5 in a balcony room?

[*jess*]

Has anyone successfully put 5 people in a single balcony room? It saves us a few hundred dollars, but I'm a little concerned about the space. We did 4 people in a balcony room 2 years ago and it was fine, but I just don't know about 5.... It would be me, my husband, 19 year old daughter (who packs next to nothing), 16 year old son, and 10 year old son.

[Sweet Dutch Girl]

Only you can say if it is doable for your family...but the kicker is if there are balcony staterooms that sleep 5. I have only seen ones that sleep 4...1 pull down and the couch. Can't imagine where they would hide another "bed" since the wall space is negligible and a roll-away probably wouldn't fit.

 

ETA....Carnival does have balcony rooms that sleep 5...I've just never seen them. I would think the price for two interior rooms would be far less than a single balcony and much more convenient. But if the balcony is important I guess the lack of space wouldn't be that much of an issue.

Edited June 17, 2015 by Sweet Dutch Girl

[Illyria]

5 people (including 2 teenagers) trying to share one bathroom? Doesn't sound like much of a vacation...

[*jess*]

The website says they'll bring in a rolling trundle bed for the 5th person. So there would be the queen bed, the couch made into a bed, a pull down bed, and then the roll away. I know it would be cramped, but we wouldn't spend a whole lot of room in there.... I don't know, we might suck it up and pay more for another room, I just didn't know if anyone had done it

[Sweet Dutch Girl]

The website says they'll bring in a rolling trundle bed for the 5th person. So there would be the queen bed, the couch made into a bed, a pull down bed, and then the roll away. I know it would be cramped, but we wouldn't spend a whole lot of room in there.... I don't know, we might suck it up and pay more for another room, I just didn't know if anyone had done it

 

If you aren't going to spend much time in the room get 2 interior rooms. You will be saving money over putting 5 in a balcony.

[sail7seas]

All of you with one bathroom?

It is worth having a second cabin just to have another bathroom, IMO.

 

[KenMo]

Doesn't Breeze have the family suites that will hold 5 and have two bathrooms?

 

I don't know if they're balconies or not though.

[Wilgr]

Doesn't Breeze have the family suites that will hold 5 and have two bathrooms?

 

I don't know if they're balconies or not though.

 

Deluxe OV, biggest rooms on the ship without moving up to a suite.

[Domergirl]

We sail with a family of 5. Our kids are much younger (11, 10, and 9) and I feel very cramped when we do a single room...even the Deluxe Oceanview rooms that are built for 5 and have the extra shower/sink. I was actually not aware that they would let you have 5 in a balcony room....I'll have to trust you on that one. But here's the thing...you're going to be packed in there, but it doesn't matter bc you won't be in the room much. But if that's the case...then why spring for a balcony?

 

IMO, you will be way too cramped.

 

We have sailed with 2 connecting oceanview rooms, and that was very nice (not easy to find, though). We've also done balcony rooms, with a second interior room right across the hall. That was great...probably my favorite. (we've also done 2 balconies....I'm not sure why we sprung for that? Must have been some kind of deal. And like I said...we've done all 5 crammed into one room numerous times....not my fave).

 

My recommendation: 2 rooms. If you really want one to be a balcony, get an interior across the hall).

[MSseawind]

I've done it with four other women. It is tight, but it is do-able. Some of us booked spa appointments at shower time and took our showers there.

[ptcounselor]

We just sailed on Victory with 5 in our room. My boys are 19, 15 and 10. I overpacked, but other than that, we had plenty of room. It saved us $$$ and we were able to spend more on other items and excursions we felt were worth the single cabin. Honestly, we were only in our cabin to sleep. I'd book it again!

[vamartha]

We did four adults last fall and it was bearable, but thankfully our next cruise is just back to DH and myself! :D

 

There were three females and DH, he's the only one who showered in the cabin. We were on Panorama Deck and the showers in the gym were just perfect - I went up there on the first sea day and never again the whole cruise considered showing in the cabin!

[ptcounselor]

I forgot to mention, the steward offered to set up our trundle every night and take it down to give us space, but we told him we would worry about it. Some nights my 10 yr old just crawled in the King with us and we were fine. We had a balcony on deck 6.

[KenMo]

I'm pretty certain that the trundles are only allowed on the Fantasy class and Victory and Triumph.

