$600 Charge for Two year old

[staufj22]

Lots of people here chime in their opinion about bringing a 2 year old on a cruise. Although expressing your opinion is the point of a message board, comments like that dosn't make much sense as far as this thread's original intent.

 

The fact is that Giorgi-one is bringing a 2 year old child, the issue was that she thinks the charge was too high. No one asked whether bringing a child onboard is a good idea or not. No one asked whether you remember your vacations when you were 2. If anyone wanted to share their 2 years old vacation memory (or the lack thereof) i'd be happy to open another thread to ask that.

 

Its kinda like in a previous thread.. someone asked if they can get away with wearing such and such on formal night.. and the majority of the response was.. well, in my 50 cruises, i've never worn that! or.. I wouldn't even wear that on land!

 

C'mon people, just because its not something you would've done, dosn't mean its wrong.

 

Ok.. I'll get off the soap box now before I mention about the 'bringing alcahol on board' responses.. =)

 

Flame away....

[superstein61]

I think they should charge more for two year olds than for adult passengers. I didn't pay my hard earned money for a vacation to be tripping over some mewling baby. I don't appreciate the screaming and food throwing at meals. I don't appreciate the spice they add to the swimming pool.

 

I wonder sometimes why people think their children are some kind of gift to the world, a gift that I have to support with my tax dollars and my forebearance for the chaos they inject into my life. Pay for your own children and get your hands out of my pocket.

Wow - rough day or what?

 

Hope you are joking with that type of attitude

[superstein61]

Roadguy:

 

Sorry if my opinions don't live up to your high values. But to recap for you:

 

1. Yes, I think $600 is a bit much for a two year old sharing a cabin. I didn't change my mind, I simply moved onto another connected topic.

Even though I previously posted on this thread that 3rd and 4th pax need to pay a reasonable amount, I agree - $600 seems a bit much

 

2. Charging almost 90% of regular fare for 3rd or 4th persons is too high based on the difference in cost for food, etc. which is minimal. I will never have a 3rd or 4th person in a room, so this is just an observation.

I agree - you are looking at fixed vs variable costs here. The 2 people in a cabin cover that cabin's fixed costs. 3rd and 4th pax just incur extra variable costs (ie food, service) and probably should be in the 50% range of the price of the first two pax imo

[superstein61]

When I was a young child, (1960's), My parents believed that children were children and adults were adults. This was a time when the kids ate hot dogs while the adults ate steak. I do not remember going to kiddieland at 2 years old, I've only seen the pictures.....why in the world would the parents not want to enjoy the time by themselves when the baby isn't even going to remember ANYTHING??? Get a babysitter, (Gram & Gramps), enjoy the adult experience and let the people who have chosen not to have children or already have raised them the peace and quiet of their exclusive and expensive vacation. This is not and infant oriented vacation....leave that for Disney or Universal.......sorry to sound so anti-child but I really believe that this is an adult type experience. Save your money for Disney in the future when the kids will remember and appreciate it. Sorry if I've ruffled some feathers but I've been on a ship where the baby cried the entire dinner hour. Not fun for me!!:eek:

oh puleeeze - sounds like you had a deprived childhood dear.

 

how about sharing things with your children !!! Doing things as a family !!!

 

My daughter, now 10, has travled with us since she was a baby. She's been to more places than most adults - and it shows. her teachers in school have remarked numerous times about her world knowledge and maturity that she has obtained from travleing and experiencing the world.

 

You don't want to cruise with kids - book yourself on an adults only cruise. You want to deprive your own children of expanding their minds thru travel - feel free - just don't push your ideas on others

[Golfgrl1911]

I thought this cruiseline was a teens/adults only cruiseline!! They don't advertise special kids pools and such like Disney. What am I missing here? I was led to believe that this cruiseline was geared toward the "older" set. That it was a quieter, more mellow cruise. I did not book with Carnival or RCCL for a reason! I will ignore the comment about my deprived childhood....as it is absolutlely not true.......

[rj123456]

We just got back July 18th from a wonderful 7-nt. Vancouver to Seward sailing on the Veendam. The weather was terrific on all three port days - it was 80 and sunny in Skagway and almost the same in Ketchikan (instead of the much-touted "liquid sunshine" we'd been expecting).

