Solo Cruising

[kruisey]

After cruising with a certain cruise line for over 20 cruises I left that line.

This was nothing to do with the cruises I loved everyone of them.:)

Leaving was on a principle of the' Specials' for cabin rates only given to couples.

OK one pays exactly the same price as though two persons were occupying that cabin.

Then a 'Special' on a reduced fare on actual cabin comes up not applicable to 'Single' passengers meaning a couple pay less for the cabin than the solo.

Brought this subject up many times that this was not fair.Pay the same as a couple but not more.

Since leaving that specialized forum not one mention by solo singles questioning rates is brought up.

This cruise line openly discriminates pricewise to discourage any single solos from cruising with them.

Is there any ruling from a governing body about this practise?

[Lois R]

After cruising with a certain cruise line for over 20 cruises I left that line.

This was nothing to do with the cruises I loved everyone of them.:)

Leaving was on a principle of the' Specials' for cabin rates only given to couples.

OK one pays exactly the same price as though two persons were occupying that cabin.

Then a 'Special' on a reduced fare on actual cabin comes up not applicable to 'Single' passengers meaning a couple pay less for the cabin than the solo.

Brought this subject up many times that this was not fair.Pay the same as a couple but not more.

Since leaving that specialized forum not one mention by solo singles questioning rates is brought up.

This cruise line openly discriminates pricewise to discourage any single solos from cruising with them.

Is there any ruling from a governing body about this practise?

 

I don't know how the Canadian Government would handle this (I see

you are in Canada) but I don't want to get into politics on here......I

seriously doubt any government is going to tell ***pick up a cruise

company*** how to price their cruises.

[kruisey]

This is discrimination against the solo cruiser ?

[JoePatNYCT]

Why fight it?

 

I have my TA book the cruise for two people, then later (before final payment is due) cancel the booking for one person and the overall price is then reduced by the port charges and taxes for one person.

[zoncom]

Its a business. Prices go up and down. The singles supplement also on all lines with double cabins. Spend some time to find a good sale on either an unpopular cruise or slower off season. These may have a 50% singles add on. Due to the Isis crisis Europe has been a bargain; hence low SS pricing.

[Roz]

In the US, single or solo travelers are not a protected class, so I doubt we would have legal standing to challenge a cruise line's pricing. Do you think the pricing has to do with basic economics, or not wanting singles to be part of the passenger mix?

 

Roz

[kruisey]

It is strictly financial unfortunately.

Those solos that use the casino probably get a casino rate.

The cruise line feel they will not pick up the extra dollars that they might get from a couple.Although I have known couples myself that are quite frugal.

[Pstcrik]

After cruising with a certain cruise line for over 20 cruises I left that line.

This was nothing to do with the cruises I loved everyone of them.:)

Leaving was on a principle of the' Specials' for cabin rates only given to couples.

OK one pays exactly the same price as though two persons were occupying that cabin.

Then a 'Special' on a reduced fare on actual cabin comes up not applicable to 'Single' passengers meaning a couple pay less for the cabin than the solo.

Brought this subject up many times that this was not fair.Pay the same as a couple but not more.

Since leaving that specialized forum not one mention by solo singles questioning rates is brought up.

This cruise line openly discriminates pricewise to discourage any single solos from cruising with them.

Is there any ruling from a governing body about this practise?

 

Hi Kruisey

 

Just trying to understand what you mean by a Special on a reduced fare where a single passenger can not use ?

I have been cruising on that particular line for many years and don't think I have ever run into that before. Normally every offering by the line has a price for each passenger as long as there is 2 in a room and if you change the 2 to a 1 you get your rate as a single which can be anywhere from 40 to an additional 100 % of the rate with 2 people in the room. This is quite normal but it almost sounds like you are saying that they wont let you pay say even the 100 % rate.

I just experienced a large fare reduction from the original price and when I indicated as a single I only paid an additional 40% of the reduced price but this may not be what you are indicating.

[calliopecruiser]

Is there any ruling from a governing body about this practise?

 

They can charge whatever the market will bear, and unless they are discriminating against a protected class (race, sex, etc) then they can do as they please. And you are able to do as you please in choosing where to spend your vacation dollars.

