Single cabins ever possible?

[Ab Ovo]

Will we ever again see Single cabins on Cunard? It still chaffs me so, booking a Single and being put in a Double and essentially charged twice. I know unto death all the reasons why this is how Cunard does it … but.

 

Does this bode well for Cunard single travelers: P&O's Arcadia will go into drydock in December 2013, some five years after it underwent a multi-million pound refit at the Lloydwerft shipyard in Bremerhaven, Germany. Some of the planned new features include 10 single cabins, which will take over the floor space of Electra, the night club onboard, plus part of the current casino.

 

In the industry when one line incorporates a change, often other lines soon follow.

 

Arcadia wasn't always destined to sail under the P&O Cruises flag. Owner Carnival Corp. actually intended this ship to be Cunard's Queen Victoria, but later decided to allocate it elsewhere.

 

So, single cabins coming on Arcadia? Wouldn't it be easy to do the same on similar vessels? Say on Cunard Queens Victoria and Elizabeth? Could passenger pressure make it so?

[Scrapnana]

I believe on some lines that have single cabins they still charge more than a "double occupancy" price. For example, when I started looking for an around the world cruise the price for a "single balcony" on Fred Olsen was only $5000 less than a Cunard balcony with the single supplement. So you end up paying a single supplement it's just not identified as such.

 

Another issue I would have is that most single rooms are inside. I need to at least be able to see outside if I don't have a balcony. The singles are often really small (have you seen the pictures of those on NCL?). I know this would not bother many people but I would have issues.

[Calliope]

For the 2013 season the AMERICAN QUEEN will be selling both inside and outside single rooms. Many of the trips this year double occupancy rooms were sold to individuals traveling alone at 120%; now, that's a pretty good deal!

[Austcruiser84]

Generally single cabins are tiny. Looking at what is being installed horrifies me. You can't fit even a bag in some of them!

 

I'd rather pay double and have a proper room for myself.

 

But if you don't mind being a sardine and having no space to store bags then I guess it's okay.

 

Each to their own.

[Jimsgirl]

I sailed on QE2, in a single cabin, the cabin itself was usable, it was the bathroom that was too small, sink sticking out from wall, bend down to rinse you face and your rear end would hit wall behind you.

 

For 7-14 days a "single cabin" on QM2,QE or QV would be a great idea, the single supplement is simply too high, remember singles (widows anyway) have less income via pensions than couples.

 

I have a cruise booked for 2013, but have had to pay double occupancy price for a D8,this certainly seems unfair (18 days Panama Canal).

 

It puzzles me how Cunard refuse to reduce "single supplement" on a cruise, then do a fire sale in a targeted country or state, at a price (for doubles of course)that attract the "lowest common denominater" someone who refuses to follow any rules and I do not mean just dress, I mean any rules whatsoever.

 

I am coming to the end of my cruising days, perhaps just as well , and I can see the days of Cunard "elegance " disappearing. Already the ships staff,entertainment , and food has beeen Canavalised,

[pkpon]

The single cabins on P&O's Azura are quite big and are fairly priced. They will be introduced on her sister ship Ventura during her next refit.

 

I can remember being told that there were going to be single cabins on QE but it never happened.

[3rdGenCunarder]

I believe on some lines that have single cabins they still charge more than a "double occupancy" price. For example, when I started looking for an around the world cruise the price for a "single balcony" on Fred Olsen was only $5000 less than a Cunard balcony with the single supplement. So you end up paying a single supplement it's just not identified as such.

 

Another issue I would have is that most single rooms are inside. I need to at least be able to see outside if I don't have a balcony. The singles are often really small (have you seen the pictures of those on NCL?). I know this would not bother many people but I would have issues.

 

You're right. QE2 had lots of single cabins. I remember checking prices when my Dad sailed with us. His inside Mauretania single cabin cost more than half of an inside double (one person's share of double occupancy). His fare in the lowest M grade was about equal to one person's share in the highest M double (oceanview). So, yes, there was a single supplement buried in the price.

[laktex]

For the 2013 season the AMERICAN QUEEN will be selling both inside and outside single rooms.

 

Gosh, a transatlantic on the American Queen would be real fun!!

[philayl]

Gosh, a transatlantic on the American Queen would be real fun!!

Where do I book?:cool: Phil

[Calliope]

Gosh, a transatlantic on the American Queen would be real fun!!

 

LOL!

