Cruising with an Infant and 2 other Kids

[coolcats]

I'm curious what the most affordable cruising option is for 2 adults, 2 kids under 10, and an infant.

 

We just got back from our first cruise a month ago. I asked the kids if they liked cruising or Disneyland, and they said a cruise. So we'll probably go again, possibly next year on a one way trip to Alaska where my sister lives. But we are having a new baby in May. So if we go next year, he'll be about 1.

 

What is the industry standard for charging for infants? Is it like the airlines, where kids under 2 are free? What about staterooms. Are there staterooms that can hold 5 people? Or would we have to book two cabins, thus increasing our expenses?

 

Thanks in advance!

[cb at sea]

On most cruiselines, an infant costs the same as anyone else....if it's the 3rd or 4th or 5th person in the cabin, you'll pay those rates. Many cabins will not accomodate 5, tho. Even if one is an "infant" (which a 1 year old isn't!!) Many ships do have "family" suites that will hold more than the standard 4.

 

Some lines do have "kids sail free"...you should check with a TA about that. It's not an "all the time" thing!

[kitty9]

Most lines charge the full third person fare for infants. Carnival has the most options for 5 in a cabin. Unless you get connecting cabins, I think your kids are far too young to have their own cabin. Royal Caribbean also has suites that hold up to six, but they are terribly expensive.

[boulders]

The family oceanviews on Royal's Radiance are not that expensive and they sleep up to 6.

[Momto3cuties]

We are a family of 5 and had originally booked two connecting promenade staterooms on Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas. We recently decided we would feel more comfortable if we were all together and changed to a Family Promenade. Our two sons (ages 6 and 4) will have a bunk bed room (small - like a closet), our daughter (just 2) will have the sofa bed (bringing blowup rails). The room was a great size...300 square feet perhaps - two windows and window seats overlooking the promenade, an actual tub in the bathroom, and a walk in closet for DH and I. For a 7 night Eastern it was about $3500...our children were a lesser price than DH and I as they were 3rd, 4th, and 5th guests. Hope this helps give you an idea. They also have Family Interiors and Family Oceanviews on this ship

[Katiebug430]

Nope, babies don't cruise for free. You generally pay the 3rd/4th/5th passenger rate just like you do for an older child, so it's less than the 1st and 2nd passengers but not usually free.

 

Depending on how old the two older children are, I might consider a connecting stateroom situation. Cabins are small - connecting staterooms would give more space and two bathrooms. In one cabin the baby would be in a crib but even then it would be a very tight squeeze with all 5 of you in there. The logistics are kind of mind boggling unless you have a suite.

 

We're doing 3 in a cabin with our baby in June (she'll be 10 months old) and it seems slightly crazy. :D I'm quite sure that when she and any future siblings are older we will go the connecting stateroom route.

[beachchick]

The family oceanviews on Royal's Radiance are not that expensive and they sleep up to 6.

 

RCI also have Family Oceanview cabins on the Voyager class ships, as well as Family Interior, Family Promenade, and Family Oceanview on the Freedom and Oasis class ships. Of course, none of those ships cruise Alaska, so it probably won't help this time.

 

coolcats:

 

The family interior/promenade/oceanview cabins are not the (expensive) two bedroom "royal family suites." Instead, they have a sitting area, a bed area for the adults, a single bathroom, and a sleeping "alcove" for the children that has bunk beds (as I recall, but I could be wrong). These cabins are far more affordable than the full two-bedroom suites. However, RCI (like many cruise lines) would charge regular 3rd/4th/5th passenger fares for the children. Generally, these fares are substantially reduced from the full 1st/2nd fares. But they are the same fares any other 3rd/4th/5th passenger would pay. A few cruise lines only charge taxes anf port fees for children younger than 2; from time to time, many will have "children cruise free" promotions (taxes and port fees are still charged because those are costs from the governments and port authorities.

 

A primary reason for the fare structure is that ships cannot have "lap babies" like airlines can. Every person onboard, whether 6 months or 60 years, counts as a full passenger toward the Coast Guard passenger maximums. As well, cruise lines rely on onboard expenses for a good portion of their revenue. Since children, particularly infants and toddlers, do not generally generate that kind of income (alcohol, casino, excursions, spa treatments, shopping), the cruise lines feel that charging the standard fare for infants and children is reasonable to make up for it.

 

beachchick

[dijid]

It's been a year and a half since we went on the Carnival Fantasy, but at the time, there were (maybe still are?) regular cabins that sleep 4 and allow for the addition of a small roll away type bed or pack & play. The rooms were a decent size, it was a bit of a squeeze, but we managed just fine. When we booked, it was possisble to do a 5 day cruise in an inside room for the family of 5 for roughly $1000 + gratuities. It doesn't get much more economical than that!

[KellyBrakemeier]

We are sailing this march with a 1 year old on the norwegian Pearl and she just got charged for the fees and port charges. It was around $140 for her.

[Irish90Cruiser]

We have stayed in the family oceanview staterooms on all 3 of our previous cruises and really love them. The first time the kids were 9, 7, and 4. When they are young like that it's nice to all be in the same room. Also, only 2 people are paying full fare (the other 3 pay the reduced rates for 3rd/4th/5th passengers) and honestly, I was shocked by how big they were. The main cabin area has the bed in one section which can be closed off from the living room area with a curtain. Another curtained area has bunk beds. So if your 1 year old would still sleep in a pack & play, you wouldn't even need the sofa bed.

 

They are located at the very front of the ship so a downside is having to walk all the way back for the dining rooms and Windjammer (but with all that exercise, it's easier to justify having dessert every night :D)

 

These are pictures from the Serenade -

[NY cruiser 75]

Norwegian does not charge full fare for children under 2. We are sailing the Norwegian Jewel in July and my daugher will be 18 months then, NCL is only charging $165 for cruise fare and $125 for port taxes. They are the only line I know of that gives a discount for infants.

[milton333]

Disney and Norwegian have a discount for under-2s.

 

Also keep in mind that on most lines you'll pay full price for the infant, but not be able to access the kid's programming (which starts at 2 or 3 years old, depending on the line). Think about activities for the 1 year old, and how you'll keep him/her occupied all the time.

 

Disney and the RCCL ships Oasis, Allure, Freedom, and Liberty have a kiddie pool specifically for kids in swim diapers. Disney, and RCCL ships Oasis, Allure, Freedom, Liberty, and Independence have (or will have within the next month or so) nurseries for the under-3 crowd (you will pay an additional hourly rate). RCCL ships Radiance and Splendour are supposed to get the nurseries this summer and fall, respectively. The Oasis and Freedom class ships on RCCL have Dreamworks character events (Shrek, etc.), and Disney ships obviously have their characters.

 

Many people do take toddlers on lines that do not have toddler-specific activities or daycare. If I were leaning that way, I'd rather do a port-intensive Caribbean cruise where the toddler could play in the ocean or something.

[cnote100]

coolcats:

 

A primary reason for the fare structure is that ships cannot have "lap babies" like airlines can. Every person onboard, whether 6 months or 60 years, counts as a full passenger toward the Coast Guard passenger maximums. As well, cruise lines rely on onboard expenses for a good portion of their revenue. Since children, particularly infants and toddlers, do not generally generate that kind of income (alcohol, casino, excursions, spa treatments, shopping), the cruise lines feel that charging the standard fare for infants and children is reasonable to make up for it.

 

beachchick

 

I was wondering about this - thanks. It finally makes sense.

[coolcats]

Thanks for all the advice. Sounds like we have some options. We loved our first cruise so thinking about another one is just the cure for being back!