Disney cruise ? Help ASAP please

[gamecockinnc]

I've posted this question on the disabled forum already but since time is of the essence I'm posting it here too.


We are planning a cruise on the Disney Fantasy.
Cruising will be my parents, myself, my 15 son and my 5 year old son.
My mother is disabled and using an electric wheelchair.
The plan was for my parents and I to take my youngest son on this cruise as a surprise as he's turning 6 during the cruise.

Unfortunately, my eldest son just started college and can't go with us but I put in a request to my middle sons high school and they have agreed to allow him to go.

So here is the question. And I apologize in advance but we must decide today.

We are in disabled equipped deluxe balcony cabin. The cabin will sleep 5 but we are unsure if we should book another cabin for the boys and myself.
Having 5 people in a cabin may be too much. Especially since 4 of the 5 of us are adult size. In addition to having the electric wheelchair.

Could someone give me any feedback on this? I just don't know how large is truly large. Just because a cabin will sleep 5 I can only assume that many times this would be 2 parents with 3 children not 3 adults, a teenage boy and a child. Plus my mothers electric wheelchair.

Saving money is always great but 7 nights of not sleeping well could be an issue. My mom doesn't sleep well anyway and is often in pain and I worry the boys and I could disturb her. She's a very light sleeper.

Of course my mother is saying it isn't a problem and she will be fine but that is her personality.

How large are these cabins and will 5 of us truly be comfortable? Or should I bite the bullet and book another cabin for the boys and myself?

We are on the clock if we are going to add another cabin and must so please answer if you can.
Thank you in advance for your help and advice!
Regards,
T

 

[lanejudy]

Cruise cabins are not particularly large to begin with, though the HA ones are a little better as there is more floor space. However, I don't believe the HA cabins on DCL have a split bath. That might be particularly challenging to a multi-generational party of 5 with pretty much no other "private" space for dressing/showering/toileting/etc. Adults in the party will be allowed to use the showers at the spa. Have all 5 of you vacationed together previously? Have you spent overnights at each other's homes? It's a lot of closeness if you aren't used to it. Some families have no problem with 1 shared bath and 5 in a room, but many like to split into 2 rooms. Maybe there is an interior stateroom nearby that you could book as well? You can then shuffle sleeping arrangements around as you choose, regardless of who is booked into which room. I'd suggest downgrading the HA cabin to an oceanview to help save $$ for an extra cabin, but there may not be any available at this point; it might be an option, though.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[gamecockinnc]

Thank you for taking the time to reply. At this late date it's hard to get anything. It seems another balcony would be $600 more than just an inside cabin. If we could get an inside cabin right across or close to my parents I would go inside 100% since it may be pretty far I may just pay the $600 for the balcony.

Btw you gave a lot of great advice. Since these are my parents we are comfortable with being together in small places and one bathroom. My biggest concern though is my mother and I worry that she would worry all week about disturbing us and not truly relax.

So I will make the decision for them so I don't worry that she's worried. If that makes sense (lol)!

 

[stitchlovestink]

Here is another thing that I see as a potential problem. In those cabins There is only 1 queen sized bed, the sofa which converts to a bed (but not the way you are probably thinking, it's not a pull out sofa. The back cushions are removed and one sleeps on the 'seating' part of the sofa), the pull down bunk and a single Murphy bed.
If you are above average in height, you more than likely will find the sleeping arrangements uncomfortable if you aren't in the bed. The beds are WONDERFUL!!! I sleep better on DCL than anuwhere else!!! I do not sleep well at home, at all!!
The bunk is fine for a very small person or child. My DD who is 5' 7" fit on the sofa bed but didn't have much room. She said it wasn't bad but not as comfortable as a true bed. The Murphy bed is also short. She's slept in it as well. She preferred the couch over the Murphy bed. She has also slept in the bunk but that was definitely her least favorite (over the age of 13).
So if your parents have the bed, will you are DH be okay sleeping this way for a week?? More than likely your son would be delegated to the bunk. Is he very big (tall or heavy)? There is a weight limit on the bunk (220lbs, I believe).
Spacewise in the cabin, I believe you would be fine. But lanejudy is correct in that you won't have the benefit of the split bath. The bathroom is quite large though.
Also there is a nice heavy privacy curtain you can pull across between the bed and the sofa area. DD (a teenager at the time) would shower first and then go over to that side to get ready while DH showered. And they each had privacy.
Feel free to PM me if you have any questions or would like to see photos of the cabin. I have sailed DCL 7 times and am familiar with those cabins and such.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I use a powerchair and I think it would be quite crowed for all of your party in one HA room. My wife and I are just in one. They are larger but the chair takes up room plus there not being a spilt bathroom. If I was your mother I would perfer my own room. Even if it was located a distance away from yours. You could always book an inside away now and then meet up with them. Or see if they are doing any port upgrades if you get there early.

 

[bopper]

Even without the disability I think it would be good to have two rooms...you could do one inside cabin and one with a balcony to save costs...it will also give everyone a little decompression time.