 

It is one of the first reasons I looked at Crystal cruises -- because their standard is to charge very reasonable solo supplements (currently 30% on window cabins), and that indicated to me that they felt solo passengers were welcomed as valued customers. I'm afraid things may change in the future with the new owners, but that's the situation now (including their 2018 voyages).

[calliopecruiser]

but it almost sounds like you are saying that they wont let you pay say even the 100 % rate.

 

That is the case for certain voyages -- they really discourage solo passengers with their pricing, I suspect because they anticipate (or already have) very high demand for cabins from pairs or larger groups.

[TessM]

Hi Kruisey

 

Just trying to understand what you mean by a Special on a reduced fare where a single passenger can not use ?

I have been cruising on that particular line for many years and don't think I have ever run into that before. Normally every offering by the line has a price for each passenger as long as there is 2 in a room and if you change the 2 to a 1 you get your rate as a single which can be anywhere from 40 to an additional 100 % of the rate with 2 people in the room. This is quite normal but it almost sounds like you are saying that they wont let you pay say even the 100 % rate.

I just experienced a large fare reduction from the original price and when I indicated as a single I only paid an additional 40% of the reduced price but this may not be what you are indicating.

 

Kruisey, I'm not following what you mean either. I looked at your profile and think I know what cruise line you're talking about -- unless you've changed your profile recently. I cruise that line almost exclusively and I've never paid more than what two people in a cabin would be charged. In fact, last month I booked a suite for a cruise in Feb 17 and got an incredible deal. In fact, it's a good thing I booked when I saw it because it was the last available cabin in that suite category.

 

Is booking a cruise different for Canadians? Why don't you drive down to Bellingham and book a cruise? I'm suggesting that because I don't know if it makes a difference. --Plus, we can meet and I'll buy you a coffee.

Edited March 13, 2016 by TessM

[kruisey]

Kruisey, I'm not following what you mean either. I looked at your profile and think I know what cruise line you're talking about -- unless you've changed your profile recently. I cruise that line almost exclusively and I've never paid more than what two people in a cabin would be charged. In fact, last month I booked a suite for a cruise in Feb 17 and got an incredible deal. In fact, it's a good thing I booked when I saw it because it was the last available cabin in that suite category.

 

Is booking a cruise different for Canadians? Why don't you drive down to Bellingham and book a cruise? I'm suggesting that because I don't know if it makes a difference. --Plus, we can meet and I'll buy you a coffee.

On my last cruise booked with the line.They offered OBC to me but the reduction on cabin no, so couple paid less than I mine was 200% of original price then there was a special on that cabin price which was 'Not available to singles'.

[TessM]

On my last cruise booked with the line.They offered OBC to me but the reduction on cabin no, so couple paid less than I mine was 200% of original price then there was a special on that cabin price which was 'Not available to singles'.

 

I've never seen any offers that specifically said "Not available to singles." And, I get so much mail and email from them (as well as most other lines) plus I'm on their website far too often than I care to admit.

 

The only time I've seen anything similar to what you describe is when I get offers from Delta. They've started offering specials on cruises but they deals they offer are never priced for solo travelers. I always expect to pay twice what they offer per person per cabin - but it doesn't happen with how Delta prices cruises - I would always be paying more. But, I learned that lesson and moved on. I no longer even look at their offers.

 

I have to say, I no longer think about what I'm paying as a single supplement. I just care about the total price. But, I can understand leaving a cruiseline that you believe doesn't value you as a customer.

 

There are so many similar cruiselines and I'm sure you'll find something you like. You might want to consider looking at Crystal. They have special cruises where the single supplement is only 110% and you can also find deals as it gets closer to sail date. Don't be alarmed at the cost of the cruise. Compare the price of the Crystal cruise to other cruises you've been on - but add the cruise price and the total bill at the end of the cruise. On Crystal you're not going to have a huge final bill when you get off the ship because so many things are included. It's not quite an all-inclusive, but it comes close. I'm hoping to try Crystal maybe in 2017.

 

Good luck to you and enjoy the hunt for your next favorite cruiseline.

[Lois R]

Hi Tess:)

 

I echo your quote

"I no longer think about what I'm paying as a single supplement. I just care about the total price".

Been that way for me for years and years......how much the total price

is and if is within my pricepoint. That is it....the SS is what it is.