I'm planning to go on a cruise line, but want to take a friend who lives in a different state...?

Question

i was woundering if the cruise line will charge per person for the room. or can we just book one room and squeeze everyone in it. the total would be 4 people, we were going to book a suite, but wasn't sure if the cruise line would charge us for 4 people since the suite could hold up to 8 they said. by the way if anyone is interested we are trying to book a freedom of the seas trip by royal carribean.

Answer 1

I've been on 8 cruises but on the princess cruise lines. They always charge per person no matter how many people are in the cabin. If the suite is large and holds 8 people, but only four are booked for the suite, they still charge for each person. They may have suites or other rooms that are just right four 4 people. So check with the cruise line or use a travel agent. Travel agents can get you all kinds of deals, plus upgrades and extra money by booking through them. Cruise ships even encourage that you use a travel agents. I  myself have booked both directly with the cruise line and through a travel agent. It is probably better to go with an agent if this is your first cruise because they have so many tips and great savings.

Answer 2

I do believe they charge per person per room

Answer 3

A suite that sleeps up to eight on the Freedom of the Seas.  You are talking about the Royal Family Suite.  I stayed in one in June 2007.  There are two bedrooms.  The master bedroom sleeps two on a queen size bed.  The bathroom has a tub/shower.  The second bedroom sleeps four on two upper berths and two twin beds which can be pushed together to make one queen sized bed.  The bathroom in this bedroom only has a shower (no tub).  The sitting room has sofa sleeper that sleeps two, for a grand total of eight in three rooms.

Pricing for this cabin is high for the first two, and less for the third through eighth person.  Pricing is dependent on when you go.  We went at a popular time and paid for it.  The first two people were $4,000 each and the next four (we had six total) were $1,000 each for a grand total of $12,000 - an average of $2,000 each).

There is a limited number of Royal Family Suites (four) and Owner's Suites (eight) on the ship and they sell out fast.  The four Royal Family Suites on the cruise we were on sold out in the first hour of the first day that the cabins were made available for booking.  

There is a minimum number for this cabin, and that is at least five people.  I have some photos I wish I could post here, but for some reason it is not letting me.  I'll come back and check later to see if I can post the photos of the cabin.

At any rate, for four people I would recommend either the Grand Suite or the Owner's Suite.  A Grand Suite would run you about $8700 for all four during the summer of 2008.  I cannot find any available Owners Suite's for the summer of 2008 to get a price for you.

However, in April 2009 a Grand Suite for four would run you about $6,000.  An Owners Suite for four in April 2009 would run you about $7,000.

Here is Royal Caribbean's description of the Owner's Suite ...

Owner's Suite

Deck(s):  Deck Ten

Occupancy:  Up to 4 guests.

Amenities: Queen-size bed, private balcony, private bathroom and a separate living area with a queen-size sofa bed. (614 sq. ft., balcony 209 sq. ft.)

Here is Royal Caribbean's description of the Grand Suite ...

Grand Suite

Deck(s):  Deck Ten

Occupancy:  Up to 4 guests.

Amenities: Two twin beds (can convert into queen-size), private balcony, sitting area (some with sofa bed) and private bathroom. (387 sq. ft., balcony 89 sq. ft.)

Here is Royal Caribbean's description of the Royal Family Suite (note the message at the end) ...

Royal Family Suite

Deck(s):  N/A

Occupancy:  N/A

Amenities: Two bedrooms with twin beds that convert to queen-size beds (one room with third and fourth Pullman beds), a private balcony, two bathrooms and living area with double sofa bed. (588 sq. ft., balcony 234 sq. ft.)

Please note: In order to reserve this stateroom, a minimum number of guests may apply.

As you can see, the Owner's Suite is about the same size as the Royal Family Suite and can be booked by four people.

Here is my review from my cruise ...

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreview...