3rd and 4th passsenger special rates
 

Has anyone come accross a cruise line that has very good rates for 3rd or 4th passengers. We would like to take our 13 and 17 yr old on a cruise in Mar or Apr/03. We would love to go to the Southern Caribbean. We took our 3 children last year and had to get 2 rooms but thought this time we would be able to get by with one room. Last year we went to the Western Caribbean and our kids fell in love with cruising. Our middle son said after the third day, it is so neat waking up and having a new country to explore. Thanks Karen

Karen - we have cruised with our two teenage daughters for the past four years - they are now 17 and 14. I have found rates as low as port fees only and as high as a couple hundred less than one and two. My limited experience points to RCCL for the best 3rd and 4th rates. Princess tends to be a click higher because they limit the number of children "age groups" on each sailing, so they have the best of the supply/demand curve. Princess also charges more per 3rd/4th as you go up the cabin chain (inside to outside to balcony). Celebrity just doesn't seem to offer very many special 3rd/4th rates that I've seen and Carnival is just not to our preference.

Dear Karen,<BR><BR>The best time to get awesome 3rd/4th pax rates is in the fall. When you say March/April, you are talking about Spring Break and the cruise lines start to up their rates. The earlier in March you can go, the better, though.<BR><BR>Royal Caribbean and (ugh!) Carnival have the best rates and your kids would love them. If doing Southern Carib, definitely look at Adventure of the Seas on RCCL. Awesome ship!

Thanks for the advice. I had not seen anything on the cruise sites about 3 or 4 passenger rates. Any other suggestions as to itinerary would be appreciated. One island my husband and I have never been to is Antigua. Anyone know of a ship that would stop there?

the best rates that we have found for 3rd and 4th rate would be CCL and RCCL. i will say that 5 people in 1 room is not going to be fun. it will be very tight and only 1 bathroom. good luck

.... will say that 5 people in 1 room is not going to be fun.....<BR><BR>depends on who the other 4 are?

Costa - 60 bucks for kids in the Caribbean and 160 in Europe (plus taxes and port).<BR><BR>Carnival charges big bucks for kids.<BR>Adults cheap. Great marketing ploy.<BR><BR>Paul

karen - be careful of Costa. I did a lot of research one year as I planned to sail one of their new ships (Atlantica I believe) and most of the message boards warned that their food is very European and of course Italian. The American pallate is used to completely different spices etc than what you will experience on these ships. The % of Americans is lower than the other major lines as well. It might be a little chancey to book with them just to get a couple $100 off the 3rd and 4th rates.

Karen,<BR>If you get the specific cruise booklet from the different cruise lines (you can order online through their websites or any travel agent can give them to you if you stop in & seem like you MIGHT book a cruise with them), they list ships, itineraries, and prices, like RCCL - Caribbean. When you see the pricing page, down at the bottom, there are little footnotes that tell you which cabins have capabilities for 3rd or 4th persons. On the pricing page it should give you 3rd & 4th person pricing.

Dear Hopethishelps,<BR><BR>I hope this helps- kiss my arse, you ignorant butthole! Travel agents are not your personal brochure fullfilment centre! Some companies limit the number of brochures we get each year and you self bookers prevent us from getting more!<BR><BR>As for your information, you are so completely wrong! I tell people, "Look at brochure, but don't believe the price as it is the worse case scenario."<BR><BR>And the prices vary depending on the time of the year, the 3rd/4th rate is different. Also, with Carnival, the type of cabin you book can change the rate. A five day next summer has a 3rd/4th rate of $330pp for an inside. That same cruise in the fall has $110pp.<BR><BR>This is why people who don't know a whole lot should not give information.<BR><BR>

Ginger - go back to the travel agent/tour forum. We don't want you here. We are quite capable of talking about our cruise experiences, giving advice to one another and occassionally fighting amongst ourselves without your ignorant, biased babbling.

Yes, never been on Costra - or Costa either as I mentioned in my post.

Peter: I cannot believe your previous post about foreign food not be palatable to Americans! What would you eat in Europe? Would you eat at McDonalds while over there (though their McDonalds are quite different from ours)? I absolutely can not believe you said that. And I thought you were well-travelled. Personally, I've experienced some of the best food while visiting Europe.

Peter- biased?!?!? Is it biased when Disney says they can no longer send brochures because we have used up our allotment for the year? When Princess says, "Hold on, let me see how many cruises you have sold," that is not biased.<BR><BR>Ignorant? Use your adjectives correctly, my dear. Most people are ignorant of the prices in brochures. Most people don't realize it is less to cruise in the fall. <BR><BR>I am not sitting here going "Book with me! Fodorites are all stupid!" I am giving my knowledge in the hopes that it helps.<BR><BR>Maybe Karen learned something new. If so, cool. Otherwise I would not be wasting my time. Maybe someone says, "Hey, maybe travel agents aren't so bad." All the better.<BR><BR>But "Hope this helps" gave totally inaccurate information and I wanted to help clear the air. However, that comment about making them think we might get a booking out of it burns my butt. People can book directly, or on websites, but when something goes wrong or they need information, they come to us. We have a job to do. We like helping, but don't blatantly abuse us or our knowledge. <BR><BR>So who is ignorant now?

Mary - I've been to Europe several times and also know what I'm talking about. Its a fact that different people have different tastes. Italians season their food differently than Americans. Some people like you have no problem with it. Some people like me do. If karen is like you, no problem; if she is like me, she needs to know about this.<BR><BR>The "regular" mass market cruise lines tailor their services, food and entertainment for Americans - they'd be foolish to do otherwise. Costa doesn't.

Ginger,<BR>No one was talking to you. I have been on 6 cruises, all through travel agents. The last was when I went into an agency to get some brochures, liked the agent and thought she might actually be knowledgeable, and booked a European cruise for 6. So, "Kiss my Ass", as you so tastefully said. One never knows where the next booking is coming from. And, I have been on 4 of these cruises with my 3 children sharing a cabin. Almost everyone knows that the brochure price is not the actual price one pays. So before you go insulting others, take a chill pill & count to 10. I have yet to find a TA who is knowledgeable and competent.<BR>That, my dear Ginger, is why many cruisers have resorted to booking their own cruises.

Dear Mr/Mrs Hopethishelps,<BR><BR>You have booked all those cruises through travel agents yet you have yet to find one that is competent. Kinda doesn't make sense.<BR><BR>As for the chill pill, can you try and understand my anger at people using us for information? I had a lady come in and say, "Tell me about the Voyager." I showed her pictures, described the ship, and gave her brochures. As she was leaving, she said, "I am already booked and just wanted information." I had clients waiting to hear from me and I spent time with this woman who did not realize I had a job to do. She could have not said anything about being booked somewhere else and I would have been blissfully ignorant. It just makes us feel like our job is a joke to people.<BR><BR>And telling someone to look at the rates in the brochure is incorrect. You said look at them and then change your tune later.<BR><BR>I overreacted earlier, but it makes my blood boil when people slap us in the face. What was the point in saying you can get brochures from agents if they think they MIGHT get a booking from it? <BR><BR><BR><BR>

PS, that bit about "no one was talking to you" was hysterical! Uh, it is an open forum and anyone can add their 2 cents!!!

Ginger is correct. When a travel agent calls Disney they say "do you know how much brochres cost?" "We can send you 6." <BR><BR>See how destitute Disney is. They really do not have any money.<BR><BR>Please do not listen to Peter. I know hundreds that have sailed the 5-star Costa Atlantica. The food is great, not Italian at all, and the street festivals and toga night are a hoot.<BR>He has a file of everyones negative comments and just repeats them. He really should learn how to cut and paste.<BR><BR>Paul

The opinion that I have of Costa and their food comes from the same source yours comes from - others! You've never sailed with them either. You've never eaten their food or been to their toga night or street festivals - you're getting your information second hand; just like I did. Go to some of the other cruise boards and do a search for Costa Cruises. You'll find exactly what I did. People with positive things to say and negative. The most consistent negative is that they cater to the Europeans with their food, announcements, etc. Their steaks and other beef dishes are tough and tasteless.<BR><BR>At least I tell the truth about what I've experienced myself and what I get from others. Reading your posts you'd think you rode Randi's horses in Mazatlan, had your children in the children's programs on the "modern era" ships, personally experienced life threatening situations while on non-ship sponsored excursions in Europe, etc. etc. etc. Like I've said before - one of my biggest criticisms of you is your embellishment of your cruise experiences. Basically you lie about things that are presented as fact. That makes you a pretty disgusting human being in my book.

