Does RCCL have a cabin fare charge for infants?

[elron]

Does anyone know if RCCL charges a cabin fare for infants?

 

Thanks in adavance, Ron

[barbgazz]

Does anyone know if RCCL charges a cabin fare for infants?

 

Thanks in adavance, Ron

 

 

 

Yes, they charge the same for everyone.

[DHADEN]

just a note:

 

Any baby/child has to be at least 6 months old. They will not allow infants (younger than 6 months) on your cruise.

 

Hope This Helps.

[joyride21]

If the infant is the 3rd passenger in the cabin you will pay a usually reduced rate...but that rate will be the same if the 3rd person is an adult or a child.

[FLCRUISEGAL]

As mentioned, you pay the full 3rd person fare plus 99% of the time they also increase the charges for the first two when you put 3 in a cabin. They also charge the full taxes/fees for the infant. It's a real shock when you try and add in the little one !! Our son's first cruise was with Royal at 14 months. He had a blast. When trying to book again at 18 months, the rates were too high so we started looking at other lines. Gasp, swoon!!! Hubby and I have been cruising with Royal for 10 years, so it was a real kick in the pants to have to look elsewhere.

 

We ended up with NCL. They charge a deeply reduced rate for kids under 2, I have seen it as low as $40.00. They also reduce the taxes and fees for the infant. There was also not an increase in the 1st and 2nd person fares when booking 3 in a cabin. They also waive the 12.00 a day service charge for guests under 3. Carnival also has child fares. MSC and Costa have lots of kids sail free promotions.

 

I'm working on booking Celebrity next since they have better 3rd person rates as compared to Royal. At least then we would get the great Elite benefits.

 

No matter what line you choose, cruising with a baby is awesome. The crew can not do enough for you. They love to say hi and chat about their own kids. They really enjoy seeing the little ones.

[elron]

Thanks everyone!

[momzcruzing]

I took my Grandson this year, and he was 11 months old. He cost the same as I did, which I didn't expect and was hard to imagine.

 

I swore I'd order a steak for him every night and let him bang it on his highchair tray :rolleyes:

 

The cruise was fantastic, worth every penny. All staff members stop what they are doing to greet him and play "peek". At the end of the week all knew him by name! They made the experience very special and memorable.

 

You will really enjoy your cruise, whatever cruise line you choose!

[elron]

I took my Grandson this year, and he was 11 months old. He cost the same as I did, which I didn't expect and was hard to imagine.

 

I swore I'd order a steak for him every night and let him bang it on his highchair tray :rolleyes:

 

The cruise was fantastic, worth every penny. All staff members stop what they are doing to greet him and play "peek". At the end of the week all knew him by name! They made the experience very special and memorable.

 

You will really enjoy your cruise, whatever cruise line you choose!

Cute! Very Cute! Thx mzc!

[jcrabin]

I just thought I'd freshen up this thread with an updated post. I was looking to book my second cruise this year with Royal Caribbean. I'm almost a Diamond-Plus member, and looking to book a Junior Suite. This would have been the first time my wife and I would be sailing with my 16 month old daughter. I was surprised to see that she would cost us over $600, so I asked to speak to someone about the policy.

 

I was transferred to the resolutions department who explained that because she would be "taking up space in the stateroom" she has to pay the same fare as a 17 year old teenager. I asked how putting a baby in a Junior Suite displaced any other revenue paying passengers, and why it's fair that such a young child, who hardly eats anything, and is not able to partake in the Adventure Ocean program (unless you count paying the hourly rate for a babysitter) would pay the same rate as an older child who would actually cost the cruise line money. The rest of the call sounded like banging one's head against a brick wall. I was not permitted to speak to the revenue department who makes the rules.

 

For a cruise line that won an award for "best family cruise line", and markets heavily to families, this policy seems insane. I don't pay for a 16 month-old to fly on any airline. I can stay with my favourite hotel chain - Starwood Hotels - and not pay a penny extra for my daughter. I look forward to cruising with Royal Caribbean when my daughter is old enough to obtain some value for the fare being charged, but until then I might have to take my vacation dollars elsewhere. If Royal Caribbean won't even let me voice my concern to their policy department, the only way to make the point is to vote with my money, and I encourage other Cruise Critic members to do the same and/or post your thoughts on the issue here.

Edited August 20, 2014 by jcrabin

[Ourusualbeach]

I just thought I'd freshen up this thread with an updated post. I was looking to book my second cruise this year with Royal Caribbean. I'm almost a Diamond-Plus member, and looking to book a Junior Suite. This would have been the first time my wife and I would be sailing with my 16 month old daughter. I was surprised to see that she would cost us over $600, so I asked to speak to someone about the policy.

