Upgrade to Category 4 worth it?

[QueenTrident]

I've been pricing out 4-day cruises in April and am trying to decide betwen a Cat 6 or Cat 4 room. The price difference is about $500 for the four of us. I'm leaning toward the Category 4, since there will be more room for a crib for the baby. But, a couple of the TAs I talked to said it's not worth it, the amount of space you gain is very small.

I just remember our Cat 6 room from our last cruise. I don't know where we'd stick a crib without having to climb over it ever time we wanted to go to the verandah.

What do you thing?

 

[Pooh&Piglet&Tigger]

With four people, go with the upgrade. You'll appreciate the room. With three of us, we could've used more room. Really, I think everyone could.

 

[dancermom]

Jenn-

Glad to see you are pricing for 4. I guess that definately takes you out of the January Magic cruise. We can't go either, because of changes at work I can't leave that week.

Before we went to category 3, we had a 4 the first time we cruised, and we felt the additional space we had was worth it. Either way you choose have a great time and enjoy your new little one. We were just at the Atlantis over 4th of July, so if you need any tips on the Bahamas just e-mail me.

Congratulations again.

Jamie

 

[QueenTrident]

Hi Jamie! Yep, January is out, but we're already looking forward to when the four of us can cruise. DH thinks I'm crazy for wanting to bring a 4 month old on a cruise, but I'm hoping he'll be easy.

I think the extra room is worth it, but can't understand what the TAs are telling me it isn't.

Thanks for everyone's thoughts!

 

[dis4me]

I honestly didn't think it was worth it for the amount of time we spent in the room. We started out in Cat6 and now have to book Cat 4 because we have 5 now and I still don't feel it is that much extra.

 

[TootyJane]

Jenn, Just my 2 cents but if you can afford the extra $500, I say go for it. True, you're not gaining a lot more space but you still will have more than a Cat. 6. With a small child(ren) you may find yourself in the room a lot more than you think you might. I always did nap time even if it was on vacation so having a verandah was an extra well worth it. HTH

 

[PoohJen]

Originally posted by dis4me
I honestly didn't think it was worth it for the amount of time we spent in the room. We started out in Cat6 and now have to book Cat 4 because we have 5 now and I still don't feel it is that much extra.

If you're looking at a Cat 4 for 5 people, you may want to consider a Cat 6 with a Cat 11 right across the hall - it will likely be the same price or cheaper! Even if you have small kids (ie, all end up sleeping in the same room), I think you'll appreciate the extra bathroom and storage/dressing space!

I originally booked a 4, then switched to the 6/11 option, with the idea of sleeping in one.

Happy planning y'all!

 

[FredS]

I think that if your family did not include an infant, it might not be worth it, depending on how much time you spent in the room. With an infant and the added need for floor space for a crib, plus the extra time that some of you will definitely be in the stateroom then I would most definitely spend the extra $500.

There were four of us in a cat 6 and it got a little tight with suitcases and stuff, particularly when we tried to move around--out on veranda, for instance. If you added a crib, then I think that it would have made a significant difference in the overall enjoyment of the room and the cruise. The occasional feeling of being cramped would be with you most of the time and that would really get old.

I had a friend whose family was upgraded from a 6 to a 4 and she said that did not really notice much of a difference. There are two adults and one teen in that family, though, so I think that they did not particularly need the extra space either way. Perhaps that is the type of situation which your TA is thinking of, but I think your situation is very different and that extra space will make things much more pleasant.

 

[Cruising GrandMa]

I also say go with the Cat 4 if the $500 is within your budget! I have stayed in both and you WILL notice the difference. The extra 30/35 sf does not seem like a lot but, with a crib and the extra 'stuff' you will travel with because of the baby it will be a godsend. The storage steamer trunk in the Cat 4 is A LEAST 1.5 times larger than the one in the Cat 6. With baby 'stuff', toys and kids clothes it's extra size is very welcome. In the Cat 4 you will be able to leave the crib up along the wall where the murphy bed pulls down, and still be able to get out onto the balcony, if you want, all of the time. ( You will have to move or ask the room steward to take out the small chair that normally sits there). In the Cat 6, the only place to put it is between the desk and the (bed) sofa. Not much room to walk around. It will take up all but about 1 to 1.5 feet of this space and the desk stool will have to stay under the desk making it kind of hard to use (with any ease) this excellent piece of furniture with drawer. Also the coffee (adjustabel height) table will not be usable with the crib there. With a baby and if your other child takes naps, you WILL be in your room more than you think. Put the older child on your bed for his/her nap, draw the curtain to separate that nap area from the area the baby will be in. You can then go out on the balcony to enjoy the sea, a good book or whatever!
JMO, but, been there, done that!
Either way enjoy your cruise!

 

[goin2disneyagain]

There were 5 of us in a Category 4 in May and we loved it. We never felt crowded. I say go for the upgrade.

 

[glindamood]

I have stayed in both categories and there is a noticable amount of extra space in the category 4. I was surprised that I could feel the difference.

 

[mmouse37]

I have also been in both and Cat 4 does have more room but isn't the Cat 4 cabin just longer than the Cat 6 cabin...I still can't picture where else you would put the crib other than in front of the veranda door and then you have the same problem that you did in a Cat 6.....just curious.

Luckily we are so past the crib stage!!!

MJ

 

[Hygiene99]

We felt that Cat 4 was Worth every penny
Was just Jen and I But We loved the Location up on Deck 8
Forward 8002 Room Felt huge to Us ....

We did this as an upgrade at the Port Day of Cruise ..

We had a Cat 10 Secret porthole Room But Felt like trying a verandah Room Now We are hooked on Verandah Room ...

When We can Afford it ...

We have a cat 7 Room Booked for up Coming Trip ,..

And For our other Cruise On May 14, 05 We have Cat 11
YIKES

 

[Scotch]

Oh, boy, after reading this thread I'm having serious doubts about our upcoming first DCL cruise on the Wonder in a category 11 with our baby, who will be 13 months at the time of the cruise. Just how *cramped* will it be? I don't know that we could afford to jump from a cat. 11 to a cat. 4!

 

[CM_Mom]

Scotch, we had three adults in a cat 11 without a problem, and I can't imagine that your baby (crib and all) would take up more space than my DD25. I think the problem many of the other posters are addressing is a family of 4 with a baby and a small child that will need naps. Part of the problem with the Cat 6 is that where you put the crib can block the exit to the balcony.

Here's some pixie dust for a free upgrade!

 

[mom2grace]

Originally posted by Scotch
Oh, boy, after reading this thread I'm having serious doubts about our upcoming first DCL cruise on the Wonder in a category 11 with our baby, who will be 13 months at the time of the cruise. Just how *cramped* will it be? I don't know that we could afford to jump from a cat. 11 to a cat. 4!

Could you do a 7? You might spend more time in your cabin due to naps, baby issues, etc. and the verandah would be nice.

 

[dis4me]

Scotch you will be fine We had a cat 4 with 3 kids and I didn't think it was much more room then the cat 6 with 2 kids. We didn't spend much time in the rom. Our son napped in his carriage on deck or we would watch an in room movie and put him in the packand play. Unless you have tons of stuff with you you will be fine.