Prices for infants (approx 6 months)

[ste1200]

Hi, we have just returned from a cruise on the Celebrity Constellation and whilst aboard we priced up a 14 night cruise to the canaries for October 2013. We will have a 6 month old baby by then and we were quoted over £500 for the baby (baby will even have to pay tips!). We would probably want a no-fly cruise and we have also priced one up with P&O and the charge is under £200 for baby which is better. Does anyone know of any other cruise companies that charge reasonably for infants ?

 

Thanks

Ste

[6rugrats]

Most cruiselines charge the third person rate for anyone (and charge gratuities), no matter what their age. You just have to look for specials, where the third/fourth person in the cabin is just paying the taxes. I know HAL has specials like this.

[cb at sea]

Most cruiselines charge "per person"...and even a baby qualifies as a person! Sometimes, NCL or Disney will have reduced rates for kids under 2.

 

As far as "they even have to pay tips"....babies do create an awful lot of work for everyone....diapers to dispose of...food to puree or special "finger foods" brought to the table....so don't think the tips aren't warranted! Tips are per person (again...a baby is still a "person"!), so however many sail...is how many times you'll be tipping.

[1025cruise]

Sometimes there is a deal, sometimes not. Otherwise infant=3rd person.

[spookwife]

Hi, we have just returned from a cruise on the Celebrity Constellation and whilst aboard we priced up a 14 night cruise to the canaries for October 2013. We will have a 6 month old baby by then and we were quoted over £500 for the baby (baby will even have to pay tips!). We would probably want a no-fly cruise and we have also priced one up with P&O and the charge is under £200 for baby which is better. Does anyone know of any other cruise companies that charge reasonably for infants ?

 

Thanks

Ste

 

age has nothing to do with it..

 

the first 2 passengers in a stateroom pay the full rate, period. the third and forth will pay less. sometimes a lot less, sometimes very little. once in a blue moon Disney will run a special where kids sail for like $99 when a full price fare is booked. some lines charge significantly less for infants under a certain age, but not all itineraries will be eligible.

 

and of course the child should pay tips as they are being waited on hand and foot as well( crew members go ga ga over babies) they also create a lot of work( the steward now has to deal with dirty diapers and the crib in the cabin)

[Keith1010]

I would check out Celebrity Cruise Line.

 

Keith

[sail7seas]

I've always read the cruise lines charge a fare for baby and automatic tips. Baby often is a lot of work for the cabin stewards.

 

[GORDONCHICK]

At the very least, there will be port charges and taxes for the 3rd & 4th person in the cabin.

[Cruisin' Chick]

I agree with the others that most cruiselines (if not all) will charge the same no matter what the age. You can check out (or have a cruise specialist check out) specials in which children may sail for half off or for free. We have always been able to get the third person rate for our kid. But we wouldn't think of complaining about tipping on her behalf as the cabin steward has to clean up after her (when she was still in diapers or pull ups, disposing of the dirty ones) and waitstaff that would bring saltines and fill her sippy cup for her.

 

Another matter is making sure that whatever cruiseline you are considering will allow you to bring your child. They will go by birthdate so a child that is five months and 29 days of age will not be considered "six months." And some cruiselines will have an age minimum based on itinerary, too.

[notentirelynormal]

Another matter is making sure that whatever cruiseline you are considering will allow you to bring your child. They will go by birthdate so a child that is five months and 29 days of age will not be considered "six months." And some cruiselines will have an age minimum based on itinerary' date=' too.[/quote']

 

Yup this is a biggie. We just got in under the wire on our Australia cruise. We booked it a year in advance while my daughter was pregnant and were lucky that we made the cut by a week.

[jocap]

P&O is very good this way about babies and young children; they also seem to come out top for baby care on board, with nursery and night nursery provision.

You might like to ask this again on the P&O page, as the experts live on there, who will know the prices charged.

Jo.

[herbanrenewal]

I find posts regarding the charges for infants and small children ironic considering a single adult may have to pay double the per person fee.

 

Cost structures are always determined by those selling - you get to choose if you are willing to purchase the product offered and the terms stated.

[Alex71]

MSC does not charge for kids, not even tips or port fees.

[Alex71]

I find posts regarding the charges for infants and small children ironic considering a single adult may have to pay double the per person fee.

 

Cost structures are always determined by those selling - you get to choose if you are willing to purchase the product offered and the terms stated.

 

Well, corporations also have a responsiblity towards the community. With demographic change being one of the most pressing challenges for the future, one would expect every company to do something that will help families. That's why many cruise lines will let kids cruise for free, hotels will let kids stay for free, cities will provide free child care.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Once in a while there will be a sale where the 3rd and 4th person cruises free -- but these are very rare. If you hit on one, you will still have to pay taxes and government fees.

And all cruise lines do make you pay the Automatic Tips or Hotel Charges even for a 6 month old child. Remember that your cabin stweard still has to make up the crib, get rid of diapers, etc. And no matter where you dine on the ship, the crew will have to heat bottles of milk, etc. for your child.

