What do the actual category numbers mean?

[christinalynne]

All of the number and letter combos associated with your room and deck...what do they mean? Are they different levels?

 

[ultimate_ed]

Yes. In general, the lower the number, the higher the class of room. The letters further breakdown classes of rooms by where they are on the ship, with A's being the most favorable locations.

This will give you better info on the details:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/cruise-new/cr-staterooms.htm#dreamstaterooms

 

[su_A_ve]

Better rooms have lower category number and letters. The differences are based on room type, size and location.

Within a category, the rooms are the same type and size but the location is what deems them a different letter.

Best location tends to be at the middle of the ship, on higher levels.

 

[DahliaRW]

Better rooms have lower category number and letters. The differences are based on room type, size and location.

Within a category, the rooms are the same type and size but the location is what deems them a different letter.

Best location tends to be at the middle of the ship, on higher levels.

And in the case of the ocean view rooms, the letter can also let you know if you'll have one large or two smaller portholes.

 

[jrabbit]

The Smaller the number the More you will Pay.

and "A's" are more Expensive than "D's" in a category

12 (if they still have this category), 11 and 10 are inside rooms (10A is an outside room with an obstructed porthole)

9 and 8 are Porthole rooms - 9's are on Deck 2, 8's on upper decks

7 through 5 have verandas of various shapes, sizes, walls ...

 

[reimero]

From what I can tell, there are 3 main classes of stateroom (not including concierge), with the primary differentiation being on size.
Inside staterooms are Standard (Cat 11, 169 sq. ft) and Deluxe (Cat 10, 204 sq. ft.)
Oceanview staterooms are Deluxe (Cat 9, 204 sq. ft.) and Deluxe Family (Cat 8, 241 sq. ft.)
Cat 7s are 246 sq ft Deluxe Oceanview with Navigator's Verandah (i.e. a smaller, obstructed-view verandah).
Verandahs come in Deluxe Oceanview (Cat 5 and 6, 246 sq ft.) and Deluxe Family Oceanview (Cat 4, 299 sq. ft.). Note that verandahs are included in the square footage total.

Generally speaking, the letter designation (A, B, C, D, E) indicates relative quality or location within the category, but there are a few exceptions:
Category 8A cabins have the same square footage as the other 8s, but are more square-shaped than long, have 2 large portholes, and do not have a split bath. They were originally intended to be handicap-accessible rooms, but not all of them turned out that way.
Cat 4E and 5E cabins have an oversize verandah, some of which have whitewalls.

 

[jrabbit]

I believe that the Prior Post cat 8 discussion is for the Dream class ships, NOT the Magic Class ships.

 

[reimero]

I believe that the Prior Post cat 8 discussion is for the Dream class ships, NOT the Magic Class ships.

Yes. This is true.

 

[kiimeroo]

Is it worth the verandah?

 

[reimero]

Is it worth the verandah?

It depends. If you plan on spending much time in your stateroom, it's definitely worth considering. If, however, you plan to spend the majority of your time doing other stuff and mostly want to use your stateroom as a place to sleep, shower, change clothes, etc, then it's probably not worth it.