Solos... what's your opinion?

[Ba' Datz]

I always float around the sea as a single.

 

I never look at it as paying double for a room. I simply recognize it as the price of the room plus the price of the food.

 

Similar to a hotel, the price of the room is exactly the same regardless of how many people are staying in it. (within reason)

 

The price of the food is once per each person in the room.

 

In other words, the people in the room are splitting the price of the room and each paying a full amount for food.

 

I do not follow your logic here. I agree that the room cost is the same regardless of the people, but the food cost is not. A single does not eat twice as much and the cost to the cruise line is per person and not per room.

 

As I mentioned in a previous post, charging 200% is tantamount to robbery. The highest supplement logically should be about 185-190%. Not a big difference but it shows that the cruise line is at least being honest.

 

But in the end it is a question of how much you are willing to pay for the vacation and not the price breakdown and that is up to the individual.

[MADflyer]

While 200% is the tradition of the cruise industry and it is true ships have many channels to fill cabins, the market as a whole has changed.

 

I do not expect them to offer discounts to solo travelers during peak times when their ships are already full, but when you see a market like South Florida with the addition of the MSC Divina, Carnival Breeze, NCL Getaway, Royal and Regal Princess and soon RCL Anthem of the Seas and the new level of ship capacity, I do expect them to find new channels to fill this capacity. This also makes some of the older ships less attractive and thus further weakens these ships position in this VALUE relationship.

 

I am a strong supporter that they will find the solo cruiser crucial to their future growth, especially during non-peak periods.

 

When I go to Vegas every December and stay at the Mandalay Bay for $19 to $39 a night (single or double), with between $50 resort credit per day or $100 per booking offered along with 3 meal MGM dining plans sold for $40-55 a day, I know that this is being offered as they have excess capacity in the month of December. I would feel gauged if they did not fluctuate pricing based on capacity in this case and have been conditioned to expect it.

 

When I head over to NYC every February and get great rates (single or double) on hotels on Priceline or Hotwire, find many last minute half-price theater tickets (per ticket) and have great shopping, dining and cultural activities at my doorstep. I know this is capacity related and I can only get these great deals in January and February.

 

The whole concept of VALUE is not directly related to money, but to where you feel you get the most SATISFACTION for the money you spend.

 

Most solo travelers will tell you there are many 'negatives' currently to sailing as a solo. I think for growth you will have to offer price 'incentives' to any market to experience growth.

 

While RCIs current pricing may somewhat maintain a loyal following, it will not bring them growth in this sector. They just need to make up their minds what they want.

 

The current dissatisfaction among some of us 'solo' travelers on RCIs current pricing is not based on the price, but rather on the fact that we have now been conditioned to feel that a 'mass-market' cruise offers about $90 to $150 a day VALUE to us, when choosing among all the many travel options we have available to us. This is especially true, when we consider all the time we spend in the bars, spa and specialty dining venues.

[mommabean]

At this stage in my life (31 solo passenger) I generally book for convenience thus I tend to go the bayonne port. Personally, I tend to look at the cruise for total price and sail when I think I can afford the prices (or can get the vacation time). at this point I have only really been on one cruise (have another booked for this year on the explorer) but I can see where paying a 200% supplement will begin to irritate some customers. I figure I am a relatively young cruiser so I figure I will try a few cruise lines before I settle in on a favorite. I had heard that once you get to certain level (not sure which level) on Royal they usually let passengers book solo at 150% (i think that is for balconies if am not mistaken) single supplement. I am pretty sure when I start to consider price and itinerary as opposed to convenience of port I will start to reconsider my choice of cruise lines overall.

 

the way I see it. these cruise lines will only change their pricing habits when enough people start voting with their wallets and pocketbooks. At the moment solo's like me are still willing to pay such prices.

 

Members who have 340 points or more get the 150% single supplement and this is on ALL rooms. Not just balconies.

 

Here are the restrictions as currently stated on the C&A website:

 

Single members must have 340 Cruise Points earned in order to receive the single cruise fare at 150%. This offer is based on availability with certain restrictions. Ocean Voyage Package, Holiday sailings (Christmas and New Year) and the months of July and August are not included in this offer

[Don Pedro]

Members who have 340 points or more get the 150% single supplement and this is on ALL rooms. Not just balconies.

