state rooms/categories

[newtocruising]

Never been on a cruise before and do not understand all the different talk about catagories and staterooms. Also what are best, but affordable levels of the ship to be on? Can't figure out what room and where to book! Help!!

 

[smchan]

Welcome to disboards.

Basically the categories are 1-12 with 1 being the most expensive and 12 the least.

In a nutshell, categories 10-12 are inside with no view (with the exception of "secret porthole rooms"), 8-9 are rooms with portholes or windows, 7 is a slightly enclosed balcony room that sleeps 3, 5-6 is a full balcony room that sleeps up to 4, 4 is a balcony room sleeping up to 5, and 1-3 are the premium luxury accomodations.

I recommend that you check out this link: http://www.dcltribute.com/faq/category_descriptions.htm

Frankly, I don't think there's any bad rooms on board. For my first cruise, I was in a category 8 (as an upgrade from an 11), and I was more than happy.

Sam

 

[Princess Michelle]

Welcome to the Boards! I'm new to cruising as well and have found a ton of useful imformation on this board. There are a lot of experienced folks here who will have you feeling like a pro cruise planner in no time!

 

[Werner Weiss]

Regardless of the category you select (and the amount you pay), you're on the same ship going to the same destinations; you dine in the same dining rooms; you enjoy the same activities and entertainment; and all of the same interior and exterior public areas are available to you.

It's not like the movie Titanic, where the First Class passengers were pampered in total luxury, while the steerage passengers were little more than human cargo.

So, the difference is the staterooms themselves. Some people wouldn't dream of crusing without the convenience and privacy of their own verandah. Others would rather the save the significant cost of a private verandah, and use the wonderful public outdoor spaces on various decks instead.

Also, stateroom capacity is an issue. For example, the cheapest verandah staterooms (Category 7 on decks 5, 6, and 7) only hold 3 passengers, so they're not available to families of 4.