Are 3 year old's free on Carnival Cruises?

[Disneyland1084]

I've NEVER been on a cruise before, so I really don't know this. I'm in the planning stages of going on our first one. I know most rooms on cruises are really small. I'm wondering if I could book a standard room for 4, then just bring a little fold out bed for my 3 year old?

 

[tvguy]

This is a safety issue. The capacity of the lifeboats is linked to the rated capacity of the staterooms. So you can't have more people in a room than it is rated to hold. You don't see roll away beds on cruise ships for that reason, and because there is no room in the staterooms.

 

[kdonnel]

There might be discounts for kids under two but beyond that they cost the same as an adult in the room.

Generally third and fourth guests are cheaper than the initial first and second.

There must be an official berth for each person in the cabin.

Some of the carnival ships will supply a roll away bed and create a cabin for 5 but those cabins are limited.

 

[CinderEmma94]

I've NEVER been on a cruise before, so I really don't know this. I'm in the planning stages of going on our first one. I know most rooms on cruises are really small. I'm wondering if I could book a standard room for 4, then just bring a little fold out bed for my 3 year old?

Every person has to be accounted for on a cruise. You need to show identification (passport, birth certificate may be ok depending on cruise line and itinerary) for every person boarding the ship. I only can speak for how DCL handles things (as far as pricing - DCL is full price for the first two and reduced price for additional guests in the room), not carnival however that part about everyone being accounted for never changes. You can’t book a room for 4 and have 5 in the room even if the 5th is a young child.

 

[Skippy918]

You might be able to find a kids sail free deal in the off season, but all their info is required at booking. If you are traveling with 5 people, you will likely need to book 2 rooms. Book early if you want connecting cabins.

 

[kymom99]

Believe it when you hear the cabins are SMALL

 

[Disneyland1084]

Believe it when you hear the cabins are SMALL

OMG I know. Some I've seen are shoe boxes. I've been watching YouTube videos. I still have a ton of research to do.

 

[kymom99]

OMG I know. Some I've seen are shoe boxes. I've been watching YouTube videos. I still have a ton of research to do.

We stayed with 3 of us in a standard room. The third bed dropped out of the ceiling. You had to crawl into the lower beds to keep from hitting your head. The room was very inexpensive so we weren’t expecting more. I couldn’t imagine 4 people. Never 5.

When my step daughter went, they booked 2 inside rooms. She had to book her husband in one room and her in the other but they put the kids in their own room in reality. They were right next door. I would try to get a connecting room. If you book far enough ahead you should be able to do that.

 

[JLTraveling]

Nope. Absolutely zero space for a folding bed, and you would never get the 3 yo on the ship in the first place. Each person must be strictly accounted for with ID and a matching ticket. As others have said, part of this is due to lifeboat space. But also Homeland Security, international regulations, maritime law, etc. etc.

 

[HopperFan]

... you would never get the 3 yo on the ship in the first place. Each person must be strictly accounted for with ID and a matching ticket. As others have said, part of this is due to lifeboat space. But also Homeland Security, international regulations, maritime law, etc. etc.

THIS^

Our first cruise was on the Carnival Triumph and we booked a Balcony Guarantee Cabin (we had no idea what we were doing but got a great cabin) for 5.

DH and I had the bed pushed together, DS#2 slept on the sofa turned into bed, DD slept on the bunk that folded down and they brought a "roll away" bed for DS#1. It was metal with a mattress and stayed inches off the floor. During the day it slid right under the side of our bed. This would be perfect for a little one if they still exist. In this situation you might want to work with a travel agent. We didn't first cruise but we have with all the rest of our cruises.

It was very similar to this ...

 

[mjkacmom]

Babies aren’t even free, and if the lifeboat capacity in a section is full, beds sail empty.

 

[soccerdad72]

You do know there is a Cruise Forum on this site, right?

 

[sam_gordon]

You do know there is a Cruise Forum on this site, right?

I don't think there's one for Carnival though. There's sections for DCL and Royal, but I think that's it. Cruisecritic.com on the other hand has more information than you'll know what to do with about ALL cruise lines.

 

[soccerdad72]

I don't think there's one for Carnival though. There's sections for DCL and Royal, but I think that's it. Cruisecritic.com on the other hand has more information than you'll know what to do with about ALL cruise lines.

My bad - I was thinking there was a general cruise board as well.