What category to get?

[MissScarlet]

We have five people and want to go on a Disney Cruise. Would you suggest getting a cateory 4 (Deluxe family stateroom with verandah) or 2 category 9's (Deluxe Ocean view Stateroom)? Thanks!

 

[LanaJayne]

We are sailing with 5 people and decided to get 2 cat 10 connecting staterooms instead of the cat 4. This worked out to be alot less expensive.



Whichever you decide you'll have a great time!

 

[1karen]

We went on our first cruise in December and had a great time in a Cat. 4. Although I very claustrophic the first day, I think that would have happened in any room. My only suggestion would be to put out the clothes you are going to wear the next day before your stateroom host puts the murphy bed down because you can't get your chest open later.

Family of Five

 

[bobaloo000]

What options are available for a family of six? My daughter is begging to go on the cruise next year (march 2003) for her 11th b-day.

Any suggestions would be very welcome. $ is a factor. I do not want to spend $10,000 for a vacation.

 

[glindamood]

I have cruised twice on the Magic with another one booked for 12/14/02 and I can tell you what I have experienced. DH and I went the first time, alone and had a Cat 6. The second cruise was a family reunion and DH, DS and I were in a Cat. 4 and our other boys shared a Cat 6 with their cousin. We are going again this December (booked before we got off the ship with that great special they had) and I have booked 2 category 10"s. Since our children will be 21, 19 and 13 the boys are in one of the secret porthole rooms on deck 5 and DH and I are on Deck 2. For the difference in price WE do not spend enough time in our cabins to justify having a porthole much less a veranda. Having said all of this - it is only OUR experience and the decision we have made.

 

[Joe & Joanne]

Hi
If money is a factor then a Spirit of Philadelphia dinner cruise might be just as nice. It will get her feet wet so to speak. I am not sure when the start sailing in the spring. She will enjoy it!

 

[Lisa F]

I personally would go for two cat 9 rooms over a cat 4, but you're talking to the person who just downgraded from a cat 6 to a cat 10 because she decided after her first cruise that she would rather spend the $800 difference on snorkeling excurions and fruity drinks in tall glasses than a verandah.

My husband and I spent just about every free moment up on deck, day and night, napping in loungers or gazing at the 360 degree view of the stars. I think it's hard to know what your habits might be until you've experienced a cruise. I used to think I absolutely couldn't do it without a verandah (based on many posts here). We stayed in an cat 8 on our recent cruise as a compromise (save points but still natural light) and honestly, when we were in the room the curtains were generally drawn anyway.

I thought that for two people, the dcl stateroom was extremely comfortable but I think it might start to feel more crowded with 4 or 5, but I guess that is also what you are used to. We are used to DVC accommodations for just the two of us, which are quite large, so we're spoiled. I'd go for the extra space, personally. If you plan to spend a ton of time out on that verandah then I would go for the verandah. My husband and I by far preferred deck 9 and 10 where there are people around to bring you drinks

Lisa

 

[Hygiene99]

i would go for the Cat. 10 deluxe stateroom
on deck 5 . 2 rooms that ajoin and also have a port hole
even though disney sells them at the inside stateroom price
check out inkcognitos site for a pic. of the room
could easly put 4 kids in one cabin ... this will keep the cost low..
peter request location when u book!!!!!!!!

 

[PolyGirl]

Category 4 hands down. Check your prices and you will see that there really is not much of a difference between a category 4 and two category 10's.

Having a veranda is fantastic especially if your doing the 7 day. Having your veranda door open and listening to the sounds of the ocean all night and feeling the warm breezes is exceptional.

Just did a category 11 this past cruise and after doing a category 4 I wouldn't consider anything else.

 

[slindamood]

With 5 people, I would go with two rooms. DH and I shared a category 4 this past Christmas and loved it. However, there are so many options for being outdoors that the trade off between space and outdoor verandah simply comes out in favor of 2 rooms, IMHO. The coffee station on deck 9 is just as good as a verandah for early morning coffee and muffins (and there is no dress code - pjs and robes are fine.)

We have booked a category 4 again for next December, for DH, DD, and myself. Anymore than 3 people, though, and we would be in two inside rooms.

--Suzanne

--

 

[howardk613]

A category 4 ,with 5 people in it , is a little crowded. A better alternative is to book either a category 5 or 6 and a category 11 room right across the hall (ie.. 7064 & 7065 or 6080 & 6081). You will find that the cost is almost identical and having a verandah plus 2 bathrooms will be a real treat.

 

[4nana]

We will have a similar situation this Dec. Our daughter has 5 in her family and could not afford the upgrade, so we chose 2 cat 9 on deck 2. She, hubby, 2 children will be in 1 cabin ~ nana, pop pop and the 3rd child will be ajoining. With the fall prices it was very reasonable...for 7 of us the 2 cabins incl port and tax is $4500. Plus the portholes and 2 baths and half will be nice.

 

[Mom of 4 Princesses]

4nana:

How did you get such a great rate? I have been researching a cruise for my family (2 adults, 4 kids) and haven't come up with anything less than $9,000. One quote was for over $10,000 (but that was Easter week). I am only quoting 2 category 10's or even 11's. Does your price include air? We are traveling from Cleveland and hope to go either Oct, 2003 or Dec, 2003. Easter week and June are not an option because of the prices (I really did not want to take kids out of school)

Any advice would be much appreciated!

 

[mmouse37]

We have had a Cat 4 with five people on 4 of our DCL cruises (3 teens including a 16 year old boy whos 6'1 and 240 lbs.. Two teen girls (and we know how much teen girls can pack!) and we have never thought that the cat 4's were too crowded. We love the fact that we had the verandah. It was so enjoyable to walk out and read and just enjoy the view.

Though two bathrooms would be nice!!!

MJ

 

[4nana]

Mom of 4 Princesses...
We booked 15 mos ago and after much research Cruise411.com gave us our best price. Since Dis recently did away with Fall Fant. and cut the prices across the board, it is even more reasonable to sail. Our price is for cruise, port, taxes only. No airfare yet as we must be appx. 340 days out to be able to book flights. Also to consider - the first two in each cabin will be chg'd as adult rate.
DU the sponser of this board has very comparable prices with the rebates thru Jan.and from what I've read an excellent reputation.

 

[Mom of 4 Princesses]

Thanks for the reply--I guess I'll just keep checking!