 

Here are the restrictions as currently stated on the C&A website:

 

Single members must have 340 Cruise Points earned in order to receive the single cruise fare at 150%. This offer is based on availability with certain restrictions. Ocean Voyage Package, Holiday sailings (Christmas and New Year) and the months of July and August are not included in this offer

 

Correct! This a great benefit offered by RCL. It is not, however, offered by Celebrity and when Michael Bayley, the Celebrity CEO, was questioned about their policy he rather rudely stated that it is only common sense that more revenue is generated by double occupancy.

 

If the ships are sailing at or near full capacity he is right. While cabin prices generate revenue, excursions, bar tabs and casinos probably add equal value to the cruise line. A solution might be to reduce the single supplement on sailings that are lightly booked but for those of us who have to schedule airfare and hotel reservations it would do little good. Primarily those who live close to a port would be the ones that benefit. But many of them already know how to snag last minute bargains. It might be best for solo cruisers to shoot for the 340 point mark.

[cruisesR4me]

While 200% is the tradition of the cruise industry and it is true ships have many channels to fill cabins, the market as a whole has changed.

 

I do not expect them to offer discounts to solo travelers during peak times when their ships are already full, but when you see a market like South Florida with the addition of the MSC Divina, Carnival Breeze, NCL Getaway, Royal and Regal Princess and soon RCL Anthem of the Seas and the new level of ship capacity, I do expect them to find new channels to fill this capacity. This also makes some of the older ships less attractive and thus further weakens these ships position in this VALUE relationship.

 

I am a strong supporter that they will find the solo cruiser crucial to their future growth, especially during non-peak periods.

 

When I go to Vegas every December and stay at the Mandalay Bay for $19 to $39 a night (single or double), with between $50 resort credit per day or $100 per booking offered along with 3 meal MGM dining plans sold for $40-55 a day, I know that this is being offered as they have excess capacity in the month of December. I would feel gauged if they did not fluctuate pricing based on capacity in this case and have been conditioned to expect it.

 

When I head over to NYC every February and get great rates (single or double) on hotels on Priceline or Hotwire, find many last minute half-price theater tickets (per ticket) and have great shopping, dining and cultural activities at my doorstep. I know this is capacity related and I can only get these great deals in January and February.

 

The whole concept of VALUE is not directly related to money, but to where you feel you get the most SATISFACTION for the money you spend.

 

Most solo travelers will tell you there are many 'negatives' currently to sailing as a solo. I think for growth you will have to offer price 'incentives' to any market to experience growth.

 

While RCIs current pricing may somewhat maintain a loyal following, it will not bring them growth in this sector. They just need to make up their minds what they want.

 

The current dissatisfaction among some of us 'solo' travelers on RCIs current pricing is not based on the price, but rather on the fact that we have now been conditioned to feel that a 'mass-market' cruise offers about $90 to $150 a day VALUE to us, when choosing among all the many travel options we have available to us. This is especially true, when we consider all the time we spend in the bars, spa and specialty dining venues.

 

-like-

[katrina915]

I am one of those solos who had been "Loyal to Royal", as evidenced by my Diamond Plus status. However, now I must sadly look for other travel options since the value of RCL cruises is not acceptable to me (and lets not even get into how the service level and food quality has dropped in the past 6 months). I very seldom paid a 200% surcharge except for special ships or itineraries, and the 2 cruises I currently have booked are at about 1.6% (even the Quantum). Rather than the amount of the surcharge I look at the daily rate of a cruise and am willing to pay about $150/day for normal ships and routes, up to $225/day for a special cruise. With the new pricing, I am not willing to pay $275/day for a 4 day cruise on the Enchantment in an inside cabin. At this point I do not plan on booking any RCL cruises for 2015, unless one is offered at a good value.

