Diamond: 2 adults, 2 kids in a BC quad - anyone done this?

[cydspal]

Ok, so now I am getting scared...I just saw a few pictures ("Diamond Princess photos now linked")from a recent cruiser on the Diamond of a quad and the two beds looks REALLY small. Can anyone put my fears to rest? We are 2 adults, 2 kids and could not afford a mini, we are in a BC on the Aloha deck (one of those cabins that has the red dot by the number representing a quad). Any feedback on the beds/cabin/balcony? Am I going to walk in the cabin and look like... http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

[joleda]

Hi, I can't say much about Princess, our first is in Nov. But we have done this many times on Carnival. It is tight. But, for sleeping we never had a problem. On Carnival they put the bunks up in the day and the lower was a couch. At night they opened the couch and pulled down the upper. For us, it was two twins that they bump together and make one full. It really wasn't that bad. The balcony is the key here. A place to spread out a little . How old are the kids? Mine spend most of the day just cruising the ship and exploring. I hope this helps a bit.

Dave

Navigator of the Seas
Carnival Victory
Carnival Triumph
RCCL Majesty of the Seas
Carnival Legend
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Caribbean Princess 11-20-04

[sunnyv]

If you can't afford a mini, tight cabin quarters are better than no cabin/cruise at all! As Dave says, the balcony will help you find more space, ENJOY http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Vicki

12/26/04 Caribbean Princess to Eastern Caribbean
Princess Star 8/03 Alaska
Princess Coral 3/03 Panama
Disney's Wonder 12/01 Bahama's
RCC Majesty of the Seas 11/99 Southern Caribbean

[cydspal]

Yes, we have cruised on Disney, RCL, and Carnival with our girls (ages 11 and 7) and never had a problem...its those pictures that concerned me...the twin beds looked tiny....perhaps this cabin was not a quad?

[Jacqueline]

Princess cabins tend to be smaller than Carnival and Disney. Try the following website for more precise data. Quad cabins are no bigger than doubles.

http://www.cruisestateroom.com

Have you tried pricing an inside cabin for the kids ? That is better than even getting a minisuite as there is an extra bathroom.
BTW I have been known to take a shower in the spa when sharing a cabin with my two daughters.

Jacqueline
Constellation 3/20/04
HAL Westerdam 7/30/04
Tahitian Princess August 2003
Grand Princess Western Caribbean 2003
Brilliance of the Seas Baltic 2002
Ocean Princess- Alaska 2001
Celebrity Zenith- Bermuda 2001
Grand Princess Med 2000

[joleda]

I agree totally with the inside cabin. We have not done it yet, but never realised it works out to be pretty close to the same amount of money. I tried to do it with the 11/26/04 caribbean Princess, but it's too late. There are no balcony + inside close to each other. I will definetly do it with the next one. We just need to book earlier. What a dream that would be! 2 bathrooms, more storage, kids clothes in their own room, privacy etc etc. They are 9 and 13 and would love having their own pad for the week. But for now, we don't care how tight it is, just get me on the ship. 40 days until the legend, and we cannot wait! Happy cruising everybody!

Dave

Navigator of the Seas
Carnival Victory
Carnival Triumph
RCCL Majesty of the Seas
Carnival Legend
http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;5;31;16;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500
Caribbean Princess 11-20-04

[woodspines]

We have cruised 2 times in a quad cabin with teens. Last time we were on the Grand in a cat. BC. Yes, it was tight, but we managed just fine. Having a balcony really helped. You just learn to work around each other. If your family gets along well, it isn't an issue. I would do it that way again in a heartbeat.

[woodspines]

One more thing...
Make sure everyone picks up behind themselves, so all luggage, shoes, etc, are put away. Otherwise you are tripping over everything and that's when it gets hairy!

[cydspal]

Thanks...how were the bed sizes?

[katisdale]

The beds are smaller in width than standard size twin beds. Two standard twins pushed together make a king sized bed. Two cruise twins pushed together make a queen sized bed. You will have more room than in a standard double bed but if you sleep in a king (we do)then it does seem cramped. If you are uncomfortable or wake up when someone touches you, leave the beds separate. It might be a little cramped but it is well worth it. Have a great cruise.

[seattlekckckc]

I was just on the Diamond, and the beds are a little small, but it is nothing that I noticed much while sleeping. They are also way more comfortable than the Star or the Island, which were so hard I almost could not sleep.
~Make sure you get those bags put away asap, so you never feel like they are underfoot. The beds are tall so you can store them under there, or put them all inside each other and shove into the back of the clost out of the way. I have never tried this, but someone told me the room steward can maybe store them somewhere for you? Not sure about that.

~Then shove the extra blankets and such down the top shelf as far as possible, and put the life vests within reach but compacted down, and use the top shelf for shows. Especially any more nicer shoes you dont want scuffed.

Have fun! Casey

[theresef]

We were originally gonna do the same and do a quad balcony. When pricing it out, the 3 & 4th passendger rate was MORE than an upgraded inside cabin. Ended up playing around with different balcony cabins until we could get a combination with the inside across. It was $110 cheaper with two cabins than 4 of us in 1. Go figure. Just noticed that the prices have come down yet again. So may want to check out that option.

Good Luck!
Therese

[cydspal]

Thanks everyone..but the ship is pretty much booked up...and I can't tell you that my wife would sleep well with our 7 year old in another room with our 11 year old...I will just have to see...I still have not heard from anyone who has been on the Diamond in a quad balcony BC...

[MaryPoppinz]

Maybe grab the inside cabin so that you have the extra washroom, storage space, a place for a quiet nap, etc? Then, you can all snuggle up together in one or the other cabins at night.

"I'm gonna book myself on that Princess Cruise."
-- Fox Mulder, X-Files 'Three Words'