Family of 4 cruise holidays

[johnnyd57uk]

I have a few questions about family of 4 holidays These are often advertised as "Family of 4" and would be ideal for my son his wife and 2 children but I am wondering what the experience is really like and if there are any major drawbacks eg

 

1) Are "Family of 4" rooms any bigger or just standard rooms with fold down or sofa beds.

2) Is there an age limit for children with these packages.

3) If its say £800 for 2 people for a 7 day cruise and a family of 4 price is around the £3500 mark why not book 2 rooms which would work out at almost half the price of the "Family of 4" option.

 

Any had the pleasure of the above. Comments/advice gratefully appreciated

[leaveitallbehind]

What cruise line are you referring to?  It sounds like you are referring to a specific promotion that applies to a given line.  It would be helpful to understand that to provide better responses, or perhaps you could also post this question on the board specific to that cruise line.  

 

On most ships, there are a variety of stateroom sizes that can be configured for four.  Some are standard staterooms that have either a couch that converts to a bed or Murphy style beds that fold down, or a combination of both.  There are also larger family staterooms that have similar accommodations but offer more room.  There are also suites, some that are multi-room with two bathrooms that could accommodate four.

 

Different cruise lines offer different family packages from time to time such as children sail free, or a combination of discount rates for 3rd and 4th passengers, etc.  This varies by cruise line, may each have their own age guidelines, and may be offered only a certain times or on certain sailings.

 

Often times it is more beneficial to book two separate staterooms for the additional space and extra bathroom.  But you can only determine that by doing a mock booking on the cruise line you are interested in to compare pricing.  I would also suggest that you contact a cruise specialist travel agent for their assistance in determining you best options.

Edited April 5, 2019 by leaveitallbehind

[John Bull]

A quick check on the internet showed a couple of UK cruise-specialists offering "family of four" deals with P&O.

Is P&O the cruise line in question?

 

And yes, I've seen even more extreme examples of that apparently-poor value for "family of four",

At those prices it's surely not for a standard 2-berth cabin with another 2 bunks which fold out from the ceiling

- that's a very cramped way to sail, especially with just the one bathroom, altho on some ships P&O cabins are larger than most. 

 

But I've also seen some which show a good discount compared to two inside cabins.Those might just be a different way of presenting their "extra passengers for just £1 each"

 

P&O's pricing is quite convoluted, two-tier pricing and with many more grades than most ships.

 

I suggest you phone the agents concerned - far better than trying to figure what's-what on websites or e-mailing.

This will also give you an idea which agent is likely to be most helpful with a booking - for instance explaining the pros & cons of the two price-tiers 

 

JB 

 

[Jimnbigd]

You might also price two connecting cabins -- with an connecting door so you can move from one cabin to the other without going into the hall. Often the price is not much more, especially for inside cabins. This will give you more room, and 2 bathrooms and 2 closets. These can sell out quickly, and probably should be booked a year or more in advance.

Edited April 5, 2019 by Jimnbigd

[johnnyd57uk]

Thanks for the helpful comments. I did post a response but it was removed as  I didn't realise you cant name travel agents as I did (the one that sounds like an artic house). I am a bit confused as you can name Cruise Lines and its very difficult to comment without specifics. Anyways these Family of 4 holidays are available from most UK travel operators and appear ideal for 2 parents and children ages 8 and 4 as in my Sons case. I was hoping someone who had been on one of these Cruises with their children might comment.

[John Bull]

2 hours ago, johnnyd57uk said:

Thanks for the helpful comments. I did post a response but it was removed as  I didn't realise you cant name travel agents as I did (the one that sounds like an artic house). I am a bit confused as you can name Cruise Lines and its very difficult to comment without specifics. Anyways these Family of 4 holidays are available from most UK travel operators and appear ideal for 2 parents and children ages 8 and 4 as in my Sons case. I was hoping someone who had been on one of these Cruises with their children might comment.

 

 

This is the first I've heard of "Family of Four".

So I suspect it's a new promotion, in which case probably nobody's yet experienced that deal.

So it looks like Cruise Critic may have to appoint you as their official guinea-pig.

 

But there's no such thing as a "family of four room" and it should be no problem asking what cabin categories are used, and comparing the cost against other ways of booking the same cabin.

(And check if there are any freebies like kids' drinks packages with that deal)

 

Subject to P&O's confirmation, I rather suspect that the cheaper Family of Four option will be in a standard 2-berth inside cabin with bunks that fold down from the ceiling. The cabin steward will make the beds and retract the bunks in the morning making it less claustrophobic, and lower the bunks mid-evening while you're out-and-about on the ship.

The more-expensive Fof4 option will probably be in a "junior suite" "Suite" is a mis-nomer, - it's just a bigger cabin with a seating area which can be converted to a double or two single beds, and can be curtained-off from the main bed/s. Same cabin steward routine, so it's a seating area by day, bed/s by night.

Most (all?) junior suites have a balcony.

Whichever way you do it, you'll still have the one WC combined with a shower or bath. So ban games tablets from the bathroom 

 

JB 

[johnnyd57uk]

Thanks for that JB. The "Family of 4 offer" has been around for quite some time possibly years. On the website I use it comes up as standard as part of the search criteria. Your comments make absolute sense but I am surprised that no ones responded saying "been there done that". I will enquire with the cruise operator as to the cabin grades etc. Fold down bunks and queues for the bathroom are probably part of the arrangement I would suspect. Anyways I will do a bit more research for my Son in due course.

I am off on the Britannia mid May. On my last Cruise to the Canaries no one I spoke to who had been on the Britannia had a good word to say about the ship so heres hoping.