 

I will be looking at other travel options, not just other cruise lines. I enjoy land tours, Elderhostel programs and even European river cruises are now a good value for solos. I believe RCL has made a huge marketing mistake, and as one poster noted they may not realize it until next year since many of us already have booked 2014 cruises before the new solo prices & will not cancel them. I don't think studio cabins are a solution, before all of this started the studio cabins on the NCL Epic were still a lot more than an RCL inside cabin.

 

Time will tell and market will dictate what happens. This should be interesting since the solo population in general is growing.

 

As for me, I have never been a cruise person but became one since it was an easier way to get around with my elderly father. If I have to pay 200%, I believe the cruise industry could lose my busines since I will not be charged for two people's food and entertainment if I do a land tour.

[Don Pedro]

Time will tell and market will dictate what happens. This should be interesting since the solo population in general is growing.

 

As for me, I have never been a cruise person but became one since it was an easier way to get around with my elderly father. If I have to pay 200%, I believe the cruise industry could lose my busines since I will not be charged for two people's food and entertainment if I do a land tour.

 

I agree with your sentiments but it is not only the cruise lines who fail to accommodate solo travelers. Hotels charge the same price whether there are one or two people occupying the room. Taxis charge the same fare for both one or two riders. Book an all-inclusive resort and there is very little saving for the solo traveler. Supposedly, RCL is putting a new category of cabin designed for the single traveler on its ships. Don't know how small they are or what they look like but they may a solution for many solo travelers. I suspect they will need to be booked early as there probably won't be many available.

[Ocean Boy]

I agree with your sentiments but it is not only the cruise lines who fail to accommodate solo travelers. Hotels charge the same price whether there are one or two people occupying the room. Taxis charge the same fare for both one or two riders. Book an all-inclusive resort and there is very little saving for the solo traveler. Supposedly, RCL is putting a new category of cabin designed for the single traveler on its ships. Don't know how small they are or what they look like but they may a solution for many solo travelers. I suspect they will need to be booked early as there probably won't be many available.[/QUOTE]

 

I suspect that, with few cabins in the category and enough solo passengers, the laws of supply and demand may kick in and these cabins may at times be priced higher than what a solo might pay in a double cabin. Justs as it is not rare to see ocean views sometimes priced higher than balcony cabins or insides priced higher than ocean views depending on how the category is selling, I think that these solo cabins might end up being quite expensive. And that is especially true if some computer is using some pre-programmed algorithm to set pricing as seems to happen now.

[Ocean Boy]

Correct! This a great benefit offered by RCL. It is not, however, offered by Celebrity and when Michael Bayley, the Celebrity CEO, was questioned about their policy he rather rudely stated that it is only common sense that more revenue is generated by double occupancy.

 

If the ships are sailing at or near full capacity he is right. While cabin prices generate revenue, excursions, bar tabs and casinos probably add equal value to the cruise line. A solution might be to reduce the single supplement on sailings that are lightly booked but for those of us who have to schedule airfare and hotel reservations it would do little good. Primarily those who live close to a port would be the ones that benefit. But many of them already know how to snag last minute bargains. It might be best for solo cruisers to shoot for the 340 point mark.

 

It should make RCI very happy to have solos booking away in order to reach that mark!

[Don Pedro]

It should make RCI very happy to have solos booking away in order to reach that mark!

 

Absolutely!

[Ba' Datz]

I agree with your sentiments but it is not only the cruise lines who fail to accommodate solo travelers. Hotels charge the same price whether there are one or two people occupying the room. Taxis charge the same fare for both one or two riders. Book an all-inclusive resort and there is very little saving for the solo traveler.quote]

 

 

Don't necessarily agree with you here. A taxi charges for the trip from point A to point B. It doesn't matter how many people are in the cab. His costs are basically the same. As he is not trying to sell you drinks along the way, he is not losing revenue and the price is the same for all. He is not discriminating against anyone.

 

As to the hotels, plenty of hotels and motels have single rooms or a single in a double room rate and charge less than for two people in a room. The same goes for the third or fourth in the room where there is often an extra person charge.

[CarpeCerevisi]

I am fortunate in that I reached the 340 point number before they changed the single supplement policy. For me it works out since I never sail in July or August and rarely at the holidays. The only thing I wish is that their booking engine was smart enough to apply the discount automatically rather than my having to call C&A and then having the rep have to have a supervisor apply the discount.

