VGT - Did you get a Navigator's Verandah?

[Cruise]

Just looking for anyone's specific experience with this.

Yes, I know that at GTY cabin means you can get any cabin in that class. That being said, we've sailed in a Navigator's Verandah before and, while we enjoyed it, I don't consider it to be a "real" verandah room. I know some people love the Navigator's Verandah and actually prefer them. With so few of them available, I'm wondering if they actually usually book up and the VGT cabins end up being what I would consider a standard verandah cabin. I just feel like if I specifically wanted a "real" verandah room for some reason (transatlantic cruise, etc.), I wouldn't feel comfortable booking a VGT and risking getting the Navigator's.

So, if you booked a VGT, what did you end up with?

 

[Lisa Lisa]

We booked a VGT and got a 4E, which is one of the rooms on deck 5 with an extended verandah. We were very happy with our assignment. For me the only down side of booking a VGT was the agonizing wait to get our assignment! We didn't know our cabin number until 10 days before sail date.

Even though DCL *can* assign someone who books VGT a room with a navigator's verandah, I don't think I've seen a case of it actually happening.

 

[mydisneyboys]

We booked a VGT for a 1/12 cruise - we ended up in a 4C - we were very happy!!! Good Luck!!

 

[Wshop]

We booked VGT and received a Navigator's Verandah.

 

[TDC Nala]

If you have a preference about what you get and what you don't get, it's probably not recommended to book a VGT. You might get what you want or you might be disappointed. It might be a small chance, but it will always be a chance. If being disappointed will ruin your cruise, you may want to book so that you can select your stateroom, because with a VGT you will not be able to change your stateroom if it disappoints you.

 

[Wshop]

I should add that we are thrilled with the selection of the room. The reviews seem to indicate it is in a perfect location on the ship and the VGT was cheaper than just an ocean view and it was also $500 per person cheaper to book VGT than a Navigator's Verandah. I agree that if you are super selective not to book VGT but in our case it appears to have worked out great!

 

[sandgrace]

We're booked VGT on Fantasy in June, we're not really selective about where our cabin is because we spent less than we would have for an Oceanview. However, I've never seen a Navigator's verandah, and I wasn't really taking into account the possibilty that we would get a Navigator's verandah when we booked (I know my fault for not thinking of all verandah options) are these very different from regular verandahs? Also, has anyone been in one of these on the Fantasy?

 

[lark]

We're booked VGT on Fantasy in June, we're not really selective about where our cabin is because we spent less than we would have for an Oceanview. However, I've never seen a Navigator's verandah, and I wasn't really taking into account the possibilty that we would get a Navigator's verandah when we booked (I know my fault for not thinking of all verandah options) are these very different from regular verandahs? Also, has anyone been in one of these on the Fantasy?

I'm not sure why they continue to use the word "Navigators" with respect to the Dream and Fantasy -- I guess it sounds better than "smaller" or "obstructed." But they are not like the Navigator's Verandahs on the Wonder or Magic, most of which are essentially balconies that have a large oval cut out in the side of the ship for you to look out. Instead, they are balconies that, due to the structure of the ship, are not full verandahs like cat 4, 5 and 6. If you look at a picture of Fantasy, you'll see that fore and aft, there are several decks (five, I think) of portholes. The category 7As on Fantasy are the balcony rooms right next to these porthole rooms, where the metal shielding of the ship covers up part of the balcony. So, you still have a regular balcony with the same railing and stuff, but there's just some metal crossing over part of your balcony.

I also booked a VGT without realizing it might include a Navigator's Verandah. Actually, I assumed it wouldn't. I think it's a bit misleading on the web site. When you book VGT, the web site says what you're booking is "Guaranteed Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah." And while you get the caveats about refundability, it doesn't say anywhere it might actually be a restricted view verandah. "Ocean View Stateroom with Verandah" is the official name of category 4, 5 and 6, but not 7. Anyway, after reading here that it can include a Navigator's Verandah, I called DCL to confirm, and they said that yes indeed it can include the Navigator's Verandah. I got the sense they would have let me out if I pushed, but after looking at the deckplan and realizing what these actually are, I was ok with it. I would probably think harder about a true Navigator's Verandah like on the Wonder or Magic. Looking at the deck plan for 7As on Fantasy, I think I would be ok with pretty much any of them, so the savings for VGT is worth it to me, especially given the possibility that I might get 4, 5 or 6.

 

[SB in KY]

We booked a VGT....I counted cabins one boring day at work.... there are about 360 verandah cabins on the Wonder and 30 of them have Navigators Verandahs...none of which have been available for booking for the last 4 months....so I am thinking our chances are pretty slim. Although they do look pretty cute....might be fun to get one.