Thread: Need some help with family of 5 on Carnival?

New to this forum so forgive me if this question has been asked a zillion times before. I have a family of 5. Wife, myself and 3-kids ages 12, 9, and 5. We are looking to book a Carnival cruise for Western Carribean in Mar 2010. Will they allow 5 to a room and/or what are my options? Thanks in advance for any help.

Welcome to CLF!

Originally Posted by 5th-wheel

New to this forum so forgive me if this question has been asked a zillion times before. I have a family of 5. Wife, myself and 3-kids ages 12, 9, and 5. We are looking to book a Carnival cruise for Western Carribean in Mar 2010. Will they allow 5 to a room and/or what are my options? Thanks in advance for any help.

Most Carnival ships do allow five people to a cabin, but please be aware that most cabins, except the suites on the older ships have about 160 sq feet. It will make for very tight quarters and you will have only one bathroom. You did not mention the ship, but you might consider connecting cabins if available. If you will supply the ship name and sailing date, I will check the layouts for you.

Thanks for the reply. Looking at the Valor 03/28/10 - 04/04/10. Trying to keep it to one room but the adjoining sounds good too. However, I have read that the adjoining room bills the first two people at full price, is that true in your experience.

You are correct about full fare for the first 2 in the cabin. I am not sure if the ship has cabins that can handle 5 people. One of the T'A's that are on the board should be able to answer that.

Originally Posted by 5th-wheel

Thanks for the reply. Looking at the Valor 03/28/10 - 04/04/10. Trying to keep it to one room but the adjoining sounds good too. However, I have read that the adjoining room bills the first two people at full price, is that true in your experience.

Welcome Aboard and thanks so much posting your question. Family cruising and Carnival go pretty well together.

Take a peek at this short cruising guide, specific to family travel and Carnival Cruise Line: http://www.cruiselinefans.com/carniv...uise-line.html (Cruising With Kids: Carnival Cruise Line)

Only older ships built before year 2000 allow 5 to the cabins as a general rule. There are a few exceptions that are more expensive, a family cabin on dream and I think valor has a expensive suite. But for regular cabins, the Valor does not allow 5 to the cabin.

If you booked cabins next to each other, make sure to mark your booking "no upgrade." That will signal to Carnival that you don't want either party moved to another cabin.

As was mentioned, yes, you can put 5 in a cabin. However, as was also stated, unless you get a suite (which is very expensive) these cabins are the same size as if you put only two people in them. So needless to say, it gets very crowded. If you're on a tight budget, then obviously this is the way to go, but if you can afford a bit more, you'll be much happier (and maintain some of your sanity) if you get connecting cabins with a door between them. This also affords you two bathrooms instead of one and the opportunity to close the door if you want a little privacy after the kids are asleep.

Sometimes the difference between five in a cabin and connecting cabins with 2 in one and 3 in the other is not all that much, while other times it can be quite a difference. Check out the total for both ways and see what works best for you.

Pete