Dreaded Single suppement - Will X Ever 'Get It'?

[tuggers]

Darcie, since you just got off Connie can you tell me if Don Fluke is still cruise director? And was Perry Grant still getting off after your cruise for his vacation? thanks!

If anyone want the single rate information I referred to, please email me at tuggers 1 @ mchsi . com so as not to violate any community guidelines.

[chasetf]

I just printed out a list of ships and sailings for the next 4 months and was happy to see lots of reduced single supplements. But not one ship was Celebrity. Why doesn't X get the message that there are lots of singles with disposable income sailing and spending money onboard? Why do they continue to punish single guests with outrageous pricing?

It is not a matter of punishment. The problem is you are buying a commodity that is a cabin. The ship / cruise line has cabins to sell, not beds, not seats.

 

It is similar to a hotel. When you rent a hotel room there may be a slight discount for a single, but the price is for the room. Unfortunately when they quote prices it is per person with the assumption of double occupancy. Maybe if the lines priced by cabin (like the hotels do) you would not feel your are being punished.

[Andy]

Darcie, since you just got off Connie can you tell me if Don Fluke is still cruise director? And was Perry Grant still getting off after your cruise for his vacation? thanks!

If anyone want the single rate information I referred to, please email me at tuggers 1 @ mchsi . com so as not to violate any community guidelines.

 

Hi Gail !

 

I totally understand your frustrations about the Single supplement. I truly wish Celebrity would help out, but as long as Cruising remains strong, I wouldnt look for any changes in their policy - unless the downturn in the economy continues. (Please see my above post).

 

I know I keep talking about adding benefits for Elite Members (and the next level above Elite - if it ever happens). Giving Solo Cruisers some sort of a discount would be a wonderful perk. We should all suggest it to Celebrity !

 

Re: Don Fluke and Perry Grant - I am sure that Darcie will have more updated info, but here is what I know :

 

Don Fluke was due back weeks ago. From what I hear, he has not returned yet. Don was not the CD on the 3/21 sailing, and was missed greatly. They had a brand new Cruise Director, John (not John Howell), and we felt he wasnt the best choice for this itinerary. He was way over the top, and screaming all the time. I thought he would be best suited for Century's shorter sailings where they need someone as energetic as him. In his defense, I am sure John was trying very hard, as it was his first sailing. He needs to calm down :)

 

Perry told us he would be onboard for a few sailings beyond the Transatlantic, then headed home (to his Gated community- Perry's fans will know what that means). Perry had a very bad cold on our sailing, and he was not at his best. We felt badly for him. Much of the crew was sick - and spreading it everywhere. We were all sick for about 2 weeks, right after getting off the ship. I know other posters mentioned it wasnt a done deal that Perry was returning to Constellation, as it seemed his future plans were somewhat up in the air.

 

Even though we wont be sailing on Celebrity anytime soon, I hope that Don Fluke and Perry Grant remain part of the Celebrity family.

[Andy]

Host Andy...thanks for everything.

 

Hi MoreCruises !

 

Thank you for your nice comments. It is my pleasure. I always try my best to assist in any way possible !

[tuggers]

Hi Andy!

Thanks for the info. Perry does love his Gated Community doesn't he!:D

When I last spoke with Perry he said he would be on until the TA took him home barring his mothers health worsening. It seems he may be the one sick while she is still ticking! We have a connection, as you may with him; aging parents.

Don has a similar situation with parents so I hope there is nothing wrong at home for him. I need to send him an email and see where he will show up next.:)

 

Is there any place where X lists the talent that will be on ships and the dates? I know some of the other lines have that but I've never really looked for it on X.

[woodofpine]

I sort of disagree with - with what I perceived - was Darcie's assertion that cruiselines price pp rather than per stateroom. I think that is only partly true. The single 'supplement' is proof positive that cruiseline revenue-price per stateroom - but merely present it to the public as pp for marketing purposes ('what a deal!')

 

The point is that the lines require a certain amount of revenue per cabin to cover overhead. Operating overhead remains pretty constant per cruise.

