation. Anyway, in pricing out the cruise we want on DCL, I can get either a SPH for $2600 or a veranda for $3800 for the 4 of us. Now, the savings is HUGE and we're really leaning towards the SPH but we cruise with a veranda on the Wonder last November. Will we really miss the veranda that much? We really didn't use it that much, except to let in the fresh air and to look out once in a while. We also used it as extra space for the kids. I guess I'm afraid to book the SPH and then get on the ship and feel closed off and wish I had the veranda. Can anyone comment and try to reassure me that the SPH is our best bet!!! I really want the veranda, but DH wants the SPH since we usually take 3 vacations a year and that $1200 can pay for a getaway for us!!!!

 

[gassmandy]

Take the SPH and save the $$$$$$!!! I always find myself sitting up above to enjoy the views as opposed to my veranda. Plus you can people watch up above while relaxing as opposed to a private veranda.

 

[jgalecpa]

How about this, from a CPA:

The increase in cost is $1,200.

This represents a 46% increase in cost (1,200/2600).

While the verandah is nice, will it increase the ENJOYMENT of your cruise by 46%?

If it does, you are getting your money's worth. If it does not, save your cash.

For me, no verandah (adjoining rooms, though. Having the teenage DD's in another room DOES increase my enjoyment by more than the cost).

Hope this helps.

You know what to do.

Jim

 

[imgoingtodisney]

Last Nov we would have been perfectly happy in SPR 5520. That cruise wasnt meant to be however. This Nov we are booked in a verandah room on deck 6.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by jel0511
We really didn't use it that much, except to let in the fresh air and to look out once in a while. We also used it as extra space for the kids.

It doesn't sound like you're the kinds of passengers who would get $1200 worth of enjoyment from a verandah.

By the way, just go down one flight of stairs, and you have the best "verandah" on the whole ship -- the Deck 4 promenade, with those comfortable blue chairs.

 

[kendall]

We were in 5020 in April - definitely worth saving your money - there are so many places on the ship that you can be sitting outside. 5520 and 5020 are the least obstructed. I would save the $1200 and take another vacation. Some folks enjoy the quiet time sitting on the verandah - we prefer to be out and about and enjoying the ship and the programs. Good luck with your decision!

 

[jel0511]

Thanks for the responses guys keep them coming, I'm waiting for my quote from Dreams to secure the SPH, Expedia shows it available!!!

jgalecpa - I'm laughing at your post, because DH is a CPA(doesn't practice though) and I used to be one too, before we had kids!!! Now, I just do everyone's taxes!!!! I agree that it won't provide too much extra enjoyment, but it's the privacy I enjoy.

kendall - Thanks for the input, we actually are trying to get 5520, so I'm glad you enjoyed your SPH!

I also agree about deck 4, DH and I LOVE that deck!!!! So, now the waiting game begins... Also, to convince DH to shell out the $1000 deposit 1 1/2 years in advance, he's not too happy about that one!!!

 

[Mjasp]

Jim...Thanks for that analogy! Now I can talk myself into staying with the category 8.

Joanna

 

[keith & co.]

We are just back from the Magic (#5520) and would do it again!!

We have sailed cats 6, 4, & 3 in the past and really liked the SPH for the cost savings.......

One hint.... and we will do it next time too.... pack some sort of small table fan..... the room did tend to get a bit stuffy and we had some trouble with our AC. The fan would have made this much more bearable!! Put it beside the port hole and think "Ocean Breeze". HAHAHA

The view was great and the space was the same... aside from one tall spacious trunk that was missing!! We had a family of 4 (DDs 10 & 4) and had plenty of room.

Safe the money for fruity drinks and the mascoto!!!

Barbara

 

[inkkognito]

Although 5650 (Cat. 6 aft verandah room) is my all-time favorite, we often book secret porthole rooms so we can sail frequently. The verandah is absolutely wonderful for private relaxation time, but there are alternatives. On our three-peat last year, we were in a SPR (5520). We still enjoyed ourselves immensely. We ended up spending a lot more time on the "secret" deck 7 aft verandah and in the Rainforest. Instead of curling up with a book on my verandah, I curled up in there on one of the heated tile loungers. We tend to do more hot tubbing too when we don't have a verandah. Ideally, I love having one, but when it's a choice between booking another cruise or having the verandah, I go for quantity Of course, we usually do the Wonder...it would be harder for me on a 7-day trip. Happily, next week we will be enjoying lots of quality verandah time in my fave on the Western cruise.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[jel0511]

You gotta LOVE Dreams!!! Of course, they secured me a SPH for the 10/30/04 cruse, 5520!!! Now, the decision do we book it, or decide to do the veranda. I think we're leaning towards the SPH for the cost savings, now to part with $1000....... Oh well, I guess that's what's money's for!!!!

 

[keith & co.]

Go Lori Go!!!


My motto..... I would rather be "Crusin' Poor" than at home and rich!!

Have a great time!!

Barbara

 

[WDWLVR]

I might be in the minority, but give me a veranda every time. We had a porthole room in Feb. and it was OK for the 4 day Wonder. We just got back from the Western and I used our veranda a lot!

On sea days deck 9 seems so crowded and it was nice to have the peace and quiet of my own veranda to curl with a good book on. We had one of the Navigators and that padded bench is nice. Not as nice on the Deck 4 chairs, but I felt those were better used by people who didn't have a veranda.

Only you know if you will really get the use out of it. We certainly did.

 

[AspiringCindy]

WE were in the same boat a few years ago(no pun intended). We always travel in a veranda room. But, when it came time to book with DCL, the cost difference was just too great so we booked the outside cabin-4 people-4 night cruise. When we checked in at the pier, we inquired out of curiosity about an upgrade. It turned out, they upgraded us 3 or 4 categories to a verandah, and the cost-just $200 total. Needless to say we took the upgrade. I am sure this doesn't always happen, but as long as your happy with atleast an outside, inquire at the pier during check-in. YOU NEVER KNOW!

 

[Surfergirl]

I had booked SPR 5022 for our cruise Oct.9/04. We have previously sailed in cat.9( with kids) and cat.7( just us). We loved having the navigator veranda but thought since we were taking the kids again we should save money. It will be our 15th anniversary, so I decided that I would splurge and surprise my husband. I upgraded us to a cat.6. I now have to keep a secret until our anniversary 2 days before we sail.Lots of time to save up the extra money.

 

[jel0511]

Dh and I talked about it last night, and we decided to grab the SPH!!! So, I'm going to place the deposit down with Dreams and 10/30/04 Magic, here we come!!!

 

[dpuck1998]

Am I the only one that is amazed that there is still a SPR still available for an October Cruise? I got lucky to get on for a cruise in Feb 2004 thanks to a cancellation. Is is unusual for one to still be available this close to cruise time or is Oct just not a busy time?

 

[jel0511]

dpuck1998 - I'm sailing in Oct 2004, not Oct 2003. I agree if it was still available for a 2003 sailing I would have been VERY lucky!! So, I'm booking this 1 1/2 years out.

 

[dpuck1998]

ahhh, very good. I should read them more closely.
Well we are doing the SPH 5020 in Jan so I will let you
know how we enjoy it. I am still 256 days out and
can hardly wait. My video just arrived yesterday and
my 4 year watched it about 6 times ;-)

 

[manchurianbrownbear]

We're doing 5020, 5022 & 5024 with DW & our four kids, MIL, FIL, BIL, SIL, our niece a November 6, 2003 3-night on the Wonder! We'll be happy to give you a report when we get back.