Cruise ship cabins aren't known for being spacious, so how do you deal with cramming a family of four, five, or six into a single stateroom?
First things first, most cruise cabins can only accommodate two passengers. Thanks to sofa and pullman beds, some standard rooms can fit three or four guests, but fitting a larger family can be challenging.
Many families opt for connecting cabins. Not only does this increase the amount of space you'll have, but parents may have more privacy. Plus, there's the added benefit of having two bathrooms!
From roomy multi-bedroom suites to budget-friendly options, here are some spacious cruise ship cabins for your family on popular mainstream cruise lines.
Best Carnival family cabins and suites
The best cruise ship cabins for families on Carnival Cruise Line are their Family Harbor suites and staterooms, found on their newest ships.
Family Harbor cabins come in various categories and sizes, from inside cabins to roomy suites. Most cabins can sleep four, though some only sleep two or three.
That said, Family Harbor Deluxe Ocean View cabins sleep five and have a full bathroom plus a separate washroom with a sink and tub. Standard Family Harbor Suites also sleep five and offer the split bathroom set-up, with a walk-in closet and extra-large living area.
Related: What’s the difference between a balcony cabin and a suite on a cruise?
These Carnival cruise family rooms are tops for families because of their access to the Family Harbor Lounge and the associated perks. The lounge, located smack in the middle of all the Family Harbor cabins, is the place to go to play board and video games; check your email; get assistance from a concierge; and grab complimentary breakfast, snacks, and drinks.
Family Harbor perks include free kids' meals in specialty restaurants and a free evening of Night Owls group babysitting, meaning parents can easily take advantage of some adult-only time.
The older ships in Carnival’s fleet do not offer Family Harbor cabins, but some—such as the Dream Class ships (i.e., Carnival Dream, Magic, and Breeze)—feature Deluxe or Family Ocean View cabins. These rooms, like their Family Harbor counterparts, can accommodate a family of five with two twins, two pull-down bunk beds, and a single sofa bed. They also have the split bathroom concept, making it easier for everyone to get ready without running into each other.
One important thing to consider with these rooms, however, is that to accommodate the bunk beds, the floor-level beds cannot be pushed together to form a queen-sized bed. In other words, parents will have the sleep in separate twin-sized beds while onboard.
Those looking for the most luxurious experience onboard Carnival's Excel Class suites should consider the Presidental Suite. This room, which measures 1,120 square feet (including the balcony), can accommodate up to five guests. Not only that, but it comes with some pretty nice perks, like complimentary access to Loft 19, priority check-in and boarding, and free access to Thermal Suites and Havana Pool.
Other Carnival cabins that sleep 4 or more
Carnival cruise ships have cabins in all categories that can accommodate families of three or four, either with a sofa bed or pull-down bunk beds.
All ships have connecting rooms, so parents with older children who need more space (and two full bathrooms) can book adjoining rooms with a door that opens up between them.
Some families prefer to book cabins across the hall from one another, too. This can be a cost-effective way to double the space while keeping children and teens close. With all the fun activities onboard, they won't care about relaxing on a private verandah!
Best Disney family cabins and suites
You could say that any cabin on a Disney cruise ship is perfect for a family, but the Deluxe Family Ocean View Staterooms, with or without balconies or Concierge-level amenities, are the best for families of five.
These cabins are slightly larger than regular outside and balcony cabins and have a single sofa bed, pull-down bunk bed, and wall pull-down bed in addition to the master bed. There's also a privacy curtain to help separate the area.
They also feature split bathrooms, so the toilet is separate from the shower. This design is helpful for larger families, as it allows multiple people to get ready simultaneously without feeling cramped or shuffling behind one another. Instead of feeling rushed on port mornings, one passenger can shower, while another uses the separate sink and toilet to brush their teeth and finish their skincare routine.
In addition, all of Disney’s Concierge-level suites sleep 5 to 7 guests. They’re ideal for families who want to spread out with large balconies, expansive living rooms with dining areas, separate master bedrooms, and at least two full bathrooms.
The larger living areas are great for families with younger children, as it gives them space to play. Families can also gather for relaxing in-cabin movie nights after busy days at Castaway Cay or another exciting port of call.