 

As a matter of fact, given the line revenue expectations of shore excursion, drink consumption, and shopping sales per person which are sacrificed by loss of a passenger weighed against the fairly modest savings on actual foods consumed (keeping in mind that preparation overhead is pretty much fixed), I think if a line offers a single rate that is less than double then they are doing the single travelor pretty well - even though it will never 'feel' that way to a single given the overall charging presentation that is typical - as well as the self-interest inherent in the individual wallet.

 

Some of the luxe lines offer two for ones fairly regularly. As consumers, either single or group - OUR WORK IS NEVER DONE! :)

[Sky Sweet]

It is not a matter of punishment. The problem is you are buying a commodity that is a cabin. The ship / cruise line has cabins to sell, not beds, not seats.

 

It is similar to a hotel. When you rent a hotel room there may be a slight discount for a single, but the price is for the room. Unfortunately when they quote prices it is per person with the assumption of double occupancy. Maybe if the lines priced by cabin (like the hotels do) you would not feel your are being punished.

 

 

Hi chasetf :)

 

I agree with you. Even at Residence Inns where the room rate includes breakfast, happy hour cocktails, and buffets on some nights, it is the same cost whether that room or suite is occupied by one or two people.

 

Based on my experience, the few hotels that do offer lower rates for single occupancy limit that option to a few of their rooms that are too small to accomodate two people.

 

As I have stated in a few posts earlier in this thread, it is a luxury for a passenger to have an entire cabin and bathroom, that was designed for double occupancy, to themselves and that is what they are paying for.

 

In my opinion, the best way for the cruise line to address this situation is to build ships with some very small cabins that are designed for just one person and price them accordingly. Then a solo cruiser can choose between a very small cabin designed for single occupancy or pay a single supplement for one that was designed for double occupancy.

[Maya-Tucker]

In my opinion, the best way for the cruise line to address this situation is to build ships with some very small cabins that are designed for just one person and price them accordingly. Then a solo cruiser can choose between a very small cabin designed for single occupancy or pay a single supplement for one that was designed for double occupancy.

 

That is the only way it can be done and should end this discussion unless those solo travelers out there are intent on receiving something for nothing.

 

Removing the single supplement will give rise to rampant abuse by couples obtaining connecting cabins and theoretically putting one in each thus creating a rather large suite for the price of a regular cabin..

[Coco Creek]

Hi chasetf :)

 

I agree with you. Even at Residence Inns where the room rate includes breakfast, happy hour cocktails, and buffets on some nights, it is the same cost whether that room or suite is occupied by one or two people.

 

Based on my experience, the few hotels that do offer lower rates for single occupancy limit that option to a few of their rooms that are too small to accomodate two people.

 

As I have stated in a few posts earlier in this thread, it is a luxury for a passenger to have an entire cabin and bathroom, that was designed for double occupancy, to themselves and that is what they are paying for.

 

In my opinion, the best way for the cruise line to address this situation is to build ships with some very small cabins that are designed for just one person and price them accordingly. Then a solo cruiser can choose between a very small cabin designed for single occupancy or pay a single supplement for one that was designed for double occupancy.

 

Yes, we pay the same for the room, no problem. But our cruise fare is more than a room. It also the food we eat, the entertainment we attend, the music we listen to, the poots we enjoy. Here there should be a difference between double and single occupancy (at least in my opinion).

[Sky Sweet]

Yes, we pay the same for the room, no problem. But our cruise fare is more than a room. It also the food we eat, the entertainment we attend, the music we listen to, the poots we enjoy. Here there should be a difference between double and single occupancy (at least in my opinion).

 

Hi Coco Creek :)

 

I understand what you are saying from experience because we use to do the same thing when we booked a second cabin for our daughter and paid the single supplement for her. However, we considered it to be a luxury for her to have her own cabin instead of sharing one with us, and made the decision to pay for that luxury instead of saving money by putting all three of us in one cabin

 

In a similar vein, what do you think of the cruise line's policy to charge the same third person in a room rate for an infant as they do for an adult who can take advantage of everything the ship has to offer?

