Separate cabin for college-age kids?

[tjkraz]

Note this is more of a "should I" question, not "can I."

Booked a cruise for summer 2025 for our family of 4. Parents plus son and daughter in early 20s. We're DVC members and have been fortunate to spend many years vacationing in a One bedroom villa or larger. But this time we explained the logistics of cruise lodging to the kids, and everyone agreed we could survive a week sharing a room. We also booked a 4E extended verandah, so we have extra space to stretch out.

Since then it dawned on me that I could actually book a second interior cabin for not too much more. About $1500 for the week. Right now our fare includes about $1100 each for the 3rd and 4th adults; for $3700 I could just put them in a second room. And there are interior cabins located a few steps from the aft cabin. Putting the kids in a separate room probably means a little more peace for everyone. Though it's not a perfect sleeping solution since the kids are unlikely to want to share a queen bed. It's still one kid on a twin sofa, with the other on a bed. Paying even more for connecting rooms isn't happening, so the kids would be a little distance away from us and not have the balcony.

Two questions:

1) In your opinion, is it worth the extra money for the separate cabins? (I'm not the type to causally toss around $1.5k, but if someone wants to argue that it will make the entire trip significantly better for everyone, I'm listening.)

2) Are there any logistical hurdles I may be forgetting? Seems like gratuities would be the same since it's based upon passenger count. And we can arrange to dine together. I'm guessing Internet couldn't be shared between 4 people spread among 2 different cabins, yes?

 

[jdb in AZ]

I would go for it. You'll have an extra bathroom, plus the extra closet/storage space will be very useful.

You know your kids -- are they responsible? If they want to get in trubble they can find a way regardless of the stateroom accommodations.

 

[Mags2002]

Note this is more of a "should I" question, not "can I."

Booked a cruise for summer 2025 for our family of 4. Parents plus son and daughter in early 20s. We're DVC members and have been fortunate to spend many years vacationing in a One bedroom villa or larger. But this time we explained the logistics of cruise lodging to the kids, and everyone agreed we could survive a week sharing a room. We also booked a 4E extended verandah, so we have extra space to stretch out.

Since then it dawned on me that I could actually book a second interior cabin for not too much more. About $1500 for the week. Right now our fare includes about $1100 each for the 3rd and 4th adults; for $3700 I could just put them in a second room. And there are interior cabins located a few steps from the aft cabin. Putting the kids in a separate room probably means a little more peace for everyone. Though it's not a perfect sleeping solution since the kids are unlikely to want to share a queen bed. It's still one kid on a twin sofa, with the other on a bed. Paying even more for connecting rooms isn't happening, so the kids would be a little distance away from us and not have the balcony.

Two questions:

1) In your opinion, is it worth the extra money for the separate cabins? (I'm not the type to causally toss around $1.5k, but if someone wants to argue that it will make the entire trip significantly better for everyone, I'm listening.)

2) Are there any logistical hurdles I may be forgetting? Seems like gratuities would be the same since it's based upon passenger count. And we can arrange to dine together. I'm guessing Internet couldn't be shared between 4 people spread among 2 different cabins, yes?

it might be nice for adults and kids to have their own space.
In regards to logistics, some gratuities may be different as you may have different housekeeping?
Also you may be separated in terms of muster stations if there is an emergency

 

[Lesverts]

Yes. Yes you should. One is privacy for both you and your adult offspring and the bigger one. Bathroom time. 4 adults trying to share a cruise ship bathroom is just insane to me.

 

[tjkraz]

You know your kids -- are they responsible? If they want to get in trubble they can find a way regardless of the stateroom accommodations.

Zero concerns about them getting in trouble.

This is all about trying to balance cost with quality of experience.

 

[LAS2AMS]

Only you can answer this question.

Those cabins are large enough to comfortably sleep four adults. The bathrooms are split (sink and toilet are in a room separate from the shower). There are plenty of restrooms throughout the ship, so in an “emergency,” there are options. You’ll be spending minimum time in the room anyway.

