Help! Family of 7 looking to setup first cruise.

[Nickjeffers2011]

Hello Eveyone!

 

My wife and I went for our first cruise last year for our 15 year anniversary. We would now like to schedule our first cruise as a family with our 5 children (ages 11 to 4). We really like the Caribbean area and the Bahamas. Could anyone give some suggestions of how to go about accomplishing a cruise for a family of seven? Should we try to find a suite for all of us or can you get two adjoining room? I've also ready there are opportunities sometimes to get 3rd or 4th cruisers at a discount. Would it be better to try and approach it as one adult and 3 kids and then one adult and 2 kids? Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks again

 

Nickjeffers2011

[spookwife]

Get a good TA. 2 cabins is almost certainly going to be a better deal.

 

 

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[Nickjeffers2011]

Ok I'll try that. Thanks!

 

 

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[sanger727]

Depends on the cruise line but very few rooms would hold 7, think mostly just large suites. 2 rooms would probably be more affordable. Look at NCL, most cruises off 3rd and 4th at a discount, but NCL offers many specials with 3rd and 4th passenger free. Generally you have to put an adult in each room unless they are connecting.

 

 

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Edited January 7, 2017 by sanger727

[Cruisin' Chick]

I would definitely sit down with a cruise specialist (a TA that's knowledgeable about cruises). Go in with an idea of budget, times of year you can go (which I imagine would mean checking on the school calendars for your kids and also try to figure out in terms of activities -- sports, band, etc. -- that your kids would have a hard time going, as well as your work schedule if you work someplace that has busy periods), and the places you want to go.

 

the tA can book your cruise (at no extra cost to you). Usually many cruise lines do offer 3rd/4th passenger rates (we've always gotten these on Carnival and Princess). usually when some cruiselines offer kids sail for free deals it's at low season (which would generally conflict with school).

 

each cabin would have a maximum occupancy as far as booking. And I would advise to insist that your bookings be marked for "no upgrade" so your cabins will be near or next to each other.

[cb at sea]

Yes... a travel agent can help big time. You will need at least 2 cabins ,unless you book some pricey suite. Most ship cabins hold 2 people...there are some that will accommodate 3 or 4...but above that, you will need to call on the phone to book...have the DECK PLANS in front of you when you call!

[debb75]

We are a family of 5 and we do 2 rooms. Last cruise we had balcony room with the partition opened so we could go back and forth between rooms. There are other rooms with connecting doors but they were taken already. We are hoping to do the same on our cruise next month. A large suite is pricey and I doubt you could fit 7 in it, I think 6 is usually the most in one.

[jackie101]

Hello Eveyone!

 

My wife and I went for our first cruise last year for our 15 year anniversary. We would now like to schedule our first cruise as a family with our 5 children (ages 11 to 4). We really like the Caribbean area and the Bahamas. Could anyone give some suggestions of how to go about accomplishing a cruise for a family of seven? Should we try to find a suite for all of us or can you get two adjoining room? I've also ready there are opportunities sometimes to get 3rd or 4th cruisers at a discount. Would it be better to try and approach it as one adult and 3 kids and then one adult and 2 kids? Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks again

 

Nickjeffers2011

we are a family of 6 and normally do a balcony cabing directly across from an indoor cabin.

[kaboobie]

We have 6 in our family (4 kids). I booked two outside staterooms with a connecting door. I went through the deckplans to find adjoining rooms that were available and requested those rooms. I also got a discount on the third person in the room plus onboard credit. I put one adult and two kids in each room - that way if we choose to do a drinks package we could possibly do it for just one adult (I don't drink much).

 

 

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[Nickjeffers2011]

Thanks everyone for the advice. Can't wait to schedule the first one with the whole gang! Wish me luck...

 

 

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[sparks1093]

We are a family of 7 (except our kids are now over 18 and responsible for their own vacations:)) and we always booked 2 cabins, me and the older kids in one, DW and the two youngest in the other. On our second cruise we went to guest services and I was given a cabin key for DW's cabin so we could stay in the cabin together (although the beds were separated to save space). Our first two cruises were 4 days and we drove from Vermont to Florida each time:eek:. I did look at the 7 day cruises but for the 7 of us it was not doable back then.

[mjkacmom]

Our first cruise for our family of 7 was when are kids were between the ages of 4 and 11! We are going on our 4th in May, NCL for the 3rd time, in May. We always get connecting balconies, and NCL might still be running their 3rd and 4th free. Our1sr cruise was DCL, 3 night, nice but expensive! If you want connecting, book well in advance, they are limited. We like cruising, as there is always something for everyone. Our kids will be between 14 - 20 this time.