Disney Cruise Line: Understanding the Cabin Categories

So you've decided to take a Disney cruise! You chose the itinerary and the date that works for everyone, and all that's left to do is choose a cabin. This should be the easy part, but what kind of cabin do you want? Inside, oceanview, or verandah? What are the differences, and what are these letters? Is a 5A different than a 5C? Here is your guide to choosing the right cabin!

While there are some slight differences in the cabins on each ship, the basic categories are inside, oceanview and verandah. I'm going to try to highlight first the differences in the three categories and then break down the cabins available within each category.

Inside cabin on the Magic; Photo Credit: Disney Cruise Line

An inside cabin has no outside view, has the smallest square footage and is most affordable option. The square footage of the inside cabin varies from 169 sq ft to 214 sq ft. There are two categories of inside cabins-- category 11 and category 10. The category 11 is the least expensive and smallest of the inside cabins. The category 10 is a Deluxe Inside Cabin; this indicates that it is not
only slightly larger but, maybe more importantly, it has a split bathroom! A split bathroom has a sink and toilet in one room with a tub/shower and another sink in the other room. That's easy...but wait! There's more! You may see Category 11A, 11B or 11C or a Category 10A, 10B, or 10C! The letters following the number simply are indicative of its location on the ship. The size and layout of the cabins will be the same. Generally speaking, the higher the letter, the higher the price, so a 10A will be more expensive than a 10C.

Virtual porthole in an 11B on the Dream; the camera
feed is showing a Carnival ship also in port.

Between the ships, there are some differences in the inside cabins. The inside cabins on the Classic Ships (Wonder and Magic) have larger square footage than the inside cabins on the Dream Class (Dream and Fantasy).

But, the inside cabins on the Dream Class ships have virtual portholes! These are so neat! They show a live camera feed from outside the ship in an area approximately in the same location as your cabin. A fun perk...Disney characters will swim by from time to time in the virtual porthole! It can even be turned off if need be.

An inside cabin is a great for a family on a budget or even for those who want to spend their money in other places! All inside cabins sleep a maximum of four people.

Oceanview cabin on the Disney Magic:
Photo Credit: Disney Cruise Line

The oceanview cabins have portholes and an ocean view! Most of the oceanview cabins have one large porthole although there are some with two small portholes. They range in size from 204 square feet to 241 square feet. Again, there are variances within the oceanview category! The Classic Ships have Category 9 rooms with the 9A, 9B, 9C, and 9D options. They are all 214 square feet. 9A are located on higher decks while 9B and 9C are located on deck 2. The only difference between 9A and 9B/9C is the deck. The only difference between 9B and 9C is the location on deck 2 with the 9Bs being more mid-ship and thus a little more desirable and a little more expensive. 9D has the same square footage but only has two small portholes; they are located on deck 1. All the oceanview cabins  on the Magic and Wonder sleep a maximum of four people and all (except Handicapped Accessible cabins) have a split bath.

Odd ceiling on a 9D; Photo Credit: Disney Cruise Line

Oceanview cabins on the Dream Class is a little more intricate! In addition to the 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D, there's also 8A, 8B, 8C and 8D! These all have split baths (except Handicapped Accessible and the 8A). 9A and 9B are exactly alike just on different decks--9A is on higher decks, 9B is on deck 2. 9C cabins have obstructed portholes; 9D cabins are just weird--they have slanted ceilings and the porthole gives a very limited ocean view. The 9C and 9D are usually a good price and are quite large but they're not my favorite cabins.

Another slanted ceiling in a 9D or 9C; Photo Credit: Disney Cruise Line

Category 8B, 8C and 8D are all very similar with the difference being the decks where they are located. These all have split baths but most only have a small round tub. Some of these cabins will sleep up to 5 people making it an economical choice for a larger family. These cabins have one large porthole with window seats built in!

8B, 8C or 8D with large porthole and seating
Photos Credit: Disney Cruise Line

The 8A is totally different. It is set up as mini-suite. Some have a partial dividing wall in the middle and will only sleep three; others have no wall in the middle and are just a large open space but can sleep up to five! The 8A cabins do NOT have a split bath, and some don't have bathtubs either. These are great spacious cabins, but make sure you talk with your travel agent and know which cabin type you're getting!

8A mini-suite on deck 5 with the wall.

The last category is the verandah cabin. They all have...verandahs! They vary in size from 246 sq feet to
299 sq feet, and they all have a split bath!

This time the Dream Class verandahs are easier to understand! The verandahs include categories 4, 5, 6 and 7. All Category 4 cabins are larger at 299 square feet and may sleep up to five people. Again, the letter that follows simply indicates the deck: 4A (decks 9-10), 4B (deck 8), 4C (deck 7), 4D (deck 6) and 4E (deck 5). Other than the deck, the only category 4 with a different configuration is the 4E which have HUGE oversized verandahs! The category 4 cabins have the small round bathtub as well.

White wall at the bottom.

Category 5, 6 and 7 are all the same size at 246 square feet. Category 5 cabins are also divided into 5A (deck 9), 5B (deck 8), 5C (deck 7), 5D (deck 6) and 5E (decks 6-10). The 5E cabins are all the way aft (very back) of the ship and have very large oversized verandahs, too.  Category 6 and 7 cabins are the same size but have various obstructions making them slightly less desirable but also slightly cheaper; 6A and 6B have an 18" white wall at the bottom of the veranda slightly blocking your view when sitting. 7A cabins have a slight obstruction across one corner of the verandah. Most of these obstructions are not very large, but be sure to ask your travel agent about your specific cabin. Category 6 and 7 cabins may be on decks 5-9.

Split bathroom

On the Classic Ships, there are category 4, 5, 6 and 7 verandahs as well. The Category 4 are 304 square feet and located only on deck 8. These may sleep up to five people and are the only cabins on the ship that will sleep 5. They all have a split bathroom.

There are also category 5 cabins which are 268 square feet. 5A (deck 7), 5B (deck 6 and 7), and 5C (deck 6) will all sleep 3-4 people and have a split bath.

The category 6 cabins (decks 5-7) have a solid white wall veranda. This means that your view is blocked while sitting on your veranda. Standing at the railing, you still have a perfectly clear view!

Category 6 cabin with whitewall veranda.

Photo Credit: www.disneycruiselineblog.com

Perhaps the most unusual of them all is the Category 7 open air porthole or enclosed verandah! These verandahs are essentially closed in except for an area about the size of a large porthole right in the middle. This is actually rather nice on an Alaskan or northern European itinerary as you can be outside but still protected from the wind. On a Caribbean or Bahamian itinerary, it can just be hot with no breeze! The veranda itself is smaller, too, making it great for two people but no more than that!

Photo Credit: www.disneycruiselineblog.com

So, there you have it. The many details on the cabins on Disney's four ships. I didn't cover concierge cabins! I'll save that for another day! Let me know...is this helpful or just more confusing? :)

Susan Burks is a Disney travel planner at WishdrawalsTravel, a

military wife, and a homeschooling mom to a 

robot-programming, history-studying, space-loving 11 year old!  

She and her family love visiting Disney World and taking Disney cruises. With six Disney cruises under her belt, she is now preparing to embark on a seventh Disney Cruise--this time to Norway--and planning her next Disney World visit, too!