What is the best deck for each cabin type?

[DVCAustralia]

I was wondering what the best deck to have a cabin on is in terms of quiet, access to facilities etc., but I note that as some cabin types are not on each level it would depend on the cabin type chosen (likely to be an inside cabin). Also, if you assign a cabin do you have any less chance of an upgrade than if you let Disney choose?
Thank you in advance.

 

[Anal Annie]

We have always stayed on Deck 5 and love it. We had a Cat 6 Aft on the Magic and one of the SPH Cat 10's on the Wonder. Deck 5 is perfect for up or down to everything you need. The kids clubs are on that deck which is convenient and there are fewer cabins so it's relatively quiet.

 

[dreamcometrue]

we were in a cat. 9 on deck 2, between mid ship and aft, but very close to aft. We absolutely loved the location! I am very sensitive to noise when I sleep and forgot to bring along my sound spa for white noise so I was a bit worried, but we never heard a thing. As a matter of fact, we booked the same cabin again for our 2009 cruise! I also loved the fact that it had a steamer trunk in it!

 

[Theresa40]

We were on Deck 8 Category 3 and 4. Slightly noisey at night as the pool was above us and they must have been washing the deck down and moving chairs all night long. I wasn't enough to wake me but I don't sleep through the night well and did hear the noise when I was awake.

 

[kcashner]

I have found something to like about each location we've had....but I think my all time favorite is deck 5. It is close to everything but has very little traffic. Since there are no midship cabins on 5, there is no reason for anyone other than you immediate neighbors to be around the cabins! Not a lot of traffic from othr guests or crew members. And....there's a place where crew and characters "disappear," so you'll occasionally run into a princess, cruise director, or whoever.

 

[CraftyMouse]

We have stayed on Decks 2, 5, 6 and 7. Deck 2 is our favorite, no question about it. The other three decks are all pretty much the same so they tie for our second favorite location.

One note...if you are interested in the Porthole or Verandah options, Cat. 8 and 9 are exactly the same except for deck location but Cat. 9s are cheaper. The same is true for Cat. 5 and 6, with the 6s being cheaper. All of the decks are fairly equal in terms of distance to things. Some are closer to one venue and further from others. It all works out about the same though so I'd go with the less expensive option and not worry to much about which deck you're on.

As for the upgrade question, no, you have no less chance of an upgrade as those with GTY (no assigned room) reservations. We've been upgraded once with a GTY reservation and once with an assigned room number. It really is completely random and everyone has an equal shot at upgrades (but keep in mind that they are fairly rare).

Happy Sailing!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

All rooms are nice,....to add I prefer Cat 4 rooms for the additional space and location, you are near to the services on deck 9 Topsiders, Soda station, pools etc, and they have good verandahs.

For a family of 4 they are ideal, some sleep 5, I have had 60 days odd in a Cat 4 and never had a single complaint at all.

My dd 12 gets a little seasick, and feels rather claustrophobic in the lower cat/ enclosed rooms, when she feels a little funny ( a couple of times in the Pacific recently) she goes to the Stateroom and watched TV with the door open and it clears quickly.

 

[inkkognito]

Deck 5 for sure! In 63 cruises, I think that's been our deck for at least 50 of 'em. There are only staterooms forward and aft, so you don't have the long hallways with a whole deck of staterooms, with all the never-ending traffic that brings. We prefer aft, which puts us near the restaurants and movie theater. It's sooooo quiet and peaceful! Not bad for motion either.

 

[DW2DH&DS]

All rooms are nice,....to add I prefer Cat 4 rooms for the additional space and location, you are near to the services on deck 9 Topsiders, Soda station, pools etc, and they have good verandahs.

For a family of 4 they are ideal, some sleep 5, I have had 60 days odd in a Cat 4 and never had a single complaint at all.

My dd 12 gets a little seasick, and feels rather claustrophobic in the lower cat/ enclosed rooms, when she feels a little funny ( a couple of times in the Pacific recently) she goes to the Stateroom and watched TV with the door open and it clears quickly.

I feel we were fortunate to get a cat 4 center ship for the Westbound Repo through the Panama Canal (our first Disney cruise). I appreciated the extra sq. feet, but it was a little noisy. I, too, am curious about what the best deck is as well as category. As far as the Baltic is concerned...I just want to be on the ship. My guess is this special itinerary will be the most expensive yet. With the fact that it sounds port intensive, I can do without the veranda. Would the aft of the ship have less motion than the bow?

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I feel we were fortunate to get a cat 4 center ship for the Westbound Repo through the Panama Canal (our first Disney cruise). I appreciated the extra sq. feet, but it was a little noisy. I, too, am curious about what the best deck is as well as category. As far as the Baltic is concerned...I just want to be on the ship. My guess is this special itinerary will be the most expensive yet. With the fact that it sounds port intensive, I can do without the veranda. Would the aft of the ship have less motion than the bow?

For the less motion, it is considered the middle/middle of the ship is best, the forward locations can have them ost activity, the Aft less but there is still movement there.

