Good Deals on Kids Rates?

[hlauburn]

I've been pricing out some cruises for Spring Break, and I was wondering if any of the lines offer good deals for kids in the same cabin. Some of the quotes I have been getting are like $700+ per kid and Carnival actually had the kids as the same price as adults (in same cabin).

 

I know Disney has reduced kids rates, but it doesn't look like there's anything available for that week.

 

Any ideas? I just think it's annoying that a 3 year old pays the same price as a grown adult, but that's cruising I guess!

[chrisc71]

I've been pricing out some cruises for Spring Break, and I was wondering if any of the lines offer good deals for kids in the same cabin. Some of the quotes I have been getting are like $700+ per kid and Carnival actually had the kids as the same price as adults (in same cabin).

 

I know Disney has reduced kids rates, but it doesn't look like there's anything available for that week.

 

Any ideas? I just think it's annoying that a 3 year old pays the same price as a grown adult, but that's cruising I guess!

 

Sad but true that cruise line treat all the same. I think Spring Break will have slim pickings for deals since a lot of people will be traveling then.

 

Good luck in your search:)

[Kerry's Girls]

During holiday times when they know families will be cruising, the 3rd/4th person rates seem to go up since they know they're going to sell them. Lots of people here have mentioned Holland America as having good 3rd/4th person rates.

 

Best,

Mia

[6rugrats]

I don't know what week you are looking at, but usually in March/April there aren't many deals. HAL doesn't currently show any discounts for 3/4 passenger for these dates on their webpage, but you could keep checking.

[milton333]

I've seen NCL charge just taxes and port fees for kids under 2. Other lines sometimes have similar deals on 3rd/4th passenger rates, regardless of age. Disney is the only line, to my knowledge, that prorates based on age. It is typical for kids to pay the standard rate, including the full rate if it's just an adult and child in the room. They are also responsible for the full tip amounts.

 

As far as why cruise lines do this, I believe the thinking goes something like this. There is a maximum passenger capacity based upon US Coast Guard regs. The child in your cabin could have been an adult, if someone else had booked the cabin with a 3rd/4th/xxx pax capacity. The cruise line typically loses money or just breaks even with your ticket price. It's the "extras" onboard where the line makes money, booze and casino being the big money-makers. And obviously your kid isn't going to be spending money on booze or gambling. You may pay for child care, but the line has to incur the extra expenses of providing a child care facility, it's not the same as pouring another drink at a bar that's already set up, kwim?

 

Anyway, spring break is expensive, the earlier you book the better. You might look at some of the older ships, they tend to be priced better. If you're looking at Disney, google the "secret verandah," there are some rooms that are priced for a lower category because of a partial obstruction or weird room arrangement, but are arguably more desirable than how they're priced.

[SadieN]

The Carnival website is a bit misleading. You need to see the difference between booking for 2 people and booking for three or four.

[cathep]

The Carnival website is a bit misleading. You need to see the difference between booking for 2 people and booking for three or four.

 

I found that, too. They take the entire price of the cruise and divide by the number in the room. So the option above works if you subtract the price for 2 from the price for 4. That's what they're charging you for kids. You could also go to expedia as they show pricing the normal way.

 

I found that NCL was the cheapest line for kids for spring break. We're paying $449/child for a suite for a week. Carnival wanted $499/child for an outside for almost the same itinerary. I would rather have a kids-sail-free discount, but that's not going to happen at spring break unless I'm willing to sail MSC.

[Kerry's Girls]

The Carnival website is a bit misleading. You need to see the difference between booking for 2 people and booking for three or four.

 

Good catch! I just booked a Carnival cruise and that's true - for some reason they average out all the prices instead of doing what the other lines do and show the pricing for the first two passengers and then 3rd & 4th, so it would look like everyone is paying the same price, but they're not.

 

Best,

Mia

[Nebr.cruiser]

You just have to be vigilant about watching prices--there are some deals, even during Spring Break times, but they might not be the date or itinerary you want. If you can be flexible and also wait for after final payment, often deals come along.

 

Most lines will have various 3/4th passenger discounts, doesn't matter if those are kids or adults, and sometimes there will be kids sail free promotions as well. Taxes and fees still have to be paid, though. NCL, Holland America and MSC seem to have these most often.

 

Disney does too, but they are so pricey it doesn't really help all that much.

 

If you sign up for some on-line TA's you will get some of the special deals emailed to you.

[Megsie1000]

We paid $99 + taxes fees for our kids for our January cruise on HAL. That was 3rd/4th fare deals, though, not necessarily for kids exclusively. March/April might be harder to find those deals.

[kaiiak]

I paid $99 for the 3rd and 4th passenger on Holland America for an April 1st sailing, but I booked a few months ago. Every so often I go to expedia to see what the rates are for that same cruise, and it is much more. Try to wait until the cruise line is having a sail and then jump on it. I have also seen NCL do some pretty good 3/4 pax rates in the past when fantasizing about booking another cruise!!! RCL is always RIDICULOUS - which is why we have never sailed with them. Too much money!!!:eek:

[dforeigner]

Celebrity does offer 3 and 4th passenger rates, even during spring break.

 

Cunnard offers free sailing under a certain age.

[dforeigner]

Princess also has 3rd and 4th passenger rates.

[Prinycesa07]

We cruised on Norwegian last year with my daughter who was 10 months at the time. We only had to pay taxes and port fees for her. This was in october though, not spring break.

[croozymooner]

We cruised on Norwegian last year with my daughter who was 10 months at the time. We only had to pay taxes and port fees for her. This was in october though, not spring break.

 

Also sailing NCL with our 11 month old in August to Bermuda. I believe we paid taxes, port fees, and maybe a very small infant charge. His total ticket was $165. At the time, I didn't realize what a deal we were getting but apparently we were lucky to get such a rate.

[Friend100]

We paid $0 plus tax for the 3rd and 4th pax for our upcoming HAL cruise during the first week of January when kids are still out of school. HAL recently raised the price to $199 for this date.