Least expensive cruise with kids

[erin327]

I know Carnival does discounts for 3rd and 4th passenger in a cabin. Are there other cruise lines that do something similar or even kids sail free deals? We are 2 adults and 2 young kids and are looking for the least expensive cruise so we can try to do one this year. Any thoughts?

[cb at sea]

Most cruiselines do a reduced rate for the 3rd and 4th passenger in the same cabin. Sometimes, lines will have a "kids sail free" promotion...or something similar.

 

You should probably talk to a travel agent in your town...find one specializing in cruises. They can easily compare prices on MANY cruiselines to find the best match for your family!

[Oppalopa]

I know Carnival does discounts for 3rd and 4th passenger in a cabin. Are there other cruise lines that do something similar or even kids sail free deals? We are 2 adults and 2 young kids and are looking for the least expensive cruise so we can try to do one this year. Any thoughts?

Yes MSC does an their adult rates are cheap also :)

[Twickenham]

I know Carnival does discounts for 3rd and 4th passenger in a cabin. Are there other cruise lines that do something similar or even kids sail free deals? We are 2 adults and 2 young kids and are looking for the least expensive cruise so we can try to do one this year. Any thoughts?

 

MSC, Costa, NCL, HAL and even recently Celebrity are all lines where I've seen kids sail free/$99 deals. However, I would advise you to always look at the total price to determine what is cheapest, as these deals are of limited use if the 1st/2nd passenger price is more expensive.

[RSLeesburg]

MSC, Costa, NCL, HAL and even recently Celebrity are all lines where I've seen kids sail free/$99 deals. However, I would advise you to always look at the total price to determine what is cheapest, as these deals are of limited use if the 1st/2nd passenger price is more expensive.

 

To further add to this, look to see if there are any cruises leaving from ports close enough that you can drive too. Cutting out airfare and a pre-cruise hotel can significantly reduce cost of overall vacation. Cruising during non-peak times can also reduce cost of the cruise.

[flhokie]

Also, look at what you are getting for the kids. What is the line's kids program like? What are their pool areas like? Do they have entertainment they will enjoy?

 

Almost every line offers reduced fares for 3rd/4th passengers. Some offer promotions from time to time for kids to sail free.

 

MSC is the only one where kids are always free, but they don't seem as geared towards kids as other lines (based on what I found looking in to them recently).

 

As someone else said too, check on ports of embarkation & departure because the cruise might be cheaper, but cost of getting there might be more.

[Kerry's Girls]

As Twikenham says, you want to look at the total price for each cruise line/itinerary you're looking at. Often the lines with lower 3rd/4th passenger rates can have higher 1st/2nd person rates, and this can vary by date/itinerary even on the same cruise line. For lower 3rd/4th rates, you usually want to go while school is in session. I have found that Carnival does usually have the lowest rates on the itineraries I look at, but Princess has ended up even less expensive at times when figuring in the 3rd/4th person.

 

Best,

Mia

[The Mister]

FYI, RCI and NCL both currently have Kids Sail Free specials going on right now.

Edited March 5, 2014 by The Mister

[mjroseville]

I've just started researching possible cruises for our family and what I've discovered is that the cruise is the bargain; it's the airfares that make things crazy.

 

To keep costs low, really focus on a port of departure closest to you. For us to go from California to Miami or Ft. Lauderdale, the flight alone was going to be over $900/each! We ruled out any Miami cruises because of that. I'm now narrowing it to Houston or New Orleans for a Caribbean trip.

 

If you can go outside of the school year, even better. We're stuck, because I refuse to deal with the nightmare of homework and classwork during vacation ... homework alone is ugly enough here at home. So, we're looking at peak season rates, no matter when we look at cruising. If your kids aren't in school yet, you have a lot of terrific options. I spoke with reps at NCL and RCCL and both lines had kids cruise free deals going on outside of school schedule.

[sailinglisa]

MSC cruises are NOT all children sail free. Depends on itinerary, time of year, etc.

[Prinycesa07]

Some pretty good deals with RCL & the kids sail

Free promotion. I didn't even know NcL was also doing it. Going to check that out now. I'm interested to see if carnival will come out with some promotion lowering prices a bit to compete with them as I can currently book a cruise with Royal for the same price as carnival and even cheaper in some cases.

[Cruisin' Chick]

As someone suggested have a cruise specialist help you out with finding lower overall fares.

 

We've always have been able to get the third passenger rate on our Carnival and Princess cruises (even at holiday times, which our last three cruises were) with our daughter.

 

The problem with "kids sail free" promotions for many parents is that it does limit which sailings and dates. If you have school-aged kids (especially in many school districts that are tough on kids out on vacation during school), these promotions won't work for you. If your kids are not yet in school or if you have homeschooled kids, it may be an option. Additionally for me, some of these cruiselines (MSC, NCL) are on my "to avoid" list.

[cruisegirl06]

Some pretty good deals with RCL & the kids sail

Free promotion. I didn't even know NcL was also doing it. Going to check that out now. I'm interested to see if carnival will come out with some promotion lowering prices a bit to compete with them as I can currently book a cruise with Royal for the same price as carnival and even cheaper in some cases.

