My entire family has booked a Thanksgiving cruise on the Fantasy this November.  This includes my Brother, Sister-In-Law and newphew.  My nephew will be 11 months old in November and still had to pay the full 3rd person rate.  Keep in mind that he will not eat any food on board, does not need a bed, and won't be participating in any activities.  Exactly what is Carnival charging him for?  I would think Carnival could allow infants who are staying with 2 full fare guests to sail for free or say $100 at most.

I can understand people who have children being upset with having to pay for an infant... but they do create work for people onboard... who do you think will be taking care of getting rid of the dirty diapers.... and other things for him.  and most 11 month old infants I know do eat table food.  there are other charges that carnival would have to pay for the infant... that is why they charge.... only other choice someone with infants would have would be to check other lines ... but I am sure they would soon find out that to sail free with an infant would cost them more...

I did not say we were upset, I was making a suggestion.  You can't tell me that a cabin with 2 adults and 1 infant costs Carnival the same as a cabin with 3 adults, dirty diapers or not.  I know there are certain costs involved, taxes, etc.  That is why I suggested a nominal fee,  just not the same fee as a grown man.

 Yes, we could have booked another line (the one with the "ears" does not charge for infants) but we are Carnival people.  Always have been, always will be.

on one of the cruises I have booked... the total cost is 557 per person... out of that 227 are port charges and taxes.... and that is all things that would be charged for any 3rd person.... so not sure just what your 3rd person rate its...

averejc:

You can't tell me that a cabin with 2 adults and 1 infant costs Carnival the same as a cabin with 3 adults, dirty diapers or not.  I know there are certain costs involved, taxes, etc.  That is why I suggested a nominal fee,  just not the same fee as a grown man.

The costs of 2 Adults + 1 infant vs. 2 adults + 1 toddler ???

The costs of 2 Adults + 1 infant vs. 2 adults + 1 preschooler ??? 

Where exactly would one draw the line?

BTW, I have to pay full adult fare for my 10 yo kid, vs the 3rd person fare you have to pay for your kid. 

We took a weekend cruise and took along our daughter and 2 year old granddaughter.  We payed full fare and really didn't mind because she had her own entertainment with Camp Carnival. Someone has to pay those counselors. Plus she ate her share of food and made her share of mess for the dining room staff and the cabin steward.

1st and 2nd rates are $250 per person; 3rd & 4th rates are $160 per person plus $118.58 per person for taxes & fees.  Great rates but my point is an 11 month old should not be charged as much as an adult.  Carnival does not charge an infant the gratuity, but that is sort of backwards don't you think?  Like you said, the ship staff will be the ones actually doing something for him.

yes the ship staff would be the ones doing things for him... and they do not charge tips for under 2

averejc:

My entire family has booked a Thanksgiving cruise on the Fantasy this November.  This includes my Brother, Sister-In-Law and newphew.  My nephew will be 11 months old in November and still had to pay the full 3rd person rate.  Keep in mind that he will not eat any food on board, does not need a bed, and won't be participating in any activities.  Exactly what is Carnival charging him for?  I would think Carnival could allow infants who are staying with 2 full fare guests to sail for free or say $100 at most.

Carnival charges a full price for babies because the baby is filling a spot on the ship. That spot could have been filled by an adult who while eating food, would have spent $$$ in the casino and probably on drinks/beer. Carnival only has a set number of spots to use for guests on any cruise. They are actually probably losing $$$ when they allow you to book your nephew for the adult fare without charging for tips (that go to the staff, not the cruise line) and losing the $$$ from the casino bill and bar bill an adult cruiser would usually spend on that same cruise.

I agree, I do not have young children they are grown. But they should not be charging fare at all. This baby will not even be eating enough to worry about. People take more food and it gets wasted. So a baby would not even be noticable. I do not see the staff doing anything for him except the trash. I know I will probably bashed for this but it will not change my mind. I am sorry you were charged for this. But I hope your whole family has an awesome time. Jo

From Carnival's view, the infant still counts toward the "Capacity" ceiling and takes the place of a revenue generating adult that would be spending money on booze, photos, etc.  ken

 I am sure

averejc:

 Yes, we could have booked another line (the one with the "ears" does not charge for infants) but we are Carnival people.  Always have been, always will be.

averejc:

1st and 2nd rates are $250 per person; 3rd & 4th rates are $160 per person plus $118.58 per person for taxes & fees.  Great rates but my point is an 11 month old should not be charged as much as an adult. 

Do you think that you can go on the cruise lines with the ears for that price?  

It seems to me that if you want you can consider the infant free and split the $160 dollars between the the other 2 justy like they do on the line with the ears.  

averejc:

1st and 2nd rates are $250 per person; 3rd & 4th rates are $160 per person plus $118.58 per person for taxes & fees.  Great rates but my point is an 11 month old should not be charged as much as an adult. 

If I understand the point, the 11 m.o. isn't being charged as much as an adult.  The 11 m.o., in this example, is paying only $160, not $250.

 I agree, because of the fee for infants I have a group of 15 people not going on the cruise now, including me! the cut oiff should be age 2 and under free. who cares if its taking up a spot, the happy parents will spend more and likly come back with their kids as they grow up.

I refuse to pay for an infant!  Im totally turned off of the cruiseing idea now. Im so over it!