Concierge services help busy families plan an amazing vacation, and the Concierge Lounge and sun deck give parents a quiet place to reconnect and enjoy a drink while the kids live it up in the Oceaneer Club and Lab or the Edge and Vine tween and teen clubs.
The new Disney Wish includes the luxurious Concierge Tower Suite. It's a multilevel suite that's 1,966 square feet and is located in the famous Disney Cruise Line stack.
With two primary bedrooms, a separate living and dining area, and 4.5 bathrooms, sleeping up to eight guests in this luxurious suite is no problem. Be prepared for the cost of this one-of-a-kind suite. A family of five can expect to pay close to $30,000 for a three-night Bahamas cruise.
Disney Dream also received a new Dream Tower Suite during the October 2024 drydock. This 2-story suite is situated in the ship's forward funnel and is themed after the 1940 Disney Classic Fantasia—specifically "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" scene. With over 2,000 square feet of living space, it's ideal for families of up to 8 who want the ultimate Disney cruise experience.
Read more: Pros and Cons of a Disney Cruise
Other Disney cabins that sleep 4 or more
Families can’t go wrong with any cabin on a Disney ship. Most rooms sleep three or four, and all but the smallest have split baths.
Inside cabins lack a window but many make up for it with a virtual porthole. These round screens look like porthole windows and show camera footage from the bow of the ship, enhanced with animated Disney friends who pop in to wave hello.
On Disney cruise ships, it’s also easy for families to book connecting cabins to gain that extra coveted bathroom, closet, and living space, and avoid the squeeze that comes from teens and parents sharing a room.
Read more: What’s the best cruise ship cabin location?
Best Celebrity Cruises family cabins and suites
Celebrity Cruises offers a variety of suites ranging from 254 square feet studio Sky Suites to the luxurious 1,892 square foot Iconic Suites on Edge Class ships.
If you are looking for the most space for your family to make themselves comfortable in, the Iconic Suite is one of your best options, as it has over 2,500 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, including two bedrooms and two bathrooms.
The Reflection Suite is another great option. It has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and indoor living spaces spread out over 1,636 square feet. Plus, there's another 193 square feet of terrace space.
No matter what suite you select, you will gain access to The Retreat, an exclusive suites-only area that has a dedicated restaurant, lounge, and private sundeck on select vessels. Of course, Celebrity suites come at a premium and are not the cheapest accommodations onboard.
Other Celebrity Cruises cabins that sleep 4 or more
Online, you will only be able to book a cabin for 4 guests. If you have 5 or more, you will have to give Celebrity a call directly.
That being said, you can book just about any cabin category for 4 people, from an interior to ocean view, veranda, or Concierge Class. Aqua Class staterooms are the only exception since they are reserved for double occupancy.
If you prefer additional space, there are adjoining staterooms that will allow you to have an extra bathroom and floor space. That alone can make a family vacation turn into one of the best ones yet!
Best Royal Caribbean family cabins and suites
Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate Family Suite and Ultimate Family Townhouse are the most famous kid-focused cabins. The multi-level suites sleep up to eight guests and are a wonderland of games, slides, climbing walls, and Legos.
That said, they're only available on five ships (Spectrum, Symphony, Wonder, Utopia, and Icon of the Seas), and they are insanely expensive. In other words, they aren't a practical cabin choice for the majority of cruisers. One can dream, though!
Unfortunately, the line has removed the term “family” from several cabin categories, so larger groups need to look a bit harder to find cabins to accommodate their clan. Look for cabins dubbed “spacious interior” or “ultra spacious ocean view” for rooms that can sleep up to six with two twin beds that convert to a Royal King, a double sofa bed, and two pull-down bunks.
Related: Why an inside cabin is the best choice for a cruise
Many of the line’s suites, from Junior Suites up to the Royal Loft Suite, can sleep four to six people; we found a two-bedroom Grand Suite that can sleep eight.
One- and two-bedroom AquaTheater suites can sleep four to eight, and they have private box seat viewing of all the AquaTheater shows—a major plus for families with children who might not want to stay seated for the entire show.
Quantum Class ships have a few cabins with a unique configuration, combining a Junior Suite, Studio, and Balcony cabin into a multi-room suite that sleeps up to 10 passengers with three bathrooms. Though the rooms can be booked separately, they share a vestibule with a door on the cabin corridor, so when combined, they merge into a multi-room suite that’s perfect for large families or groups.
