Charging Double to a single traveler

[iamirish]

One reason they charge double is that as a single, you purchase 1/2 as many drinks, 1/2 the amount in the shops, 1/2 the bingo cards, 1/2 the tips, etc. About 1/3 of the cruiselines income is from "extras", so they lose all that extra income when you travel as a single.

 

Oh, how wrong you are!!!

 

Solo cruisers spend a lot more money in the bars and casinos - because we have the money and no one to tell us how to spend it.

[whiteway906]

I've sailed many times as a solo. I understand the single supplement. What really helped on my last cruise was the platinum discount and a state residency discount of more than $500. If I had sailed one week later, I would not have received the residency discount.

 

Bottomline, as a solo, it really pays (pardon the pun) to shop dates for the discounts. One week more or less can really make the difference.

[ladysail2]

I travel solo most of the time as well. It's almost expected to pay nearly double for a cabin....that's the rule, one must abide.....what bugs me...is that the cruiseline wants their cake and eat it too!!! They charge nearly double even if there is only one person in the cabin....but....they only hand out one coupon book, one set of 'points', one gift for being a certain level of points, only one OBC if there is one to be given as a promotion......so although one is treated as a double for paying for the cabin....one is treated as a single to receive the perks of sailing with that particular cruiseline.

The extra cost to a single cruiser is called the non-commisionable portion....so I don't even know if the travel agent gets a commission on that portion of a solo fare???

I don't feel sorry for the cruiseline at all. They know exactly how to 'draw' people in to pay more...high priced bingo...high priced drinks (with hardly any alcohol), paintings of dubious value....high priced photographs....at least it is optional to the cruiser whether to spend their money on those articles.

Carnival has 1A cabins that are technically single cabins, but can handle two people. The cost of the cabin is generally only 150% for a solo.

It won't stop me from cruising...but it will always irk me!!

[aloha of the seas]

It is my choice to book a cruise that is 200%. But there are others that are 150% and 175%. You only have to look to find them. I have been cruising single for 2 years now, and yes it is more expensive, and yes I feel I should get more credits, but most times I have found my price has dropped quite a bit from the time I booked till the sailing date, so I figure I am getting it back that way.

 

I believe Cunard has single rooms, but their prices might not be in our price range. 200% of $1500 is better than 100% of $3500. So yes it does seem a little unfair and I do not have any explanation why one cruise is 200% and another is 150%. My request would be that the single supplement be discounted based on your C&A status. Gold=200%, Platinum=175%, Diamond=150%.

[PrincesScuba]

Once you reach 50 cruises you get 150% for single. Except in July and August.

Where did you see "except in July and August"?

[PrincesScuba]

I travel solo most of the time as well. It's almost expected to pay nearly double for a cabin....that's the rule, one must abide.....what bugs me...is that the cruiseline wants their cake and eat it too!!! They charge nearly double even if there is only one person in the cabin....but....they only hand out one coupon book, one set of 'points', one gift for being a certain level of points, only one OBC if there is one to be given as a promotion......so although one is treated as a double for paying for the cabin....one is treated as a single to receive the perks of sailing with that particular cruiseline.

 

The extra cost to a single cruiser is called the non-commisionable portion....so I don't even know if the travel agent gets a commission on that portion of a solo fare???

 

I don't feel sorry for the cruiseline at all. They know exactly how to 'draw' people in to pay more...high priced bingo...high priced drinks (with hardly any alcohol), paintings of dubious value....high priced photographs....at least it is optional to the cruiser whether to spend their money on those articles.

 

Carnival has 1A cabins that are technically single cabins, but can handle two people. The cost of the cabin is generally only 150% for a solo.

 

It won't stop me from cruising...but it will always irk me!!

 

No, the OBC is *one* thing that works out in your favor.

 

Barbara + Susan go on a cruise together. The cabin has been booked on their last cruise. It's a 7-nighter, so there is $100 OBC.

 

Barbara books a cruise on a cruise, then when she goes on that cruise (a 7-nighter), the OBC is $100.

 

The single cruiser gets the same amount of OBC as the twosome.

 

OBC is always PER CABIN, not per person.

 

Here are two more consolations:

 

NO ONE is getting a C&A gift anymore.

The coupon book is now practically worthless, so no loss there, either.

 

:) When life hands you lemons, make lemonade. :D

[kauppias]

i know the tuesday sales on rcck often offer between 125-175% single occupancy speacials... I think RCL could go and offer reduced singles on cruises that are not selling well instead of reducing the fares super low in general but thats just me... I some times go single sometimes with the whole family and whenever i go single I allways book a cat z and ends up being quite affordable :)

[Oppgaard]

RCI is about the only cruise line that does not require single passengers to pay double the non-commissionable fare which used to be called port fees. Princess, NCL, Carnival, etc. even charge double for that. Now that Non-Commissionable fares are rising this in itself is quite a savings.

