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A Family Cruise vacation is a great option for larger families. Yes...there are cruise cabins that will fit a family of five, a family of six...even a family of eight! Large families actually have several different options when it comes to selecting a cruise ship cabin. Often the type of cabins larger families need will not show up on the big online, book-it-yourself cruise websites. These websites certainly do not explain all of your cabin choices or double check different pricing options to be sure you're getting the best deal. This is why it's very important to work with a Vacationkids family cruise expert. We understand all of your options available for family of five cruise cabins and beyond. Our staff can easily make your reservations saving you time, money and frustration. Our services are free to our clients but it is our experience that's priceless.
Contrary to popular belief, families sailing with three or more kids, maybe even a couple of grandparents in tow do have options when it comes to their stateroom choices. Generally your cabin selections are going to be based on the following criteria...
- Your preferred ports of call - Caribbean, Mexico, Europe...etc
- The lifestyle needs of your family - Luxury cruise, infant care, mobility needs...etc
- Sailing dates and availability
and finally
- Your family cruise vacation Budget.
It's a good idea for all grown ups involved in paying for the cruise to have a frank, grown up discussion about these issues ahead of time so that your Vacationkids cruise expert can work efficiently to fulfill your cruise vacation reservation.
Generally smaller groups of 5-8 passengers cruising together have three different sailing options open to them. It is important to note that not all of these options are available for every ship, sailing date or cruise line. This is why flexibility if important. We have done our best to give you the good news and the bad news associated with each of these different options. Hopefully this will aid the grown ups with their grown up cruise planning discussions. We also included some specifics on cruise lines and ships that have more options open for larger families...
1. Family of Five and Family of six Cabins -
The good news Most of the friendliest family cruise lines do offer inside and outside cabins that will allow 5 or 6 passengers to stay all together. Sharing an inside or outside cabin is certainly MOST ECONOMICAL option for any family wanting space for up to 6 passengers. First and second passengers pay a higher amount, but, third, fourth and fifth passengers sharing the same cabin pay a much lower rate. This is especially true for families of teenagers when you compare it to a land based resort vacation. Hotels generally charge kids over the age of 12 full adult fare and most will not allow them to share the same room with their parents which leads to safety or separation concerns for parents. Cruises do not have age restrictions when it comes to cabin passengers. This makes these cabins a real money saving, worry-free vacation option for families.
The bad news This option can be too much togetherness for some families. Sharing one cabin together means all passengers much share one small bathroom. This option can easily become a nightmare if you do have to share one with three teenagers. Bear in mind if a rollaway bed is required for the fifth passenger then your cabin space will be severely compromised...basically there will be zero room to walk about your cabin. These cabins are the best money saving option for families with teens but its physically much easier to share a small cabin with younger, smaller kids.
IMPORTANT TO KNOW!!! - Cabins that allow 5 or 6 passengers to share the same cabin are capacity controlled. This means that just because these cabins are showing up as available for a certain cruise doesn't mean the cruise line will automatically allow you to sail with 5 or 6 passengers. Cruise lines keep a watchful eye on the number of passengers with reservations for a particular sailing date. They do this for the comfort and safety of all passengers. Cruise line can suddenly decide at any time to limit the number of people sharing any specific cabin. This is how the cruise lines control passenger population on all their cruise ships. This is why we say if you want everyone to share the same cabin you MUST plan ahead and book EARLY to avoid disappointments.
Cruise lines that offer inside and outside cabins for large families...
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines is our winner with both interior and outside cabins that can sleep up to SIX passengers. They also make these cabins easier to find by using the word FAMILY in their stateroom category names. These family size cabins offer two twin beds (which can be joined together to form one queen bed), a sofa and/or Pullman style bunk beds. Here we have listed the names of these cabins and which ships you can find these staterooms...
Promenade Family Interior Staterooms are found on Freedom Class Ships (Freedom of the Seas,Liberty of the Seas and Independence of the Seas)
Family Interior Staterooms -are available on
Allure Class ships (Allure of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas)
and
Freedom Class Ships (Freedom of the Seas,Liberty of the Seas and Independence of the Seas)
Family Oceanview Staterooms- are available on...
Allure Class ships (Allure of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas)
Freedom Class Ships (Freedom of the Seas,Liberty of the Seas and Independence of the Seas)
Voyager Class Ships (Adventure of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas)
Radiance Class Ships (Radiance of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas)
Vision Class Ships (Enchantment of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas, Vision of the Seas)
Carnival Cruise Lines offers the most inside and outside family of five cabins and cruise options aboard their
Spirit Class ships (Carnival Spirit, Carnival Legend, Carnival Pride and Carnival Miracle)
AND
Fantasy Class Ships (Carnival Fantasy, Carnival Fascination, Carnival Sensation, Carnival Imagination, Carnival Inspiration, Carnival Elation and Carnival Paradise)...A dozen ships in total!
Typically, the configuration of these cabins consists of two lower twin beds(which can be joined into a queen bed), two upper berth bunks and a rollaway.
Celebrity Cruises -have inside and outside cabins that are are 20% larger than standard cabins and come furnished to sleep 5 (1 double bed, 2 single sofa beds, and 1 bunk bed that folds out of the wall).