[cynt]

I was in a similar situation for my February 2014 solo cruise decision.

 

$1,000 for Navigator inside cabin out of Galveston 7 nights (Belize, Roaton, Cozumel)

 

or

 

$532 Carnival Sunshine inside cabin out of New Orleans 7 nights (Montego Bay, Cozumel and Grand Caymen).

 

What originally had me planning a Feb 2014 cruise was because my friends were going on the Feb. 5 Navigator cruise a short 4 night cruise. I said sure I'll go and thought I could nab a cabin for $500-$600. Nope they were running $900/inside solo cabin. ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?!?!? I waited and waited for the price to drop and it didn't. So I started looking at other options. If I'm going to spend a $1000 I'm going for a week was my attitude. :D

 

I selected the Sunshine. My flight, hotel and airfare totaled $1083 for my Sunshine cruise vacation. For me it boiled down to itinerary and value for the dollar. Not to mention it's Mardi Gras in NOLA so I can take in a few parades as well. So the overall vacation package was worth it to me. This is a budget vacation and Carnival fit the bill. My fall cruise will be a splurge and I'm sure I'll be back on a RCCL ship. My 1st cruise was on VOTS and I am a Royal Promenade snob. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE ROYAL PROMENADE!!

 

I've cruised three cruise lines. RCCL is by far my favorite and I was ruined sailing solo in Sept on the Allure for a heck of a solo rate $800/ish total for a boardwalk balcony. It ruined me!! Since they started the 200% supplement it's been hard to find a reasonable solo cruise on RCCL. But they are out there like when the May 2014 sailing for the Navigator dropped to $500ish for a solo cabin. Sept, Oct and early Nov are always cheap months so I'll just hold out to w/in 30 days and see if something shakes out on RCCL.

 

btw Carnival Sunshine still has the $439/rate plus fees and everything $532. Oceanview starts at $539 for Feb 2014.

 

Select what's best for you. I 2nd RCCL is just better but if you want to get away and can enjoy any cruiseline for vacation definitely go with Carnival. I'm laid back and enjoy me time so Carnival will do the job this time around.

Edited February 4, 2014 by cynt

[LuvBNatC]

I'm 2 points away from Diamond status, and so have been hoping to book RCI cruises as a solo for early summer and fall 2014.

 

Call me STICKER-SHOCKED. :eek:

 

I've been hoping they'll relax the SS if the ships don't fill up, but after reading this thread, I see that it may not happen.

 

I hate NCL Freestyle cruising as a single because I find myself too often forced to eat alone when fellow passengers don't want a stranger at their table. But after 24 NCL cruises, I've already got VIP status (or whatever they call it now), so maybe I'll have to suck it up and sail with them again.

 

After my last Carnival cruise with passengers screaming, fighting, and puking in the hall right outside my door in the middle of the night, never again Carnival at any price.

 

I thought RCI was finally doing right by singles by giving us double points, but if it means always paying top dollar with nary a break, screw it. They can keep the points.

[Hoopster95]

I'm 2 points away from Diamond status, and so have been hoping to book RCI cruises as a solo for early summer and fall 2014. Call me STICKER-SHOCKED. :eek:

 

I thought RCI was finally doing right by singles by giving us double points, but if it means always paying top dollar with nary a break, screw it. They can keep the points.

 

When the "new" system was announced for double points to solo's, I was one of the very few to say it stinks... there will be many more solos saying "screw it" when more solos start looking up mock bookings under the new system.

 

I would hope that the poster who mentioned that solos should work towards the 340 point status is purely saying that without really thinking too hard about it... I am 2 pts from D+, so I need approx 170 points, or in other words 12 cruises at double supplement to get to the magic 150% supplement discount at 340 points. Basic interiors for most 7 day cruises (not Oasis class, but say Navigator etc) are approx $1100 per solo. Therefore I need to spend $13,000 just in cruise costs (let alone taxes, gratuities, my flights from Canada, time off work, etc) in order to achieve a 150% solo supplement entitlement....