 

A couple of years ago they had a special on singles for a Monarch Cruise and since the OV cabins were so inexpensive, we took two adjoining cabins in place of one larger cabin and then had 2 bathrooms.

 

As previously stated, keep an eye on the Happy Hour specials.

[beachchick]

It's exactly the same on a cruise as a hotel, you pay for the room. It costs the same if there is one or 2 people in it just like a hotel.

 

They should then charge a single room charge, not a per person charge like they do at hotels. I feel like I am paying for two people and I am one person sailing. I know that at Atlantis in Nassau, they charge person as well. You can get great deals if you are a couple, but if you are a single person, you pay double. The advertised rates to me are note truly accurate as a single person. I understand all of your rationales and I know things are tight to the point they no longer give out chocolates. I do not choose to research other companies because I RCCL. When you stay at a hotel, you pay for the room, not per person. I will still continue to cruise on RCCL, because to me, they have the best ships in the industry.

 

I sympathize, but it is not at all like a hotel. It might seem like it should be, but it isn't. The cruise lines are charging extra because they, unlike hotels, rely on substantial additional revenues from extras onboard and such. As well, the point has been made that a significant number of single cruisers could result in lost revenue for the cruise line from cabin limits, extra revenue, and excursions.

 

I'd love to see the cruise lines have a number of single cabins onboard. I think it would be a win-win for everyone.

 

beachchick

[sandravb79]

That's discrimination against a particular type of cruiser. All cruisers should be treated equally. Is the point to discourage single cruisers? Why is it that one has to cruise as a twosome? I cruise alone because my friends don't like cruises or can't get off at the same time I can. So my penalty is to pay twice the amount to take the same vacation couples or families pay. Hotels don't penalize a single person, airlines don't penalize a single person. What's the deal?

 

Team up. Would want to stay with someone you don't know in a cabin? I doubt it.

 

Imho, hotels do penalize single travelers.

Each time I book a hotel room, I get the room price. If I have a travel partner, we each pay 50% of the room. If I go by myself, I pay 100% of the room.

To me, it's the same.

 

ETA: I paid 100% for my home because I am single, as opposed to 50% had I had a SO. Should have told the seller since I'll live their on my own, I should only pay half price. I should also tell the TV cable company I should only pay 1/5th of my nieghbour's amount. It's just me watching TV instead of 5 people watching TV.

When I rent a car on vacation, the rental place doesn't care if I'll be in the car by myself or with 3 others, same price. Same with the taxi I took from the airport, doesn't change whether I'm in there by myself of with a travel partner.

[Esprit]

Surely as my wife doesn't earn an income I am paying the same as a single traveller but I don't have the benefit of having a cabin all to my self. I would love to be able to access the bathroom when ever I wanted and lie in the middle of a big double bed.

 

I could also watch TV late into the night watching what I wanted see.

 

Sorry but I just don't see how the single passenger is suffering unduly compared to me.

[sandravb79]

Surely as my wife doesn't earn an income I am paying the same as a single traveller but I don't have the benefit of having a cabin all to my self. I would love to be able to access the bathroom when ever I wanted and lie in the middle of a big double bed.

 

I could also watch TV late into the night watching what I wanted see.

 

Sorry but I just don't see how the single passenger is suffering unduly compared to me.

 

Just feel lucky you are not like my dad. He earns an income, my mom doesn't, but they share the tasks. He earns it, she spends it. He goes working, she goes cruising. At least you're able to use half of the bed ;)

[temple1]

They charge nearly double even if there is only one person in the cabin....but....they only hand out one coupon book, one set of 'points', one gift for being a certain level of points, only one OBC if there is one to be given as a promotion......so although one is treated as a double for paying for the cabin....one is treated as a single to receive the perks of sailing with that particular cruiseline.

 

 

 

The points and any loyalty gifts are per member. If you only have one member number for the cruise - you qualify for one point and one gift (if gifts are given in the future).

 

Surely as my wife doesn't earn an income I am paying the same as a single traveller but I don't have the benefit of having a cabin all to my self. I would love to be able to access the bathroom when ever I wanted and lie in the middle of a big double bed.

 

I could also watch TV late into the night watching what I wanted see.

 

Sorry but I just don't see how the single passenger is suffering unduly compared to me.

 

I hope your DW doesn't read the boards. :D

[K1200S]

Surely as my wife doesn't earn an income I am paying the same as a single traveller but I don't have the benefit of having a cabin all to my self. I would love to be able to access the bathroom when ever I wanted and lie in the middle of a big double bed.

 

I could also watch TV late into the night watching what I wanted see.

 

Sorry but I just don't see how the single passenger is suffering unduly compared to me.

Now that is funny but for your sake I hope your wife doesn't read it!

[tiggerman101]

All Carnival ships have 1A cabins. Most of these feature Upper and Lower single beds. While they can fit two passengers carnival offers these cabins at 150% (or lower) to single cruisers. I just booked one the other day for a cruise that leaves in two weeks. It was a great last minute deal and I have always wanted to try a solo cruise. I would say there are roughly 20 of these cabins on each ship and they do sell pretty quickly.

