Storage space in Cat. 11 vs. cat 8

[minniesfriend]

We're a family of 4 and I'm wondering if we're going to have enough storage space in a cat. 11. My thought was that we would save the extra $$ and use it for excursions or a quick trip to WDW after the cruise. Kids are 9 and 12. We're used to traveling and have learned to take just what we need.

Is the storage space the same for cat 11 and cat 8?

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Our family of four stayed in a Cat 11 on our first cruise and are booked in one again for 2006 (after having a Cat 5 in between on cruise #2). We like things very organized in the room so once we get in the room DH likes to put everything away - he does it very well (the mess would drive me insane ). We were surprised at how much space there actually was in the Cat 11 room (of course, we live in a relatively small house, LOL).

Empty suitcases can go under the bed. Clothes and shoes go in drawers and closets. We had a huge steamer trunk for storage also in our Cat 11. The desk has drawers for things like camera supplies, navigators and snacks. We bring two large toiletry cases which come on every trip with us to keep bathroom supplies organized - see my tag - (many here use over the door shoe holders in the bathroom). We keep a plastic bag for dirty clothes and throw in a wash once in a while (no surprise we're one of the few who like to be near the laundry). We love coming back from dinner each night to a really clean and cozy room.

Our upcoming cruise may be more of a challenge because it's 7 nights instead of 4; we need to bring "more clothes" because of formal night; and our previous Cat 11 was one of the "sideways" rooms (5513) so I don't know if that made it more tolerable or what. We'll see. But I'm with you on saving the money for other things. There's a whole host of opinions here on the subject but personally, while the verandah was awesome, I could barely keep my eyes open out there at night, and we really didn't use it much during the day. Shoot, I don't care what room I'm in as long as I'm on the ship, really!

 

[Momeska]

We were in a cat. 11 and we didn't have the "steamer trunk", just drawers, shelves and a closet. Where was your steamer trunk in the cat. 11????

 

[DisneyNutMary]

I stayed in a Category 11 last year, my DH and I were in one and our 3 kids were in an adjoining Category 11. Putting everything away was tough. There are not many drawers, and the closet is okay, but you have to ask for more hangers, as there are only a few. No steamer trunk in the cat 11.
I prefer the Cat 10 and higher for a 7-night cruise because there are more drawers, the closet is longer, and of course there's that big steamer trunk.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

As I stated above, we were in one of the "sideways" Cat 11 rooms, 5513 and there was a steamer trunk in there. Disappointing to hear we won't have one in our next Cat 11 but we'll make due.

 

[aprilgail2]

We didn't have much room at all in a Cat 11 for putting clothes away...the steamer trunk not being in the Cat 11 was a big change for us....that trunk really was the bulk of our storage space on our other cruises! I really was not happy in our Cat 11 room...many people say "well you don't spend much time in your room anyway so why book a higher cat." well I found we spent more time in there than I thought..my 5 year old by the mid afternoon wanted to go back to the room and just relax for a couple hours so we were stuck in there with no verandah or window and I felt like we were always tripping over each other (we were only 3 people too!)

 

[calmom]

Does Cat. 5 have a trunk? Thanks!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Actually, one of the reasons we chose a Cat 11 for our upcoming cruise is because the verandah was too much of a distraction for DS (6 yrs old at the time). The rest of us would be trying to nap but nope, not him - he wanted to be out on the verandah! He never napped even once on the whole cruise which made it tough for trying to stay awake in the evening. One night he fell asleep at the dinner table (second seating); another he was cranky and tired at one of the parties. So regardless of the (lack of) space I think we'll all be better off in a room with no windows so we can relax a bit more.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Does Cat. 5 have a trunk?

 

[pppiglet]

Yes the cat 5 steamer trunk holds a whole lot of clothes!

 

[Jsme]

We normally stay in a Cat 6 with the verandah. My DK's love the verandah, but to be honest DH and I only went out on it a couple of times. DH went more than I. He would go out to wait while I finished getting ready for the day/evening. Besides to sleep or some alone time for DH and myself, we were rarely in our room.