[elliair]

5 people (including 2 teenagers) trying to share one bathroom? Doesn't sound like much of a vacation...

 

That's my thought as well. Why be crowded and miserable. If it's about the money, put the kids in an inside room and the adults get a balcony room for themselves. We had 4 adults in an ocean view and it was miserable. I can't imagine 5 in one cabin.

[nybumpkin]

We've done it twice, both on Carnival Victory. Yes, it's doable - it just takes some juggling. The rollaway is small; I recommend it only for younger kids. It also requires getting ready for dinner in shifts. Having said that, it is doable, at least if you have a balcony.

[spleenstomper]

We did 5 in a suite on the Fantasy and it was fine. We had a rollaway bed.

Edited June 18, 2015 by spleenstomper

[*jess*]

The husband smokes, so not having a balcony is not an option for him, unfortunately. We'll probably end up doing a balcony for us and then an inside for them across the hall or something. Yall are probably right, it's not worth being that cramped lol.

[bluemarie2]

Not trying to open a can of worms here, but smoking is no longer allowed on balconies.

[elliair]

The husband smokes, so not having a balcony is not an option for him, unfortunately. We'll probably end up doing a balcony for us and then an inside for them across the hall or something. Yall are probably right, it's not worth being that cramped lol.

 

No smoking is allowed on balconies. Budget for an extra $250 dollar penalty if caught. Carnival calls it a cleaning fee, but nevertheless, people will turn him in if he smokes on the balcony. BTW, that's $250 per incident and could put your family off the ship if he continues to defy ship rules.

 

From Carnival website ticket policy:

 

© Any and all forms of smoking, including but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, electronic cigarettes, and personal vaporizers, are strictly prohibited onboard except in designated exterior open deck areas, certain night clubs, and designated areas in the casino. All staterooms and suite accommodations are entirely smoke free, including the outside balcony (Effective October 9, 2014). Guest agrees to strictly comply with Carnival’s non-smoking policy. Guest further acknowledges and agrees that any violation of this policy shall, in the sole discretion of Carnival, constitute a material breach of this cruise contract. In the event of such breach, Guest forfeits all rights hereunder, including the right to remain on board. Carnival reserves the right to disembark the Guest(s), at any port, as determined by Carnival. Carnival shall not be liable for any refund or other compensation or damages whatsoever to any Guest disembarked pursuant to this provision, or who disembarks because another Guest is so disembarked, and all such Guests forfeit all rights under Carnival’s “Vacation Guarantee.” Guest and Carnival further agree that any violation of the non-smoking policy would also cause Carnival to incur damages, including but not limited to, loss of guest goodwill, revenue, cleaning, maintenance and/or other costs. Guest and Carnival expressly acknowledge the difficulty of ascertaining the amount of such damages, and therefore agree that a reasonable estimate of the damages for any violation of the non-smoking policy is $250 USD. Guest authorizes a charge in this amount as liquidated damages, as well as repatriation expenses (including airfare) against Guest’s on board charge account, without further notice, for any violation of the non-smoking policy.[/QUOTE]

Edited June 18, 2015 by elliair

[birdgirl5]

I have to weigh in here. We just got off the carnival elation and we had 5 of us in an inside room! My husband and myself, along with our 3 girls who are 18, 19, and 21. We survived and had a great time :)

[Gr8DanesMom]

My family of 5, including 3 teens ages 19, 17 and 14, are booked on the Magic in November. We got an incredible deal and splurged for 2 connecting cove balconies for the first time ever. Our last cruise we had connecting OV rooms, and we had a blast.

 

If it is at all possible, I would suggest having 2 rooms. We thought about doing one balcony and one interior room, but one of our teens is autistic and we aren't comfortable not being able to see in the other room at all times.

 

Whichever you choose, I hope you have an amazing cruise!

 

- Cindy

[PAPERBKWRITER]

I'd have 2 cabins, a girl's and a boy's.

[*jess*]

Not trying to open a can of worms here, but smoking is no longer allowed on balconies.

 

 

hahahahaha this is awesome. Now he doesn't have a choice but to quit..... THANK YOU CARNIVAL!!!

 

And thank y'all too, I had no idea... We haven't sailed in 2 years now, I hadn't heard that yet!!!

[*jess*]

He's been saying he was going to try and quit soon anyway, this will just be an extra push in the right direction!