Verandah vs Window Stateroom

[dlz]

This is going to be my families first crusie and I am completely obsessed and overwhelmed by the decision of my stateroom. My kids are going to commit me soon, if I don't make up my mind! I love the idea of a Verandah and can't seem to get past it. However, everyone I ask, who has been on a cruise, tells me to go for only a window and save my money/points. We will be going on the 3 or 4 day cruise to the Bahammas. It will be myself, DH, DS(13), DD(17). I completely understand the whole "not being in my room" thing, but it makes me smile just thinking about having coffee/drinks on that deck! I am not a big "stay out late" kind of girl either, so I actually do believe I will be in my room some. I would love to do the 4 day as opposed to the 3 day, but my DVC points are so much higher to use on the weekends which is where my 4 day would put me. Although, I have enough to do either. Please help me so I can move on w/ my plans. This is my first ever posting to anything. Sorry it is so long!

 

[CraftyMouse]

This is what I would choose to do...

We have sailed with a verandah and without one and we now choose to book a Category 9 (porthole) stateroom on Deck 2. Since this is your first cruise, and it is only a 3- or 4-day sailing, I would go with the porthole. On the 3-day sailing you will have so little time as it is and there is no sea day. On the 4-day you only have the one sea day to enjoy the ship. There are lots of places up on deck to enjoy the fresh air and ocean views.

Then, if you choose to sail again and still think a verandah would be nice you can go with one for your second sailing. On your second trip you will have already experienced the ship and will have more time to spend just relaxing on your verandah.

So, that's what I would do...but ultimately you will have to decide what you would prefer. If, after weighing both sides, you really can't get past the desire to have a verandah then get one.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I love a verandah room and waking up, getting outside and looking where we are pulling into and also having my own space, in the sun.

For longer cruises with sea days it is fabulous, however on a shorter cruise of 3/4 days you will really not get to use it so much, so for Wonder trips i wouldn't go with the verandah and save some cash, on cruises 7 days plus if you can do.

 

[dlz]

I guess I am a little concerned about the location of the 8 and 9 rooms. Do you think it is a good location for someone who doesn't know if they will get motion sickness. I know I'm so worried about all of this, but I just don't know anything from experience, just reading. Those rooms would definately leave me tons more points to use in WDW! Thanks for your help.

 

[Grandma4ever]

I have done 5 cruises and have stayed in a Cat 6, Cat 9 and Cat 10. We have decided that the Cat 9 on deck two is our favorite. Hard decision but I have found that there just isn't much I do in the room except sleep. We sit up on deck nine when we want to just watch. On our three day we didn't even have time to get to the pool let alone use a verandah (which we had). Had for our second cruise (a 7 day) and maybe used it for 10 min a day. Would rather have the cash to spend in port or for tips. I agree with Crafty Mouse to try Cat 9 this trip and upgrade for the next if you still want. If you can't get pass it and money isn't an issue do the Varandah NOW.

 

[CraftyMouse]

I guess I am a little concerned about the location of the 8 and 9 rooms. Do you think it is a good location for someone who doesn't know if they will get motion sickness. I know I'm so worried about all of this, but I just don't know anything from experience, just reading. Those rooms would definately leave me tons more points to use in WDW! Thanks for your help.

The 8s are all Forward so I'd avoid those if you are unsure about motion sickness. Try to get a midship-to-aft 9 on Deck 2 to avoid motion sickness issues. Deck 9 is a fantastic location and our favorite on the ship! Anything between the Midship and Aft elevators should be perfect for you. BTW, 8s and 9s on Deck 2 are exactly the same, except for deck location, but the 9s are less expensive. 9s on Deck 1 have two small portholes instead of one larger one.

 

[Pansy]

DH loves to sit out there and have his coffee in the morning. While one is getting ready the other will sit out there and drink, smoke and enjoy the site. We often have a snack mid afternoon just to get away from the crowds. Sometimes it is nice just to be alone

 

[DCLLVR]

I agree with the comments about a 3 or 4 day cruise I would lean towards a porthole room .... 7 day cruise give you much more opportunity to enjoy the extra $$$ you spend on the verandah room. However, if you are also concerned about seasickness, that would lean me back towards the verandah room even on a 3 or 4 day, the fresh air and openess of the verandah room will help with the sea sickness if you are prone to it.

 

[Jessieknj]

We did the 4 day Wonder in Jan and loved the balcony. It was nice at night in the dark in your jammies to sit out there was watch the water go by. Also, as it was Jan and the weather was awesome we had the door open a ton just for the nice fresh air. Balcony everytime for us. Even though we didn't do porthole ever I know I wouldn't be happy without the balcony. Book what you will be happy with. If you really think you would enjoy and use it book the balcony.

 

[KensJen]

I'm going to agree with Crafty and say go for a category 9. It really is my favorite. I've sailed in a 4, 6, 9, and a 10. The verandah is nice, but I only consider it on a longer cruise (7 days or more). It is a lot more expensive and I feel like I am busier on a 3 or 4 day cruise. I'll go up on deck 7 or 9 if I feel like I need some fresh air.

