$600 Charge for Two year old

[Giorgi-one]

I just booked four SS suites for next summer. Had to pay over $600 for my two year old grandaughter in a cabin with her parents. Can't wait until they add $10 per day gratuity for her. Needless to say we will have that removed. How much food can a two year old eat? I understand that everyone has to pay Port Charges to the money hungry islands and taxes, but that is only about $200. Is there a hotel in the free world that charges for two year olds?

[Lisa63]

My son ate quite a bit when he was two. :)

 

He also enjoyed the after-dinner shows, used the playroom under our supervision, slept in a bed, and hung out on deck with us. In other words, he used the ship's facilities just as we did.

 

Please reconsider withholding the tips on her behalf. If anything, a young child is even more work for a steward than an adult would be. They have to coordinate the timing of the childrens' meals with the adults' meals, ensure a high chair is ready and waiting, clean up the inevitable and accidental spills, make an extra bed (which is usually a Pullman or sofabed -- more work), etc.

 

JHMO.

[ekerr19]

Giorgi-one:

 

I have to agree with Lisa... we've cruised with our kids numerous times - regardless of the age, they are still passengers in the cabin... even though we make our kids pick up after themselves in the cabin, there are additional beds to make and turn down, towels to wash and shoes, clothes to pick up... our cabin stewards have always treated our kids so well - I also hope you reconsider the removal of the auto-tip...

 

btw- I've heard many sailings for the remainder 2004 and early 2005 will have 3rd/4th passenger for $399 pp and 3rd/4th child for $299 pp - you might want to keep an eye out for the special... I've received a few emails, so far our March 2005 cruise is not yet listed - but we are hopeful! I will post any new information I receive.

[Jacqueline]

Its not just HAL. Its the industry, except perhaps for Disney. Over the years have heard the complaints again and again.

I am not quite sure of the rational although there are a few thoughts-

1) discouraging lots of young children as you will see there are many complaints. A ship is a very confined space and encouraging too manyyoung ones would complicate the experience.

2) There are a limited number of berths available for each sailing - and the 2 year old counts toward that number. You can bet they won't be a the bar or casino !

I have three kids who have been cruising for many years with me so I feel your pain ! The crew tends to be very good to them as they are reminded of their own kids at home.

[Ziggy7]

aaaaawwwwwww to be 2 again, then I could afford an SS Suite!

[CoastalCounseling]

I have a 2 year old as well. It *IS* expensive to have him join us. I completely agree with you.

 

I have been spoliled that at his age, we get into Disney World and many other attractions for free with our paid adult admission. Paying seems foriegn to us too, as we tote around a toddler.

 

I must also say that on our last cruise, his toys alone commanded a good tip for our room steward, not to mention the chocolate cake crumbs! I make an effort to clean up after him in the dining room. No one wants to find a suprise french fry left on the floor from the first seating.

 

Cruising also gives him the opportunity to experience many things he would not otherwise. How many two year olds have tried caviar? Played in that powery sand at Half Moon Cay? gleefully gathered ALL the chocolates off the pillows at night?

 

Its expensive as heck but I sure have enjoyed the experiences my son and I have shared cruising. I hate the costs but couldnt enjoy it as much with out him.

 

God Bless!

 

Kelly

[F5Loar]

Speaking as an adult who's parents never took me on a cruise I think you have to look at it like a business situation that has been thrust upon you to make a choice on which is best for the child and your pocketbook. Have you priced by the hour a stay at home babysitter for one week for a 2 year old? If you do I think you will see the $600 as a bargin and the experience the 2 year old will gain.... priceless! From someone who started their 18 mo. old daughter cruising 6 years ago and she just finished her 21st cruise this year. We've paid from $100 to $800 for her to go with us. And Disney ain't that cheap either!

[ekerr19]

Kelly -

 

Just think - if he keeps cruising, he'll have 300+ days at sea before he can drive!

 

Our kids (11 & 15) just passed 50 days at sea - to us, cruising is such a great vacation to take with the kids. I only wish we'd started when they were two...

[ryansmemom]

We took our almost three year old grandson and his parents on a cruise with us last November. Yes, we paid the suppliment and tipped extra for services provided to him. This was before the autotip was in effect. In my opinion, he required the same, if not more, attention than the average adult passenger.

 

The room steward had to open and close the sofa bed each night. In our case, he spent some nights with us, so this involved 2 room stewards coordinating things. They also had three people to look after.

 

The dining room staff were just wonderful. The waiter, assistant waiter and head waiter all worked together coordinating Ryan's meals with ours, keeping him entertained and granting his special requests.

 

The crew really seem to enjoy children on board. They do speak of missing their own children and go out of their way to make things special for passenger children, especially the little ones. We found that everyone on board from the captain on down knew Ryan's name and were very welcoming and worked to make things special for him.

 

We did not feel "taken" in any way because we paid for Ryan's passage. We felt that it was appropriate to tip the people who worked so hard to make his cruise special.

 

Linda

[ekerr19]

Linda, Thank you. Very nicely put. :)

 

It was nice to have that special time to spend with Ryan, wasn't it?

 

We feel we are creating memories that will last our children their entire lives... to me, this is a priceless gift.

[azgymgal]

Yes - There a hotel in the free world that charges for two year olds. The Ramada Express Casino Hotel in Laughlin, Nevada even charges for infants. My friends could not believe they had to pay for their infant son who didn't even need a crib. - That's ridiculous in my opinion.

 

Have a Great cruise and enjoy your family.

[divinggirl]

FYI and OT, but most hotels in Vegas charge for infants now as well.

