Grump grump grump

[Wehwalt]

Why doesn't Princess set aside a similar amount of cabins for singles and once they are filled, no further single bookings.

 

Don't singles have a hard enough time on board a ship set up for couples without limiting our numbers? I have not seen us overwhelming the facilities on board ships. Certainly, the theaters with seats in pairs and the comedians with the unending series of marriage jokes do not contemplate us, neither do the cabin attendants the first day with "is the Mrs having lunch"? Such things do not greatly detract, but they are minor annoyances nonetheless. Please don't make it worse by imposing a ban.

[SteelMagnolia9]

OP: I booked a California Coastal cruise and was not eligible for either the OBC or specialty dining promo at the time as the terms and conditions stated it did not apply to solos. I later cancelled after thinking about why I was spending 200%, yet not getting the promos and booked a different cruise with another cruiseline. No reason not to receive the promo if one is paying 200%, in my opinion.

 

Money talks - I'd book with other cruiselines that are 'solo friendly'. Try NCL, they have studio cabins on their larger ships with a dedicated studio lounge. You also receive the same discounts and promos if you choose a higher category cabin as a couple would receive. And the entertainment is better :)...and they organize solo dinners in the MDR and at specialty restaurants if you don't want to dine alone. Nothing not to like about NCL as a solo.

[flamomo]

Solos should pay more, perhaps, they don't spend double, on booze, shops, casino etc, so actually cost the line money.

 

HA! You would not say that is you saw the bottom line on my shipboard account at the end of my solo cruises! My on board purchases and my casino expenses, in addition to excursion costs and the auto-charges for gratuities certainly offset that idea!!

[rdcruisin]

OP: I booked a California Coastal cruise and was not eligible for either the OBC or specialty dining promo at the time as the terms and conditions stated it did not apply to solos. I later cancelled after thinking about why I was spending 200%, yet not getting the promos and booked a different cruise with another cruiseline. No reason not to receive the promo if one is paying 200%, in my opinion.

 

Money talks - I'd book with other cruiselines that are 'solo friendly'. Try NCL, they have studio cabins on their larger ships with a dedicated studio lounge. You also receive the same discounts and promos if you choose a higher category cabin as a couple would receive. And the entertainment is better :)...and they organize solo dinners in the MDR and at specialty restaurants if you don't want to dine alone. Nothing not to like about NCL as a solo.

 

I don't understand why you did not receive the promotions. I sailed solo last year on a casino discount rate and received OBC from a promotion. I have two more solo cruises booked -- one with the casino discount and one a California Coastal -- both with promotions that I will receive.

 

It shows right on My Princess and my confirmation that the promotions are included.

[kruisey]

I don't understand why you did not receive the promotions. I sailed solo last year on a casino discount rate and received OBC from a promotion. I have two more solo cruises booked -- one with the casino discount and one a California Coastal -- both with promotions that I will receive.

 

It shows right on My Princess and my confirmation that the promotions are included.

 

I have is that you use the Casino.

As you see from other posters they like I have been denied the promotions .It states in small print under 'Conditions-:

DOES NOT APPLY TO SINGLES OR THIRD AND FOURTH PASSENGERS'

[Kenswing]

The bottom line is that Princess does not cater to solo cruisers. Fairness doesn't even play into the equation.. They offer a product at a certain price and everyone makes the decision if that price suits them. If it doesn't they have the option to not purchase or move to a cruise line that better suits their idea of what is fair.. It does no good to continually gripe about it. Princess isn't likely to change since they obviously don't care whether solos sail with them or not.

 

That being said.. I think I would have an awful hard time paying the single supplement that Princess charges. I would definitely be looking at lines that better suit the solo market..

[TNTLAMB]

How is it then it that a cruise today, costs LESS than it did in the 90's?

 

The answer simply put is, cruising on the mid and lower lines (such as princess) is now essentially ala carte. The cabin with basic services is sold essentially at cost. All of these "promotions" are simply offsets as you pay more for basic services. but are done as credits so that "margins" are relatively maintained. The income to the Cruise line comes from onboard purchases. Unless the basic costs are covered. Obviously if there is no one there to make those purchases there is no profit. (Cruising is after all a business) Of course there will be a supplement depending on the cruise. First to cover costs and secondly to cover lost income.

