Any lines with infant discounts?

[Megnolia]

We are hoping to do an Alaskan cruise next summer with our then-to-be 6 month old. (nothing booked yet, currently just waiting here overdue by 2 weeks, so I thought I'd do some research). And don't worry, we won't book for a few months so we know a little more about the baby and its habits, health etc....

 

anyway, I noticed that some cruise lines you would pay the standard third person rate, but some it seems that you only pay taxes and port fees for an infant. Without telephoning the companies directly though, I'm not sure which offer these different options. From your experience, which lines have the lowest infant rates? It if saves a couple hundred dollars, it may play into our final decision, or allow us to book a balcony on one line versus an interior on another.

 

Thanks!

[milton333]

I've recently been pricing cruises. Norwegian allows kids under 24 months to sail for only port fees and taxes. Disney has a virtually free rate for tiny ones (something like $100 plus fees and taxes).

 

On Royal Caribbean, it's the full 3rd/4th passenger rate. I want to say that it's the same on Carnival, but don't hold me to that, you should double-check, since I ruled out Carnival for other reasons early in my search.

 

I've been shopping for a cruise with a toddler, and for me it was important to find things for him to do to blow off steam during the day, because he'll still be too young for the youth programs. Royal Caribbean has pools for kids who are not diaper trained, on Oasis, Allure, Freedom, Liberty, and Independence. Disney does on all its ships.

 

RCCL Oasis and Allure have nurseries that will watch babies at 6 months and up, and in-cabin babysitting available. Freedom and Liberty will get the nurseries early in 2011 (I think by April their retrofits will be complete). They have the nurseries now. I spoke with Disney, and confirmed that they do not allow parent-supervised play time for kiddos too young to do the youth program, so the only way for my DS to get play time, other than at the pool, would be for me to leave him at daycare ($, plus we don't want to have to be separated on our family vacation). RCCL does have special times where parents and tiny ones can play together, for free.

 

RCCL seems to fit the bill well for our needs. But with your very little one, I'm not sure that you'd do the same calculations, since swimming and running around would not really be options at that age ;)

 

You might need to balance the cost of travel for your infant against not having available child sitting options. I'm pretty sure that RCCL offers group sitting at the nursery and in-cabin sitting for 6 months and up. Otherwise, you might check out the "family cruising" section of most lines' websites, they typically address the issue.

[Megnolia]

Ah, you have been doing your research! Thanks for the reply.

 

We have also ruled out Carnival. After 5 or 6 times, we're ready for a change. We aren't concerned about childcare or children's facilities on-board. I'm glad the baby won't be walking yet. I hadn't looked into Disney's Alaskan itineraries - I'm not sure if we're ready for the whole Disney ship experience, not until this kid is a little bigger to enjoy the atmosphere itself. But if infants are so affordable, I might look into it!

 

Thanks for your input.

[goofygal531]

Norwegian. We took my oldest son when he was seven months old. I think I paid $65 for him (7 years ago) :D

[Colorado Kat]

I know that some criselines have a program where you can have them deliver a case of diapers to yourself on board. Might make packing much easier.

[milton333]

I know that some criselines have a program where you can have them deliver a case of diapers to yourself on board. Might make packing much easier.

 

RCCL does, for triple the usual retail cost of a small pack of diapers, or approximately 330% more than I usually pay with a diaper subscription service :rolleyes: But, be aware that they do not sell diapers onboard, so you do not want to run out.

 

As far as price - I can get a case of 140 diapers for $5 more than the price of a package of 34 through RCCL ($23). So, if I needed a lot of diapers (as you would), it would probably be worth paying the airlines' checked baggage fee to get a case (or more) to the ship. It would cost me nearly $100 for a case worth of diapers through RCCL's program, or $28 for my case plus $25 for a checked bag fee through the airline (and I could bring a big suitcase and fit more than a case of diapers in it for that $25 baggage fee).

[B_Mc]

We're taking our LO on Royal Caribbean and we paid a fraction of our fare for him. I think it was $75 cruise fare for him, plus the full taxes. The diaper delivery is extremely expensive, as is ordering baby food, but because we're flying and trying to minimize as much as possible we'll likely be shelling out for the pricey diapers. Sorry can't offer more of a comparison, haven't taken a LO on any other line!

[Megnolia]

Thanks everyone,

 

I hadn't started thinking about diapers yet - hoping to still be nursing at the time, which will eliminate the need for baby food - as for diapers, if I don't pack them in the checked luggage, I imagine I could buy a big pack once we get to Seattle. Once the baby actually arrives and we get closer to booking and planning the trip, I'm sure I'll spend plenty of time here to get more of your feedback :) Thanks so much!

