Booking for 7 people?

[hanna-nana]

We're looking to book a cruise when the rest of 2017 becomes available. Most likely 7 day western caribbean. I know it isn't going to be cheap but am wondering if I am missing some hint on how to do this better. 2 adults, and 5 kids ages 6-13, connecting verandahs. Is there any way around two of the kids being charged as adult fares, since I have to put an adult in each room? With as much as it's going to cost, an extra $1000 or so for full verandahs vs navigator verandahs isn't a big deal. I will likely fund it all through Target gift cards into my DVA. That saves me 5% and then the bonus gift card from the DVA. But other than inside rooms, is there anything else to get the cost down? I'll use a TA for the OBC.

And what about time of year? I really don't think I'd take the kids out of school. So is June/July or mid October ok times as far as weather goes? Like, no huge hurricanes?!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We're looking to book a cruise when the rest of 2017 becomes available. Most likely 7 day western caribbean. I know it isn't going to be cheap but am wondering if I am missing some hint on how to do this better. 2 adults, and 5 kids ages 6-13, connecting verandahs. Is there any way around two of the kids being charged as adult fares, since I have to put an adult in each room? With as much as it's going to cost, an extra $1000 or so for full verandahs vs navigator verandahs isn't a big deal. I will likely fund it all through Target gift cards into my DVA. That saves me 5% and then the bonus gift card from the DVA. But other than inside rooms, is there anything else to get the cost down? I'll use a TA for the OBC.

And what about time of year? I really don't think I'd take the kids out of school. So is June/July or mid October ok times as far as weather goes? Like, no huge hurricanes?!

No, the first two people in each room are charged full fare. Subsequent people are charged a lesser cost, based on age.

EDIT: (I had to go find this):

All cruises are priced based on two adults in the stateroom. So, even if you are one adult traveling with a child, the price is the same as if there were two adults in the stateroom. After the two adult price, the third and fourth passenger in the stateroom are charged a lower rate. If you are traveling alone, DCL will charge you 100% of the second adult's cruise fare (not including port fees and taxes) in addition to the full fare for the first adult.

**NOTE** Teenagers will be Charged adult fares (13-17). Child rates apply to ages 3-12. Children ages 0-2 pay 50% of the child rate.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/cruise-new/cr-price.htm

So a 13 year old, if they are the 3rd guest in the room, will have a lower cost than the first two guests in the room, but higher than a 10 year old.

For example, this is a booking I did based on 2 adults and 3 children (ages 13, 10 & 2) in the same room:
Adult 1 $10,500
Adult 2 $10,500
Child 1 $1,610
Child 2 $1,545.60
Child 3 $877.80

 

[ajo]

No way to avoid the adult price for the second passenger in each room, although I think your 13 year old pays the adult price anyway. The only cheaper option would be two oceanview rooms or two inside rooms. And October is going to be cheaper than June or July.

 

[hanna-nana]

Good to know about 13. Then I feel a bit better I'm only paying adult for one kid.

Is October cheaper because of weather? Other issues? October would more likely be when we want to go.

 

[gumbypee]

October cheaper because no school holidays

 

[bethy]

Yes 7 people cruising is indeed going to be pricey. We are a family of 5 and book connecting verandah staterooms and that's painful enough.

BUT one other option to possibly cut down on the pricing would be to book a verandah stateroom and then an inside room straight across the hall. On some of the ships and cruises the price difference between the room is fairly significant. On others, not so much.

With October I personally would only book toward the end of the month versus earlier due to hurricane risk. The peak of hurricane season is August-September. There was a formidable one in early October last year and the season runs though Nov 30.

If there is a hurricane they can usually sail around it but even then it can affect the seas and the weather in addition to the itinerary.