Single supplement

[cruz chic]

Me too! So much so, I've cancelled my back to back Alaska cruise with Hal this Sept. I'm just choked since I have down payment in the bank with Hal that I paid last May while on the "O". Now that I'm retired I may be able to get a good last minute deal - Hal, Celebrity, Princess - don't really care. Getting more & more disenfranchised with Hal every day.

I hope you do get a good deal. I got a pretty good rate with Princess last June but I only booked it about a month before it left. I guess business must be good for HAL to not worry if cruisers leave.

[RuthC]

Even though we're a couple, we usually sail with a single and what works best for all involved needs to be considered. With this pricing policy, HAL may not just lose some singles, but the couples with whom they sail.

Interesting point that I hadn't thought of.

I have to wonder if that would make a significant difference. Are there enough singles traveling with couples/groups that there's a large potential loss of business?

 

I don't know how much additional money HAL makes off of me, but I know I give some money back to them. When I travel as a single I don't want to tour alone, so I book HAL tours. I don't want to sit alone in my cabin, so I get out in the public areas. I may purchase a soda during the day, and don't ever miss cocktail time. I don't go the lounge with happy hour unless it's the place where I would go anyway.

And I like to stay out and play at night (now, if there were only something to do until 2:00 AM! :rolleyes:), and purchase liquid refreshment until I retire.

[Traveler 13]

HAL is chasing us away---quick like bunny rabbits.

[sullaRaffaello]

Has anyone found another cruise line that doesn't have such a draconian supplement??

 

I have an upcoming trip on Crystal that has a 35% single supplement. I would have booked the minimum rate 25% SS, but it was fully booked. As of my voyage, Crystal goes all inclusive. I had a Seabourn trip a couple of years ago that had a 25% SS, and Seabourn is also all inclusive.

[cruz chic]

I started cruising solo in 2008 and have paid double on each of my cruises. Of course, my cabin choice probably has a lot to do with that. ;)

Yes, I think balconies have always been 200%, but the chep seats haven't been.

[dot73]

I have never paid more than 150% for an inside or outside cabin on HAL. I find that the earlier you book, the better the price is for solos. Also, the prices are better for solos in certain times of the year. For Caribbean, the best prices are in November and December (the cruises just before Christmas), and also right after the new year. I just recently booked a 14-day cruise in early January 2013 and paid just under 150%. Since I spend very little time in my cabin, an inside or outside cabin is just fine for me.

[Watson's aunt]

maybe we should start seding emails to HAl. I also want to cruise but most of my friends will not or can't afford to. So I can't go I refuse to pay the extra. I really want to go back to Alaska this year on Amsterdam but not solo and paying those prices

 

Mary

[luvcruisn']

I have never paid more than 150% for an inside or outside cabin on HAL. I just recently booked a 14-day cruise in early January 2013 and paid just under 150%.

 

For my upcoming 22 night cruise on Veendam the price quoted for a solo traveller on most discount internet sites, along with HAL's website, was 160% of the double occupancy price for an inside cabin. I found a good price on another discount site and ended up paying 140% of HAL's price. A cruise that I would like to take - Voyage of the Vikings - for the lowest inside cabin is always 200%, which takes it outside of my price range. For now, due to the itineraries, I am remaining with HAL, but this may change in the future.

[Roz]

HAL's solo pricing is also making me take a look at other cruise lines. For both 2012 and 2013, HAL's Alaska sailings are asking double. It used to not be that way.

 

Roz

[oceanbreeze50]

I too think that the single supplement is toooo high. I also spend plenty on my own. I would love to do the New England cruise but it's just too much. I prefer the 10 to 14 day cruise's but the 7 day one's are more affordable. Once in a blue moon there will be a reasonable 150 percent for a solo on HA.

 

 

 

I have been searching for a cruise in April/May that has a lower single supplement and ran across a special NCL is offering on Canada/New England for September. A balcony cabin is offered at 150% for a 10 day leaving New York on September 8 and I believe there are other cabins at 150% also. Still looking for my April/May trip but at least I have September to look forward to in the mean time!

[mabert]

Is there a website that has the per person per day pricing for cruises? While I consider it one of the pleasures to look up options for cruises, there are just too many steps before I can figure out if, as a solo traveler, it will work for me.

 

M

[Sophiebaby]

I sail solo and am not interested in the "share" program. So far I've been paying 150% of the cabin fare for an inside cabin, and that's fine because I spend little time in it. I'm only interested in the longer cruises with unusual itineraries, and it does irk me that the program for 3rd & 4th passengers sailing free is really subsidized by the other passengers on board. Like Ruth C., because I'm a single I sign up for HAL's excursions, and I do buy soda and I take very good care of my stewards -- cabin and dining room -- with tips over and above the gratuity charged to my account. If the solo fares are increased by HAL, I will start looking for alternative cruise lines

[woan]

I would be interested in the share program except every time I have called, it requires larger cabins that are more than 2X inside cabin rate, so I just choose the private inside cabin...

 

On the two HAL cruises (Alaska and Antarctica) I paid 2X the double occupancy rate minus taxes.