Deck wise there isnt much difference at all.

If the cruise is port intensive and expensive you might consider a lower deck room, as you might not ue your room too much, however in the Med I used my Cat 4 for the sea days and entry/exit port and I considered it worthwhile.

 

[DW2DH&DS]

For the less motion, it is considered the middle/middle of the ship is best, the forward locations can have them ost activity, the Aft less but there is still movement there.

Deck wise there isnt much difference at all.

If the cruise is port intensive and expensive you might consider a lower deck room, as you might not ue your room too much, however in the Med I used my Cat 4 for the sea days and entry/exit port and I considered it worthwhile.

I am looking to book somewhere in the 8-10 range. I like the split bath. would a lower deck have less motion? Does deck height even matter where amount of motion detected is a concern?

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I am looking to book somewhere in the 8-10 range. I like the split bath. would a lower deck have less motion? Does deck height even matter where amount of motion detected is a concern?

Different people report different things, In all my cruising and use of rooms and speaking with the medical officers, I consider the lower decks more claustrophobic and feel the motion more. Thats why we book a higher deck,

Its really more Forward and Aft that have the most movement, think of a child's see-saw, that will give you an idea of the movement.

However the ships are fully stabilized and the movement isn't that often, we had a few days of active seas in the Pacific, but the pools only have a little 'wave' going back and fort showing the movement is minimal, however on the lower decks looking out at parrot cay and Lumière's it seemed a lot more.

 

[DW2DH&DS]

Different people report different things, In all my cruising and use of rooms and speaking with the medical officers, I consider the lower decks more claustrophobic and feel the motion more. Thats why we book a higher deck,

Its really more Forward and Aft that have the most movement, think of a child's see-saw, that will give you an idea of the movement.

However the ships are fully stabilized and the movement isn't that often, we had a few days of active seas in the Pacific, but the pools only have a little 'wave' going back and fort showing the movement is minimal, however on the lower decks looking out at parrot cay and Lumière's it seemed a lot more.

thanks for the help. Claustrophonia is a concern. Definately need a cabin with a view to the outside and natural light!!! what it really boils down to is the COST!!! Like I said before...I just want to be on the ship.

 

[DVCAustralia]

Your advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[magicgg]

I have been in three different stateroom categories 9,6 and 11. My cat 6 with veranda was by far the best but deck 6 was not one of my favorites. The cat.11 was a little two small I like having the split bath in the higher cat.
but absolutely loved, loved deck 5 aft. I would book it again. I did also like our cat. 9 having the porthole was nice also

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

thanks for the help. Claustrophobia is a concern. Definitely need a cabin with a view to the outside and natural light!!! what it really boils down to is the COST!!! Like I said before...I just want to be on the ship.

On all Stateroom bookings *cost* really is the only factor, you read here people so happy being upgraded, no one would reject an upgrade to deck 8 for a Cat 4 for example.

In the end the final decision is always your personal 'budget' for this vacation.

I would say that for 3/4 night cruises as they are so short you would not get the benefit from a verandah, and you will not be in your room for a long time so book a inside or cheaper room.

For any cruise of 7 days plus, with sea days the verandah comes into its own you feel less claustrophobic and sealed in, and it is nice to get natural light.

Many people I speak to find it easier to adapt to seasickness in a room with a verandah as you can sit there in peace, get fresh air in and look at the horizon, all the natural way to overcome seasickness.

My DD gets seasick and one or two times she has left the dinner rooms on deck 3 and 4, as she felt the movement down there, but our room was very good.

Tow of the worst places were Animators palate and Parrot cay, we had a few departures at meal times and when they switched the engines and thrusters on and pulled in the ropes it make a big noise and considerable vibration. I presume rooms below that would get it more.

After having inside rooms on other cruise lines, I have always bocked Cat 4 rooms on DCL, and running about 60 days in a Cat 4 so far, I have no complaints at all. No room noise etc.

On the Panama crossing the verandah came into its own watching the sealife, particularly Cabo, and of course our own space in the Canal, and 'cover' against the rain storm, and as the decks were busy on sea days it was nice to retreat back to our verandah in the shade in the afternoons and relax.

Finally a verandah can be a natural wake up call, the morning sunrise coming into the room wakes me up, and on our recent cruise as the ship turned into the Port Canaveral entrance the light went around my room, and woke me up.

 

[LV Disney Fan(atic)]

I have been in three different stateroom categories 9,6 and 11. My cat 6 with veranda was by far the best but deck 6 was not one of my favorites. The cat.11 was a little two small I like having the split bath in the higher cat.
but absolutely loved, loved deck 5 aft. I would book it again. I did also like our cat. 9 having the porthole was nice also

Would you mind sharing why you liked deck 5 better than deck 6? We had a cat 6 on deck 6 and really enjoyed it, but several people have mentioned how quiet deck 5 is so I'm considering that for our next cruise. Since you've done both, I'd love to hear why you felt deck 5 was better. TIA!