Family Cruises: How to Cruise with a Family of 5
Our family of 5 just returned from our first cruise, and we had so much fun we’re already dreaming of booking another cruise. Wondering how to cruise with a family of 5? Read on for the research I’ve already done for my own crew!
Family cruises are so much fun. They’re a great way to make new friends and spend quality time together. The wide range of activities are also a great way to keep different age groups engaged and having fun (and hopefully having the time of their lives).
We just got back from a 7 night cruise, and my kids had so much fun. My big boys loved being able to choose whatever they wanted in the main dining room, as well as the water slides and hot tubs. My youngest was happy as a clam checking out the water parks, splash areas and swimming pools, and even mom and dad got to have some fun thanks to kids club!
Cruising as a family of 5 or larger group might feel tricky, as a lot of cruise lines seem to only have options for up to 4 people in a stateroom and most standard cabins. The good news is that there are actually multiple cruise lines that can accommodate a larger family, with some having multiple accommodation options.
For the purposes of this article, I’ve pulled my information doing online searches for the most accurate comparisons for a family vacation. I searched for the closest-matching Caribbean 7 day itineraries leaving from Florida during April 2026.
While there are lots of stateroom categories, I priced only interior, interior ocean view rooms and suites. This gives a wide range of room choices and prices. These types of rooms are also pretty consistent as being offered on every ship.
A lot of factors can go into prices, like time of year, where you’re sailing from, cruise port choices, what kind of room you’d like, peak times and how old your children are or any age restrictions. However, I’m hoping this will help those of you searching for a starting place.
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How Do I Cruise with 5 People?
What options do families of 5 have? It turns out, quite a few! I included the following cruise lines in our search for possible kid-friendly cruises for a large family:
- Norwegian Cruise Line
- Royal Caribbean
- Carnival Cruise Line
- Disney Cruise
- Holland America
- Princess Cruises
Here is the exact search criteria I used: 6 or 7 Night Caribbean Cruise April 2026, leaving from any port in Florida
For 5 people; prices ranged from $2,771 to $4,261 for the cheapest options on the various cruise lines that can accommodate the whole family in one room.
I did not select any promos (like kids sail free) for discounts unless the website forced me to (and I’ve clearly shared that). I also didn’t add any extras, like specialty dining or specialty restaurants, unlimited open bar, family-friendly shore excursions, extra onboard activities or access to special areas.
Can You Get a Cruise Cabin for 5 people?
Below a break down what cruise cabin options are on each of these cruise lines for 5 people.
Cruising With a Family of 5 on Norwegian
Norwegian was who we cruised with this year on a 7-night cruise from New Orleans to Costa Maya Mexico, Harvest Caye Belize, Roatan Honduras and Cozumel Mexico. We were really please with their 5-person family ocean view room. It easily slept our 5, with 2 adults in a king-sized bed, our older boys in bunk beds and our youngest in a pack n play provided by NCL. It also had a bathtub!
When he’s older, we can either put an inflatable mattress in the pack n play space, or the bottom bunk bed also pulls out to create a full-size mattress that can easily sleep two.
Norwegian also offers other rooms that can sleep 5:
- The Haven: Features spacious and luxurious accommodations that include separate living and dining rooms, up three bedrooms, and a butler and concierge service. Sleeps up to 8.
- Family Suites: family cabins range from one to two bedrooms, a living area with double sofa bed, a virtual balcony and some feature a bathtub. Can sleep up to 6.
Cost Breakdown for a Family of 5 on Norwegian
- Family Oceanview Room: $4,261.15
- The Haven: $21,961.15
- Family Suite: $7,321.15
These rates do not include any promos that are available, like kids sail free.
Cruising With a Family of 5 on Royal Caribbean
Booking a stateroom for 5 people isn’t available to do online with Royal Caribbean. However, if you give them a call they do have a few rooms that will sleep 5. You can also choose to book two rooms and split your family between them.
Because I was unable to book a 5 person room online, I am leaving them off this list.
Cruising With a Family of 5 on Carnival
There are multiple options for 5 people to cruise on Carnival, but only oceanview rooms and suites were available when I searched.
Cost Breakdown for a Family of 5 on Carnival
- Oceanview room for 5: $2,771*
- Family Harbor Suite: $4,335*
*These rates include an “early saver sale” discount that the website wouldn’t let me remove! This was also for a 6 night cruise instead of a 7 night.
Cruising With a Family of 5 on Disney Cruise Line
If you’re traveling with young kids, a Disney cruise might be exactly the kind of experience you’ve been looking for. Disney cruises have multiple rooms that fit up to 5 people:
- Deluxe Family Oceanview Room and the Deluxe Oceanview with Verandah: Both options features a queen or double bed, sofa beds, ceiling pull-down single bed or lower wall pull-down single bed, along with a split bathroom and a shower with tub
- Concierge Options: Their most luxurious accommodations, with the price to go with it! Range from an oceanview stateroom to a lower tower suite.
You can also request accessible rooms, as well as a portable crib / pack n plays.
Cost Breakdown for a Family of 5 on Disney Cruise Line
- Deluxe Family Oceanview Room: $9,463.20
- Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah: $10,541.20
- Concierge: Multiple options available, with the lowest being $19,098 and the most expensive $67,782
In order to search for rooms, Disney Cruise Line requires you to list ages. Kids discounts are included in these rates.
Cruising With a Family of 5 on Holland America
Booking a stateroom for 5 people isn’t available to do online with Holland America Line. However, if you give them a call they do have a few rooms that will sleep 5, or you can book 2 adjoining rooms.
Because I was unable to book a 5 person room online, I am leaving them off this list.
Cruising With a Family of 5 on Princess
I was unable to find any 5-person stateroom options with Princess Cruise Lines. After doing a little research, it appears Princess has no cabins that accommodate 5 passengers except for limited family suites on Grand Class ships and the Sky Suite on the Royal Class ship.
For a family of 5 on most of their ships, you’ll need to book two separate rooms to sail. As I was unable to book a 5 person room online, I am leaving them off this list.
What Cruise Line is Best for a Family of 5?
So which option is best for your family cruise vacation? Unless you want to be split up, the best cruise lines for a family of 5 based on this research are Norwegian, Disney and Carnival. These three cruise lines allow for easy booking of a 5 person room or suite for your family.
Whether you’re booking last minute, or have plenty of time before you’re planning to travel, I hope this article is helpful and that you and your family have a fantastic time!
What cruise booking tips would you include? Which is your favorite family-friendly cruise ship?
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