CRUISE LINE Single Supplement Bargains -- Post Here

[JoKen1]

I would think that if you booked a room for two and one didn't show they would have to still let you go for the price you paid.

 

I have noticed that often on solo cruises it costs way more then if you paid the two full prices when they have the specials. I don't think that is fair. Why should they care as long as long they get the price for two in that room?

 

I bet they get a lot of people not showing on deals like those. I guess if they noticed you were always the one going and your cabin mate never showed up they may question it but otherwise I think one could get away with that.

[debkjw]

2 years ago I booked a cruise 8 months out with my daughter as roommate. It was a family cruise and we had 17 total going. She ended up pregnant and at last minute had minor complications and didnt go. We didnt have insurance. I just showed up at port and registered. The checkin person asked where my daughter was and I said she got sick and couldnt go. Later on someone from pursers desk called before we left dock and asked about roommate and I told them the same thing. Nothing more was said and I got a room all to myself. No extra charges

 

debkjw

[Stevesan]

When the other person "cancelled" were you charged anything extra or refunded the second slew of taxes and charges?

 

I suspect that it depends on whether the cancellation is before or after final payment.

In NanyChgo's case it was "last minute" making the second payment nonrefundable so the cruise line keeps the total payment.

If it's before final payment, I'd bet that the dreaded single supplement kicks in.

[NancyChgo]

:rolleyes: ... so wait???

[dyanna72]

My husband & I are taking a cruise with DD whom is over 1 year old. My mother wants to come along but wants her own room This way she could watch the baby while we are at the shows or the casino. How can I go about finding a great rate for her in a room by herself. We will be on the Carnival Fascination from JAX in Sept 25 2008 to Freeport & Nassau.

[NancyChgo]

First, we're not allowed to name any travel agent here. That said, most are very similar. It doesn't look like there are any solo specials on that cruise.

 

What you (and your mom) have to decide is what type of room does she want. The cheapest cabin you can get -- a bunk-bed interior cabin / or a guaranty (a 1A) is about $522 after taxes/port/etc.

 

Have fun!

 

Nancy

[heydallas]

Thought some of you might find this interesting. As I (and MANY other solos) took advantage of a fantastic deal on the December Norwegian Gem TA sailing with NO single supplement, I recently wrote NCL a letter explaining what a fantastic cruise that was...and drawing their attention to the fact that single travelers will come - and will spend $$$, as I know I and other solos did - if they continue to offer reduced single supplements, which they do not seem to do normally. I also remarked on the fact that it is ridiculous that solos pay all fees twice.

 

I got back a letter saying they were glad I enjoyed the trip, but that all fares are based on double occupancy so solos have to pay 200% of fares and NCFs...but as a "gesture of goodwill," if I contact them to let them know when I have confirmed my next trip, they will "arrange some special amenities" for me. Will contact them after booking (next trip still TBD) and see what amenities I get...but truly was just hoping they would listen and look at the bookings from the Gem cruise to realize the potential of solo cruisers.

 

Whether or not it would do any good, I don't know, but it couldn't hurt for other solo NCL fans to contact them and put in your two cents.

[debbiecape]

I was on the same cruise solo and had a fabulous time! In fact, I will let NCL know that as a single I spent more than my husband and I did on the Jewel the year before!

[nauticaz24]

I was on the same cruise solo and had a fabulous time! In fact, I will let NCL know that as a single I spent more than my husband and I did on the Jewel the year before!

 

So true. I went solo on the Majesty of the Seas in December and spent probably double what I did when when I went with my GF on the exact same cruise in May. Also, obviously, a single consumes less, plus my room probably took all of five minutes to clean daily as it is so much easier to manage in the room alone!

[heydallas]

So true. I went solo on the Majesty of the Seas in December and spent probably double what I did when when I went with my GF on the exact same cruise in May. Also, obviously, a single consumes less, plus my room probably took all of five minutes to clean daily as it is so much easier to manage in the room alone!

 

If it helps anyone, here is the address I used:

NCL Corporation Ltd.

7665 Corporate Center Drive

Miami, Florida 33126

[jjb415]

If it helps anyone, here is the address I used:

NCL Corporation Ltd.

7665 Corporate Center Drive

Miami, Florida 33126

 

Hey Dyan,

 

Thanks for posting this information. I'll get on it right away. It would be great to get everyone (and more) to sail again. The Norwegian Gem, December 2007, sailing was fantastic. Where is the Tuaca?

 

Jack

 

btw, I booked the recently mentioned Norwegian Dream several months ago - I hope that more singles consider the South America sailing!

[crusinpsychRN]

It is at the end of the cancellation period. What is that 60 -75 days before the cruise. Whenever I want an exact date I just go on the web and go through the steps to book the cruise. The screen that asks for your credit card info (don't enter this) will also show what deposit is due and when the remaining balance is due. The date that balance is due is the day before (most times) the cancellation period ends. The week after that you will see movement in the price.

 

My only experience in this is on Carnival. May not work on the other cruiselines.

 

Don't know. I could be 1000% wrong but it works for me.

 

I just looked at one on line and price was 200%. Do you do this over the phone with Carnival?

[Host Kat]

We're fine with you folks using this thread to share info you may find on solo cruising bargains -- as long as those bargains are offered by the CRUISE LINES and not by a travel agency or GROUP CRUISE.

 

Thanks,

 

Laura

Everyone,

 

Let's not forget the title of this thread and the post on the first page from Community Manager LauraS.

 

Also, the Guidelines we all agreed to follow with our free membership to Cruise Critic.