 

There is a reason why most cruise lines are eliminating TAs as well. There are two types of TAs Sadly a fair number are living in some dazed existence that they believe they are in some way extra special (a lot like the Black Card snobs we all know and love) and not as they really are acting as a contracted employee of the companies they sell for. There are some great TA's who get a lot for their customers and provide a huge service because of the great relationship they have with providers. There is only ONE reason those TAs have that relationship.

 

Nothing makes me smile more than the "I'm gonna let my TA know what I read on CC and THEY will set XXX straight."

[iceleven]

Don't singles have a hard enough time on board a ship set up for couples without limiting our numbers? I have not seen us overwhelming the facilities on board ships. Certainly, the theaters with seats in pairs and the comedians with the unending series of marriage jokes do not contemplate us, neither do the cabin attendants the first day with "is the Mrs having lunch"? Such things do not greatly detract, but they are minor annoyances nonetheless. Please don't make it worse by imposing a ban.

 

Ban? Where did you get that idea from anything I or anyone else here said? I was merely attempting to come up with a solution that would provide the opportunity for some single cruisers to NOT be penalized with the single supplement charge. It would NEVER put a limit on how many singles would cruise on any given ship, but actually offer an equal amount of cabins, without the extra charge for singles as they do for their handicapped passengers. Perhaps one could think of it as a lottery. At least not every single cruiser is penalized.

 

I've cruised single and I do know how unfair it often is.

[Wehwalt]

Ban? Where did you get that idea from anything I or anyone else here said? I was merely attempting to come up with a solution that would provide the opportunity for some single cruisers to NOT be penalized with the single supplement charge. It would NEVER put a limit on how many singles would cruise on any given ship, but actually offer an equal amount of cabins, without the extra charge for singles as they do for their handicapped passengers. Perhaps one could think of it as a lottery. At least not every single cruiser is penalized.

 

I've cruised single and I do know how unfair it often is.

 

 

It said what you said, and I replied to what you said. Possibly you were referring to something upthread that wasn't completely clear. I tend to read the current state of play rather than from page 1. So it seems we were talking at cross purposes.

 

I really think of it as like booking a hotel room. You pay pretty much the same regardless of how many people you have, within reason. There is a lower "single supplement", I gather, for interior and oceanview on some ships, but I prefer a balcony.

[kruisey]

It said what you said, and I replied to what you said. Possibly you were referring to something upthread that wasn't completely clear. I tend to read the current state of play rather than from page 1. So it seems we were talking at cross purposes.

 

I really think of it as like booking a hotel room. You pay pretty much the same regardless of how many people you have, within reason. There is a lower "single supplement", I gather, for interior and oceanview on some ships, but I prefer a balcony.

Princess did give lower pricing for interior cabins but look in 2016,2017 that seems to have disappeared.In my instance $1000 over double price due to the promotion which solo's are not entitled to.

[pablo222]

The bottom line is that Princess does not cater to solo cruisers. Fairness doesn't even play into the equation.. They offer a product at a certain price and everyone makes the decision if that price suits them.

 

Further, Princess has all the data to completely analyze this situation.

 

To the people who say "I sail single, and I spend a lot" -- princess

knows exactly how much their passengers spend.

 

They have revenue yield models to price the cabins.

 

I don't understand why anyone would think that princess hasn't

already analyzed this to the moon.

 

Most threads like this really boil down to:

"I wish princess would do something that would benefit me personally."

[kruisey]

Further, Princess has all the data to completely analyze this situation.

 

To the people who say "I sail single, and I spend a lot" -- princess

knows exactly how much their passengers spend.

 

They have revenue yield models to price the cabins.

 

I don't understand why anyone would think that princess hasn't

already analyzed this to the moon.

 

Most threads like this really boil down to:

"I wish princess would do something that would benefit me personally."

You had one point down correctly.

What can Princess do for me and yes I am one of those folks that likes to help all in the same position as I.

