Cruise with two adults and two children
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
i looked at subcategories, they all seemed to vary, but i have not spent a lot of time looking at small cabins on deckplans
seem to recall other cruiselines listing the subcategories with sizes etc while MSC seemed not to
seem to recall other cruiselines listing the subcategories with sizes etc while MSC seemed not to
#17
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: MSP
Programs: DL Gold, DL MM 8/22/16!
Posts: 2,563
I'd guess OP bought, or is planning to buy, one of those "we pick the cabin, so give you a good price" deals?
So therefore doesn't know the specific cabin # yet.
A safe bet it is on the low end of that range, and if the family gets even one square foot extra they should be VERY happy. Already happy for getting to do a cruise.
So therefore doesn't know the specific cabin # yet.
A safe bet it is on the low end of that range, and if the family gets even one square foot extra they should be VERY happy. Already happy for getting to do a cruise.
#18
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: NYC/PHX
Programs: IATA, Sabre, AvgeekAgent
Posts: 1,958
If you all have a good sense of humor about sharing the space, jockeying for closet access, bathroom time, etc, you can enjoy it, but there will be moments of frustration. We were once on a very small ship, the Veracruz, and had a cabin that must have been 80 square feet. It had one sofa that converted to a bed and three pullman style (folded out from walls--one lower, two upper) berths. The fold-down berths blocked the closet. My sister purchased a huge piñata dog in Cozumel, and when our steward saw us coming back to the cabin with it, he joked that the dog would need to sleep with him.
My sister routinely cruises now with her 11 and 8 year olds and always puts them next door/across the hall if connecting cabins are not available.
#19
Join Date: May 2011
Location: San Antonio, TX
Programs: AA EXP, DL Silver, Global Entry
Posts: 1,863
I'd guess OP bought, or is planning to buy, one of those "we pick the cabin, so give you a good price" deals?
So therefore doesn't know the specific cabin # yet.
A safe bet it is on the low end of that range, and if the family gets even one square foot extra they should be VERY happy. Already happy for getting to do a cruise.
So therefore doesn't know the specific cabin # yet.
A safe bet it is on the low end of that range, and if the family gets even one square foot extra they should be VERY happy. Already happy for getting to do a cruise.
#20
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: MSP
Programs: DL Gold, DL MM 8/22/16!
Posts: 2,563
I hope they didn't go the guaranteed cabin route, at least not for what appears to be their first cruise. There are just too many variables with guarantees that could lead to a massive disappointment. I know there are a lot of seasoned cruisers who booked guarantees and they understand it's kind of a "cabin lotto" game that can work out and then again not but they know what they're getting into and are willing to take their chances. I personally don't like and don't book guarantees because we know where we want to be on the ship down to specific cabin numbers. Helps that the line we cruise with now only rarely does guarantees though that might change as they've been acquired by a larger mass stream cruise corporation.
Along those same lines, I've tried quite a few cruise lines and am learning which ones are more to my taste.
"Cabin lotto" or guaranteed cabin can be a less expensive way to experiment.
#21
Join Date: May 2011
Location: San Antonio, TX
Programs: AA EXP, DL Silver, Global Entry
Posts: 1,863
Kind of maybe. I can’t speak for all lines but Holland America doesn’t discount guarantees per se. For example you can book the lowest level verandah cabin category at the going rate for that specific category. The “lotto” part is that the passenger is then hoping HAL assigns them to a higher/better category at no additional cost. If that works then you have “saved” money. The biggest risk for me personally is that even if assigned to a higher level cabin it may be in an undesirable location like way forward or right under the pool deck. Not a risk we’re willing to take. It also works that we typically book the higher suites and there really aren’t very many cabins above our booked level.
#22
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: MSP
Programs: DL Gold, DL MM 8/22/16!
Posts: 2,563
Kind of maybe. I can’t speak for all lines but Holland America doesn’t discount guarantees per se. For example you can book the lowest level verandah cabin category at the going rate for that specific category. The “lotto” part is that the passenger is then hoping HAL assigns them to a higher/better category at no additional cost. If that works then you have “saved” money. The biggest risk for me personally is that even if assigned to a higher level cabin it may be in an undesirable location like way forward or right under the pool deck. Not a risk we’re willing to take. It also works that we typically book the higher suites and there really aren’t very many cabins above our booked level.
Many years ago - pre-status last-minute, I ended up with the dreaded middle-seat back-of-plane for a return from Europe. Winced when I saw my seat full of bags, and my two new best friends - window and aisle - were seriously over-weight large people overflowing into my seat space. As they were moving the bags, they remarked "we were hoping nobody would show up". Winced again.
However ... after the meal I tilted back, hoping for at least a little sleep. It was like being between two big fluffy warm pillows. Probably the best sleep I've ever had in the back of a plane. And when I woke, we chatted a bit and I discovered they were genuinely nice pleasant interesting people. A plumber and his wife.
The airlines haven't gotten around to letting me hunt for a seat between two such people, but it really was an enlightening encounter. I'd have never picked that seat.
#23
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: GRR
Programs: Delta Plat & Million Miler
Posts: 1,375
Do you have cabin number?
To OP:
If you have a travel agent and a cabin number, they should be able to get you the exact size and layout of the cabin. As others have noted, there can be a wide variability. Also, cabin size may vary even within the same price category so if yours is not good, see if a cabin is available for same price that is larger or a better layout. We cruised with our two kids is cabins like this with no problems as you spend much time out of the cabin--but it depends on your family's.
If you bought a "guaranteed" and don't know the actual cabin number, you may want to look at deck plans in your cabin category. It may be worth a few more dollars to reserve the largest cabin possible in your range.
