oh wow! so kids dont really get a discount?

[Wildence]

Just called couple of cruise lines and it seems,

if we want 2 cabins (3 adults + 2 kids), no matter how we configure it, we would need to pay for the kids almost full price? :(

[avalon007]

Yes 2 cabins will cost you, no half price for kids or any substantial savings I don't think on most cruise lines nowadays.

 

I guess they know in most instances they can fill that cabin with 2 full paying adults who will also spend more whilst on board on drinks, casino, shops, coffees etc etc than kids.

 

I have seen some deals where kids travel cheaper now & again a but you would have to wait for such a sale to book.

[AKAMum]

I've only had experience with P&O - with them the first two passengers in a cabin always pay the full fare regardless of age. The third and fourth passengers are cheaper and if they are children are usually cheaper again (but not always).

 

Most cruise lines/travel agencies I've seen then give you the average per person rate for the cabin as a whole so it looks like everyone is paying the same.

 

For example (made up numbers)

Passengers 1 & 2: $800 each = $800 per person.

 

Add Passenger 3 (adult) @ $500

Total fare for the cabin: $2100 = $700 per person

 

If passenger 3 was a child fare at say $300, then it would drop to $633 per person in that cabin.

 

If you had four people in the cabin and 3 & 4 were at child fares, then

Total cabin fare: $2200 = $550 per person

Edited December 29, 2014 by AKAMum
clarity

[The_Big_M]

Prices are set on a twin share per cabin basis usually. Kids on their own in another cabin would get charged full price. However, in the first cabin they may be sold at a discount.

Edited December 29, 2014 by The_Big_M

[kaseyoz]

I am paying the same fare for a 12 month old in my cabin as i am for myself.

Even the tips are the same.

[sherri3802]

I am paying the same fare for a 12 month old in my cabin as i am for myself.

Even the tips are the same.

 

If you can, deduct the tips when you are on board. I would. I can't see that staff could be doing anything for a 12 month old baby.

[Royalty X]

If you can, deduct the tips when you are on board. I would. I can't see that staff could be doing anything for a 12 month old baby.

What if the 12 month old goes into the nursery or something like that?

[rkmw]

If you can, deduct the tips when you are on board. I would. I can't see that staff could be doing anything for a 12 month old baby.

 

sometimes a 12 month baby is just as much trouble as a big kid unless you will be leaving the cabin spotless so the steward doesnt have to clean up the mess

[goodycruising]

If you can, deduct the tips when you are on board. I would. I can't see that staff could be doing anything for a 12 month old baby.

 

I don't think you can deduct the service charge/gratuities without actually having a valid complaint about the staff, and I would be very wary unless I had something to substantiate giving a staff member a black mark.

 

If you are not happy to cruise with the way things are set up regarding gratuities I would seriously look at sticking to a land based holiday.

[kaseyoz]

If you can, deduct the tips when you are on board. I would. I can't see that staff could be doing anything for a 12 month old baby.

 

 

Have anytime dining on solstice so had to prepay tips.

 

What about removal of dirty nappies, making up the cot.

[mtn_couple]

We are happy to pay the same amount for our son. We feel he gets his money's worth. Kids eat (our 4 year old trys lots of new foods off the adults menu), kids use the kids club and get free gifts from the club (last cruise he got a t-shirt, teddy bear, frisbee etc etc), the room steward cleans up after kids, kids use the amenities (pool etc), our son comes to see the shows. I don't think they should be any cheaper.... they fill a space that could otherwise be occupied by a full paying adult. Just like airlines, they fill a seat, so you pay for that seat. I know a lot of people with kids (especially more than one!) won't agree, but kid's are having a holiday too and using all the services (sometimes more) that the adults do.

[nickykat]

My main issue is the 4 per cabin max rule. With 3 kids it makes for a really expensive holiday, I would rather be squished a bit and have a child sleep on the floor or 3 share a queen bed than pay for 2 cabins but it's just not an option. 3 adults and 2 kids a bit different though, you'd need more privacy if it's just not the core family unit.

[mtn_couple]

That'll depend on the cruise line/ship. Celebrity Solstice has 5 person Family Verabdah rooms - FV category.

[Pean]

That'll depend on the cruise line/ship. Celebrity Solstice has 5 person Family Verabdah rooms - FV category.

 

And the Millenium class family rooms have huge balconies. These rooms are reserved for five people. They can be booked for smaller groups closer to sale date if still available.

Edited January 1, 2015 by Pean

[poolreader]

My first cruise was for my Honeymoon on Carnival in 1984, and I can hardly believe it, but I did not like the experience.

 

In 1997 I was divorced and decided that the thing I disliked most about the cruise (except for the food) was cruising with my ex.

 

I decided to try Royal Caribbean and tried to book an Alaska cruise as a single. I was amazed they wanted me to pay double. So I asked the travel agent how much it would be to bring my two teenage daughters, with the intent of saving for that trip in the future. Well at that point they charged differently for children. I had to pay for myself, but one daughter counted as the second person in the cabin, but as a child she was half price, my second daughter qualified for a very cheap third person rate (something like $149).

 

The cruise portion of the trip was actually cheaper with the three of us, so I booked it. I wish they still did something like that, because it hooked me on cruising.

[Auscruzer]

We just booked booked a 12 night cruise on royal carribean (yesterday) 2 adults + 2 kids, and kids were a third of the adult fare.All in the same cabin though.

 

 

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[MicCanberra]

There are differing sales on from time to time to attract families, some cruise lines have family cabins/suites, others have quad share, some have connecting cabins. Each cruise line structures there pricing (and everything else) as to what demographics they want to attract, they then change their pricing as the cruise ship fills as to attract slightly differing demographics to fill the ship.:D