Cruise Questions - Need Advice!

We went on a Disney cruise about 8 years ago, just the short 4 day one. Unfortunately I got influenza tha last 2 days and flew home sick (great way to end a vacation..we did our own 3 or 4 day "land" part at some of the disney parks first). We were traveling with my in laws and nephew they raise.

So MIL, FIL and then 10 year old nephew as a set, and me, hubby and my 8 year old daughter as a set. On the cruise ship (I think it was the "Wonder"), we had mid ship, balcony, adjoining rooms. Each room had the couch that magically became a regular sized twin equivalent bed for the kids to sleep on it each of our rooms (I say magically as the cabin peeps transformed it all when we were out during dinner and the evenings full stage shows we attended).

We LOVED the balcony. It certainly helped with my well known motion sickness and we loved waking early and sitting out there as we pulled into the ports and seeing the other ships side by side with us and waving to other dock workers, etc. The kids LOVED it. It was actually a peaceful and calm part of our days before all the fun chaos of the cruise day.

Our adjoining rooms came in handy during awake hours when the kids played, watched a tv program together while us adults got ready, etc..so we could be chatty and excited together about the ship, but then since we WERE still seperate parties (and my FIL snores soo horribly!), we shut, but not locked them at night. My dd woke early one morning...REAL early like 5:00 am and we were generally waking about 6-6:30 to watch the pulling into port thing...but she later told us she heard Grampa next door and smelled his coffee, so she just went into his room (remember we did not lock the adjoining door!).

I woke to find her gone, the door partially open! I went to the balcony as my dh suggested before panicking , and there she was, on the balcony next door with her Grampy, having a nice quiet morning! Scared me there for a bit, but I knew she wouldn't go anywhere as she was not a wanderer and scared of her own shadow.

So for us, that all worked out. We booked with adjoining rooms back then, mid ship, balcony rooms. We did it all on purpose to suit our needs. Other than me getting sick and having to deal with other peoples kids (who were rude and many were bascially set free to misbehave and not be watched), we DID have fun and I wished we had done a 7 day cruise.

Have fun!

I have cruised several times and you at least want a window. An interior room would be miserable! The Disney cruise has a suite which would hold all of you and they do have adjoining rooms but usually cannot guarantee it. Try to get a room upper deck in the middle so you don't feel the ship moving as much. I would suggest room service for breakfast (it's free) and that way you dont have to rush and get all five of you out the door to the buffet for breakfast and can take your time. Enjoy!

I've been on a couple of cruises and I don't THINK they have any adjoining rooms, but I didn't specifically inquire about that, so I don't know for sure.

As for the balcony versus inside room, it really depends on how much time you think you'll spend in the room. We had inside rooms which were fine because we really didn't spend much time in the room. If you think you might want to spend time in the room, then I would go for a balcony but I bet with the kids and all, you won't be in there too much. And for the extra money, I'd definitely stick with the inside room.

Cruises are soooo much fun. The food is great and the service impeccable! The only tip I have is that you should try to book your excursions prior to sailing - it's much easier. If you wait until you're on board, you take the chance of things being full and also having to stand in a very long line on board to book an excursion.

Enjoy!

If you have small children, realistically, you WILL spend more time in your room than if you were just traveling with your husband. They will get tired, need breaks, and quite frankly, depending on the cruise-line, there aren't necessarily activities for them all day long. Some, yes, but not consistently throughout the day.

You also have to be prepared for bad weather, sea-sickness (first-timers tend to get it) , sunburn, or tummy troubles (beware at port when drinking water or eating at places - iffy water) or any other unforseen setback that would require a need for a nice comfy room to rest in. So the kind of room you get IS a big deal.

Be aware that an interior room has no windows, are usually smaller, and you have minimal space to move around. Rooms tend to be stuffy and humid because you're on the ocean, and the air conditioning systems aren't that great. So, if you have kids that tend to tussle, fight, get cranky when they have to be up close and personal, you're going to WANT the rooms with a balcony or at the very least a real window as they tend to be larger and you can get fresh air when you need it. (By the way, there is usually a fake window in the interior rooms that lead nowhere for the psychological benefit of the person using the room.)

As to whether there are adjoining rooms, I don't really remember if this is possible. I don't think this is possible, but don't quote me. There are so many different ships and cruiselines, so you never know. So I'd recommend going to the website of the cruiseline you'd be traveling with and look up their maps and plans and see what your options are.

Of course adjoining rooms *might* be a solution (I say might because I personally wouldn't do this) but if not, I'd recommend you and your husband split up and each share with a child or two. To be quite frank, I'd NEVER recommend leaving a child alone in a room on a cruise --EVER. Even if that room were adjoined to yours. You have no guarantees of safety for the kids if you close your room door for privacy. You will soon discover too many people have keys and access to your rooms (room service types)...the kids could wander unnoticed....and that's scary with too many strangers on board who are roaming and awake at all hours of the day and night. Not to mention, those nights (not so much the dayside) where you reach port for a nightclub stop or nights the disco and casinos on-board are hopping you'll have to contend with buzzed passengers trying to get back to their rooms, just like going to any downtown night scene or club district back home after hours, and what not. No way! Bad idea. Don't leave the kids on their own. You and hubby are just going to have to get creative when you want some "alone time." I say each share a room with a child if you can't upgrade to a bigger room.

Lastly, not to put a damper on your big trip, but I strongly recommend you watch a recent story on cruising that aired on 20/20. It pretty much sums up the realities of cruising. At least "my" experiences cruising. IMO they're not kid friendly at all, and although I never traveled this way with kids, I can't imagine doing so...even on a Disney cruise. There are just way too many safety concerns on trips like this both on-board and at port, and realistically you have to be watching your kids closely 24/7. So much so, I don't think I'd enjoy myself at all with kids in tow.

For some valuable food for thought and wise travel tips from the ABC report from two weeks ago, watch:

See:http://abc.go.com/watch/2020/SH559026/VD55165067/2020-120...

Rachel:

While I've never been on a cruise (VERY jealous!) my sister and my best friend have...

If anyone gets sea sick - I am told that the balcony makes the difference. Even in big ships, there can be some "sway".

My sister prefers the balcony. I don't know about adjoining rooms - I would think they have them...let me ask my sister and get more 411 for you!!

Depending on the cruise ship, you might find booking a suite will be more cost-effective than booking two rooms. Also, sometimes booking a suite will bump you up to a different class of service, like getting access to a private courtyard, more amenities, etc.

When we booked our cruise to Alaska, a balcony was absolutely worth it. We saw whales in the ocean and were able to view the glaciers in the privacy of our own area. I don't know if you will find something similar with where you are going, but at the very least, it could give you and your husband another private area to hang out after bedtime.

I also second booking your excursions beforehand - independently, if you can. It will (usually) be much cheaper than going through the ship. Check out cruisecritic.com for lots of advice, reviews, etc. There are forums specific to location, cruise line, and even family cruising.

Have fun!

my girlfriend went on a cruise they got a suite type room. it had a double bed and then a twin bed and a set of bunkbeds. they had 3 kids. when we went on our cruise no we did not stay in the room enough to make a balcony worth it. skip it and have fun at disney. cruise tip. by the wrist band option for the pop. you usually have to pay separate for all drinks other than coffee and tea a the main dinners. (you don't pay right then they swipe your room card) at the end you get a bill for way more than you thought it would be. if you go the wristband option it covers pop, tea and juice. it is like $15-$20 per person. bring sweaters for the girls and long sleeve tops for the boys for the dining rooms. its always cold. if possible bring 2 swimsuits per person. one to wear and one to handwash and dry over night.