I get asked a lot for my opinion on what type of stateroom to choose on Disney Cruise Line. I’ve stayed in all of the different options, and the verandah is by far my preferred stateroom.
Even on a short cruise, the inside stateroom starts to feel very, very small. Some cruisers look at their stateroom only as a place to crash at night, but we tend to retreat to it for an afternoon nap and evening cocktail just to get away from the hustle and bustle of the ship.
Oceanview is a nice option, but they are mostly located in the very front and very back of the ship. The price difference of oceanview versus verandah is usually less than you may think – especially on the shorter 3-, 4- and 5- night itineraries.
I just love the bright light that you are afforded with the verandah, and the fact that it makes the rooms feel much larger than they are. When our kids were younger, we valued having a place to step out to once they went to bed at night.
Within the verandah category, there are two options – Deluxe Oceanview Verandah and Family Oceanview Verandah. I thought I’d cover off on information on both today, as the difference in these two is one of my most commonly asked questions. Photos and information below are for the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy.
Deluxe Oceanview Verandah
The Deluxe Oceanview Verandah category rooms sleep 2 – 4. They have a great set up and make fantastic use of the space. There is sufficient drawer, shelf and closet space, and suitcases easily slide right under the bed.
During the day, you have a nice living space that expands onto the verandah. Honey and I usually give the kids this area with the TV and we take our books, food and conversations outside. You can see here that there is a curtain that separates the two areas of the room when sleeping. The sofa converts into a single bed, and an additional single comes down from the ceiling for rooms that sleep 4. The stateroom host sets all of this up each night and then returns it in the morning.
Disney’s split bathrooms are wonderful for a family. One side has a sink and shower/tub combo. And a second door hides a second sink and the toilet. It makes sharing a small space much more efficient and pleasurable.
Family Oceanview Verandah
The Family Oceanview Verandah sleeps up to five, but can certainly be booked for smaller parties that want more space.
You can see here that the living area of the room is larger than the first room.
The sofa here converts to a twin and another twin comes down from the ceiling to make a bunk. The fifth bed is a murphy that folds down to the left of the picture in the shot below. We still put the boys in the bunks when we have this stateroom type, but we enjoy the extra few feet of space.
This room also has a split bathroom. One side has a sink and shower/tub combo, but the tub is circular in shape as opposed to the standard rectangle in the other room. A second door hides a second sink and the toilet.
In both of these rooms, we love to take our afternoon cheese plate (room service is included) and happy hour out on the verandah before getting ready for the evening’s dinner, show and events.
And, sunsets like this make the whole experience priceless!
As always, I am more than happy to answer any stateroom questions y’all have!!
Before I go, Disney released early 2020 itineraries for booking starting 10/4 for first time Disney Cruisers! They will be sailing from New Orleans and to Hawaii, as well as on the usual itineraries to Bahamas and the Caribbean. In all of my years of Disney cruising, I have never seen the price of a cruise go down. Booking early is the best way to get the best price and we always secure our own trips as soon as they are released. Contact me for more information or to get started on a quote!!
As a Gold Key Adviser with Glass Slipper Concierge, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, I offer concierge travel planning for Walt Disney World® Resort, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland® Resort, Adventures by Disney®, Aulani and other delightful destinations.
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I sooooo want to take one of the Mardi Gras itineraries out of NOLA when they start… haha. but I don’t know if it is in the budget! :)
I want to as well but they are SOLD OUT!
This is super helpful to see the type of room we are actually staying in and now I am totally ready – get here quick February!!!!!
Y’all are going to have the BEST time!!