Booking the right cabin can make or break a family cruise – and when you’re sailing with kids, comfort and layout matter just as much as price.
But with Royal Caribbean, choosing the right room isn’t always straightforward. Some of the best family cabins sell out fast, others are oddly overpriced, and occasionally the “fancy” option turns out to be less practical than two humble interiors. So where should you start?
I’ve teamed up with a Cruise Family, a specialist in family cruise bookings, to bring you the lowdown on the best (and worst) Royal Caribbean cabins for families of 5 or 6 – plus a few booking tips that might save you a small fortune.
If you’re booking for a smaller family then there are plenty more options across the fleet that you can find, with most cabins accepting up to 4 guests. It’s finding options for 5 or 6 that can be trickier…
The Best Ship Classes For Families
Let’s start with the ships themselves. Not all Royal Caribbean ships are created equal when it comes to family-friendly cabins – some have a wider choice, better layouts, or are simply more budget-friendly.
These are some of the best and most popular options:
1. Freedom Class
- Freedom of the Seas
- Liberty of the Seas
- Independence of the Seas
The sweet spot for UK-based families. Freedom Class ships sail in Europe regularly and have some of the best value six-person cabins in the fleet.
And while they’re nowhere near as big as the Oasis-class and Icon-class ships, they are still packed with fun features for the whole family, including the H2O Zone waterpark with slides, the FlowRider, an ice skating rink, mini golf and more.
If you’re looking for affordable space, this class should be at the top of your list.
2. Oasis Class
- Oasis of the Seas
- Allure of the Seas
- Harmony of the Seas
- Symphony of the Seas
- Wonder of the Seas
- Utopia of the Seas
These mega ships have tons of family-friendly features and a good range of cabins – though not as many six-berth options as Freedom Class.
They do offer a few excellent layouts for families of five, and because they’re so massive, you’ll never have trouble finding something to do onboard for every member of your clan.
There’s always at least one Oasis-class ship sailing in Europe during the summer, though never from the UK.
Read more about the Oasis-Class ships
3. Icon Class
- Icon of the Seas
- Star of the Seas
- Legend of the Seas (2026)
Royal Caribbean’s newest and most hyped class – including Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas and in 2026 in Europe, Legend of the Seas – looks incredible for families in terms of activities and entertainment.
But when it comes to cabins? It’s not quite so simple. The family cabins are eye-wateringly expensive, and often it works out cheaper to book two connecting rooms.
Still – if you want the best ships from a features perspective, you can’t beat the Icon-class. So it’s worth checking out the available options for families when you want to book.
Read more about the Icon Class
The Best Cabins For Families
Here’s a breakdown of the cabin types that work best for families – from budget-friendly interiors to more luxurious suites that won’t necessarily break the bank.
1. Spacious Interior
These are gold dust for families – especially the ones that sleep six.
They tend to be much cheaper than balcony cabins and offer a surprising amount of space for an interior room. Don’t worry about the lack of a window – you’ll spend so little time in the cabin itself that you won’t care.
It’s still best advised to book these cruises when your kids are younger. If you want to sail with two parents and four teens, you’ll be getting under each other’s feet.
That said, these cabins do sell out very fast, so you’ll need to book early.
2. Spacious Promenade View Interior
These quirky cabins overlook the bustling Royal Promenade – think of it like having a window onto a lively, indoor street.
They sleep up to six, and because they’re still technically interior cabins, they’re usually more affordable than ocean view or balcony options.
You get the benefit of natural light and people-watching without the price tag of an outside-facing room.
Just bear in mind, some families love the Promenade view, while others find it noisy – especially during evening entertainment. If you’ve got light sleepers or a baby with an early bedtime, this might not be the best pick. But for families with curious kids who’ll enjoy the action, these cabins can be a real treat.
3. Ultra Spacious Ocean View
These were clearly designed with families in mind. They offer significantly more space than a standard ocean view, often including extra beds and sometimes even a small seating area.
They sleep up to six and are perfect if you want daylight without the cost of a balcony.
Ideal for families who plan to spend a bit more time in the cabin – maybe for naps, quiet playtime, or early nights – without feeling on top of each other.
Do keep in mind that these aren’t available on every ship, and some are awkwardly located right at the front or back. That can mean a bit more motion in rough seas – so if you’re prone to seasickness, check the deck plans before booking.
Suggested read: Why Oceanview Is My Favourite Cabin Type
4. Ocean View Panoramic Suite
This is one of the best-kept secrets in Royal Caribbean’s suite offerings. These suites are large, beautifully bright, and often far more affordable than the high-end suite categories.
They don’t have a balcony, but they more than make up for it with huge floor-to-ceiling windows offering sweeping ocean views – a great alternative if you want to enjoy the view but don’t care about stepping outside.