Is your family close? Do your kids spend a lot of time with you? It’s cool that you’re traveling together - most college aged kids wouldn’t be interested in taking a Disney trip with their parents. If your kids are going to be spending a lot of time with you, especially enjoying the oversized balcony, does it make any sense to get them a separate room? How long is the cruise? 3/4 days go by fast.

Everybody would like some privacy and extra space in any situation, but what does $1500 mean to you? To me, it means we could take another (non-Disney) cruise. Or go out to dinner 10-20 times. If you have money to burn, obviously your situation is much different.

 

[Geomom]

Next year we're sharing a cabin with our 21/25 yr olds. We're still paying for them...if they could pay for part of it, they could have their own cabin. We're not in the room much, so it's no issue.

We're DVC too and enjoyed a couple years of 1 bedrooms...back to studios this year to take more trips.

 

[Mommb]

I have sailed in a category 4 room with my husband and 2 college-age kids, so it can done. However, my daughter did choose to shower in the spa area to reduce the congestion in our cabin restrooms.

For a full week, a difference of $1500 may well be worthwhile. Not only would your family get more bathrooms, but as mentioned above, your kids would also get additional closet and drawer space, which will be helpful on a long cruise.

For parity, you can encourage them to switch beds midways through the cruise (or even daily), so each gets the master bed for at least 3 nights.

I am not sure if internet can be shared between rooms, but you may not all need internet — my family just used iMessaging and did web surfing while in port.

If you have a higher Castaway Club level than the kids, your level won’t transfer to their room, which would be an issue for activity booking. On the other hand, 2 rooms means 2 Castaway gifts, if you’re all eligible for them.

My kids rarely use the balcony on our cruises, so forgoing a balcony would not have been a problem for them. They were more likely to be out on deck or around the ship with new friends during the day, mostly in the room only in the morning and at night. If that’s true of your kids as well, getting them their own room, where they won’t wake you coming in at night and you won’t wake them getting up in the morning, would be helpful.

As others have said, it’s really your call whether the added comfort outweighs the added cost.

 

[Flossbolna]

I think you might want to look into a family stateroom above 4E (or ditch the balcony and go for a category 8B or 8C stateroom). Those would also have the Murphy bed that folds down in front of the window and more floor space inside when the bed is folded up.

I think generally it is possible to share and those 1500$ would buy some nice excursions on the cruise. The advantage of the cruise is that the ship is your home much more than a hotel. People are using the public areas to hang out in. You can sit in a bar and not order a drink just reading your book during the day for example. So you can use the stateroom only for sleeping. That’s the reason why we don’t get a balcony. We enjoy hanging out in the public areas so much that the one time we got one I sat on it for one hour once. That was it.

 

[Stitch'sCousin]

I agree with Flossbolna that the $1500 could get you some nice excursions or onboard activities. For what it’s worth, we are cruising this summer with our 3 kids (who will be 23, 26, and 29) in one Cat. 4A stateroom and have always made due with one room on our cruises (we are all platinum). Our two boys always use the showers in the gym area so having only a single bathroom is not a problem for us.

 

[tjkraz]

I think you might want to look into a family stateroom above 4E (or ditch the balcony and go for a category 8B or 8C stateroom). Those would also have the Murphy bed that folds down in front of the window and more floor space inside when the bed is folded up.

We debated the family stateroom vs extended verandah and initially decided to go this route. Daughter who would sleep on the upper bunk said she was fine with that in exchange for the larger balcony.

I should add that this will be our 6th Disney Cruise overall, but first in about 10 years with all 4 of us together. We're pretty familiar with the ships, cabins, etc. Mostly curious to hear why folks would argue one approach over the other, or how decisions worked out for their families in similar circumstances. (And yeah, having $1500 to spend elsewhere is certainly a compelling argument!)

 

[Flossbolna]

We debated the family stateroom vs extended verandah and initially decided to go this route. Daughter who would sleep on the upper bunk said she was fine with that in exchange for the larger balcony.

