Off the wall ? about room occupancy

[SHammett]

We are a family of 6 looking to cruise in January. On our cruise date, there are no connecting rooms available. I am considering either side by side category 11's or across the hall category 7 and 11. Obviously, the two category 11's are cheaper, but I'm looking more at convenience than anything. I would much prefer connecting rooms in any category as we will probably all congregate in one room and the second won't be used much (our kids are young).

This got me wondering, if we could book a category 4, we would be over by one person. We have friends that may cruise at this time as well and in that case we could add one child onto their reservation, but actually keep them with us, right? If these friends don't come, has anyone ever met up with another family to do this? Or is this "cheating" and looked down upon?

 

[mmouse37]

We are a family of 6 looking to cruise in January. On our cruise date, there are no connecting rooms available. I am considering either side by side category 11's or across the hall category 7 and 11. Obviously, the two category 11's are cheaper, but I'm looking more at convenience than anything. I would much prefer connecting rooms in any category as we will probably all congregate in one room and the second won't be used much (our kids are young).

This got me wondering, if we could book a category 4, we would be over by one person. We have friends that may cruise at this time as well and in that case we could add one child onto their reservation, but actually keep them with us, right? If these friends don't come, has anyone ever met up with another family to do this? Or is this "cheating" and looked down upon?

People often book "extra" kids in another room with a family member or friend...but....you have to pretty sure the other people are not going to back out on you...then you would have a problem.

You may be able to find people on your cruise meets thread who would be willing...but you would have ask at the meet thread.

MJ

 

[atinkerbellmom]

It is possible, but I think that is very stressful. You first would be counting on friends going and would have to get the cost of that kid to them. Second, there have been people here on the DIS that has "taken" an additional kid on their reservation; but with this comes a few inconviences. The child that is on the other reservation would have to attend the life boat drill with the "other" family. If your SR are not close, this could be a bigger deal because you would not be at the same Muster station. If booking a 4, you would most likely NOT be near the other SR. My other issue would be trying to place 6 people into a cat. 4. The cat 4's are not much bigger than your 7. It is only about 2 additional feet, where a chair sits and a double wide steamer trunk. The Murphy bed sits in front of the verandah.

I would do just as you are thinking, the 2 rooms. A cat 7 with the 11 would be ideal. You would get 2 tubs, 2 toliets, 3 sinks..... If you list the ages of your kids, we can help you even better. I would place 4 people in the 11 and 2 in the cat. 7.

 

[MN_Cruz'n]

We did this on a 3 night Wonder cruise. We traveled with my sister-in-law and her family (total of 5 - 3 kids). We were a family of 3 (with a 2 1/2 year old). We had side-by-side Cat 11s that we not adjoining. Their youngest was booked into our room reservation, but he did not sleep with us, but with is family. I think he crashed on the floor. Anyway, I think the only time anyone was critical about where he was was during the Safety Drill. Since he was booked in our room, when we did the safety drill, we needed to make sure he was with us and was wearing a life vest from our room, since the life vests are all numbered (so they can track everyone in case of a real emergency).

Otherwise, I think you are good to go...

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

The life drill/muster station shouldn't be a big deal at all. It's no different than when we had 2 rooms for our family of 5 and both rooms had different stations- we were allowed to all go to one. I don't see why they wouldn't let the child go with the family- they'll just have to make note of it at both muster stations.

However, I agree with others that it's doable- but it's a risk you're taking if the other people don't go. Personally we just book 2 rooms and we have personally done a cat 6 across the hall from cat 11 and it worked wonderfully! I think you'd be VERY crowded, not to mention hardpressed to find enough room for all 6 to sleep!, with all of you in a cat 4. We refuse to do a cat 4 for our family of 5 so I sure wouldn't want to try it with a family of 6! no way..... how young are your kids though? I guess if they are so young that 2 of them can fit in the bed with you (and/or using a packnplay for one) you might be able to actually squeeze you all in to sleep in the room together. It wouldn't be my idea of fun though. Probably better to go for a connecting room with young children- that's what we did with our family when the kids were younger then we graduated up to rooms across the hall and such as they got older.

 

[kcashner]

I'm seriously thinking about this from the other side. I have a cruise booked for myself and "to be determined." I'd really prefer to not have to pay the single supplement, but don't know who might like to go on the cruise (at their own expense).

To answer your question--it happens all the time. The real issue is that you have to be sure the other family/person is going to cruise and not back out. The money isn't really an issue--you can pay the child's fare thru DCL or their TA and never need to exchange any money with your friend. You can tie their KTTW card to your credit card and pay the child's tips. Obviously from the sleeping standpoint, this works best if one child is in a crib. That way, you have the beds you need + the pack and play. The muster drill is not a big deal either although one person from your room must go to the drill with the other room.

