Ok, it is the first time my family has even thought about a cruise. We are a family of 5, 2 people 17 and younger, and 3 people 18 and older. I was looking on line, and I found a 5-day eastern Caribbean carnival destiny cruise. I checked Royal Caribbean, but the max # of people was 4 per room, and adding another room was way to much. On 3 websites, i found $2,500 for July 27, for all of us. Is it a good deal, for 1 inside room, for 5 people, leaving from the Miami port? Can I find it for less anywhere? Is 1 inside room good for 2 parents, 1 ‘young adult’ and 2 teens? Is it to small? What extra costs are there on the Destiny ship? Thanks In Advance
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That is definitely a good price, but I really think you would be cramped with that many people in one room. I really wouldn’t want to squeeze more than 2 adults and a teen. I would maybe think about upgrading to a balcony or suite room, or just getting 2 inside cabins.
I **** to sound so negative…but you will be way too cramped in one inside room. I would suggest either booking a suite or two separate rooms, whichever works out cheaper for you. I am so pro cruise, they are so much fun and totally the way to go. You will have a blast. But, 5 in one room is just probably not going to work out. I just checked Carnival and if you were to book two separate inside rooms for the date you mentioned the total cost for both would be $2678. Not much more than the 3 websites quoted you for one room!
I have been on many cruises and 5 people in one cabin will be very tight. You can do 2 inside cabins for around the same price as the one outside cabin and it will be more comfortable. The other costs that you will incurr will be the tipping; alcohol; pop; and any shore excurtions you sign up for onboard the ship. The tips are for the waiters; cabin stewart; and bus boys. The rate for the inside cabins are an early booking non-refundable and can be pulled at any time. If you have any questions please let me know, I have been a travel agent for 20 years and have been on many cruises.
With that many people in an inside room, you will likely go stir crazy, not to mention the lack of privacy for almost a week. And, it would probably taint your cruise experience where you’ll come away with a negative impression of Carnival and/or cruises in general.
You should really get at least two rooms. And, keep in mind that there has to be at least one person over 25 in any stateroom (you can’t put the kids in one room with you and your husband in another).
You also may need to have passports. Even if they’re not necessarily required to visit the countries you’ll be going to, Carnival may require one anyway to take a cruise. You should check with them to make sure before purchasing the tickets.
Extra costs are going to include taxes and port fees, gratuities for the steward (added to your bill automatically, although you can ask the purser not to charge you for that), unlimited soda cards (about $45 per person) or individual sodas (about $2 each), alcoholic beverages (about $5 each), shore excursions, and/or on-shore incidentals (food, beverages, souvenirs, etc.). And, everything but the shore incidentals gets added to your sail-and-sign card. So, you’re not even aware of the charges until you get the statement on the last night of the cruise. And, it adds up fast. What started out as a reasonable $2,500 cruise can easily get to $4,000 or $5,000 by the end of the cruise.
Keep in mind… 1 room for 5 people means 1 BATHROOM for 5 people including 2 teens. Can you share one bathroom between you? And habits are different on a ship than at home. I’d be hesitant to do it.
This is what I have found for you:
But I think room for 5 is too small
Basically you can try asking Royal Caribbean for bigger rooms, i went once with 5 person / room which is bigger then average rooms at bout 20% more. Try using my source