[sailinglisa]

In cabin baby sitting on RCCL is limited to 12 months old and older.......and they will check birth dates. Celebrity is the same. NCL, Princess and HAL do not offer in cabin babysitting.

[milton333]

We're taking our LO on Royal Caribbean and we paid a fraction of our fare for him. I think it was $75 cruise fare for him, plus the full taxes. The diaper delivery is extremely expensive, as is ordering baby food, but because we're flying and trying to minimize as much as possible we'll likely be shelling out for the pricey diapers. Sorry can't offer more of a comparison, haven't taken a LO on any other line!

 

Are you sure about this? I've spoken with both a TA and with a RCCL representative directly, and was told they charge the full 3rd person rate for any children in the room, regardless of how young. On our 7-day, with a balcony, that is going to be about $600 (which is a bit more than half of the first 2 people's rate). On a shorter cruise, with an inside cabin, it may not amount to as much, but it's still a 3rd person rate, not an infant discount.

[B_Mc]

Are you sure about this? I've spoken with both a TA and with a RCCL representative directly, and was told they charge the full 3rd person rate for any children in the room, regardless of how young. On our 7-day, with a balcony, that is going to be about $600 (which is a bit more than half of the first 2 people's rate). On a shorter cruise, with an inside cabin, it may not amount to as much, but it's still a 3rd person rate, not an infant discount.

 

Yes, I am sure! We are on a 4 night in a balcony room...

[tkportersat]

Agreed...we are booked on NCL for March 2011 with our 10 1/2 month old and only had to pay taxes and port fees. When I compared the same weeks with Carnival and RC it was the same prices as any 3rd/4th passenger rate. That made our decision very easy.

 

I've recently been pricing cruises. Norwegian allows kids under 24 months to sail for only port fees and taxes. Disney has a virtually free rate for tiny ones (something like $100 plus fees and taxes).

 

On Royal Caribbean, it's the full 3rd/4th passenger rate. I want to say that it's the same on Carnival, but don't hold me to that, you should double-check, since I ruled out Carnival for other reasons early in my search.

 

I've been shopping for a cruise with a toddler, and for me it was important to find things for him to do to blow off steam during the day, because he'll still be too young for the youth programs. Royal Caribbean has pools for kids who are not diaper trained, on Oasis, Allure, Freedom, Liberty, and Independence. Disney does on all its ships.

 

RCCL Oasis and Allure have nurseries that will watch babies at 6 months and up, and in-cabin babysitting available. Freedom and Liberty will get the nurseries early in 2011 (I think by April their retrofits will be complete). They have the nurseries now. I spoke with Disney, and confirmed that they do not allow parent-supervised play time for kiddos too young to do the youth program, so the only way for my DS to get play time, other than at the pool, would be for me to leave him at daycare ($, plus we don't want to have to be separated on our family vacation). RCCL does have special times where parents and tiny ones can play together, for free.

 

RCCL seems to fit the bill well for our needs. But with your very little one, I'm not sure that you'd do the same calculations, since swimming and running around would not really be options at that age ;)

 

You might need to balance the cost of travel for your infant against not having available child sitting options. I'm pretty sure that RCCL offers group sitting at the nursery and in-cabin sitting for 6 months and up. Otherwise, you might check out the "family cruising" section of most lines' websites, they typically address the issue.

[BethV114]

For those of you wondering how to transport large quantities of diapers, here's my recommendation and it's what we did on our recent Allure cruise. Simply order a box from diapers.com. We ordered a large box of diapers, some wipes, etc. and they shipped free of charge to the hotel we stayed in for one night pre-cruise. It worked out extremely well. I could track the package, so I knew it got there the day before we did and, as a result, I only had to bring enough diapers to get us through the day in our carry on luggage.

[EugeneD]

Yes, I am sure! We are on a 4 night in a balcony room...

 

I know on our RCCL trip with a 6mo old, it was almost as much for her, as either of us (so it was like $1,000pp + $800 for her, so $2,800 total).

 

Maybe some rules changed, but their 3rd person rate - at the time - was not like $99 on norwegian, it's almost another whole full fare.

