Family of five on our first cruise

[giantcrazy]

We were looking forward to taking our first cruise last year, when we found out that we had just gone over Norwegian's pregnancy limit by a few days. That trip was canceled, and we went on a regular vacation instead.

 

This year, sporting 3 kids - I had no intention of vacationing at all, but find myself with some time off between July and August, figured I might take a last minute cruise.

 

What was a relatively easy task last year is proving to be very difficult, and I'm guessing it's the fact that we've got 3 kids now. I've checked with agents for Royal Caribbean and Norwegian, it would appear that anything that would fit five people has already been taken.

 

My next request was for adjoining cabins, which aren't even available on RCI (all out) and only spotty on NCL.

 

Since I'm a novice at this - is there something I'm missing? I don't really know how to proceed; would it make sense to book two cabins that aren't adjoining, and just stick all of us to one cabin regardless? Is there a cabin type that I'm looking for that will hold 5 people instead of 4? Could we book a suite and an interior cabin, and just all stay in the suite and leave the cabin as-is?

 

I'm thinking that without much advance preparation, a cruise will not be an option for our family. The cost of booking two cabins seems disproportionately expensive (especially with our son at 8 months consuming no food and taking up little space). And no matter what, it seems like we won't be able to do a single cabin.

 

Am I out of options as far as cruising is concerned?

[SuperCoolOne]

We are a family of 5 and just booked 2 connecting rooms on a Carnival Cruise for next April.

 

So, not having cruised before, I can only tell you that connecting rooms are available on Carnival ships.

[cb at sea]

I think it's that connecting cabins are sold-out on the dates she needs....

Contact a travel agent, and let them do the work of finding what you need FOR you!!!! It shouldn't cost you a cent, and they may have some "ins" that you don't have!!

[MnAsMom]

I would try checking with a travel agent. they may be able to help you find/book what you are looking for. They usually have blocks of rooms so they may still have adjoining cabins available that the cruise line isn't showing.

 

Good Luck.... we booked last minute too. We have a family of 4 and booked one of 2 remaining balcony cabins that they had available that would sleep 4. Ended up forward on the ship... not exactly where we wanted to be but I think we'll be fine. We had to take what we could get!

[giantcrazy]

Yes - to clarify (I wasn't clear) - the dates I'm looking at aren't available. I'm guessing that it's not in your favor to book last minute and need two rooms.

 

What I'm more curious about - would booking two but only use one be a reasonable strategy? I'd rather not have to split up my family at night. I do have a couple of travel agents on the case, but the recommendations aren't very inspiring ('the second cabin isn't adjoining, but it's a short walk and elevator ride to it').

[MnAsMom]

Yes - to clarify (I wasn't clear) - the dates I'm looking at aren't available. I'm guessing that it's not in your favor to book last minute and need two rooms.

 

What I'm more curious about - would booking two but only use one be a reasonable strategy? I'd rather not have to split up my family at night. I do have a couple of travel agents on the case, but the recommendations aren't very inspiring ('the second cabin isn't adjoining, but it's a short walk and elevator ride to it').

 

I bet you "could" do it but it would probably be very tight. You also would have to be sure you were getting a cabin that sleeps 4 you might then have to have the 8 month old sleep in bed with you, I don't know if you could squeeze a pack n play in the room as well? Chances are maybe they are setting you us with a cabin for 3 and then a cabin for 2. One option would be to have your wife and baby sleep in one cabin and you and the older kids sleep in the other. What a bummer... sorry you are encountering so much trouble. too bad they can't upgrade/move someone with a guarantee cabin so they can open up 2 adjoining cabins or at least across the hall! I guess you can get last minute deals but you have to be very flexible since you are getting whatever is "left"!

 

another thought that I remember someone mentioning... if you are all in one room and there is an emergency that requires you to need life jackets and whatnot it wouldn't all be in the one cabin. you would have to split up for the muster drill I believe.

 

Good Luck... hope you are able to find something that works.

[MNmomof4]

Have you tried Carnival with a single cabin for 5? We booked a cabin for 5 in oct and I will have one in a crib.

[broberts]

If adjoining cabins are not available perhaps an inside directly across the hall from a balcony or ocean view might work for you.

[gkrnjlr]

Depending on where you're coming from I think you still have lots of options! We're a family of 5 and my kids are 5, 4 and 1. We've taken all the kids on 3 cruises now. Our considerations when sailing are always all five of us in 1 cabin. My kids are just too young to separate. It IS do-able, and they put the extra bed up during the day - so its not in the way.

 

The ships that hold 5 that I know of are listed. I'm not familiar with all of the cruiselines though:

 

Carnival:

Jacksonville, FL - Fascination

Port Canaveral, FL - Sensation

Miami, FL - Imagination

Tampa, FL - Inspiration

 

Norwegian

Miami, FL - Sky (GOOD LUCK though, they only have 5 or 6 cabins on the ship that you can put 5 into and they sell/book quickly) Chances are you won't be able to get this one this last minute.

 

I was told that a few ships on Royal Caribbean hold 4 people but if the 5th is a baby you can put them in that cabin, too. I think it was the Legend of the Seas??? I don't remember. Sorry!

 

Hopefully something in here helped!

[pateoreo1]

We are going in January and have 5. 3 adults and 2 kids and we booked a suite on NCL Pearl. It has 2 bedrooms plus a pull out sofa. We looked at doing 2 rooms and it cost us less to go with the suite. Plus you get all the nice perks of the suite.

[dijid]

Any of the Fantasy-class Carnival ships will allow 5 in a room. There were some really good deals out of New Orleans on the Fantasy. The Holiday (out of Mobile) also can get 5 to a room.

[HightowerMom]

I suggest you look into the Carnival ships that fit 5 in one room. There are a number including Inspiration and Triumph.

 

We cruised the Triumph for a week with our three kids ages 9, 6, and 4. It was just fine being in one room and with young children I wouldn't want to be separated. Two were in bunks (with rails) and our little one used a cot.

 

Enjoy!

[giantcrazy]

Thanks all for the feedback - it was certainly helpful.

 

At this point, we're exploring a balcony and an inside across the hall. Not optimal, but this late in the game, we don't have much choice.

 

The idea was to refrain from traveling by plane (finding a cruise close enough to drive to), so a lot of the boats that would have more family accommodations are out of the question or those cabins have already been picked up. Still looking though, who knows, might be able to squeeze in a suite somewhere...

[beachchick]

How old are your other two children? I assume they are old enough that it would be safe to have them in an unconnected cabin across the passageway? Or are you still planning to have all three children sleep in the balcony cabin? That could be extremely tight and may or may not even be logistically possible depending on the size of the cabin and the layout. No doubt you'll have a crib or pack-n-play for the baby; even though they are not huge, they can take a fair amount of floor space. If you decide to try to sleep all five of you in the balcony cabin, I highly recommend that you discuss it with your cabin steward right away. He or she may be able to figure out the best possible way to do that. Plus, he or she will need to set up sleeping spots for your two older children. That may require removing some of the cabin furniture or other significant changes.

 

Definitely keep looking for reduced fares on suites; you never know when you might find a real bargain, especially because you would then have two full fares and three secondary fares.

 

A small note that babies and toddlers are generally charged regular (usually 3rd/4th person) fare because there is no such thing as "lap baby" on a cruise ship. Everyone onboard counts toward the maximum number of passengers. As well, the cruise lines receive a significant amount of their revenue from onboard passenger expenses (excursions, casinos, alcohol, spa treatments, etc.); babies don't tend to contribute to that part of the bottom line. Some cruise lines charge only taxes and port fees for children younger than 2. You might want to check with one of those lines (if they have cruises that work for you) or see if any of the cruise lines you're considering are offering something like the "3rd/4th passenger $99" specials for your dates.

 

Best of luck! I hope you find something that works for you and that you have a wonderful time.

 

beachchick

[rebeccalouise]

yes- check with a travel agent. Also- connecting cabins work out great. You have two bathrooms- two tvs- more storage. This will be the best value. In fact, I have done insides and that worked out great- kids sleep later since there is no light streaming in in the AM.

 

Good luck with your trip.

[loveysbydesign]

Does anyone know if Carnival's Freedom has rooms that hold 5?