 

However under current CCL pricing at $400-450 per solo at a zero% supplement, I can go on about 30 cruises for that same $13,000. Imagne other solos who are perhaps only at Platinum level what that cost will be to reach 340 points! Remember, luxury lines lines like Crystal, Oceana and Azamara to name a few offer zero supplements often on various sailings.

 

I also put myself in RCL's shoes... I too running a business would not want too many solos. Like other posters have said, the price of a taxi is the same whether there's one or two passengers, hotel room the same, etc.... Having said that, solos are a growing market share. It would be fair to me that ships that are not full capacity be given the ability for solos to have beter supplements, but how in the world can RCL determine that at any time? Back to the taxi example - that same taxi driver could pick up a short distance $10 fair, but if he had waited 30 seconds for the next guy, he could've gotten a $100 fare with a $20 tip... who knows? In business we must take all customers and treat them according to market conditions.... right now RCL has said to solos "pay me full pop no matter what" while others like CCL are saying "we want your business, we'll steal you and hope you like us to take more cruises, solos may be a loss leader but they will keep our ship staff employed and maybe just maybe you'll come back for more and tell your friends how awesome your $450 cruise was".

 

Big mistake by RCL in this regard imo. Great and thoughtful responses by everyone by the way. Thank you:)

[MADflyer]

A small loyal group of solo travelers will hit that 340 mark, no problem. They will remain loyal. Great for them!

 

Many of these lucked out through 'spouse' or 'family' matching status or a great conversion to the new system a few years ago. Some others are privileged to work maybe for an airline and get heavy discounts, while also having work schedules that allow frequent travel and so on......

 

Consider a new potential cruiser, still working, lets say taking 14 days of cruising in a year. It will now take 340 days or 24 years in SI or SB cabins with almost a year onboard, 170 days or just over 12 years in standard cabins or just over 8 years in JS or above, where they would pay about 260% or more of the inside rate as a single to reach this goal 4 years quicker.

 

All this to just 're-qualify' for fares that already frequent solo travelers consider of VALUE!?

 

While I do feel those with 340 points should get 150% on every sailing in every category and I highly respect their loyalty and success at having a situation that has allowed them to reach this status, I will continue to argue that when they have capacity fare reduction, such as Guarantee cabins, the offers should also to some extent be made available to solo travelers.

[Lady Hudson]

I, too, was excited by the double points "scheme". Then I noticed the fares. I will still book with RCI but only last minute for the lowest price possible. I have been fortunate to be able to travel quite a lot (Diamond member on RCI, Cunard, and Celebrity) but now I am just plain annoyed. Retirement approaches for me soon (June) but I see my additional voyages going to other lines. Too bad, I was really starting to like RCI. Would a 175% single supplement really do that much damage to their bottom line?

[nanwel]

I am paying the 200 for a cruise in Feb - but, will probably not cruise RC very often in the future.

NOT happy with 200%, and usually book my trips 6 - 8 months in advance to get choice locations - never have booked last minute - too much going on in my life to do that and from Canada, so have to get airfare, and may get a last min cruise cheaper, air will be more expensive and harder to arrange.

Never do an inside room, so the "new" solo areas are crap - why do solos have to be stuck inside in the bottom of the ship!

Usually book a ship according to iterary - have a destination in mind pre planning - often book 2 or even 3 ships to do an area, and travel for a couple of months at time.

I agree a lot of ships are now charging 200%, but also see a lot now have rooms available last minute, because they have empty rooms - too bad - hope they sail with a lot of empty rooms - we solos would have gladly booked they if they did not opt to rip us off.

Double points - 2 x 0 is still 0!

[LuvBNatC]

Never do an inside room, so the "new" solo areas are crap - why do solos have to be stuck inside in the bottom of the ship!

 

I am awed by all of you who have done the math on this. You really do prove in hard numbers that this whole solo deal is hardly worth it.

 

nanwel, I have flirted with booking Norwegian Epic, but those solo cabins are walk-in closets, and I know I would not enjoy being in the bowels of such a huge ship after spoiling myself with balconies.

