Trying Carnival again-5 in an inside

My dh and I have only been on one Carnival cruise and we’ve done 6 NCL and one RCI. We were on the Imagination out of Miami that left right after hurricane Isaac went through. So we realize that things with this cruise were just off. The ship came in late because the port was closed- outside the port area was CRAZY! The muster drill was at 3 o’clock in the morning. The crew was exhausted. We missed Key West. So these things were really out of Carnival’s control and they handled things well for the most part. Other things like the ship seemed a little dirty, and the buffet with the lines and lack of seating (maybe this was due to everyone being up until 3 am for the muster drill and we all ended up in the buffet at the same time) would seem to be under their control. We had gone with traditional dining and I think we’ve decided we just don’t care for it. In all we enjoyed our cruise but just weren’t wowed. Okay, so now we’ve booked the Elation 5 day out of NOLA for 6/28/14. This cruise will be different for us because our children will be with us. My dd age 20, ds age 14 and dh’s dd age 11. We are all booked in an inside cabin so Carnival may have their work cut out for them making this a great cruise. I know, everyone will say “what were you thinking booking everyone in the same room?” Three reasons- the price difference was large, it was hard to figure out who to put in cabins together and the three kids would end up hanging out in the room too much if they had their own room (and I want to spend time with them). So with 5 people in a room, us new to cruising with kids and us being new to CCL, I need advice and tips. We did choose my time dining this time so maybe that will be better. Are there always lines at the buffet? How are the shows for our age group of kids? We only saw half of one on our cruise…something broke and the show was canceled. What kinds of things are there for kids to do onboard? I’ll probably have more questions but I'm determined to make this a great cruise!

Thanks!

The main thing i can tell you is to go into the trip with an open mind. I once booked 5 in an inside room. 4 years ago and still havent gotten over it! It will be crowded but if you have the steward separate the king bed into 2 twins in an L shape, you will be surprised at how much floor space you'll gain.

Also, have your husband take the boys to the gym to use the showers up there. Those showers are much larger and you wont all be in the room trying to get ready for dinner at once.

The buffet lines are long from about 11:00-12:30. We always eat dinner in the MDR so I dont know about the dinner hour lines.

Even though it will be crowded in the room, it will be fun. Just plan on being out of the cabin doing something most of the time and stagger shower times.

This cruise will be different for us because our children will be with us. My dd age 20, ds age 14 and dh’s dd age 11. We are all booked in an inside cabin so Carnival may have their work cut out for them making this a great cruise.

I think you are going to have to work out a plan for your cabin. You are going to be on top of one another. Someone could shower at the gym for instance.

The 11 year old would be in Camp Carnival, the 14 year old in Circle C, but the "problem" would be the 20 year old. Too old for 02, but not old enough for a lot of things. I have no suggestions as have not had one that old on the cruise with us. Thankfully they let our 18 year old go to 02 even though he was a year too "old" for it.

Beds--

Agree with the suggestion of having the lowers as twins. One under the faux window and the other along one of the walls. It might be possible for the extra bed to fit under the other bunk. (The beds are very easy to move.)

You have the option of using a trundle or a rollaway. The rollaway is just what you think it is. It will be folded up during the day. A trundle is a pallet that can be stored under one of the beds. It is good for those under 4'6".

Organization--

-Share what you can---hairdryers, curling irons, lotions and potions.

-Think carefully about your electronics as there is one 110v and one European two-pin 220v outlet on the vanity.

-There are three closets, two for hanging, one with shelves.

-In the vanity there are three drawers and a thinner 'pencil' drawer.

-Next to the uppers are hooks. We hang shoe holders for stuff. The upper pockets become the nightstand for the upper bunks. (Bring some string JIC you need to reconfigure something. We just use a multistrand of Dental Floss.

-Luggage gets stored under the beds. If yours are a bit tall, simply lift the bed. There is a lip hanging down from the frame.

-Really think about the 'what-ifs'. We simply use a bag for our dirties. There are laundry rooms available.

--The Box- IIRC the Elation still has The Box in the corner. Usually there are lifejackets inside there. It can be used to store stuff but remember to get them when you debark.

Bathroom--IIRC the Elation still has the medicine cabinet with three shelves behind the mirror.

The safe requires a magnetic strip card. We have used our AAA or Vegas casino loyalty cards.

A couple more thoughts:

Unpack the suitcases as soon as they are delivered to the cabin. Send all but one "helper" out to the pool or to roam the ship. That way you'll know where everything is when the kids are claiming something' lost. Put the empty suitcases under one bed and the trundle bed under the other when not in use.

Dont overpack, closet & drawer space is limited. Bring a small over the door organizer for sunscreen, lotions, toothbrushes, medicines, etc. The bathrooms dont always have storage space. Some do, others don't.

Bring a couple of duffle bags for dirty laundry. The dollar stores carry the organizers and bags.

I like the cabins to stay organized, lol. I would go crazy with 5 people's clutter.

I am kidding about it being terrible w/ 5 in an inside, I'd do it again in a minute if the price was right.

I cannot imagine 5 people in 1 room if the children are small but 5 people in 1 room with 3 adults(the 20 year old) and a teen just does not even make sense to me at all! I would rethink this whole idea. It is not just about taking showers! Try it at home with everyone staying in one bedroom and using 1 bathroom and then multiply that by more than 1 day .

I'd wait until I could afford another cabin!

I did 4 in an inside................once. I think I would rather stay home than call that a vacation.:eek:

Good luck and stay positive.