Of course, if you are going to regret it, and the money/points aren't too much of an issue, then get the verandah. Just make sure you use it!!

 

[happymommy]

Are you all going to be in the same cabin?

I priced it out for our upcoming cruise, and it was actually much cheaper for us to have two connecting cat 10's rather than all share one room with a verandah. I couldn't possibly share such a small room with my kids for more than one night. I figure we'll only be using the room for sleeping and getting ready, so inside is fine (it's our first cruise anyway, so I'd like to enjoy the ship). It was even only $100 more total to get the second cabin than it would have been to all share one cat 10.

You may be interested in pricing this option out. I don't know how it'll work with points. I don't think you'll be in your room much.

 

[ericamanda01]

Honestly on our first cruise, a 4 day, we spent so little time in the room that we went with a cat. 11 and it was the best choice. We didn't go for a veranda until we went on our 3rd cruise which was our first 7 day. I really think for the first cruise I would stick with one of the lower cat. and save the money for souvenirs.

 

[NancyIL]

I returned from my first Disney cruise last month. We sailed on the 4-day in a cat. 6 cabin that was handicap-accessible. Those cabins are at the very back of the ship, are probably twice the size of other cat. 6 cabins, and the verandah was huge. I would've booked a cat. 11, but my mom was my roommate, and she wanted to have the verandah. As it turned out - the weather was crappy when we left Port Canaveral and while in Nassau, and my mom didn't venture out to the verandah until the ship was at Castaway Cay on a sunny day. I have always had either inside cabins or obstructed oceanview cabins (with a lifeboat in front of the window), and I was afraid I might get spoiled by having a verandah. Nope - I rarely went out on the verandah, and on Caribbean sailings, there's not a lot of scenery as you're cruising...just ocean! I was much more spoiled by the large cabin and bathroom - so it will be hard to go back to a normal-sized cruise cabin on my next cruise!

 

[NancyIL]

Deck 9 is a fantastic location and our favorite on the ship!

Do you mean cat. 9?

 

[cats mom]

Personally I'm a verandah gal.
The extra cost is worth it to us, and no we don't spend hours on end out there, but we do really enjoy our verandah moments.

It's definitely an added expense though.

Now to confuse matters even more, I'd suggest you take a good look at happymommy's post.

I just priced several different options for friends with kids who are about the same ages as yours and IIRC it was about $80 more to put mom and dad in a cat 7 (navigator balcony) and the kids in a cat 11 directly across the hall than it would have been to put all 4 of them in one cat 6 cabin.
That was the option they ended up booking.

I don't know how it would work out with points either though.

Good Luck deciding!

 

[frdeb1999]

We also love the cat 9s. I just don't see the point in spending all that extra money when we're rarely in the room to begin with.

 

[BoardwalkBabe]

We had a porthole for our first cruise and a verandah ever since. Like others have said, it's nice to be able to just step outside as you're approaching/departing ports and I do enjoy sitting out there and reading in the afternoons. It's very quiet and relaxing. Ahhh.... wish I was there now!

 

[dlz]

I just wanted to thank everyone who responded to my questions. As soon as I read them, I immediately contacted customer service to reserve my room. "Should I, or shouldn't I, get that Verandah?" It's been on my mind for weeks now. I called to reserve the Cat. 9 on Deck 2. Was happy that I made a decision. Then......I suspect after an hour of my questions, my sweet advisor suggested that since it is a trip for my 40th and that she sensed that I really, really wanted to try out that Verandah, I did it! I reserved a Cat. 6. I was so happy that I did it. Even if I do not use it too much, at least it is there for me if I want to. And believe me, I'm already dreaming about it, so I think it's going to be money well spent.....or should I say, points well spent. We will be going on the Aug. 14th, 2008 trip and checking into the Boardwalk from Aug. 10-14th. I would say that you couldn't possibly understand how excited I am about all of this, but I'm sure that all of you feel exactly them same way. I will inquire about future questions, thank you again everyone for your help! I need a countdown!! Yea.

 

[CraftyMouse]

I just wanted to thank everyone who responded to my questions. As soon as I read them, I immediately contacted customer service to reserve my room. "Should I, or shouldn't I, get that Verandah?" It's been on my mind for weeks now. I called to reserve the Cat. 9 on Deck 2. Was happy that I made a decision. Then......I suspect after an hour of my questions, my sweet advisor suggested that since it is a trip for my 40th and that she sensed that I really, really wanted to try out that Verandah, I did it! I reserved a Cat. 6. I was so happy that I did it. Even if I do not use it too much, at least it is there for me if I want to. And believe me, I'm already dreaming about it, so I think it's going to be money well spent.....or should I say, points well spent. We will be going on the Aug. 14th, 2008 trip and checking into the Boardwalk from Aug. 10-14th. I would say that you couldn't possibly understand how excited I am about all of this, but I'm sure that all of you feel exactly them same way. I will inquire about future questions, thank you again everyone for your help! I need a countdown!! Yea.

Congrats! It definitely sounds like you made the right choice. Have fun planning!