Reality..with 6 people, you'll appreciate the extra space of 2 cabins!

 

[tvguy]

Probably done all the time.
Probably strictly prohibited by safety rules. Like a lot of rules, only a problem if you get caught.

If there were an emergency in the middle of the night, like there was when there was a fire in the funnel on the Magic, the kid sleeping on the floor would likely go to your lifeboat station, not the correct one. and would not have a life jacket. A crew member would likely be assigned to back to the cabin the child is registered in to search for him or her.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Probably done all the time. Probably strictly prohibited by safety rules. Like a lot of rules, only a problem if you get caught.

This is in no way prohibited or breaking rules- there is no rule about this! are you seriously thinking that if you go with a group of friends that they will restrict which people can be in each room? They don't make you put all your family in the same room or restrict people in the room to have to be related.

 

[SHammett]

how young are your kids though? I guess if they are so young that 2 of them can fit in the bed with you (and/or using a packnplay for one) you might be able to actually squeeze you all in to sleep in the room together. It wouldn't be my idea of fun though. Probably better to go for a connecting room with young children- that's what we did with our family when the kids were younger then we graduated up to rooms across the hall and such as they got older.

My kids are 17, 9, 7 and 3. I agree that 2 connecting rooms would be the best, but there are none available for our dates. I don't want to put the kids in a room without a parent, so that means my husband and I would be apart. Not that big of a deal, but we would probably just congregate in one room, which is why I thought of booking one category 4, adding one of the kids to another reservation. Maybe I should look at other dates. I guess this proves the benefit of booking early, before connecting rooms are all booked.

 

[kcashner]

Probably done all the time.
Probably strictly prohibited by safety rules. Like a lot of rules, only a problem if you get caught.

If there were an emergency in the middle of the night, like there was when there was a fire in the funnel on the Magic, the kid sleeping on the floor would likely go to your lifeboat station, not the correct one. and would not have a life jacket. A crew member would likely be assigned to back to the cabin the child is registered in to search for him or her.

We are instructed at each safety drill that in the event of a real emergency if it is not practical or possible to get YOUR life vest from your cabin that additional vests are available from containers at the lifeboat stations. Do you really believe that if an emergency were to occur with a zillion kids at the pool, etc. they would all be sorted out properly? Ditto if something happens while kids are in the programming. They do have a system for dealing with the fact that everyone will not be in their cabin or able to get there in the event of emergency.

And...there are rules about who has to be booked where, but not about who has to sleep where.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

My kids are 17, 9, 7 and 3. I agree that 2 connecting rooms would be the best, but there are none available for our dates. I don't want to put the kids in a room without a parent, so that means my husband and I would be apart. Not that big of a deal, but we would probably just congregate in one room, which is why I thought of booking one category 4, adding one of the kids to another reservation. Maybe I should look at other dates. I guess this proves the benefit of booking early, before connecting rooms are all booked.

Okay well our eldest was 14 the first time we put them in a room together across the hall. The last cruise she was 15.5yrs old and she and the 11yr old stayed in a seperate room which was supposed to be next to us but we upgraded our room to a suite so they were 6 decks below us! LOL (our 2nd cruise they were across the hall it was the 14yr old, 10yr old and 8yr old- similar to your oldest three's ages except our eldest much younger than your 17yr old). We had no problem with them across the hall from us and when this last cruise their room was so far away from us (6 decks below us) we just changed it where the youngest was with us (mostly for a space/sleeping area issue.. since we had more sleeping room in our suite).

Honestly our kids only use the room for showering, changing clothes and sleeping. They are in the rooms VERY VERY little (except when we had the suite they were in that room more than in the past- we even had dinners in the suite though). If you are uncomfortable with your older three sleeping in a room right next to yours or across the hall- with your 17yr old in there- then that's your business ofcourse... just saying we had no problems or doubts about it at all with our 14yr old. We always made sure they were all in there and going to sleep though. I mean it's not like we went to bed and just let them come back to the room on their own when they felt like it while we slumbered in the other room. KWIM?
Personaly the room right next door and/or across the hall was really no different to us than having a connecting room. Ofcourse that has to take into account the children themselves- if you have any you are concerned about waking up and leaving their room in the middle of the night or something- then a connecting room might be better (except they could still go out the room into the hall- in which case you're best bet would be a cat 1-3 suite honestly so you can be with them the entire time).

