The Best Rooms For Families On A Cruise Ship

It might seem to be a given that you should select the largest possible room on your cruise, but this isn't necessarily the case. Price differentials notwithstanding, the reality is that you aren't going to spend all — or even most — of your time in your room.

When you're traveling with children, especially little ones, the size of your room is often secondary to its amenities.

One question you might want to ask as you decide how to choose your family-friendly cruise room is this: How will choosing a particular room change our experience? For some families, it's about the destinations more than the journey — the ports of call are prioritized over where they sleep en route to them, and they want to use their budget for the longest sailing or the biggest, most elaborate tours.

Of course, this is not an argument against a larger room — bigger can absolutely be better when you're living aboard a cruise ship for days or weeks, especially with the whole family. Here, your kids' ages and independence might come into play. Younger kids might love lots of time with their parents, older ones not so much. Connecting rooms might be better for older kids and teens, while adult children might want to stay on the ship entirely elsewhere. Ultimately, the best rooms for families on a cruise ship are as much about the room you select as it is about your family and their preferences.

Larger rooms aren't just about the luxury, either. For example, selecting a junior suite (or larger) ensures your room has a bathtub, which is ideal for families with babies and toddlers. Smaller staterooms will only have showers. If you want to have at least two bathrooms, book one of the family suites, which make getting ready for bed each night much quicker. Rooms in the suites category are also the only ones that generally come with mid-room privacy curtains, a feature that can enable you to, say, read a book once the kids are asleep.

A larger room is essential for families with infants since it ensures that there will be adequate space to walk around the complimentary crib provided for babies. These cribs are generally 36 inches long; they'll technically fit in smaller staterooms, but suites can easily accommodate them. A larger room also ensures a dedicated area to put your diaper station.

A key piece of advice for how to choose your family-friendly cruise room is to imagine you're buying a home for a few days or weeks. As is the case in your own home, think about what you can't live without and what's not that important to have. Choosing the right room is not so much about having everything under the sun but curating an experience that works for you and the members of your family.

Imagine a space where you'll want to reflect on the amazing port excursions you had while off the ship, as well as the meaningful conversations on the ship's deck — but also a space where you can be comfortable under less-than-ideal circumstances. Seasickness is less common on a large cruise ship, but if you do feel the motion, then you'll also want to be somewhere comfortable while you relax.

Choosing the best room location on a cruise ship can be likened to a strategy game. Do you want to be near the action or tucked away in a quiet corner? Do you prefer to be conveniently close to the elevators or strategically far from the crowds? No right answer exists, as the most desirable locations will depend on your preferences and priorities. And once you have found the best family-friendly cruise rooms that meet your needs, prepare for the memory-making family vacation of a lifetime!