Newbie Questions

[jsn55]

9 hours ago, John Bull said:

 

Ooooops 🙄

Missed out an important comma there 🤔

 

JB 🙂

[jsn55]

Just now, jsn55 said:

9 hours ago, John Bull said:

 

Ooooops 🙄

Missed out an important comma there 🤔

 

JB 🙂

Too funny!  I read that, thinking, Wow, these guys are really tough, riding a bicycle  to far-away activities in the balmy*  Caribbean. 

 

* I find it only balmy when under a palm tree with my book ... the rest of the time it's hot and humid. 

[Kelpielady]

Im not sure if this belongs here or not but here goes.

Im hoping someone here has more information than I have been able to glean.  

 

Being new to cruising, and starting so late in life, I have been checking out options for older cruisers.  Perhaps I am looking in the wrong places, but it seems that they are really hitting single and older cruisers hard in the pocketbook.  Am I just going to the wrong sites?

If anyone can suggest sites, I would appreciate it

[Mary229]

5 minutes ago, Kelpielady said:

Im not sure if this belongs here or not but here goes.

Im hoping someone here has more information than I have been able to glean.  

 

Being new to cruising, and starting so late in life, I have been checking out options for older cruisers.  Perhaps I am looking in the wrong places, but it seems that they are really hitting single and older cruisers hard in the pocketbook.  Am I just going to the wrong sites?

If anyone can suggest sites, I would appreciate it

I think you should find a good TA with cruise experience who can guide you in your choices.   There are many options and price points and a good TA can match your expectations with the right line at the best price with the right itinerary.  You may have to shop a little, don’t just buy what they first offer without reading the reviews.   Cruise Critic as well as many other sites offer a overview review which at least gives you a feel for the age group and the level of luxury or budget.  

[LHT28]

2 hours ago, Kelpielady said:

Being new to cruising, and starting so late in life, I have been checking out options for older cruisers.  Perhaps I am looking in the wrong places, but it seems that they are really hitting single and older cruisers hard in the pocketbook.  Am I just going to the wrong sites?

If anyone can suggest sites, I would appreciate it

Solos are usually charged  a single supplement  can be any where  from 25 to 100% of the PP rate

Usually prices are based on double occupancy

Young or old you are subject to the SS if going solo

 

[crystalspin]

4 hours ago, Kelpielady said:

Perhaps I am looking in the wrong places, but it seems that they are really hitting single and older cruisers hard in the pocketbook.  Am I just going to the wrong sites?

If anyone can suggest sites, I would appreciate it

Hi Kelpie, and welcome to Cruise Critic not long ago!

 

We cannot mention Travel Agent type sites, nor Travel Agents by name. Obtaining a Travel Agent is often recommended, specifically those with cruise expertise. But the fact is, they aren't always available locally. I lived in a major metropolitan area and had trouble finding one! (I did find one to use in my planning before cruise lines became easier to access. Yes, as bad as they are, they used to be worse!) Some frequent posters work with an on-line TA. I work with my HAL Personal Cruise Consultant (but I am not in a specialty population, cruising with my husband).

 

Cruise Critic has a Solo Cruisers board and this is a place to read about lines/ships with solo cabins and/or reduced "Single Supplements".

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/279-solo-cruisers/

 

There is a running update (about ten threads down) for people to post new findings.

[Lois R]

4 hours ago, Kelpielady said:

Im not sure if this belongs here or not but here goes.

Im hoping someone here has more information than I have been able to glean.  

 

Being new to cruising, and starting so late in life, I have been checking out options for older cruisers.  Perhaps I am looking in the wrong places, but it seems that they are really hitting single and older cruisers hard in the pocketbook.  Am I just going to the wrong sites?

If anyone can suggest sites, I would appreciate it

Hi, welcome to the wonderful world of cruising😀 I have been a solo cruiser for 20 years and yes, we solos have to pay a single supplement.  So, no you are not missing anything. That is just the way it works.  

I do agree with Crystalspin's suggestion and check out the solo forum. There are some good threads over there with all kinds of information.

 

What do you consider "older"?

[Kelpielady]

Thank you all for the information.  Now I know how to start.

[jsn55]

6 hours ago, crystalspin said:

Hi Kelpie, and welcome to Cruise Critic not long ago!

 

We cannot mention Travel Agent type sites, nor Travel Agents by name. Obtaining a Travel Agent is often recommended, specifically those with cruise expertise. But the fact is, they aren't always available locally. I lived in a major metropolitan area and had trouble finding one! (I did find one to use in my planning before cruise lines became easier to access. Yes, as bad as they are, they used to be worse!) Some frequent posters work with an on-line TA. I work with my HAL Personal Cruise Consultant (but I am not in a specialty population, cruising with my husband).

 

Cruise Critic has a Solo Cruisers board and this is a place to read about lines/ships with solo cabins and/or reduced "Single Supplements".

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/279-solo-cruisers/

 

There is a running update (about ten threads down) for people to post new findings.