Personally we found that when we're not in a suite- we don't "congregate" in any room -ever. Unless by that you meant getting ready for dinner or changing clothes at any time- and sleeping- because that's all we ever did in our rooms that weren't suites.

Another thing to consider-if your 3yr old is not potty trained and able to go to the club without you and is still taking naps- you're going to be spending more time in your room for naps and such. You'll need some space and a verandah might be helpful. You're right- if you do not want the kids in another room at all- even connecting rooms wouldn't work for you (nor a suite to be honest- those are seperate rooms they'd be sleeping in) but gosh I think you'll be awful crowded in a cat 4 with your family of 6... in my opinion it's too crowded for a family of 5. Your 3yr old would HAVE to sleep with you or on the floor or in a pack n play which would make it even more crowded. The sofa bed, murphy bed and bunk out of the ceiling are only enough room for one child, not two. Just FYI.

I hope you figure it all out and are able to cruise! We ALMOST booked one of our kids in a friend's room on one of our past cruises -to save money and then just all sleep in the same room. We finally decided we'd rather not squeeze all 5 of us in one room even if it saved us money. LOL But it was something we considered and if it had been the ONLY way we could have afforded to go on that cruise- I guess we would have done it!

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Probably done all the time.
Probably strictly prohibited by safety rules. Like a lot of rules, only a problem if you get caught.

If there were an emergency in the middle of the night, like there was when there was a fire in the funnel on the Magic, the kid sleeping on the floor would likely go to your lifeboat station, not the correct one. and would not have a life jacket. A crew member would likely be assigned to back to the cabin the child is registered in to search for him or her.

I just saw your added part

DCL handles all this the same as they would (as kcashner said) if your child is somewhere else on the ship. They do NOT want everyone to run like crazy to their kids- and in fact we're instructed we're not to go to the clubs to get our kids- they'll handle it.

As I previously stated- they handle situations all the time, even with families in different rooms with different muster stations.. this is no different to have your child in a room with a friend's family than it is to have your own family split up into 2 rooms. NO difference at all. We had no problem at all having our entire family go to one muster station even though we had 2 rooms with 2 different muster stations. DCL handles this all the time without a hitch. No worries The situation you described as "likely" is not likely at all. They know not every family is staying in the same (one) room -they KNOW it. They even give you extra keys to the rooms for this reason so there is no "cheating" to be "caught".

To the OP- this is handled very easily without a hitch by DCL. If your child is in another family's room 'on paper' -all you do is when you go to the drill you tell them that and they make note of it... no problem at all.

 

[tvguy]

Of course getting to your assigned muster station isn't always going to be possible, and yes there are spare life vests.
Didn't expect safety to be such a controversial topic. Maybe someone other than the original poster can call Disney and ask, if it's that big of a concern.

 

[SHammett]

Okay well our eldest was 14 the first time we put them in a room together across the hall. The last cruise she was 15.5yrs old and she and the 11yr old stayed in a seperate room which was supposed to be next to us but we upgraded our room to a suite so they were 6 decks below us! LOL (our 2nd cruise they were across the hall it was the 14yr old, 10yr old and 8yr old- similar to your oldest three's ages except our eldest much younger than your 17yr old). We had no problem with them across the hall from us and when this last cruise their room was so far away from us (6 decks below us) we just changed it where the youngest was with us (mostly for a space/sleeping area issue.. since we had more sleeping room in our suite).

Honestly our kids only use the room for showering, changing clothes and sleeping. They are in the rooms VERY VERY little (except when we had the suite they were in that room more than in the past- we even had dinners in the suite though). If you are uncomfortable with your older three sleeping in a room right next to yours or across the hall- with your 17yr old in there- then that's your business ofcourse... just saying we had no problems or doubts about it at all with our 14yr old. We always made sure they were all in there and going to sleep though. I mean it's not like we went to bed and just let them come back to the room on their own when they felt like it while we slumbered in the other room. KWIM?
Personaly the room right next door and/or across the hall was really no different to us than having a connecting room. Ofcourse that has to take into account the children themselves- if you have any you are concerned about waking up and leaving their room in the middle of the night or something- then a connecting room might be better (except they could still go out the room into the hall- in which case you're best bet would be a cat 1-3 suite honestly so you can be with them the entire time).

Personally we found that when we're not in a suite- we don't "congregate" in any room -ever. Unless by that you meant getting ready for dinner or changing clothes at any time- and sleeping- because that's all we ever did in our rooms that weren't suites.

