Window Or No Window

[mommymommy]

We will be taking our first cruise in Feb. We've pretty much decided that we don't want to go with a veranda, Cat. 5, since it's a 4-day cruise, and we probably wouldn't use it much. Right now we are considering a Cat. 11 inside, and a Cat. 8 Deluxe Oceanview... would like opinions on whether the Oceanview is worth the little extra ($400). I know we won't spend much time in the stateroom, but never having cruised, am unsure about not having any window at all. Would appreciate opinions. (We are looking at Decks 6 and 7.)


I previously found a webpage where someone that had stayed in virtually every category gave the pros and cons of each, but can't find it again. Would appreciate it if someone has the URL.

TIA

 

[Wonderwoman1982]

Hi. We stayed in a category 9, on deck 2. Category 8 & 9 are the exactly the same, just on different decks and an 8 costing more than the 9. I'd go with the window, just my opinion... Our friends had an inside, and it was SO dark, even in the daytime. I like to know when it's becoming MORNING, or else I'd sleep ALL day.. So, unless you're totally opposed to deck 2, go with a category 9. It'll save you money and you'll have a window. It was very nice. We stayed in a quiet room, NO humming or any noise. Room 2072. We have the same booked for our next cruise. Deck 2 was GREAT.

 

[kplatt]

We had a Cat. 6 verandah for our first cruise (3 day), and an inside Cat. 11 for our second (7 day). We were fine without a window, but did miss the extra square footage that we had in the 6.

We're trying a Cat. 8 for our next 7-day. I'm hoping that it will be like a Cat. 6 without the verandah.

Karen
Wonder 11/01
Magic 3/02
Magic 11/02

 

[Hopkins]

We have cruised on two 3-day cruises on the Wonder and one 7-day cruise on the Magic and have stayed in a cat 11 without any problems. We've never had a window or verandah, so we don't know what we are missing. We are of the philosophy that if you want to see the ocean, go out onto the decks. Don't get me wrong, if we had more disposable income I'd go for a verandah, but I'd rather spend it on excursions or a quickie WDW vacation more often or even another cruise. Once you put all your stuff into the cabinets (which there are plenty) the room is very functional and efficient. People seem to like the split bathrooms in cat 10 and above cabins, so you can dress more quickly.

Tina
Magic Western 1/18/03

 

[Hygiene99]

try Deck 5 cat 10 u can PAY for an inside room but get a porthole
slightly obstructed view very little , when u book ask for cat 10 deck 5 if those rooms r not aval... oh well u tryed..
here is a link to a web site that will be very helpful
www.castawayclub.com
rooms r called SECRET PORTHOLE ROOMS and u can view
pictures of them at this web site and it is full of info from our own resedent expert Barb & Tony
they have been on 21 cruises and have something like 8 more booked good luck this room is a very good value....

 

[HRCCrazy]

Hello Wonderwoman1982, we had room #2072 also on our first 3 day cruise, I would book it again in a heartbeat.

It's nice to have a porthole, to tell what time of day it is, and to see the lights at night while out to see.

Big John aka HRCCrazy

 

[Hopkins]

This is a great idea, I hope one is available for you. We tried for one, without any luck and we ended up upgrading our cat 11 to a cat 9. Be carefull with the little jumps between categories. Once you start, you can talk yourself into anything. We talked ourself from a cat 11 to a cat 10 (secret porthole room); once we didn't get it we were heartbroken and ended up booking a cat 9 from an 11 which we were happy with to start with. We wanted to do something different for our anniversary from our standard cat 11.

Be carefull, if you want to save the money.
Tina
Magic Western 1/18/03 cat 9
three other cruises cat 11

PS:Another positive thing about an inside cabin besides the money savings is that the completed darkness for afternoon naps.

 

[Hans Solo]

If you don't want to spring for the verandah (which we loved), at least go for the window. You'll never know what you might see while in the room.

 

[mommymommy]

Thanks so much for all the great suggestions!

Now, one more question, brought about by a couple of the previous replies


The Travel Agent seems to be trying to steer us away from the lower levels...saying that more midships (up and down as well as side to side) means less motion. Has anyone had motion problems on deck 2, or is this one of those "used to be, but not any more" problems, with all the new stabilizers, etc.

Or do travel agents get a better cut if they sell a more expensive stateroom?

 

[HRCCrazy]

Our deck 2 cruise, we felt very little movement in the ship side to side, or front to back. The first night was kind of bad, on the upper decks, had to hold on to the rails, or use the walls, when we got to out room, #2072 we didn't feel it anymore. That was my first cruise and was not sure how I would feel, and I had no trouble at all.

Big John aka HRCCrazy

 

[Mjasp]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!WINDOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[kfahygc]

Just thought I would add my opinion. We had 2075 which is a 10 with no window. I am obsessed with getting a balcony whenever we go to the ocean and I thought that I would not like this room at all. Much to my surprise it was great. The mirror on the wall gives the impression of a porthole but I did like the darkness. It's all in what you want - but I'd rather save the money.

Kathleen

 

[Tay N Evie's Mom]

We've had a cat 9 deck 2 on all three of our cruises. We have twins who were 3 and then 4 at the time of the cruises. Since we had to spend time in the cabin for naps and winding down, the window was a must. DS loved to sit in the window and play with his toy cars. If it was just DH and I, I would opt for no window and save the money-we probably wouldn't be in the cabin that much to feel that we missed out.

 

[Mtdewbuzz]

I just stayed in a cat.11 inside stateroom, and I would say for the extra money, unless you plan on spending a lot of time in your room, it isn't worth it. You do spend VERY little time in your stateroom & what time you DO spend in there, you're sleeping. Even without having a window, you will have PLENTY of places to look out at the ocean, either through a porthole or on the deck.

 

[SkippyTheAlien]

You will feel less motion on the lower decks midship than if you are up higher. The lower on the ship you are and the most center is where you will feel less motion.

I have stayed on deck 2 in 2632 and would do it again in a heart beat.

Vicki

 

[hokie5cruiser]

We were in a #11 on deck 6, midships and loved it. We had an inside cabin on our cruise on another line. The 11 had plenty of room for 4 and we enjoyed going up on deck for the view. The darkness is great for sleeping, just remeber to set a Mickey wake up call.

 

[hokie5cruiser]

We were in a #11 on deck 6, midships and loved it. We had an inside cabin on our cruise on another line. The 11 had plenty of room for 4 and we enjoyed going up on deck for the view. The darkness is great for sleeping, just remember to set a Mickey wake up call.

 

[MFan]

Originally posted by mommymommy
The Travel Agent seems to be trying to steer us away from the lower levels...saying that more midships (up and down as well as side to side) means less motion. Has anyone had motion problems on deck 2, or is this one of those "used to be, but not any more" problems, with all the new stabilizers, etc.

Or do travel agents get a better cut if they sell a more expensive stateroom?

Get a new travel agent. He/she obviously does not have your best interest at heart, or he/she is completely unknowledgeable about cruising. Rather than repeating it here, I'll point you to my comments in another thread about motions.

With regard to window or not, other than our first cruise, we have always sailed with either an outside or a verandah cabin. IMHO, I don't think verandah is worth the money. I think a window would be nice just so you can tell what the weather is like and approx. what time it is. We have opted for 2 connected inside cabins for our next cruise because our kids (DS 5, DD 3 & DD 2) nap much better in total darkness.