Booking interconnecting rooms for a family of 5, and other newbie questions

[Yayacruiser123]

Hi there,

 

I have never cruised before, but am starting to eye a cruise off very keenly, especially after finding CC!

 

I really really really want to take my family on a cruise, I think it looks like it will be an ideal family holiday. My husband and I have 3 kids - 11, 8 and 5 years old.

 

Because there are 5 of us, it seems we won't all fit in the one room and will need interconnecting rooms.

 

I have a few questions

- how do I book these interconnecting rooms ? Do I have to ring the company direct? It seems quite difficult to do online?

- Because we will be needing two rooms, do we get charged more per person than say a family of four?

- I know to factor in the cost of the rooms etc, but what extra costs am I up for? Just trying to factor any costs whatsoever into the budget so I know what I am up for?

 

Is there a recommended deck to be on? I want to be able to let the eldest two roam around the ship a bit of their own accord, knowing that it is going to be fairly simple for them to find their way back to our room. I am thinking that they are going to need some sort of wristband or something to remind them of what floor they are on and their room number....

 

Also, reading through the CC forums, I see things like soda cards etc. Do any Australian cruises do that? I am thinking that this would make things super easy and cheaper?

 

Hmmmm, I am sure I will be back with more questions shortly!

 

Thanks so much for your help.

 

cheers

Jenny

[Aus Traveller]

Some ships have inter-connecting rooms and some don't. Maybe a travel agent could help you best - or other people on this forum. When looking for a travel agent, I suggest you go to ones that specialise in cruising. Look at ads in the Sunday newspaper to give you ideas. On this forum we can't mention specific travel agents.

 

If you can't find inter-connecting rooms, you might have to book two cabins (side to side or across the hall) and put you in one and your husband in the other, each with a kid or two. This would cost more. Someone else will be able to confirm, but you will probably have to pay the 'twin-share' price for the adult plus first child. The extra child will be at the lower 'extra person' rate. The many times we cruised with our family we were able to get 5-bed cabins but they are not available on the present ships. Pity.

 

Which deck - This is going to depend on which type of cabin you want. We quite like the lower decks as they are more stable in rough seas and cheaper. The upper decks are closer to a lot of the activities .

 

I wouldn't worry too much about 11 and 8 year olds remembering their cabin number or being able to find it. They will probably be better at it than you. :D It isn't a good idea to write the cabin number on the cruise card because if the card is lost it gives the finder access to your cabin. Everyone can have a small folding map of the ship. Maybe write the deck number and cabin number on that.

 

Soda cards - Only on some cruise lines. Princess have them but P&O don't. I can't comment on the other cruise lines.

 

And yes - cruising is an ideal family holiday. We started when our kids were 6, 9 and 12 and went every year for many years. We all loved it.:)

[Kiwi_cruiser]

Welcome to Cruise Critic Yayacruiser123 :D

 

Also, reading through the CC forums, I see things like soda cards etc. Do any Australian cruises do that? I am thinking that this would make things super easy and cheaper?

 

Yes, some Australian cruises lines do, do soda cards, like Princess and I think Holland America does as well.

 

But P&O Australia don't do soda cards.

 

I have only been on P&O Australia, Holland America and Princess, so I cant comments on the other lines.

 

If you have any other question just ask :), I am sure someone here will have the answer.

[The_Big_M]

If you can't find inter-connecting rooms, you might have to book two cabins (side to side or across the hall) and put you in one and your husband in the other, each with a kid or two. This would cost more. Someone else will be able to confirm, but you will probably have to pay the 'twin-share' price for the adult plus first child. The extra child will be at the lower 'extra person' rate. The many times we cruised with our family we were able to get 5-bed cabins but they are not available on the present ships. Pity.

 

 

There are some ships which do have provision for 5 as well.

 

Are there any particular cruises, lines, destinations that you're looking at?

[benjoon]

We now book connecting cabins. We are a family of 3 but having a teenage daughter we enjoy having 2 bathrooms. We have to book the cabins in the name of an adult but once on ship we swap over. It worked so well on our last cruise we booked the same for our next one. We did share a suite before that would have had enough space for 5. One suite we stayed in had a curtain that gave you a bit of privacy from the kids beds.

 

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[Grey Nomad]

If you look at Radiance of the Seas or Rhapsody of the Seas they have 4 cabins which are family ocean view cabins which have a separate bedroom with 2 sets of bunks for the kids. This is especially good for younger ones when you want the security of knowing that they are not on the balcony while you are blissfully asleep.

[RD MULLET]

If you look at Radiance of the Seas or Rhapsody of the Seas they have 4 cabins which are family ocean view cabins which have a separate bedroom with 2 sets of bunks for the kids. This is especially good for younger ones when you want the security of knowing that they are not on the balcony while you are blissfully asleep.

These cabins are extreemly good, my daughter uses them all the time when her family cruises.

She has girls 14,12 and 6 so very similar.

They are cabins with a window (oceanview), but there are not many on the RC Ships, we find we usually have to book at leaset 12 months in advance to get school holiday ones. The ones on Rhapsody are midship to forward on both sides and the ones on Radiance are front facing so the kids (and you) get a good view all the time.

They both have seperate bedrooms for the kids and yourself so plenty of room.

When we all cruise together my youngest 2 also end up in the cabin with the girls so there are 5 of them playing in there.

