standard inside vs. OV or verandah

[E&Asquared]

I need advice. This is our first time cruising DCL with kids. In the past we've always went with a standard inside stateroom and loved it. This time we are cruising with family (8 people total, 5 adults, 3 children (6, 4 & 2) and we currently have 2 connecting inside staterooms booked. The price difference is only about $400/stateroom for a 7 night cruise between a standard inside and a verandah room (Eastern Caribbean). Looking for opinions on which you would choose.

 

[scrappinginontario]

It really is a personal decision. Personally if I could swing the $400 I would go with the verandah rooms. I can see it being an asset when the 2 (and possibly 4yo) kiddos nap and you can enjoy the sun and view rather than be inside.

 

[hoffman1]

I think it depends on what you find important. We love having a balcony and use it quite a bit. It is so relaxing watching the ocean go by.
If you never spend any time in the room, it may not be worth it for you.

 

[JeffBinder]

If the difference was only $400, I would say book the verandah. (I say the word only, loosely.) That's actually a really great value.

I didn't miss the verandah on my shorter cruise, but I will say it was really nice on the longer cruises. It doesn't feel as closed in. On my first 7 night, we had a verandah. We didn't have one on my second 7 night cruise, but we ended up upgrading to a verandah room on the 3rd morning. Totally worth it, in my opinion.

Also, if you have kids, they can sometimes tire easy after a long day in port. It's nice to be able to let them nap, while you enjoy the sound of the horn as you debark back into the ocean, watching the land slowly drift away.

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

Can you get connecting verandah rooms? If so, I would stretch my budget to get them. I know with a verandah I don't feel trapped in the room while the kids are napping or even while others are getting ready.

You'll also get the extra bathroom space with the upgrade.

 

[kdogfister]

Many Verandah's aren't technically connecting, but connect via the verandah itself. For $400/room, I'd take the Verandah. It opens up options not available without it.

Now, $800 all-in is a lot of spending money onboard, so if you're not so sure you'd use it, your math might look a little different than mine.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Many Verandah's aren't technically connecting, but connect via the verandah itself.

Not exactly. On the Dream class ships, there are many rooms that connect other than only on the verandah. I'd say at least 3/4ths (if not more) of the verandah rooms connect with an interior door.

 

[dragynally]

I like getting fresh air so I don't feel closed in. But I have heard others say that they spend so little time in their room it didn't make a difference. I actually love spending time in the room so the veranda is worth it to me.

 

[Rabb it]

400, per room right? So 800 extra total. It sounds like you were happy with the inside staterooms before, sure verandahs are awesome of course, but 800 can buy a lot of souvenirs/spa treatments/excursions/booze etc.. Are you going to be spending enough time in the rooms to justify shelling out the extra dough?

 

[TheMaxRebo]

We needed two rooms and wound up booking a verandah with an inside state room that is right across the hall from it. This way we can all take turns enjoying the veranda some but then only have the upgraded cost for one of the rooms

 

[Cackyschmackers]

We've cruised three times.with our family of 5, and I would HIGHLY recommend the verandah over two insides if you can swing it. Nothing like relaxing on the verandah with the gorgeous turquoise water and sea air! It's a special treat , for sure! Your kids are still young so the room will not feel crowded whatsoever. Not sure what ship you are on but there are most definitely connecting verandah rooms on the Magic. (Maybe Wonder as well?) For our 4th upcoming cruise , we actually booked one verandah and a nearby inside since we have 3 teens now (but we are all one family , wasn't sure of your circumstance). Good luck !

 

[Skittlesmom]

We've had oceanview rooms for 2 cruises (a 7-night and a 4-night) and really enjoyed it. With little kids, we were worried about a verandah and we felt the rooms were fine. On our last cruise (7-nights), we had 2 adjoining rooms with verandahs. It was great for us adults, but the teen kids didn't use the verandah as they spent most of their time in the teen areas with other kids. We're leaving shortly for a 7-night cruise and chose an oceanview room as we've realized we don't spend much time in the rooms since there's so much to do on the ship. One tip...search online for a diagram of the ship (floor by floor), so when you make your reservation, you'll know the location of the room(s). Noise and access to stairs/elevators may be worth exploring as you make your reservation.

 

[xlxo]

On my Alaskan trip.... love Deck 2 oceanview.

• the balconies were too cold and windy in August to be used much on an earlier trip.
• forget the Deck 1 twins.... the Deck 2 oceanview was like a climate controlled balcony with the oversized window
• when I want to be outside.... go up to the top decks for the 360 view
• love the savings!

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

We had two connecting verandas for our group of 9 and we loved it. Having two ways to connect to the cabin next door gave us extra flexibility too. So like even if the connecting interior door was was closed because people were getting ready for dinner our sons could go out on the veranda if they were ready, and their cousins could join them when they were ready.

Also, with 8 people, I'd bet you are going to be spending SOME time in the rooms, if only waiting for others to get ready or to get out of the bathroom. Even 5 minutes on the veranda helped me relax while I was waiting for the others to be ready.

 

[MunFam]

I am a die hard inside or OV room person, although I have sailed with a verandah as well. With 5 adults, I would spring for the verandahs. It will be very cozy inside and they extra "outdoor space" will probably be very worth it.

 

[scgustafson]

It is much harder to join the verandah club without one.

 

[msmama]

I didn't like the thought of a verandah with kids - logically I know they are safe (and my son would be afraid to go out on it anyway), but they still make me nervous. But I like a porthole. Deck 2 was great and we are doing it again on our next cruise.

 

[LAX]

Based on the deck plans (not sure how accurate they reflect on the actual size of the cabins, though), doesn't the verandah cut into the available "indoor" space?

LAX

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

I don't think so. I think the listed space is the indoor sq ft, with the veranda being in addition to that.

 

[RedSox68]

For the difference in price, a verandah is well worth it. That is a really cheap upgrade by Disney's standards, so I'd grab it.