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You are here: Home / Travel / International / 4 Tips for Cruising with a Large Family

4 Tips for Cruising with a Large Family

12/16/2014 By Tammi 40 Comments

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So, your family doesn’t fit the typical two adult, two child model {mine sure doesn’t!} Does this mean cruising is out of the question?

Ten years ago the answer might have been yes. Not only were cruises cost prohibitive, there were few rooms available that could accommodate a larger family. Today the situation is different. Larger families are choosing to take cruises, whether it’s with immediate family members or multigenerational, extended families. Cruise lines are responding. If you want to take a cruise with your larger family here are some ideas to help you get the most for your money.

4 Tips for Cruising with a Large Family

 

Here are 4 Tips for Cruising with a Large Family

 
BOOK EARLY

While cruise lines have responded to consumer demands for more space in staterooms for larger families the options are still somewhat limited. You’ll need to plan well in advance to ensure you can snag one of the highly prized larger rooms. Not all lines have rooms that are big enough to accommodate more than four people so you also will need to take the time to research what your options are. Plan to book at least 12-18 months ahead of your sailing time to get a larger room at a reasonable price.

disney-wonder-pools

ADJOINING ROOMS

Some lines like Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Lines offer family rooms that can fit four, five, or six people. There’s also the option of booking a suite, though that’s an expense you may not be willing to stomach. A third option is to book two adjoining rooms. In this scenario you can fit up to 8 people in two rooms and chances are the price will be less than booking a single suite. You’ll also have much more room to spread out. If you’re traveling with younger children who still nap, booking an adjoining room with a balcony gives you some extra space. Enjoy sitting on the balcony while still being within earshot of your napping child.

family-5-disney-wonder-cruise

KIDS ACTIVITIES

If you’re traveling with several children of different ages finding ways to keep them busy and happy can seem like an insurmountable challenge. Cruise lines have done a great job planning activities for all ages. Older children may be able to participate in the activities of their choice, and need only to check in with parents on a regular basis. Check with the cruise line to see what age children are allowed to be unattended by an adult. Younger kids can get involved in onboard kids clubs or play in special kids pools or splash pads.

Royal-Caribbean-Allure-of-the-Seas

SHORE EXCURSIONS

Taking shore excursions can be a big expense and if you have a large family even more so. Instead of booking an excursion in every port, why not select one activity that everyone can agree on. Then in the remaining ports look for free or low cost activities. Parents may need to split up, each taking a smaller group to keep everyone happy. Look into group rates on excursions as your family may qualify – or team up with another family onboard and get the discount.

allure-of-the-seas-royal-caribbean My Organized Chaos

It may seem like cruising with a large family is an out of reach expense, however you may discover the savings in food and lodging is much greater than a vacation on land. As always, do your research and know that it is possible to cruise with a larger family!

Have you ever been on a cruise?

 

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Filed Under: International, Tips and Tricks, Travel Tagged With: Cruise, Disney Cruise, Family Travel, Travel, Travel Tips

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Comments

  1. Kelly Hutchinson says

    12/16/2014 at 10:57 am

    I have never been on a cruise, alone or with my family. I would love to do so one day.

    Reply
  2. Janel says

    12/16/2014 at 12:34 pm

    We’ve been dreaming of a cruise with our kids. We have 5 boys, though, so I wondered how you would do that. An adjoining room would be perfect!!!

    Reply
  3. Maria says

    12/16/2014 at 1:20 pm

    I still have not yet been on a cruise. But, I would love to someday! Thanks for the tips.

    Reply
  4. Kristy says

    12/16/2014 at 2:53 pm

    i haven’t, but I’d like to. Maybe when the kids are a little older.

    Reply
  5. Dawn says

    12/16/2014 at 2:53 pm

    I don’t have a large family – it’s just me, my husband, and my son – but these are still awesome tips that I’ll definitely be using if we ever take a cruise.

    Reply
  6. Melissa Pezza says

    12/16/2014 at 3:42 pm

    Thanks for these great tips. We’re currently waiting on the kids to get just a little older before we try a cruise, but I’ll definitely be following these tips!

    Reply
  7. Jennifer says

    12/16/2014 at 4:00 pm

    I have not been on a cruise yet — but I want to go on one so bad! Hopefully one day I can,

    Reply
  8. Tammilee Tips says

    12/16/2014 at 4:34 pm

    I love to cruise. These are great tips even if you don’t cruise with kids. I bet your kids had a blast on the cruise

    Reply
  9. AImee Smith says

    12/16/2014 at 4:46 pm

    We went on a cruise for our honeymoon and also one with my husbands extended family. I can;t wait to take my kids when they are a little older.

    Reply
  10. Amber says

    12/16/2014 at 4:57 pm

    Great tips! I hope to one day go on a cruise with our family, but we’d need these tips as we are a family that won’t fit in just one small cabin!

    Reply
  11. Shauna says

    12/16/2014 at 5:42 pm

    I have never been on a cruise but really want to go. It would be great to go with the whole family. I never knew that they offered rooms big enough for my family of 5

    Reply
  12. Liz Mays says

    12/16/2014 at 6:43 pm

    A family cruise sounds so nice right now. I’m game for Christmas on a boat!

    Reply
  13. Jesica H says

    12/16/2014 at 7:25 pm

    I would love to take a cruise with my family! Looks like you had a wonderful time! thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  14. heidi c. says

    12/16/2014 at 9:39 pm

    We have four kids, so I didn’t think cruising was that feasible. But, I can see otherwise after your post.