Why should we have to pay giving an example on my future cruise,$1000 more than a couple in the same category as I? I thought double for inside was bad enough when you think it used to be three quarters of the double price but to an insult turning to injury for charging more that really gets me in the gut and I will not give up.If Princess continues this tune I will certainly try one of the lines suggested by several on this page that do appreciate solo passengers. After 23 cruises with Princess ,they sending me these special offers by e-mail at least once a week with 'Not applicable to SINGLES' written in small print on the bottom' GRRRRRRR:mad:

Edited January 22, 2016 by kruisey
Correction

[Kenswing]

You had one point down correctly.

What can Princess do for me and yes I am one of those folks that likes to help all in the same position as I.

Why should we have to pay giving an example on my future cruise,$1000 more than a couple in the same category as I? I thought double for inside was bad enough when you think it used to be three quarters of the double price but to an insult turning to injury for charging more that really gets me in the gut and I will not give up.If Princess continues this tune I will certainly try one of the lines suggested by several on this page that do appreciate solo passengers. After 23 cruises with Princess ,they sending me these special offers by e-mail at least once a week with 'Not applicable to SINGLES' written in small print on the bottom' GRRRRRRR:mad:

That's the thing, you don't HAVE to.. If you don't like the price you're offered don't purchase..

[mamaboss]

So I just recieved an upsell offer for my upcoming cruise and on the bottom it said "single cruisers are subject to 200%" So the amount of the upsell would be double?:eek:

[hpeabody]

So I just recieved an upsell offer for my upcoming cruise and on the bottom it said "single cruisers are subject to 200%" So the amount of the upsell would be double?:eek:

 

Yes. I once had an upsell of $199.00 and I actually had to pay $398.00. It was a long cruise and worth the balcony.

[WpgCruise]

As hard as I tried I just don't get the angst, I really don't.

 

The price is the price, if we don't like it, we don't buy it. Sure we may like the product, but come time to pay if the value isn't there for us we just don't buy.

How is a Princess cruise any different ?

 

And this whole "I'm a loyal Princess customer" drama. What's that about ?

Lets say I've cruised with Princess 20 times. How does that make them "owe" me anything? I paid them for 20 cruises, they delivered 20 cruises, where is it written they owe me anything ? I sure don't think just because I've bought 20 cruises from them I "owe" them the 21st cruise.

 

It's a two way street. Princess knows there lots of heads to put in their beds, if I can find a better value someplace else, I'm down the road. They owe me nothing, and I owe them the same.

 

And one last thought. Fair is where you go to pet the farm animals. It has nothing at all to do with cruise pricing, or in fact the pricing of any consumer good I've ever come across. Pricing is based on supply and demand, fair isn't even a consideration.

[kruisey]

As hard as I tried I just don't get the angst, I really don't.

 

The price is the price, if we don't like it, we don't buy it. Sure we may like the product, but come time to pay if the value isn't there for us we just don't buy.

How is a Princess cruise any different ?

 

And this whole "I'm a loyal Princess customer" drama. What's that about ?

Lets say I've cruised with Princess 20 times. How does that make them "owe" me anything? I paid them for 20 cruises, they delivered 20 cruises, where is it written they owe me anything ? I sure don't think just because I've bought 20 cruises from them I "owe" them the 21st cruise.

 

It's a two way street. Princess knows there lots of heads to put in their beds, if I can find a better value someplace else, I'm down the road. They owe me nothing, and I owe them the same.

 

And one last thought. Fair is where you go to pet the farm animals. It has nothing at all to do with cruise pricing, or in fact the pricing of any consumer good I've ever come across. Pricing is based on supply and demand, fair isn't even a consideration.

That is correct.Princess will be pleased if all solo travelers took there cruise plans to other lines then they will have gotten just what they want couples only without getting into a discrimination hassle.

[OutSyder]

Please stop throwing the word "discrimination" out there. Its not discrimination. Don't buy the Princess product if it doesn't agree with you. Its as simple as that

Edited January 22, 2016 by OutSyder

[Colo Cruiser]

Please stop throwing the word "discrimination" out there. Its not discrimination. Don't buy the Princess product if it doesn't agree with you. Its as simple as that

 

 

I agree. :(

[susancruzs]

I posted in this thread because I've been sailing single for over 30 years. I deal with it, but do not consider it discrimination at all. I don't like that connotation.