 

Initially I was apprehensive about tipping the same for my 3-year old as for the rest in our party but after the cruise I think it was fully justified. Every HAL staff member was extremely helpful with our son and gave us extra help at meal times etc.

 

One sea day we ate late in the Lido, just as the breakfast buffet closed and my son was demanding more pancakes. One of the stewards was wandering around selling souvenir mugs and when she heard the commotion she stopped and inquired what we needed then said she'd see if she could help. She returned 10 minutes later explaining she had to go to the galley two floors down and that they were specially making an order of pancakes for my son. She then disappeared again and reappeared with the pancakes after another 10 minutes. (Her name escapes me for the moment but her husband is one of the head chefs on the Veendam). She stopped selling souvenirs and took care of one hungry 3-year old - outstanding service, HAL!!!

 

BTW, regarding the $199 promo for the third person is great but I think we were charged $200 additional for port charges, and irritatingly, charged $650 for the third person airline ticket. (The others got a promotoional $399 airfare, I don't understand why HAL couldn't get my son the same airfare but perhaps it has something to do with the deal they get from Alaska airlines).

[B&B]

Wow, harsh words for such a wonderful time planned! Guess what, HAL does encourage family atmosphere. You might visit the following link from their web site: http://hollandamerica.com/onboard/kids.do . Yes mind your children, and yes you are accountable for their appropriate behavior - and YES, EXPOSE YOUR CHILDREN TO LIFE AWAY FROM THE BABYSITTER! Every time I have traveled without my family, I wished I had my wife and young daughters with me to share so many experiences the "discovery channel" doesn't offer. We never choose to leave developing minds behind - and never will.

 

I sincerely hope you enjoy your vacation - I know my family will.

 

Regarding the $600 - a bit high I agree, however commenting on it just opens the door for others to complain. I'll pay it!

 

...carpe diem

[Esme]

. (Her name escapes me for the moment but her husband is one of the head chefs on the Veendam).

 

Her name escapes me also, but was it Angie? Married to Bill McGrath?? They were on the Veendam in February.

[peaches from georgia]

....3-year old....

....was demanding more pancakes....

....commotion

 

3 YEAR OLD? 'DEMANDING'? COMMOTION?

 

2 more words if you are cruising with babies who can't behave in an adult situation- ROOM SERVICE :eek:

[stillfrantic]

Please tip for the infant. They take up a space in the life boat, same as anyone else. By having a young child at a table, they are given a space. It isn't like Ruby Tuesday's where they might but an extra chair at a table for small child. By having a young person at the table, it is eliminating the seat for an adult. Don't penalize a staff person for having a child at the table, or in the room.

[yarlenna]

If you don't want to pay for the child, then leave him/her with relatives.

If somebody is forced to provide a service without getting paid for it, that is called slavery. Cabin stewards work long hard hours and rely on tips for their pay. If we do not pay them, we are treating them as slave labor.

[gizmo]

I will ignore the comment about my deprived childhood....as it is absolutlely not true.......

:) I know exactly what you are talking about in your oringinal post. It was the same for me. I don't think we were deprived. Agree 100% with you.:)

[Blazerboy]

Stubbled across this thread, and decided to read it from the start.

 

I'm definitely for kids having the cruise experience, as I started at age four, and have almost forty years of cruising under my (ever-expanding) belt:D . Treasured memories from my childhood-glad I was there because I not ony enjoyed the experience, but learned a lot too. But I never threw food, or cried through diner. (o.k., I probably did press all the elevator buttons once or twice, but DEFINTELY got reprimanded (politely) for it, by my mother, other passengers, and the crew-life lesson learned-don't be inconsiderate of your fellow passengers).

 

But in understanding the modern day cruise, you have to understand that, while there are potential savings to the line for having a 3rd/4th passenger in a cabin, there is not as much profit with small children. Cruise fares have become SO reasonable, in part, because the cruise line makes LOTS of money from those who gamble and drink. True, you might buy a t-shirt, or pay for a shore excursion for a child, but(hopefully) they won't indulge in the two areas that provide the line with a great deal of profit. Now, don't flame me- this isn't to say that everyone should gamble and drink as a DUTY to the cruise line;) - some people do, some don't and that's great, BUT the line has calculated that, on average, most will indulge in these profit making "activities." A week's cruise ONLY costs, in some cases, $700.00. I think that's a bargain given what inflation has done in the past 40 years. Cruise lines calculate in the drinking and gambling revenue when setting prices, to the point that they'd rather sell an empty cabin at the last minute for $199.pp in the hopes that the passengers will make up for it with spending on their shipboard account. They are a for-profit business.