 

We were really pleased with this sale! I had priced several cruises a few weeks ago (including holiday cruises) and we are saving around $1400 on our thanksgiving cruise! Our balcony cabin is cheaper than the insides I had previously priced (with a 1-year old and 3-year old with naps/earlier bedtimes we prefer a balcony). I was so excited to see this because I did not want to pay $900 for my one-year-old (or three-year-old for that matter...)

[Prinycesa07]

We were really pleased with this sale! I had priced several cruises a few weeks ago (including holiday cruises) and we are saving around $1400 on our thanksgiving cruise! Our balcony cabin is cheaper than the insides I had previously priced (with a 1-year old and 3-year old with naps/earlier bedtimes we prefer a balcony). I was so excited to see this because I did not want to pay $900 for my one-year-old (or three-year-old for that matter...)

 

I totally hear ya! I just checked it out. Norwegian breakaway for us and our 3 and 4 year olds is $600 cheaper than Royal and Carnival. Im researching the ship and very excited, pretty sure we will be booking this tonight. We've been waiting last minute and putting off booking the Royal or Carnival because we couldnt decide and i'm really glad we did. This Norwegian one is an amazing deal. I have no experience with the kids clubs on NCL so i'm hoping they are good :D

[Sadie cruiser]

I am in the process of checking prices on last minute cruises and airfare for the week of Easter for 2 adults and a kid too. A lot of good bargains right now if you can go last minute. I am coming from Wisconsin so Southwest is how we fly. Flights into Orlando are good deals which leave the ports of Canaveral, Ft. Lauderdale, and Tampa all within reach. Miami just takes a little preplanning with car rental. Check MSC Divina (super low priced inside cabins right now) and check Celebrity Constellation 5 day to Key West and Cozumel. These are the April cruises that I think are well affordable but again you didn't mention when you were traveling or where from.

[The Mister]

Some pretty good deals with RCL & the kids sail Free promotion. I didn't even know NcL was also doing it. Going to check that out now. I'm interested to see if carnival will come out with some promotion lowering prices a bit to compete with them as I can currently book a cruise with Royal for the same price as carnival and even cheaper in some cases.

So far, at least as of this morning, and in Galveston, no. For fall dates, the least expensive OV on the Magic in the fall is more than $300 more than the same on RC Nav, which itself is about $350 more than the same on NCL Jewel (which is why I started this other thread asking for comparisons of the two ships.

 

Haven't checked Princess yet.

Edited March 6, 2014 by The Mister

[The Mister]

Haven't checked Princess yet.

Nope, nothing even approaching a good deal on Princess. Best deal on OV is $799 for first two, $399 for 3rd and 4th.

[Prinycesa07]

So far, at least as of this morning, and in Galveston, no. For fall dates, the least expensive OV on the Magic in the fall is more than $300 more than the same on RC Nav, which itself is about $350 more than the same on NCL Jewel (which is why I started this other thread asking for comparisons of the two ships.

 

Haven't checked Princess yet.

 

Yeah I don't think they're going to drop either. I know I'm in the minority but I really do like carnival and would like to sail them but when Norwegian and royal are cheaper I'm going with them!

[The Mister]

Yeah I don't think they're going to drop either. I know I'm in the minority but I really do like carnival and would like to sail them but when Norwegian and royal are cheaper I'm going with them!

Carnival may have taken the budget that they would normally have used for across-the-board discounts this time of year and concentrated that amount into the free cruises that they've been giving away to a select few (hundred).

Edited March 6, 2014 by The Mister

[Prinycesa07]

Good point.

[tammy531]

We have done 3 NCL cruises (gem, dawn, breakaway) all with kids sail free. We also sail out of a port 2 1/2 hours away so we save on airfare. I love NCL for kids!

 

sent from my Samsung galaxy s3

[Prinycesa07]

Tammy- Does NCL give you phones for the younger children? My kids will be 3 and 4, i feel anxious/nervous to not have a phone. I think i read that they only give them to diapered children? Mine are potty trained.

[tammy531]

Tammy- Does NCL give you phones for the younger children? My kids will be 3 and 4, i feel anxious/nervous to not have a phone. I think i read that they only give them to diapered children? Mine are potty trained.

 

They did not. You have to tell them where you will be so they can reach you. If you are on a newer ship and get iconcierge they can call you through that.

 

sent from my Samsung galaxy s3

[Prinycesa07]

They did not. You have to tell them where you will be so they can reach you. If you are on a newer ship and get iconcierge they can call you through that.

 

sent from my Samsung galaxy s3

 

Oh wow that's kinda crappy. So no just wandering the ship. We're going on the Breakaway so I'll look into that iconcierge. Thank you.

[rebeccalouiseagain]

After my then 4 year old did have an accident in the youth program (because he was afraid of the scary vacuum toilets). I made sure he used the bathroom frequently by checking on him every two hours and insisting he use the bathroom before being returned to the youth program. Then you aren't going to be so worried. It's easy to check on them frequently.