Infant fare question..

[bplazo]

I just look at it this way, when I took my daughter to Disney, waterparks, amusement parks I had to pay the "fare" even though I did not ride the rides, swim in the pools etc.

[kaylorcc]

The other cruise lines are Disney, NCL, Costa and MSC.

 

Although I love sailing on RCCL, it is a tough pill to swallow when you are paying $899 each for the kids. Even NCL has a $99 (or $199) 3rd/4th rate.

 

 

Makes me verrry grateful to my parents for insisting on including us in all of their vacation plans. I feel like I discover something I need to thank them for each day of my adulthood. :p

[crusinmama06]

I just look at it this way, when I took my daughter to Disney, waterparks, amusement parks I had to pay the "fare" even though I did not ride the rides, swim in the pools etc.

 

Heyyy, I need to take you to Disney and put you on a ride with me. :D

 

And I figure at Disney, Hershey Park, Sea World - kids under 3 are free. And we didn't pay extra for them to stay at the resorts. So I got my money's worth because I did take them on the rides with us. :D

 

Makes me verrry grateful to my parents for insisting on including us in all of their vacation plans. I feel like I discover something I need to thank them for each day of my adulthood. :p

 

Awwww, yes be grateful. It's not easy to take kids on all of the vacations. It would be much easier to make a drop at grandma's house on the way to the ship....but for some of us, we wouldn't have it any other way. ;)

[Cruisin Around]

Yes, I've heard about MSC and their children's free fares, but we live close enough to drive to NJ or Baltimore, so flying to MSC would cost me more - not to mention I'm afraid to fly!!

 

Obviously we could all talk this to death and in circles round and round. The main thing that gets me is while the cruise lines seem to bend over backwards with new bells and whistles to attract people with bigger and bigger shocking announcements every week for new things in the ships being unveiled, they won't do very simple things to attract the parents of children under three. Yes, I agree that you don't have to take young children if you don't want to and that would be the end. My son will be 2.5 when we go, but this is the year when many family and friends can make it - we are celebrating also celebrating my sister's college graduation, my husband's 40th birthday and our wedding anniversary. I didn't start a thread saying how mad I am. I'm not- or I wouldn't be going. I'm just voicing an opinion like everyone- what these boards are here for. I don't mind paying for a cruise, even though I won't use many of the "draws" that they offer. I'm not going to hop on a Flowrider, I've climbed the rock wall once, that was enough. I'm not going ice skating. I'll put a $5 in the casino, but that's about it. I realize that these things are there even if I don't want them. What irks me is that the under three crowd, as someone else brought up, virtually has nothing offered to them. I've heard bad stories about the play time that they offer. It seems to just be boring and there's a few staff around with some toys on the floor. Then we were supposed to be so happy that they were offering diapers and baby food onboard? Yes, at a much higher price! If you're not around a small child a lot, you might think, "What can they really offer to a two year old?" There are many organized play groups that they could do. Children these age love stories, movies, characters, colors, shapes, music, adult interaction. There's a park at our house that has small streams of water coming out of the ground that the kids splash in. They'd love that. Again, just my two cents. If we're paying full price, at least offer that group something.

 

And yes, my son might not remember that he went to Bermuda when he was two. But I will remember that he did. And I'll remember the excitement in his eyes when he digs his little toes in the sand and holds a shell to his ear. Yes, he'd be excited for a trip to the park too. But he's at the age when he knows that something is new and different and wants to explore it. So in the end, is the price worth it? I'm going aren't I? Maybe this is the exact reason that RCI won't cut prices -because we keep coming back. I guess that says something. I do hope in the future that families will feel a little more valued and welcomed. This is where I'd like to see some change.

[EugeneD]

Let me ask everyone who thinks the cost is per limited slot on a lifeboat -- if the charge is truly per soul, and not per cabin -- then why is the single supplement so high, costing sometimes as much as if both people were taking up the cabin?

 

It seems to me the cabins are the limiting factor here, not the lifeboats.

 

If you're going to upsell it on one end, you lose the right to upsell it on the other, too.

[EugeneD]

If they wanted to discourage children of a certain age, they would not target special programs (royal toddlers, royal etc) for 6-18 month olds as a means to attract them.

 

I have to agree with the other poster that there are few marginal costs a baby incurrs -- ours will be 6 months and 1 week on RCI in December out of Bayonne, and I can tell you she will neither be eating the food, nor taking up any room. And I can buy my own entire pack n play for the ridiculous charge, so don't even bring that "cost" up. I agree, and would definitely not expect your cruise fare to subsidize my bringing a child on board. However, your argument that you're subsidizing my fare, only works if you can prove there is any cost there to subsidize.

 

Still going, and yes, since that is probably the worst week to choose to introduce her to solids, we will be breastfeeding at your table. And you are welcome to leave.

[Pat&Liz]

The way I see matters is:

 

The costs of a cruise taking place for the cruise-company will include: Fuel, Food, Salaries for the Staff, Upkeep, Overheads.

 

Regardless of whether it's a packed out ship, or sailing half-full, the costs for running the cruise will be the same and that cost will be spread across the berths available onboard.

