Which cruise line don't charge ridiculous prices for a 14 month old?

[Nebr.cruiser]

As others have said, there are and will be reduced or even 'free' (port charges and taxes are usually required) fares for children and/or 3rd & 4th pasengers, but they come and go--either you or a travel agent needs to be constantly checking on itineraries and prices.

 

Part of the problem might be that, as I am figuring it, your cruise date must be almost two years away. I think it would be rare to have significantly reduced fares this early out. You can always book the trip and then watch diligently for price reductions, which most lines will give you (not all), up until final payment. But, of course, there is no guarantee that a particular cruise will ever have reduced 3/4 passenger fares. It's all about supply and demand.

 

If you have to have this particular itinerary and date, you may have less options.

[DiploTraveler]

I'm sorry, but I just don't buy the "kids make messes" or "the staff dote on babies" arguments. Both of these things are true of course, but in no way justify full fares. Any extra work by the staff is easily covered with a higher tip.

 

The cruiselines do this out of pure economics. At some point they realized that even if they charged full price for infants, the customers would still come. It's not based on any extra cost to the company, otherwise they would've been doing this from the beginning and NCL would be doing it now.

 

Anyway, the best thing to do is just calculate the total price for each of your options. Sometimes you might find that full fare ends up the best choice. My bet is, though, that NCL will be the cheapest for you until your child turns 2.

[DiploTraveler]

But to answer your question directly,

 

NCL charges a nominal fare: I paid $160 + taxes for a 7-night Caribbean cruise in a mini-suite

 

Disney charges reduced 3rd and 4th passenger fares for younger children

 

As far as I can tell, everyone else charges full fare except during some promotions. You'll never get away with not paying the taxes/fees, however.