Cruise with two adults and two children
Feb 12, 2019, 3:44 am
#1
Original Poster
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Cruise with two adults and two children
First time on cruise. Parents & two children (10 & 8) for 8 day Mediterranean cruise.
The cruise webpage says "Balcony staterooms approximately from 183 to 420 sq. ft"
Do you think it is too small for us?
Thanks,
The cruise webpage says "Balcony staterooms approximately from 183 to 420 sq. ft"
Do you think it is too small for us?
Thanks,
Feb 12, 2019, 3:50 am
#2
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I think it depends on the bedding options. I’ve done a 7 day cruise with 2 adults and a kid. Room was 200-220sf, I think. Worked fine for us. An extra kid wouldn’t have made much difference.
Feb 12, 2019, 5:27 am
#3
Join Date: May 2011
Location: San Antonio, TX
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That’s quite a range with the 183 SF being one of the smaller verandah cabins to 420 SF being one of the larger. Personally I can’t imagine four people, even if two are children, in 183 SF but 420 SF should be quite doable. There’s a chance, and it differs from cruise line to cruise line and ship to ship, that you may not be able to book some of the smaller verandah cabins for four occupants. Takes some studying of the cabin descriptions and the footnotes on the deck plans as some cabins are limited to no more than two or three occupants including children.
Feb 12, 2019, 7:24 am
#4
Join Date: Jul 2009
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Also, find out how much of that square footage is the balcony - it's not really going to help to have a lot of space out there when you're all trying to get ready for dinner. Most cruiseline websites report one single number including cabin AND balcony but some split it out and sometimes cabin reviews can help you figure it out as well.
And, no way would I spend 8 days with 2 adults and 2 kids in 183 sq ft if 40 sq ft is balcony....Not sure I'd want to do it in 183 sf either, but that's me - I like to have my own toilet ;-) Although note, many ships have fitness center bathrooms where you can use showers as well....
And, no way would I spend 8 days with 2 adults and 2 kids in 183 sq ft if 40 sq ft is balcony....Not sure I'd want to do it in 183 sf either, but that's me - I like to have my own toilet ;-) Although note, many ships have fitness center bathrooms where you can use showers as well....
Feb 12, 2019, 11:07 am
#6
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Most likely a double bed and a sofa that converts into a bunk bed. We typically only use the cabin to sleep, shower, and change clothes (and maybe read a book for a while on the balcony on an at-sea day), so the size of the cabin isn't that important.
Feb 12, 2019, 1:22 pm
#7
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That, or pull or fold down beds. All depends on the line and the ship. Some cruise lines/ships have family cabins.
Feb 13, 2019, 6:12 am
#9
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Kind of shows there is a collective knowledge here built on probably hundreds and hundreds of cruising days and all the research and planning that went into booking all those cruises. While we don’t all cruise the same lines the basics are pretty much the same in terms of looking at destinations, itineraries, cabins, etc., etc.
Feb 13, 2019, 6:47 am
#10
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Do you actually have your stateroom number yet? www.cruisecritic.com sometimes has reviews of even specific staterooms by number.
Within a general category like "Balcony", the cruise ships have more specific categories like Balcony-A, Balcony-B,... Balcony-ZZ ranging from higher price to lower price. If you know the specific category within which your balcony will be, you might be able to get a better idea of the square footage.
As to how well you'll manage, no matter the size of the stateroom, I think the major factor is how well your family deals with such things.
Within a general category like "Balcony", the cruise ships have more specific categories like Balcony-A, Balcony-B,... Balcony-ZZ ranging from higher price to lower price. If you know the specific category within which your balcony will be, you might be able to get a better idea of the square footage.
As to how well you'll manage, no matter the size of the stateroom, I think the major factor is how well your family deals with such things.
Feb 13, 2019, 6:51 am
#11
Join Date: Jun 2009
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Go for a balcony room for the adults and a cheaper inside across the hall for the kids. Overall cost will likely be similar to the 420 sq ft balcony and you'll get two bathrooms and some privacy
Feb 13, 2019, 7:22 am
#12
Join Date: Feb 2010
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Most cruise lines require an adult to be registered in each cabin, when actually on the ship sleeping arrangements are not enforced.
Though I did get strange looks from the cabin steward when I asked him to put the beds together with just myself and my nephew registered in the cabin.
Feb 13, 2019, 9:20 am
#13
Join Date: Jul 2009
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Not sure I personally would leave an 8 & 10 yr old alone in a room, but that's going to be family/kid specific. Even across the hall.....If they were a couple years older, absolutely!
As for identifying MSC? Literally put this into google and MSC are the first results that come up ;-) "Balcony staterooms approximately from 183 to 420 sq. ft"
As for identifying MSC? Literally put this into google and MSC are the first results that come up ;-) "Balcony staterooms approximately from 183 to 420 sq. ft"
Feb 13, 2019, 2:09 pm
#15
Join Date: May 2011
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How is that insane? That spread is probably spread over several categories with subcategories. Holland America verandah cabins start around 190SF and go up to around 600SF and that’s not counting the penthouse suites.