 

I very much doubt that the cruiseline is able to say - "Right, we've got 15 infants on board, so don't stock up on that last crate of Lobster". They just won't be that organised!!

 

 

I'm planning my next real cruise for next October to celebrate my son's 2nd birthday (you have no idea how scary a concept that is!!) and am fully aware that I'll have to pay 3rd passenger fare for it, but hey - that's the cost of cruising, and I do think that's fair.

[EugeneD]

Actually, if they did just take the number of people going aboard that sailing, and divide all the fixed costs by that, probably I would prefer that..

 

But as I mentioned, that is not what happens with single supplements.

[PrincesScuba]

If they wanted to discourage children of a certain age, they would not target special programs (royal toddlers, royal etc) for 6-18 month olds as a means to attract them.

 

I have to agree with the other poster that there are few marginal costs a baby incurrs -- ours will be 6 months and 1 week on RCI in December out of Bayonne, and I can tell you she will neither be eating the food, nor taking up any room. And I can buy my own entire pack n play for the ridiculous charge, so don't even bring that "cost" up. I agree, and would definitely not expect your cruise fare to subsidize my bringing a child on board. However, your argument that you're subsidizing my fare, only works if you can prove there is any cost there to subsidize.

 

Still going, and yes, since that is probably the worst week to choose to introduce her to solids, we will be breastfeeding at your table. And you are welcome to leave.

Not introducing solids until after 6 months of age?!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

[unklez]

Folks,

 

The price is per head - whether you are big and tall or an infant, the price is the same. Look at the cost and decide whether having the infant with you on cruise is important enough that the cost is ok or not. Act accordingly. Just do not expect the cruise lines to start offering discounts for infants.

[bplazo]

Heyyy, I need to take you to Disney and put you on a ride with me. :D

 

And I figure at Disney, Hershey Park, Sea World - kids under 3 are free. And we didn't pay extra for them to stay at the resorts. So I got my money's worth because I did take them on the rides with us. :D

 

 

 

Awwww, yes be grateful. It's not easy to take kids on all of the vacations. It would be much easier to make a drop at grandma's house on the way to the ship....but for some of us, we wouldn't have it any other way. ;)

 

I will never again get on another ride. That teacup ride is dangerous! Anyway, it is well worth any price to bring your child with you on a cruise.

 

On a side note, what a terrible accident at the Magic Kingdom this weekend

[Yo Eleven]

Make certain you leave the correct amount of gratuity for the infant as well at the end of the cruise. This amount will be equal to the amount you leave for yourself. Good luck.

 

Aren't I a stinker? HAHA! :D

[G'ma]

A 6 month old baby has to pay full fare in RCL?

 

There is any cruise line that do not charge full fare for infants?

 

I think Disney gives a break to babies.

 

Most charge the full amount......

[EugeneD]

Folks,

 

The price is per head - whether you are big and tall or an infant, the price is the same. Look at the cost and decide whether having the infant with you on cruise is important enough that the cost is ok or not. Act accordingly. Just do not expect the cruise lines to start offering discounts for infants.

 

sounds fair. I would not mind this policy.

 

but I've heard from people who are single, they pay almost double -- is this the case with RCI, does anyone know for sure? So far all the posts seem to indicate that it is per head, per soul, per person... So it sounds like there is no supplement, but I wanted to confirm. thanks.

[crusinmama06]

Not introducing solids until after 6 months of age?!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

 

Yes, that would be the standard norm these days. Solids introduced by about 6 months. Some wait till 8 months if they are exclusively breastfed.

 

But we just got wayyyy off topic here. ;)

[unklez]

sounds fair. I would not mind this policy.

 

but I've heard from people who are single, they pay almost double -- is this the case with RCI, does anyone know for sure? So far all the posts seem to indicate that it is per head, per soul, per person... So it sounds like there is no supplement, but I wanted to confirm. thanks.

 

Yes singles have to pay a supplement. They are paying to keep the bed in their room free.

[EugeneD]

Not introducing solids until after 6 months of age?!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

 

Since I mention her being 6mo on a December cruise, you can tell she's just a wee one, 1 month, so lots more time to research, but (and I know it's off topic but it since you ask) -- I thought 6 months is the pediatrician suggested age?

 

http://www.babycenter.com/0_introducing-solid-foods_113.bc

http://www.homemade-baby-food-recipes.com/introducing-solids-to-your-breastfed-baby.html

http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/infant/startingsolids.html

http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/solids.htm

http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/delay-solids.html

[Coralc]

sounds fair. I would not mind this policy.

 

but I've heard from people who are single, they pay almost double -- is this the case with RCI, does anyone know for sure? So far all the posts seem to indicate that it is per head, per soul, per person... So it sounds like there is no supplement, but I wanted to confirm. thanks.

 

You have to pay a single supplement on RCI (most sailings) and it almost doubles the cost. Like an infant.....your invisible roommate is not generating any onboard revenue, and they charge accordingly. :rolleyes:

[crusinmama06]

I thought 6 months is the pediatrician suggested age?

