Planning a family cruise often starts with one key question: does Princess Cruises charge full fare for children, or are there special kids pricing options? Understanding how children fares and child rates work on Princess helps you build a realistic budget and decide whether a particular sailing is the right fit for your family.
Princess is known more for classic cruising than heavy theme-park-style ships, but it’s still very popular with families. While it doesn’t typically let kids sail free by default, Princess cruise prices for kids are usually structured differently from adult fares, especially when children share a cabin with parents or guardians.
In most cases, the short answer is: yes, Princess Cruises charges for children, but they do not always pay the same as the first two adults in the cabin.
Here’s how it usually works in broad terms:
The first two guests in a stateroom typically pay the standard or promotional adult fare.
Additional guests in the same cabin—including children—often pay a reduced “third/fourth guest” fare, which can be significantly lower than the primary rate.
On some promotions, children fares may be discounted further, especially when sharing a room with adults.
So while the line does not automatically offer completely free kids pricing, it often does not charge full base fare for additional children in a cabin, depending on the offer and availability.
To understand Princess cruise prices for kids, think in terms of how many people are in each cabin and what promotions are active:
First and second guests
Typically pay the main published fare or a promotional rate.
On a family cruise, these are usually adults or older teens.
Third and fourth guests (often children)
Frequently receive reduced child rates compared with the first two passengers.
These youth fares can vary by sailing, season, and cabin type.
Taxes, fees, and port charges
These are usually charged per person, including children.
Even if the fare is discounted, mandatory charges often apply for every guest onboard.
Because Princess family cabin pricing depends so much on promotions and occupancy, you’ll often see total costs change as you add or remove children from the booking.
Whether Princess Cruises charge full fare for children can depend on which cabin and how many people are inside it:
Standard cabins (inside, oceanview, balcony)
Often priced with a structure where the first two guests pay the main fare and additional kids pay a lower children fare.
However, the difference between adult and child pricing may be modest or significant depending on the sailing’s demand and deals.
Suites and family cabins
Princess family cabin pricing may still follow the same “first two plus reduced extra guest” model, but the base fare is higher due to the more premium accommodation.
This means that kids in suites can still cost less than adults—but you are paying for a larger, more comfortable space overall.
The key is to look at the total package price, not just the per-person headline, especially when traveling as a family.
Many families ask about child discounts on Princess Cruises specifically. These discounts may not always be labeled as “kid-only” promotions, but they show up in how extra guests are priced and in special offers.
Examples of where child discounts on Princess Cruises can appear:
Reduced third/fourth passenger fares – When children are booked as additional guests in a cabin, their children fares may be significantly lower than the lead passengers.
Seasonal promotions – Certain sales events may highlight better kids pricing, making family sailings more attractive during specific months.
Repositioning and off-peak cruises – On some itineraries, especially during low demand periods, child rates can be especially appealing as part of an overall low fare.
Because these offers change, it’s worth comparing several sailings and dates to find where Princess cruise prices for kids are most favorable.
When you ask how much do kids cost on Princess, you’re really asking how the third and fourth passenger rates in a cabin compare with the first two.
In general:
Children occupying existing beds or pullmans in a cabin as extra guests pay a reduced rate compared to the standard adult fare.
Infants and very young children are still counted as guests, meaning they are included in occupancy and youth fares calculations, though fares may be lower than older children depending on the offer.
Taxes, fees, and port charges usually remain similar for everyone, regardless of age.
The best way to see the difference is to price the same itinerary twice—once with two adults and once with two adults plus one or two children—and compare the total. That comparison will show you how much children fares add to your family cruise cost.
Princess family cabin pricing is heavily influenced by occupancy—the number of people staying in each cabin. Cruise fares are designed around maximizing use of available space.
Here’s how this plays out:
A cabin with two adults and two children can sometimes have a lower per-person cost than a cabin with only two adults, because of how kids pricing works for extra guests.
Booking multiple cabins (for example, two cabins with two guests each) can be more expensive than one cabin with four guests, even if two of them are children.
Some family-focused cabins and suites include extra beds or sofa beds, which makes it easier to book more people in the same space and benefit from reduced child rates.
When planning a family cruise, consider whether one larger cabin or two smaller cabins suits your budget and preferences better, given how children fares and occupancy interact.
Even when child discounts on Princess Cruises apply to the base fare, it’s important to remember that children can still generate onboard costs.
Examples include:
Specialty dining (if children participate)
Beverage packages or individual drinks (within age and policy rules)
Shore excursions booked for the whole family
Photos, arcade games, or other onboard activities
However, many family-friendly aspects—such as youth clubs and certain entertainment options—are included in the cruise fare, making family cruises good value even when kids pricing isn’t dramatically discounted.
To make the most of Princess cruise prices for kids, consider these strategies:
Travel during value seasons Off-peak times may offer better children fares and overall lower family cruise costs.
Look for promotions featuring extra guest deals Some offers promote reduced fares for third and fourth guests, which can effectively act as child discounts on Princess Cruises.
Compare cabin configurations Check the total price of one cabin with children versus multiple cabins to see which arrangement takes advantage of youth fares best.
Book early for popular family dates Holidays and school breaks fill quickly, and kids pricing may be less generous as ships get full.
Balance fare with what’s included Even if the children fares aren’t dramatically lower, factor in youth clubs, entertainment, and meals that are part of the package when evaluating value.
1. Does Princess Cruises charge full fare for children?
Generally, yes, children are charged to sail, but Princess Cruises charge full fare for children less often when they are booked as the third or fourth guest in a cabin. Their fares are commonly reduced compared with the first two passengers.
2. How do Princess cruise prices for kids compare to adult fares?
Princess cruise prices for kids are usually lower when children are booked as additional guests in the same stateroom. The exact difference depends on the sailing, cabin type, and any promotions offering special kids pricing.
3. Are there specific child discounts on Princess Cruises?
Yes, child discounts on Princess Cruises often appear through lower rates for third and fourth guests or during special sales. These discounts may not always be advertised as “kids sail free,” but they reduce children fares for families sharing cabins.
4. How much do kids cost on Princess when sharing a cabin with parents?
When children share a cabin with adults, how much do kids cost on Princess depends on the reduced child rates offered for extra guests and the current promotions. Taxes and port charges still apply per person.
5. Is Princess family cabin pricing better than booking two separate cabins?
Often, Princess family cabin pricing can be more cost-effective because extra guests, including children, may benefit from lower youth fares. However, it’s always smart to compare one large cabin with multiple smaller cabins to see which option suits your budget and space needs.
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