Carnival needs to revamp the deposit policy for solos

[ldlewis45]

I get so frustrated when I'm trying to plan a cruise, since Carnival requires a double deposit for solo cruisers. I mean, I can stand paying a double fare, since that's pretty much standard across cruise lines unless I find a sale (I don't like it, but whatever). But do they have to double the deposit, too? For a longer cruise with Carnival, that's $800 bucks, for Pete's sake. Yes, I know I'll eventually have to pay it, but I think it's ridiculous to require a deposit that's almost the full price of the room! I was pricing one of the Journeys cruises that goes from New Orleans to San Juan, and I found a balcony for less than $1200, including taxes and fees. The only thing that stopped me from booking it is that the deposit was $800, more than 2/3 the entire cost of the cruise! I don't get it, since a lot of other lines, like Celebrity and NCL, don't require a double deposit.

[meatloafsfan]

I can see your point. I'm doing the b2b journey cruises on the Pride in January. I had to put down $800 per cruise as my deposit. It hurt at the time but I've just accepted that it's a part of cruising.

 

They used to have a single deposit but I think people were booking one person (usually a single deposit) to secure a cabin, and then adding in more people just before final payment (I remember reading threads about that when I first joined the boards). Carnival obviously didn't like that so it's a deposit for 2 for single cruisers.

[love my grandkids]

Never did understand why they do with solos. Would even figure they would design some smaller cabins so as to eliminate double charge o new ships

[sparks1093]

I can see your point. I'm doing the b2b journey cruises on the Pride in January. I had to put down $800 per cruise as my deposit. It hurt at the time but I've just accepted that it's a part of cruising.

 

They used to have a single deposit but I think people were booking one person (usually a single deposit) to secure a cabin, and then adding in more people just before final payment (I remember reading threads about that when I first joined the boards). Carnival obviously didn't like that so it's a deposit for 2 for single cruisers.

 

I think you are right, CCL didn't like people putting down a deposit for one and then adding someone to the booking later. Not quite sure why that is an issue.

[SMSACE6]

Never did understand why they do with solos. Would even figure they would design some smaller cabins so as to eliminate double charge o new ships

 

 

The 1a's used to be great for solos, when we could get them at 150pc fare.

Those days too are gone:(

[NCTribeFan]

Why would they put even-smaller cabins on ships for solos when they can charge 200% for someone? Now, someone will reference the studio cabins on NCL's newest ships. I've checked the prices on those and they are not cheap! At least not the sailings I've looked at. So why would I sail in a tiny cabin just because I'm told there's no solo supplement?

 

I sail solo most of the time these days and I really don't have any problem with their deposit policy.

 

Yes, I currently have about $2,000 sitting with them for deposits for my next 3 cruises. No, I don't like giving anyone my money any earlier than I need to, but it doesn't earn anything sitting in my account anyway!

 

Sure makes the final payment less painful!

 

meatloafsfan pretty much nailed it. People abusing the system and booking for one when they absolutely knew there were going to be two, and paying only one deposit ruined it for the rest of us. Thanks, cheaters! :mad:

 

Plenty of people pay off their cruises early and also purchase tons of gift cards or cruise cash well in advance all so they don't have a balance due at the end of the cruise. I don't understand that one - paying early when you don't have to - but I'm OK with the solo deposit. At least, I understand why it is the way it is.

[ldlewis45]

I can see your point. I'm doing the b2b journey cruises on the Pride in January. I had to put down $800 per cruise as my deposit. It hurt at the time but I've just accepted that it's a part of cruising.

 

They used to have a single deposit but I think people were booking one person (usually a single deposit) to secure a cabin, and then adding in more people just before final payment (I remember reading threads about that when I first joined the boards). Carnival obviously didn't like that so it's a deposit for 2 for single cruisers.

 

But it only seems to be the price of cruising with Carnival companies (I checked Carnival and Princess a while back, haven't looked to see if it's the same with the other Carnival - owned ones). I've got a 10-day Canary Islands and Morocco cruise booked with NCL, and only put down 1 deposit (and it's the same amount as a short cruise). I checked with Celebrity, and they only require a $250 deposit per room.

 

My opinion is that the deposit should be for the stateroom, so it should be the same whether 1 person or 2 occupy it.

