Booking Only 1 Cabin for Family of 4 - Is this a mistake?

[Abby323]

I am fairly new to cruising.  It's been over 6 years since our last cruise so our children were younger and getting more than 1 cabin was not even an option for us back then.  So when I booked a cruise on the Symphony for this summer I didn't even think about booking 2 cabins now that my boys are 12 and 19.  I booked a GTY balcony.  Mistake number 1 was I thought it would be ocean view.  It will likely be a neighborhood balcony which we are ok with now.  But after looking at the prices, I could get 2 GTY balconies for only $50 more.  1) I am not sure I could even change my reservation without a fee of some sort. I did book in February so have the CWC so I think I can with no problem for the same sailing 2) If I could make the changes without a huge fee, I worry that the rooms would be too far apart from each other.  I really don't want to pay the extra $$$$ to pick our own rooms.

 

So basically I am wondering, will I regret having my family (my husband and 12 & 19 year old sons) all in the same cabin together?  I'm thinking since I am the only one that takes longer than 10 minutes to get ready that we should be ok with just 1 bathroom for the most part.  It just seems like we may be in the minority of having 3 adults and 1 pre-teen in just 1 cabin together so I am really questioning getting the second cabin.  Will we all feel crammed and miserable?  Anyone else here cruised with 3-4 in a room with no small children?

[FamilyCruiserUK]

Cruised with, wife, mother and dau in an inside room for a week. Never again. Dau and wife were in the pullman beds due to weight limit on the pullmans and myself and mother in single beds. 

100% book another room if you can. 

[TBone2K]

Depends on how you are with cramped quarters. You've done this before so you have a rough idea of the size of the rooms.

At least the balcony is handy for a place to wait while people are getting dressed.

Many people say their older kids enjoy having their own room so they have a bit more freedom to come and go as well as a second bathroom. You'll just have to book one adult in each room and then sort out keys when you get there.

Edited June 3, 2022 by TBone2K

[MommaBear55]

Get the second room! The second bathroom, the ability of some to sleep later than others, privacy for dressing and the option for romance are worth the extra cost. 

[Cigar King]

You made a mistake.  Get the second cabin and never speak of this again.  😉

 

 

[rockmom]

I've done it with three adults--way too tight.  If it were two adults and two small children, that's somewhat doable.  Two adults and an adult child and a teen?  It will be extremely cramped.  

 

[PTC DAWG]

12 minutes ago, Cigar King said:

You made a mistake.  Get the second cabin and never speak of this again.  😉

 

 

Agree

[Ocean Boy]

One cabin would not work for me. I don't care how much you all love each other.

[cynt]

Book the 2 cabins. Period. Point Blank!!

[RobinKS]

I agree with everyone else, unless the children are young, you'll want two cabins.

[John&LaLa]

6 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

One cabin would not work for me. I don't care how much you all love each other.

 

I think there is someone in our roll call who is packing 4 in a balcony for world cruise.

 

274 nights

 

May god have mercy on them

[ATG]

Can you do an inside and a balcony for a reasonable price?  The kids can use the inside as a bedroom and you can meet up in your cabin.  My kids were always out and about and only used the cabin for sleeping and showering.

[JessyCruises]

If it is only $50 more, I would definitely do 2 cabins.  You likely won't be charged a penalty as you are still keeping original res #

[ocean sounds]

Check the price on 2 connecting rooms!

 

I recently booked myself and 3 teen grandkids in 2 adjoining (? Connecting door) rooms for a cruise next month.  Myself and granddaughter in 1 room, 2 grandsons in the other.   2 bathrooms, priceless .

 

For fun, I then priced all 4 in one room - we saved over $450 overall  by booking 2 rooms for two!!

 

[Sunshine3601]

I would Not want to do 2 basically grown children and 2 adults in an standard balcony cabin. 

since you booked prior to March 31st you should be fine with changing cabins, etc. with no penalty

How much is it for you to change to a Balcony and get an interior across the hall?   

[Ozark_Kid]

If it were a 1 night cruise I might go with one night all in one room.  🤔  ...... No, I would pay $50 more for 2 rooms no matter the length.  Maybe if you look at it as $7 per night  for an extra room. 

[TexasRon]

I would do the two cabins if it fits the budget.  We had two cabins when we took the kids; I cannot imagine how tight it would have been on one.

[Fairsailing]

Definitely do 2 rooms, if only so everyone has a decent mattress instead of those horrible couch futons

[Jimbo]

59 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

I think there is someone in our roll call who is packing 4 in a balcony for world cruise.

 

274 nights

 

May god have mercy on them

The "Walton Family"

[Ocean Boy]

10 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

The "Walton Family"

I take it you don't mean the Sam Walton family.

[Jimbo]

6 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

I take it you don't mean the Sam Walton family.

No Meant. Mrs & Mr Walton, John Boy and Mary Ellen.

[Ocean Boy]

8 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

No Meant. Mrs & Mr Walton, John Boy and Mary Ellen.

Don't forget Jim Bob and Ben.

[footeam]

Spend the weekend together in your smallest bedroom, then decide.

[yancycruiser]

You defintely have all the info you need.  However, I will add, "Get a second room!" and have a great cruise.

 

[Jimbo]

9 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

Don't forget Jim Bob and Ben.

Don't have enough money to bring them. Someone has to stay home to turn off the lights.