# Does Princess Cruises charge for children?

Yes, **Princess Cruises does charge for children**, but the way **Princess kids pricing** works is a little different from call us **<a href="tel:[phone]">[phone]</a>** land-based hotels or “kids stay free” resorts. On most Princess sailings, children are not completely free passengers. Instead, they are treated as **additional guests in the cabin**, often paying reduced **child cruise fares** compared with the first two adults in the stateroom.

There are times when special **Princess kids sail free promotions** appear, but these are limited offers tied to specific dates and itineraries—not an all-year policy. So if you’re planning a **family cruise cost** budget, it’s better to assume kids will pay something rather than count on free fares.


## How Princess kids pricing generally works

Princess fares are mostly **based on occupancy**, not on whether the third or fourth guest is a child or an adult. In a standard cabin:

* The **first two guests** typically pay the full or primary fare.
* Additional guests in the room (3rd and 4th passengers) often pay a **reduced rate**, regardless of age.

Because many families travel with two adults and one or more children, those kids usually occupy the **extra berths** (sofa beds, pullmans, or third/fourth beds in the cabin). As a result, children often pay a **discounted “3rd/4th guest” fare**, but it’s still a paid fare, not zero.

This is how **child cruise fares** are often structured on Princess: kids are treated as additional guests, with pricing that can be lower than the first two adult fares but still part of the overall **family cruise cost**.

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## Does Princess charge full fare for children?

In most cases, Princess does **not** charge the exact same **full fare** for children as for the first two adult passengers in the cabin. However, that doesn’t mean kids are cheap or free:

* If a **child is one of the first two guests** in a cabin (for example, one parent and one child sharing a room), that child may be charged at or very close to the **standard fare**, since pricing is tied to those first two occupancy spots.
* If a child is the **third or fourth guest**, they are more likely to receive a **reduced rate**, which can be significantly lower than the primary fare, but still not free.

So the answer to “**does Princess charge full fare for children**?” is:

* **Sometimes yes**, when the child is counted as one of the first two guests in a stateroom.
* **Often no**, when the child is the third or fourth guest, where a lower supplemental fare typically applies.

The **Princess child policy** is less about age-based tickets and more about how many people are in the cabin and which occupancy slots they fill.

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## How child pricing works on Princess cabins

When you book a cabin with Princess, you’ll usually see separate price lines for:

1. **First guest fare**
2. **Second guest fare**
3. **3rd/4th guest fares** (often lower)

Here’s how **how child pricing works on Princess cabins** usually plays out:

* **Two adults + two children in one cabin**

* Adults are the first and second guests (paying full or primary fares).
* Children are third and fourth guests (paying **reduced extra berth charges**).

* **One adult + one child in a cabin**

* The adult is the first guest, the child is the second.
* In many cases, the child’s fare will resemble the second adult fare, since Princess does not automatically discount just for age.

* **Children in a connecting cabin**

* If kids occupy a second cabin, they may be treated as first/second guests there, which can raise their fare compared with being third/fourth in one cabin.
* This can impact overall **family cruise cost**, so families often weigh the trade-off between extra space and higher child fares.

Even if the base **Princess kids pricing** is reduced for 3rd/4th guests, remember that **taxes, port fees, and some government charges** apply **per person**, including children and infants.

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## Extra berth charges for children on Princess

When you see mentions of **extra berth charges for children on Princess**, it’s basically referring to:

* The **supplemental fare** charged for the 3rd or 4th passenger in a cabin.
* These berths may be pull-down beds, sofa beds, or other convertible sleeping spaces.

For families, these extra berths can be a budget-friendly way to bring children along:

* The **extra berth rate** is often lower than the first two fares.
* However, it’s not just a nominal fee; it can still represent a substantial amount of money, especially on longer or more premium itineraries.

The extras—such as gratuities, specialty dining, and excursions—will also add to the total **family cruise cost**, regardless of whether the guest occupying the berth is an adult or child.

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## Princess Cruises discounts for kids and families

Princess isn’t typically marketed as a “kids sail free every week” brand, but there are ways families can save:

### 1. 3rd/4th guest discounts

Because many children fall into the **3rd/4th guest category**, they often benefit from **built-in discounted fares**. This is the most common form of **Princess Cruises discounts for kids and families**.

### 2. Periodic promotions

Sometimes, Princess runs limited-time offers that:

* Reduce or discount fares for additional guests, including children.
* Offer onboard credit or perks that help offset costs for families.
* In some cases, highlight **Princess kids sail free promotions**, though these are typically limited by date, itinerary, and cabin category.

