FamilyCruiseDiva Posted January 6, 2015 #1 Share Posted January 6, 2015 So this may be a very silly question..... I was recently watching my Love Boat DVDs and noticed that in many episodes they show single/solo cruisers placed in cabins with strangers. Did this ever happen on any cruise line in real life? Or was this just TV fiction? :confused: 20+ years ago I went to a Club Med and had an assigned roommate, so that this may have happened doesn't seem out of the realm of possibility. Just hoping someone here may know.... :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calliopecruiser Posted January 6, 2015 #2 Share Posted January 6, 2015 Yes, some cruise lines used to offer that service, but they haven't in many years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare westcoasttech Posted January 6, 2015 #3 Share Posted January 6, 2015 Princess used to do it. Back in 2003 I took a cruise and paid the single supplement to get a cabin by myself. On the cruise I met up with a lady you had signed up for an assigned cabin mate, but had not been assigned one, so ended up with a cabin by herself (for a lot less than I paid). We guessed that if I had signed up to "share" we would have been sharing a cabin together! I thought HAL and some of the smaller lines still offered the service, but can't find any current information to confirm, but it might be worth a search if it made the financial difference between cruising and not cruising. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FamilyCruiseDiva Posted January 6, 2015 Author #4 Share Posted January 6, 2015 Princess used to do it...... That makes sense since the Love Boat was a Princess ship. Now back to watching some old corny episodes... they make me feel warmer when it's freezing outside! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Scrapnana Posted January 7, 2015 #5 Share Posted January 7, 2015 Sometimes they paired people up without telling you. My mother and I were coming home from the UK on the original Queen Mary (this was 1962). We walked into our cabin and it had two sets of bunk beds. A few minutes later two ladies walked in. They were our roommates! My mother was not happy. They offered us a nicer cabin for $300 which was about what we had paid to start with. We stayed with the ladies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishywood Posted January 7, 2015 #6 Share Posted January 7, 2015 Holland America still offers a Single Partners Program: Single guests who agree to share a stateroom with another nonsmoking guest of the same sex pay only the per-person, double-occupancy rate. (If we can't find a partner for you, you cruise solo at the agreed-upon double-occupancy fare.) Single guests who prefer not to share a stateroom may book a double stateroom for 150 to 200 percent of the double occupancy fare, depending on the cruise and stateroom category. This program applies to selected staterooms on all ships in our fleet. The Single Partner Program is not available on Grand Voyages or Alaska CruiseTours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calliopecruiser Posted January 7, 2015 #7 Share Posted January 7, 2015 Holland America still offers a Single Partners Program: Very interesting, thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COMBOY Posted January 7, 2015 #8 Share Posted January 7, 2015 Princess used to offer a solo share program. They would match you with another solo cruisers or you got the cabin to yourself. I believe HAL still does this. Many other lines used to offer it too. I remember Carnival back in the 80's offered a 4 berth single share cabin program. Remember, that in the older days cruise fares were much higher so to made it affordable for solo cruisers cruise lines would offer these programs. However, with liability/compatibility issues and cheaper fares & available berths it doesn't make as much sense any more. But, several travel agent who do those single's group cruises and well as some specialty charter companies who offer cabins shares since there are a much higher number of solo cruisers which makes it more affordable for them. But, its the travel/tour company doing the cabin mate assignments; not the cruise line. So, yes you still can do a cabin share through these companies on the various sailing dates that they offer. I believe a majority of cabin shares work out fine, but you will always have compatible issues which always carries a risk. I've been lucky and always got good cabin mates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dancer Bob Posted January 7, 2015 #9 Share Posted January 7, 2015 Note "...selected staterooms...". They're higher-category cabins they have difficulty selling, if all you want is a basic single occupancy you don't save very much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B'Elanna Posted January 12, 2015 #10 Share Posted January 12, 2015 P&O Australia used to. My first cruise was on the Fairstar, 20+ year ago. The cabin had 2 sets of bunk beds. I shared with 3 other ladies. I of course got there after they did, so I had a top bunk and had to climb up the first few nights. Lucky for me (not so for them), 2 of the girls had an accident at our first port and had to leave the ship, as they spent it in a hospital on the island... