Are you planning a cruise with a family of 5 and curious about your stateroom options? The first time I planned a vacation for my family, I quickly learned that most vacation packages and hotels are not designed to accommodate a family of 5. I’m just going to assume that it doesn’t get any easier with families larger than 5, only more expensive.
I never even considered a cruise when my kids were young, as I couldn’t bear the thought of all five of us crammed into one room, if it was even an option. Cabins onboard cruise ships tend to be very small. They are much smaller than your average hotel room, so if you like to be able to spread out in your room at the end of the day while on vacation, a traditional cabin on a cruise ship is probably not your best option.
If you are travelling on a budget, there are not a lot of alternatives, but there are a few options to consider when selecting your stateroom.
While travel will always be a little more challenging for families of 5, cruise ships actually do have many different cabin options, so it actually is possible to accommodate large families. It just may take a little creativity if you don’t want to break the bank.
Table of Contents
Inside Cabins
Your least expensive option for a stateroom is an inside cabin, although these rooms generally only accommodate a maximum of 4 people.
Inside cabins are exactly that, inside cabins. They are located on the inside of the ship, so there is no window or view to the outside. If you are the type of person who easily feels claustrophobic, you will probably want to avoid staying in an inside cabin.
This class of cabin is generally configured with 2 twins or one queen bed, and either have pull down bunks above or a pullout sofa. They remind me of a small college dorm room. So probably great for kids, but I’d rather not stay in one if I have a choice.
There are some cruise lines such as Norwegian Cruise Line that offer inside family cabins that can accommodate up to 5 people. However, you should bear in mind that cruise fares are charged per person, not per stateroom. As a result, inside cabins might not always be the best option unless they are offering a substantial discount on additional passengers (i.e. 3rd and 4th passenger sail free promotions etc.).
Oceanview Cabins
Oceanview cabins are very similar to inside cabins with one exception, they have a small window or porthole with a view of the ocean. In addition, some of these cabins are offered at a reduced fare, as they have an obstructed view. This basically just means that there is something outside your window blocking your view of the ocean (like a lifeboat or a large post or something similar).
Recently, there are cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Disney that offer virtual portholes or balconies that allow passengers to see the view outside the ship from their inside cabins. Important to note, though, these are still inside cabins, not actual oceanview cabins.
Whether you have a virtual ocean view or just a small window in your cabin, I would still hesitate to book this room unless it is a great deal, as it might feel cramped with a family of 5. For a party of two, this option is probably fine, as you most likely won’t be spending a lot of time in your room.
As previously mentioned, fares are charged per passenger by cruise lines, not per cabin, so unless the passenger fare is largely discounted, you will pay a substantial amount to cram your entire family in one room with no option for fresh air (Note: cruise ship windows do not open).
I have 3 boys so I am familiar with what a room might smell like after a week with no fresh air, and I say “no thank you”.
Balcony or Veranda Cabins
By far, the most popular stateroom on a cruise ship is the balcony or veranda cabin. Balcony cabins are slightly larger than inside or oceanview cabins, and they include a small outdoor seating area.
For larger families, this room will have a sofa bed and may also have a pull down bunk area. Balcony rooms are still fairly small, and the only separation between the beds is a curtain that can be pulled for a little privacy between the sofa bed and main sleeping area.
If you are travelling on a budget, this is probably your best option for a family. Although depending on the price per passenger, you might want to consider booking more than one room so you have a little more room when you want to unwind.
Suites
Suites are the largest and most expensive cabins on a cruise ship. They range from a slightly larger balcony room that includes a sitting area, all the way up to a 2-storey suite that could rival any luxury condo.
Check out the new Ultimate Family Suite on Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas for an example of what you can book if money is no object and you are interested in pure overindulgence.
On the other hand, if you are travelling with a large family and want to stay in the same cabin, but would rather not be on top of each other, there are a few less expensive options, such as Princess’s 2-bedroom family suite that can accommodate up to 8 people.
Your Best Options
Keeping all of the above stateroom categories in mind, while it is possible to book a single stateroom for your entire family, I don’t recommend it unless you are booking one of the larger family-style suites.
Most standard staterooms on a cruise ship are under 200 square feet, so trust me when I tell you, you will feel cramped with 5 people in one room. And if, like me, you aren’t looking to spend $20,000++ for 7 days in a luxury suite you will want to consider one of these other options:
Adjoining Cabins
It is possible to book adjoining cabins on most cruise ships, so this is a great option if you want to have all of your family together in the same space, but require a little more room.
Adjoining rooms are two identical rooms that have a door separating them that can be unlocked to convert the rooms into one large room. You can book two balcony cabins or two inside cabins, depending on your preference and budget.
Booking two adjoining cabins is less expensive than a luxury suite, and in some cases will offer more space and privacy. And let me just point out that having two bathrooms is a game changer when travelling with a large family. For me, that alone makes it worth booking the extra room.
Balcony / Inside Cabin Combination
While booking adjoining rooms is a great option if you have young kids so you are able to have eyes on them at all times, with older kids another option is to book a balcony room with an inside cabin across the hall.
This way you will get a little privacy from your kids and they will enjoy the freedom of having their own room. It is cheaper than booking two balcony cabins and the family can always hang out together in the balcony room, and the kids can just use their cabin to sleep and shower etc.
Truthfully, this is my favourite option with teenagers. It works best for our family, and I strongly recommend trying it.
Adjoining Balconies Only
If you prefer to have two connecting balcony cabins, but don’t want to pay the extra fee for adjoining cabins there is another “little known” option.
Just book side-by-side balcony staterooms that are not adjoining, and when you board the ship you can request that your ship stewards remove the balcony partitions between the two rooms. Viola! You now essentially have adjoining cabins that are connected by your balcony at no extra cost.
With this option, the key is to wait until you board the ship to request removal of the partition. This is because if you ask about it at the time of booking you will be advised to book adjoining cabins instead.
I only recently learned of this option, and have yet to try it, but it sounds like a great alternative to adjoining rooms. The bonus with this option is you end up with a double-sized balcony for the whole family to enjoy. I can’t wait to try it.
Leave the Kids at Home
The final option worth considering is to just leave one, or all of the kids at home. My husband and I tried both of these options and of the two, I preferred the latter.
Okay, I’m kidding. I actually preferred the cruise when our boys were with us, but there is something to be said for saving a little money and booking a getaway for two. And as far as leaving one of the kids at home, the one we left at home was 19 at the time, and trust me, that was his preference!
So as you can see, although it is a little more challenging to book a stateroom as a family of 5, it is not impossible. Cruise lines have multiple options to meet your needs both on and off a budget.
Are you aware of any other options that I have neglected to mention? Please share in the comments.
And if you are thinking about booking a cruise, I’d love to help, no matter the size of your group!
