What Room for Family of 4 on Antrhem

We currently have 2 connecting interiors with virtual balcony rooms booked on Anthem. Our kids will be 14 and 10 when we sail.

Just curious how others book when you are travelling with kids on Anthem? I'm always price checking but not even sure what to switch to that is within our budget. One thing I noticed though is that there doesn't seem to be a ton of connecting staterooms where both rooms are for 2 people. I'm also not seeing interior room and an ocean view/balcony side by side. At the moment the jump for 2 ocean view rooms (never mind about balcony) is a large jump in price, but I'm constantly looking. Now we're looking at $700 more just for next category but the other day it was just $300 more so prices are constantly fluctuating.

So what kind of rooms do others get? Do you get connecting for this age group? (Think for us, I'd feel more comfortable). Or do you just get one big room? Junior Suites and above are about our price but there is a large front corner ocean view for four people....but that brings us back to 1 bathroom.

We will get the obstructed balcony cabins. Pretty reasonable with our D discount they are only slightly more ($70pp) than the insides. We’ve always booked side by side and not connecting since our kids were about 10 and 12.

We will get the obstructed balcony cabins. Pretty reasonable with our D discount they are only slightly more than the insides. We’ve always booked side by side and not connecting since our kids were about 10 and 12.

I was looking at those...but just one room - or ocean view front aft corner rooms (look very spacious). That good...opens up more options when you don't need connecting.

For balcony rooms...if you get two rooms, do you get the discount for each room? I'll be Platinum by our Anthem cruise so think it's $100 off. Or is it $200 off if we book 2 rooms? (Or to complicate my question...only I will be Platinum as DH is one cruise behind me - so am thinking its just discount on 1 room?)

I suspect that the screen oriented youth generation might like that virtual balcony just fine. The two bathrooms is a great idea. As a mom I would prefer connecting with zero chance of balcony shenanigans. And I wouldn’t pay a lot more for just a window. $300 can easily go for lots of other things, an upgraded dinner, a shore excursion, t shirts, casino play, an adult beverage or three, and that list just goes on.

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I was looking at those...but just one room - or ocean view front aft corner rooms (look very spacious). That good...opens up more options when you don't need connecting.

 

For balcony rooms...if you get two rooms, do you get the discount for each room? I'll be Platinum by our Anthem cruise so think it's $100 off. Or is it $200 off if we book 2 rooms? (Or to complicate my question...only I will be Platinum as DH is one cruise behind me - so am thinking its just discount on 1 room?)

We get the discount off each room. Even with the kids booked in their own room they get the discount as they are the same status as us. DH and your kids have your status as well even though on points he is one cruise behind you.

For us I’ll spend up to about $200 to $300 per cabin for a balcony over the inside. While we don’t spend a lot of time on the balcony the natural light and fresh air is worth it for us.

Kids don't give a fig about balconies..they will be out and about 99% of the time. I wouldn't put 4 in even a JS...it's a great space, but not with 4 people. I think you should stick with what you've booked, unless prices on an OV or balcony drops within your budget.

Always booked connecting ocean views when our kids were that age but we had 4 kids so the youngest with us and the other 3 in the connecting room. It was perfect

Then we went to side by side ocean views (our kids were a 10 year range so ages 8 to 18 at that point) the youngest decided to move in with her sisters when she saw it was a quad sleep set up versus staying with us. We then decided we were on a second honeymoon. Lol

Now.....we get the balcony....the four of them are paying their own way and are happy with an interior quad about 6 cabins down the hallway.

Normally I'd get us closer together as in directly across the hall but according to rccl we booked the last double occupancy balcony (the website shows no more balconies too so I believe them lol) and there was only 1 quad interior near us so that's how it's booked. They are ages 18 to 28 now and it's been 7 years since all of us cruised together. Lots of celebrations this cruise...graduations..anniversary...milestone bday...

I almost suggested the 28yo invite her significant other and get their own cabin but refrained as my 4 dds love being together on family trips. The 28 yo does enough traveling with his family so no biggie

As far as putting 4 in the interior...they are all seasoned cruisers and travelers in general and although all girls they are light packers

I taught them well in this area. They only one who is a pack rat is the oldest but so be it. The idea of spending time in close quarters is actually appealing to them as they really love each other and cherish when they can all be together. Fortunately the 28 yo has a wonderful successful career but it's a career that has her living out of state So time together is special

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Thanks for the replies.

Good to know that you get the balcony discount on 2 rooms...as long as one person is past Gold status (as in our case).

