Room for 2 vs. Room for 3 question

[cacruisin]

So are traveling in a group of 8 in 3 different rooms.  We added the last person last minute and had planned to add that person as a 3rd to our room for 2 people.  We were told we could not and had to add them to a different room.  I HAD BEEN under the impression that all couches could be made into a bed for a said "third person" but learned that was not correct.  It's a balcony room if that makes a difference.  So, I'm curious what is the difference between a balcony room for 2 with a couch and a balcony room for 3 where the couch is used as a bed?  TIA

[Sarnia 432]

It might just be lifeboat capacity in that section of the ship.  If there are already multiple occupants in the surrounding cabins, even if yours could accommodate another person, they wouldn’t add another person to your cabin if lifeboat capacity has been reached

[dlphn501]

23 minutes ago, Sarnia 432 said:

It might just be lifeboat capacity in that section of the ship.  If there are already multiple occupants in the surrounding cabins, even if yours could accommodate another person, they wouldn’t add another person to your cabin if lifeboat capacity has been reached

Yep, this is what  my TA told me.

[jimbo5544]

11 hours ago, cacruisin said:

So are traveling in a group of 8 in 3 different rooms.  We added the last person last minute and had planned to add that person as a 3rd to our room for 2 people.  We were told we could not and had to add them to a different room.  I HAD BEEN under the impression that all couches could be made into a bed for a said "third person" but learned that was not correct.  It's a balcony room if that makes a difference.  So, I'm curious what is the difference between a balcony room for 2 with a couch and a balcony room for 3 where the couch is used as a bed?  TIA

As mentioned, it has to do with capacity requirements for safety.  A room that has a capacity for a number (two on your case), cannot be exceeded as part of booking.  There are ways to manage around this, when booking (in the selection of rooms).  That said, technically most couches can be converted to a third (in a balcony room). There is also a big difference in billing (as you may know), a third person in a room almost always pays a significantly lower price.  

 

Not sure how you booked, if you used a TA or PVP and if you informed them of your potential plans, they should have been able to assist for the best possible solution.  If you booked yourself online, this is a great reason to use a TA or PVP.  Their knowledge is free, and in this case would have saved a ton of money and aggregation.   Have a great cruise. 

[groundloop]

3 hours ago, jimbo5544 said:

As mentioned, it has to do with capacity requirements for safety.  A room that has a capacity for a number (two on your case), cannot be exceeded as part of booking..... 

 

in a bit of a twist on this, Carnival will not book two people into a cabin that's designated for three or four.  For one cruise I was looking at there were over a dozen aft balcony cabins available which were listed as having a capacity of 3 or 4, but the handful of aft balconies with a capacity of two were already booked.  I called my travel agent, PVP, Carnival customer service, messaged John Heald, and the answer was always the same, I couldn't put two people into a three person cabin.

 

I was tempted to book with a phantom third person who would be a no-show, but decided against that.

[dlphn501]

3 hours ago, groundloop said:

Carnival will not book two people into a cabin that's designated for three or four.

 

Actually, sometimes you can!  I had an "upgrade" offer that came in via phone call from a Carnival upgrade specialist (I think that's what she said her title was).  One of the available upgrade options was to a junior suite for 4 people, and there were only 3 on my booking.  It was less than a week to sailing, so IDK if that made a difference.

More recently, I was looking for a Havana Cabana on Horizon for Aug 2025 for 3 people.  One of the options available to book was on the end and it was for 4 people.  It said it had a pull down bed and a sofa bed.  And those were the ONLY "balcony" options available to book for 3 people in Havana.  I found it strange because if I booked the 4 person cabin, then Carnival would be losing money.

[jimbo5544]

20 hours ago, groundloop said:

 

in a bit of a twist on this, Carnival will not book two people into a cabin that's designated for three or four.  For one cruise I was looking at there were over a dozen aft balcony cabins available which were listed as having a capacity of 3 or 4, but the handful of aft balconies with a capacity of two were already booked.  I called my travel agent, PVP, Carnival customer service, messaged John Heald, and the answer was always the same, I couldn't put two people into a three person cabin.

 

I was tempted to book with a phantom third person who would be a no-show, but decided against that.

While what you say is a good rule of thumb, I can tell you we have put two in a sleeps 3 room many times.  The issue is how bookings go.  During busy times like these, they could displace you to a sleep 2 cabin.  As late as two weeks ago we did this successfully.  As you mention, the type of cabin is a variable also.

[jimbo5544]

16 hours ago, dlphn501 said:

 

Actually, sometimes you can!  I had an "upgrade" offer that came in via phone call from a Carnival upgrade specialist (I think that's what she said her title was).  One of the available upgrade options was to a junior suite for 4 people, and there were only 3 on my booking.  It was less than a week to sailing, so IDK if that made a difference.

More recently, I was looking for a Havana Cabana on Horizon for Aug 2025 for 3 people.  One of the options available to book was on the end and it was for 4 people.  It said it had a pull down bed and a sofa bed.  And those were the ONLY "balcony" options available to book for 3 people in Havana.  I found it strange because if I booked the 4 person cabin, then Carnival would be losing money.

timing of when you are looking can be a factor.

[DallasGuy75219]

On 3/1/2024 at 11:37 AM, dlphn501 said:

 

Actually, sometimes you can!  I had an "upgrade" offer that came in via phone call from a Carnival upgrade specialist (I think that's what she said her title was).  One of the available upgrade options was to a junior suite for 4 people, and there were only 3 on my booking.

That's a different situation--less than a week before cruise vs. at original booking.  At that point they'll take a sure thing and sell an upgrade from a 2 to a 3/4 person cabin rather keeping it open until the last minute for a new booking with 3/4 people. 

[lostsoulcruiser]

 

On 2/29/2024 at 5:24 PM, cacruisin said:

So are traveling in a group of 8 in 3 different rooms.  We added the last person last minute and had planned to add that person as a 3rd to our room for 2 people.  We were told we could not and had to add them to a different room.  I HAD BEEN under the impression that all couches could be made into a bed for a said "third person" but learned that was not correct.  It's a balcony room if that makes a difference.  So, I'm curious what is the difference between a balcony room for 2 with a couch and a balcony room for 3 where the couch is used as a bed?  TIA

If you closely look at the deck plan of a particular ship, it will tell you how many people are allowed in a particular room.  You may be able to change the cabin to one that allows 3 people.  Look at the deck plan to see which rooms are close (you could also ask your T/A, PVP or Carnival rep regarding this.

[vwrestler171]

Some couches simply can't be turned into beds, they just aren't set up for it.