 

I have been giving serious consideration to upgrading to one of the premium all-inclusive lines. With drinks, shore excursions, gratuities, and airfare thrown in, on European itineraries they really aren't much more pricey than mass-market lines.

 

However, when I contacted Regent during one of their 2-for-1 sales where they were charging a couple $5,000 (in round $$) to sail, they wanted $10,000 for me alone! :mad:

 

Even though the census shows that single households are now in the majority, it seems we singles can't catch a break on cruising. I hope the lines wake up in my lifetime.

 

Karen

[Robinola]

IMHO, you get what you pay for. Traveling solo is the way to go.

It's completely worth paying the extra cash.

[squadron]

I am paying the 200 for a cruise in Feb - but, will probably not cruise RC very often in the future.

NOT happy with 200%, and usually book my trips 6 - 8 months in advance to get choice locations - never have booked last minute - too much going on in my life to do that and from Canada, so have to get airfare, and may get a last min cruise cheaper, air will be more expensive and harder to arrange.

Never do an inside room, so the "new" solo areas are crap - why do solos have to be stuck inside in the bottom of the ship!

Usually book a ship according to iterary - have a destination in mind pre planning - often book 2 or even 3 ships to do an area, and travel for a couple of months at time.

I agree a lot of ships are now charging 200%, but also see a lot now have rooms available last minute, because they have empty rooms - too bad - hope they sail with a lot of empty rooms - we solos would have gladly booked they if they did not opt to rip us off.

Double points - 2 x 0 is still 0!

I,too, have been having sticker shock - no breaks - even interior rooms are higher than in the past. With long flights from Western Canada last minute cruises are not possible price wise with flight costs. I'll be doing one cruises a year rather than 2 or 3. It is often too difficult to plan with someone else to travel and I prefer to go and do what I want rather than trying to please someone else. It's my "golden years".

[franl24fan]

For solos, take a look at some of the european river cruises. Yes you have to consider air fare, but the cruise lines offer the same airfare deals as Choice Air. For example, on one 14 day river cruise thru Germany, the normal per person rate was $3500 (all cabins have windows or balconies), the single surcharge was $750, airfare for 2 one way tickets was about $1000. Everything is included in the cruise except for a few add on tours. Value wise this a great deal, so I am considering it. The deal is even better for last minute (2 months in advance).

 

And many of the land tour companies have no single surcharges. I am doing a 14 day Glacier/Canadian Rockies land tour in August for about $175/day.

 

News flash to all of the big cruise lines - we have other options, we are not tied to what you offer.

[franl24fan]

After I posted the last, I was thinking about another factor that will affect how many big line cruise ships solos will book. For many of us, we are the "baby boomer" generation, many have been retired for at least a few years and been traveling & cruising. Speaking for myself, I am tired of the same old ports in the Caribbean, Nassau, even Alaska. So when RCL wants to charge me $200/day to go back to St Thomas, that is just not my preference. River cruises in Europe are booming, IMHO, because many folks in my age group, couples & solos, feel the same way and are ready to "cross the pond" and see new ports and have new experiences. So, not only is the demographics changing, with more senior solos, but also the ports we want to go to is changing. I expect the river cruises will react to this shift, as they have been adding more boats, but for the next few years the market should still be competitive. Just a random thought about how driving solos, especially senior solos, away from RCL will have an impact on their bottom line.

[Mystaken]

IMHO, you get what you pay for. Traveling solo is the way to go.

It's completely worth paying the extra cash.

 

Not everyone has unlimited cash!!!!

[Mystaken]

How long do you all think it will take before RCCL realizes that the lack of reasonable pricing for solos will affect their bottom line? I'm not saying I will not book RCCL again as a solo, but I am planning to take some land vacations until I can find reasonable pricing again. After my next cruise I am 65 points away from being eligible for the reduced single supplement, that's 33 days in inside cabins (I'm used to balconies but can no longer afford balconies).

 

Another concern is the decline in the quality of service and quality of food. Why would one pay so much more money for less quality?

 

Another issue for me is the declining customer service and all the IT issues. Seems like something has gone seriously astray in corporate Royal Caribbean!