Family of 5? Best Royal Caribbean Cruises for Families of Five

The cruise industry is convenient for people traveling in twos—but what about families of five?For groups of five or families with three kids, it can be tricky to find proper activities, accommodations, and sailings.Royal Caribbean is a popular cruise line for family holidays, but some of its ships and itineraries are better for families than others.And once you choose a ship and sailing, you’ll still have to figure out the best stateroom configurations for your brood.Larger families have additional challenges when it comes to planning vacations.You’ll have to work around schedule conflicts between school and employment. Families also have a broad range of ages that contribute to a variety of interests, from toddlers preferring pool time to adults who just need a quiet moment at the bar.Finding the right stateroom is also difficult for a family of five, who need extra space and privacy. Cruise lines make it easy to book rooms for two to four people—add a fifth, and things get more complicated.Whether you’re looking for entertainment that enthralls the whole family or the perfect two-bedroom suite, here are the best cruises for a family of five. Wonder of the SeasFor families traveling with multiple age ranges, Wonder of the Seas has something for every generation.One of the cruise line’s biggest ships, Wonder is an Oasis-Class vessel packed with entertainment and activities.The size of the ship ensures that there’s enough space to hold something for everyone.For the active bodies, the vessel has pools, waterslides, a zip line, a surf simulator, laser tag, ice skating, rock climbing walls, and a 10-story dry slide.Adults can get away in the Solarium, an 18+ pool area, or enjoy comedy, ice-skating, and diving shows with the whole family.Plus, Wonder of the Seas has nine complimentary venues and over 12 specialty venues, including the signature Mason Jar Southern cooking.Icon of the SeasRoyal Caribbean’s biggest cruise ship—and the largest one in the world—was built with young children and their parents in mind.The ship’s Surfside neighborhood caters specifically to families with young kids with its splash area, water slides, arcade, carousel, and playground.Read more: Royal Caribbean added a new suite for families on Icon of the Seas that has more space than everThe neighborhood also features family-centric dining options, like Surfside Eatery, Surfside Bites, and Pier 7.Surfside neighborhood is also adjacent to Adventure Ocean and multiple family-style suites and cabins.Icon of the Seas has 28 unique cabin categories, with unique and new designs built especially for families.Oasis of the SeasRoyal Caribbean’s debut Oasis-Class vessel, Oasis of the Seas, has a fun, vibrant atmosphere perfect for families.Much like Wonder of the Seas, the ship is packed with activities for every passenger’s taste.Oasis first launched in 2009 and was amplified in 2019. The amplification added modern amenities, including a Caribbean-style pool deck with a tropical feel. Four distinct pool areas have lots of space for families to spread out. Splashaway Bay, a pool area specifically for children, features small slides, water sprayers, and playground-style climbing areas.Plus, Oasis has three waterslides, the Ultimate Abyss dry slide, an extra-tall rock climbing wall, a space-themed escape room, Central Park, and the Boardwalk, complete with a carousel.Utopia of the SeasMuch like her sister vessels in the Oasis Class, Utopia of the Seas has a wide range of activities for all ages to enjoy.However, another reason families should book a sailing on Utopia is to try a shorter itinerary.Utopia is the first large Royal Caribbean ship to immediately start offering 3 and 4-night cruises at its debut.If you struggle to get time off from work, get the children out of school, or coordinate with older kids, a weekend on one of the world’s biggest cruise ships has everything you need.The line’s newest cruise ship is packed with novel activities, from an immersive train car dining experience to new parties.Plus, if you’re already a fan of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class, Utopia takes its classic features to the next level.Most popular cabins for 5 peopleOnce you choose a vessel and itinerary, you’ll choose a stateroom category to book the sailing.When it comes to families of five, this isn’t always a straightforward process.The Royal Caribbean website won’t allow you to book a cabin for five people, so you’ll have to consult with a travel agent or call the cruise line’s customer service.Picking your stateroom onboard means choosing your home for the length of the cruise, so finding a good fit is key. Plus, families especially need comfortable cabins with lots of space for naps, quality time, and extra showers. The following aren’t all the possible cabin categories for a group of five, but they’re the most popular options with cruisers.Two connecting stateroomsThe easier option, available on all ships in the fleet, is to book two connecting staterooms.The cost of two separate staterooms can be cheaper than one large family stateroom, and two connecting staterooms ensure that the family is still close together.Doors between them keep an easy flow and can be left open during the day to create a multiple-bedroom cabin.Two separate staterooms also include the benefit of two bathrooms—great to prevent arguments over who’s showering next.Families with older children (or adults who need some extra space) will appreciate the separation two connecting cabins provide.Each cabin needs to have a guest over 21 booked in the room, but that doesn’t mean each adult has to sleep in a particular cabin.You’ll find connecting staterooms on all Royal Caribbean ships.Family interior stateroomFor groups with a certain budget, the “spacious interior” stateroom is the most affordable cabin category that fits five guests.The family interior stateroom fits up to six guests inside a windowless interior cabin.Families who want to focus on shore excursions or onboard activities can save money by skipping an oceanview or balcony cabin and booking this category instead.It is windowless, with two twin beds, two Pullman beds that fold down from the wall, a private bathroom, and a living area with a sofa bed.You can book a family interior stateroom on Oasis Class, Freedom Class, and Vision Class ships.Family oceanview stateroomFamilies who want to stay together in one cabin can book a family oceanview stateroom.Also called the “ultra spacious oceanview,” this category has the capacity for six guests and requires a minimum of five to book.Because a larger group is needed to book, this cabin is less likely to sell out quickly, lowering its cost and making the category easier to find onboard.This cabin features a bright ocean view through a window or set of portholes.The category usually ranges in size from 265 to 328 square feet and features a king-size bed, additional bunk beds, and a living area with a sofa bed.You can book a family oceanview stateroom on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class, Freedom Class, Voyager Class, Radiance Class, and Vision Class vessels.Royal Loft SuiteFamilies looking to splurge on the luxurious benefits of a cruise ship suite can find the Royal Loft Suite on Royal Caribbean’s newer ships.The high-end suit comes with over 560 square feet of space, Star tier suite benefits, and a large private balcony.The loft configuration features two distinct floors, giving a maximum of six guests tons of space to spread out.The high price tag comes with some worthwhile treats. The Royal Loft Suite is available on Royal Caribbean ships in the Oasis, Quantum, and Icon Classes.Ultimate Family SuiteAnother luxurious family suite is the Ultimate Family Suite, available on a few Royal Caribbean ships.This cabin can sleep from five to nine guests and boasts Star-tier benefits.Families ready to invest in their stateroom experience will appreciate the king-sized bed, two twin beds, four bunk beds, and double pull-out sofa.The cabin also features plenty of entertainment—you won’t even have to step outside for a fun cruise.The living room features video games, table tennis, Connect 4, and even a slide. A wide balcony also features a private Jacuzzi, perfect for parents to enjoy without leaving any sleeping children.The Ultimate Family Suite is only on Symphony of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas, and Wonder of the Seas.
Source: Royalcaribbeanblog.com