It'll be fine. I've already received great ideas!

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We stayed 5 in an inside last summer: 2 adults, 3 kids: 9, 10 and 14.

I'm not gonna lie, it was very crowded. So much so that we sent the roll away back and put the extra kid in bed with us. But... We didn't configure the beds as suggested earlier. That would have helped considerably!

We'd do it again in a heart beat (because of the price)

Have fun!

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"We are all booked in an inside cabin so Carnival may have their work cut out for them making this a great cruise." Why is your own self imposed discomfort Carnival's responsibility to accomodate? :confused:

I've sailed twice with 4 adults in an inside room and a balcony. We had a great time. Some went to the gym to shower, sometimes we just came to the room in shifts to dress for dinner, slow folks were first, thus missing the most time on deck! (as it should be) - I was among the fast showerers! You will have a great time and you are on vacation, not sitting at home saving money for that "some day" when we have enough money! If I did that I would never have gone on my first cruise yet, much less all the wonderful bargain vacations that we have experienced.

If you have been camping with 5 in a tent, this will be no sweat;)! Most people do not spend that much time in the stateroom.

We just stayed 4 in a room on the Victory 5 day. It worked ok, but probably won't do it again. Had 2 parents, 16 yr old daughter and 14 yr old som. Good idea to send guys to locker room for showers. Otherwise you need to be very organized and have "shifts". Girls will need to make use of closet mirror and vanity mirror to do hair and makeup I keep bathroom open to the others. The over the door shoe hanger is a necessity to keep all cards, glasses, lotions, etc organized. We brought a small power strip which came in handy! If suitcases fit inside each other, do that for storage. Bring your own hangers or ask steward for lots of extras. Plan clothing outfits so as to not over pack and be sure to pack clothes that you can mix and match. Shampoo and shower gel are provided in the cabin shower. Good luck and be sure to have lots of patience.

One other thing--

Only bathroom 'duties';) are to be done in the bathroom. All primping is to be done at the vanity or on the beds.

"We are all booked in an inside cabin so Carnival may have their work cut out for them making this a great cruise." Why is your own self imposed discomfort Carnival's responsibility to accomodate? :confused:

It was a joke! Lighten up, please.

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I did 4 in an inside cabin in March and we are doing it again in May. It was crowed but not bad at all. I just had to keep the room tidy. We don't spend enough time in the room for us to justify the cost of another cabin. We would rather spend that extra $$ on other things. It is a personal choice. :D

"One other thing--<br />

Only bathroom 'duties';) are to be done in the bathroom. All primping is to be done at the vanity or on the beds."

Right! And I won't forget the air freshener!

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I know, everyone will say “what were you thinking booking everyone in the same room?!

What were you thinking booking everyone in the same room?! :o

Seriously, it sounds like a disaster waiting to happen, but I'm sure that you'll make the most of it. Tips? Keep an eye open for price drops! If prices drop, you may find yourself able to afford that second cabin which I would HIGHLY recommend.

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We did 5 in an oceanview on the Triumph and it was fine. I made sure everyone put their stuff away so the mess was kept to a minimum.:D

So with 5 people in a room, us new to cruising with kids and us being new to CCL, I need advice and tips.

...No worries. 5 in a cabin? Tight, but "do-able."

...I've been cruising in one cabin with my wife and 2 daughters since they were 6 & 2 years old. They are now 23 & 19. The truth is that I would not give up the laughs and fun we had together for anything in the world! Getting ready for dinner was always the tough part. Our rule was Daddy showers and gets ready first. Then, get the heck out the way (which means go down to the Atrium Bar) while the women get ready.

...With my oldest finished with college and working full time, and my youngest half way through her college career, I would LOVE to go back to the days when they were younger, laughing and giggling in the cabin. Go ahead and put 5 in a cabin. You'll have family memories that will last a lifetime.

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I think it really depends on the individuals involved. I know some families who would love it and others that would hate it. We are most definitely in the latter group and would never consider trying to put all 4 of us together in an interior. We tend to be independent and private at home and a couple of us really need to be able to have down time and will go back to the room for breaks. If your group is used to traveling together and sharing tight quarters or tend to hang out together even at home, it will probably be OK. If you're a group that is go, go, go and will only be in the room to shower and sleep, it will be easier. And everyone has to go into it accepting it will likely be lousy sleep for all for at least a couple nights.

This arrangement would be a recipe for misery for me and my family. My SIL and her family would absolutely do it to save money and have a blast.

I agree that being organized and everyone taking the time to keep their clutter under control is critical. And if there are people in your group that need some people-free time, respect that and allow them to get it without any guilt trips or insisting they can't miss out on whatever it is.

Good luck.

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What were you thinking booking everyone in the same room?! :o

 

Seriously, it sounds like a disaster waiting to happen, but I'm sure that you'll make the most of it. Tips? Keep an eye open for price drops! If prices drop, you may find yourself able to afford that second cabin which I would HIGHLY recommend.

 

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Excellent advice. The week or so before sailing, if cabins are left..they are low. low.

And Dad and son in one cabin. Mom and girls in the other.

If I can, I pay for a balcony just to get another space for my husband while I get ready..or whatever. And it is just two of us! My Daughter, SIL and Grand daughter sailed with us last month, and I loved on several big time T.A. who post rates, and Carnival Twice a day.......until I found rates I could afford for an Oceanview and a cove balcony. We had a great time. Check every day..and one day.. I bet you...those rates will be low enough to be done.

Good Luck.

Good luck, hope none of you snore!