Childrens prices.

[blackpool belle]

I was looking at a 4 nighter on IOTS this October for 2 adults + 1 child sharing a cabin but the price for the child is the same as the adult price. Why is this when the 3rd bed is basically " a bunk". I was expecting it to be half price or the very least some reduction .

 

I'm sure somebody out there will explain the economics.

[Cruisin' Chick]

On every cruise we've taken with our daughter (on Carnival and Princess), we've always gotten a third passenger rate for her Even on high demand cruises at holiday times. Don't know how Royal Caribbean does it, but you can ask on that board.

 

I've seen "children sail free" specials, but they always seem to be while school is in session and usually on cruise lines we're not interested in.

[boulders]

Children don't pay money for gambling or liquor which are big money makers for cruise ships. As well, they have separate kids club areas which are staffed and do not have a charge. The cost for food for adults is less than $15/day, so even though kids may eat less, any cost savings there is negligible. As well, Coast Guard regulations have a maximum number of souls that can be on board. A child who doesn't drink or gamble counts as much towards that total as an adult who spends lots in the casino. Small children or infants can make more mess, especially with diapers or food .

 

So, cruise ships make less money when a child is on board than when an adult is on board. When you think about it, it's surprising that they don't charge more for children. :D

[Ashland]

No child discount on RCI...however you always get a 3rd & or 4th rate person discount when staying in the same cabin...regardless of cabin catagory or age of that extra person....;)

[RSLeesburg]

No child discount on RCI...however you always get a 3rd & or 4th rate person discount when staying in the same cabin...regardless of cabin catagory or age of that extra person....;)

 

We have gotten an extreme third person discount for our son on our two cruises with our young son. His rate was less than 25 percent what our rates were - but we were staying in a suite, so maybe those have larger discounts built into their third/fourth person rates...

[cruiseco]

What sometimes happens is that the revenue people will lower the rate for the first two in the cabin and either forget to lower the 3rd/4th passenger fare (seen that happen several times) or, based on the number of triple/quad cabins available at the time have decided to maximize the revenue for that cabin by not dropping the 3rd/4th passenger rate also (seen that happen also). These guys' one responsibility is to maximize the fare revenue on every ship and every sailing. If that means no 3rd/4th passenger discounts to below the 1st/2nd passenger rate that's what will happen. They know that those that really want that cabin will grit their teeth and pay the bill.

[blackpool belle]

 

I've seen "children sail free" specials' date=' but they always seem to be while school is in session and usually on cruise lines we're not interested in.[/quote']

 

 

Maybe that's the answer as this cruise is during the half term school holidays so I'm guessing RCI know they can sell the cabins anyway.

[Alliezona09]

I was looking at a 4 nighter on IOTS this October for 2 adults + 1 child sharing a cabin but the price for the child is the same as the adult price. Why is this when the 3rd bed is basically " a bunk". I was expecting it to be half price or the very least some reduction .

 

I'm sure somebody out there will explain the economics.

 

Also the website is probably doing an *average* cost per person~ if you do a mock booking for 2 people in the cabin you will see the price is probably different than when you add the 3rd~ so you are getting a discount for the 3rd person~

[jmf123]

I was looking at a 4 nighter on IOTS this October for 2 adults + 1 child sharing a cabin but the price for the child is the same as the adult price. <snip>

 

Is it the UK rate that is the issue? I'm seeing a 3rd/4th passenger rate for the IOTS 4 nt. on October 28th. Oceanview !st/2nd at $589-609, with a 3rd/4th at $319. Balcony 1 & 2 is $709, with a 3 & 4 at $419. Love the itinerary, blackpool belle! :)

[spookwife]

I was looking at a 4 nighter on IOTS this October for 2 adults + 1 child sharing a cabin but the price for the child is the same as the adult price. Why is this when the 3rd bed is basically " a bunk". I was expecting it to be half price or the very least some reduction .

 

I'm sure somebody out there will explain the economics.

there is no such thing as children's pricing.

 

adults will sleep in the 'bunk' as well.

 

first 2 people pay full price. persons 3 and 4 will pay less but not always a lot less.

[YubaSutter]

I was looking at a 4 nighter on IOTS this October for 2 adults + 1 child sharing a cabin but the price for the child is the same as the adult price. Why is this when the 3rd bed is basically " a bunk". I was expecting it to be half price or the very least some reduction .

 

I'm sure somebody out there will explain the economics.

 

Ship beds are like airline seats. There is no child price.

[Ashland]

Ship beds are like airline seats. There is no child price.

Unless that child is an infant and flying "onlap"...Cruises don't offer the "onlap" infant option in your cabin :D

[boulders]

Ship beds are like airline seats. There is no child price.

 

I have frequently got a less expensive price for ds8 on transoceanic flights.

 

Unless that child is an infant and flying "onlap"...Cruises don't offer the "onlap" infant option in your cabin :D

 

Some cruiselines do offer children's prices. Disney offers greatly discounted prices for those under 2 and discounted prices for ages 3-11. MSC offers free children's fares.

 

Some cruises have 3rd and 4th fares very close to the 1st and 2nd fares, or even sometimes higher than the 1st and 2nd while other cruises have 3rd and 4th fares at a tiny fraction. I've found excellent 3rd and 4th fares on HAL. You just have to shop around.

[blackpool belle]

In the past I have seen cruises advertised as quote "child places available for £99". I realise that is not EVERY cruise but it is the reason why I was surprised that a child is full amount.

Edited January 30, 2014 by blackpool belle

[jocap]

Hi, BB...I think you've probably got it right with the half term holiday....the travel industry will be very aware that these days you're breaking the law if you take your child out of school for a holiday, and a vast ship like Indy will only have 6 weeks in summer plus the October half, to make up for the missing children. Until last year, you could apply for up to 2 weeks out of school if the parent had to a certain time off- that's gone now completely, and I notice that the first parents have been fined. My nephew applied for one day to reach their destination and it was refused.

Prices for all holidays of any sort have always increased during the school holidays, and I'm sure the cruise companies know the dates and even the regional ones, better than the parents! :rolleyes: