Infant charges

[trkmas3122]

Hi All,

Does anyone have insight on charges for infants (less than a year old) on Celebrity....or maybe other lines? What have people paid, etc... i know it varies depending on the sailing, but im trying to get an idea

[PSU]

There is no reduced rate. If the infant is the third person in the room, you will pay the third-person rate unless the cruise line is running a special half off 2nd or 3rd passenger. I know Royal Caribbean runs that special sometimes, but I am not sure about Celebrity.

Hi All,

Does anyone have insight on charges for infants (less than a year old) on Celebrity....or maybe other lines? What have people paid, etc... i know it varies depending on the sailing, but im trying to get an idea

[cybx]

There is no reduced rate. If the infant is the third person in the room, you will pay the third-person rate unless the cruise line is running a special half off 2nd or 3rd passenger. I know Royal Caribbean runs that special sometimes, but I am not sure about Celebrity.

And it's a dumb policy too. An infant can't take advantage of any of the youth programs with out the parent, they don't take a space in the MDR, they aren't eating caviar and Lobster tail. There's no reason to charge so much for infants.

[scdreamer]

And it's a dumb policy too. An infant can't take advantage of any of the youth programs with out the parent, they don't take a space in the MDR, they aren't eating caviar and Lobster tail. There's no reason to charge so much for infants.

 

I wonder if the policy is in place because the parents of an infant might not be spending as money onboard as other passengers - bar tabs, casino, etc.

[bEwAbG]

And it's a dumb policy too. An infant can't take advantage of any of the youth programs with out the parent, they don't take a space in the MDR, they aren't eating caviar and Lobster tail. There's no reason to charge so much for infants.

 

I would guess the reason is to discourage people from bringing them (seriously). Not everyone appreciates being around babies on vacation. I would go so far as to say the majority of people.

[cybx]

I would guess the reason is to discourage people from bringing them (seriously). Not everyone appreciates being around babies on vacation. I would go so far as to say the majority of people.

That very well could be the case.

[trkmas3122]

hmmm, all very valid points. I guess it can be debated all day.

[Jane2357]

And it's a dumb policy too. An infant can't take advantage of any of the youth programs with out the parent, they don't take a space in the MDR, they aren't eating caviar and Lobster tail. There's no reason to charge so much for infants.

 

Actually there is a reason to charge as much for infants - because I don't see Celebrity with their "Modern Luxury" tag line - trying to appeal to that demographic and be over run with baby strollers and high chairs. Paying full fare for infants is a way to discourage that. Also why cut the 3rd or 4th person a break if that person could be an income generating adult. Two reasons why they may not want to cut a break.

[cle-guy]

the infant still needs lifeboat space.

[Melissa at Mohair Meadows]

the infant still needs lifeboat space.

 

Capacity is determined by the number of 'souls' on board and an infant is considered a 'soul'. If the ship has capacity for 3000 souls, they can charge for 3000 people.

 

Frankly, a cruise is not an ideal venue for a baby. The baby can't use any of the pools if it is still in diapers. The buffet would be preferable for dining - I know I wouldn't want to share a table with an infant in the MDR - or even be close by. The elevators are always crowded without the hassle of a stroller and baby paraphenalia. To say nothing of the crying and spitting up that accompanies babies. Finally, it is inconvenient for the parents and other guests. And I wouild say the same to my kids if they wanted to bring along one of my grandchildren. I am good with the cruiseline charging as much as possible for an infant as a deterrent for bringing one on board.

 

Melissa

[PTMary]

As any parent must know, infants require much more attention than adults. True, they don't "take a space in the MDR, they aren't eating caviar and Lobster tail". But, they create messes that are more difficult to clean up - think drool, barf, and leaky diapers - and have other necessities that adults don't require. After raising three kids and helping with four grandchildren, there is no way I would ever believe that an infant is less trouble to a hospitality business than an adult. Frankly, I am surprised they don't charge MORE for infants and young children than for adults!

 

Personally, I would never take an infant on a cruise. Too much trouble, too much stress on the infant (and on the parents) and they aren't old enough to appreciate it. And, as others have said, there is the issue of disturbing other passengers, some who may be taking a once in a lifetime cruise to get away from home and kids to relax.

 

We never took any of our kids on cruises until they were at least five years old. Don't really understand why people need to take cruises when they have young children they can't bear to leave at home. Parents should be thinking of their children first, not about fancy vacations they want to take for themselves.

Edited November 5, 2015 by PTMary

[spookwife]

Hi All,

Does anyone have insight on charges for infants (less than a year old) on Celebrity....or maybe other lines? What have people paid, etc... i know it varies depending on the sailing, but im trying to get an idea

 

 

with like one exception( I think one of the British lines) there is ONE price per berth. age is not a factor.

 

on occasion a line will run a KSF promo when in the same cabin as a parental unit but those also tend to have higher prices for the 'adult' berth to make up for the lost revenue.

 

Persons 1 and 2 pay full price regardless. persons 3 and up MIGHT pay a lower rate but again age has nothing to do with it

 

also you must be at least 6 months old to sail and some itineraries require you to be 12 months

[Celebrity Cruises]

Hi All,

Does anyone have insight on charges for infants (less than a year old) on Celebrity....or maybe other lines? What have people paid, etc... i know it varies depending on the sailing, but im trying to get an idea

 

Please be advised that infants are subject to normal guest pricing.