[SMSACE6]

I also agree about the deposit. It stings especially with Early Saver, 500.00 is a lot of money to tie up, that you cannot get refunded for, and unless I see 50.00 deposits again, will not be booking that fare with Carnival again.

 

NCL's deposit was 250.00 and is refundable if I cancel before final payment.

[ldlewis45]

Why would they put even-smaller cabins on ships for solos when they can charge 200% for someone? Now, someone will reference the studio cabins on NCL's newest ships. I've checked the prices on those and they are not cheap! At least not the sailings I've looked at. So why would I sail in a tiny cabin just because I'm told there's no solo supplement?

 

I sail solo most of the time these days and I really don't have any problem with their deposit policy.

 

Yes, I currently have about $2,000 sitting with them for deposits for my next 3 cruises. No, I don't like giving anyone my money any earlier than I need to, but it doesn't earn anything sitting in my account anyway!

 

Sure makes the final payment less painful!

 

meatloafsfan pretty much nailed it. People abusing the system and booking for one when they absolutely knew there were going to be two, and paying only one deposit ruined it for the rest of us. Thanks, cheaters! :mad:

 

Plenty of people pay off their cruises early and also purchase tons of gift cards or cruise cash well in advance all so they don't have a balance due at the end of the cruise. I don't understand that one - paying early when you don't have to - but I'm OK with the solo deposit. At least, I understand why it is the way it is.

 

NCL's studios aren't cheap, but they are generally cheaper than a regular inside stateroom, and not much smaller. Plus, you get an exclusive lounge area just for solo cruisers. They've turned out to be very popular, so I would think Carnival would jump on the idea.

[ldlewis45]

I also agree about the deposit. It stings especially with Early Saver, 500.00 is a lot of money to tie up, that you cannot get refunded for, and unless I see 50.00 deposits again, will not be booking that fare with Carnival again.

 

NCL's deposit was 250.00 and is refundable if I cancel before final payment.

 

I've gotten where I just don't book Carnival at all unless it's either a super - cheap (<$500) cruise or during a reduced deposit sale. IMO, the product value doesn't justify me dropping $500-$800 on a deposit when I can find comparable deals on other lines with smaller deposits.

[NCTribeFan]

It's all the same in the end. The price is what it is whether you pay more upfront or more with final payment.

 

I'd almost rather pay more upfront since I put everything on a credit card and earn points. Often, that will put me to a new point level where I can redeem the points for cash, which I then use to pay on the bill.

 

Like I said, I'd prefer to NOT spend my money earlier than necessary, but if I didn't have the funds for a deposit, I'd probably feel I didn't have the funds to be cruising and just wouldn't book anything.

 

Back when my money was very tight, I simply didn't take vacations. The reason I cruise as often as I do is because it's such a great value for my vacation dollars.

[maryann2]

The 1a's used to be great for solos, when we could get them at 150pc fare.

Those days too are gone:(

I loved those days.

 

Last Oct -Nov and in Feb this year - Carnival had no supplement on some of the 1As and that was even better. Wish they would do that again.

 

Regarding the double deposit it does bother me too and makes me reluctant to book unless I am sure I will be going. I have $1600 tied up in a B2B on the Vista and $800 on a Journey's cruise in Nov.

 

Wish Carnival would give double points for solos paying double as they do on Celebrity and Royal.

[fireofficer5]

I have never had a double solo deposit.

 

But the reason for that is booking at the last minute.

30, 15, 7, 10, 21 days out.

 

Cabin placement was not an issue.

There was always a chance to change to a better cabin on the ship.

That happened three times, once on CCL, Costa and RCI.

 

Sixty six days until I never sail solo again.

[NCTribeFan]

I can't book last minute. Some of us have work schedules and deadlines that make that next-to-impossible.

 

I'd rather cough up the big deposit and get the cabin I want early. I've done repositioning cruises the past two Novembers and have Splendor coming up in October. Both the Splendor repo and this upcoming Bermuda cruise sold very quickly and prices went way, way up.

 

I typically do NOT book ES. I don't like the restrictions. So, if my plans change, I can get 100% of that deposit back.

[fireofficer5]

My post was to let everyone know, the cruise lines never have and never will care about solo, single cruisers.

[sparks1093]

My post was to let everyone know, the cruise lines never have and never will care about solo, single cruisers.