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksqueak Posted January 13, 2015 #11 Share Posted January 13, 2015 I looked at HAL's share program a few years ago. Because they use the larger cabins for this program it was actually cheaper for me to pay the single suppliment (sp?) in a smaller cabin. I also had a bad experience traveling with a friend so for me it's actually worth having the cabin to myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PerfectlyPerth Posted February 1, 2015 #12 Share Posted February 1, 2015 All the polar expedition ships do cabin share for same sex solo's. If they cant match you to a same sex cabin mate - you get the cabin to yourself without the solo supplement. They also have great last minute deals for solos. I just this month scored a 30 day trip for next month for a cabin to myself with no supplement!! Saved me about $30k. yeay :p:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lois R Posted February 1, 2015 #13 Share Posted February 1, 2015 I don't share with a person I know.....so to share a cabin with a stranger?:confused::eek:.....no thanks. Too many negative variables.....what if they snore, what if they are clingy, what if they are less than honest, what if, what if, what if?? I have lived on my own for almost my entire life.....I don't even share a clicker here at home......so sharing a cabin? With someone I have never met? Not going to happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoePatNYCT Posted February 1, 2015 #14 Share Posted February 1, 2015 I don't share with a person I know.....so to share a cabin with a stranger?:confused::eek:.....no thanks. Too many negative variables.....what if they snore, what if they are clingy, what if they are less than honest, what if, what if, what if?? I have lived on my own for almost my entire life.....I don't even share a clicker here at home......so sharing a cabin? With someone I have never met? Not going to happen. Don't share a clicker?!? You sound like me! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lois R Posted February 1, 2015 #15 Share Posted February 1, 2015 Don't share a clicker?!? You sound like me! :D Funny...for those of us who live on our own, we have all the important accessories for us alone:D:);) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PerfectlyPerth Posted February 6, 2015 #16 Share Posted February 6, 2015 I'm a very long term solo liver and traveller - but when it comes to saving $30 to $40k I am prepared to share with a stranger. My rule is - they are only your cabin mate. On the ship dont eat with them, dont tour with them, dont hang out with them. That half hour while getting ready for bed is enough time for a chat about how their day went. I see others on polar voyages who bond instantly with their stranger cabin mates and end up glued at the hip with each other. By end of the first week they are well and truly over each other. But for other types of trips where the financial side of it is not as life changing - I pay the supplement and have the room to myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lois R Posted February 6, 2015 #17 Share Posted February 6, 2015 (edited) I'm a very long term solo liver and traveller - but when it comes to saving $30 to $40k I am prepared to share with a stranger. My rule is - they are only your cabin mate. On the ship dont eat with them, dont tour with them, dont hang out with them. That half hour while getting ready for bed is enough time for a chat about how their day went. I see others on polar voyages who bond instantly with their stranger cabin mates and end up glued at the hip with each other. By end of the first week they are well and truly over each other. But for other types of trips where the financial side of it is not as life changing - I pay the supplement and have the room to myself. H:)i...not sure I understand the first paragraph:eek:.....to save 40 grand? If I took a cruise that cost me that much? Let's just say that is impossible for me:eek:.....$40,000? For a cruise?....maybe the luxury lines are that much but the mass market lines?......I am going on a cruise to Alaska in May, solo...it is running about me about 2800.00. Is the currency you mentioned in US Dollars? Edited February 6, 2015 by Lois R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PerfectlyPerth Posted February 7, 2015 #18 Share Posted February 7, 2015 H:)i...not sure I understand the first paragraph:eek:.....to save 40 grand?If I took a cruise that cost me that much? Let's just say that is impossible for me:eek:.....$40,000? For a cruise?....maybe the luxury lines are that much but the mass market lines?......I am going on a cruise to Alaska in May, solo...it is running about me about 2800.00. Is the currency you mentioned in US Dollars? Antarctica cruises on very small expedition ships and icebreakers (less than 110 passengers) are my thing. A berth in a cabin can cost between $20k and $40k (in either US or AUS $) - so a solo supplement can be 75% to 100% more. So my current trip I have managed to score a cabin all to myself without the solo supplement - which has saved me a fortune and given me the luxury of the cabin all to myself for 30 days - bliss !. The Alaskan trips I am looking at - are again on small expedition ships for around 60 passengers - and they are around $16-25k (AUS & US $) so again while I would prefer to have a cabin to myself - its far more practical to put my hand up to share. