dumb question about cruising with 4 kids

[minnieluvzmickey]

Do I still have to book 2 staterooms if my 4th child is only 2?

 

[Michelle]

Yes, Disney counts children of ANY age in the room occupancy maximums, even infants.

And not a dumb question at all.

 

[CGC33A]

a body is a body is a body. Doesn't matter the age or size. infants matter in the occupancy count, so do 2 year olds. The only benefit (if they are #3 or 4 in the room) is the rate for them is so little.
So yes, you will need 2 rooms for 5 people unless you opt for a cat 4 family stateroom (or higher), which holds 5. The advantage to 2 rooms (consider connecting rooms) is that you get 2 (sets of)bathrooms.

 

[disney6]

With 2 rooms, the inside cabins seem so much bigger (we keep the connecting doors open the entire time). Yes, you pay 4 adult fares also! Let me tell you - it's worth every penny! All 4 of my kids had the best time (and they definately have different personalities so trying to please all of them at the same time isn't always that easy!). We first went when our youngest was 18 mo. and the next one up was 2 3/4 - it was a blast! The 2 year old talked about the "big boat" until we went again! Just keep in mind when looking at the price - it includes ALL food all day! and take your own adult beverages!

 

[CGC33A]

If you end up with 2 rooms, consider finding another big person (don't know the ages of your children) to go with you. You'll have the space & if your kids are small, it can help with the adult/child ratio.

 

[abitjaded]

Kids ages? The higher categories that hold five always price out higher per person. If some of the kids are older and can be in a room by themselves, consider booking a cheap category, with one adult in that one, then book all kids in that room (thus paying two cheap adult fares and two cheap kid fares). Then book the other adult into a higher category, paying two high adult fares. Disney does not then seem to care who really stays in the rooms. Try, say, a low category inside cabin and book an outside verandah across the hall. If you book well in advance the cost might just be cheaper to do this than get a cabin that hold five. Even if your kids are little and you need two connecting rooms, that can STILL be cheaper. Get a good cruise travel agent who knows how to finagle who-in-which-room, making sure the cabins hold 4, not 3 persons if you shuffle kids. Of course, if price is no object, how 'bout the Walt or Roy Suite for Christmas week?

 

[LAMPSKIES]

"The only dumb guestion is the one not asked." I think someone smarter than me said that once.

 

[minnieluvzmickey]

abitjaded: I think the Roy Disney Suite for Christmas is just the one for me. Unfortunately I have not yet won the lottery.

Since we are both teachers I guess we will have to go with something MUCH cheaper. DH says leave the kids at home. I think they would really love it though.

The kids are 2, 5, 8 and 10 all boys. I would love a varandah but 2 category 11's is probably what we can afford with all those bodies. Would i be really unhappy without at least a porthole?

Thanks!

 

[ducklite]

Missy-are your 8 & 10 year olds mature enough to sleep in a room across the ahll from you by themselves? Maybe you could book a room with a porthole or verandah and an inside room across the hall.

Anne

 

[disney6]

With kids that age you will probably want to book two cat. 10's (just did that last Oct and it was perfect!). The cat. 11's don't have connecting rooms - just next to each other - no door in between. I would NOT (but that's just me) book rooms that are not connecting! First, I want to sleep next to my DH and 2nd, NO WAY I would let my kids sleep in a room across the hall by themselves (not at this age anyway!). You leave your doors open 24/7 and you have your privacy and they have "their own" cabin. We never missed the porthole (and we've had one before).

And we also LOVE deck 2!

 

[minnieluvzmickey]

I think we would have to have connecting rooms..........my 8 and 10 year old would probably kill each other.........or the 6 year old would be mad because he didn't get to sleep with his brothers and me or DH would end up sleeping with them across the hall and it would be just like home..........haha