First timers- Where to start with researching rooms?

[Disney_Diva]

Hello all,

First time posting in this section ;-)

Planning our first cruise in August 2020. I have been looking through various websites, reading trip reports and watching vlogs to help with planning. We are looking at the 3 (Or 4 at a push) night Caribbean cruise from Port Canaveral.

I have been looking at different room options and getting a little confused...basically think we would like a deluxe ocean view room (mama anxiety about the veranda but someone may put my mind to rest about that), It would be our first time on a cruise so read staying midship is a good idea...but correct me if i am wrong there no option for deluxe oceanview midship?

How would i even begin to know what floor level would suit us? (children are 3 and 8 at time of travel) Also which side of the ship? I just thought I get given a room, i never knew you could pick your room at booking!

Thank you in advance
...and sorry in advance for all the questions.
Sarah x

[SimonB]

I’d try and get midship for less motion. Certainly at the front of the ship it can feel rougher. As to which side , I’m not sure it matters as they can dock either way in a lot of ports.

[SquishTheWhale]

Which ship are you looking at?

I wouldn't take midship as the be all and end all. We have sailed on massive megaships and been very forward or aft and it's been fine. And this is from someone who gets sea sick!

[Bats]

What cruise line are you looking to book with? If it's DCL, then it'll be a Bahamian cruise, not a Caribbean one as such. I know you probably lump them in together, but they're classed as Bahamian vs Caribbean.

As to what room to go for. Look at your budget first.
We stay in inside rooms as we don't use the room for an awful lot other than changing and sleeping. We have a window (oceanview) at a push, but only if the price is not a lot more (less than $100). On the Dream (the ship for Bahamian cruises), you will see the cost of inside and oceanview very similar - this is because the insides have a magical porthole with Disney characters popping up or swimming by every 30 mins. They are desirable.

If you want a veranda, go for it. The doors lock at the top so littlies cannot open it and the actual veranda rail is chest height on me (I'm just over 5ft). Some verandas are 'navigators' and these have one massive open porthole - keeps the wind out, very nice but you have to stand up to see the ocean. There are also 'whitewall' verandas but these are generally at the back of the ship and have huge verandas!

Decide on your budget first - go for a 4 night, not a 3! That's way more important than what room you sleep in!

Joa

[Twentyyears]

I echo everything Bats has said.
With kids that age on a four night you will probably use the verandah very little. I would stick with inside first time, if you fall in love with a verandah and want to cruise again it can be hard to go back. Especially as on the other ships and for specialty cruises they can be expensive.
if you want somewhere to sit if they are still asleep in the morning a verandah can be lovely but getting there can be awkward when their beds are down.