If you have a travel agent and a cabin number, they should be able to get you the exact size and layout of the cabin. As others have noted, there can be a wide variability. Also, cabin size may vary even within the same price category so if yours is not good, see if a cabin is available for same price that is larger or a better layout. We cruised with our two kids is cabins like this with no problems as you spend much time out of the cabin--but it depends on your family's.
If you bought a "guaranteed" and don't know the actual cabin number, you may want to look at deck plans in your cabin category. It may be worth a few more dollars to reserve the largest cabin possible in your range.
#24
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: UA Premier Platinum, Skyteam Elite Plus (KE Morning Calm Premium)
Posts: 819
Thank you for the input.
We are contemplating two interior cabins vs. one balcony cabin with sofa bed.
My wife is more incline to one balcony cabin and spend the money somewhere else. Of course she will make the final decision.
I did dummy booking and it looks like i will get the room number.
We are contemplating two interior cabins vs. one balcony cabin with sofa bed.
My wife is more incline to one balcony cabin and spend the money somewhere else. Of course she will make the final decision.
I did dummy booking and it looks like i will get the room number.
#25
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: MSP
Programs: DL Gold, DL MM 8/22/16!
Posts: 2,563
Thank you for the input.
We are contemplating two interior cabins vs. one balcony cabin with sofa bed.
My wife is more incline to one balcony cabin and spend the money somewhere else. Of course she will make the final decision.
I did dummy booking and it looks like i will get the room number.
We are contemplating two interior cabins vs. one balcony cabin with sofa bed.
My wife is more incline to one balcony cabin and spend the money somewhere else. Of course she will make the final decision.
I did dummy booking and it looks like i will get the room number.
I recognize you are already resigned to your loss, but thought you'd like some moral support.
#26
Join Date: May 2011
Location: San Antonio, TX
Programs: AA EXP, DL Silver, Global Entry
Posts: 1,863
Thank you for the input.
We are contemplating two interior cabins vs. one balcony cabin with sofa bed.
My wife is more incline to one balcony cabin and spend the money somewhere else. Of course she will make the final decision.
I did dummy booking and it looks like i will get the room number.
We are contemplating two interior cabins vs. one balcony cabin with sofa bed.
My wife is more incline to one balcony cabin and spend the money somewhere else. Of course she will make the final decision.
I did dummy booking and it looks like i will get the room number.
#27
Join Date: May 2011
Location: San Antonio, TX
Programs: AA EXP, DL Silver, Global Entry
Posts: 1,863
My favorite example of trying something before you decide whether or not you like it:
Many years ago - pre-status last-minute, I ended up with the dreaded middle-seat back-of-plane for a return from Europe. Winced when I saw my seat full of bags, and my two new best friends - window and aisle - were seriously over-weight large people overflowing into my seat space. As they were moving the bags, they remarked "we were hoping nobody would show up". Winced again.
However ... after the meal I tilted back, hoping for at least a little sleep. It was like being between two big fluffy warm pillows. Probably the best sleep I've ever had in the back of a plane. And when I woke, we chatted a bit and I discovered they were genuinely nice pleasant interesting people. A plumber and his wife.
The airlines haven't gotten around to letting me hunt for a seat between two such people, but it really was an enlightening encounter. I'd have never picked that seat.
Many years ago - pre-status last-minute, I ended up with the dreaded middle-seat back-of-plane for a return from Europe. Winced when I saw my seat full of bags, and my two new best friends - window and aisle - were seriously over-weight large people overflowing into my seat space. As they were moving the bags, they remarked "we were hoping nobody would show up". Winced again.
However ... after the meal I tilted back, hoping for at least a little sleep. It was like being between two big fluffy warm pillows. Probably the best sleep I've ever had in the back of a plane. And when I woke, we chatted a bit and I discovered they were genuinely nice pleasant interesting people. A plumber and his wife.
The airlines haven't gotten around to letting me hunt for a seat between two such people, but it really was an enlightening encounter. I'd have never picked that seat.
#28
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: GRR
Programs: Delta Plat & Million Miler
Posts: 1,375
Another suggestion
Thank you for the input.
We are contemplating two interior cabins vs. one balcony cabin with sofa bed.
My wife is more incline to one balcony cabin and spend the money somewhere else. Of course she will make the final decision.
I did dummy booking and it looks like i will get the room number.
We are contemplating two interior cabins vs. one balcony cabin with sofa bed.
My wife is more incline to one balcony cabin and spend the money somewhere else. Of course she will make the final decision.
I did dummy booking and it looks like i will get the room number.
Once you decide what you want, figure out the price online--then contact a good travel agent, whether online or local. Many will be able to get you either a better price or a little amenity like on board credit money spend, with no cost to you. If the first one doesn't try another. If you like, PM me for suggestions. Many many folks who book themselves direct unknowingly leave money on the table. (like maybe you can get the balcony cabin! I agree with your wife BTW!) Maybe you can manage balcony and inside cabin directly across from it if things all work out.
Good luck and have a great time on your first cruise!
#29
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: NYC/PHX
Programs: IATA, Sabre, AvgeekAgent
Posts: 1,958
Good advice...My clients are often surprised that the deal they "hacked" can be improved upon by booking with a travel agent. Even if you book direct with the cruise line. a travel agent can claim the booking within a specified time frame (depending on cruise line) and get you additional savings and/or enhanced amenities if they are part of the larger buying groups ("consortia") in the industry.
#30
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: GRR
Programs: Delta Plat & Million Miler
Posts: 1,375
I know!
Good advice...My clients are often surprised that the deal they "hacked" can be improved upon by booking with a travel agent. Even if you book direct with the cruise line. a travel agent can claim the booking within a specified time frame (depending on cruise line) and get you additional savings and/or enhanced amenities if they are part of the larger buying groups ("consortia") in the industry.