Family of 6 on Princess to Alaska

[Shaunas05]

We plan to travel to Alaska in August of 2018 with Princess cruises-i booked a family suite right when they opened up the itenerary, but now wonder if we would be just as satisfied with a suite and an inside stateroom (our four kids are 4, 6, 10, 11) so booking 2 rooms, we probably would bring a blow up matress and have kids camping on the floor for sleeping, as i dont think we would want them in another room...has anyone with a large family done this? Do you have insight to which we would prefer (family suite with us all together or different suite with inside cabin close by to save a little money?

 

I've read that people dont like paying full price for 4 passengers in a family suite, but i feel like that happens even if we book 2 rooms (1st 4 people would pay full price)...so i guess i'm debating more because of location on the ship-the family suites are far forward, and the other suite i would consider cramming everyone into would be an aft suite and trying to book a close inside stateroom for storing suitcases and bathroom use.

 

For the Tracy Arm sailing is it better to be forward or aft?

 

Any suggestions from experienced cruisers on Princess is welcome! Thank you!

[fishywood]

Because your oldest child is under 16 if you choose two separate cabins there would have to be one parent and 1 to 3 kids in each one for Princess to accept the booking. And Princess is very strict enforcing that only the persons listed in the suite at the time of booking will get the suite perks--no "rotating" which of you go to the special suite breakfast venue, or get to use priority tendering if at a tender port.

 

The family suite is tailor-made for your family group of four pre-teen and younger. Yes I know the location all the way forward is less desirable but the ability to have all of you in the same space outweighs that. And the best spot for glacier viewing is always out on the top deck--though some who have sailed in an aft balcony will say that is adequate.

Edited January 7, 2017 by fishywood

[Roz]

This is a tough one. Does the suite have 2 bathrooms? If not, with 6 people, the extra cabin would be a lifesaver, IMO. However, as already pointed out, there's the issue of suite perks, and one of the parents would have to booked in the other cabin.

 

Roz

[WinstonWolf1980]

My wife and I have 3 kids (12, 9, 7) . We have done all of us in one room suite and also two separate rooms. With the ages of kids you have, I would suggest the family suite if you can afford it. Having two rooms forces you and your spouse to coordinate movements in two completely separate rooms. Keeping everyone and everything in one room will reduce the amount of work you have to go through in every task. Our last cruise with them we did the two separate rooms. It just complicated things more than necessary. I think when they are older (all in teens) having two rooms will be better, but when they're young and you have to pick out clothes and dress them and check on everything they're doing constantly...one room will save a lot of hassle.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Shaunas05]

We've done a Disney cruise and booked 2 rooms and honestly we just all crammed into one so the 2nd room was wasted because we prefer to all be together with young kids.

 

I think the family suite i currently have booked costs about a grand more than the various 2 room combos ive priced online...for the suite perks i think the price is close enough that maybe the family suite is worth the extra money ...?

 

i'm mostly concerned with the location on the ship-the balcony looks really large and i would hope we could see a lot of scenery, but reading reviews people discuss how its super windy that far forward and you feel much more movement...has anyone else stayed in a princess family suite? Did you like it? Any problems that i should know about? I love the layout for our family, it seems ideal, just wish they were in a different spot...????

[Shaunas05]

This is a tough one. Does the suite have 2 bathrooms? If not, with 6 people, the extra cabin would be a lifesaver, IMO. However, as already pointed out, there's the issue of suite perks, and one of the parents would have to booked in the other cabin.

 

Roz

 

Yes, Roz-the family suite does have 2 bathrooms-its basically described as a mini suite with a sitting room that attaches it to an extended balcony and an inside stateroom so everyone has their own sleeping area, but its connected from inside the suite, opposed to 2 outside seperate rooms.

[Shaunas05]

My wife and I have 3 kids (12, 9, 7) . We have done all of us in one room suite and also two separate rooms. With the ages of kids you have, I would suggest the family suite if you can afford it. Having two rooms forces you and your spouse to coordinate movements in two completely separate rooms. Keeping everyone and everything in one room will reduce the amount of work you have to go through in every task. Our last cruise with them we did the two separate rooms. It just complicated things more than necessary. I think when they are older (all in teens) having two rooms will be better, but when they're young and you have to pick out clothes and dress them and check on everything they're doing constantly...one room will save a lot of hassle.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Thank you for this reply! It really helps to hear from some who has tried both! =)

[Shaunas05]

Because your oldest child is under 16 if you choose two separate cabins there would have to be one parent and 1 to 3 kids in each one for Princess to accept the booking. And Princess is very strict enforcing that only the persons listed in the suite at the time of booking will get the suite perks--no "rotating" which of you go to the special suite breakfast venue, or get to use priority tendering if at a tender port.

 

The family suite is tailor-made for your family group of four pre-teen and younger. Yes I know the location all the way forward is less desirable but the ability to have all of you in the same space outweighs that. And the best spot for glacier viewing is always out on the top deck--though some who have sailed in an aft balcony will say that is adequate.

 

Thank you for your experienced opinions, fishywood! =)

[Roz]

Since the suite has 2 bathrooms, I would just stick with what you have.

 

Roz