dcnole Posted October 27, 2024 Report Posted October 27, 2024 I am about to book a sailing for myself and my 3 kids for Spring Break 2025. The kids will be ages 16, 14, and 12 at time of sailing. It's a short 3-nighter Bahamas run so it had been my plan to just pack us into a single interior cabin and make use of the two pullman beds. We did this a couple years ago. But the kids are older now, and it's going to be cramped quarters. As I was looking over the various booking options, it became apparent that for only ~$50/person (10% more or so) I could get 2 connecting interior rooms on the same sailing at essentially the exact same location on the ship that we were already looking to book. This would double our space and, critically (for my two teenage daughters), double our bathrooms. Then my teenage girls could have one room, and I would share the other with my 12 y.o. son and we'd all get ground-level beds. This seems pretty appealing from a bang-for-your-buck value perspective, and would promote peace and harmony for all involved. So here's my somewhat open-ended question: Beyond the above-referenced modest cost increase for the core reservation, are there any down-sides to booking 2 rooms vs. 1 that might offset the obvious upside of more space? Not worried about my kids misbehaving or anything like that. I'm talking about secondary costs that double because you have two rooms, or complexities that are introduced (or exacerbated) by having two rooms vs. just one. Anything that comes to mind. And, I guess I'm also curious if there are any hidden upside that make the idea even better than it seems too! Just generally curious if others have done this, how it went, and if there are any other considerations I should be accounting for before I pull the trigger on paying a little more for a nice comfort enhancement. (Oh, and I am working through a travel agent so I assume she will be able to smooth over any challenges about booking a second cabin that technically would have two minors in it. My understanding is that, so long as the rooms are connecting or adjacent, this is not a big problem. But please let me know if I'm wrong about that.) Quote
Ryan79 Posted October 27, 2024 Report Posted October 27, 2024 2 Rooms Pro: 2 bathrooms. However you won’t be able to book 2 rooms because there isn’t 2 people old enough to do that. You need someone 18+ for each cabin. Your TA won’t be able to override that. Their system won’t even allow that to be possible. SpeedNoodles, KristiZ and RCIfan1912 3 Quote
Kelseylovestocruise Posted October 27, 2024 Report Posted October 27, 2024 Please do this!! Way better solution for everyone! You will appreciate spending the $200 I promise! Quote
TXcruzer Posted October 27, 2024 Report Posted October 27, 2024 6 hours ago, Ryan79 said: 2 Rooms Pro: 2 bathrooms. However you won’t be able to book 2 rooms because there isn’t 2 people old enough to do that. You need someone 18+ for each cabin. Your TA won’t be able to override that. Their system won’t even allow that to be possible. As long as the rooms are adjacent it won't be a problem; I have done this many times. CruiseGus, DoomSlayer, RCIfan1912 and 1 other 3 1 Quote
Lovetocruise2002 Posted October 27, 2024 Report Posted October 27, 2024 Pros: Definitely the 2 bathrooms with teenagers. Cons: Before there was RU, there were no real cons, but now...if you want to Royal Up, and you have two rooms and one has minors in it, it might mess up your plans for Royal Up. RCIfan1912 1 Quote
melmar02 Posted October 27, 2024 Report Posted October 27, 2024 I have a 12 yo boy and 16 yo girl and we put them in a connecting room on our last cruise. Slight inconveniences more than cons - there is not a way to keep the heavy connecting door open. We felt disconnected from our kids in the next room at times, especially when we were trying to make plans as a family. Just be mentally prepared to all squeeze into one space at times anyway. Our connecting door opened backwards into the room creating a weird bottle neck for anyone wanting to get into/out of the bathroom or main cabin door. That was the most annoying part. The 2 bathrooms definitely make it worth it, especially with teens. Quote
Pooch Posted October 27, 2024 Report Posted October 27, 2024 8 hours ago, Ryan79 said: However you won’t be able to book 2 rooms because there isn’t 2 people old enough to do that. You need someone 18+ for each cabin. Your TA won’t be able to override that. Their system won’t even allow that to be possible. I don’t think that’s true. As long as the cabins are connecting or adjacent, you can book 2 rooms with only 1 adult. WAAAYTOOO, RCIfan1912, CruiseGus and 1 other 2 1 1 Quote