Ahh, Peter admits he is copying. Imagine someone keeping a log of all replies from every ship. Person has a problem. And people have told you that Peter.<BR><BR>I do not listen to what one or two people say about a cruise. When I post a fact it is with personal conversation with those that have experienced that fact. Granted I have not taken the ship's horseback riding tours but I have personally talked to many that said the horses are tired. That is why I went with Randi.<BR><BR>I personally have sailed the Costa Romantica which was OK, the Victoria which was very good and the Atlantica which was absolutely fabulous. The beef was out-of-this-world along with all the other entrees. I would sail the Atlantica again just to hear that fabulous Italian tenor Richard Ianni. I was standing on the top level of the atrium one day when he was singing. I did not dare to go downstairs since I would have missed some of his arias. He is worth the price of the cruise. The announcements are not heard in the cabin and as a matter of fact I never really paid attention if they were in other languages. Pasta is offered as a side course and I did not think it was Italian spicy at all. I would have never ordered it as a main course. Of course I am used to New Haven, NYC and Boston Italian. Their pizza also needs improvement such as the fresh pizza made on Carnival and Princess. I am nit-picking here but I could not find anything really negative about Costa. One of my favorite cruise lines.<BR><BR>For heaven's sake Peter, I have been on 75 cruises. How many have you been on 5, 6?<BR><BR>If anyone would like detailed information on Costa, please post. I will give you information that no one that has not sailed Costa would know.<BR><BR>Paul

Back to the original post - Karen, my advice is to book with one of the big four and not try Costa for a lousy couple hundred dollar savings for your teenagers. Its not worth the risk regardless if you believe Paul or me. You can't go wrong with RCCL or Princess. For the southern next year you might have to go on the Adventurer as I don't think Princess will do the southern after March or April.

Paul, I think Peter said that he gets his information from several cruise message boards like this one. I've seen him over in cruisecritics.com a few times.<BR><BR>Let me see if I understand your point: you exist on this board to give accounts of your experiences and advice to those who ask. I'm sure your intention is that they believe you. You, in turn, are chastising Peter because his source of information about Costa is from message boards like this one. Isn't that the pot calling the kettle black?<BR><BR>Besides, I don't think karen's teenagers really want to be on a ship where you can hear arias coming from the atrium. A little snobby for me, anyway.

Back to Karen's original question...one room for four people on a week-long cruise is a bad idea unless it's a big room like a suite.

John, you may despise me. For what reason I do not understand. Costa is definitely not snobbish. It is great fun for the entire family. I was just attempting to prove that I sailed Costa.<BR><BR>I sailed the Atlantica in the Caribbean and know all about the ship and what occours each day.<BR><BR>Here is something else that Peter has not heard on any forum: We traveled on Easter and every child (they cater to children) received a huge foot high chocolate egg filled with candy. The ship was decorated with bunnies, big and small eggs, streamers, etc. Our dinner table had a dish of hand colored easter eggs, fuzzy bunnies and an egg tree.<BR>Peter rabbit (related I'm sure) also made an appearance. <BR><BR>Just some additional information to prove how hard the crew works to please the passengers. <BR><BR>The meat in purchased in the U.S. and steak is available (as on all cruise lines) at every meal. I imagine if someone received a tough piece of meat (I imagine it could happen) they could simply send it back. Again, same as other cruise lines.<BR><BR>Years ago Costa was definitely European. Since they now sail the Caribbean times have changed. The older ships that sail the Med still are very European.<BR><BR>Again you may call me snobbish but the ship is filled with Murano glass that will knock your socks off. They must have purchased the factory. I presume the leftover glass was placed in the new Carnival Pride which has many nice pieces.<BR><BR>Paul

Thanks so much for all info. I know that sleeping quarters will be tight with all of in one room but it means the difference between going and not going. Since we have sailed before we know of how little time you spend in a cabin anyway. Luckily my husband and sons do not spend that much time to get ready in the morning or before dinner. I was under the impression that Norwegian had very good 3rd and 4 th rates but it must be to early in the season as I have not found any yet. Thanks again for the info hope some one might have come across a deal. Karen