 

We appreciate that an infant child will not partake of the food and entertainment on board. However, cruise passage is sold by the guest, not the stateroom. We must adhere to strict safety limits in the number of guests onboard each cruise, regardless of their age. Our youngest cruisers are no less a guest and require the same safety precautions as everyone else onboard. These strict safety limits often mean staterooms that can accommodate three or more guests must be sold as singles or doubles. Our current guideline does not provide reduced fares for infants.

 

For specific sailings, we do offer 3rd and 4th guest rates at a reduced cost in triple and quad occupancy staterooms. These rates are designed to offer the same fare to all 3rd and 4th guests, regardless of age.

[cb at sea]

Capacity is determined by the number of 'souls' on board and an infant is considered a 'soul'. If the ship has capacity for 3000 souls, they can charge for 3000 people.

 

Frankly, a cruise is not an ideal venue for a baby. The baby can't use any of the pools if it is still in diapers. The buffet would be preferable for dining - I know I wouldn't want to share a table with an infant in the MDR - or even be close by. The elevators are always crowded without the hassle of a stroller and baby paraphenalia. To say nothing of the crying and spitting up that accompanies babies. Finally, it is inconvenient for the parents and other guests. And I wouild say the same to my kids if they wanted to bring along one of my grandchildren. I am good with the cruiseline charging as much as possible for an infant as a deterrent for bringing one on board.

 

Melissa

 

NO! The buffet is your last choice....trying to juggle baby, plates, utensils....nope!

The dining room, where you're seated and served is SO much easier with a child!

 

Don't let folks tell you not to bring your child.....you're a family...and that's how families vacation!

Edited November 5, 2015 by cb at sea

[MommaBear55]

And don't forget that the same daily service charge applies to your child!

 

Unlike other venues such as land resorts, on a ship a passenger is exactly that. One passenger=one life boat space.

[AntjeG]

with like one exception( I think one of the British lines) there is ONE price per berth. age is not a factor.

 

 

Well, there are a lot more exceptions. But it would be good to speak a little bit of German as most German cruise lines offer reduced children´s fares (for example AIDA ages 0-2, next price group kids 2-17 and even a reduced youth rate age 18-24; TUI Cruises kids up to 14 or 15 I think). The on board language is German but all Crew members speak English and all safety announcements are in English, too.

[cruzeluver]

In addition to everything already poste about why infants are charged the same fares, they also do not gamble, buy alcohol, etc. In other words, they are not contributing to on board revenue.

[andnosyd]

We brought our 18 month old on Seabourn. There was no charge for her except port taxes. It really depends on the line, but of all lines, you would think Seabourn would charge for someone under 2. They don't if they're the 3rd person in the room and she was better behaved than some of the passengers.

[Fouremco]

And it's a dumb policy too. An infant can't take advantage of any of the youth programs with out the parent, they don't take a space in the MDR, they aren't eating caviar and Lobster tail. There's no reason to charge so much for infants.

When a ship is provisioned, no one adjusts the food according to the age of the passengers, so the same amount of lobster and caviar would be ordered. By your logic, perhaps vegans should be given a price break too, as they won't be eating the lobster and caviar either. As for the youth programs, DW and I really don't take in many of the shows on board, so can we get a reduction too? :)

[varoo]

Another reason for not incentivizing people to bring babies along on cruises is the possible inconvenience to other passengers.

 

We were on a cruise with a couple who had to have their cabin changed when they were unable to sleep at night because of a loudly crying baby next door.

 

 

If adults or teenagers are noisy and cause a disturbance, security can take care of the matter, but there is nothing they can do to quiet crying babies or screeching toddlers.

 

Edited November 5, 2015 by varoo

[Emperor Norton]

And it's a dumb policy too. An infant can't take advantage of any of the youth programs with out the parent, they don't take a space in the MDR, they aren't eating caviar and Lobster tail. There's no reason to charge so much for infants.

 

I wonder if the policy is in place because the parents of an infant might not be spending as money onboard as other passengers - bar tabs, casino, etc.

 

It has to do with the infant counting against the ships max capacity. Ships are allowed a max number of souls on board for SOLAS reasons. Babies count against that total meaning they are taking the space of a paying adult.

[waterbug123]

And it's a dumb policy too. An infant can't take advantage of any of the youth programs with out the parent, they don't take a space in the MDR, they aren't eating caviar and Lobster tail. There's no reason to charge so much for infants.

 

In addition to everything already poste about why infants are charged the same fares, they also do not gamble, buy alcohol, etc. In other words, they are not contributing to on board revenue.

 

^^^this.

 

Cruise lines count on an average on-board spend per passenger. Some spend more, some spend less but there's an average. An infant accounts for virtually $0 in onboard spend so at the very least the cruise line wants to get full fare for him/her, since they won't get anything extra.

[cybx]

^^^this.

 

Cruise lines count on an average on-board spend per passenger. Some spend more, some spend less but there's an average. An infant accounts for virtually $0 in onboard spend so at the very least the cruise line wants to get full fare for him/her, since they won't get anything extra.

Yep. Makes sense.

[crusinthrough]

Don't let folks tell you not to bring your child.....you're a family...and that's how families vacation!

 

I agree. If you are a family you vacation as a family. If people want a child free vacation then consider adult only vacations such as resorts, which a cruise is not.

 

Personally, I would not leave my child at home because it might inconvenience a passenger nor have I felt my child to be an inconvenience on a vacation. Alternatively, I appreciated every minute that we had the chance to share a memory. Although a young child may not remember, a parent always will.

 

FWIW - a stroller takes up no more room in an elevator than a scooter.

[kitty9]

And if you choose to cruise Seabourn, despite the no charge for the infant, you're paying three to four times the cruise fare of Celebrity.