Sometimes you have to give a little to get a little!! About This Page:

[lablady]

Well, I did what I NEVER thought that I would do. I gave up my verandah. Sigh.

Originally we had a four-day Bahamian cruise reserved. We've never cruised before (it will be me and my DDs 15 & 7) and we're super excited!! I had a category 6 reserved and planned on adding a few days afterwards at WDW. Honestly, I wasn't really excited about Nassau, but I figured the ship would make up for that!

After talking to a few people at work who have done cruises, Disney and otherwise, they heartily recommended a longer cruise. A few cranky people on another board advised me to just give up the verandah. I wouldn't have listened to them, since they were insulting my choice, but my coworkers were much nicer.......(yeah, I can be stubborn. )

So.....we changed our cruise from a 4-day to a 7-day Western Caribbean! I chose a category 9 and requested a large porthole room, which I think I got. Stateroom 2578?I'm much more excited about the ports-of-call on this itinerary! We actually saved $600 from the original plan of a 4 day cruise and 3 nights at WL with tickets. I'm thinking that I still may add on a couple days at WDW, but we'll probably go with Pop since we'll be commando touring. The only painful part is the price of the park tickets since it's such a short trip. Who knows, maybe when the time comes I'll invest in some non-expiring ones....must crunch the numbers!

What do you think? Would you do this? I really thought that I had to have a verandah, but figured that it wouldn't hurt to try it this way just once. I know the advantages....enjoying the verandah early in the am and late at night. Peace and quiet (I'm assuming). Please reassure me that these porthole rooms are still cool!

Oh well......I vow to be happy with my choice while still sending prayers to the upgrade fairies!!!

[4Disney2]

OH YES! even with 7 Days at Disney, it felt short!
You are going to LOVE IT, we have done it twice! (Eastern and Western)
You are in for a treat!!! It is just AWESOME, you will see!

[4Disney2]

and who knows, you might get upgraded!!!

[minushka72]

We did a cat 11 last year which is an inside stateroom so not porthole. It really was just fine. We spent so much time out of the room that I would not hesitate to save the money again for something else. Even the times we spent in the room (little ones nap time) was comfortable. We are going to try an outside stateroom next time but to be able to afford a 7 day cruise instead of the 4 day would easily make me give up a little luxury.

[FanOfMickey]

When I went on my Cruise I was in a cat 11, inside stateroom. I was fine with it as I spent most of the time out of the room. I was glad I went for a week, anything less would have been too quick for me.

I think you made the right choice! Enjoy!!

[modisney]

I'll add another vote for a good decision.

[jhoshowski]

We love having a verandah. THAT SAID - I would prefer a 7 night cruise in an outside stateroom to a 4 night cruise with a verandah. We are only doing a 4 night this month because 11 of the 13 of us have never cruised - DH and I have - and they were afraid to commit a week to something they might not enjoy (they will enjoy it, though, I know they will)!

[Colexis Mom]

We just did the Western in August! You'll love it! I'd take than anyday in a lower category versus a 4-day in a category 6

[chezp]

I agree - you'll love the longer cruises. Three nights just wasn't enough for us, we adored our 11-night inaugural Med cruise.

[has]

Excellent choice!
Mom, 12 DN, and me sailed on the magic on this exact cruise. W. Carr. You will NOT be sorry you gave up your verandah. We had an inside cabin cat 11 deck 6. PERFECT. The only time we were in our cabin was to sleep.change clothes, and of course enjoy free room service. We used the extra money for excursions. One of our favorites was in Cozumeul the dune buggy ride. Travel in style around the shoreline in a dune buggy. Snorkel out to an awesome coral reef. Enjoy an authentic mexican lunch and gorgeous oceanview. Then travel back to where you started.
Happy Sailing!

[lablady]

Thanks for the reassurance! I figure that I can stand at a railing half the day if I absolutely have to stare at the ocean! It's probably better to start cruising at a lower level (not that any of the Disney staterooms are bad!), and work my way up to a fancier room. That way I won't feel let down if I do another cruise and can't have a verandah! Hopefully that makes sense.

Cheryl, I would LOVE to take a Mediterranean cruise someday......I would have to force my DH to come, no way would I let him stay home for that one!