 

Here is a whole thread where I tried to fight the notion that I should pay that much for a 6mo old who is not eating or participating in any activities, nor requiring added cabin room.. and got shot down by the majority =)

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1017245

[mindymp]

I've cruised with my infant on carnival and we paid the same price for her as I would if it was my 58 yr old mil. A person is a person in their opinion because the USCG requires a bed for all passengers. So, when I cruise with my baby, and he needs a crib, my room has to sleep three people either with a sofa bed or pull down from the wall.

[tkportersat]

That may be fine for some, but not for me. I will not pay that type of price until my son is at least able to participate in the kids club and eat a significant amount. I can't even take him in a pool until he is potty trained. Otherwise we will find another type of vacation until he is a little older. Almost any other place you go a child under two is free...hotels, flying, etc. I think it is ridiculous that RC and Carnival would charge so much for an infant. Just my opinion.

 

I've cruised with my infant on carnival and we paid the same price for her as I would if it was my 58 yr old mil. A person is a person in their opinion because the USCG requires a bed for all passengers. So, when I cruise with my baby, and he needs a crib, my room has to sleep three people either with a sofa bed or pull down from the wall.

[pepper]

We are going on our first cruise with our 9-month-old son, and I just wanted to add my 2 cents, as I have had my own trials searching this out. After reading the posts, I checked out Disney for a 7-day cruise - $900 pp for hubby and me, third person rate $324, plus port fees/taxes - so it was not cheaper, and was not just port fees/taxes.

 

I have been searching for a cruise for some time since he was born as we usually like do to go in February. Until I found a sale on the sailing we are going on with Carnival, I was about to put cruises on the shelf for a few years, until I could acceptably pay a fee for our son to cruise.

 

So, what I believe, is that a you can get sales and specials, probably just for select itineraries, for that third person rate (baby or not), and that is how these people must have gotten cheaper rates.

 

The long and short of it is, it will take effort on your part to go on multiple cruiseline sites on multiple itineraries to find a price you are good with - but it can be done!

 

We ended up booking a balcony on Carnival, and the total for the three of us, is usually what hubby and I pay for the two of us on an inside cabin - so I could rationalize paying that third person rate for our baby.

 

On a side note: When I inquired about why they charge for babies, they said because although they may not eat the food, they have enrichment programs for them. Well, if you look further, only the really new ships have any swim areas for babies, and only select ships will allow the parent to bring the baby into the Kids play areas. I saw another post that said it was because they are only allowed a specific number of people on the ship, so the baby is taking up a paying person's place - makes more sense, but I still think it is a shame.

 

Anyway, sorry to be so long-winded. I know we'll enjoy our travels with our son, but it sure did take a long time to find a cruise with a better priced third person rate.

 

Happy shopping!

[tkportersat]

Good luck to you, hope you have a great vacation :)

 

We are going on our first cruise with our 9-month-old son, and I just wanted to add my 2 cents, as I have had my own trials searching this out. After reading the posts, I checked out Disney for a 7-day cruise - $900 pp for hubby and me, third person rate $324, plus port fees/taxes - so it was not cheaper, and was not just port fees/taxes.

 

I have been searching for a cruise for some time since he was born as we usually like do to go in February. Until I found a sale on the sailing we are going on with Carnival, I was about to put cruises on the shelf for a few years, until I could acceptably pay a fee for our son to cruise.

 

So, what I believe, is that a you can get sales and specials, probably just for select itineraries, for that third person rate (baby or not), and that is how these people must have gotten cheaper rates.

 

The long and short of it is, it will take effort on your part to go on multiple cruiseline sites on multiple itineraries to find a price you are good with - but it can be done!

 

We ended up booking a balcony on Carnival, and the total for the three of us, is usually what hubby and I pay for the two of us on an inside cabin - so I could rationalize paying that third person rate for our baby.

 

On a side note: When I inquired about why they charge for babies, they said because although they may not eat the food, they have enrichment programs for them. Well, if you look further, only the really new ships have any swim areas for babies, and only select ships will allow the parent to bring the baby into the Kids play areas. I saw another post that said it was because they are only allowed a specific number of people on the ship, so the baby is taking up a paying person's place - makes more sense, but I still think it is a shame.

 

Anyway, sorry to be so long-winded. I know we'll enjoy our travels with our son, but it sure did take a long time to find a cruise with a better priced third person rate.

 

Happy shopping!

[gerif]

So, what I believe, is that a you can get sales and specials, probably just for select

On a side note: When I inquired about why they charge for babies, they said because although they may not eat the food, they have enrichment programs for them. Well, if you look further, only the really new ships have any swim areas for babies, and only select ships will allow the parent to bring the baby into the Kids play areas. I saw another post that said it was because they are only allowed a specific number of people on the ship, so the baby is taking up a paying person's place - makes more sense, but I still think it is a shame.