I feel better about our choice now. I will say that we don't tend to spend much time in our room anyways with kids (i.e. it's not like we'll sit out and read on our balcony)....and we tend to get cheaper staterooms anyways and spend money on other things as poster mentioned above. I guess i'm second guessing since a few weeks ago I was able to upgrade us on Mariner from interior (161 sq ft) to spacious ocean view balcony (203 sq ft) for very little...and we also have Boardwalk booked on another cruise. So wondering how it'll be going back to interior...lol (but we've never had 2 rooms so that's a step up in itself). So...just always looking. But as mentioned, not a ton of connecting options anyways and 2 ocean view balconies are quite a bit more at the moment.

Thanks for the replies.

 

Good to know that you get the balcony discount on 2 rooms...as long as one person is past Gold status (as in our case).

 

I feel better about our choice now. I will say that we don't tend to spend much time in our room anyways with kids (i.e. it's not like we'll sit out and read on our balcony)....and we tend to get cheaper staterooms anyways and spend money on other things as poster mentioned above. I guess i'm second guessing since a few weeks ago I was able to upgrade us on Mariner from interior (161 sq ft) to spacious ocean view balcony (203 sq ft) for very little...and we also have Boardwalk booked on another cruise. So wondering how it'll be going back to interior...lol (but we've never had 2 rooms so that's a step up in itself). So...just always looking. But as mentioned, not a ton of connecting options anyways and 2 ocean view balconies are quite a bit more at the moment.

While we’ve been fortunate enough to have balconies the majority of the time lately we had insides on the EN in January and we are booked in insides this Christmas on Allure and next Christmas on Oasis. I definitely can’t justify the premium for jumping to a balcony on those holiday cruises. We were fine in the inside in January. Like you we aren’t in the room that much anyway.

We were very happy with our virtual balcony rooms on Explorer this summer - and happy with the cost when booking for the family. Gave the adult kids the option of upgrading on their own dime and neither was interested.

If price of balconies become more reasonable consider booking two adjoining ones. Cabin steward can open balcony divider effectively giving you connecting cabins.

Thank you...I do feel better about the interiors. Ken, yeah can imagine the price is even more on holiday cruises.

Good to hear others say positive things about virtual balconies. They are a neat concept and extra nice addition to the interiors.

Yeah...at the moment, 2 balconies are quite a bit more..plus I'm not seeing a ton of connecting ones that hold 2 each on Anthem. Maybe I'm missing them though...will keep watching.

Thank you...I do feel better about the interiors. Ken, yeah can imagine the price is even more on holiday cruises.

 

Good to hear others say positive things about virtual balconies. They are a neat concept and extra nice addition to the interiors.

 

Yeah...at the moment, 2 balconies are quite a bit more..plus I'm not seeing a ton of connecting ones that hold 2 each on Anthem. Maybe I'm missing them though...will keep watching.

What I really personally want, and of course your post is really about what I want, amirite? Anyway. I want you to keep these cabins that you have with the virtuals and then come back and do a review and tell us how it worked out and whether there were any unexpected pros or cons that you would like to share. :)

What I really personally want, and of course your post is really about what I want, amirite? Anyway. I want you to keep these cabins that you have with the virtuals and then come back and do a review and tell us how it worked out and whether there were any unexpected pros or cons that you would like to share. :)

Ha ha. Will report back if we keep them...but you'll need to wait a bit as Anthem is booked for Mar 2020.

Ha ha. Will report back if we keep them...but you'll need to wait a bit as Anthem is booked for Mar 2020.

Thank goodness we have a few cruises before then.:)

Thank goodness we have a few cruises before then.:)

Totally agree! ;)

Thanks for the replies.

 

Good to know that you get the balcony discount on 2 rooms...as long as one person is past Gold status (as in our case).

 

I feel better about our choice now. I will say that we don't tend to spend much time in our room anyways with kids (i.e. it's not like we'll sit out and read on our balcony)....and we tend to get cheaper staterooms anyways and spend money on other things as poster mentioned above. I guess i'm second guessing since a few weeks ago I was able to upgrade us on Mariner from interior (161 sq ft) to spacious ocean view balcony (203 sq ft) for very little...and we also have Boardwalk booked on another cruise. So wondering how it'll be going back to interior...lol (but we've never had 2 rooms so that's a step up in itself). So...just always looking. But as mentioned, not a ton of connecting options anyways and 2 ocean view balconies are quite a bit more at the moment.

Make sure you contact C&A about status for husband and any kids under 18. Once they turn 18 they don't inherit your status and it doesn't always happen automatically.

Make sure you contact C&A about status for husband and any kids under 18. Once they turn 18 they don't inherit your status and it doesn't always happen automatically.

Thanks for the note. I created C&A accounts for our kids so they should be earning points for any of these cruises that they are on. Same with DH (he's just one cruise behind me).