 

Ron

[Watson's aunt]

Hal are you reading this,,,,,, I will be staying home. funny thing Hal. If I have to pay the extra supplement I will nont spend as much on the ship. no tours and such. But if I did not have to pay that extra supplement I would not be paying for all the extra's. So no tours, no casino. extra drinks. I think I spend more that some people who are doubles in thier cabin. I know my last cruise I bought more that a few bottles of wine every night. plus a drink before dinner. So HAl push us away we find someplace else to go. look there is a lot of single people are there. I guess you don't care, and no I am not going to room with a stranger for 14 days or even a few days

[lettienets]

I've been shopping around for a Panama Canal partial transit cruise. I have a future cruise certificate on HAL, so that's where I started. The base price is more expensive on HAL to start with, so even with a little price break on the supplement, a similar cruise on Princess would cost me $600 less. $600 would pay for my airfare, hotel, meals, and extras. I just don't see that the Zuiderdam is worth $600 more than the Coral Princess. I've never sailed Princess, but how bad can it be?

 

Roz

Hi Roz, Carnival announced a 15 Panama Canal repositioning cruise today for next March 6, 2013 as they are moving the Miracle from NY to Long Beach. Check it out.They are charging 200% but their prices are lower to begin with.If you take a 1A cabin....cheaper. Oops, just noticed you want a partial transit. Carnival isn't as bad as what people here think. Lot more casual but there are still elegant nights where people dress up but no tuxedos hardly at all anymore. Just don't go in summer or any kind of holiday time like Thanksgiving, Christmas etc...too many kids. Too many people on board.

 

Ps I have also noticed when I have to pay 200% I spend less on board in the shops, tours or drinks...So whatever way they cut it, if I pay more for the cruise I spend less in other things.

[Roz]

Hi Loretta,

 

Good to "see" you again. Thanks for the info on Carnival's Panama Canal cruise. I still may consider it. I've taken 4 Carnival cruises, so I'm not adverse to sailing them. Just sailed on the Freedom back in November. I liked it better when Carnival would give us deals on those 1A cabins, but you're right, with Carnival's fares being lower to start with, 200% is still less than on other lines.

 

Roz

[lettienets]

Hi Loretta,

 

Good to "see" you again. Thanks for the info on Carnival's Panama Canal cruise. I still may consider it. I've taken 4 Carnival cruises, so I'm not adverse to sailing them. Just sailed on the Freedom back in November. I liked it better when Carnival would give us deals on those 1A cabins, but you're right, with Carnival's fares being lower to start with, 200% is still less than on other lines.

Roz

Yesterday Carnival also announced a South America around the Horn from Long Beach to NY Feb 3, 2013 in three segments, on the Splendor, LA to Santiago 17 days, Santiago to Buenos Aires 13 daysand BA to NY, 18 days. I booked all three. 48 days

Had 2 FCC certificates where Carnival gives singles paying double, the whole $200 OBC for each certificate on cruises 12+ days

At least that is fairness with FCCs compared to Hal where you only get half the amount even booking at 200% and a measly amount of OBC is also given.

[Roz]

Loretta,

 

Thanks for mentioning those certificates. I purchased one on the Freedom, and you're right, Carnival gives us the double OBC when sailing solo (and paying double!). I saw that SA itinerary; wish it included the Falkland Islands like HAL does.

 

Roz

[chrispb]

If you are virtually paying for another person as a single supplement, why not pay for a friend or relative to travel with you. They may even offer to offset some of the costs? Worth a try.

[lettienets]

Loretta,

 

Thanks for mentioning those certificates. I purchased one on the Freedom, and you're right, Carnival gives us the double OBC when sailing solo (and paying double!). I saw that SA itinerary; wish it included the Falkland Islands like HAL does.

Roz

:D When I was on the Rotterdam SA/Antarctica cruise we had to bypass the Falklands due to high seas! Couldn't tender. :(

 

Definitely the Carnival FCCs are a way better deal. I am going to pick up another one on the Breeze TA in Nov. You can apply them if if you already booked but not at final payment. So I need one more!

[lettienets]

If you are virtually paying for another person as a single supplement, why not pay for a friend or relative to travel with you. They may even offer to offset some of the costs? Worth a try.

:D Heck, I would rather have my own room than a freeloading relative or friend, ha ha ha! :p Sorry (slap me!) :)

[mightycruisequeen]

If you are virtually paying for another person as a single supplement, why not pay for a friend or relative to travel with you. They may even offer to offset some of the costs? Worth a try.

IMO, that's an excellent suggestion. :)

[Roz]

That's great if you have a friend or relative that:

 

1. Likes to travel/cruise

 

2. You don't mind sharing a small space with for a week or more

 

3. Can take the time off from work at the same time you do

 

4. Has the money for the extras - airfare, hotel, shorex, tips, etc.

 

Believe it or not, I know only a couple of people that meet all those criteria.

 

Roz

[solocanadian]

Hal are you reading this' date=',,,,, I will be staying home. funny thing Hal. If I have to pay the extra supplement I will nont spend as much on the ship. no tours and such. But if I did not have to pay that extra supplement I would not be paying for all the extra's. So no tours, no casino. extra drinks. I think I spend more that some people who are doubles in thier cabin. I know my last cruise I bought more that a few bottles of wine every night. plus a drink before dinner. So HAl push us away we find someplace else to go. look there is a lot of single people are there. I guess you don't care, and no I am not going to room with a stranger for 14 days or even a few days[/quote']

 

I am so with you!

[Roz]

Loretta, yes, the Falklands can be hit or miss, but I'll take my chances.

 

Roz