Another thing to consider-if your 3yr old is not potty trained and able to go to the club without you and is still taking naps- you're going to be spending more time in your room for naps and such. You'll need some space and a verandah might be helpful. You're right- if you do not want the kids in another room at all- even connecting rooms wouldn't work for you (nor a suite to be honest- those are seperate rooms they'd be sleeping in) but gosh I think you'll be awful crowded in a cat 4 with your family of 6... in my opinion it's too crowded for a family of 5. Your 3yr old would HAVE to sleep with you or on the floor or in a pack n play which would make it even more crowded. The sofa bed, murphy bed and bunk out of the ceiling are only enough room for one child, not two. Just FYI.

I hope you figure it all out and are able to cruise! We ALMOST booked one of our kids in a friend's room on one of our past cruises -to save money and then just all sleep in the same room. We finally decided we'd rather not squeeze all 5 of us in one room even if it saved us money. LOL But it was something we considered and if it had been the ONLY way we could have afforded to go on that cruise- I guess we would have done it!

I guess you're right. I tend to be a little OCD protective with these types of issues. We have a pool and I'm sooo paranoid with our now 2yo whenever I hear a door opening, afraid that she will "escape" to the pool. I think this has tainted my views on keeping my eyes on the kids. We cruised in connecting rooms before and just left the door open, which seemed more secure. But with our oldest being 17, we should be okay. Our 2yo is potty trained and will probably be past naps by then, so we won't be in the room much anyway. Thanks for making me feel better!

 

[atinkerbellmom]

My kids are 17, 9, 7 and 3. I agree that 2 connecting rooms would be the best, but there are none available for our dates. I don't want to put the kids in a room without a parent, so that means my husband and I would be apart. Not that big of a deal, but we would probably just congregate in one room, which is why I thought of booking one category 4, adding one of the kids to another reservation. Maybe I should look at other dates. I guess this proves the benefit of booking early, before connecting rooms are all booked.

Okay, with a 17 yo, I think you have it made..... I would book the Dad & the 9yo in the cat. 7. Book yourself, the 17yo & 7 & 3 yo in the cat. 11. You will pay adult price for the 9 yo but that is the only increase. Also 4 in the cheaper cat. 11 will save you money. Place only 2 people in the cat. 7.

Good for you to feel that you and hubby can be seperate (many here do not feel that way ); but I think you can still be together. I feel the 17yo across the hall with the 9 & 7yo is fine. Just be sure to get it right across the hall. If all of your kids were little, I would say no way, but would for sure go for it. Have a fun cruise.

 

[MN_Cruz'n]

We are instructed at each safety drill that in the event of a real emergency if it is not practical or possible to get YOUR life vest from your cabin that additional vests are available from containers at the lifeboat stations. Do you really believe that if an emergency were to occur with a zillion kids at the pool, etc. they would all be sorted out properly? Ditto if something happens while kids are in the programming. They do have a system for dealing with the fact that everyone will not be in their cabin or able to get there in the event of emergency.

And...there are rules about who has to be booked where, but not about who has to sleep where.

Somewhat OT; don't mean to hijack the thread...

You make a really good point. In the event of something "immediate and catastrophic", you would grab what you could and get off.

However, most catastrophic (abandon ship-type) issues that take place at sea are not "immediate" events. An event does not just "happen" and five minutes later the ship is underwater. Even the Titanic took a long time to actually go under.

Any event that would require an "abandon ship" order would likely transpire over time. These are large ships have multiple safety redundancies built in. The Captain avoids high seas and harsh weather as much as possible, and the ships are "dry docked" frequently to ensure they are seaworthy and up-to-date. An "Abandon Ship" type of event would likely include orders for passengers to return to their cabins for further instructions (and at the same time for the crew to get to their Muster stations). And, I can only presume, that this would be DCL's preferred (for lack of a better term) plan, as then they would know who is accounted for, and who is not. The simple fact that they put the room numbers on the life vests supports that DCL would use that information to track that everyone is where they need to be in the event of an emergency.

OK, so now that I have freaked everyone out with all this sinking talk....

Have a very Brady day!

 

[3mmm]

We did this. We were lucky enough to get a cat 1, but we are 8 people. We put my nanny and my eldest in a cat 12. Everyone knew what we did. They went to the lifeboat drill, but then we kept my son's life jacket in our room until the last night when we returned it. My nanny did sleep in the cat 12, but that was all she did there.

The one thing I would add that I don't think has been mentioned here is tipping. We tipped for two in the cat 12 even though it was hardly used. We figured it wasn't fair otherwise to that room steward. We tipped for 8 in the suite (plus extra) because he was cleaning up after 8, not the six on the reservation. So, if you do this, you probably need to figure in double tip for that individual (once for each room). That's my opinion, but I think it's only fair.

That's my 2 cents