If you see marketing around **kids sail free**, always read the fine print:

* Are only certain sailings eligible?
* Is the promotion limited to specific staterooms or sailing windows?
* Are port fees and taxes still due for children (they usually are)?

### 3. Group and family deals via travel advisors

Some travel agents can negotiate **group rates** or special family deals where children’s pricing is more favorable. This can make **Princess kids pricing** more attractive than what appears at first glance on the public website.

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## Kids sail free: is it a standard Princess policy?

No, **kids sail free** is **not a standard year-round policy** on Princess. Instead, think of **Princess kids sail free promotions** as **limited offers** that appear from time to time:

* They may apply only to select voyages and departure dates.
* They might require specific cabin types or a minimum number of full-fare paying adults.
* They can include important conditions, like the number of children per cabin or maximum occupancy rules.

In most cases, children will pay **something**, even if a basic cruise fare is deeply discounted or waived, because per-person **taxes, fees, and port charges** almost always still apply.


## What else should families budget for?

Even if your **child cruise fares** are reduced, remember these kid-related costs:

1. **Gratuities (if applicable)**

* On many sailings, gratuities are applied **per person, per day**, including children.

2. **Specialty dining or treats**

* While a lot of food is included, extras like **specialty restaurants, gelato, or premium desserts** may add up.

3. **Shore excursions**

* Some tours price kids lower, others charge the same as adults. This can significantly impact the **family cruise cost**.

4. **Onboard spending**

* Arcade games, photos, souvenirs, and spa treatments for teens can all contribute to the final bill.

Understanding the **Princess child policy** around fare structure and extras helps you avoid surprises when the final statement arrives.

**Related Blogs:
[Does Holland America Line charge for children?](https://www.portjourney.com/blog/does-holland-america-line-charge-for-children)
[Does Seabourn Cruise Line charge for children?](https://www.portjourney.com/blog/does-seabourn-cruise-line-charge-for-children)
[Does Disney Cruise Line charge for children?](https://www.portjourney.com/blog/does-disney-cruise-line-charge-for-children)**

## Tips for getting the best child pricing on Princess

If you want to make the most of **Princess kids pricing**, try these strategies:

### 1. Look for sailings with strong 3rd/4th guest deals

Choose itineraries where **extra berth pricing** is especially attractive for kids. Shorter cruises or off-peak dates sometimes offer better rates for additional guests.

### 2. Compare one large cabin vs two smaller cabins

Sometimes one balcony or mini-suite with extra berths is more cost-effective than two separate cabins where children count as first/second guests. Compare **how child pricing works on Princess cabins** in different layouts before you decide.

### 3. Watch for promotions

Keep an eye on limited-time sales, including **Princess Cruises discounts for kids and families** and occasional **kids sail free**–style offers. These can meaningfully reduce your overall cost if they line up with your preferred dates.

### 4. Use a knowledgeable travel advisor

Travel advisors can help you decode cabin layouts, occupancy rules, and promotions, making sure you’re using the **Princess child policy** to your advantage. They may also know about group deals that lower the cost per child.

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## FAQs about Princess Cruises child pricing

**1. Does Princess charge full fare for children in a cabin with two adults?**
Generally, children booked as the **third or fourth guests** in a cabin pay a **reduced fare** compared with the first two adult fares. However, if a child is one of the **first two guests**, their fare may look much closer to a full adult fare. Princess kids pricing is more about cabin occupancy than strict age-based pricing.

**2. Are taxes and port fees charged for children on Princess Cruises?**
Yes. Even when child cruise fares are discounted or part of a **kids sail free** promotion, **taxes, fees, and port charges** are usually applied **per person**, including infants and children. These charges are not typically waived under the standard Princess child policy.

**3. How do extra berth charges for children on Princess work?**
Children using the **third or fourth berth** in a stateroom typically pay a **supplemental fare** that is lower than the first and second guest fares. These extra berth charges help determine overall **family cruise cost**, and the exact amount varies by sailing, ship, and promotion.

**4. Does Princess offer regular kids sail free promotions?**
Princess may occasionally run **Princess kids sail free promotions**, but they are not a permanent, everyday policy. These offers are usually limited to specific itineraries and dates and still require payment of taxes and fees for children. Always check the terms of any kids sail free marketing carefully.

**5. Where can I learn more about Princess child policy and pricing for my family?**
For detailed pricing, it’s best to review your specific sailing and cabin options and then contact Princess or your travel advisor. Independent cruise resources like **portjourney.com** can also help you understand how Princess kids pricing works in practice. If you’d like personalized help planning your family cruise cost and finding the best deal for your children, you can speak with a cruise specialist at **<a href="tel:[phone]">[phone]</a>**.