verandah or not need advice quick

[CTDVCMBS]

We are going on the 1/10 magic- I have second thoughts and want a verandah- my husbands thinks we will never be in the room and its not worth the added cost-We have a 11 and 13 year old and we do not have enough points and to get the verandah we would have to fork over a few hundered in cash along with maxing our points....( we are vacation club members) He wants to save the cash for spending money on the trip.I think I really want the verandah........ What does everyone else think- is thew verandah worth the extra cost? I have spoken with some people who think we are crazy to even consider no verandah and other who state its not worth it. We are going on first cruise- Thanks -

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Personally, I would just go with what you have. If you feel that (while on this cruise) you are missing out on something than get the verandah next time. Yes, it's nice to have but I really don't think it'll make or break your cruise. You're on the Magic...it doesn't really get any better than that!!! Good luck with your decision.

 

[xABearx]

In my opinion, it depends on how much time you are going to spend in your cabin, if very little then I would pass......keep in mind, there is a secret verandah on deck 7 aft which is open to all but very seldom used (at least when I went there)......Andy

 

[cindy21494]

I agree with CRSNDSNY. Although we had a verandah on both of our cruises, the amount of time we spent on it was limited. We were too busy enjoying the ports and activities. The main reason I get it is because I can get seasick and the fresh air helps when I start to feel queasy. As CRSNDSNY said if you feel you are missing something, get one next time (once you go on a cruise with Disney, you can't wait to go again).

Have a great trip!!

 

[Michelemouse]

I have to agree with those who said stick with what you had. I know that there are many who will not sail without a verandah, but we didn't think it was worth the money. It was just too warm and humid to enjoy sitting out there and we really weren't in the cabin enough anyway. We had previously sailed in an inside cabin and a porthole cabin. From now on we will choose the porthole cabin (Cat. 8 or 9) and spend the extra $$$ on excursions, photos and souvenirs.

Just my $.02.

 

[JungleCruiser]

Our first trip we had a catagory 5 with a veranda. Our next cruise will be a catagory 8 with a porthole. We chose to use the money to stay a few days at WDW Poly before we leave. We honestly didn't use the veranda much. We spent most of the time outside of our cabin. I say to go with a catagory 8 and save your points or money for another vacation.

 

[AnnMorin]

I LOVE the veranda. I can not imagine sailing without one. (granted though if it was a choice between no cruise or no veranda it would be a no brainer I would cruise without it) I am a "homebody" type of person and like to get away from the crowds at times. Plus to me there is nothing more special than late at night sitting out of the veranda in the dark watching the world go by sipping a glass of wine. If it is doable I would pay the difference in cash and enjoy the veranda!

 

[delo4]

We were just on the Magic cruise 11/15-11/22. We had a verandah for the first time. We are used to staying on deck 1 or 2. This time we stayed on deck 7. We did not like it at all compared to decks 1 or 2. The verandahs were very nice, but you really feel the movement of the ship up there. Also, if you like the outside decks, you could always sit on wonderful deck 4. Also we found that being on deck 2 was so convenient to the dining rooms. the elevators are always so busy and we did not like walking from deck 3 to 7 after dinner each night.

 

[jgalecpa]

Try This:

Don't take the veranday this trip.

See how you enjoy it.

Take the verandah next time (and you know there will be a next time).

That way, you will be able to compare.

IF you take the verandah the first time, you will only be taking others words and don't know how much you would have liked it without.

The time spent on the verandah is almost certainly the most expensive cost per hr of the entire trip (Take the cost of the verandah dividided by the minutes of the verandaHh).

To some it is worth it, to others, not.

Only you can decide, and you have to see the with and without.

My $.02.



Jim

 

[HooKooDooKu]

The anwser will always be a personal opinion.

My opinion is that it is worth the extra money to upgrade to a verandah.

The pros include the fact that you can enjoy getting out of your cabin and enjoy the outside air, the sounds, watch the water go by, etc. even if you've already gotten ready for bed. Or if your on the right side of the ship, you can go outside to watch sunrise, even if you haven't gotten ready to go out yet.

We have always traveled with a verandah except for a recent last minute "test" cruise last month to see what it was like with a baby along. The only reason we didn't get the verandah then was because DCL was offering some nice discounts on Cat 11. There was a (relatively) huge price increase to Cat 10. Had we already put out the money for a Cat 10, we would have gladly paid the extra to upgrade on up to Cat 7 or 6.

 

[CGC33A]

that time in January might not be a peak time (schools are in session)so you might be able to upgrade at the port (but don't count on it) for less than if you tried to upgrade before hand. Also the location might not be what you want, but you could ask & see what is available, if anything and decide there. I paid $300. recently to upgrade in the 4 day from cat 5 to 4. I don't know how much it would be on the 7 day (you didn't say what category you are in now). i know it is a lot more to go from inside rooms to outside or verandahs than it is to go from outside to verandahs. Let us know the cost even if you don't take it please (I am going next fall on the Magic & want to know rates). Thanks

 

[Wishing on a star]

Okay, I know that there are many people who would not sail WITHOUT a verhandah, and many people who would not ever pay the difference to sail WITH a verandah.... Why? Because all people are different!!!!

I hoped and prayed and was "Wishing On a Star" for an upgrade to a verandah.... (no way remotely possible to come up with the $$$ to book one.) I knew in my heart that I really wanted that! It was right for ME, and I just knew that it would make our cruise more wonderful. We traveled during the most off season time of the year. And DCL pixie dust came thru!!! At the very last minute we were upgraded! (This is VERY VERY RARE... do not begin to hope for or count on an upgrade.....)

