What accomodation to take with 3 teens

[gometros]

We're starting to plan our fourth cruise and now that our kids are a little older, things get a little complicated. The last time we cruised, in July 2000, we were lucky in that my parents joined us, so taking two rooms was a natural decision. Now we're alone and the question is what accomodations best suits our needs.

To set the stage, my wife and I have three children, a boy age 20 and two girls, 18 and 14.

First question: If we take the family suite that sleeps five, is a 20 year-old boy too big for the drop down bunk (since the girls would obviously have to share the pull out bed)?

If the family suite is not an option, are we better off going with two rooms or a one-bedroom suite? How does the one-bedroom suite sleep 5? I'm not sure what the price differences would be doing it one way over the other. The one thing I'm thinking is that with a one-bedroom suite, even if the available beds are insufficent, we can always bring an air mattress, since I assume there's enough room.

 

[my3kids]

The suite would be very expensive, but the category 4 sleeps 5, but not in the configuration you are thinking. The sleeper sofa is a single bed, a single drops above it to form "bunks" and the 3rd. bed flips from the wall....murphy style.

Other suggestions for you to consider....Get 2 connecting rooms....like a category 10. You'd pay about the same as 1 category 4 room, but have more space and an extra split bath. Since yur kids are older, another idea if you want a verandah is 1 category 7 or 6 with an interior category 11 across the hall for the teenagers. At least 1 21 year old has to be booked into each room, but after you arrive you can sleep in any configuration you choose.

 

[gometros]

Originally posted by my3kids
The suite would be very expensive, but the category 4 sleeps 5, but not in the configuration you are thinking. The sleeper sofa is a single bed, a single drops above it to form "bunks" and the 3rd. bed flips from the wall....murphy style.

I didn't realize the configuration worked that way. Are the beds normal sized enough so that I can put the 18-year old girl in the lower bunk, the younger daughter in the upper bunk and my son in the murphy bed (if it matters, he's 5'9" and slight)?

Other suggestions for you to consider....Get 2 connecting rooms....like a category 10. You'd pay about the same as 1 category 4 room, but have more space and an extra split bath. Since yur kids are older, another idea if you want a verandah is 1 category 7 or 6 with an interior category 11 across the hall for the teenagers. At least 1 21 year old has to be booked into each room, but after you arrive you can sleep in any configuration you choose.

I hadn't thought of the cat 6/cat 11 choice. That's a great idea if the family suite doesn't work. Since my son is 20 now, he will be 21 by the time we plan on sailing next summer. Of course, he could end up resolving this all for us if he gets a summer internship

Thanks for the ideas.

 

[padisneyfan]

My sons are each over 6'2' and had no trouble sleeping on the upper or lower bunks. I'm sure the murphy be would be no problem for your son.

 

[Irishmom23]

I agree. My DS is 6'3 and slept in the Murphy bed. My DD 14 is
5' 5 and slept on the bottom " bunk" with room to spare. My DD who slept on top is only ten, but the 14 yo would have had no problem. It was a great room, and my DH and I loved the verandah, but you do have to climb over the Murphy bed to get out to the verandah after they have set the room up for the night. This was no problem for DH and me, as the older children came in waaay after we did. lol

 

[tecdavidt]

Just some food for thought, with two rooms you will get two bath areas for cleaning up etc. We found this helpful for our family of 6. We put the three teens in their own room and we put our young daughter with us. And yes, the teens do come back to the room at the wee hours of the morning. Another plus for their own room. Kathy

 

[gometros]

Thanks all for verifying the family suite for me. That simplifies things for me.

Kathy - your point is well taken, but I think from a cost basis, I'll have to sacrifice with sharing the bathroom. Besides, it's not my problem. I get up before everybody anyway. SO I'll have no competition for the bathroom

 

[mmouse37]

gometros....weren't you on the 7/7/01 Eastern Cruise...I seem to remember the screen name...


Anyway, we also have three teens DD18, DS17 (6 foot 1), and DD14. We have stayed in the Cat 4's and my DD17 had no problem with the Murphy bed. He said it was quite comfortable.

This August 3rd we cruised again on DCL and this time took two Cat 9's next to each other. It worked out even better than the Cat 4. We really did not miss the veranda that much and hubby and I had a room to ourselves, and the teens had their own room. Two bathrooms, plenty of room, no arguments!!!! We were on Deck 2 midship in cabins 2046 & 2048. Great location, easy access to Lobby and had no problem catching elevators to the top decks.


MJ

 

[gometros]

Originally posted by mmouse37
gometros....weren't you on the 7/7/01 Eastern Cruise...I seem to remember the screen name...

No, we were on the 11/24/01 Eastern Cruise. I was a pretty frequent visitor on the boards until I got layed off in November. Now that I'm working again, I have a little more time to pop in once in a while. And working means I can start thinking about our next vacation.

I think the hardest part of the planning will be not knowing the two college kids' schedules ahead of time. I don't mind the extra $75 if I have to change rooms at the last minute. I'm just worried about how booked a July cruise will be if all of a sudden I have to change from a family suite to a deluxe. But that's a different discussion.

This August 3rd we cruised again on DCL and this time took two Cat 9's next to each other. It worked out even better than the Cat 4. We really did not miss the veranda that much and hubby and I had a room to ourselves, and the teens had their own room. Two bathrooms, plenty of room, no arguments!!!! We were on Deck 2 midship in cabins 2046 & 2048. Great location, easy access to Lobby and had no problem catching elevators to the top decks.


MJ

Okay, I admit it, I'm spoiled. I LIKE the veranda. I tend to be a little claustrophobic and the veranda creates an openness to the room that solves the problem.