When planning a cruise do you count those under 2 years old?
July 22nd, 2010 7 Comments
Posted by admin
My husband and I are planning a vacation, and at the time of the vacation we will have a 1 year old, I can’t find anywhere on the cruise websites that mentions children and if a baby counts as a 3rd person or not.. anyone know?
YES!!, Cruise lines charge by the cabin with the basic rate being based on double occupancy (at least two people). All of the cruise lines charge for all of the people in your party, regardless of age, even infants. However, the price of your cabin will be based on double occupancy for the first two people and any additional people in the cabin, regardless of age, will pay a much lower price that is usually in the range of about 50 percent of the fare for the first two people. So if you and spouse pay $1000 each for a 7-day cruise then you will likely pay $500 each for any additional people in your cabin, infants, toddlers, etc., regardless of age.
On occasion the cruise lines will run a special when they charge a much lower rate for the 3rd, 4th and 5th persons in your cabin; sometimes as low as $100 each. But the normal is about 50 percent.
For example, here’s what Royal Caribbean has on its web site about fares for children:
" Because Royal Caribbean cruise vacations offer so many special activities for children, we do not usually offer discounted rates. However, anyone staying in the same stateroom with two full-fare paying guests will pay a special third and/or fourth guest rate. So if you intend on having your children stay in your stateroom, their rate may be lower. "
If you want to save money and get a lower price you must either book the specials that all of the cruise lines offer, or book well in advance and that means like a year in advance or more.
You can find the exact amount that you will pay for any cruise for your family ask a travel agent to check for you, or call the cruise line and ask. Or, you can start a booking on line and see what your total will be and then cancel the action without completing it or just close the web page.
My advice is book very early and look for a special on the cruise line web sites.
I believe that children under 2 travel free on Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Carribean. I am not sure of any others. You could either call the cruise lines or talk to a travel agent to find out the answer for sure.
Cruises are for the old and mindless low-budget people. Why would you want to go on one at your age? They tell you when to eat, sleep, be back on the ship, how much to tip the staff. They shake you down for additional tours and guided activities. Is this really your idea of a vacation?
There’s something my parents did when they had two infants. They were originally going to leave them behind and get a 2 berth cabin. However, they found that if they took the kids, they themselves would get the 4 berth cabin rate and the kids got massive discounts because they were young. It ended up being cheaper to take the kids than not to! Just something to look at.
Yes, the cruise lines charge for infants and toddlers. As 3rd/4ht guest, the infant’s fare is typically about 30% less than guest 1 and 2.
Carnival will even charge the child’s folio for the $10 per day per guest tips…visit the purser’s office to get removed.
If your considering sailing Carnival, take along your own playpen for the baby to sleep in. The "cribs" Carnival provides are old, outdated and not clean. The crib provided for our 18 month old niece collapsed on her.
i use this website for all my cruising and information enquiries, there is all you will ever need to know about cruising. http://www.vacationstogo.com
this company has the best discounted prices ive ever seen advertised
I am traveling on Royal Caribbean in two weeks, and my cousin’s friend is bringing a one year old. They had to pay for him. It is not free like it is on the airlines.