Any cruise lines that don't charge for infants?

[lidolovers]

I have been calling around to Carnival, Celebrity and RC and I am surprised to hear that even for a baby (7 months) old, they want to charge as if it was just a normal 3rd person in the room - 500-700 dollars. Are there any cruise lines that don't have this ridiculous charge that anyone knows of?

 

Thanks

[APDMOM]

MSC and Costa cruises don't charge for children - most of the time. We just went on a cruise with my 5-year old and were only charged $79 in taxes for him (7-night cruise).

 

Happy sailing!;)

[Venicegal]

We're doing a 7 night Alaska cruise on Holland America (Oosterdam) on 5/30. We chose this cruise because 3rd and 4th passengers sharing your cabin goes free and we were taking our 10 month old grandson.

[RoadTripFanatic]

Actually Costa does charge for children. Trust me I had to pay $$ for DD on our cruise to the Med. They do occasionally run promos for free 3rd and 4th passengers. Holland has been running deals on certain cruises for 3rd and 4th passengers in a cabin to cruise for free too.

[NJfoodie]

When we were shopping around, NCL seemed to have the lowest 3rd person rate/infant rate. I've heard that for under 2 yrs old, they only charge port fees/taxes. Our TA quoted us about $250 for our 14 month old for our itinerary which she said was just port fees and taxes. On our invoice, it was divided between $165 fare and the rest as taxes instead but the total still matched what we were quoted it was still by far the lowest we rate we got for an infant rate between ncl, rc, and carnival.

[ezjack1825]

Just had to pay $239 each for a 3 year old and a 1 year old for our November trip. I kinda understand that they charge as 3rd an 4th passenger as it is a body counted on board by the Coast Guard towards the ship capacity, but I don't think either one will eat much of the surf n turf. Cheerios and bananas maybe...

[luvmyboyz]

Our 1st cruise was on RCCL when our 1st son was under 3, and our 2nd was on CCL when our 2nd son was under 2. Both times I was a bit miffed at the cost for the little ones - I can totally understand the cost when they are old enough to go in to the kid's clubs and eat regular food and go in the pool, but I do think it's a bit obscene to charge so much for a baby that doesn't get any childcare, doesn't eat the food, and can't even go in the pool. But what can you do? That's just the way it is.

[luvmyboyz]

Just had to pay $239 each for a 3 year old and a 1 year old for our November trip. I kinda understand that they charge as 3rd an 4th passenger as it is a body counted on board by the Coast Guard towards the ship capacity, but I don't think either one will eat much of the surf n turf. Cheerios and bananas maybe...

 

At least with the 3-year-old, you can take advantage of the kids club, which has been fabulous on the carnival ships we've been on. But yeah, I totally agree that the cost for the 1-year-old is a little crazy.

[cruisincarly]

Cunard doesn't on their transatlantic crossings (but I think maybe on their other cruises they might....not sure). But the base fare is higher on Cunard than, for instance, Carnival, so you'd probably end up paying less on Carnival anyway.

[gerif]

Just had to pay $239 each for a 3 year old and a 1 year old for our November trip. I kinda understand that they charge as 3rd an 4th passenger as it is a body counted on board by the Coast Guard towards the ship capacity, but I don't think either one will eat much of the surf n turf. Cheerios and bananas maybe...

 

Actually, the amount budgeted for food is surprisingly low per person. An infant, while occupying a berth and counting toward ship capacity will not be purchasing alcohol, using the spa or playing in the casino - all big profit centers for the ship, so it is really not to their advantage to offer special pricing.

[Kerry's Girls]

I have been calling around to Carnival, Celebrity and RC and I am surprised to hear that even for a baby (7 months) old, they want to charge as if it was just a normal 3rd person in the room - 500-700 dollars. Are there any cruise lines that don't have this ridiculous charge that anyone knows of?

 

Thanks

 

The best thing is to price out any of the cruises you're considering. You'll often find that the cruise lines that don't charge for babies, charge lots more for the 1st & 2nd passenger. Also, the cost for the 3rd person can vary from ship to ship even within the same cruise line. I paid a very discounted cost for a 3rd person on Princess to Mexico, but full price for a 3rd person to Hawaii on Princess.

 

I know it's offputting at first that the cost is the same, since hotels and resorts often don't charge for kids, but the cruise ship depends on passengers spending money on drinks, bingo, excursions, etc. once on board, so they're not in any hurry to offer discounts to babies who will be taking a space away from a drinking, gambling passenger :rolleyes:.

 

Best,

Mia

[drblue]

I have been calling around to Carnival, Celebrity and RC and I am surprised to hear that even for a baby (7 months) old, they want to charge as if it was just a normal 3rd person in the room - 500-700 dollars. Are there any cruise lines that don't have this ridiculous charge that anyone knows of?

 

Thanks

We just booked an intinerary for the Eastern Mediterranean with MSC CRuises for 11 nights. Our 3 year old son's charges were just $75 for port fees and other charges. They also sail in the Caribbean, South America, and of course Europe. Children under 11 are always free in all itineraries, and kids under 17 are also free in MOST itineraries, but not all of them.