standard inside vs. OV or verandah

[Shanti]

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.

With 4 people per room and only a $400 price difference in total, I would unquestionably go with the verandah room on a weeklong cruise, just to be more comfortable.

 

[Flossbolna]

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

It depends. If you look at the Dream or Fantasy deck plans and look at the forward and aft areas where you first have a few OV cabins on the side of the ship and then it changes over to Verandah, there yes, the verandah does cut into the available indoor space. But this is because those are also different types of staterooms. The Dream and Fantasy both have "Deluxe Staterooms" and "Deluxe Family Staterooms" both in OV and Verandah categories. The Family Staterooms have a larger indoor space, they are either category 8 or category 4. However, the normal Deluxe Staterooms are category 9 and 5. So, a category 8 is the same size as the category 5 outdoor and indoor space combined.

Does that make sense?

 

[scgustafson]

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

The listed square footage is for the total cabin size so interior and verandah (if applicable).

 

[mevelandry]

400$ is a lot of money.

DH and I have had verandah (they were less than 200$ more than inside room in our case) on our three first cruises and have realized that we had spent less than 30 minutes a day on the verandah. Not really worth the investment.

There are multiple public decks where you can drink your coffee and relax while watching the ocean.

We have booked an inside room for our next Disney cruise in April 2017 (only three nights) and portholes for our following cruise in October 2017. We'll see how we manage.

 

[LAX]

It depends. If you look at the Dream or Fantasy deck plans and look at the forward and aft areas where you first have a few OV cabins on the side of the ship and then it changes over to Verandah, there yes, the verandah does cut into the available indoor space. But this is because those are also different types of staterooms. The Dream and Fantasy both have "Deluxe Staterooms" and "Deluxe Family Staterooms" both in OV and Verandah categories. The Family Staterooms have a larger indoor space, they are either category 8 or category 4. However, the normal Deluxe Staterooms are category 9 and 5. So, a category 8 is the same size as the category 5 outdoor and indoor space combined.

Does that make sense?

Yes. It makes sense. I was trying to make the point that getting a verandah cabin doesn't automatically increase the available room (or square footage) over an oceanview cabin.

LAX

 

[RedSox68]

OP -- what did you decide to do?

 

[E&Asquared]

OP here. thanks for the feedback everyone. I'm certain I want to go with connecting rooms since one of our children will be in the other room with her aunt and uncle. I have so far decided to stay with the inside rooms and use the savings elsewhere on board (a Remy dinner for 5 adults should make a dent in that $800 savings!)

 

[RedSox68]

OP here. thanks for the feedback everyone. I'm certain I want to go with connecting rooms since one of our children will be in the other room with her aunt and uncle. I have so far decided to stay with the inside rooms and use the savings elsewhere on board (a Remy dinner for 5 adults should make a dent in that $800 savings!)

Sounds like a good plan. Enjoy your cruise!