 

So, I hope the two year old gets to go, I hope that he has a great time with his grandparents, I hope they end up appreciating the value by the end of the cruise, and I hope they tip the stewards and waiters.:)

 

And now, we can all sit around the campfire holding hands and singing songs (and maybe tell a few fun cruise stories).

[Zeno]

I think the problem is - you are punishing the crew for a company policy. (My understanding is that the service charge is pooled and does go to the crew). By the way I do agree that the price you are being charged is excessive for a small child but I also think the crew deserve the service charge (even a 2 year old uses their services).

[Jacqueline]

One reason that I am sure that they charge for babies is to discourage them. I have three kids so this isnt an antifamily post.

A ship is not a resort and given the confined spaces onboard, it is not an ideal situation for a cruseline to encourage little ones (and if they were free you can bet many more people would bring them).

On the tipping. Giorgi, I am sure that your have been misinformed . In my documents the tipping policy was very clearly spelled out in a seperate letter as well as in the know before you go.

The tips go 100% to the crew not to the cruiseline.

[idiebabe]

Golfgirl: I agree 100%!

 

As far as complaining about a fare of a child? As someone pointed out the child is taking up a seat in the Dining Room (as well as eating) and getting served by the wait staff, using the facilities (pool), etc. What they are NOT doing is spending money in the Casino, NOT spending money in the lounges on alcohol and NOT spending money in the gift shop, bingo, etc. Also, NOT paying full price on most Shore Tours.

 

Last December my daughter shared a room with two of her friends. The 3rd person in her room ran up a hefty shipboard account: alcohol, shopping, shore tours, etc. (Not to mention the Casino!). She was 28 years old (not 2 years old). Maybe the cruise lines should charge for the children and let the Adults go for free since they're the ones spending the money. Interesting thought!!!

 

With regards to tipping. I've been on other cruise lines where they started putting the tips on the shipboard account and we think it's great. Don't need to worry about putting the cash in the envelopes. I've also tipped extra when I felt it deserved. I don't understand what all the fuss is about over this!!!

[superstein61]

I thought this cruiseline was a teens/adults only cruiseline!! They don't advertise special kids pools and such like Disney. What am I missing here? I was led to believe that this cruiseline was geared toward the "older" set. That it was a quieter, more mellow cruise. I did not book with Carnival or RCCL for a reason! I will ignore the comment about my deprived childhood....as it is absolutlely not true.......

no need for a special kids pool - they use the regular pools just like evryone else !!!

 

while some HAL cruises attract the older, in bed by 9pm set, others don't. just depends on where you are going, what ship, and time of year

[srpilo]

Deleted post

[Jacqueline]

I thought this cruiseline was a teens/adults only cruiseline!!

 

You have been misinformed... Time of year, ship and itinerary will dictate how many kids are onboard.

The Vista class ships feature teen centers and childrens centers. Info on CLUB HAL is on the webite.

Celebrity has some adults only cruises.

[stillfrantic]

I think they should charge more for two year olds than for adult passengers. I didn't pay my hard earned money for a vacation to be tripping over some mewling baby. I don't appreciate the screaming and food throwing at meals. I don't appreciate the spice they add to the swimming pool.

 

I wonder sometimes why people think their children are some kind of gift to the world, a gift that I have to support with my tax dollars and my forebearance for the chaos they inject into my life. Pay for your own children and get your hands out of my pocket.

Oh my!:eek: I believe I'd rather sit with ANYONE'S children at dinner than with you. What if everyone ganged up on older people with universal misconceptions of hating people with dentures at the table, or Depends leaking in the pool, or blasting scooters as nuisances. Change a few words in your post and it could have been written during integration. It has all the hallmarks of the biggoted attitude shown to minorities during the period. Again, bring on the babies, toddlers and teens. Just don't bring on such a nasty attitude.:mad: Oh, and as for tax dollars supporting babies.....uhmmmm, two words......Social Security.:rolleyes:

[texkat]

To address the original issue, which was tipping for the two year old:

 

Children create AT LEAST as much work for your servers and cabin attendants as adults, in most cases a LOT more work.