Sleeping up to six, they’re a good option for multigenerational families or those who simply want extra breathing room.
You’ll also get some suite perks (though not the full range you’d get in Star Class), so it’s worth weighing up the value compared to two regular cabins – especially if you’re celebrating a special occasion or just want a little extra luxury.
5. Junior Suite
Junior Suites are often overlooked – but they can be a smart move for families of five.
They offer a bit more space than a standard balcony cabin, with extra room for a sofa bed and sometimes even a walk-in wardrobe or larger bathroom.
While you don’t get all the full suite perks, you do get a more comfortable, less cramped stay – which can make all the difference if you’ve got younger kids with toys or buggies in tow.
These are particularly handy on longer cruises, when cabin comfort becomes more noticeable. And if you’re not quite ready to splurge on a full suite, this is a solid middle ground.
Suggested read: The Pros and Cons of Upgrading to a Royal Caribbean Junior Suite
Get Help Booking Your Family Cruise
Cruise Family are the only UK specialists in cruises for families of 5+ (and smaller ones too!)
Let them find your perfect trip…
The Worst Cabins For Families
Even with Royal Caribbean’s family-friendly reputation, a few cabins are surprisingly underwhelming – especially when you look at what you’re paying for.
These aren’t bad cabins – but considering how they are marketed to families, I definitely think better options exist.
Family Oceanview Balcony / Family Infinite Oceanview Balcony
They sound ideal, right? But these high-capacity family cabins fall into the premium pricing tier, and are often more expensive than booking two regular cabins.
The rooms are great – relatively spacious, and you can enjoy the amazing views from your balcony space. Even if you opt for the Family Infinite option, you still get that fantastic fresh-air view.
It’s just that they cost a lot for what you do get. On a recent booking, our cruise expert chose two connecting interiors over a family balcony and saved a chunk of money – and had more flexibility, too.
Ultimate Family Suite / Ultimate Family Townhouse
These are the jaw-dropping, Instagram-worthy rooms you’ll find in Royal Caribbean’s marketing – slides in the suite, kids’ rooms with game consoles, etc.
No rooms on any cruise ships are better for families. They come with a ton of suite perks too, so you really are spoiled.
But unless you’ve got a lottery win in the bag, they’re more fantasy than reality. Prices are sky-high, and they’re often booked by celebrities or large multigenerational groups. Which means they end up on the ‘worst’ side of this list.
Still, if you have £60,000 to burn (the average cost for a week), then why not?
Read more: Look Inside This 3-Storey Cruise Ship Suite That Costs $80K Per Week!
Tips For Getting The Best Family Cabin
These tips will help you get the best cabin for your family, every time.
1. Booking bigger captains is usually cheaper than connecting rooms
In many cases, one cabin that sleeps five or six will be cheaper than two smaller connecting cabins. While you might think that two interior rooms is the cheaper option, often it’s better to book one bigger one.
But not always – especially if the only big cabin left is a pricey balcony and you’re happy in inside rooms. Always compare, because you could miss out on a deal.
2. Prices fluctuate so always check
There’s no set rule for which cabin type is cheapest. On some sailings, you’ll even find balcony rooms cheaper than those with an ocean view, or even suites cheaper than two connecting interiors.
It all comes down to supply and demand, and so if you’re on a tight budget, you’ll want to keep checking the price options before you commit.
3. Consider location
Cabin layout is only half the story – location matters too.
Midship means less motion, which is helpful for younger kids prone to seasickness. Avoid rooms directly under noisy venues or near nightclubs unless you want a toddler rave at 2am.
And think about the kids’ club in relation to your room as well – especially if you’ve got kids that are prone to falling asleep before pick-up time in the evenings!
Many a time I’ve had to carry a sleeping child half-way across the ship at night. Made even worse if it was formal night and I’m wearing heels!
Always check the deck plan for your ship to make sure you get the best location of cabin.
4. Book early!
This can’t be stressed enough – the best value family cabins, especially those rare 5-6 person interiors, go fast.
If you’ve got your heart set on a particular ship or sailing, don’t wait around. Otherwise you will miss out.
Cruises tend to go on sale 18-24 months before the sailing date, so be sure to check often once you’re within that date range.
Final word
Royal Caribbean has some brilliant options for families – but navigating the cabin choices takes a bit of strategy. The key is knowing your options, booking early, and not assuming the “family” label always means the best deal.
And if you’d rather not do the cabin detective work yourself, make sure you check out your options with Cruise Family if you’re UK-based. They’re absolutely the experts, and can help you find the best option for your family every time!
Get Help Booking Your Family Cruise
Cruise Family are the only UK specialists in cruises for families of 5+ (and smaller ones too!)
Let them find your perfect trip…
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