 

I prefer to sail with Princess and Royal Caribbean. I have sailed with Carnival, Celebrity, Costa and NCL, too.

 

For me, it is about itinerary. I go the cruise line website, look at what is available, check a few prices then book with the TA I've used for the last 15 years.

 

If I got into letting it stress, frustrate and irritate me, I would stay home. I want to cruise, travel and life is too short to get worked up about whether I'm getting the same deal as someone else.

Edited January 22, 2016 by susancruzs

[kruisey]

I posted in this thread because I've been sailing single for over 30 years. I deal with it, but do not consider it discrimination at all. I don't like that connotation.

 

I prefer to sail with Princess and Royal Caribbean. I have sailed with Carnival, Celebrity, Costa and NCL, too.

 

For me, it is about itinerary. I go the cruise line website, look at what is available, check a few prices then book with the TA I've used for the last 15 years.

 

If I got into letting it stress, frustrate and irritate me, I would stay home. I want to cruise, travel and life is too short to get worked up about whether I'm getting the same deal as someone else.

 

I would feel the same way if I had a larger budget.Many of us really have to do without and save for many months to afford a cruise.The bounce up from !75% to 200% then an additional $1000 for inside cabin is very hard on many of us.

[Maddle]

This has not been my experience.

 

The "$1000 off, $500 per person" is really just marketing speak. Most guests are pricing for two people - and the fare is $500 off per berth. The corporation doesn't want a PAIR of passengers looking for a discount of $1000 each.

 

Solo Passengers pay double the single berth cruise fare - they will benefit from the $1000 discount pricing. (They get $500 off the bed they are sleeping in, and $500 off the empty bed.) The On board credit promotions are double credit - the solo passenger gets the full stateroom amount.

 

In the end, it's still double the fare, and yes, that is a penalty for the solo traveler - but the sale's initiatives are applied fairly. That was the crux of the OP's complaint in this particular thread.

 

SOMETIMES there's a break on that second bed, but not usually. It probably has to be a pretty empty ship. Even then, they usually lower the price on the double occupancy rate.

 

The problem with a bogus second passenger is that (A) you will pay taxes on the phantom, and (B) you will only get half the promotional on board credit to use and © you will pay double the deposit.

 

Consult a travel agent that will go over the numbers with you.

Edited January 22, 2016 by Maddle

[kruisey]

We singles were not entitled to the 500 dollar discount

[kc320]

I just booked my 1st Princess cruise...a 7nt Calif. Coastal for next Sept...I am also a Solo cruiser...after reading this thread & the previous "locked" thread I went back & checked my pricing to see if I could benefit from having a "no show" friend on my booking...my cabin category with 2 passenger's would be $200 MORE than what I am currently paying...and my OBC would be $75 instead of the $150 I now have...so as with everything else it all comes down to paying the price you feel comfortable with...and if you don't like the price don't buy it....there will ALWAYS be people on a cruise or an airplane who got a better deal than I did...but that's life & I don't let it bother me!

[kruisey]

I just booked my 1st Princess cruise...a 7nt Calif. Coastal for next Sept...I am also a Solo cruiser...after reading this thread & the previous "locked" thread I went back & checked my pricing to see if I could benefit from having a "no show" friend on my booking...my cabin category with 2 passenger's would be $200 MORE than what I am currently paying...and my OBC would be $75 instead of the $150 I now have...so as with everything else it all comes down to paying the price you feel comfortable with...and if you don't like the price don't buy it....there will ALWAYS be people on a cruise or an airplane who got a better deal than I did...but that's life & I don't let it bother me!

Mine is a much longer cruise and it would have helped to gotten the $500 each person got if sharing.I would not expect the $1000 for two.

You will enjoy Princess the employees are always so welcoming and friendly they make one feel at home.I always have traditional dining on a large table were I meet with the same group each night for dinner.'Enjoy':)