Every cruise line offers at least a couple of luxurious suites on each of its ships that can accommodate families, though they may have been intended for high-rollers. Such grand accommodations can be quite costly.
Connecting cabins, however, remain a favorite with many families, first because there are many more available, and second because they provide greater privacy, a second bathroom and more overall space.
On the other hand, the cost of two connecting cabins can be higher than a family cabin, and ship policy may require an adult occupant in each cabin, so parents may have to split up.
One cruiser with a family of four says she has tried different family-friendly accommodations on several cruises, among them an Owner’s Suite, a Family Suite and connecting cabins.
”At this point,” she wrote on an online cruise message board, ‘we will likely stick with two connecting cabins on future cruises . . . We enjoyed the Family Suite, but the premium compared with the two connecting cabins isn’t worth itfor us — we just don’t use that many of the suite `perks .’ ” She also noted that connecting cabins come in virtually all cabin grades, which allows more flexibility in choosing ship and travel dates.
Still another spin on cabins comes from Mary Schimmelann of Holland America Line. Rather than booking staterooms that connect, she said, ”We notice many families take an outside cabin for the parents and an inside cabin across the hall for the kids.” That cuts costs while still leaving the balcony available to the whole family. Great Idea!
But don’t delay making your choices, especially if you’re thinking of cruising in the holidays. ”[Family] accommodations for next Christmas sailings are mostly sold out,” noted Mike Driscoll of Cruise Week, a cruise industry newsletter.
Source: Miami Herald
Filed under: Cruising