 

It doesn't matter how much food the child eats- she will have a seat at dinner, and will be served. The server will likely have to do extra work to attend to her needs- perhaps special beverages, extra cleanup, etc.

 

The munchkin will use a bed, which will have to be made up each night/morning. She'll use towels and washcloths and cleaning supplies. Dirty diapers create extra trash to be carried out, etc.

 

The $10 per day tip for a toddler is a BARGAIN, and I'd be appalled to find that someone begrudged this to the staff.

 

I adore children... but they are work! :)

[Blazerboy]

O.K., read they following if you want, but I'll warn you, it's a serious post about truly uncivilized attitudes towards children that were posted by an earlier poster that may have been one on those "pot stirrers" that we have on the boards. If so, he/she succeeded in wasting our time here, but I think I win, because I was able to iterate my feelings bleow, and am proud of them.:)

 

So here it goes:

I'm childless, and don't seek out vacations with children or teens, but do accept them when they are there. I think it's fair to have reasonable expectations on a cruise or anywhere that children will try to behave, and that when they don't, their parents will remedy the situation. That said, children should be allowed some leeway, as they are just that, children, and still in the process of learning appropriate behavior. To imply that, because you are paying for a vacation, you shouldn't have to deal with any children is only true if the vacation is specifically for adults only. Short of that, it is essential for us to look at children as human beings, and God willing, future adults who need interaction with a group of adults who will have behavioral expectations of them, so the children, too, can learn appropriate behavior. To do otherwise is against the precepts of a civilized society.

 

I wonder sometimes why people think their children are some kind of gift to the world, a gift that I have to support with my tax dollars and my forebearance for the chaos they inject into my life.

And this is a truly sad commentary. I can't assume the poster meant his/her port taxes, so I think there's a bigger isssue here. While childless, children bring a great deal of joy into my life, and I can't imagine many of my life experinces being complete with out these children in my life. While I was educated in private schools, I pay taxes to support public schools and children's programs, because they will educate the children that will someday be my lawyer or doctor or clerk in a store that helps me out with my groceries, or my neighbor when I'm a senior in need of a little helping hand. And I want those children to have as many opportunities to grow and learn as possible, so that they, too, can grow up to be adults with consideration for others, and who will contribute as much to society as I hope to. The above referenced selfishness is appalling.

 

Phew, there, I feel better. Hope you all have a good day.:) And yes, I'll lighten up now.:D

[Orcrone]

Blazerboy,

 

You have excellent points. Hopefully it gives others something to think of, or at least tells them to go to an adults only vacation next time.

 

Makes me almost appreciate my teenagers.:D (Just kidding, they're great kids).

[JoeCruisin]

Joecruisin, HAL will provide babyfood, not sure about formular, diapers, etc if you notify them ahead of time. At least you won't have to perhaps pack formula and diapers, but its worth asking. I read it in the back of the brochure.

Yeah - they'll provide it but at a cost of course. I contacted HAL and they sent me an order form - $1 per diaper, $1 per jar of baby food, etc. At that rate it's just not worth it. We'll bring our own supplies. The only thing that bothers me about charging a cruise fair is that they treat an infant and a 12 year old kid the same and they will use vastly different resources. IMO it's a great deal for kids that actually eat but quite unreasonable for infants that won't eat or drink a thing. I imagine there aren't a lot of infants on cruises so this probably hasn't been raised as a complaint too often.

[localady]

BlazerBoy-

 

Thanks for your very thoughtful comments!!!! I am the parent of 2 teens that are facing totally overcrowded schools right now because the voters (most of them from our Del Webb Sun City) took the opinion that they didn't have kids, so why should they support a Bond to support the school construction for our High School District??? It's a shame that children are so undervalued in this day and age:/

 

That said, I am the most strict parent on earth when it comes to my kids behavior in public!!! I too have witnessed people who allow their children to "run the show", it's a shame and I think that it gives the rest of us parents a bad name. :cool:

 

JoeCrusin-

Silly me, I assumed that because an infant was a "passenger" that at least the baby food would be provided at no cost by HAL. I am sure I would be mad as a hornet if I was paying for an infant on board at a regular 3rd person rate and having to pay for the babyfood!!!! The advertisement materials about baby supplies doesn't note that this is a for charge service:(