$1,600 to add a third person to a room

[HighLordDave]

When we were on a cruise back in January, we booked a "next" cruise for our family, intending to take the kids on a cruise next summer. At the time, Royal Caribbean hadn't released the schedule for June 2018, so we booked a cruise for April 2018 on Oasis of the Seas, intending to later change the dates once the summer itineraries were released.

 

Yesterday, I saw the June schedule on the website, so I called Royal Caribbean to change from April to June 2018.

 

On our original booking, we had a balcony cabin (category D7) for my wife and I which was, a balcony cabin (category D4) for my stepdaughter, her husband and our granddaughter, and a balcony cabin (also category D4) for my stepson, his wife and our grandson. The cabin for my wife and I was about $2,050 and the balcony cabins for the kids were about $2,700 each (the difference was $641 to add the third person to the balcony cabins).

 

The updated June prices were about $2,750 for the cabin for my wife and I (also category D7), and $4,332 for the balcony cabins with a third occupant (category D4 as they were in the previous reservations). That's $1,581 more to add a child under 10 to a cabin.

 

This is patently absurd. Has anyone else seen this from Royal Caribbean? I ran the rate calculator from the website and it gave me the same thing.

 

It would cost less to book a 4th cabin for this cruise than to pay $3,200 to add a third person to a room. I thought it would cost an extra $650-700 per cabin.

[bouhunter]

June(summer) prices are going to be higher than April. That said, those prices seem high for BOTH months. Looks like those June prices might reflect the "re-categorization" that I'm sure is designed primarily to increase prices on many cabins.......:mad:

[Clarea]

I agree, it's a huge price jump, but you are also moving into summer, high season for crusing.

[cstimmons]

I have a summer cruise booked on oasis with my teenage kids. It was $800 cheaper to get them their own cabin then to book a cabin for four.

 

Doesn't make much sense to me either but who knows. RCI can't even maintain a working website.

 

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[chengkp75]

 

It would cost less to book a 4th cabin for this cruise than to pay $3,200 to add a third person to a room. I thought it would cost an extra $650-700 per cabin.

 

Very likely, June has a higher percentage of families cruising, over April, so there is more demand for 3rd/4th guests in cabins, hence the higher price.

 

Also, since your double occupancy cabin went up $700, the triples should have as well, so the $1600 increase for the third guest goes down to $900. And, since the double occupancy went up $350/person, the third person should go up $350, so their old cabin price of $2700 would be expected to be $3750. So, the premium for the third person in high season becomes $580. Still high, but given the timing, probably not unexpected.

 

As for being cheaper to book another cabin, the goal is to fill all cabins. When the number of 3rd/4th guest requests gets to the point where the ship nears full capacity with all cabins full, but there are unsold cabins, the price for the 3rd/4th guest will rise, and at a certain point they will stop allowing 3rd/4th guests until all cabins are full.

Edited March 21, 2017 by chengkp75

[spookwife]

the age of the 3/4 pax is irrelevant. it would cost the same for a ten year old as a 40 year old. April is a slow month..schools are not out yet, so fewer families and thus less need for cabins with more than 2 in them.

 

June is the beginning of the High Summer Season.. all the college grads are celebrating 20 years of Student Loan debt so more cabins will be needed to hold more than 2 and since lifeboat capacity is finite, they bump the price of the 3/4 pax to encourage people to just book a second cabin. ship still sails full, but less crowded.

 

besides, and lets face it, this is true for most families: that second cabin gives you extra room and another bathroom, which for families with teens, is a mandatory requirement to keep your sanity intact.

[StolidCruiser]

If I understand correctly, you are looking to modify your booking to not only add another person but move your sail date from April to June.

 

Prices skyrocket as soon as you enter the "summer season" - especially for 3+ cabins. It might seem absurd to you, but it's not absurd to them. Often what you think you should pay and what you actually will pay are drastically different.

 

If it's cheaper for you to add a fourth cabin, that seems like the obvious choice.

[DisneyDatknee]

They lower prices during off-season for all guests and especially 3rd/4th. Heck, My aunt came for free on the Empress when they were running free 3rd/4th promo. If I were you, I would find a good TA with group spacing to get three double rooms instead of two triples. It may turn out cheaper, it may not. Good Luck! We would never pay summer prices.

 

 

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[squadron]

I agree, it's a huge price jump, but you are also moving into summer, high season for crusing.

 

People have to remember that every holiday booking no matter what or where is always higher in the summer and during school vacation times. Cruising is not unique in this manner.

[laginog]

We're paying $593 to add a 2-year-old to our cabin.....in March. These rates don't seem too bad to me.

 

 

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[HighLordDave]

I expected some increase in the rates when going from April to June.

 

But it seems strange that the rate for 2 people in a balcony cabin is about $1,350 per person. Adding a third person jumps the rate to $1,444 per person. It's not like the extra person is taking up any additional square footage on the ship. Yeah, they're eating a little more food and consuming more water out of the ships desalination machines, but not $1,581 per person (even if they're large adults) over the cost of having 2 people in that cabin, when two months before the added expense for a third person was $645.

