Who Wants to Pick My Stateroom?

[Blackunicorn]

I'm down to the wire and need some advice on staterooms so that I can book. We're looking at a 4 day cruise with two kids, 12 and 7. Money is an issue, but we're willing to pay a little more if it will enhance the experience. We're looking at:

Category 11 (184 sq. ft.)(decks 5, 6, 7)
Category 10 (214 sq. ft.)(decks 1, 2, 5) for $40 more
Catergory 9 (214 sq. ft. w/ window) (decks 1 & 2) for $420 more (yikes!)

So what I need to know is, is size important? Do windows matter? Just how often will we be in our room, anyway? And does the deck number matter? Thanks in advance!

 

[AspiringCindy]

For me, window matters! I've been on 8 cruises...the 1st was inside cabin, and never again would I travel that way! I felt claustrophobic and I hated waking up in the middle of the night to keep checking what time it was on my watch!...I did not want to oversleep and miss something! Without those windows, you are clueless with time! I would select Cat. 9 and definitely deck 2 starboard side! Somewhere around cabins 2550-2580 being that they are non-noisy locations!

 

[AKB]

I haven't cruised yet, but if one of the secrete porthole rooms are available - cat 10 on deck 5 - thats what I would choose. These were all gone for my cruise so we went with a Cat 9. If money is a issue I would be ok with a cat 11 - as long as I was on the cruise. From what I've read your not in your room much any way.
Kathy

 

[Blackunicorn]

I'm intrigued! What is a secret porthole room??

 

[alexcturner]

We just returned from The Wonder. It is the first time we have had an inside stateroom and I was a little worried. It was a cat. 10, 214 sq feet and the split bathroom. We love the split bathroom and was not willing to give that up (2 adults and 2 kids) but I was pleasantly surprised that I actually liked the inside room. The kids slept later than normal which was WONDERFUL. I would not hesitate to do that again.. Just my 2 cents.
Lisa T

 

[lisaann]

ANOTHER VOTE FOR SECRET PORTHOLE ROOMS.

 

[westjones]

I'm intrigued! What is a secret porthole room??

These are Cat. 10 rooms but they have a window with an obstructed view. They are all on deck 5. They are #5520, #5522, #5524, #5020, #5022, #5024 ( 5522 & 5524 and 5022 & 5024 are adjoiners).

We have had them for our last 3 cruises, and have one booked for next year's cruise. I like the location and I like the free window.

DJ

 

[BethC1952]

Having tried both inside rooms (Cat. 11) and verandah (Cat. 7), we decided that we really like the inside rooms better (although I would book a porthole or verandah room if it happed to be the only type available!). For our upcoming back-to-backs we chose Cat. 10 because we really liked the split bath.

We had our neice and granddaughter with us one night on a cruise a while back, and we were fine in the Cat. 11 (although those young ladies didn't bring much luggage with them for a one-night "sleepover", they each brought a suitcase full of stuff!).

We've also had three adults and three weeks worth of luggage in a Cat. 11 and had plenty of room.

We like the fact that the room is dark during the day, just in case the urge to nap overtakes us.

We've been on decks 5, 6 and 7, and really liked them all. Since money is a bit of an object, I would go with the cheapest room and spend the money on other stuff. If you want to go outside, you're never very far from a deck!

Beth

 

[Blackunicorn]

We got our stateroom! We got #5520, because we were intrigued by the idea of a "secret" porthole. Yeah, we're silly. I hope we don't regret it--we debated whether we'd prefer a room with no porthole, because we like it dark if we want to sleep in.

I've read the report on #5520, but I'd be happy if anyone who had stayed there would be willing to tell me about it. I'm hoping that it's going to be big enough for the four of us! My oldest will only be 12, but he's getting BIG. He used to steal my shoes, but now he's outgrown them!

 

[AKB]

CONGRATULATIONS on getting a SPR!!!
Kathy

 

[Mickeynutz]

My family of 4 will be glad to check out cabin 5520 for you soon. I booked this cabin 18 months in advance so it is hard to believe that we are now less than a month away. I know what you mean about the shoes...my 11 year old daughter recently started borrowing my shoes. My daughter & 5 year old son already have it planned out who gets to sleep on the top bunk for the first night and then they will alternate.

 

[westjones]

My family of 4 will be glad to check out cabin 5520 for you soon. I booked this cabin 18 months in advance so it is hard to believe that we are now less than a month away. I know what you mean about the shoes...my 11 year old daughter recently started borrowing my shoes. My daughter & 5 year old son already have it planned out who gets to sleep on the top bunk for the first night and then they will alternate.

My kids always alternated who is on the top bunk each night too!

You will love 5520 (especially is you are use to a Cat. 11 cabin). We were able to sit on our couch and watch us dock at Castaway Cay from that cabin. We have been in 5020 the last two times on the opposite side. Both of these cabins are great! I will be trying for one of them the first day dates open for 2007!

DJ

 

[Blackunicorn]

Thank you so much, you guys! I'm very grateful. Now that we've booked, we can't get enough info about our cabin! We watched the planning DVD last night, and we must have looked at the 360 degree tour of the Cat. 10 cabin a hundred times! We couldn't decide if we would have a pull-down bunk or if the couch is considered big enough to fit two. (We prefer the bunk option, because I don't think our two kids will want to share.) I think we figured out where our cabin is, and if we're right, then the view isn't very obstructed at all. Just one problem--we're so excited by the cabin we got. Should we be scared that they're going to upgrade us???

We also booked way in advance--17 months! And now I'm feeling guilty because our Sweetpea, 6, wants to go NOW!