As our family’s primary vacation planner, I’ve found we get the most mileage out of cruises. The “most things included” pricing is easy on our budget, and we like the wide range of activities and dining options.
My kids are in high school, and we’ve been cruising together since they were in first grade. Still, I managed to make a rookie mistake with our most recent seven-night Western Caribbean Princess cruise.
I had booked it while on a Princess Alaskan cruise with my husband and got a great rate. However, I had a moment of panic when we boarded the Regal Princess weeks later and got a first look at our stateroom.
Although I’d selected a “cabin that sleeps four,” I only saw two twin beds.
Everyone ended up having a bed, but the setup was far from ideal
Despite the initial shock, we quickly realized our 222-square-foot cabin could indeed sleep four people. Our steward told us there were two additional beds stored in the ceiling that he would pull out every evening.
We asked if the two twin beds on the ground could be converted into a queen for my husband and me, and were told they could, but there would be no place to put the ladder for the upper bunks.
So, we left the arrangement as it was.
On the bright side, we had sufficient sleeping space, and my kids didn’t have to share a bed. Our steward set up the beds each evening while we were at dinner and put them up again after breakfast.
Despite being small, the beds were comfortable, and we all got decent sleep.
The biggest issue was that there was no room to sit up and read or watch TV in bed — the upper bunk was that close to the ceiling. The ladders also made moving around the cabin a game of Tetris, especially at night.
Casualties included one head bump (me, the first night) and one kid stepping on my legs when he skipped the ladder. After that, we adjusted.
On the bright side, having a small balcony (albeit one with an obstructed view of the ocean) meant we had easy access to natural light, fresh air, and a bit of extra space, which made a difference.
Despite the drawbacks, we still had a great time
In the end, we got a good enough discount on the room that I didn’t mind a little extra inconvenience.
Though I would’ve liked a bigger bed and more room, our small stateroom didn’t stop us from enjoying the cruise. We were only in the room to sleep and shower, and after a day or two, the bunks didn’t feel like a big deal.
This was the first time my kids had sailed on Princess, and our postcard-sized digs didn’t affect how we felt about the cruise overall.
We’d 1000% do this cruise with teenagers again — just not in this stateroom.
Admittedly, I made a rookie mistake — and I know just how I’ll avoid it next time
Looking back, I can see what led me to choose the wrong cabin for our family.
While booking with a sales rep on a previous cruise, I got caught up in the moment and the good deal. I didn’t think to ask detailed questions, like the specifics of the bed arrangements.
My biggest mistake was assuming. On cruises I’ve been on with Disney and Carnival, cabins that sleep four are configured differently, with a queen bed and a couch that converts into bunks across the room.
I should’ve asked more questions and watched fellow cruisers’ cabin tour videos online before booking anything. Had I done that, I likely would’ve chosen a different cabin or adjusted my reservation before our departure.
By the time we’d boarded, our cruise was full, and even if a larger cabin had been available, it would’ve cost more.
Next time, I’d be more prepared, or just book my cruise at home, where it’d be easier to review the details on my own.
A travel advisor familiar with cruising could also have steered us toward a better option for a family of four with teens. Though I recommend them to first-timers, I don’t usually use one for cruises.
At the end of the day, even though I should have known better, I couldn’t help but laugh at myself.
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