[Cruisin' Chick]

I find posts regarding the charges for infants and small children ironic considering a single adult may have to pay double the per person fee.

 

Cost structures are always determined by those selling - you get to choose if you are willing to purchase the product offered and the terms stated.

 

Just consider, though, that you're not going to find a small child getting booked as a single in a cabin.

[Alex71]

And all cruise lines do make you pay the Automatic Tips or Hotel Charges even for a 6 month old child. Remember that your cabin stweard still has to make up the crib, get rid of diapers, etc. And no matter where you dine on the ship, the crew will have to heat bottles of milk, etc. for your child.[/size][/font]

 

This fortunately only happend to us on one cruise line so far (HAL). The others we've been on either only required tips from the adults or did not require any tipping at all. I personally find it inappropriate that a small child without any income would be expected to pay tips.

[rvsullivan]

This fortunately only happend to us on one cruise line so far (HAL). The others we've been on either only required tips from the adults or did not require any tipping at all. I personally find it inappropriate that a small child without any income would be expected to pay tips.

 

One of the funniest posts this year!!! Many cruise with no income, but still pay.

[Doug S]

This fortunately only happend to us on one cruise line so far (HAL). The others we've been on either only required tips from the adults or did not require any tipping at all. I personally find it inappropriate that a small child without any income would be expected to pay tips.

 

Thats a good point as long as you don't expect the staff to heat bottles, handle dirty diapers, and deal with the extra towels, bedding and mess created. I personally have never seen any parents down on the floor picking up the food messes left by little ones in restaurants. I guess that is a free service. Income has absolutely nothing to do with it. Tipping is just one of many parental responsibilities.

[KarenR_UK]

I find posts regarding the charges for infants and small children ironic considering a single adult may have to pay double the per person fee.

 

Cost structures are always determined by those selling - you get to choose if you are willing to purchase the product offered and the terms stated.

 

Interestingly, when I was travelling solo, often the best single supplements (even down to 0-20% on P&O some years ago) seemed to be on cruises where children were travelling free (or very low cost).

I always assumed this was because the high number of 3rd & 4th passengers meant they had to sell some cabins as solos due to the maximum number of passengers allowed on board

[spookwife]

This fortunately only happend to us on one cruise line so far (HAL). The others we've been on either only required tips from the adults or did not require any tipping at all. I personally find it inappropriate that a small child without any income would be expected to pay tips.

 

income has NOTHING to do with it.

 

Tips are in response/appreciation for SERVICES RENDERED. and infants get plenty of personalized service.

[jocap]

Hi, we have just returned from a cruise on the Celebrity Constellation and whilst aboard we priced up a 14 night cruise to the canaries for October 2013. We will have a 6 month old baby by then and we were quoted over £500 for the baby (baby will even have to pay tips!). We would probably want a no-fly cruise and we have also priced one up with P&O and the charge is under £200 for baby which is better. Does anyone know of any other cruise companies that charge reasonably for infants ?

 

Thanks

Ste

Both P&O and MSC have reasonable prices for babies; neither asks for tips- P&O until 12 years; MSC until 14 years.

The daily tipping on P&O for over 12s is recommended at £3.10 pp; it can be charged to your account or removed and given to the individuals, except on Freedom dining when £1.60 pp per day will be removed from your account. There is no tipping on drinks.

MSC sometimes offers free child places.

Enjoy searching!

[firefly333]

Carnival does not charge automatic tips if the infant is under 2 years of age.

[beachchick]

Well, corporations also have a responsiblity towards the community. With demographic change being one of the most pressing challenges for the future, one would expect every company to do something that will help families. That's why many cruise lines will let kids cruise for free, hotels will let kids stay for free, cities will provide free child care.

 

Corporations do not have the social responsibility of allowing anyone, child or otherwise, to cruise free. When we have children, we take on the responsibility for raising them, including the costs involved. We never expected (but also never turned down when offered) reduced rates or freebies when our daughter was little. Why do you expect "every company" to help families more than helping others?

 

"Many" cruise lines do not let kids cruise for free, only a few do. Hotels are generally booked at a flat rate for the first X number of people in a room, whereas cruise cabins are priced per person. In fact, cruise ships have a maximum number of passengers allowed onboard, and every passenger--every one--counts toward that number. It's not as if they can allow "lap babies" like many airlines do. As well, cruise ships rely on onboard revenues for a high percentage of their income. Babies and children do not really contribute a lot to that. Cities provide free child care? I don't know of any, but that's pretty amazing.

 

As for tips, even babies require time and effort from the crew in most areas. And of course no one expects children to pay tips out of their own income! Parents are responsible for that, as they are for all other costs.

 

beachchick

[spookwife]

C Cities provide free child care? I don't know of any, but that's pretty amazing.

 

 

 

beachchick

 

not cities, per se, but every Military installation does for certain things.. mainly, Uniformed personnel with required training/meetings such as a PCS( permanent change of station) brief. also anyone with a deployed spouse can get x number of hours of free childcare for respite( read: adult time) and most classes at the Family Support centers will offer free childcare so that you may attend.