    Reply
  15. Dawn says

    12/16/2014 at 10:56 pm

    My husband and I are going on a cruise next month. Sadly, my daughter didn’t want to go!

    Reply
  16. Stacey says

    12/16/2014 at 10:58 pm

    I would love to go on a cruise. These are such great tips! Thanks!

    Reply
  17. ourfamilyworld says

    12/16/2014 at 11:06 pm

    What an awesome looking cruise, it looks so beautiful!

    Reply
  18. Mistee Dawn says

    12/17/2014 at 2:33 am

    Nope, we have yet to go on a cruise, but we may get that opportunity next year. Fingers crossed!

    Reply
  19. Krista says

    12/17/2014 at 7:20 am

    I would love to take a cruise one day!

    Reply
  20. Judy Cowan says

    12/17/2014 at 8:37 am

    A cruise is something that we would love to do one day. We wouldn’t need a larger room but it is nice to know that it is an option for those that do!

    Reply
  21. Mama to 5 BLessings says

    12/17/2014 at 8:59 am

    Kids activities are a must, we have 5 kids and it would have to be super kid friendly plus we would need large accommodations.

    Reply
  22. Ronni says

    12/17/2014 at 3:05 pm

    I would love to take the kiddo on a cruise! I think it would be a great way to pack a ton of fun all in 1 shot Great tips, thanks!

    Reply
  23. Stacie says

    12/17/2014 at 3:07 pm

    I love going on a cruise! So much to do and see! Great tips for bringing the whole family!

    Reply
  24. Susan Hanley says

    12/18/2014 at 2:38 pm

    We have taken a number of cruises but I’ve always been paranoid about taking the kids. I thought I would wait until they were older.

    Reply
  25. Lynda Cook says

    12/18/2014 at 4:03 pm

    I would love to go on a cruise someday, i seen some of these ships and they have everything, like wow just amazing!!

    Reply
  26. kathy downey says

    12/18/2014 at 4:28 pm

    Thanks these are all great tips

    Reply
  27. Victoria Ess says

    12/18/2014 at 10:47 pm

    I have never been on a cruise and you’re right that I do have the assumption that they are very expensive!

    Reply
  28. Lauren says

    12/19/2014 at 1:34 am

    These are great tips. I would love to go on a cruise with my extended family, but wasn’t sure how to accomplish it.

    Reply
  29. roxi says

    12/19/2014 at 6:42 pm

    Great Tips…hopefully one day I get to try them :p would love to go cruising…

    Reply
  30. Sarah Marturano says

    12/19/2014 at 10:01 pm

    I can’t wait to book a cruise. It looks like such a great experience.

    Reply
  31. SUSAN PATTERSON says

    12/22/2014 at 5:40 pm

    This is great information – thanks!

    Reply
  32. tina p says

    12/26/2014 at 2:52 pm

    would love to take a cruise with our family but thought it would be too hard-your tips are extremely helpful and I might have to look into one now!

    Reply
  33. Becky says

    12/27/2014 at 11:46 am

    We are soon (very soon) going to be a family of five. I would love to take a cruise someday with my family. They seem like such a laid back vacation option. 🙂

    Reply
  34. Treen Goodwin says

    01/01/2015 at 11:43 am

    would so love to go on a Cruise … looks like a ton of fun , thanks for sharing and great tips 🙂

    Reply
  35. Anna Johnson says

    02/02/2015 at 2:43 pm

    We went on one cruise and needed 2 rooms as we didn’t know to book ahead. We also didn’t get adjoining rooms, but they were next to each other. My mom came with so our oldest could stay with her as our younger two stayed with us. I am glad to know now for the future, but wish I knew before!

    Reply
  36. Anna Johnson says

    05/10/2015 at 9:53 am

    We went on one cruise, we have 3 boys and my mom came with. We couldn’t get adjoining rooms, but my mom and our oldest boy had a room next to ours. We did find it expensive but maybe we need to plan better. Thanks for the tips. Happy Mother’s Day Tammi! 🙂

    Reply
  37. Klynne says

    10/13/2015 at 4:32 pm

    Thanks for the tips! We’re only a family of 3 for now. But with GranMa, GranPa, and Uncle in tow it makes for a party of 6. We haven’t been to any cruise at all. So definitely looking forward to planning a cruise vacation. Hopefully next year! 🙂

    Reply
  38. Travelbuds says

    09/14/2017 at 10:47 am

    When I was married my ex and I took our 2 kids (young) at the time on a Disney cruise and it was fantastic. They really do such a great job. My kids loved it so much. Before I was married I took my mom on an Alaskan cruise with Celebrity Cruises (another fantastic line). My niece came with us and they ended up giving us a great cabin and a sliding door from my mom’s bed to the bunk beds where my niece and I slept and it was so perfect….and a great price.

    Reply
  39. Anne Taylor says

    11/01/2017 at 5:35 pm

    Our dream is to be able to take our grandkids on a cruise! I believe we’d have a blast!

    Reply

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  1. Have Kids, Will Travel! Family Travel Tips Roundup | MyBabyStuff Blog says:
    02/18/2015 at 5:01 pm

    […] 4 Tips for Cruising with a Large Family – by My Organized Chaos – Planning a cruise with your family? Then you must read Tammi’s tips now. […]

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