How far in advance to book family of 5?

[sharlon]

Hello all! This will be our first cruise with child #3 and we are wondering about how far out we need to book to either get connecting cabins or a large cabin for all five of us. Any one have experience with this? I was thinking at least 14 months, possibly longer.

Thanks for the help!

[miami]

Why wait? Once I know where and when I want to go, I book it. You have a better chance of getting the cabin you want. We booked our next cruise in early May because we wanted 4 rooms together.

[familycruzer]

Book as early as possible to pick your cabins. After, watch for price drops and call to get your discount.

[wrp96]

If you want one of the cabins that are specifically designed to hold 5 people, then you need to book as far out as possible. In addition, if you want to sail during a popular time such as the holidays, spring break, or summer vacation (or on a popular ship), even for connecting cabins, then you need to book as far out as possible - because ship's can reach maximum capacity and no longer be allowed to book 3rd and 4th berths in a room.

 

For example, for a particular cruise next summer on RCCL's Freedom of the Seas, at the moment you cannot book a 3rd or 4th passenger into any room - due to the ship already having reached it's maximum capacity. I'm sure that people will cancel and that will change and more people will eventually be able to book 3rd and 4th passengers, but for people that want to sail her that particular week it is frustrating.

[cherylandtk]

Soemthing else to think about: Most newer ships do not hold 5 passengers in one cabin. So if you are planning on that, you will need to research which ships will accomodate all of you in one cabin. Same thing for connecting cabins, those are also limited to just some ships. If you would take two adjoining or across the hall cabins, then you have some more flexibility, but it still would be to your advantage to book the specific cabins you want as early as you know which ship and itinerary.