3rd & 4th Passenger Rates - Why Do They Vary?

[Victory Bound]

I was looking at taking a cruise with my husband and 2 children, and I noticed that the rates for 3rd & 4th passenger varied among the different ships & itineraries. Why would a 7-night Mexican Riviera cruise on the Pride cost $799 for 3rd/4th passenger vs. a 7 nt. Caribbean cruise on the Miracle at $609?

I guess I just don't understand why there would be a difference. Does anyone have any experience on this?

On the Mexican Riviera cruise, I could get an inside cabin across the hall for my kids for $400 total.

Would appreciate your opinion or experience on this.

Dawn
http://environment.about.com/library/graphics/ani/bird02.gif
NCL Southward 2/85
RCI Nordic Prince 1/91
CCL Ecstasy 3/99
CCL Victory 3/02

[imlulu]

It all depends if people are booking 3 and 4th passengers on a particular sailing. I know on my upcoming cruise(school vacation week) 3 and 4 are almost as much a 1&2 on all ships. The Pride's sailing must have more triples and quads being booked then on the Miracle.

No longer cruiseless...donations still accepted! Miracle 2/2005

Last cruise
Sensation 2/17/03

[tef43]

It's all economics, supply and demand.

Tom <--- Curmudgeon of the Seas

http://www.curlingzone.com/forums/images/imgcommentary_hackstone.jpg

http://sympatico.animfactory.com/animations/music/misc/bagpiper_piping_md_wht.gif

Eleven cruises so far. Up next:
Shhhh, it's a surprise!

Dance like it hurts, love like you need money, and work when somebody's watching.

[Orcrone]

It's what tef43 said, supply and demand. Ship's capacity is based on every room filled with two people. If a ship is already booked over capacity (often happens, especially during school breaks) there is not as much incentive for a cruise line to lower prices for 3rd or 4th in a room.

[stanh]

Mostly supply and demand, particularly as the supply of 3/4 pax cabins gets low. But also, port charges can differ as much as $100-$200 between different itineraries.

Stan

Next up:
Carnival Miracle 5/9/2004
http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=111111&cdt=2004;5;9;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0400

RCCL Sovereign of the Seas 1994
RCCL Viking Serenade 1997
RCI Grandeur of the Seas 2002
RCI Radiance of the Seas 2002
HAL Zaandam 2003<center>
<a href="http://www.escati.com/counter98/free_time_codes.htm">
http://escati.linkopp.net/logos/time98.gif</center>

[Victory Bound]

Thanks everyone. I guess I will just have to keep an eye on things as I was looking for a cruise that is more than a year out.

If the 3rd/4th passenger rates continue to remain high, I might just go ahead and look at getting another cabin.

Dawn
http://environment.about.com/library/graphics/ani/bird02.gif
NCL Southward 2/85
RCI Nordic Prince 1/91
CCL Ecstasy 3/99
CCL Victory 3/02