How to book a family of 6

[gsmagee1]

New to Disney Cruises and am wondering how I can book a family of 6 on a Disney Cruise. All the registrations sites tell me that I need to split my family up into to suits. Not all that piratical when the ages of my kids are 9,7,5,5. Any suggestions or more accurate information out there?

Thanks

 

[outahere]

Welcome to the DIS.

Your best bet would be to get connecting cabins with one adult registered in each. The only cabins that sleep more than 4 people are categories 3 and 4 (both sleep 5) and categories 1 and 2 (sleep 7). The first two people in any cabin are charged the full adult rate, but after that the child rates would apply.

Your only other option is a cat 1 or cat 2 suite, but they are very pricey. You can get two connecting cabins much cheaper.

The cabin info only applies to the Magic and Wonder. No cabin on the Dream will sleep more than 5 (not even the Royal Suites).

 

[kcashner]

As above--you either book a cat 1 or 2 and spend a fortune or you book connecting cabins in cat 4-10. Your stateroom host will supply the items to hold the connecting doors open so everyone can move back and forth freely. You will have to book one adult in each cabin and then divide the kids between the cabins (3 people in each cabin) and you will be paying adult rates for the 2 oldest kids because cruising is based on 2 adults in each cabin. You don't have to SLEEP where you are booked!

Yes, I know, it's not nice...but I've paid adult rates for DD since she was 4 years old. That's just the policy and there's no way around it.

You didn't ask, but new to cruising, I'd strongly recommend a good TA who specializes in DCL and has an 800 number to answer all your questions. We can help, but a good TA will make sure you get what you need/want as well as possibly giving you an onboard credit or other "thank you" perk for booking! Also, if you don't have a Disney Visa, get one. Each cabin will get a $50 onboard credit if you pay for the cruise with the Visa. You'll also get 6 months with no interest if you wish.

 

[love2driveinct]

Keep in mind, though, that you don't have to sleep in the rooms your reservations are under. In other words, just because you and your dh are each listed in a separate room, you can divvy up the children and yourselves between the two rooms however you want.

I highly recommend the two connecting cabins, as others have mentioned it's the most economical way to go. You will like having the extra bathroom, too!

One thing to consider is that if you make sure one of your cabins sleeps 4, then in all reality you could stick all the kiddos together and you and your dh could have the other cabin to yourselves. The cabins that sleep 4 have the main bed which sleeps 2, the sofabed, and an "upper bunk" pull-down wall bed.

Good luck whatever you decide!

 

[bevgray]

The DCL FAQ sticky has some detailed information regarding all of the cabin levels, how many each sleeps, floor plans, etc.

If you don't want to go with the suite option, you can go with connecting rooms in any of the other categories (ocean view, verandah, etc). Just bear in mind that some sleep 3 and some sleep 4. A number of DIS larger families get the connecting cabins and keep the door between them open so that they, in effect, have a minisuite.

Have fun planning!

 

[seven2go]

We just changed from Cat 4 with 5 people to two connecting rooms since we added another family member to make 6 people. DCL made it easy for me to switch, they are very helpful! We had to book one adult per room, and then two kids with each adult. We did "lose" one of the free kids on the promotion. But, the rooms are connecting which is nice. It's nice that DCL helps you get things just right, especially for us first time cruisers!