 

http://www.babycenter.com/0_introducing-solid-foods_113.bc

http://www.homemade-baby-food-recipes.com/introducing-solids-to-your-breastfed-baby.html

http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/infant/startingsolids.html

http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/solids.htm

http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/delay-solids.html

 

You're right, it is.

 

I have an online moms groups that is an off shoot of Baby Center (the link listed above). So we have discussed this ad nauseum in my group. It's generally 6 months.

 

You are right. :D

[Redheada]

This is a tough topic but I have always thought it was unfair of any cruiseline to charge anyone under the age of 2.

 

Amusement parks and airlines do not charge for kids under two. The exception to me would be the availability of a program for the kids under two which they could add a surcharge....

 

That said I have cruised with my DD since she was an infant and paid the 2nd and 3rd fare price for her even when she didn't eat too much nor use any of the amenities. I would still pay for it because she absolutely LOVES cruising and she is only 4. But I don't think it would hurt anyone if kids under 2 were free. I actually think more people would in fact cruise during those ages when they normally wouldn't because of cost.

[Cruisin Around]

I actually think more people would in fact cruise during those ages when they normally wouldn't because of cost.

 

 

Bless you- I whole heartedly agree.

 

And yes- totally off topic, but I never gave any solids to my son before he was six months. I am always terrified of choking hazards and I still cut everything up in small pieces!

[pcur]

I'm planning my next real cruise for next October to celebrate my son's 2nd birthday.

 

:eek::eek: WOW!! What's he get when he's 18???!!!! :D :D

[beachchick]

I think that it is a great idea to charge the same amout for children. I do not see why parents expect discounts. If you want to take your children on vaction then expect to pay for them. I never had a problem paying for my daughter.

 

We too never expected something free or a discounted price for our DD. We certainly never turned it down if it was available though.

 

I'm not a parent, so I have no horse in this race so to speak, but I would have expected a discount simply because infants consume practically no goods or services onboard. The only marginal costs I can see for bringing an infant onboard are the processing fees upfront during booking, and probably some per-capita costs under RCI's insurance policies and things of that nature. Paying for children who eat, run around, take up spots at the pool and seats at the theater is different, and I wouldn't expect a discount for them. It's not like I think RCI is committing highway robbery by charging for infants or anything, but I don't think the idea of a discount for a person who is physically incapable of using 99% of the cost-generating activities onboard is that crazy. As evidenced by the fact that other cruiselines offer said discounts.

 

That would also include port fees and any government fees. I believe that NCL charges only those amounts for children under 2.

 

This is a tough topic but I have always thought it was unfair of any cruiseline to charge anyone under the age of 2.

 

Amusement parks and airlines do not charge for kids under two. The exception to me would be the availability of a program for the kids under two which they could add a surcharge....

 

That said I have cruised with my DD since she was an infant and paid the 2nd and 3rd fare price for her even when she didn't eat too much nor use any of the amenities. I would still pay for it because she absolutely LOVES cruising and she is only 4. But I don't think it would hurt anyone if kids under 2 were free. I actually think more people would in fact cruise during those ages when they normally wouldn't because of cost.

 

I do not think it is at all "unfair" for cruise lines to charge for infants/toddlers. It's not like airlines because an under 2 can sit on a lap, but there's no such thing as a "lap baby" on a cruise ship. Capacity is strictly controlled by life boat numbers and Coast Guard requirements. They can't "add in" extra infants to those numbers because every person on board counts toward the maximum number of passengers. Come to think of it, airlines do charge for children under 2 if the child has his/her own seat, so that analogy isn't strictly accurate. As for amusement parks, they are not capacity controlled in the same way that cruise lines are. As well, those are much smaller revenue amounts. While amusement park tickets have gone through the roof, they still do not come close to the revenues per passenger on cruise ships.

 

Cruise lines count on a significant percentage of their revenue from add-ons (alcohol, excursions, bingo/casino, etc.). Obviously, infants do not contribute to those numbers, and I suspect that cruise lines have found that parents traveling with infants also tend to spend as much on extras. I do think that it could be an issue if the mass market lines allow infants to cruise free. If enough parents with infants bring them free and if those infants became a much larger percentage of the capacity-controlled maximums, the cruise lines would raise fares for the rest of us to make up for the loss. I don't care to subsidize someone else's infant on a cruise. But OTOH, I also don't want anyone else to subsidize the "extras" that we enjoy (such as alcohol, sodas, and excursions)--That way fares are lower for everyone and we can choose whether to spend the money.

 

We agree about spending the money to travel with children. We wouldn't trade our adventures with our DD for anything. She was (and is) worth every penny.

 

beachchick

[crusinmama06]

WOW!! What's he get when he's 18???!!!! :D :D

 

He gets to pay for himself. :D;)

 

And yes, we celebrated a 3rd, 4th and 9th birthday on ships. So I expect when I am celebrating my 50th, that my kids will pay for ME. :p

[MrPete]

:eek::eek: WOW!! What's he get when he's 18???!!!! :D :D

 

I took my 9 time cruiser daughter (10) to Vegas for her 6th birthday in the second row.

 

If I don't hand the dance studio over to her when she's 18, I'm in trouble.