Other Royal Caribbean cabins that sleep 4 or more
Many of Royal Caribbean’s standard cabins and suites can sleep three or four guests, either with sofa beds or pullman beds. A family of four will fit, but space might be tight when everyone is getting ready at the same time for dinner or an outing in port.
Royal Caribbean has plenty of connecting cabins if you have the budget to spend more for that extra living and bathroom space.
Just be sure you price compare because it might be a better value to book one suite, with the accompanying Royal Suite Class perks, than two standard cabins. It, of course, depends on which cabin categories you are looking to book.
Icon of the Seas
Icon of the Seas is the ultimate family-friendly cruise ship. The vessel launched in January 2024 with 80% of her cabins able to accommodate three or more passengers.
Their Family Infinite Balcony stateroom features in-room games, a split bathroom, and a separate bunk bed area for children that can be closed off for privacy. And kids will love having their own television inside of their bunk!
Another brand-new stateroom category is the Surfside Suite. While you will not have direct oceanfront views, the enlarged stateroom will include a separate nook for children that has the ability to be closed off. Additionally, children will be able to stand out on the balcony and look out at the neighborhood that was designed for them!
Best Norwegian family cabins and suites
Norwegian’s best family cabins are their family suites and villas that can sleep five or six people. Two-bedroom suites offer separate spaces for parents and kids, two bathrooms, and – more importantly – two televisions, as well as a shared hangout with a dining table and private balcony.
On most ships, guests in these family suites have access to The Haven with their incredible VIP perks, exclusive pool deck, lounge, and exclusive restaurant.
Still, Budget-conscious families can still find plenty of cabins that sleep four. Rooms dubbed “family balcony” or “family inside” are standard cabins that sleep four and are located near the kids club and pool deck. However, Family Oceanview cabins on select ships sleep up to five and may have a bathtub rather than the typical shower. Family Club Balcony Suites are mini-suites that sleep four. Some of these rooms offer a tub, as well.
Other Norwegian cabins that sleep 4 or more
Most, but not all, of Norwegian Cruise Line’s suites can sleep four or more, even if they’re not targeted at families. The Three-Bedroom Garden Villa, for example, would make an incredible family retreat with its multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, huge living area, and private sun deck with hot tub, lounge seating, and outdoor dining table.
Select standard cabins can accommodate families of four as well. Connecting rooms across categories allows for a roomier home-away-from-home, and curtails any fights about closet space and control of the limited bathroom shelves.
If you're unsure of whether a standard cabin would accommodate your family of three, four, or five, work with a travel agent to ensure you book a stateroom that will meet your needs and budget.
Related: Top 10 cruise cabin hacks to make your stateroom more livable
Best MSC Cruises family cabins and suites
For a superfamily cruise, book into one of MSC’s Super Family suites. The accommodations are actually groups of two or three connected cabins that can sleep up to 10 people.
For example, on MSC Meraviglia, the Super Family room can house up to six passengers in two connecting balcony cabins, while the Super Family Plus Balcony suite can sleep five to nine guests in two balcony cabins connected to one inside cabin.
These Super Family options are booked with MSC’s Fantastica experience, which includes room service, additional kids’ activities, and one free professional photo to commemorate your family vacation.
Other MSC cabins that sleep 4 or more
A few Yacht Club suites can sleep four with a double sofa bed in the living room. These include Royal Suites and duplexes. Plus, Yacht Club guests get the royal treatment with 24-hour room service, a personal butler, free Wi-Fi, and access to the Yacht Club restaurant, lounge, and pool deck.
You can find cabins with room for three or four guests in nearly every cabin category. Extra berths come in the form of bunk beds, sofa beds, or Pullman beds. Most adjoining cabins are considered family cabins, though there are a few connecting rooms in the least expensive Bella experience level.
Still confused about cruise rooms? Learn more about how to choose a cruise ship cabin.
Erica Silverstein
Erica Silverstein is a cruise and family travel expert, who has been covering the industry for more than 15 years. Her articles have appeared on Cruise Critic, Porthole, TravelAge West, and USA Today. A staunch advocate of cruising as an ideal family vacation, she has, on occasion, banned her own children from cruising with her.
