Thread: Finding a room for a family of 5...

We have three small children and can't seem to find online prices for a family of five, except for Disney at a whopping $7000. Are there any cruise ships/lines where you can put a family in one stateroom that is not a mini fortune? Is there a way to get pricing online?

My suggestion is to find a cruiseline with 2 connecting inside cabins. One a triple, one a double, with one adult booked in each cabin. The first 2 in each cabin will pay full price, the third in one should be discounted. My suggestion is to find a good TA that will help you with your needs. We have TA's here on this site that can help.

First, I agree with Sue - find a good TA - don't try and do this yourself. You'll pay the exact same amount, but you'll have someone working for you. Plus, you won't have to contact each of the individual cruise lines and talk to someone who's never been on a cruise.

Now, with that said, I also agree with Sue in that two connecting cabins is the best option for you - gives you two bathrooms, two TV's, and offers you the opportunity to get some privacy when needed. And you don't have to worry about kids climbing a ladder for the bunk beds.

If you really want to get a cabin for 5, check out Carnival - they have alot of cabins that will sleep 5. However, if your kids are really young, this won't work for you as they will have two bunk beds plus a fold-down couch.

Pete

On Royal Caribbean, there are Family Oceanview cabins that can fit your size family, but cannot be priced or booked online. I've seen these in the far forward of the Voyager class ships, and I think they are available on all the larger classes as well. (I am guessing that the one Pete described on Carnival are similar.) Here is a description:

Family Oceanview Stateroom Two twin beds (can convert into queen-size), additional bunk beds in separate area, separate sitting area with sofa bed, and a private bathroom with shower. (328 sq. ft.) Stateroom can accommodate up to 6 guests.

Originally Posted by MCcruiser

On Royal Caribbean, there are Family Oceanview cabins that can fit your size family, but cannot be priced or booked online. I've seen these in the far forward of the Voyager class ships, and I think they are available on all the larger classes as well. (I am guessing that the one Pete described on Carnival are similar.)

Yep, RCCL does have family cabins - on their newest ships they have inside, oceanview, and promenade, as well as the usual suites. And as you stated, these cannot be booked online - your agent has to book them directly with RCCL or through their booking site - no holds are permitted, names cannot be changed, and full deposits are required. Plus, most of the time they are more expensive than booking two connecting cabins.

Pete

Originally Posted by Cruise Planner

First, I agree with Sue - find a good TA - don't try and do this yourself. You'll pay the exact same amount, but you'll have someone working for you. Plus, you won't have to contact each of the individual cruise lines and talk to someone who's never been on a cruise.

Now, with that said, I also agree with Sue in that two connecting cabins is the best option for you - gives you two bathrooms, two TV's, and offers you the opportunity to get some privacy when needed. And you don't have to worry about kids climbing a ladder for the bunk beds.

If you really want to get a cabin for 5, check out Carnival - they have alot of cabins that will sleep 5. However, if your kids are really young, this won't work for you as they will have two bunk beds plus a fold-down couch.

Pete

Carnival convertible sofas dont fold down. They are already full sized, just can be either a large sofa or a twin. The cabin stewards take the pillows off the back of the sofa, and voila its a twin bed. Our steward was quite lazy and just threw the pillows on the floor at night.

calling them fold down couchs only confuses people since they dont fold down in any way.

... not to mention the 5th bed is never a sofa ...its a rollaway or a trundle bed (low to the ground, kept under one of the twin beds). A temporary bed that can be folded up at night.

Its the 4th bed that can be either a upper or a convertible sofa.

The only except will be the new Dream and Magic family OVs...Im talking about the general cabins that are quads that allow 5.

Carnival Fantasy class ships can put five in a quad cabin:



Carnival Dream has family OV cabins for five, with two bathrooms:

The sofabed does not fold out, they put a mattress on the top.
Carnival Destiny, triumph and Victory also can have a fifth added to a quad cabin.

Carnival Spirit class also have some balcony cabins all the way forward that connect with an inside.

Other cruise lines with ships built year 2000 or earlier can put a fifth in a quad, if they choose. I think some have done it on Millennium.
CJ

Thanks CJ!
A picture is worth a thousand words.

That's a lot of "togetherness"!

Carolyn!

Those pictures will be very helpful to many!