 

While I found it to be frustrating, I also realize that there is a maximum number of passengers allowed on a ship, so even though our granddaughter did not eat what an adult would have she was taking up space and ship capacity.

[Sky Sweet]

That is the only way it can be done and should end this discussion unless those solo travelers out there are intent on receiving something for nothing.

 

Removing the single supplement will give rise to rampant abuse by couples obtaining connecting cabins and theoretically putting one in each thus creating a rather large suite for the price of a regular cabin..

 

Hi Maya Tucker :)

 

I agree with you.

 

If Celebrity ever decided to have a policy where a single person could book a cabin designed for double occupancy without paying a single suppplement, they would have to compensate for this loss in revenue by raising their fares for everyone else.

 

With the exception of special deals on cruises that are not selling well, most of the cruise lines that do not charge a substantial single supplement are considerably more expensive than Celebrity and have more room in their budget to play with.

[kitty9]

Darcie, since you just got off Connie can you tell me if Don Fluke is still cruise director? And was Perry Grant still getting off after your cruise for his vacation? thanks!

If anyone want the single rate information I referred to, please email me at tuggers 1 @ mchsi . com so as not to violate any community guidelines.

 

Tuggers, no, Don is not on Conne. Sorry, but I'm having a brain problem and I cannot remember the CD's name, but he's a pretty big guy, bald and a former stunt man. I think the first name is John. He's a really nice guy, very personable. Goes through the buffet at lunch every other day and talks to as many passengers he can. He wishes them well, and talks to anyone who stops him. He's the best CD I've experienced on X. I don't know about Perry, sorry. We cannot sit in Michael's Club because Perry has his sound turned up so high that I get an earache if I'm in there for more than 5 minutes. But he's great entertainer.

 

BTW, the casino on Conne is going no smoking before the October cruises. I spoke with the casino director and he said they're starting the smoking restrictions in the casino on the cruise following the May 2 cruise.

[librarycin]

In my opinion, the best way for the cruise line to address this situation is to build ships with some very small cabins that are designed for just one person and price them accordingly. Then a solo cruiser can choose between a very small cabin designed for single occupancy or pay a single supplement for one that was designed for double occupancy.

 

As someone who can't afford to go if I don't find someone to go with, I would LOVE this scenario as an option. It's not easy to find someone to go with, and I would love to travel solo, but I just can't. I'd even be willing to share a bathroom if I had to (I've done it at B&Bs)- as long as there was a smaller less pricey cabin for me to occupy.

[tuggers]

Darcie, Thanks for the info. Sure sorry Michaels Club doesn't agree with you. I think Perry is one of Connie's biggest draws and I would hate to have to miss him!

[Sky Sweet]

As someone who can't afford to go if I don't find someone to go with, I would LOVE this scenario as an option. It's not easy to find someone to go with, and I would love to travel solo, but I just can't. I'd even be willing to share a bathroom if I had to (I've done it at B&Bs)- as long as there was a smaller less pricey cabin for me to occupy.

 

Hi librarycin :)

 

On one of our cruises we met two widows who were traveling together and sharing a cabin. They told me they originally met at a singles travel club, and have been cruising together ever since.

[chasetf]

Yes, we pay the same for the room, no problem. But our cruise fare is more than a room. It also the food we eat, the entertainment we attend, the music we listen to, the poots we enjoy. Here there should be a difference between double and single occupancy (at least in my opinion).

Well.... the food you eat, the entertainment etc.... is all "sized" for the ship's occupancy.

 

Food is a very small portion of your fare .......and fuel is the largest. It costs just as much to transport your stateroom with one occupant as it does for for our stateroom with two people. That is why cabin prices are built assuming double occupancy.

[chasetf]

Just to throw something out there. If they made it very cheap for a single person to have a cabin of their own what would keep couples from getting two adjoining cabins just to have more space? Or a family of three, perhaps with a young child, from getting two adjoining cabins instead of putting three in one cabin?

This one issue is enough to keep the lines from selling cabins to singles for half price. It would cost the lines a fortune if enough people did it.

