SPECIAL CRUISE FARES FOR CHILDREN & SENIORS

[roe2ship]

Do you think that Princess and other cruise lines should adopt a policy for an age limit on children's fares? No offense...please...but seniors are offered special discounts on some sailings, so why shouldn't children within a certain age group? We are a family of five so basically we have no choice to get 2 cabins which brings us to pay a first and second passenger rate twice. From the size of the cabins, many families of four end up with two cabins anyway so them too can't benefit with the 3rd and 4th passenger rate. So in this case why should a family of four with two children pay four rates with no discount but one senior could obtain a discount because of age? Just asking for your thoughts.....

[ahracer]

As some one with a family of 5 I like the idea. We get two cabins but only get one 3rd person rate.

 

Scott

[McCruiser33]

Although it's a nice thought ... I believe I heard somewhere that Princess has a policy that limits the number of children per cruise. With that, I couldn't see how they would discount those fares. :( Who know though ... anything is possible!

[donna5]

I like the present policy. There would be too many children if it was the other way. The senior discount isn't always available and is used to help fill ships.

[McCruiser33]

Although it's a nice thought ... I believe I heard somewhere that Princess has a policy that limits the number of children per cruise. With that, I couldn't see how they would discount those fares. :( Who knows though ... anything is possible!

[Pam in CA]

This has come up before. Generally, Princess doesn't offer Senior rates nor do they offer special Singles rates.

 

When I cruise single, I usually pay about 180% of the per-person rate but I don't use the 2nd bed, half the drawers, closet, eat half the food, etc. Children use the beds, the bathroom and everything in the cabin as well as make use of the dining rooms, Horizon Court, etc. that an adult would.

[spongerob]

I don't think childrens' rates would be a good idea if they are booked in a separate cabin. They are using the same space and services that a full-fare passenger would use.

[coiran]

Ditto spongerob

 

Ron

[ABoatNerd]

Good cruising dear Princess CC members:

 

Since children do not book their own cruises - this promotion is actually targeting the "nuclear" family market. So, while Princess may gain bookings from making it less expensive to bring children - there is an opposite reaction - they lose my business (and others based on the email traffic) because I (and many others) are not interested in cruising with alot of kids. So, it is hard to say if they end up with anymore business.

 

I did a bit of observing the Costa site and the negative talk about the Costa cruises being overrun by kids is amazing. Apparently you can bring your child for $99. Gee, I guess that is why I observed the Costa Victoria (parked next to Celebrity Millenium that I was on in Nassau) being overun by kids and could hear screaming and yelling from the Victoria even though I was on Millie on the next pier!!!

 

Would be a shame if Princess ended up the same way as Costa and increasingly RCL - RCL who now has to have security "police" and curfews! due to out of control children and young adults who are not monitored ie "controlled" by their parents. That is what happens when a cruise line "targets" the "family" market.

 

Princess lovers should monitor this development as it may affect the "culture" on the cruise.

 

A good sailing to all

ABoatNerd

[cruisingagentone]

One reason for senior rates, I believe, is seniors are usually on a fixed income??

I wish RCI and others would adopt the Princess idea of only a certain number of children in each age group.

[Toto2Kansas]

We sometimes take our grandchildren with us on cruises, but I don't expect to pay any less for them as I would a third or forth person. In fact, sometimes kids can be more work to the staff then adults. Special kids menus, kids programs, extra security because parents have just let them run the ship without supervision........messes! :)

Nope, I really don't agree with it at all that cruise lines should lower childrens fares.

Seniors have earned a lower fare occasionally..........................but small children, if you want to take them, then you have to be able to afford the cruise fare. IMHO (And I am not a senior or do I fit into that category..........yet!)

[amagar]

OK, I'll be the big meanie, here.

 

No special rates for children. Really, they're already paying less than most everyone else, anyway, because they're not drinking liquor, playing bingo, casino gambling, etc. In fact, I say charge a fee for the kids' program ; )

[spongerob]

Princess lovers should monitor this development as it may affect the "culture" on the cruise.

 

A good sailing to all

ABoatNerd

I don't think this is an impending policy change, the OP was just asking a hypothetical question.

 

BTW - I saw your methods on how to handle diners who won't get with the program - well done!

[bjboothman]

I've never seen a senior rate. Maybe they exist, but my DH has never been able to get one.

 

I don't think we ought to justify senior rates because they are on a fixed income. Many of us working folks are making less than we did several years ago too and nobody is offering us a discount.

 

Cruise companies are in the business to make money. Supply and demand. The only justification for a senior discount is they are appealing to a group who typically has more time on their hands to cruise than the rest of us. People whose jobs (or lack thereof) allow them to drop everything and travel at the last minute also can take advantage of discounts.

 

As Pam mentioned, at 180% of the per person rate, singles are the ones really getting screwed.

[gunnywife]

I'm not aware of senior rates for any cruise lines. Maybe they'e considered senior rates if last minute cheaper rates apply since retired seniors would be the most likely to benefit by travelling on short notice.

 

One thought might be to have a few of the cabins accommodate 5 people. Another thought - take grandma and grandpa on the cruise and put one of the kids in with them. I think everyone would have a good time.

[roe2ship]

Aboatnerd - I did not start this thread to hear all the negatives about cruising with children. If a particular cruise line targets families and this is not your cup of tea, simply choose another line and avoid holidays and summer months.

 

 

Back to the special rate question…..While Princess may not offer senior discounts, some major cruise lines do but won’t for children. While I understand (to some extent) that a child uses the same space and services as an adult, a one year old child will clearly eat a small fraction of what an adult would eat. For instance, there are restaurants with buffets that have different pricing for children, adults and seniors as well as movie theaters, beauty salons, hotels, etc. Services are the same for all demographics in this area but yet different pricing. Another example, why is it that a child under 2 could fly free? They are still getting from Point A to B. Why do theme parks, even Disney, charge less for children ages 3-9? How different can you explore a theme park. You are using the facilities there in the same manner.

[Lynda90]

My mom and I have been on 20 or so cruises together. She is a senior and has never received a "senior rate." We have cruised on Princess, RCCL, HAL and Carnival. So, if those rates are out there, we have not seen them on our travels.

[GloriaF]

I think seniors should get better rates, simply as a way of honoring the older and wiser adult that wishes to cruise. We'll all be there someday with a little luck.

[Toto2Kansas]

"Another example, why is it that a child under 2 could fly free? They are still getting from Point A to B."

The reason for a free flight for children under two is that they will be sitting on an adults lap. If a seat is wanted, then the child is no longer free but must pay for their flights.

Just an observation!

[CariBlue]

I'm not sure where the notion of "if seniors get it, then children should get it, too" comes from. How are the two groups even related? Giving seniors discounts at stores, restaurants, and perhaps cruises (although I've never seen a cruise discounted for a senior) is a way of rewarding seniors for their contributions to the building of our country. In other words, it's a show of respect, the same way that active service members can get into museums in Chicago for free on Tuesdays.

 

Come on, let's not try to take something away from senior citizens just because we don't get it. We'll all get old someday. Let's take care of our aging population and stop complaining.

 

Adults and children will pay full price. No problem. No complaints.

[kruisey]

Being a senior I have never been offered senior rates.Am on fixed pensions . Expect to be treated no differently from other single cruisers.

Princess seems to give one a little break the more cruises one takes with them.I have noticed this difference since I became Platinum...its still higher than a double rate but not as high as 180%..........then I always book inside cabins.

[roe2ship]

"Another example, why is it that a child under 2 could fly free? They are still getting from Point A to B."

 

The reason for a free flight for children under two is that they will be sitting on an adults lap. If a seat is wanted, then the child is no longer free but must pay for their flights.

 

Just an observation!

 

I know. It still does not change that they get from Point A to B

[Pam in CA]

I have to admit that I have gotten a Senior rate on RCI. I dont' think it was a special promotion and it was for a Christmas cruise.

 

It wouldn't be fair to venture a guess as to why some cruiselines offer a Senior rate and some don't. Nor why there is one at all. I don't think it has anything to do with fixed income 'cause I sure don't have one.

[spongerob]

I know. It still does not change that they get from Point A to B

No, but they aren't occupying a seat that can be sold up to the last minute to another passenger. The same with an additional cabin, that is an asset that can be sold up to 72 hours before sailing for whatever the going price is at the time. If it was offered to children at a reduced rate, that would be seen by bean-counter types (notorious for their hard-hearted approach to business) as lost revenue.

 

In a strong market, where cabins are being filled quite easily and well in advance, there is no real need to incentivize families who might need additional space. In fact, even the 1st and 2nd passenger fares go up during times when families are more apt to cruise.

 

Of course, none of this explains why cars that only seat two people are so much more expensive than those that seat 4, 5, or even 7. :)

[bjboothman]

An economic reason a cruiseline would offer a senior a discount they would not offer a child is the fact that the senior (or any other adult) can typically be counted on to leave a lot of money in the casino, buy photos, liquor, jewelry, etc. That additional income can't be expected from kids. Any discount a senior would get would be more than paid for in "extras" purchased.

 

While giving a discount for children would be a "nice" thing to do; most cruise lines are more interested in making money than in being nice. Go figure.