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lois R Posted February 7, 2015 #19 Share Posted February 7, 2015 (edited) Antarctica cruises on very small expedition ships and icebreakers (less than 110 passengers) are my thing. A berth in a cabin can cost between $20k and $40k (in either US or AUS $) - so a solo supplement can be 75% to 100% more. So my current trip I have managed to score a cabin all to myself without the solo supplement - which has saved me a fortune and given me the luxury of the cabin all to myself for 30 days - bliss !. The Alaskan trips I am looking at - are again on small expedition ships for around 60 passengers - and they are around $16-25k (AUS & US $) so again while I would prefer to have a cabin to myself - its far more practical to put my hand up to share. Thank you for the explanation. Those prices are nowhere near anything I can afford, with or without a cabinmate. I do work fulltime but 20 grand for a cruise? Those prices are just not in my budget and not anything I look for when researching my trips. Sounds like we are in different financial brackets but like I said, thank you for explaning things. Edited February 7, 2015 by Lois R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PerfectlyPerth Posted February 8, 2015 #20 Share Posted February 8, 2015 Thank you for the explanation. Those prices are nowhere near anythingI can afford, with or without a cabinmate. I do work fulltime but 20 grand for a cruise? Those prices are just not in my budget and not anything I look for when researching my trips. Sounds like we are in different financial brackets but like I said, thank you for explaning things. I am just a mid level public servant - very far removed from any kind of wealth. I just choose to spend my money on dream travels rather than all the things my friends spend their money on like cars, clothes, alcohol etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lois R Posted February 8, 2015 #21 Share Posted February 8, 2015 I am just a mid level public servant - very far removed from any kind of wealth. I just choose to spend my money on dream travels rather than all the things my friends spend their money on like cars, clothes, alcohol etc. Hi again:) I love to travel as well......cruising is my favorite form of vacation:D.......I am lucky I am to do it....all I meant was your type of cruise and mine are very different.....and that is what makes the world go round;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoncom Posted February 8, 2015 #22 Share Posted February 8, 2015 Agree perfectly. Lois has her view.I have mine. Lois does 7N Caribbeans.Affordable as solos. I prefer longer more exotics. Booked a 71N Oceania with an online cruisemate. Unaffordable without her. I no longer keep a car. Decided to use car money on vacations.Its worked well. Only time I had poor cabin mate experience was with my best friend. She just was not a traveler.She was more interested in Maitre D.Had 3 assigned roomies, all interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lois R Posted February 8, 2015 #23 Share Posted February 8, 2015 (edited) Agree perfectly. Lois has her view.I have mine. Lois does 7N Caribbeans.Affordable as solos. I prefer longer more exotics. Booked a 71N Oceania with an online cruisemate. Unaffordable without her. I no longer keep a car. Decided to use car money on vacations.Its worked well. Only time I had poor cabin mate experience was with my best friend. She just was not a traveler.She was more interested in Maitre D.Had 3 assigned roomies, all interesting. Hi, you sort of cut me into 1 pattern......I do more than just 7 night Caribbean Cruises. I have sailed to Alaska, Bermuda, Europe, and the Pacific Coast....I have also sailed on 8, 10 and 11 night cruises. As for a car? I work and need a car:eek: Maybe one day I can just cruise around the world....but I have to work and that is the way life is right now and will be for quite a few more years. If I hit the lottery? Well, then I am outa here.......otherwise....work will be in my future for a long time. 71 nights? So you will cruising for almost 3 months.......hope you both get along well. Edited February 8, 2015 by Lois R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoePatNYCT Posted February 12, 2015 #24 Share Posted February 12, 2015 Zoncom- you must be a very easygoing person. I don't think there's anyone on the planet I could stand to be in a cabin with for 71 days! [emoji15] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatgirlNC Posted March 3, 2015 #25 Share Posted March 3, 2015 When I was in my 20’s, I went to a travel agent and got a Carnival brochure, and I remember seeing the part about the single share program. I thought about doing it, but for whatever reason I ended up not- either I didn’t have the money or I was nervous about traveling alone, maybe a mix of both. I regret that I didn’t do it! I'm sure I would have had a blast. This was back in the mid 90’s (about 1996 or so), so probably in the last days of Carnival’s single share program (or whatever they called it). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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