Are you planning to book a cruise with family or friends? Cruises are a value-packed vacation for groups traveling together. A Norwegian cruise is fun for everyone in the group. There are plenty of activities and dining options to appeal to multi-generation families traveling together.

One of the best ways to save money on your cruise is to share a cabin. If you have never cruised before or if it has been a while since your last cruise, you might think that cruise staterooms are tiny places that sleep no more than four. The good news is that today's cruise ships have many options, from connecting staterooms to family suites that sleep as many as six people.

Thanks to the variety of options available for your accommodations on a Norwegian cruise, sharing a room with friends or family will be a breeze. Follow these four tips, and it'll be smooth sailing for everyone.

1. Reserve Your Cabin Early

If you want to get the best accommodations on your Norwegian cruise, then make sure you book early. Ships have a limited number of suites and cabins. The best accommodations for groups and families sell out months in advance. So if you want to accommodate four or more people, then book at least three months in advance. If you are traveling during busy holidays and school vacations, then reserve your stateroom even earlier.

2. Book a Family Suite

Want to accommodate your entire clan in one cabin? Choose one of Norwegian Cruise Line's well-designed family suites. The family suites are available on Norwegian Star and Norwegian Dawn, which cruise to exciting destinations like the Bahamas, the Caribbean, and Europe.

These rooms were built specifically to accommodate groups of four or more people. They include a private balcony, a dining area, a double bed, a Murphy bed, and a double sofa bed. You also receive concierge and butler service when you book a family suite.

3. Splurge on The Haven

Consider spending a little more on The Haven to enjoy the best that Norwegian has to offer. It is worth it — especially if you are traveling with four or more people. The Haven is Norwegian Cruise Line's most luxurious accommodations. Cabins in The Haven are located in a special section of the top of the ship that is reserved for guests who book in that section of the ship.

The accommodations available in The Haven range from a 2-Bedroom Family Villa with Balcony, where the kids can have their own room and private bath, to a 6,694 sq. ft. Garden Villa that can sleep up to eight guests.

Aside from the cabins, which were made for larger groups, The Haven area of the ship has a variety of private venues that are perfect for family and friends to gather.

• The Haven Courtyard and Sundeck: This area is ideal for a group of friends and family to gather to talk and laugh together.
• The Haven Lounge: Another area of the ship reserved for guests who book in The Haven, this lounge makes the perfect gathering spot for everyone in your group.
• The Haven Restaurant: Want to have dinner with all your family and friends? The Haven Restaurant makes dining together easy.

You'll also love the exclusive amenities available for guests of The Haven, such as a private concierge to help your group book shore excursions together. Other amenities include a 24-hour suite butler and sparkling water and wine on embarkation day.

One of the best parts about booking a cabin in The Haven is the savings that you will get if you book three or more people in a cabin. The Haven & Suites Free at Sea promotion is currently going on. When you book a cabin in The Haven, you get five free perks, including Family and Friends Sail Free. This means that the third and fourth guests in your cabin are completely free. Other perks you'll receive with this promotion include an unlimited open bar, specialty dining, free shore excursions, and free Wi-Fi.

4. Create Two Distinct Spaces in Your Cabin

One way to make cruising a lot more enjoyable for families or friends traveling together is to create two distinct spaces in your cabin. This is very easy to do if you book a balcony cabin. Norwegian Cruise Line's balcony cabins are very budget-friendly for groups of three or four, especially with the current promotion going on. The third and fourth person in the cabin can sail for free.

The best thing about a balcony cabin is that you can easily create two distinct spaces in one room. Want to chat over a glass of wine after the kids are in bed? A balcony lets you create an outdoor space where you can go to share a glass of wine while you chat underneath the stars. Just pull the curtain shut for privacy. Need a space to hang out while the other people in your room get ready for dinner? Go out to the balcony, grab a sun chaise, and watch the amazing sunset.

Now is the perfect time to gather the whole gang and book a cruise with Norwegian. Right now, family and friends sail free on select sailings with Free at Sea.  What could be better? Start planning your family cruise vacation today.