 

Basically, the names, web sites, etc. of travel agents/agencies or other cruise-related sites or message boards --- even if "masked" --- are not allowed in Cruise Critic message board posts. Posts asking for the name, site or further information via e-mail, or posts offering same via e-mail, will be removed as well as any replies to the deleted posts. The same applies to posts promoting non-Cruise Critic Member group cruises.

Kat

[heydallas]

Hey Dyan,

 

Thanks for posting this information. I'll get on it right away. It would be great to get everyone (and more) to sail again. The Norwegian Gem, December 2007, sailing was fantastic. Where is the Tuaca?

 

Jack

 

btw, I booked the recently mentioned Norwegian Dream several months ago - I hope that more singles consider the South America sailing!

 

Luckily, the Tuaca is easy to find here in Dallas!

 

I would LOVE to go on one of the South America sailings...it's just hard to get that much time off work, and the friend who looked after my pets said they seemed stressed out when I was gone for less than two weeks on the Gem trip. Just not sure a longer cruise is in the cards for me right now. Someday! Hopefully I will see you again on some other cruise soon. I posted a while back that I am considering the late April Alaska cruise on the Star. Still thinking about that one. Prices have fallen a little and it is a steal even without a deal for solos. Guess I'd better make up my mind about it soon.

 

Dyan

[kryos]

I suspect that it depends on whether the cancellation is before or after final payment.

In NanyChgo's case it was "last minute" making the second payment nonrefundable so the cruise line keeps the total payment.

If it's before final payment, I'd bet that the dreaded single supplement kicks in.

I'm sure it does too.

 

As long as the cruise line keeps the money for the two passengers, I'm sure they don't care if you are in the cabin as a solo. They won't ask you for any additional money because they've already been paid. But if the roommate backs out before final payment, and gets a refund, then you're gonna wind up paying the single supplement, even if that works out to picking up your roommate's fare. Bottom line is that the cruise line wants to be paid for TWO people in that cabin and they don't much care where the money comes from.

 

Not fair, but that's how it is.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[jjb415]

Royal Caribbean is currently offering single supplements of about 50% on the Monarch of the Seas 3-day (Friday) sailings on May 2 , 9 , 16, & 23, 2008. Supplements are a bit higher on the 4-day (Monday) sailings on May 5, 12, 19, 26, 2008, but, prices seem to be reasonable for these popular get-away trips.

[yellowbird23]

thanks jjb>>>will take a look, window shopping!:D

[yellowbird23]

great price...ty....BUT...airfare from the East Coast is more than the cruise! darn!

[jjb415]

Here is great deal for those who haven't seen it yet. Rates on the 18 day, Panama Canal, Santiago-Boston, April 13, 2008 sailing are $399 inside, $449 outside + balcony and suite rates at www.ncl.com. Single supplement is 100% additional, but, these rates are very low.

 

I booked last fall in what was then an apparent rate mistake at these same rates.

 

If you've got the time on short notice, you can't beat this deal.

 

Jack - San Francisco

[Lois R]

Hi Jack,:) great price but 18 days? That is almost a month of

vacation all at one time. No can do~

I am sure you will have a great time:)

 

Oh, I will be in San Francisco in October. I cannot wait:D as I am

on a cruise to boot as well:D

[JoKen1]

Wow that is a great price. If I wasn't already booked to go to the Mexican Riviera in May I would sign up for this one.

 

That's it, I'm keeping a "last minute" cruise stash ready at all times. These last minute prices are wonderful!

[jjb415]

Hi Jack,:) great price but 18 days? That is almost a month of

vacation all at one time. No can do~

I am sure you will have a great time:)

 

Oh, I will be in San Francisco in October. I cannot wait:D as I am

on a cruise to boot as well:D

 

Yes, you're right 18 days is quite a long stretch! :) Hope you have fun here in San Francisco! One of my best cruise memories was passing through the Golden Gate at 6:00am last May 1st and seeing my hometown for the first time from a new perspective aboard a large ship. Then later in the day, I climbed the rock wall while looking back at the Golden Gate & Bay Bridges and Alcatraz Island. Happy travels!

 

Wow that is a great price. If I wasn't already booked to go to the Mexican Riviera in May I would sign up for this one.

 

That's it, I'm keeping a "last minute" cruise stash ready at all times. These last minute prices are wonderful!

 

Love the last minute prices! Have fun on the Vison of the Seas, Westerdam (my favorite), and the Eurodam.

[Lois R]

Jack, I have been lucky enough to visit 3 times. I really

LOVE San Francisco:)

The sailing goes from Vancouver down to San Diego and we

have an overnight stop in SF. How fun, huh?:D

 

I can do last minute crusies but not the one you are doing.

I prefer to break them up over the year (for work) and if I did

a 3 weeker I would be short on anything else!

 

Also, I don't think NCL would be my cup of tea but I wish you

smooth sailing for sure:)

[UtterCaro]

If you've got the time on short notice, you can't beat this deal.

 

Jack - San Francisco

 

You sure can't -- that's incredible! Wish I could go. :::sigh:::

 

Caro

[skibum1723]

I did the Cunard QM2 Transatlantic solo last year. You CAN get a decent single supplement if you are willing to be patient. I got it for about 40% for a entry-level balcony, *then* got an added OBC later after they kept dropping the double rate and I complained (cruise booked onboard an earlier cruise and they promised the "lowest possible rate"). At the end, I ended up paying about $250 more than the double rate, a single supplement of about 20%.

 

I am now a multi-cruise Cunarder, but I am in the process of trying again. For this season's transatlantic they are holding the supplements higher...around 65% at the moment for the same entry-level balcony (off the LOWEST web fare). They keep sending me new promos almost daily, which makes me think the cruise is light on passengers.

 

Crossing my fingers and staying vigilant.