How to cruise as a family of five

Organising holidays for families that don’t fit the mould of two parents and two children can be challenging with many accommodation offerings only allowing a maximum of four people per room/apartment.

Carnival Cruise Line, renowned for its family-friendly cruises, has a solution for those wondering how to cruise as a family of five.

Carnival Cruise Lines’ staterooms

With Carnival Cruise Line, some of the staterooms accommodate five people without needing to book a connecting room. This is often the most economical and straightforward approach, but it’s important to book early, as these rooms are popular.

Some deluxe ocean-view staterooms even have a second bathroom but don’t forget to request this when booking, as they sell out quickly. Make sure to check the room types available before you book, as they do vary by ship.

Parents will also be pleased to know that every stateroom has a television, plenty of cupboard and drawer space, and a dedicated room steward, should you need anything else. Room service is also available, 24 hours per day, which is perfect if you are hit with an attack of the munchies while your children are having a day nap or after they have gone down for the night.

Cruising with larger families

More than five in your family? It’s still doable! The best way to go in this situation is to book any two interconnecting rooms. Each standard cabin accommodates four, so you can now house up to eight people and enjoy two bathrooms by booking two that connect to one another. This option provides more privacy for everyone and works well if you want to bring grandparents, step-children or friends etc.

If you have adult children, adjoining rooms are also a good option. This means you can’t move between rooms internally, but your rooms will be side by side.

Carnival Cruise Line’s family cruises

Carnival Cruise Line offers a range of cruises that sail to family-friendly destinations such as New Zealand, the South Pacific (including Fiji), North Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef, Papua New Guinea and even the United States!

But it’s not all about the end location. While on board, everyone is spoilt for choice with activity options. The kids will love making new friends at the fully-supervised kids’ club that offers a range of games, crafts and fun challenges for all ages.

There are also dress-up events, sail-away parties, pools, movies and live entertainment. Parents will love the fitness classes, day spa and stage shows.

And then there’s the food! Everyone will want to gorge on the free pizza and 24/7 ice cream, the delicious sushi, a mouth-watering selection at the Deli and marketplace and the dining room that features a detailed kids’ menu. And if you’re feeling a bit fancy, the Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse Restaurant or The Chef’s Table will satisfy the most discerning foodie.

Once everyone’s had their fill of food and fun, don’t forget to pause for a moment as a family, gaze at the undiluted starscape, breathe in the salty ocean air and listen to the rhythmic swashing of the ocean’s waves. It’s moments like these you’ll never forget.

For more information, or to book your family cruise, visit the Carnival Cruise Line website.

This article is sponsored by Carnival Cruise Line