[Clarea]

I expected some increase in the rates when going from April to June.

 

But it seems strange that the rate for 2 people in a balcony cabin is about $1,350 per person. Adding a third person jumps the rate to $1,444 per person. It's not like the extra person is taking up any additional square footage on the ship. Yeah, they're eating a little more food and consuming more water out of the ships desalination machines, but not $1,581 per person (even if they're large adults) over the cost of having 2 people in that cabin, when two months before the added expense for a third person was $645.

Prices are set by what the cruise line thinks the market will bear, not how much food someone will eat.

[mjkacmom]

I expected some increase in the rates when going from April to June.

 

But it seems strange that the rate for 2 people in a balcony cabin is about $1,350 per person. Adding a third person jumps the rate to $1,444 per person. It's not like the extra person is taking up any additional square footage on the ship. Yeah, they're eating a little more food and consuming more water out of the ships desalination machines, but not $1,581 per person (even if they're large adults) over the cost of having 2 people in that cabin, when two months before the added expense for a third person was $645.

There are a limited number of souls allowed on the ship. They know it's going to be a full sailing, they'd rather an adult sail in another cabin than a child sail in your cabin. Cruises make their profits off of alcohol, gambling, photos, shopping - kids cost the cruise lines money, no profit there. During peak times, the 3rd/4th passengers can cost more than the 1st/2nd. They know what kind of pricing increases profits.

[StolidCruiser]

:)

I expected some increase in the rates when going from April to June.

 

But it seems strange that the rate for 2 people in a balcony cabin is about $1,350 per person. Adding a third person jumps the rate to $1,444 per person. It's not like the extra person is taking up any additional square footage on the ship. Yeah, they're eating a little more food and consuming more water out of the ships desalination machines, but not $1,581 per person (even if they're large adults) over the cost of having 2 people in that cabin, when two months before the added expense for a third person was $645.

 

It's not that strange at all.

 

In April (when school is in session), families will be unlikely to travel together. This increases supply. With an increase in supply comes a decrease in price.

 

In June (when school is out) more families will want to travel together. This increases demand. With an increase in demand comes an increase in price.

 

Even limiting the comparison to two people in the same cabin category: April, cheaper. June, more expensive. Same two people taking up the same amount of space in the same cabin and eating/drinking the same amount of food/beverages... yet two different prices.

 

Supply and Demand.

[cynt]

So did you change the date or did you decide to cruise in April?

 

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[marci22]

I'd keep watching the prices. After the 'recategorization' they probably aimed high with the prices. If people aren't booking, you might see some categories come down.

[ONECRUISER]

We're paying $593 to add a 2-year-old to our cabin.....in March. These rates don't seem too bad to me.

 

 

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Spring time can be different year to year depending on when Easter falls also...

[HighLordDave]

So did you change the date or did you decide to cruise in Aprill?

 

Considering that the cost would be in the $11,500 area, we may cancel the cruise all together and pick a different vacation venue.

[crusinthrough]

There are a limited number of souls allowed on the ship. They know it's going to be a full sailing, they'd rather an adult sail in another cabin than a child sail in your cabin. Cruises make their profits off of alcohol, gambling, photos, shopping - kids cost the cruise lines money, no profit there. During peak times, the 3rd/4th passengers can cost more than the 1st/2nd. They know what kind of pricing increases profits.

 

 

Kids are a profit just like adults. Parents buy photos with their kids, there is the arcade vs casino, beverages (or soda packages) for kids as well as purchases at other shops. Younger kids may actually eat less than some adults. Adults and kids can waste food about the same.

 

 

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[chengkp75]

Kids are a profit just like adults. Parents buy photos with their kids, there is the arcade vs casino, beverages (or soda packages) for kids as well as purchases at other shops. Younger kids may actually eat less than some adults. Adults and kids can waste food about the same.

 

 

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Actually, he's right, kids are virtually no-profit. Arcades don't make as much money as a casino (which actually pays a concession to be on the ship, whether they turn a profit or not), sodas don't account for a tenth of alcohol sales, and you have to hire additional staff for the kids center. I know from the weekly revenue meetings we had on my ship that when the number of children increased, onboard revenue decreased.

[RCLcruiser2012]

I feel you!! This is exactly why we haven't book a trip for 3 of us on Oasis. It is ridiculous how much adding extra passengers cost and I would prefer an OV at the least if we are bringing our child so until the prices go down we shall sail on older ships when all of us are sailing... Interesting what chengkp75 commented above. If onboard revenue decreases when children are on board then there is our answer as to why prices increase so much.... Best of luck in your decision making!!

[noleguy84]

It was $1400 more to add our two nieces in early May to a balcony OV on Oasis. A different promotion was going when we added them so they took away $100 OBC too. I'm with you though, this will be a once in a lifetime event for these girls otherwise I'd have said heck NO.

[sr4mjc]

Considering that the cost would be in the $11,500 area, we may cancel the cruise all together and pick a different vacation venue.

 

I wouldn't blame you for that cost..