Stateroom question

[SheriB]

Hi,

I'm new to "cruising" and was doing some research about the staterooms. What type of stateroom would a family of four best fit in? My family consists of myself, DH, DD16 and DS12. From what I can see, most cat 8 & 9 only sleep 3, although it says some sleep 4. How is the 4th person accomodated? Since we basically just bathe and sleep in our rooms, I'm not overly concerned with spaciousness, but my kids are older and I don't want to be too overcrowded. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

TIA
Sheri

 

[Masonpips]

Many of the Category 9's hold 4 folks - there is a sofa which flips over to be a bed (way cool for kids to check out) and a pull-down bed (from the ceiling).

Actually, the size of the cabins from Cat 6 - Cat 10 are the same sq. feet - it depends on whether or not you have a verandah, which deck, etc. The Cat 7's won't work for 4, they only sleep 3.

Last year we did a Cat 6 with our 2 kids and this year we downgraded ourselves to a Cat 9, as we didn't use the verandah much. The size was perfect and there were very few times we felt crowded. We all took naps (dh and I sometimes traded off for time on Deck 4 just lounging) and even in getting ready for dinner or excursions, it wasn't that bad. Of course, my kids are currently 4 & 5, so they're not teenagers and bathroom hogs. The split bathroom is WONDERFUL for this situation tho - someone can be showering on that side while someone else is shaving or doing make-up on the other side.

 

[Lisa F]

On the Disney ships, every category from 10 to 5 has pretty much the same room layout. The only difference is whether it has a window or a verandah and relative location on the ship.

Cat 10 is inside
Cat 9 has either a large porthole or 2 small ones, on decks 1-2
Cat 8 has a large porthole on decks 5 and higher
Cat 7 is a navigator verandah, but only sleeps 3
Cat 6 has a regular verandah, on decks 5 and 6
Cat 5 has a regular verandah, on deck 7

Cat 4 is a family suite and has almost the same layout only it's a few feet longer to accommodate a single murphey bed to sleep a 5th person.

As far as where the 4th bed comes from, in rooms that sleep 4 there is a bunk that folds down out of the ceiling above the couch (which flatens into a bed).
Barb & Tony's site has an illustration of what that bed looks like. While you're at that site you should poke around a bit, there's lots of great info there.

Hope that helps!
Lisa

 

[SueEllen]

You can fit into the Category 9 just fine--they will sleep 4. I know that Category 12 and Category 7 both only sleep 3. They will not let you book into a cabin that does not have enough bedding for you all. If the room sleeps 4 then there is a pull down "bunk" bed from above the sofa bed. In the category 4 rooms there is also a pull down murphy bed from the wall by the verandah doors.

As for what will you be comfortable in--that depends--each person is different. I personally don't like to be in any category under a 6 so that I have a full verandah--but I like to be able to sit outside on the verandah late at night or early morning and just watch the ship at sea.

Sue Ellen

 

[SheriB]

Thanks LisaF for the link to the site.
Thanks to everyone else for your valuable input.
I'm usually over on the DVC forum, but this entire site is just so full of useful information and knowledgeable people.
I'm in the beginning stages of planning a cruise, and I've already gained so much knowledge from all of you.
Thanks again.

Sheri

 

[wdw47]

we just returned from our 4nights on the wonder out two sons ds18 and ds19 took turns on the bunk that folded down out of the wall they loved it you dont need to worry about setting it up your room steward dose it all look for the towel anamials each night