I should add that this will be our 6th Disney Cruise overall, but first in about 10 years with all 4 of us together. We're pretty familiar with the ships, cabins, etc. Mostly curious to hear why folks would argue one approach over the other, or how decisions worked out for their families in similar circumstances. (And yeah, having $1500 to spend elsewhere is certainly a compelling argument!)

Ah, I thought that you were new to cruising! Good to know that you know you want the large balcony!

 

[CamColt]

My opinion is it is definitely doable. I think it comes down to what is important to you and what will drive you crazy. We have done 4 adults (parents and 2 kids in early 20s) in a 7A and managed just fine. Other families may not do so well. We aren't in the room much anyway, but when we are, it would be rare that all 4 of us would be there together, unless sleeping. Id rather save the money to put toward another cruise, however the thought of 4 in a room might give someone else nightmares.

 

[dreamer17555]

Are you in a room with a Murphy bed and the sofa bed (a room that sleeps 5)? If so there are enough sleeping space IMO. I would pick a room that sleeps 5 (so no one in the upper bunk) over the larger verandah. There are plenty of deck spots to enjoy the sea from.

1,500 is not chump change but yes perhaps it would make things smoother. They could trade nights in the main bed. Could you downgrade to a standard verandah so as to help mitigate the costs?

We are not in the room a ton. If you are and can swing it, go for it. If nothing else please consider a room that sleeps 5. Those upper bunks arent great for adults.

 

[dreamer17555]

You could also leave it up to the kiddos. Tell them they can get X to spend on excursions, onboard spending if they share a single room, but a smaller amount if they want their own room.

I understand you think the balcony is worth it but keep in mind- weather can be unpredictable and you might not get as much use as you think. That upper bunk is rather small. If your DD is petite no issue but my DD is too tall for it.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I would go for it. You'll have an extra bathroom, plus the extra closet/storage space will be very useful.

You know your kids -- are they responsible? If they want to get in trubble they can find a way regardless of the stateroom accommodations.

Their in their 20s not sure even asking about trusting them ore being responsible really needs to be mentioned.

 

[auntlynne]

After reading comments, I would say save the money. Your daughter actually mentioned the balcony? Then, yeah, she is interested in using it.

It’s a week, not a living situation. Apply the $1500 to someone’s schooling, car, house down payment, Wedding - ouch.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I think it's commendable that they are willing to be cramped in one room.

You've made a good point about sharing a bed so maybe asking if that is even doable/tolerable to them would answer that (which is probably the main question about them sharing room). They might be more comfortable overall with having that other cabin to themselves and it would give you more breathing room too.

I wouldn't think it's out of the reasonable realm either if they could possibly contribute financially in some capacity even if it's one excursion or a tiny bit towards that second room if that eases the added cost should you go the route of the second room.

 

[cvjw]

We sail with our 20 something sons. Every time they have the cabin connected to ours. We love spending a week with them, but if we all stayed in one cabin, it would be our last family vacation. Everyone has a much better time with their own space to spread out in.

We just sailed on the fantasy in January in 2 4E cabins. Our balconies connected and turned into one giant balcony. We spent a lot of time out there.

If 2 balcony cabins isn’t an option, I would do one balcony and one inside cabin. You can all still enjoy the balcony together.

 

[Flcruising]

Zero concerns about them getting in trouble.

This is all about trying to balance cost with quality of experience.

"This is all about trying to balance cost with quality of experience."
Quality of experience can include the memories when they reminisce about that trip when they shared a room and had to navigate personalities as well as obstacles. It can bring people together creating a more intimate experience to talk about years from now. As old as they are you may not have many more times to force them to be together. Or for that matter you being with them in such a personal way.
Of course having another room can offer privacy and provide a more sterile trip if that's what you are wanting. But you might be missing out on a lot including spontaneous sharing.
Cruises outside of the stateroom can be hectic, certainty not intimate family sharing. You may be missing out on opportunities or something in separate rooms
I'm the minority here but I suggest taking advantage of being a family before you can't all be together as life interferes.