 

The AMERICAN QUEEN She has done a couple of crossings on the Gulf of Mexico. She is too big for the Intercoastal Waterway, so three times she had to travel on open water to get to and fro the Mississippi River and Louisiana Bayou Country. Her one time running mate DELTA QUEEN traveled from San Francisco to the Mississippi River via the Panama Canal, so it's not unheard of for a flat bottom paddlewheeler to take to blue water. At the turn of the Twentieth Century a Pittsburgh, Pensylvania built sternwheeler was loaded with cattle for freight and made it to her South American destination.

[pepperrn]

I sailed on QE2, in a single cabin, the cabin itself was usable, it was the bathroom that was too small, sink sticking out from wall, bend down to rinse you face and your rear end would hit wall behind you.

There are pictures of my single cabin 2122 on QE2 in this set...

about eight pictures in...

The bathroom (including a bath) seemed larger than the inside cabins on the current three ships. Of course it wasn't really!

I would have this cabin again in a heartbeat :) :) :), despite a few issues with the cabin :( (and one or two with the ship :( ).

[seasidegal]

There are pictures of my single cabin 2122 on QE2 in this set...

about eight pictures in...

The bathroom (including a bath) seemed larger than the inside cabins on the current three ships. Of course it wasn't really!

I would have this cabin again in a heartbeat :) :) :), despite a few issues with the cabin :( (and one or two with the ship :( ).

 

pepperrn: Excellent pictures. I love this cabin, it looks so cozy. Did the porthole window open? The closet was almost indentical (less refrigerator) to the size of the one in my first apartment. It, too, was hidden by a curtain. This cabin has that special look and feel of being on a ship. Reminds me of the same style that we saw when we toured The Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh. Cabins now look very much like hotel room.

 

Thanks for sharing your lovely photos.

[pepperrn]

pepperrn: Excellent pictures. I love this cabin, it looks so cozy. Did the porthole window open? Thanks for sharing your lovely photos.

Thank you seasidegal :o . Yes, it was cosy. No, sadly the porthole wouldn't open, normally. The cabin was almost perfect in every way, and if QE2 were still in service, I wouldn't hesitate to book this cabin again. Thank you again :) .

[seasidegal]

Thank you seasidegal :o . Yes, it was cosy. No, sadly the porthole wouldn't open, normally. The cabin was almost perfect in every way, and if QE2 were still in service, I wouldn't hesitate to book this cabin again. Thank you again :) .

 

I would love to be able to book a cabin just like that. So sad I missed the opportunity. :(

[rgaudet]

Hi Pepper,

 

I thought I had seen all your photos but I don't recall seeing those of the single stateroom. It looks very nice! Great photos as always.

 

Rob

[pepperrn]

Hi Pepper, I thought I had seen all your photos but I don't recall seeing those of the single stateroom. It looks very nice! Great photos as always. Rob

Glad you liked them :o , it was a great single cabin, thank you! :) .

[Austcruiser84]

Spacious single cabin. You won't see that on a new ship. Not in the world of profit before comfort.

[rolfecms]

There are pictures of my single cabin 2122 on QE2 in this set...

about eight pictures in...The bathroom (including a bath) seemed larger than the inside cabins on the current three ships. Of course it wasn't really!I would have this cabin again in a heartbeat :) :) :), despite a few issues with the cabin :( (and one or two with the ship :( ).

 

Thanks for the great photos.

[CostaSmurfette]

Spacious single cabin. You won't see that on a new ship. Not in the world of profit before comfort.

 

I beg to differ...

 

Costa Classica, Costa Fortuna, Costa Magica, Costa Pacifica, Costa Favolosa, Costa Fascinosa, Costa Serena...they ALL have pure single inside and outside cabins with NO single supplement.

 

The rest of the fleet have twins, quads etc but no pure single cabins, however, they charge 30% single supplement for a solo to use them.

 

Carnival Corp is capable of having pure single cabins on their ships, they just choose not to on many of the lines that they own. The Costa ships have around 25-30 pure single cabins per ship on half of their fleet.

[Austcruiser84]

I beg to differ...

 

Costa Classica, Costa Fortuna, Costa Magica, Costa Pacifica, Costa Favolosa, Costa Fascinosa, Costa Serena...they ALL have pure single inside and outside cabins with NO single supplement.

 

The rest of the fleet have twins, quads etc but no pure single cabins, however, they charge 30% single supplement for a solo to use them.

 

Carnival Corp is capable of having pure single cabins on their ships, they just choose not to on many of the lines that they own. The Costa ships have around 25-30 pure single cabins per ship on half of their fleet.

 

Please note the word "spacious" before "single cabins" :)

 

I've seen the plans and photos of new single cabins. They are so small! You could hardly move in them by the looks and judging by the square footage.