I sympathize with those of you traveling single, and I feel you pain, as my sister, who cruises single, and who cruises with us quite often, has these issues. I would love to see a workable solution in the near future.

The one workable solution I have seen mentioned is the one that provides half the space for half the price. The line could take a block of cabins, say twenty, and make forty "half sizers". This way they can still maintain a minimum capacity (for sailing full) and not go over the ship's capacity (violating safety).

[usha]

Why would the cruise lines have any motivation to do that? They can already sell a regualar cabin for 2 to a single cruiser, but they couldn't sell a "1/2 cabin" for 1 to a couple.

[Sky Sweet]

That is the only way it can be done and should end this discussion unless those solo travelers out there are intent on receiving something for nothing.

 

Removing the single supplement will give rise to rampant abuse by couples obtaining connecting cabins and theoretically putting one in each thus creating a rather large suite for the price of a regular cabin..

 

Hi Maya Tucker :)

 

There are some people who think they are entitled to special treatment from Celebrity because they take a lot of cruises, and consider themselves to be an invaluable financial asset to the cruise line.

 

Ironically, the people who take only a few cruises a year that are very expensive (best cabins, Europe in prime season, etc) often spend more per year for their cruises than the passengers who spend half of their life at sea.

[ecslady]

Removing the single supplement will give rise to rampant abuse by couples obtaining connecting cabins and theoretically putting one in each thus creating a rather large suite for the price of a regular cabin..

 

I don't see this happening....Why in the world would a couple want to sleep in separate beds in smaller single sized adjoining cabins, just to gain another bathroom. It's not like there would be enough room to put both beds in one cabin and have a sitting area in the other to turn it into a suite. Plus, I'm sure the cruiseline would not allow that.

 

Going back to what someone said in the beginning of this thread, if X would put in some upper/lower bunk cabins similar to the ones on Carnival and price them accordingly based on occupancy, X would then satisfy the solo requirement, and also have the option of booking the cabin for 2 adults young enough that don't mind bunking on top. LOL. Since X does recognize families, with the family cabins, I think it is only fair that they should recognize the solo traveler as well. It would build good customer relations, and I doubt that X's bottom line would really suffer that much from a few solo cabins per ship.

[Maya-Tucker]

Hi Maya Tucker :)

 

There are some people who think they are entitled to special treatment from Celebrity because they take a lot of cruises, and consider themselves to be an invaluable financial asset to the cruise line.

 

 

Even they should realize by now that Celebrity, with its rather anemic rewards program, could care less how many times they set foot on the ships.

 

Personally I don't understand the complaint from the solo passengers here. Why should they get the benefit of a double cabin for themselves at half price? They don't have to put up with a partner snoring, sharing the bathroom or closets, what channel the tv is on and how late it stays on, waiting on their partner to get ready etc, etc, etc.. Seems to me they want their cake and the ability to eat it as well.

 

If they want to pay half price I suggest they look for a room mate rather than lobbying the cruise line for preferential treatment. Several of the single posters on this site regularly travel with friends who also have single cabins. Would only make sense that they share a room lest they not be willing to put up with some of the "annoying habits" that come with roomates, partners or spouses. And if thats the case then they should pay the full price and stop complaining about the cruise line not taking care of their interests.

[insidecabin]

Solo rates come up a lot and the thread is also going in a few other direction

 

so to add my 2p.

 

First the cruise director on the Connie

 

John Grantham ex(now part time) Stunt specialist film and universal studios expereince that is relevent to a CD role

 

As I understand it he is new to the CD game and not come through the ranks and this shows though a bit but nothing serious on our trip.

 

Nice guy, good stage presence and presentation, starting to integrate some "stunts" which is good, eager to listen and respond visable on the ship very profesional,

 

Allready doing a better job than a lot of seasoned CD's.

 

I think he will do very well.

 

As for Perry, great entertainer, but not every night like some.

 

Single suppliments,

==============

 

The main point has been covered make them too low and couples/families book at the solo rates to get extra cabin space, inside for sleeping, turn the balcony into a sitting room etc.

