Family suite or separate cabins?

[longduo]

We are planning a cruise with our son, daughter-in-law and 2 granddaughters ages 6 and 11. Would you recommend a family suite or 2 separate cabins?

Any other advice would be appreciated.

[boulders]

Are you thinking of the Royal Family Suite, the Presidential Family Suite or a different family cabin? How well does everyone get along?;)

[Cruise_Couple]

I have been in an oceanview family suite on Jewel of the Seas. I have also done the 2 connecting cabins on Explorer of the Seas. I would not recommend the family oceanview for 6 people. It was fine for us (we were only 3 adults and the cabin will easily sleep 6 if you use the pullout sofa) but there is really only semi private sleeping for everyone and 1 bathroom. I would opt for 2 connecting cabins so you can get 2 bathrooms, sleeping for 8 if needed, and the wonderful ability to "shut the door" if you want privacy. Really the biggest benefit in my opinion to 2 cabins is the 2 bathrooms! You will appreciate that when you are trying to get ready for dinner.

[rjm1cc]

Two rooms. Maybe an insdie cabin and an outside accross the hall or two adjoining outside.

[Ashland]

We are planning a cruise with our son, daughter-in-law and 2 granddaughters ages 6 and 11. Would you recommend a family suite or 2 separate cabins?

 

Any other advice would be appreciated.

[/quote

 

We always do the RFS when sailing with the family.....Especially on the Freedom Class ships.... love all the Suite perks, and two bedrooms, sleeper sofa or pullmans and two bathrooms......and the HUGE balcony with a table for 6...love having roomservice breakfast, family style.....:D....consider your budget..price all your options...but don't forget to include the fact that this may be a cruise of a lifetime for your family...sometimes it's worth it to spend a few more bucks....I know the memories we have had are PRICELESS !!!!!

[boulders]

Royal Family Suite has 2 bathrooms. The Presidential Family Suite has 4 bathrooms.

[cb at sea]

Do separate rooms...you don't have to be together 24/ 7! It's usually cheaper than the full suite, and you get more privacy.

I mean, I love my family, but I love them better from afar!

[Gordo]

We are planning a cruise with our son, daughter-in-law and 2 granddaughters ages 6 and 11. Would you recommend a family suite or 2 separate cabins?

 

Any other advice would be appreciated.

 

 

We just had a Royal Family Suite to celebrate our mom's 70th birthday and we thought this was an awesome way to travel.

 

We had five adults in the room. Mom and I had the master bedroom (which had its own bathroom with a full-sized bathtub), my hubby took the sofa bed in the living room (he is so wonderful) with a combo dining space and my brother and his girlfriend had the second bedroom (the second bedroom also had two beds that come out of the ceiling so the room sleeps four - so in total you could sleep eight people in the RFS).

 

We felt the space was wonderful for us. You were able to close off the two bedrooms so there was a lot of privacy. And it was very nice having the separate bathrooms. The master bedroom had three closets, the second bedroom had one closet and there was a very large walk-in closet right across from the second bathroom in the main living area. The balcony was huge. One section of the balcony had four lounge chairs and the second section had a table with four chairs and two more chairs for sitting. We had an amazing full view off the back of the boat which was an absolute delight as we pulled into or took off from a port.:p

 

It was really nice having he common area in our room where we could meet and hang out while we waited for the group to get ready for the day or the evening out. We were really impressed with the space.

 

Being a passenger in a suite cabin also afforded us additional benefits that really made our trip special. We loved the Concierge Lounge. Vanessa did a great job taking care of the family. It was also really wonderful having the special check in line when we got to the pier and having the valet luggage at departure. They escort you off the boat and take you throught customs. You are able to check-in your bag right after customs and you don't see it again until you get to your home airport. :D

 

If the Royal Family Suite is available we would highly recommend it. The only downside was that mom thought the walk to the elevators was rather long. Not that it would stop us from booking this cabin in the future. :cool:

 

I am hoping that mom won't be too disappointed on her next trip when we don't have this fabulous cabin. Good luck with your decision.

[cruisin4kicks]

I agree with everything Gordo said. We just returned from an Oct 4 cruise on the Freedom. We had a Royal Family Suite with 6 adults... wife and I, son (30) and fiancee, and daughter (28) with boyfriend. It was great and we never really had running into each other issues other than getting ready for dinner.

 

You have two choices for sleeping arrangements. The granddaughters can either sleep in the same room as your son and daughter-in-law or they can sleep on the couch in the living room.

 

The balcony is huge and had a table for 6. We had breakfast on the balcony most mornings.

 

Everybody got to enjoy all the suite perks as well. This was a first cruise ever for son's fiancee and daughter's boyfriend. They're probably spoiled now for any future cruise if they ever decide to take another one.

 

Tim