TXcruzer Posted October 27, 2024 Report Posted October 27, 2024 3 minutes ago, Pooch said: I don’t think that’s true. As long as the cabins are connecting or adjacent, you can book 2 rooms with only 1 adult. @Pooch, you are 100% correct Pattycruise, CruiseGus and RCIfan1912 2 1 Quote
WannaCruise Posted October 27, 2024 Report Posted October 27, 2024 No downsides (except as stated, don't bid on Royal Up). When we can, we book 2 connecting rooms with our kids. If the rooms are connecting to yours, they do allow it. I think online it doesn't, but just call Royal (or your TA) and they will let you. You get 2 bathrooms, double storage, etc. And with the connecting door, you can keep an eye on them. If you link your reservations, then you can easily book anything for both your rooms (shows if applicable for the ship, excursions, etc). The only downside I can think of is it's possible you have two different muster stations but not a big deal. P.S. - I mentioned for use we do this when we "can". For our recent bookings, two rooms was way more than a single room so we do have some with 4 of us in a room. Not ideal but doable. So it's great that the cost isn't much different for you. Quote
WannaCruise Posted October 27, 2024 Report Posted October 27, 2024 9 hours ago, Ryan79 said: 2 Rooms Pro: 2 bathrooms. However you won’t be able to book 2 rooms because there isn’t 2 people old enough to do that. You need someone 18+ for each cabin. Your TA won’t be able to override that. Their system won’t even allow that to be possible. Not true if connecting. We have done this...you just need to call, and not try online. Quote
smokeybandit Posted October 27, 2024 Report Posted October 27, 2024 If you're considering two rooms, then go with two rooms. teddy and WAAAYTOOO 2 Quote
WAAAYTOOO Posted October 27, 2024 Report Posted October 27, 2024 Two rooms. Don't even think about not doing this... CruiseGus, teddy, RCIfan1912 and 2 others 5 Quote
GatorCruiser Posted October 27, 2024 Report Posted October 27, 2024 Don’t you get double points if you put one parent on one room reservation and the other parent on the other room ? Isn’t this a cruise point hack I thought I have read? Quote
Pooch Posted October 27, 2024 Report Posted October 27, 2024 In this case, there is only 1 adult. Quote
Lovetocruise2002 Posted October 27, 2024 Report Posted October 27, 2024 1 hour ago, GatorCruiser said: Don’t you get double points if you put one parent on one room reservation and the other parent on the other room ? Isn’t this a cruise point hack I thought I have read? I think you would only get double points if that parent in the one room is the only person (solo) in that room. Ampurp85 and WAAAYTOOO 2 Quote
TXcruzer Posted October 27, 2024 Report Posted October 27, 2024 1 hour ago, GatorCruiser said: Don’t you get double points if you put one parent on one room reservation and the other parent on the other room ? Isn’t this a cruise point hack I thought I have read? Not if there is a kid in the room with them, one only gets double points if they are the only person assigned to the room RCIfan1912, WAAAYTOOO and Pattycruise 3 Quote
Ozwald200 Posted October 27, 2024 Report Posted October 27, 2024 We have done this with two interior rooms on Harmony. My wife and I in one and the kids in the other. Best thing we have done, would do this over one balcony room in a heart beat. Pros: Two closets, more storage, kids sleep better because they had their own dedicated bed, we could sleep in while they watched TV and didn't disturb us, adult privacy , two showers so less time getting ready for events and a dedicated pooping bathroom (sorry kids!!!). Cons: None I can think of. Do it you won't regret it. Put all three in a room and have one for yourself RCIfan1912 1 Quote
Pattycruise Posted October 28, 2024 Report Posted October 28, 2024 Be proactive. before speaking with your travel agent do a mock booking of the cabins so you can understand pricing and availability. Understand it would be cheaper to buy 2 cabins off 2 rather than a solo cabin for yourself and a cabin for 3. It’s also easier to find cabins for 2 that are together. I usually call my agent with the exact cabins I want. You CAN book with minors in their own cabin but their cabin must be directly adjacent to you or directly across from you. On of my sailings I had a balcony and the kids were in an interior promenade across the hall. Also note if you book 2 cabins of 2 there likely won’t be a third bed in the cabin (unless you can get a cabin that sleeps 3-book 2 in it and then move one once you board-fine this way because it’s cheaper) so if your intent is to have the kids in one cabin and you have your own someone won’t be comfortable with 3 in a cabin that sleeps 2. I don’t understand the problem with the connecting staterooms that someone mentioned, usually the connecting door is opened so it’s easy to go in and out between the cabins If you do choose to put 4 in one cabin I’d book a cabin that is fairly close to a public restroom so there at least is a second bathroom available if needed. Quote
