First DC and first cruise with kids!

[asned]

So we decided last minute that we need a vacation. We're looking at an October Disney cruise and I'm just a bit overwhelmed. I've done searches and reading and I've read the reviews and tips but I still have a few questions.
I'm debating between a larger stateroom for 5 people (hub, me, 9, 6, and 2) or splitting us up between two connecting rooms.
Admittedly we don't spend a whole lot of time in the room, BUT I need space. I'm kind of a room snob and hate to be cramped. (Don't ask why I picked a cruise if I don't like to be cramped, haha!) Pricewise there's only a $300 difference, so not enough of a difference for me to be worried one way or the other. So my questions: how do you get connecting rooms? Do you have to contact them? Is there a certain code I should be looking for on room descriptions?
Where do the connecting rooms connect? Is there a door inside the room or is it only connecting by the outside deck?

Next question, we're pretty flexible with our dates so I was looking at two dates, one the week before the other. The first would put our youngest before his 2nd bday, the 2nd would put him after his bday. Pricewise it's going to be the same. He would fly free on the first cruise but the price of that one is more than the next date. So I'm wondering, is there anything specific on the cruise that would matter for him being 1 vs him being 2? I think I saw that on the nursery reservations if they are 1 you have to book a crib???

Also, this question is per my husband's cheap-0 request. He wants to know if Disney does the last minute cruise deals like say Carnival does? He's convinced that we could just pack up and go on a cruise next week if the price was right.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

So we decided last minute that we need a vacation. We're looking at an October Disney cruise and I'm just a bit overwhelmed. I've done searches and reading and I've read the reviews and tips but I still have a few questions.
I'm debating between a larger stateroom for 5 people (hub, me, 9, 6, and 2) or splitting us up between two connecting rooms.
Admittedly we don't spend a whole lot of time in the room, BUT I need space. I'm kind of a room snob and hate to be cramped. (Don't ask why I picked a cruise if I don't like to be cramped, haha!) Pricewise there's only a $300 difference, so not enough of a difference for me to be worried one way or the other. So my questions: how do you get connecting rooms? Do you have to contact them? Is there a certain code I should be looking for on room descriptions?
Where do the connecting rooms connect? Is there a door inside the room or is it only connecting by the outside deck?

Next question, we're pretty flexible with our dates so I was looking at two dates, one the week before the other. The first would put our youngest before his 2nd bday, the 2nd would put him after his bday. Pricewise it's going to be the same. He would fly free on the first cruise but the price of that one is more than the next date. So I'm wondering, is there anything specific on the cruise that would matter for him being 1 vs him being 2? I think I saw that on the nursery reservations if they are 1 you have to book a crib???

Also, this question is per my husband's cheap-0 request. He wants to know if Disney does the last minute cruise deals like say Carnival does? He's convinced that we could just pack up and go on a cruise next week if the price was right.

The easiest way to get connecting rooms is to call DCL. If you're talking about a cruise this October, there may be limited connecting rooms. A little clarification - "connecting" with an interior door between two rooms. "Adjoining" rooms next door to each other (no interior connecting door).

Connecting rooms have a door inside the room between the two rooms.


As far as I know you don't have to "book" a crib. You could have a request placed on your reservation to make sure you get a crib (actually a pack N play). If you want nursery hours (like for dinnertime or show time) you should prebook those hours.

On those cruises DCL feels aren't selling well, they might come out with last minute restricted fares. Problem with that is - you can't pick specific rooms, DCL will assign rooms at a later date. You have a very good chance of both your rooms not being even next to each other, if even on the same deck.

 

[asned]

Thank you for that!!
On the adjoining vs connecting: The adjoining is next door, not connecting, I get that now. But do they share a balcony or are they just next door? I want to make sure I understand everything before I call.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Thank you for that!!
On the adjoining vs connecting: The adjoining is next door, not connecting, I get that now. But do they share a balcony or are they just next door? I want to make sure I understand everything before I call.

Depending on the ship, the verandah dividers can be opened between most rooms, even non-connecting ones. Not all dividers can be opened, however.

If you get two verandah rooms, the balconies are technically separate.

Here's a photo of several verandah dividers open:


At the right side of the picture you can see a divider that's not open.

 

[Weedy]

I say go for the connecting rooms. 2 bathrooms, 2 tv's more space. Also if the 2 year old needs to nap or go to bed early you won't have to BA as quiet.

 

[PlanoNana]

If you get connecting rooms although you would book you and 2 kids in one and hubby and 1 kid in the other (you must have an adult in each room on the reservation), DCL doesn't really care where you sleep. You and hubby and the baby could sleep in one room and the two older kids could sleep in the other. It would be like the big kids having their own bedroom. Or you could put all three kids in one room. You would have more flexibility as well as more space in the connecting rooms as well as more bathrooms and more closet space.