First cruise - What category and How Many Rooms?

[mmmcq]

Booking our first cruise for April 16, 2006 asap. We have two teens who will be 17 and 15 and a 5 yr old.

I have asked Dreams for a quote.....but in the meantime here are my newbie questions:

For those who have travelled with teens and tots - do you recommend a cat 4 room with verandah which holds 5 - or two rooms and adjoining vs one with verandah and the other across the hall?.

What category is reasonable compromise on size vs cost - if we get two rooms? I don't know what to ask for.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Jillpie]

We just went on our first cruise and are a family of five, with three boys ages 16, 13 and 12. Here's what we did...got two inside rooms, cat 11. I highly recommend two rooms because of the 2 bathrooms and with two teens, they can come and go as they please and won't disturb you at night. You won't believe how fun it is! They will have a blast in the teen club. I am one to always want to know where my kids are at all times, but on this cruise, I just stopped worrying. They actually didn't come in for the night till after 1:00 am, there is so much for them to do. I digress...
Now, for this next cruise, I found out about the "secret cat 7 rooms". On deck 7 and 6, there are a few rooms that used to be cat 5, and because of the obstructed verandah views, they have been changed to cat 7. So for the price of a cat 7, you basically get a cat 5 room. Now we'll have a verandah! This is room 7620 and 7120. For the kids, they will have the room across the hall, in a cat 11. They are never there, so they really don't care if they have a verandah. But for 7 days, I want to go out there first thing in the morning with coffee, and late at night. Its really up to you and what you want to spend. The other "secret" rooms are listed on this board, just do a search under "secret cat 7 rooms" and you'll find them. Ask to see if they're available for your cruise, it can't hurt. Have fun!!!! Your kids will LOVE this cruise!

 

[TJHutch]

On our first cruise we booked a cat 4 (this was before we found the disboards). I would have the ta give you different prices ask for a cat 4, then adjoining rooms and an outside room with another room across the hall. If you need alot of bathroom space (having 3dd's and 2 of them are teenagers ) I would go with 2 cat 10 deluxe that way you will have the split baths.

 

[spotdog]

I think DCL requires someone over 18 in each room, but (after the lifeboat drill) they sure don't check to see who sleeps in which bed.

If I were you, I would try for one oceanview (or veranda) with the other room across the hall. I'm sure the teens would thank you for their own room, with the bed split into 2 twins. If you could get the youngest to sleep over there one night... roomservice on the veranda...

 

[the kabuki]

We're a family of 5 going on our first ever cruise in Jan. After MUCH debating, we booked at Cat 7 and Cat 11 directly across the hall. We did need to book one adult in each room, but as was previously noted, they don't check to see whose in what room after the drills. The price difference between this and one CAT4 was I think about $900.

 

[mmmcq]

Thanks for the great advice - I had no idea there were "secret" rooms!!!! I'll have to do some more digging today.

I don't know jillpie - I can't tell my girls they can stay "up" that late never mind "out" or I'd never get them back on a routine when we get home. So let's pretend I didn't hear that one!!!!! This whole cruise is going to be a surprise for them. I might even look ask a friend for each of them.

I've got one quote sitting in my email this am from cruiseplanners.....it's almost a reality - just a few more days. Thanks all.

 

[Jillpie]

I don't know jillpie - I can't tell my girls they can stay "up" that late never mind "out" or I'd never get them back on a routine when we get home. So let's pretend I didn't hear that one!!!!! This whole cruise is going to be a surprise for them. I might even look ask a friend for each of them.

.

I felt the exact same way. I gave my DS17 a curfew the first night of 1:00 am. By the second night, I was more relaxed and by the end of the cruise, everything went out the window. Believe me, it'll happen to you. They are having so much fun with their new friends. When we got home, the rules went back into place, no problem. In my opinion, I would skip bringing friends with them. It'll make them not try and make new ones because they'll be hanging with their old ones. Half the fun is meeting all these new people. My son ended up buying the frame from Shutters where you can put 2 pictures on either side...he had all his new friends sign it and the counselors. It came out awesome! Have fun!

 

[LisaBi]

For my family of 4 (me, DH, DS13, DS15 at cruise time), I debated between one cat. 4 and two lower cat. rooms. Ended up with two cat. 9 oceanview, adjoining, for less $ than the one cat. 4. I'm sure I'll wish we had the veranda, but the extra space and extra bathroom won out.

LisaB