melmar02 Posted October 28, 2024 Report Posted October 28, 2024 6 hours ago, Pattycruise said: I don’t understand the problem with the connecting staterooms that someone mentioned, usually the connecting door is opened so it’s easy to go in and out between the cabins That was me. Yes, it was unlocked, but there was no way to keep it in an open position if we wanted to go back and forth during the day without physically opening the door which was really heavy (Harmony) and the open door blocked traffic in one of the rooms. So if I wanted to talk to the kids about plans, we all had to cram into one room, or I could stand in the connecting door way, but with the door open, DH was trapped by the beds/couch in our room. The open connecting door blocked the little space to get to the bathroom or main door to the hall. Like I said, more of an inconvenience, and now that I think of it, if we had switched rooms (put the kids in the room with the connecting door that swung inward), we probably wouldn't have even noticed it. Pattycruise 1 Quote
letscruise Posted October 30, 2024 Report Posted October 30, 2024 You MUST do this, OP! You will be so happy to have the extra space - I can't even imagine squeezing into a room with my two teens and husband. We have done two connecting balconies, two side by side balconies (not connecting), and one balcony (parents) one interior across the hall (teens). We were perfectly fine in all of those scenarios, though my control issues preferred the connecting, just so I could more easily make sure everything was okay. That was a "me issue". One thing I really love about cruising with teens is the ability to loosen the reigns in a safe environment and give them freedom they might not necessarily have otherwise. I think the teens on your trip would really think it's cool to be on their own and in their own cabin with you next door. Quote
tjcruisers Posted October 30, 2024 Report Posted October 30, 2024 Can’t really think of any cons. For pros on 2 rooms, as mentioned the extra bathroom and space. Also find that the AC recovers the room temp quicker with less people Quote
dcnole Posted October 31, 2024 Author Report Posted October 31, 2024 Thanks for all the feedback, all! I booked 2 rooms today. Looking forward to it! WAAAYTOOO, Pattycruise and USCG Teacher 3 Quote
DoomSlayer Posted October 31, 2024 Report Posted October 31, 2024 2 Rooms, end of debate We do this all the time exactly for the reasons you mention. As others have said though, your travel agent will have to call in for an override to allow minors in the other room, but it is a simple phone call they make to Royal on your behalf and 100% in line with Royal's policies. Quote
Tstar55 Posted December 27, 2024 Report Posted December 27, 2024 I’m late to this thread but hopefully somebody answers. I booked two rooms, 1 adult and 1 kid per room. My concern is keys. Will they give each parent access to both rooms while allowing my teens to have their own cards as well to their rooms? Ideally I’d want all four of us to have access to both rooms without swapping cards all the time, but not sure if that’s a thing. Quote
smokeybandit Posted December 27, 2024 Report Posted December 27, 2024 Just now, Tstar55 said: I’m late to this thread but hopefully somebody answers. I booked two rooms, 1 adult and 1 kid per room. My concern is keys. Will they give each parent access to both rooms while allowing my teens to have their own cards as well to their rooms? Ideally I’d want all four of us to have access to both rooms without swapping cards all the time, but not sure if that’s a thing. Guest services will give you extra cards to do just that. Ryan79 1 Quote
Ryan79 Posted December 28, 2024 Report Posted December 28, 2024 7 hours ago, Tstar55 said: I’m late to this thread but hopefully somebody answers. I booked two rooms, 1 adult and 1 kid per room. My concern is keys. Will they give each parent access to both rooms while allowing my teens to have their own cards as well to their rooms? Ideally I’d want all four of us to have access to both rooms without swapping cards all the time, but not sure if that’s a thing. Go straight to guest services and ask for an extra room key for each room. Give the kid booked the “adult room” the key to the kids room and the adult booked in the “kids room” the other key. Done this dozens of times and never an issue in the least Quote
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