Changing occupants of cabin after boarding?

[calteacher]

We are in the planning stages of taking our family, (DD, DD and DSL, and three grandkids--at the time of sailing they will be 3, 5, and 7) on a cruise in 2013. We are wondering if the cabins marked for "3" have a pull out couch large enough for a 3 and 5 yr old boys to share. We especially want to have two of the cabins connecting. As I look at deck plans, it seems that no cabin for 4 connects to anything. The way we have it organized is that DD and granddaughter will share one cabin. DH and I another plus possibly another grandchild. Then DS and DSL and other grandchild will share another. But, our granddaughter (7) who will be sharing with DD is an early riser and our DD is a very late riser. I'm afraid that she will decide to leave the room, so she needs to be connected to either her parents or to us.

Hopefully this isn't too confusing. I want to pay for everyone--but may want to put two grandsons with their parents after we board without having to get one of the rooms that has the bed hanging from the ceiling.

Thanks for any help you can give.

[jkrislc]

The couch bed is a single size bed. If you think they'd be comfortable, then it should work. As far as the ship is concerned, you really don't need to do anything unless you want your 3 or 5 year olds' key cards to open your cabin door.

Note, however, that it is possible that you will be assigned different lifeboat stations based on cabin assignment. In addition, the cabin for 3 will only have 3 life vests assigned to it.

[fann1sh]

EDIT: Sorry to double post some info - I typed slow.

The cabins marked with a circle on the deck plans have a sofa bed the size of a twin, 39 inches wide (and comfortable IMO). If the 3+5 year olds are able to share a bed that size, no one will object.

Only the S suites (or SA, SB, and PH) have pull out full/queen beds. Those beds are often less comfortable than the regular twin ones (IMO - but I've slept on them both).

Even if two next door rooms don't show they adjoin, there's a "work around" for that for BALCONY cabins. They have dividers which can be opened. So, it would be possible to go from one cabin to the next by way of the balcony, rather than going out in the corridor.

[calteacher]

In the interest of finances, we're planning on inside "J's" on the main deck of a Vista ship, so connecting balconies can't be considered.

[eh2zed]

Hopefully you can get the connecting rooms and everything worked. We have changed cabin assignments on our own after boarding when we have sailed as a large family group.

[ninkb]

Some of the J's on Main deck do connect. Look for the "+" sign. I'm looking at Noordam, cabins 1067 with 1073, and 1059 with 1063. Those cabins are quite spacious . . . and if necessary, some of them do have the pull down bunk over the "big bed(s)" that could be used if the doubling up on the sofa bed doesn't work out.

Have a great time. Family cruising is the BEST!!!! :):):)

[Megsie1000]

Which ship? I know some of the J's on the main deck on the Eurodam and N.A. connect. And those are big cabins, should be quit nice to have 2 of them for 6 people. 4 of us are sharing one of them this January.

Like somebody else said, look at the "+" between the two cabins on the deck plans. That means they will have a connecting door.

[ncmomof2]

Just a related aside, my son did fine in one of the high pull-down bunks when he was not quite 3. The do have partial rails. So one of those may be workable for one of the little boys.