 

I was transferred to the resolutions department who explained that because she would be "taking up space in the stateroom" she has to pay the same fare as a 17 year old teenager. I asked how putting a baby in a Junior Suite displaced any other revenue paying passengers, and why it's fair that such a young child, who hardly eats anything, and is not able to partake in the Adventure Ocean program (unless you count paying the hourly rate for a babysitter) would pay the same rate as an older child who would actually cost the cruise line money. The rest of the call sounded like banging one's head against a brick wall. I was not permitted to speak to the revenue department who makes the rules.

 

For a cruise line that won an award for "best family cruise line", and markets heavily to families, this policy seems insane. I don't pay for a 16 month-old to fly on any airline. I can stay with my favourite hotel chain - Starwood Hotels - and not pay a penny extra for my daughter. I look forward to cruising with Royal Caribbean when my daughter is old enough to obtain some value for the fare being charged, but until then I might have to take my vacation dollars elsewhere. If Royal Caribbean won't even let me voice my concern to their policy department, the only way to make the point is to vote with my money, and I encourage other Cruise Critic members to do the same and/or post your thoughts on the issue here.

 

In effect your child is taking up a berth that could be sold to another passenger. There are a lot more berths on board than they are allowed to sell.

 

If standard occupancy is 2000 pax and max occupancy is 2500 there may be a total of 3000 berths available in different categories.

 

Even though they obviously could not sell that third berth that is in your cabin, it means that now there is one less berth from the other cabins that they are allowed to sell.

 

Your best bet to voice your concerns is by sending a letter to corporate.

[klfrodo]

I just thought I'd freshen up this thread with an updated post. I was looking to book my second cruise this year with Royal Caribbean. I'm almost a Diamond-Plus member, and looking to book a Junior Suite. This would have been the first time my wife and I would be sailing with my 16 month old daughter. I was surprised to see that she would cost us over $600, so I asked to speak to someone about the policy.

 

I was transferred to the resolutions department who explained that because she would be "taking up space in the stateroom" she has to pay the same fare as a 17 year old teenager. I asked how putting a baby in a Junior Suite displaced any other revenue paying passengers, and why it's fair that such a young child, who hardly eats anything, and is not able to partake in the Adventure Ocean program (unless you count paying the hourly rate for a babysitter) would pay the same rate as an older child who would actually cost the cruise line money. The rest of the call sounded like banging one's head against a brick wall. I was not permitted to speak to the revenue department who makes the rules.

 

For a cruise line that won an award for "best family cruise line", and markets heavily to families, this policy seems insane. I don't pay for a 16 month-old to fly on any airline. I can stay with my favourite hotel chain - Starwood Hotels - and not pay a penny extra for my daughter. I look forward to cruising with Royal Caribbean when my daughter is old enough to obtain some value for the fare being charged, but until then I might have to take my vacation dollars elsewhere. If Royal Caribbean won't even let me voice my concern to their policy department, the only way to make the point is to vote with my money, and I encourage other Cruise Critic members to do the same and/or post your thoughts on the issue here.

 

I respect your opinion but must disagree with you.

 

A cruise ship is limited in capacity

That's limited revenue.

 

Now let's say there are 50 infants. You have now limited that cruise from 50 full paying passengers, 3 ports means 150 full paying excursions, goes on and on.

Yes, we have taken our children, Yes we have taken our grand children, Yes, we have paid the cruise fare for them.

[cruzsnooze]

I just thought I'd freshen up this thread with an updated post. I was looking to book my second cruise this year with Royal Caribbean. I'm almost a Diamond-Plus member, and looking to book a Junior Suite. This would have been the first time my wife and I would be sailing with my 16 month old daughter. I was surprised to see that she would cost us over $600, so I asked to speak to someone about the policy.

 

I was transferred to the resolutions department who explained that because she would be "taking up space in the stateroom" she has to pay the same fare as a 17 year old teenager. I asked how putting a baby in a Junior Suite displaced any other revenue paying passengers, and why it's fair that such a young child, who hardly eats anything, and is not able to partake in the Adventure Ocean program (unless you count paying the hourly rate for a babysitter) would pay the same rate as an older child who would actually cost the cruise line money. The rest of the call sounded like banging one's head against a brick wall. I was not permitted to speak to the revenue department who makes the rules.

 

For a cruise line that won an award for "best family cruise line", and markets heavily to families, this policy seems insane. I don't pay for a 16 month-old to fly on any airline. I can stay with my favourite hotel chain - Starwood Hotels - and not pay a penny extra for my daughter. I look forward to cruising with Royal Caribbean when my daughter is old enough to obtain some value for the fare being charged, but until then I might have to take my vacation dollars elsewhere. If Royal Caribbean won't even let me voice my concern to their policy department, the only way to make the point is to vote with my money, and I encourage other Cruise Critic members to do the same and/or post your thoughts on the issue here.

