My husband and I are planning on cruising the Dream in March 2010.  We are debating on the room we should choose.  Should we go with a Cat 11 or a balcony stateroom?  I want this to be nice, but at the same time, I don't want to pay for something that is not worth it or is almost identicle.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.

First Time Cruiser

I have never booked a suite but I do always book a Cat 9A.  They have wrap around balconies and in my opinion, the only way to cruise.

I took my first cruise in May on the Spirit and am booked on the Dream in April 2010.  I too wondered if I should get a suite but honestly what I found - even going to Alaska in a very rainy May - I was out on the deck far more than I was in my room or on my own balcony - which was an extended balcony in my disabled room.  

The suites are beautiful but - how much time do you really plan on being in them?  I found much to my own surprise I was only in my room to change and to sleep.  Having said that - I did book a Spa room on the Spa Deck on the Dream....but I still don't expect to spend any time in my room  I just want some of the perks that go with this Spa room - there is so much to do on board - so think about that too.  There is something planned going on all the time on the ship so think about that before you decide.

Enjoy your cruise whatever you decide. 

Thank you for your reply.  I had thought that it would be neat to be able to sit on our own balcony while coming and going, but you have a great point about not being in the room much.

Also, since you just went on a cruise, how did most people dress for formal night?  I would love to dress up, but I didn't know if they still do that.

You are most welcome.  As for the formal dinners - I actually bought 2 long dresses - I'm older and LOVE long dresses.  But I had read just before my trip that they had 'relaxed' the formal rules - so I didn't want to feel out of place and went out and spent more $$ on 2 cocktail dresses.

I was absolutely shocked at the number of women who were 'dressed to the 9's' if you are familiar with that saying and I wished I had brought my long dresses. I mean these gals had glitter and sparkles and just looked stunning.

Dress any way you like - you will NOT be out of place - no matter what you wear.

Oh I meant to mention - if this is your first cruise - and pardon me for 'assuming' from yoru signature...lol  there are a few things to look at before choosing your room.  Now with the Dream still being built there is no way to know what will be noisy and what won't but if you look at your deck plans, see what is above you on the deck above for the room you want and go for that.  

If you go to http://www.seauonboard.com/ and look at 'Cruise 101 - The basics' - and then 'Cabin Selection' it tells you what rooms to avoid on other ships and thats how I picked my room on The Spirit.  I had stateroom 8234 and above was the Lido Deck so I knew there would be no noise above.  However, what I didn't realize was that it was beside the  housekeeping room and first thing in the morning it was noisy - I don't sleep in so it didn't bother me.

Also my stateroom was directly behind the elevators and there was NO noise from those nor the passengers getting off.   I think the higher you are on the ship - the quieter it becomes (for me).   On the Spa Deck on the Dream - I have the 'serenity section' above my stateroom so I know there won't be any noise.....lol 

I am all about comfort, I wear comfortable clothes, drive a comfortable car, etc. I booked a suite for our next cruise in December. So, it is my husband, myself and my 7 year old daughter. I booked the suite because in all the other regular balcony cabins we have had it was a struggle for the place to not be a pigstye. It was only a couple hundred more, and it has a tub and a shower. A refrigerator in the room, a sitting area with a couch. All these things will come in handy for us. I hope you have a great time no matter what room you book!!

We always book the suites because we like the space and love sitting on our private balcony, cat 11 or 12 for us is the ONLY way to go. have fun.

I was talking to my mom about what we were planning on doing.  My parents cruised on the Fantasy a long time ago and she said it was awsome.  She suggested that we do Fantasy first and that way if we go on another cruise we'll have something else to look forward to.  Kind of like growing up, start small and move up.  The only thing is I'm afraid that the Fantasy wouldn't be as smooth.  My husband and I took a weekend cruise nine years ago on the Holiday and it was awful.  Our room, we were told, was above the ships engine which was really noisy.  Oh, and the movement, terrible.  So do you suggest going on the Fantasy or should we shoot for the Dream first? (Mobile would be a lot closer since we live in Birmingham)

shoot for the DREAM, and forget about the small stuff. Go all out or nothing.

We have booked a Cat. 11 Balcony Suite on both our cruises and I think there is a difference.  For one thing, the suite is a bigger cabin and the balcony is wonderful to have.  We always have a mini refridgerator in the Car. 11 Suite too.  I sure do love that perk.  I love the dressing table I get that has an outlet for my curling iron and blow dryer.  So for us it is worth it to book a Suite.  We get the Military Discount so that does help with the cost.  One of these cruises we will splurge on the Cat. 12 Penthouse Suite with the jacuzzi tub.  If we ever go on a 7 day cruise we will book that for sure!! Also we love the VIP boarding that comes with the Cat. 11 and 12 Suites with no lines to wait in. 

Hiya Suzy!

On our last sailing, we sailed in a Cat 11 suite and swore up and down that we'd never take a cruise any other way BUT...