[financialgrl]

I am single also and BF hates to travel. Regarding cruising - since I have to pay double anyway, I usually bring along one of my older teen nieces. To me I felt better doing so - I give someone who otherwise couldn't afford it a nice vacation - two people for the price of one at least mentally makes it seem like its a much better deal! Last year I took two 17 y./o nieces with me and I paid the double fare since I would have had to anyway and the girls split the cost of the third passenger and we ALL got to have fun and see Bermuda. Since they are family, it's not that big a deal but I will say that I'd NEVER share a room with someone I'd never met or didn't know well beforehand. Too many variables to go wrong.

 

Otherwise my friends and I just try to wait until the kids are all back in school and most family vacations are over when the prices come way down. Waiting until offseason sometimes equates to 150 to 175% supplement than during high demand time and sometimes you can even get a truly great deal and it is even cheaper.

[vegasres]

On my very first cruise many many years ago, I had a single cabin. It was on Costa's Flavia. It was an inside cabin. Since I didn't know anything about cruising, I thought all ships had single cabins, at 150% of the double rate. (That's what mine was). My next cruise was on Sitmar. They didn't have single cabins. I had a friend with me, so we had a double cabin. I personally think single cabins are great!! They are smaller - only one bed, but the price was right!

Today I usually cruise with my sister, so we are a 'double'. However, the cruise line usually makes no extra money on us - we don't drink, bring our own soda on board, and do no shopping on the ship. We went to a specialty restaurant once on NCL, but never on RCL. We find the MDR food to be quite good and substantial. Our final bill includes only tips, and we have an investor credit of $100, so it's not too much. (We did, on our last cruise, have a $140 medical bill, but that was reimbursed by our insurance.)

IMO, I think all ships should have single cabins, charged at maybe 125%. This would allow more singles to cruise, because unless you have a 'roommate', cruising alone is very expensive.

[Tom Crusin]

I sail RCL on Aug. 31. My single surcharge is 130%.

[cooncat]

Tom.

 

That is a high surcharge. I am paying a 100% surcharge. The published rates as I am saying again, is per person, thus you are paying for two people and two charges except for the port charges. In hotels, you are paying for the room, no matter if you have 1 or 4 people in the room, except for the Atlantis where they charge per person. If the cruiseline were to charge let's say $2500 for a D1 room in May, then that is the charge. I understand the reasoning for per person, because the the key cards, etc. But in hotels you get as many keys as you need.

[Tom Crusin]

Perhaps we are looking at the math differently. The RCL posted rate is $197 (double occupancy). They are charging me $256.50.

 

$197 x 130% = $256.10 (so it's slightly more than 130%)

[critterchick]

Tom.

 

That is a high surcharge. I am paying a 100% surcharge. The published rates as I am saying again, is per person, thus you are paying for two people and two charges except for the port charges. In hotels, you are paying for the room, no matter if you have 1 or 4 people in the room, except for the Atlantis where they charge per person. If the cruiseline were to charge let's say $2500 for a D1 room in May, then that is the charge. I understand the reasoning for per person, because the the key cards, etc. But in hotels you get as many keys as you need.

 

By RCI accounting you're paying a 200% surcharge.:)

 

I would certainly support the notion that singles paying the full 200% rate earn an extra cruise credit, three in a suite, which is how Princess does it now. If a couple travelling each get a credit (or two for a suite or longer cruise), then I think it's only fair.

[madforcruising]

Tom.

 

That is a high surcharge. I am paying a 100% surcharge. The published rates as I am saying again, is per person, thus you are paying for two people and two charges except for the port charges. In hotels, you are paying for the room, no matter if you have 1 or 4 people in the room, except for the Atlantis where they charge per person. If the cruiseline were to charge let's say $2500 for a D1 room in May, then that is the charge. I understand the reasoning for per person, because the the key cards, etc. But in hotels you get as many keys as you need.

 

 

You can get as many cabin keys on RCI as you want as well, just ask for them at the pursers desk. However you won´t get more than one SeaPass card per person:rolleyes:

[retafcruiser]

I don´t know. I know that Cunards QE2 used to have single cabins, but then it is debatable if they are mainstream. ;)

 

The QE2 had singles available in every class - if you wanted a Queen's Grill single, they had it. She was the very last of a breed. I even sailed with my car transatlantic. No ship today does that.

[caribbeanboy]

I booked the Costa Fortuna for next March with NO single supplement. I paid $485 for a cabin comparable to Carnival's 1-A and even got $50 OBC!

[relaxandenjoy]

Oh, how wrong you are!!!

 

Solo cruisers spend a lot more money in the bars and casinos - because we have the money and no one to tell us how to spend it.

 

Love the screen name. As a VERY Irish and single cruiser - I think the Irish should get discounts on drinks as we do spend a lot more :D