[swmichigan cruiser]

We've taken our grandson on two cruises so far one was when he was about 3 1/2 and the last one on the Zuiderdam the end of February when he was about 4 1/2 and we loved having him along with us not sure it came to $600.00 per trip not counting airfare but it was a bargain to us. I know it was less than what we paid for us. He got on the main stage with the juggler/ comedian (Barnaby) one night and anybody that went to the show remembered him and it made for an enjoyable trip for us and him as many people stopped to talk to him on the rest of the cruise. Anyhow go and enjoy.

[Krazy Kruizers]

:)

 

A number of years ago on a Princess ship, we witnessed an argument between the cabin steward, his supervisor, and the parents of 2 children. It seemed that the parents refused to tip the room steward for his services for the 2 children - they tipped only for themselves. The supervisor was trying to point out how much extra effort it was for the room steward to clean up after 2 small children - sofa bed, crib, towels, linens, etc. We have no idea how the situation was resolved as our number was called to leave the ship. But there a large crowd listening to the conversation.

:)

[CoastalCounseling]

I forgot to add, some of the nicest cruise memories came from the services that were for my child. We LOVED watching the dining staff make puppets out of napkins and "playing" with my son. they gave him special attention...even folding paper into an oragami animal to play with.

 

Expensive..... yes yes yes! Worth it.... yes yes yes!

 

Kelly

[cruzincurt]

Usually they divide up that $600 among the other passengers.

 

Remember, the kiddo takes up a seat reservation in the dining room thus reducing the potential tip for the server of that table.

[SeattleHollandDude]

I work for Holland America and just wanted to see what people generally feel about us. I appreciate the backing of Lisa63 and EKerr19! Don't get me wrong, not only am I an employee, I'm also human.

 

It's true though. I personally feel that if someone can afford to buy 4 SS cabins, they can certainly afford to pay for their children. If not, save some money and hire a babysitter and keep them at home.

[doone]

Welcome to the boards Seattlehollanddude. I hope you find these boards as informative as we all do, especially being a Holland America employee.

 

I have to agree with the other posters here when it comes to paying for the children and the tips. Please reconsider leaving your tips in place, or if you feel you want to take them off, please don't forget your cabin boy, dining room steward or any other of the wonderful HAL employee's who are there to make your cruise experience a wonderful one. We too, sailed with children a few years back and paid for the kids like you did also. My nieces and nephews had such a grand time on that cruise and we owed it all to the staff of Holland America. I find are children alot more work to pick up after and the room stewards do a wonderful job on that and are most deserving of a very generous tip.

 

They went out of their way to be sure the kids were having a wonderful time. Granted we sailed on Feb. school vacation week and they had extra counsellors onboard, but I have to say those counsellors and the crew of the Veendam were nothing short of spectacular. I couldn't complain about the price we paid for them, in the long run, we felt the price was incredible and probably couldn't have done it cheaper ourselves anywhere else. The kids had such an awesome time, we're planning another family cruise on HAL Feb. 2006, so far between family and friends, we should have about 30 of us going.

 

I think you will find your granddaughter will have a wonderful time.

[Giorgi-one]

I said that I booked four SS cabins not bought them. Obviously, there are four couples in our party and I took care of booking the cabins. The cruise is off season and the SS cabin price is about the same price as lowest inside cabin during prime time. Who are you to make judgements on how much someone can afford? How can you be sure that I did not save for ten years to take this cruise?

 

We took the same child on a cruise last January and I can guarantee you that except for delivering a crib, the room steward had not one iota of extra work to do. We do not leave clothing laying around in our Cabin. I believe charge on NCL was $99 or $199 extra.

 

That said, I am paying for all the cabins and $600 is no big deal to me. Also, I always tip waiters and stewards substantially beyone the $10 per day taken out.

 

I still think $600 is a ridiculous charge. I would advise anyone booking an inside or outside cabin with four people to consider two cabins which cost only about $200 extra per person. In fact for only about $500 extra per person you can book two SS suites on my cruise rather than squeeze four people in a single inside cabin.

[SeattleHollandDude]

Thanks Doone!

 

FYI: I still feel that for 7 days on a "resort at sea," children should be paid for. However, people tend to not realize that we currently have a promotion for children as 3rd and/or 4th passengers for $199! That includes the port charges as well! Please people, remember to ask about promos or have your travel agent do so :rolleyes:

[SeattleHollandDude]

I apologize if I offended you and you're correct, who am I to assume anything. Just stating my opinion and trying to help with the 3rd & 4th rates.:)

[Giorgi-one]

You did not offend me, but some people on this board have thin skin. Is promo good for August 2005?

[Florida Lady]

Have your TA CHECK OUT PROMO 125.

[taszmom]

I booked under the Family & Friends promotion for the Zuiderdam 10/2 and our 5 yr old daughter's cruise fare was free. The charge of $475 was discounted 100% and our cruise fare was only $664pp for a verandah. There are deals out there. Unfortunately the summer rates are always high for the obvious reasons. NCL has reduced rates for children under 2. We always paid less than $150 for her cruise fare on NCL. IMHO, I think HAL should have a reduced rate for any children under 5 since they are not permitted to participate in Club HAL program. Same for all other cruise lines. In regards to the tipping, the tip, if deserved, should be paid in full regardless of age. It's another bed to make, another place setting at dinner, etc. Personally, anyone willing to clean up after my kid deserves a tip! God knows I wish someone would tip me! LOL!

[SeattleHollandDude]

Promo 125 :D As of now, it expires 12/31/04. However as with any promotion (as you all probably know), it can expire at anytime. It is a promo with special rates for 3rd and 4th passengers which include the port charges. It's not applicable on all sailings though. MOSTLY Caribbean on the Zuiderdam this summer.