I was looking at those...but just one room - or ocean view front aft corner rooms (look very spacious). That good...opens up more options when you don't need connecting.

 

For balcony rooms...if you get two rooms, do you get the discount for each room? I'll be Platinum by our Anthem cruise so think it's $100 off. Or is it $200 off if we book 2 rooms? (Or to complicate my question...only I will be Platinum as DH is one cruise behind me - so am thinking its just discount on 1 room?)

I tried to book the front aft corner rooms, but were told that they require at least three people in the room to book. I was initially going to push one of our kids with my in-laws for booking purposes to get those rooms. However, we went cheaper and booked the interior virtual balcony. I am excited to see how those are. But, we won't hit those until August 30, 2019.

Our children are much younger. The first cruise, last year, we had adjoining balcony rooms thanks to a price drop. It was wonderful having the second bathroom. We barely touched the balcony. Our next cruise in November is in a Ultra Spacious Oceanview (aka, family stateroom) with the extra bunk beds and pull out couch. Unless we score a price drop and move rooms at final payment we will stick with this. I admit though, I will miss that second bathroom.

I would just recommend remaining in the virtual interior rooms. I would not try one without the virtual screens- did it once and hated it. If the price drops at the 90 mark then see what you can grab.

I tried to book the front aft corner rooms, but were told that they require at least three people in the room to book. I was initially going to push one of our kids with my in-laws for booking purposes to get those rooms. However, we went cheaper and booked the interior virtual balcony. I am excited to see how those are. But, we won't hit those until August 30, 2019.

 

 

Our children are much younger. The first cruise, last year, we had adjoining balcony rooms thanks to a price drop. It was wonderful having the second bathroom. We barely touched the balcony. Our next cruise in November is in a Ultra Spacious Oceanview (aka, family stateroom) with the extra bunk beds and pull out couch. Unless we score a price drop and move rooms at final payment we will stick with this. I admit though, I will miss that second bathroom.

 

I would just recommend remaining in the virtual interior rooms. I would not try one without the virtual screens- did it once and hated it. If the price drops at the 90 mark then see what you can grab.

Yes, the front corner aft we were looking at holds 4 people (so we would have just booked that room). The ultra spacious room with bunk beds and couch sounds nice. We have always been in one room (and have done interior before...promenade)...but next two cruises are not...so hopefully not big adjustment going back to interior. But it is 2 connecting which will be nice and with the virtual balcony. It's still a bit but would love to hear back how you like the virtual balcony room next summer.

Yes, the front corner aft we were looking at holds 4 people (so we would have just booked that room). The ultra spacious room with bunk beds and couch sounds nice. We have always been in one room (and have done interior before...promenade)...but next two cruises are not...so hopefully not big adjustment going back to interior. But it is 2 connecting which will be nice and with the virtual balcony. It's still a bit but would love to hear back how you like the virtual balcony room next summer.

I will definitely post about the rooms. I have been searching for posts on these rooms, but they seem to be fairly limited. We were fortunate to have three vouchers to apply. So, we got connecting/adjoining interior for the four of us and one other interior for my in-laws. (I can't remember which to call it- connecting or adjoining. I remember one post where a big deal was made out of using the right terminology regarding this, :rolleyes:. Our rooms have a door that you can open between them...) We would prefer not to cram into one interior room since they are pretty small. I think after the last connecting rooms and the upcoming family stateroom we will be spoiled. It would have to be an amazing deal to get us into one interior.

I will definitely post about the rooms. I have been searching for posts on these rooms, but they seem to be fairly limited. We were fortunate to have three vouchers to apply. So, we got connecting/adjoining interior for the four of us and one other interior for my in-laws. (I can't remember which to call it- connecting or adjoining. I remember one post where a big deal was made out of using the right terminology regarding this, :rolleyes:. Our rooms have a door that you can open between them...) We would prefer not to cram into one interior room since they are pretty small. I think after the last connecting rooms and the upcoming family stateroom we will be spoiled. It would have to be an amazing deal to get us into one interior.

Sounds like it is connecting if there is a door between them (from the inside). Otherwise, they are just adjacent rooms, I think?

On our Mariner cruise coming up, I originally had the 4 of us in a 161 sq ft interior (so small as you mention). It really was a budget cruise as we've had a lot of expenses this year and weren't planning on a summer trip (e.g. bar mitzvah for our son). But then just before final payment, I was able to upgrade us to spacious ocean view balcony for not too much more. So guess you never know how rooms will drop.

Sounds like the 2 bathrooms are really advantageous...so will probably just watch for price drops on the Anthem and keep what we have booked. Appreciate the input.