Cruise lines that do NOT offer inside or Oceanview family of five cabins -
Disney Cruise Lines
Norwegian Cruise Lines
Holland America Cruise Lines
2. Adjoining or Connecting Cabins -
The good newsThis is a great compromise for families sailing with up to 8 passengers. With this scenario, you do get two full cabins AND TWO bathrooms. With this option you can mix and match cabin categories. For example Mom and Dad can elect to stay in an oceanview stateroom and confirm a less expensive inside cabin right across the hall for their teens. For younger families you can confirm connecting cabins which means your two cabins share a door in between.
The bad news - This option is a bit more pricey because you will need to pay the more expensive first and/or second passenger rates for your family's second cabin. Also, because you have two cabins, you will have two separate entry/exit doors. From a security standpoint, it may be a bit more difficult for parents to moniter two cabin exits instead ofjust one. We warn this as much for sailing with toddlers as we do for families sailing with teens.
Every cruise ship on the high seas offers adjoining or connecting cabins throughout most stateroom categories. Some ships offer more than others so once again, flexibility and early planning are key. On cruise ships you do have the option to purchase your exact stateroom in advance. Here it's best to work with one of our Vacationkids Family Cruise Experts who are most familiar with ship deckplans and can offer your family the best options for adjoining cabins.
3. Family Suites-
The good news -Family Suites are a popular way for families of of five up to families of eight to share the same stateroom accommodations. These are luxury staterooms which come with generous space and walking room. Some cruise lines offer specific services and extra amenities with this category of suite like early embarkation & disembarkation to save your family time waiting in line. These suites usually have at least two bedrooms and most offer 2 bathrooms allowing for more privacy for parents and space for children. Generally suites also offer a living room type seating areas and balconies conducive to family gatherings.
The bad news- Suites and larger balcony class staterooms are the higher priced category cabins on board any ship. Most ships only offer a limited amount of family suites per ship. Family suites are in high demand and are usually the first staterooms to sell out, ESPECIALLY for spring break and holiday sailings. Just like the other cabins geared for larger families, once again family suites are capacity controlled. Another reminder...parents you need to book these rooms in advance to avoid disappointment.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines- Is once again our winner with Family suites that with the most family suites across the board that will accommodate up to six passengers. The Royal Caribbean Family Suites offer two twin beds (which can be pulled together for parents), a convertible sofa and/or Pullman bunk style beds.Family state rooms are available on the...
Allure Class ships (Allure of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas)
Freedom Class Ships (Freedom of the Seas,Liberty of the Seas and Independence of the Seas)
Voyager Class Ships (Adventure of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas)
Radiance Class Ships (Radiance of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas)
Vision Class Ships (Enchantment of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas, Vision of the Seas)
Carnival Cruise Lines - Allows families of five to share their Balcony cove suites on board their Dream Class ships - the Carnival Dream and the Carnival Magic. These are indeed balcony staterooms but please note their are positioned lower and closer to the water on Deck 2 so they may not be the best choice for families with young children or those prone to sea sickness
Disney Cruise Lines - Although Disney does not allow larger families to share their lower priced interior and ocean view cabins, their Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah WILL graciously accommodation a family of five. Room Configuration here offers a Queen-size bed or 2 twin beds, single convertible sofa, wall pull-down bed and upper berth pull-down bed, split bath with tub and shower along with a balcony.
Disney Cruise Lines also offers upgraded Concierge level Suites for families. The 1 bedroom concierge suite that will sleep 5 passengers. The 2 bedroom concierge suite and a Royal concierge Suite which will each accomodate 7 passengers. In addition to upgraded amenities, guests enjoy the services of a Concierge Services Specialist who can assist guests with dinner reservations, shore excursions and other services.
Norwegian Cruise Lines - Does offer suites suited for larger families. The cabin categories, occupancy rules and stateroom descriptions vary between each ship...
The Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Pearl - Gives families the Two bedroom family suite and the two bedroom villa which will both sleep a family of five. The three bedroom garden villa comes with a hot tub on your private deck and will sleep 6.
The Norwegian Pride has two bedroom Deluxe family Suite and Two Bedroom Family Suite with Balcony will sleep families of 5. The Two bedroom obstructed view family suite will sleep 7.
The Norwegian Sky - has owner and penthouse suites that will accommodate a family of five.
The Norwegian Star - offers a 3 bedroom villa for 6, a 2 bedroom family suite,
The Norwegian Epic - has the Two Bedroom Family Villa, a Family Suite and a Deluxe Owner's Suite which will all sleep 6
The Norwegian Pride of America - Has a Deluxe 2 Bedroom Family Suite and a 2 bedroom family suite with Balcony that will both sleep 5. There's also the 2 bedroom Obstructed Family Suite will sleepa total of 8 passengers.
Princess Cruise Lines - For the total number of passengers sharing a suite, the prize goes to Princess.
The Crown Princess, The Emerald Princess, The Golden Princess, The Grand Princess, The Ruby Princess and The Star Princess- All have Family Suites with Balcony has two bedrooms connected by a living room will sleep eight
The Diamond Princes and Sapphire Princess- will sleep a family of six in it's Family Suite.
The Caribbean Princess - Has Family Suites with Balcony will sleep six passengers.
This is just a short list of options for our most requested, family friendly cruises for larger families looking to sail together. There are even more choices available. This is why we ask grown ups to establish and send us their cruise wish list, sailing dates, preferences, family needs and family cruise budget. Your Vacationkids cruise expert will use all this information to focus on the best cruise options out there for your family. We love working with big families because big families always means big fun, and here at Vacationkids....we love big fun!
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