Should a senior who doesn't eat much weights only 100 pounds doesn't use the amenities or go to shows also be charged accordingly?

A hotel doesn't have to provide you with life vests and be prepared to feed and water you if you should have to abandon ship. It makes no difference to the capacity of a hotel if there is a child in your room but it does on a ship.

[chengkp75]

In effect your child is taking up a berth that could be sold to another passenger. There are a lot more berths on board than they are allowed to sell.

 

If standard occupancy is 2000 pax and max occupancy is 2500 there may be a total of 3000 berths available in different categories.

 

Even though they obviously could not sell that third berth that is in your cabin, it means that now there is one less berth from the other cabins that they are allowed to sell.

 

Your best bet to voice your concerns is by sending a letter to corporate.

 

Not really. If the ship has a max occupancy of 2500, then there are only 2500 lowers, uppers, sofa beds, or Pullman berths in the passenger areas. However many essentially built in beds there are in the ship determines the lifeboat capacity, and this determines max occupancy.

 

There are many instances where the cruise line will not allow you to book two people into a 3 person cabin, most notably during high occupancy seasons, until very close to sailing when they figure all 3 person parties have booked, and they need to fill the cabin. Your child is a person, taking a person's fare away from the cruise line if you didn't pay. Is it any fairer to not pay for an infant, but make single cruisers pay for two?

[Ourusualbeach]

Not really. If the ship has a max occupancy of 2500, then there are only 2500 lowers, uppers, sofa beds, or Pullman berths in the passenger areas. However many essentially built in beds there are in the ship determines the lifeboat capacity, and this determines max occupancy.

 

There are many instances where the cruise line will not allow you to book two people into a 3 person cabin, most notably during high occupancy seasons, until very close to sailing when they figure all 3 person parties have booked, and they need to fill the cabin. Your child is a person, taking a person's fare away from the cruise line if you didn't pay. Is it any fairer to not pay for an infant, but make single cruisers pay for two?

 

I will use Freedom of the seas as an example.

 

Stated passenger capacity is 3634 double or max is 4375 for a difference of 741.

 

I did a quick count and there are at least 959 extra berths (3'rd and 4'th passenger) available. I also did not count any of the family suites or staterooms that could accommodate more than 4.

[Sunkissed Mommy]

Maybe I am in the minority on this one... Children should absolutely pay. For the reasons mentioned above and the following:

 

Babies and young children are messier eaters by nature. They require more work in the dining room. Getting the high chair, bringing fruit or paper/crayons to keep busy, etc. I could go on but I'll spare you.

 

Having a baby in your stateroom means your steward will have to dispose of diapers ( yes even when you seal them in a handy grocery bag/ garbage bag.). Arrange the crib, sheets, etc.

 

The cruise line has to pay certain fees and taxes for every soul onboard regardless of age.

 

Many ships have programs for kids under 3. The nursery on some ships and the open play hours require toys, cribs, cots, etc.

 

 

So you might be thinking I'm some old curmudgeon. Nope, I'm a mother of a 17-month old who has already cruised three times in his short life. I've lived it and felt that we paid a fair fare for our little guy :)

 

Thankfully we're extremely hard working people and therefore fortunate in that we can spare the $$.

 

 

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Edited August 20, 2014 by smileyperry

[BND]

Ship's capacity also plays into lifeboat space. There is a limit as to how many people are onboard and an infant is no different than an adult when it comes to that. It's not about their age or their size or RCI's greed. It's entirely about limits that are put in place by law. So, tell me again why a baby shouldn't pay as much as an adult?

 

I'm not sure why some people think their kids are so special that they don't use any resources onboard either. The steward, waitstaff, etc all are there for everyone onboard. Our boys are grown and there were vacations we would have loved to do when they were young, but we couldn't afford it so we did the "delayed gratification" thing that so many don't seem to get now.

Edited August 20, 2014 by BND

[dancinman66]

Yeah kids go as third and fourth etc at adult rates

Sometimes they do kids deals to attract families but having a family is expensive any way you cut it

 

 

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[gerif]

The cruiseline actually doesn't make a whole lot from the sale of the cabin - they depend on passengers purchasing alcohol, dining in specialty restaurants, playing bingo, gambling in the casino, taking excursions, purchasing gift shop items, and the like. Last time I checked, infants don't spend a whole lot on board, thus effectively creating a loss. There are only so many "souls" permitted on board - an infant constitutes a "soul" just as much as an adult. Therefore, allowing an infant to take up the space that could be taken by a drinking, gambling adult, definitely creates a loss in revenue. Surprised they don't charge extra for them.