 

As simple as it sounds two people spend more than one.

[evandbob]

While I do 75% of my cruises solo, how much of a deposit Carnival wants is not a hot button issue for me. I would rather see Carnival go back to 150% solo fare.

 

I can see how it could impact others though. Sometimes it is worthwhile to check other on line sources. There is one I saw today advertising no deposit at all for the next 5 days on particular Journey 10 and 11 day cruises.

[SMSACE6]

As simple as it sounds two people spend more than one.

 

Not necessarily true. Two tea totallers, non gamblers will never spend as much as many solo cruisers, even if they ate in the steakhouse every night. There may also be solo cruisers who spend nothing on board, but I for one, rack up a bit of a bar bill, as well as a few generous deposits in the casino, not so much on board shopping these days, but also, I stick with Carnival ship excursions just for peace of mind that I make it back to the ship in time for sailaway.

 

Two people do not necessarily spend more than one!

[SMSACE6]

I loved those days.

 

Last Oct -Nov and in Feb this year - Carnival had no supplement on some of the 1As and that was even better. Wish they would do that again.

 

Regarding the double deposit it does bother me too and makes me reluctant to book unless I am sure I will be going. I have $1600 tied up in a B2B on the Vista and $800 on a Journey's cruise in Nov.

 

Wish Carnival would give double points for solos paying double as they do on Celebrity and Royal.

 

Agree...especially with regard to double points for solos paying double. I would be well into platinum by now, and would not be lamenting the kick in the butt that Carnival gave us golds recently (past guest party). But..I have made an executive decision to not sail Carnival again (after October), until I have checked out at least two other cruise lines. I am even willing to pay more now for another cruiseline, just to see whether it is greener on the other side. I might be back, and maybe not, but Carnival does not seem to value my business as a repeat customer, and especially not as a solo cruiser.

[winddawn]

I get so frustrated when I'm trying to plan a cruise, since Carnival requires a double deposit for solo cruisers. I mean, I can stand paying a double fare, since that's pretty much standard across cruise lines unless I find a sale (I don't like it, but whatever). But do they have to double the deposit, too? For a longer cruise with Carnival, that's $800 bucks, for Pete's sake. Yes, I know I'll eventually have to pay it, but I think it's ridiculous to require a deposit that's almost the full price of the room! I was pricing one of the Journeys cruises that goes from New Orleans to San Juan, and I found a balcony for less than $1200, including taxes and fees. The only thing that stopped me from booking it is that the deposit was $800, more than 2/3 the entire cost of the cruise! I don't get it, since a lot of other lines, like Celebrity and NCL, don't require a double deposit.

I totally agree. Two-thirds of the fare up front is ridiculous! It sure doesn't say, "We appreciate your business," does it? It feels more like, "Go away! We don't want your business!" And it is just one more reason not to book in advance.

Edited June 15, 2015 by winddawn

[riclop]

I get so frustrated when I'm trying to plan a cruise, since Carnival requires a double deposit for solo cruisers. I mean, I can stand paying a double fare, since that's pretty much standard across cruise lines unless I find a sale (I don't like it, but whatever). But do they have to double the deposit, too? For a longer cruise with Carnival, that's $800 bucks, for Pete's sake. Yes, I know I'll eventually have to pay it, but I think it's ridiculous to require a deposit that's almost the full price of the room! I was pricing one of the Journeys cruises that goes from New Orleans to San Juan, and I found a balcony for less than $1200, including taxes and fees. The only thing that stopped me from booking it is that the deposit was $800, more than 2/3 the entire cost of the cruise! I don't get it, since a lot of other lines, like Celebrity and NCL, don't require a double deposit.

 

Totally agree with you.

[sparks1093]

Not necessarily true. Two tea totallers, non gamblers will never spend as much as many solo cruisers, even if they ate in the steakhouse every night. There may also be solo cruisers who spend nothing on board, but I for one, rack up a bit of a bar bill, as well as a few generous deposits in the casino, not so much on board shopping these days, but also, I stick with Carnival ship excursions just for peace of mind that I make it back to the ship in time for sailaway.

 

Two people do not necessarily spend more than one!

 

Working in marketing is liking gambling- you favor the odds and the odds are that two people will spend more than one the vast majority of the time.

[fireofficer5]

Four in a cabin spend more than two.