[CostaSmurfette]

Please note the word "spacious" before "single cabins" :)

 

I've seen the plans and photos of new single cabins. They are so small! You could hardly move in them by the looks and judging by the square footage.

 

Shouldn't judge til you have used one...I use nothing but single cabins, only 4 twins in the last 10 cruises...and they are far from small, crampt etc.

 

I am 6ft tall, so not exactly a small person...the bathroom is exactly the same in the twin/single cabins, the floorspace is not that much different tween twin/single cabins. They are very comfortable and not at all claustaphobic.

 

Fred Olsen also have single cabins that are brilliant too....

 

So perhaps you really need to try before judging...photo's and deck plans do not always show an accurate image. And anyway, at least there ARE custom built single cabins out there on Carnival Corp ships.....not ones that were tacked on afterwards such as QE2 (which I have also sailed many times before Carnival took the reins).

[Austcruiser84]

Shouldn't judge til you have used one...I use nothing but single cabins, only 4 twins in the last 10 cruises...and they are far from small, crampt etc.

 

I am 6ft tall, so not exactly a small person...the bathroom is exactly the same in the twin/single cabins, the floorspace is not that much different tween twin/single cabins. They are very comfortable and not at all claustaphobic.

 

Fred Olsen also have single cabins that are brilliant too....

 

So perhaps you really need to try before judging...photo's and deck plans do not always show an accurate image. And anyway, at least there ARE custom built single cabins out there on Carnival Corp ships.....not ones that were tacked on afterwards such as QE2 (which I have also sailed many times before Carnival took the reins).

 

Please try and be civil :) We are all entitled to an opinion here.

 

Each to their own, but from the stats given by the few lines offering solo cabins I believe they are small.

 

On Azura, an outsie solo is figured at 130 square feet and on NCL the new ships in the works will boast solo cabins at 100 square feet.

 

Compared to the smallest cabins on Cunard (inside at 159 square feet) the above examples are small.

 

I like to travel with plenty of luggage and enjoy extra space even though I travel alone. To me, the solo cabins on offer are too snug for comfort.

 

I think one can easily pass judgement without trying when it comes to matters of space. It's pretty clear to me that 100 square feet or even 130 square feet is just a little too tight for my tastes.

 

Each to their own :)

[pepperrn]

... And anyway, at least there ARE custom built single cabins out there on Carnival Corp ships.....not ones that were tacked on afterwards such as QE2 (which I have also sailed many times before Carnival took the reins).

Which single cabins on QE2 were "tacked on afterwards"?

 

(I do not have the deck-plans in front of me at the present time but seem to remember two QG singles were added in the area previously occupied by the shopping area (there were two cabins on either side/aft end, near what became the upper level of the "Grand Lounge", these were singles if I remember correctly, my apologies if I am mistaken). I don't know of any other single cabins that were "tacked on afterwards" on QE2, sorry).

 

Thanks for your help. :) .

[yojimbo]

I sailed on QE's final crossing in October, 2008 in single cabin 1005......i think it was approx. 110 sq. ft.

 

It was compact, but I didn't feel cramped.

[CostaSmurfette]

Please try and be civil :) We are all entitled to an opinion here.

 

Each to their own, but from the stats given by the few lines offering solo cabins I believe they are small.

 

On Azura, an outsie solo is figured at 130 square feet and on NCL the new ships in the works will boast solo cabins at 100 square feet.

 

Compared to the smallest cabins on Cunard (inside at 159 square feet) the above examples are small.

 

I like to travel with plenty of luggage and enjoy extra space even though I travel alone. To me, the solo cabins on offer are too snug for comfort.

 

I think one can easily pass judgement without trying when it comes to matters of space. It's pretty clear to me that 100 square feet or even 130 square feet is just a little too tight for my tastes.

 

Each to their own :)

 

Luggage goes under the bed or if you travel with loads of it, the room steward will happily take it away to store in one of the linen cupboards on your deck.

 

Taking issue over not having solo cabins is fine, but when they are offered, you don't want it...you cannot have it both ways.

 

The cruise lines DO provide solo cabins on several ships...YOU are making the decision not to use them and then complain about the supplement imposed on a solo using a twin....

 

Many of the solo cabins, especially on ships like Costa Classica, Olsen's Balmoral, Olsen's Braemar are actually twin cabins that have had a bed taken out...they have not been shrunken down as a result of being designated a solo cabin....you actually have alot more space since that empty bed that you would have been staring at has been removed.

 

Deck plans have disclaimers on them about not being to scale and how they are representative only...solo cabins are just as big as their twin neighbours, with the same wardrobe space, same drawer space, same bathroom.