 

OP - insisting on speaking to someone in revenue would be a total waste of time for you and for them - a well-written letter to corporate would be much more effective. Won't get you anywhere, but would be more effective. Sure, as a PP noted, some lines such as NCL, MSC, etc., charge little or nothing for infants - but, as the saying goes, you get what you pay for.

[RCCL Fan]

NCL doesn't charge much for infants???

 

where's the info on that?

 

Not what I found....

 

You say others don't.... who??? That could save me some cash!!!

 

 

 

-sailing with my little princesses.

[RCCL Fan]

I checked... NCL doesn't do anything different for infants according to their website.

 

standard 3rd person rates

 

I was about to yell at my TA!

[LissyTx]

While I think we should have to pay something we are trying to take my daughter with but the prices for person #3 are ridiculous. Two examples both booked during early May BOGOHO:

 

Jewel March 2015

$1380 ish for hubby and I all in on a D1 balcony.

$1420 to add 1 year old.

 

Allure Nov 2015

$2700 hubby and I for Grand Suite.

$2580 to add daughter who will have just turned 2.

 

I cannot stomach those prices. More than for two adults or almost as much. Seriously?? Oh and by the way if we add a 4th passenger to grand suite it's only $150 more. So with their current pricing if you need to sail with 3 people you're screwed. I would pay $500-800 for her in a heartbeat. But their revenue dept has this messed up.

 

 

 

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[Adayatatime]

I don't know about anyone else, but my daughter has cost a fortune to rear. I'm not sure why she should be cheaper on a cruise ship :D

 

Do little ones not use the facilities on board - washrooms, high chairs, heat, light, etc? Do they not produce rubbish, waste, mess?

 

'Small' doesn't mean less valuable.

 

Babies actually take up a lot of room everywhere on the ship and staff are happy to assist.

 

Wait til you hit university - now that is expensive!

 

I don't know why people think that because a baby eats less, this is the main expense. A cruise liner caters for everything, irrespective of age.

Edited August 21, 2014 by Adayatatime

[Merion_Mom]

Each of us must choose how we spend our own personal funds.

 

Some will buy one brand of car, some will buy a different brand which is more expensive.

 

Some will live in one kind of residence, some will live in a more expensive residence.

 

Some will book an interior cabin, some will book the Royal Suite.

 

You have a choice about how you spend your money.

 

Spend it on cruise fare for your offspring or don't.

 

But stop whining.

[Zou Bisou Bisou]

Each of us must choose how we spend our own personal funds.

 

Some will buy one brand of car, some will buy a different brand which is more expensive.

 

Some will live in one kind of residence, some will live in a more expensive residence.

 

Some will book an interior cabin, some will book the Royal Suite.

 

You have a choice about how you spend your money.

 

Spend it on cruise fare for your offspring or don't.

 

But stop whining.

 

Ouch. A little harsh. But here is my two cents, the third person fare is USUALLY much lower but in March as a previous poster complained of it is Spring Break. Choose off season with your little one and the third person rate will be lower.

 

That said, we paid for 2 -3, now 4 -5 cabins for our immediate family. Two to a cabin. As our adult children married and our grandchildren came along we book more cabins and just pony up. Choose the vacation that fits your budget. We do all inclusive and land vacations. Cruises, in the end tend to be a pretty good bang for the buck.

[Adayatatime]

While I think we should have to pay something we are trying to take my daughter with but the prices for person #3 are ridiculous. Two examples both booked during early May BOGOHO:

 

Jewel March 2015

$1380 ish for hubby and I all in on a D1 balcony.

$1420 to add 1 year old.

 

Allure Nov 2015

$2700 hubby and I for Grand Suite.

$2580 to add daughter who will have just turned 2.

 

I cannot stomach those prices. More than for two adults or almost as much. Seriously?? Oh and by the way if we add a 4th passenger to grand suite it's only $150 more. So with their current pricing if you need to sail with 3 people you're screwed. I would pay $500-800 for her in a heartbeat. But their revenue dept has this messed up.

 

 

 

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Am I right in thinking that a D1 has a sofa bed so could potentially sleep another adult? Where does RCCI expect to gain the extra revenue for that third bed if you want to pay less for having that room?

 

We chose RCCI because they Only charge per person. We have one teen, and on some cruise lines it would cost is 3rd and 4th person for our daughter, as we would have to be in a 4 person room. It would nearly double our holiday cost.