We are 3 families with 2 kids each, 4 boys & 2 girls ages 11-14 who would like to cruise together next year. Some general questions....would it be cheaper for each family to stay in one cabin or to book 2 cabins? For example: book a balcony for the adults and an inside across the hall for the kids? The adults and the kids would like some room and privacy and this makes sense to us but we don't know if it's possible.

Also, would you suggest a cruise with more days at sea or more islands? Is it possible to book a day of golf on an island for those who would like to play? We have already decided on RCCL or CCL but don't know which itinerary would be better suited for the kids. Any ideas?

If you're talking about 2 adults per family, that's 12 people. I don't know of any cruise line that will allow 6 adults in one room and 6 children in the other. I think you will need to book 3 "quad" rooms; one for each family. You may want to recruit at least two more families to go along. Some travel agencies/cruise lines start giving free upgrades or reduced group rates when booking at least five cabins. Itineraries are a matter of personal choice; some like a lot of days at sea for relaxation while others like to visit as many ports as possible. I'm pretty sure that a round of golf can be arranged in advance.

I assume you are talking about 2 cabins per family. Unless you get a quad, family or some sort of similarly named room, putting 2 adults and 2 teenagers in one cabin with one bathroom is not a lot of fun - and certainly no privacy. The idea of getting a nicer room for adults in family and inside cabin for teenagers would be good. With the ages of our kids, since they pay full fare anyway, it would have only been minimally cheaper to cram everyone in one cabin (that was not an option on the cruise we took - but we looked into other cruises and this was the case)

When we booked a Bermuda cruise with our kids last summer (ages 14 and 18) - 2 cabins - we were required to officially list one kid and one adult per cabin - and of course no one really cared who actually slept in which cabin.

As far as days at sea versus more islands - everytime the ship stops, it is easy to spend a lot of money on excursions. The glossy booklets they send listing all sorts of water sports, sightseeing trips, etc are really appealing to some teens, and the cost adds up fast. So consider that when you look at itineraries. Also, look at the actual length of time you will have at each port - some cruises that we looked at that did many islands in a few days had some where you were only there for a matter of a few hours - just enough time for a fast trip to a beach or some shopping and a meal.

This sounds like a great trip - have a good time. One word of advice - buy soda cards immediately upon boarding the ship - the teenagers will bankrupt you with sodas otherwise!

Thanks for the replies. Gail, you managed to decipher my question about adult/kid cabins! I love the idea of the soda card and will pass the info. along to the other 2 families. We are leaning towards more days at sea as it seems more relaxing. Plus we don't think the kids will really care about tours and shopping. A snorkeling trip and a pirate cruise are the 2 things the kids "have to do". We are thinking of booking in June/July for next years February school vacation. Should we do this earlier? And...we are leaning towards RCCL over CCL. Is it worth the minor higher cost to go with RCCL just for the rock climbing walls and mini golf for the kids? Is there an additinal charge for those 2 things?

FYI we are 3sailing on Royal Caribbean next week - 2 adults and 2 teens. We had priced it 2 ways - as a family outside cabin that could sleep 4, and as an outside cabin with balcony for us and a promenade interior cabin right across the hall for the kids. It was MUCH cheaper to get the 2 cabins than the one, was basically a no-brainer for us as I dreaded have the 4 of us in one room.

Now I can't wait to go!

Sorry for the doubl epost - but I just read your past post. We actually met with the agent last night and got some details so I will pass her info to you...

Rock Climbing Wall and golf is included. Johnny Rockets has a $ 3.95 cover charge. Put $$ on your kids accountin cash not charge so you can limit what they spend (game room extra etc). Ice cream in shops free. All they can eat including room service free.

We booked last January for this February break and got a great price by booking early.

They have a 60 day from day of sailing cancellation policy so no risk by booking early if you know you are going. They took a $ 500 deposit per room and balance was not due until 60 days prior to saling.

We also did air with RCCL just to relieve any stress of being delayed due to winter weather conditions. They will be sure you make the ship if they are getting you there.

Have a wonderful time.

Sherryb: I apologize for mis-understanding your post......that's why I chose "sceneisle" for a screen name.

sceneisle...no problem. I didn't notice the humor in your name until you pointed it out.

donnapg...this is exactly what I was hoping for! Did they guarantee the location of the 2 cabins? Where the inside cabin was directly across the hall from the outside/balcony cabin? And how old are your kids? Does anyone have thoughts of 2 11 yr. old girls in a cabin without an adult even though it would be across the hall from the parents? The boys will be fine as 2 of them are 14 yrs. old from different families and the other 2 boys are brothers who are 14 & 13. What made you go with RCCL over CCL?

WE just went on a cruise with celebrity this past Xmas with another family. We had so much fun we are booking another for this Xmas. The one thing I can tell you is that the cruises book up fast over the school vacation. WE got the last two quad rooms on the boat (princess) for next xmas and we booked Jan 19th. WE took all four kids ages 7 - 14. What we found were the kids, especially the two 11 year olds were board after a few hours at the pool and were not very interested in the kids club. WE did much better on our port days. We did not do excersions but rented a cab for the day. You might want to consider that. The 7 year old was happy at the kids club and the 14 year old sat by the pool, though we did find she would get kind of noodgy (sp?) after four hours. WE left the two 11 year olds in the room at night with no -problem, though the cabin steward was always in the hall if there was a problem. I am sure you will have a great time no matter what you decide.

We got the location of the cabins when we made our reservations. We are driectly mid-ship which is where we wanted to be, Kids are directly across the hall - that is the only way RCCL will let kids have their own cabin from what I understand. They actually have a promenade stateroom which has a window overlooking the inside promenade of the ship - definitely better than no view at all I think.

We went with RCCL over CCL because we thought it would be less singles, more kids activities and a but more upscale.

We get back on the 28th and I'll let you know the good the bad and the ugly.

Oh - my boys are 12 & 15 and I have no problem with them being alone - I prefer it that way actually - I sleep better.

But book now - you can always cancel.

Donna

I also like the arrangement of kids in one cabin, adults in another. I have two kids and we usually do this. However, be sure to keep a key to their room at all times. Funny thing (not funny then) happened when we sailed on RCCL a couple years ago. My kids then 14 and 10 were directly across the hall from our balcony cabin. I knew my son (age 10) was due back from the kids program to get ready for dinner anytime. I called over several times, I knocked. No answer. I was really worried. I had the steward break in and my son had the TV on and was sound asleep. They really wear out the kids I guess because he usually does not sleep that heavy! This year we have adjoining cabins!

I'm glad there are other parents out there who want to vacation with their kids but also want the privacy and extra space of their own accomodations. To be honest, I was afraid I would be flamed here for asking about a kids only cabin.

Donna...your choice of RCCL is exactly my reason for having that line as my 1st choice.

All 3 families will be together this coming Sunday night. I'll let them know everything I've learned here and then we'll start discussing itineraries. Thanks to everyone for your help.

not sure if it is too late but have you considered putting the 4 boys in one room? We did that and saved money because children #3 and 4 were less expensive. It did take putting adult names on the room but the ship didn't care what we did. I can't remember which ship but it was RCCL.

Just a suggestion but hurry with reservations. I just reserved for next March and most rooms are already gone, especially the better ones.

David jac