 

Cruise pricing is PP based on 2 share thats the bulk of the market, big push in the UK this year for 4 shares with 3-4pax totaly free which realy means 1-2pax are over priced. Fred Olsen tried new "per cabin" pricing and had to drop it after about 4 weeks too confusing but they have solo cabins which complicated things a lot.

 

One solution not mentioned so far could be some tiny cabins(bed/bath) off a communial sitting area perhaps with balcony, this would appeal to singles and larger family groups or groups of friends so could work and not leave the ship with empty space if no solos book

 

The other option for solos especialy those that have flexable time is to just wait for the deals and the suppliment just takes it back to normal rates anyway.

 

NCL did a solo rate on the TA last year no adverts or promotion but the keen eyed NCL regulars spotted it and loads got great deals as it went round the grapevine.

 

Loyalty programs.

=============

 

here is a quote from P&O, expect most lines are probably similar on a lot of their cruises.

 

"Esdale said 45% of passengers booked on the ship this year were new to P&O Cruises and he predicted that the proportion would rise to as much as two thirds over years two and three."

 

This is for a brand new ship to the fleet, a lot of cruises sail with a lot of new cruisers or people trying a line for the first time these are the ones that need the special treatment to bring them back.

 

Loyalty programs become self distroying if they are not managed carefully as more and more people join, remember a long term cruiser(from their 20's these days) will get top status on many lines by the time they retire, priority this and that only work if there are few people claiming it, any perk needs to scale so that does not leave a lot of options.

 

Don't know the solution to this one loyalty counts when they can't fill the ships so I expect one off bonuses/special to kick in if things get tough.

[FinelyCruising]

I am aware of a great many single's who for a number of years have been sailing and hoping that Celebrity would address this single supplement issue.

 

These cruisers are people like you and me who like to cruise as often as they can, and don't want to be continue to be penalized because they prefer not to cheap out and potentially be uncomforatble with sharing a cabin with what is otherwise considered a stranger. I can't say I blame them one bit for not wanting to seek out others just to save a buck in that manner, and for the singles that I know from these boards, they still sail solo and pay the higher supplement to enjoy that privacy and atmosphere.

 

An amount of 200% really is quite unfair when the serivces delivered are not twice as much of what is actually a times 2 charge, and IMHO it should be adressed by the cruiseline due to the inequity of it.

 

And since Celebrity is doing such a good job of late to have addressed so many other issues in recent times, maybe the time has finally come for this one to be addressed too. :)

[woodofpine]

I am aware of a great many single's who for a number of years have been sailing and hoping that Celebrity would address this single supplement issue.

 

These cruisers are people like you and me who like to cruise as often as they can, and don't want to be continue to be penalized because they prefer not to cheap out and potentially be uncomforatble with sharing a cabin with what is otherwise considered a stranger. I can't say I blame them one bit for not wanting to seek out others just to save a buck in that manner, and for the singles that I know from these boards, they still sail solo and pay the higher supplement to enjoy that privacy and atmosphere.

 

An amount of 200% really is quite unfair when the serivces delivered are not twice as much of what is actually a times 2 charge, and IMHO it should be adressed by the cruiseline due to the inequity of it.

 

And since Celebrity is doing such a good job of late to have addressed so many other issues in recent times, maybe the time has finally come for this one to be addressed too. :)

 

 

HAAAA!!

 

Inequity? (I want twice the space, and I want to deprive the bar, the casino, and the shops of another wallet; but I'll diet and leave the shows at intermission... so Gimme a discount!) HAAAA!!

 

Equity? Goodwill? (If you give away the store you'll generate goodwill all right!)

 

This is business folks.

[greyblueseas]

I dread being told that I'm only allowed to book a tiny cabin or that I have to share with a total stranger because I'm solo. Celebrity let me book any room I an willing to pay for, and I like that. I know I'm paying a lot, but hotels are the same, and I take the view that I'm paying for the room. If I ever do find someone I can bear to share with, then sure, I'll save money. But until then, I think I deserve the little frills like balconies just as much as people who share a cabin. I appreciate that some people feel very differently about this!! :)