I don't think a good travel agent needs to be 'local' with today's ease of communication.  Being a cruise expert TA is the most important aspect.  I never use an online booking service for anything, I want someone there if I need help.  Get references ... a good TA is worth her weight in gold. 

[wowzz]

4 hours ago, jsn55 said:

a good TA is worth her weight in gold. 

Male TA's are also available !😉

[John Bull]

On 9/29/2022 at 3:08 PM, Kelpielady said:

Im not sure if this belongs here or not but here goes.

Im hoping someone here has more information than I have been able to glean.  

 

Being new to cruising, and starting so late in life, I have been checking out options for older cruisers.  Perhaps I am looking in the wrong places, but it seems that they are really hitting single and older cruisers hard in the pocketbook.  Am I just going to the wrong sites?

If anyone can suggest sites, I would appreciate it

 

Yes, singletons are heavily charged, I've even seen more than double ie singleton pays more than two people sharing a cabin. That's because only one is spending on drinks, excursions etc instead of two.

 

A couple of suggestions...........

 

NCL (Norwegian Cruise Lines, US-owned despite the name) has singles' studio-cabins on some of their ships. Cabins are of course smaller but same facilities & private bathroom plus a shared lounge for those singletons.

 

And MSC (an Italian cruise line) are far less money-grabbing from singletons than most cruise lines.

My partner & I have booked a 14-day MSC Caribbean fly-cruise together with a singleton friend.

For an identical double cabin she's paying only about 12% more than each of us !!!!!

 

So check out those two cruise lines.

And I agree with the others that because you're a newbie, a good cruise-specialist t/a  is worth their weight in gold.

 

First cruises are always great - enjoy 🙂

 

JB 🙂

[Kelpielady]

8 hours ago, John Bull said:

 

Yes, singletons are heavily charged, I've even seen more than double ie singleton pays more than two people sharing a cabin. That's because only one is spending on drinks, excursions etc instead of two.

 

A couple of suggestions...........

 

NCL (Norwegian Cruise Lines, US-owned despite the name) has singles' studio-cabins on some of their ships. Cabins are of course smaller but same facilities & private bathroom plus a shared lounge for those singletons.

 

And MSC (an Italian cruise line) are far less money-grabbing from singletons than most cruise lines.

My partner & I have booked a 14-day MSC Caribbean fly-cruise together with a singleton friend.

For an identical double cabin she's paying only about 12% more than each of us !!!!!

 

So check out those two cruise lines.

And I agree with the others that because you're a newbie, a good cruise-specialist t/a  is worth their weight in gold.

 

First cruises are always great - enjoy 🙂

 

JB 🙂

Thanks for the information.  Appreciate all the incite everyone has given me

[Boo's Mom]

On 9/3/2022 at 7:03 AM, jetsetwilly said:

Q1. The ships says that the only rooms left can't accommodate 2 adults and a child, yet the same room type and same cruise 12 months later can do so. Why would they do this? Is it possible that any more rooms will be made available or is sold out SOLD OUT?

 

 

The ship has an max occupancy #. 

With a holiday sailing, the ship could be nearing capacity. 

 

The goal is to fill all cabins. 

If they reach capacity and there are 10 cabins vacant, the cruise line loses money. 

 

 

[MWarren3549]

On 9/30/2022 at 11:43 AM, John Bull said:

 

Yes, singletons are heavily charged, I've even seen more than double ie singleton pays more than two people sharing a cabin. That's because only one is spending on drinks, excursions etc instead of two.

 

A couple of suggestions...........

 

NCL (Norwegian Cruise Lines, US-owned despite the name) has singles' studio-cabins on some of their ships. Cabins are of course smaller but same facilities & private bathroom plus a shared lounge for those singletons.

 

And MSC (an Italian cruise line) are far less money-grabbing from singletons than most cruise lines.

My partner & I have booked a 14-day MSC Caribbean fly-cruise together with a singleton friend.

For an identical double cabin she's paying only about 12% more than each of us !!!!!

 

So check out those two cruise lines.

And I agree with the others that because you're a newbie, a good cruise-specialist t/a  is worth their weight in gold.

 

First cruises are always great - enjoy 🙂

 

JB 🙂

1)  NCL typically has an employee who heads up the 'Solo Group'.  They meet each evening in a closed/empty lounge to meet & greet.  They get a headcount for dinner.  Call to dining room and get tables set up and then ... en masse ... all go to the dining room, walk PAST everyone in line waiting to be seated and are seated at their designated tables.  The groups have been FUN and friends can be made and go on excursions together and to the shows together and see each other at dinner and rehash the day and fun.   It is a huge plus for that cruiseline.  

 

ALSO - look at prices for a single interior price - even with the solo surcharge - compared to the solo cabin.  SOMETIMES the single interior is less $$$ than the tiny solo cabin.  That little lounge that is in the solo cabin area is NOT worth the extra $$$ .... IMHO.  Just look at your desired cruise and price the options available.