To me, I can just not begin to assign a value to having that space and fresh air and floor to ceiling windows with wonderful sunlight!!!!! It is not a matter of XX minutes for $$$ cost. That verandah was there every single time we were in our stateroom.... Like a beautiful diamond ring... Sure it costs... do you say, for example, teeny tiny stone for $$$$ dollars??? There is no simple way to assign a value to the sparkle and joy and sentimental value. To the person who enjoys these types of things, they are worth the price.

Does this make sense to you all????

I say, if you are like me, and that space, fresh air, and sunshine are priceless.... then do consider upgrading. But, do it because you know that this is important to YOU!

Boy, it is a tough call!!!

 

[alexandrew]

Opting for our usual cat 9 on our once yearly 7 day cruise vs a cat 5 or cat 6 verandah saves us enough $ to fund a 3 day in January...

We were grateful to have received an upgrade to cat 5 on our most recent cruise, and really enjoyed the verandah enormously, but at $1000.00+ vs cat 9 for 7 day, to us it's just not worth it....

However, I can understand the allure of a verandah , it's really neat...

 

[disny4ever]

I love the verandahs, we do use them. I will sit outside in the early morning or late night, it's wondeful !! It can be a bery good way to relax and just watch the world go by. Yes, I know you can do that other places on the boat too....but to step out the doors anytime is great !!

 

[AnnMorin]

For myself and my husband our main objective in cruising is to relax and spend time with our son. We need to "decompress" from our jobs which can be very draining (his more than mine, but 21 preschoolers can take their toll too ) I would say that on "at sea" days we spend several hours on our veranda, just sipping wine and reading. Regardless if we are in port or not, each time we go in the cabin we go out there. While someone is in the bathroom or changing we are out there, before dinner, before excursions etc...We are on it first thing in the morning and last thing before bed, I have fallen asleep out there before, to me a veranda is the closest thing to heaven on earth.
BUT... I am not a big deck party type of person, now if I were like my sister a veranda would be a total waste of money.
She wants to be where the action is and the party is going on, she goes on a cruise to have a blast, nothing wrong with that I think it is great, we just cruise for different reasons. For her a veranda would be something she sees the day she checks in and maybe the night she checks out, she does not get back to her cabin until she is ready to collapse.
The best advice is to think of what you want out of your cruise and the answer will be obvious.

 

[ChattyKathy]

I would pass on the verandah for now.
What made you change your mind all of a sudden?Obviously you thought at one point it would be okay with out it...

 

[beautyandbeast]

We have taken three Disney Cruises. The first two we had verandahs. The third time we thought we'd save the points and not have one. Well, we hated it!! There was no sun to let you know if it was day or night. We slept late every morning because it was so dark. That was a bummer. My dh is used to waking up and going outside first thing every morning while cruising. Which he still did but he had to get dressed, comb his hair and all that stuff first! Just thought I'd let you know our experience.

Beauty

 

[WDWLVR]

Well as my tag says - have veranda will cruise! I love the veranda and much like Ann we spend a lot of time out there. We go for the navgator verandas because they are a bit cheaper but also because we like them more.

Now having said all that - if it means you have to add cash to your already maxed out points I would stay with what you have. There are always places you can go to enjoy the feeling of a veranda (deck 7, deck 4, even up on deck 9). If you go without it this time and find yourself saying - wish I had a veranda than you can try and budget for it next time. To me that's better than havng the cruise end and saying - boy we didn't need that!

Just my 2 cents!

 

[ivanova]

we just came back from a 4 night on the Wonder with a verandah ... our conclusion, it's not worth the $$$ for a 4 night, but we'd want a verandah on a 7 night cruise.

 

[CTDVCMBS]

Hi Guys-
Thanks for all the info/opinions - it is really helpful - but my husband is pretty convinced there is no way we are getting a verandah this trip!!!I have to say the posts about not getting the verandah really did make me feel better ...but the ones about why you would want a verandah made me feel worse! (of course!)

We are currently in a Cat 10 deluxe inside stateroom for the 1/10/04 magic cruise. We have never cruised before and were doing the "should we/ shouldn't we" debate about a year ago when we first were booking/planning.

I must admit I let my husband plan everything- just easier for me that way I guess and he said .."If we dont get a verandah- which we probably dont need because we wont be in the room much... then we will have more spending cash and can probably take a quick get away in the Fall for the 2 of us with the left over points" - So I just said "ok sounds good"- didn't really think/ know anybetter... Now the cruise seems more real... and I was imagining what it would be like and I think I really will feel like "it was nice.... but I wish I had the verandah" and I wish I had just told him I wanted the Verandah to begin with****sigh***** at this point because I dont know any better and because I dont want to hear "we have no cash because you spent it on the verandah" ( hahaha) I will just go with what we have - I should have really though it out more during the booking time and he would have easily gone for it- Recently we were in Vero and we spent alot of the time out on the balcony off the room - so I am surprised he thinks we dont need it/ its not worth it - but.. I am happy to be going and perhaps if I get a Christmas bonus at work and there are still rooms with verandahs available...then I will be able to surprise him ! it seems like the total cost is about -800 dollars or so to get the veranda for this trip . Of course it also means the upgrade to level 6 which appears to have benefits as well....I really am surprised at myself - just in denial about planning way back then I guess I mean I did no research at all until this week !!Again thanks for all the replies lots of good info!!!