1 Family stateroom vs. 2 separate for 5 people?

[SteveO]

Hi folks...we're considering a December 7-night disney cruise and we're 2 adults and 3 kids (ages 10, 5 & 5). We definitely want at least an outside stateroom with verandah, but are wondering about the pros and cons of going with a single category 4 stateroom vs a category 6 and a category 11 across the hall. Price isn't really a factor (within $100 difference).

Here's what I've thought of: advantages of 2 staterooms include greater total sq ft, 2 bathrooms, ability to separate for noise reasons (watch TV in one, read/sleep in the other). Downside(s) are lower deck level (6 vs. 8), I expect when we're in the staterooms we'll tend to gather in the outside one, which would be smaller than category 4, I assume we should expect to tip twice as much with 2 staterooms, and the possibility that the actual staterooms we get on the ship may be moved from the ones we reserved (and possibly not *right* across the hall).

I would appreciate hearing from anyone with tips or suggestions. Thanks!

 

[disney6]

As far as tipping, you will tip per person so the number of staterooms doesn't factor into it. IF you go with 2 staterooms, are you and your wife going to split up to sleep every night? I personally wouldn't leave a 10, and two 5 yr olds alone to sleep all night in a cabin without one of you. If you really want a verandah, I'd either look at two cat. 6 or 7's that connect or stay with cat. 4. We have had connecting cat. 9's with a huge porthole and it was great. The kids sat in that porthole whenever we were in the cabin (which wasn't very often!). As far as your cabin being moved from originally booked, that is very rare, especially on the 7 day. Have them put a note on your reservation stating no upgrading please.

Just my thoughts!

 

[leslieh]

We are a family of 4, DD17, DD20 our 1st 3day stayed in cat. 10, 7005? 2nd 7-day cat. 6 veranda, 3rd 4-day cat. 10. Tipping is per person not cabin, so you would tip for five people no matter 1 or 2 cabins. 2 bathrooms are great, for me would be with two teen girls. We cannot commit to cruising with another line yet. We love the disney cruises!

 

[SteveO]

Thanks...just for clarification, our expected sleeping arrangement with 2 staterooms would be one of us in each room. Not the most romantic, I guess, but neither is bunking up w/ 3 kids!

 

[disney6]

I kinda figured that, but thought I'd ask anyway! I still think given those options, I'd go with a cat. 4. There is a privacy curtain, you're not in the cabin that often either. I know the murphy bed in those cabins prevents you from going on the verandah but I'd put one 5 year old in your bed to go to sleep, then when you are ready to retire (after a well deserved drink on your verandah) I'd put down the bed myself and move them. Unless they are small enough to share the couch bed (my 3 and 6 year old usually did that although we had plenty of beds). The couch bed is slightly larger than a single and quite comfortable and the upper bunk is loved by all kids! I would ALWAYS opt to sleep next to my DH on vacation - especially a cruise!

 

[my3kids]

If you can't get connecting cabins with verandahs(7 OR 6), I'd get the category 4. We got connecting porthole rooms...but no verandah. I loved the set up with parents in one and kids connecting....but I wouldn't put the kids accross the hall, and I wouldn't go to a seperate room from my spouse.

 

[CathyCanada]

I think I would agree that one Cat 4 would be better than 2 separate rooms. There are split baths, so I don't know if that would be a problem. Also, I think the kids would enjoy being together as a family, rather than being split up for this exciting vacation.

The verandah has a light so after the little ones are in bed, you and your wife can sit out on the verandah and have some private time, too.

Whatever you decide, have a great time!
CC

 

[dis4me]

We have done the cat 6 with 2 kids and cat 4 with 3.I thoguht there ws plenty of room is cat 4 even though we had a stroller and a pack and play. I would see if the 5 year olds would sleep in the bottom bunk together at least for a while otherwise it will be a pain to enjoy the verandah as the murphy bed is right there. We were able to put the pack and play there and could still open the door so we didn't have that problem.
I have debated the same thing about doing cat 6 and across the hall but I know my kids would all want to sleep with Mommy and dh would be having a peaceful nights sleep across the hall We couldn't have that now could we?

 

[bnickle3]

Yeppers, a tough one. We're booked for Jan. '04 on the Wonder, and decided to get two adjoining cat. 8 rooms rather than one cat. 4 stateroom. We lost the verandah, but my husband and I gained some privacy and we're still there for my children, ages 11, 9, and 6. The whole bathroom thing was decisive for us, too. Kate and Em are both the grooming queens, and the thought of the five of us dealing with one bathroom (even a spllit one) made me cringe.

It would have been lovely to have the verandah, but just personally, I was ok to let it go to have a little quality time with my husband. *g*

Don't know that I'd be comfortable with them across the hall....this only worked for us because the rooms were adjoining.

Good luck....and have lots of fun!

Brenda

 

[scottygirl]

SteveO,

We have a family of five (Myself, DH, DS9, DS6 and DD6) and had this same dilemma. I was going to book two category 10 connecting staterooms and would have been happy with that, but, my husband took one look at the DCL brochure and had to have a verandah!! I was able to get a category 4 Family Stateroom for $800 more than the connecting category 10's. I don't have to worry too much about the primping thing as we have only one girl and she will be 7 when we cruise. The boys at this point really don't care what they look like!!

I think if I had teenagers I would definately go with two rooms, but your kids are young enough that a category 4 would probably be the best choice.

 

[tstobb]

Last September we went - Self, DW, DS9, DS7 & DD4 in a Cat 4 and it wouldn't be our 1st choice. Yes, the split bath helps but after a day of playing, getting 5 people thru showers/baths was a logistical pain and the murphy bed completely blocks access to the verandah (unless you want to climb over whoever is sleeping there. The curtain divider offers very little privacy and on top of that, the TV is on the other side of it so that rules out another form of entertainment.

BUT - if it was a choice of a cat 4 or a 2nd room across the hall, we would pick the cat 4- at least untill the children are older. We would definately opt for 2 rooms in a lower category without the verandah as an option.