Hey there, Disney Guys and Gals!!!
I think I JUST about finished editing my Disney Cruise pictures, so starting next week I'll be bringing you reviews, photos and more, but for this week, I wanted to cover an area of questioning that just about everyone has when booking a Disney Cruise. (Or ANY cruise, for that matter!) Do I need a balcony? Can I handle an inside stateroom? Is location important? Unfortunately, there are no cut and dry answers and the biggest factor in this decision will be your family's own personal preferences and needs, but let's see if I can help you out.
I think I JUST about finished editing my Disney Cruise pictures, so starting next week I'll be bringing you reviews, photos and more, but for this week, I wanted to cover an area of questioning that just about everyone has when booking a Disney Cruise. (Or ANY cruise, for that matter!) Do I need a balcony? Can I handle an inside stateroom? Is location important? Unfortunately, there are no cut and dry answers and the biggest factor in this decision will be your family's own personal preferences and needs, but let's see if I can help you out.
A balcony, or verandah, works out well for Guests that will find themselves in the stateroom during the day for children's naps, or just a break in the day, since it provides you with an opportunity to still enjoy the spectacular views and gorgeous ocean air, while having some quiet time. A verandah is always enjoyable if you're someone who likes to read and spend time on your own. Most Guests love having the opportunity to step right out of their room and be out in the fresh air. (A word of caution, though, do NOT get a verandah because you smoke. Smoking is not allowed on verandahs, only in designated smoking areas on the outer decks.) If you can afford to treat yourself to a verandah stateroom, you certainly won't be disappointed.
You may also want to take into consideration the itinerary that you'll be sailing on. The most scenic cruises, like Alaska and the Mediterranean, may have more of a call for a verandah than some of the other Caribbean itineraries, or a Trans-Atlantic, where sailing time is without a view of anything other than the ocean. (Not that the ocean is a bad view, but if you're sailing a coastline looking at fjords, glaciers or villages, a balcony makes more sense.) When I did the Panama Canal crossing a few years ago, we wished we had a balcony, simply for a place to stand and see the locks, that wasn't as crowded as the main decks!
You may also want to take into consideration the itinerary that you'll be sailing on. The most scenic cruises, like Alaska and the Mediterranean, may have more of a call for a verandah than some of the other Caribbean itineraries, or a Trans-Atlantic, where sailing time is without a view of anything other than the ocean. (Not that the ocean is a bad view, but if you're sailing a coastline looking at fjords, glaciers or villages, a balcony makes more sense.) When I did the Panama Canal crossing a few years ago, we wished we had a balcony, simply for a place to stand and see the locks, that wasn't as crowded as the main decks!
Now, can you enjoy a stateroom without a balcony? Absolutely! In fact, The Hubs and I pretty much always go with an inside stateroom, without a window. We are only in the room to sleep and shower, so we will gladly save some money! We can always see what the outside weather looks like by tuning into the channel on the tv that shows the bow cameras, and it's never a long walk to get somewhere where we can step outside. If you're lucky enough to be in an inside cabin on the Dream or the Fantasy, you'll have a super cool virtual porthole that projects a view of what is passing by on your side of the ship, and even has cameo appearances by some of your favorite characters! You might see Carl from "Up" floating by your window, or Peach the starfish, from "Finding Nemo" might come stick around. The virtual portholes are really fun and perhaps even more enjoyable than a regular window!
If the idea of being in a room with no window doesn't exactly thrill you, you can also choose a room with a large or small porthole, depending on the price point you want to pay, and where you want to be in the ship. Personally, I feel like the regular windows are a waste. I either want to save money, and will go with an inside cabin, or I want to be able to get outside, and I want a verandah. Not everyone feels the same though, obviously, since there are plenty of window-only rooms.
Location is important too, when it comes to certain things that are specific to your party. If you have a baby, or just a light sleeper, you may want to make sure that you are not near an elevator, as the foot traffic and voices going by can be disturbing. If you are a couple, traveling without kids, you may want to try and be all the way forward, on the Magic and Wonder, so that you just have to take an elevator up to the adult only pool area, spa and Cove coffee cafe. On the other hand, if you're traveling with Littles who will be using the Oceaneer's Club, being near the midship elevators, or just on the same deck as the club, may be the most convenient. Then there's sensitivity to sea sickness to consider. Generally speaking, the forward staterooms will feel the motion of the ship the most, followed by the aft staterooms. Midship is always the most stable.
So it really all comes down to your budget and preferences. I think a smart way to look at it is to start with looking at the lowest priced cabin that you would be ok with staying in, and then look at how much it is to upgrade to the next step from there. So let's say you know that you don't want an inside cabin, but aren't sure if you want to spend the extra money for a balcony. Price out the least expensive window cabin, and then look at what the upgrade would be to a cabin with a large window. Then look at what it would cost to upgrade to the least expensive verandah cabin. You will likely find that upgrade costs are not as high as you would expect.
So it really all comes down to your budget and preferences. I think a smart way to look at it is to start with looking at the lowest priced cabin that you would be ok with staying in, and then look at how much it is to upgrade to the next step from there. So let's say you know that you don't want an inside cabin, but aren't sure if you want to spend the extra money for a balcony. Price out the least expensive window cabin, and then look at what the upgrade would be to a cabin with a large window. Then look at what it would cost to upgrade to the least expensive verandah cabin. You will likely find that upgrade costs are not as high as you would expect.
No matter what stateroom category you select, you will be in heaven on any Disney ship! I have often said that I don't even need a stateroom on the ship. I'd sleep in a lounge chair and shower in the spa if it meant that I could be on a Disney Cruise! (And I bet you would too!)
If you want help deciding on YOUR stateroom location, or you're ready to book your next Disney Cruise Line adventure, contact the friendly folks at Kingdom Konsultants and they will be happy to assist!
Next week..... all about my recent cruise on the Magic! Until then, have a magical week!
Next week..... all about my recent cruise on the Magic! Until then, have a magical week!
- Jenn aka "Tink"