[gaechann]

If you look at Radiance of the Seas or Rhapsody of the Seas they have 4 cabins which are family ocean view cabins which have a separate bedroom with 2 sets of bunks for the kids. This is especially good for younger ones when you want the security of knowing that they are not on the balcony while you are blissfully asleep.

 

Welcome to Cruise Critic! I'm sure you're family will love cruising!

 

As mentioned above, the Radiance and Rhapsody of the Seas have Family Cabins. I'm almost sure the Voyager of the Seas (the largest Royal Caribbean ship here in Australia) have them too. They don't show on their website so you'll need to call them directly (or have your Travel Agent do so) on 1800.754.500.

 

They have a sale on at the moment for new bookings made for 2014 so you might just find something available for the itinery that you are interested in.

 

Come back and let us know what you decide.

 

Gae

[PeteyD23]

We went through a travel agent to get the interconnecting rooms on the Pacific Pearl. Could not work out how to select them through the website/s.

[Sweet on the sea]

Hi we had an interconnecting inside room on Voyager of the Seas. It was great because you have two bathrooms.

I would caution you on giving your children too much freedom. You are sailing with strangers, it can be dangerous.

[Brossy]

I have seen the family oceanviews on Voyager (photos below) but have stayed in the family oceanviews on Radiance. They are fantastic and we have booked one again for our next Royal Caribbean cruise. They can be a little more expensive than 2 oceanviews so you will need to do your sums before booking one.

 

Voyager of the Seas cabin 9500.

 

 

 

[Brossy]

 

 

[The_Big_M]

I have seen the family oceanviews on Voyager (photos below) but have stayed in the family oceanviews on Radiance. They are fantastic and we have booked one again for our next Royal Caribbean cruise. They can be a little more expensive than 2 oceanviews so you will need to do your sums before booking one.

 

 

They're nice but if is more expensive than two oceanviews, I'd go with that (assuming they're nearby) as you then have two bathrooms. With the single family cabin you only have the one bathroom.

[AussieAli]

Welcome to CC Yayacruiser

 

We sailed on Radiance last yr and yes they sell soda pkgs as well as wine, photo and bottled water packages!! You pay upfront for these and we found the soda pkg was worth purchasing as our cruise was for 17 nts and it was quite economical. We too have 3 children and booked interconnecting cabins. My husband and I were in one room and the kiddlywinks were in the other. There was no issue with them being in one cabin with no adult as the rooms were connected. With P&O you do need to book 2 cabins and one parent needs to be in each cabin but you will find once on board, your cabin steward will turn a blind eye to that rule!!

 

Our 3 loved the kids club (teen club) and they couldn't wait to see their new friends each day! My husband and I enjoyed some free time, it was bliss!!

A few things that we have discovered are:

1) If ur prone to motion sickness, book midship cabins on the lower decks as the ships movement is minimal on these decks.

2) Starboard side is also the 'smoking' side of the ship - this is FYI only - I'm not having a go at the smokers so pls don't berate me!!

3) avoid cabins that are situated under the pool deck, dining room or other public areas - the noise can drive you to distraction!

4) there are no guest laundries on Royal Caribbean so take along some washing liquid or powder

5) most of all - have fun!

 

Cheers, Alison

 

 

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[Aussie FF]

Welcome to CC

Always had family oceanview on Rhapsody when the kids were smaller. One bathroom shared with 5 people. Always found it to be cheaper than 2 rooms, as the 3rd, 4th & 5th pax paid a reduced rate.

Good size on Radiance too.

Now the kids are bigger than me and we have interconnecting rooms when possible, unless we can get a good upgrade deal to Royal Family Suite. 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, and the kids still get bunk beds.:)

[Brossy]

They're nice but if is more expensive than two oceanviews, I'd go with that (assuming they're nearby) as you then have two bathrooms. With the single family cabin you only have the one bathroom.

 

It really depends on how many are going. If we were to book two cabins we would have to pay 1st and 2nd passenger rate twice (even for kids) as opposed to a family ocean view where there is 1st/2nd passenger rate, 3rd /4th passenger rate and our 5th /6th passengers ae children so the fare was $200pp cheaper again. We saved a lot by booking this cabin even though its initially dearer. The size of our cabin was massive!!!! I am happy to forgo that 2nd bathroom for the extra space we had, it was like a suite.

[3littlepigs]

We had a family verandah cabin on Celebrity Millennium, the balcony was even bigger than the cabin..., people asked if we had the Penthouse! we have been spoiled for any other cabin. The cabin holds 5 in a bed room and separate room which is a loungeroom during the day and kids bedroom at night. Very highly recommended if you are looking at that type of cruise.

[Brossy]

Radiance of the seas 8502

 

 

 

[ravie80]

Hi there we did our first cruise in march this year with carnival spirit we had interconnecting rooms we went though a TA and she rang carnival 7132 and 7136 are interconnecting rooms the star means 3 will fit in that room the triangle means it is interconnecting I found carnival spirit a great family cruise and have booked another one for next January soft drink package for adults was $7 per day and kids $5.25 per day

 

 

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[ravie80]

I ask our TA to get a quote for a 4 person extended balcony and a quote for the interconnecting twin balcony and twin inside and it was only about $500 different but like someone said we got 2 bathrooms

 

 

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