 

Actually, the bottom line is that babies do not drink, gamble (casino or bingo), spend money in the shops or purchase excursions which are all big profit centers for the cruiseline (they are not making a profit on the cabin and the amount budgeted for food per person is surprisingly small). The ship can only hold so many "souls" as per Coast Guard regulations and a "soul" can be 6 months or 60 years of age. If a 6 month-old is taking up that spot, they will not be making a profit from the 60 year-old who (theoretically, of course), cannot book that spot.

 

Glad you found a cruise that is good for your family - have a great time.

[globalwife]

Pullmantur (a Spanish line owned by Royal Caribbean) doesn't charge for babies up to 24 months. They don't even have to pay taxes, port charges, or even tips. We are taking our little one in December and were able to add her to our reservation for free. :)

[DiploTraveler]

Agreed...we are booked on NCL for March 2011 with our 10 1/2 month old and only had to pay taxes and port fees. When I compared the same weeks with Carnival and RC it was the same prices as any 3rd/4th passenger rate. That made our decision very easy.

 

Hmm... did NCL change their policy recently? When I booked a couple weeks ago, I was charged $160 + taxes/fees for a 7-night cruise in a mini-suite. I've priced out other cruises and it seems that the charge is based on length of cruise and room class.

[DiploTraveler]

Actually, the bottom line is that babies do not drink, gamble (casino or bingo), spend money in the shops or purchase excursions which are all big profit centers for the cruiseline (they are not making a profit on the cabin and the amount budgeted for food per person is surprisingly small). The ship can only hold so many "souls" as per Coast Guard regulations and a "soul" can be 6 months or 60 years of age. If a 6 month-old is taking up that spot, they will not be making a profit from the 60 year-old who (theoretically, of course), cannot book that spot.

 

Glad you found a cruise that is good for your family - have a great time.

 

 

I've heard this before. My question is, aren't the ships limited first by number of staterooms before they hit a limit on total number of "souls" on the ship? If so, this logic falls apart.

 

Honestly, I think this is just a pure economics decision. At some point, they realized that customers will still book the cruises even if their infants are charged at full fare. I don't think there is any cost-based justification for it. Otherwise NCL would follow suit and everyone would have been charging like this from the beginning.

[gerif]

I've heard this before. My question is, aren't the ships limited first by number of staterooms before they hit a limit on total number of "souls" on the ship? If so, this logic falls apart.

 

Honestly, I think this is just a pure economics decision. At some point, they realized that customers will still book the cruises even if their infants are charged at full fare. I don't think there is any cost-based justification for it. Otherwise NCL would follow suit and everyone would have been charging like this from the beginning.

 

Not at all - there are many times when "capacity" has been reached but there are still plenty of empty berths. Just ask someone who has booked a stateroom that holds four with two people and then tries to add a third or fourth closer to the cruise. Very often they can't do it even though there is plenty of space in the stateroom.

 

Of course, it's economics - why should the cruiseline lower rates for an infant who won't be adding to their bottom line? They are a business and expected to turn a profit (no, I don't own any of their stock). If it's only pricepoint for the infant being considered, then you might want to book NCL or MSC - but my feeling is you get what you pay for. Disney also often discounts infants but their adult prices are so high it doesn't come down to being any savings.

[pepper]

Just wanted to update, very belatedly I might add, that the vacation and cruise was wonderful! My son got LOTS of attention on the cruise, apparently everyone really does love a baby - many of the staff left children, nieces, nephews, etc back at home and miss them terribly I'm sure. Balcony was a must IMO, because then at least we could enjoy the view/air while he was napping. We bought a wee blowup bathtub so he had all his baths on the balcony, which he loved. The only times we could take him to play in the child area was very early in the morning on the sea days, so this only happened once. We let him crawl/walk around and explore one of the lounges, which worked out great. Used a baby wrap for Mexico hiking the ruins, no car seat in Cozumel to drive to the beach (a touch hair-raising), and stroller elsewhere.

 

Would I take him on another cruise? If I found a great deal like the last one for a balcony room, probably, but not being able to take him into a wading pool or splash area would be an issue, so cruising may not be a regular vacation for a few years, because the few ships that do take babies/toddlers in these areas are vastly overpriced, IMO.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

I wish:::::::::::::::