Tips for reserving a room on a cruise for the whole family (2023)

If you want to save money, use the squeeze.

If you're looking for an affordable vacation, you can accommodate three to four people in a shared indoor, outdoor, or balcony cabin. Just make sure your kids are okay in cramped dorms and bunk beds. Some cruises likedisney, which offers a simple but cozy comfort: the room divider. When the kids need a break and mom and dad want to read a book or chat over a glass of wine, they can open the blinds and voila! ——Two different rooms. It makes small bedrooms more livable.

Even when multiple people share a room, balconies are a worthwhile luxury, offering parents a great place to relax during a nap or after the kids have gone to bed. If you're concerned about safety, especially if you're traveling with small children, ask about child locks on doors and handrail recesses.

Four members of a family sharing a bathroom can get ugly. Therefore, look for lines with more comfortable bathroom designs. Disney introduced the "Bath and Half Bath" concept to the cruise industry. One bathroom has a sink and toilet, the other has a sink and shower/bath. This means that the mother can apply makeup in one bathroom while the child showers in another.norwegian cruise lineThe Norwegian Epic is another cruise ship that has shared bathrooms (toilet in one room, shower in another, and sink in the main cabin), though the layout (clear smoked glass doors and sink too close to the bed) may not be to everyone's liking. all. .

If you want more space, reserve two and drive.

Perhaps you are traveling with an extended family or can't fit your family of five in a standard cabin? Cruise ships make it easy for families to travel together with a variety of connecting room configurations. You can book two staterooms of the same type and connect the two staterooms through interior doors (and in some cases through the opening partition between the balconies), creating more space and easy access for extended families traveling together. Another good option is to book a balcony cabin for mom and dad and let the kids stay in the cheaper interior cabins across the hall. (Simply check with your cruise line for age or room location restrictions when reserving separate staterooms for children.)

Some itineraries get more creative, offering suites that connect with standard cabins or even other suites to form enclaves with multiple bedrooms, bathrooms, and sitting areas. For example on a boatroyal caribbeanThe Anthem of the Seas Family Connecting Junior Suite connects three staterooms, a Junior Suite, a Studio Stateroom (sleeps one but accommodates two) and a Regular Balcony Stateroom.

If you want everyone to be able to live comfortably in one cabin, look for designated homestays.

Cruise ships are responding to the family travel trend by offering more cabins for families of five or six, some with a second bathroom or separate bedrooms for children. For example,dutch americanKoningsdam and Nieuw Statendam have family cabins with sea views, two bathrooms (one with a bath and one with a shower), two single beds that can be converted into a double bed, a pull-out bed and a double sofa bed.

Carnival's affordable Family Ocean View Stateroom features two twin beds, two upper bunks, and a sleeper sofa that sleeps five. All Royal Caribbean family staterooms accommodate six people.

For the ultimate in luxury, consider the family suite.

If you're looking for a vacation home where you can relax and have a good time instead of just sleeping and changing, make a bold investment in a family suite. Larger than a typical family cabin, these suites typically have a bedroom, living room, balcony, and multiple bathrooms with tubs. Additionally, families can enjoy additional in-suite amenities such as butler service and priority check-in and bargain deals.

For example, exclusive access to Norwegian Cruise Linesafe havenWith several deluxe staterooms for large families of five, six or even eight and a personal concierge who will handle everything from booking evening entertainment and onboard dining reservations to arranging your offshore excursions. The Haven also has its own private pool area and restaurant. Keep in mind that the Haven Suites are much more expensive than the standard cabins.

Suite Loft Royal CaribeIt is one of the largest companies in the cruise industry. The company's Oasis and Quantum-class ships feature two-story loft suites that accommodate up to six guests. The bedrooms are upstairs, with a downstairs sitting area where adults or teens can hang out in the first floor sitting area or hang out on the balcony after the younger kids have gone to bed. New aboard Symphony of the Seas, the two-story Ultimate Family Suite features a private 3D theater, air hockey table, floor-to-ceiling LEGO walls, sliding doors from the kids' room to the living room and a large balcony with a balcony. A climbing wall and a pool table adapted for children.

For a change, book a cabin in the "Family Zone".

Carnival has laid the foundation for a new cruise concept: an exclusive family area. At Carnival Vista and Horizon, Family Harbor is a family-focused area with a variety of cabin layouts (interior, exterior, balcony, and suite) and a lounge for passengers staying only in Family cabins.

The Family Harbor Cottage sleeps 5 people. Suites and some open-air cabanas have shared bathrooms for families, with a regular bathroom with a toilet, sink, and shower, and a second bathroom with another sink and shower/tub combo. Designed as the ultimate family gathering place, the lounge features a large screen TV, games, and complimentary breakfast and snacks. A dedicated family concierge assists guests in family cabins with trip planning and reservations on board and on the ground.

Whatever you do, book in advance.

The ship offers a limited number of larger family staterooms. If you are looking for quadruple, quintuple, communicating or side cabins, it is advisable to book well in advance to guarantee the comfort of the entire crew in the cabin. This is especially true if you are traveling during the high season school holidays.