Probability of Own Room when not paying for single occupancy?

I want to take a cheap 4-day Mexico cruise. I want to pay the sub-$300 price plus all applicable taxes and fees, etc.

I'm wondering if I pay this price which is based on double-occupancy, what will be the likelihood that they will give me my own room if the cruise is not sold out? That is, without paying double the price?

'Nice replies' would be appreciated

Regards,

The only mainstream cruise line I know of that still takes "singles willing to share" bookings is Holland America. And they do not offer short Mexico cruises.

It is simply not possible to do what is appears you believe you can: book for one person at the per person/double occupancy rate. You must either provide two names at the time of booking and pay for two people, or pay the single supplement that is charged when only one person stays in a cabin.

Though it is also possible that this new Cruise Critic member is looking at a singles charter cruise that will match up solos wiling to share. If that is the case you need to read the terms and conditions of the charter company very carefully: you might get your own cabin if they don't find a match for you--but it is possible you may be required to pay the single supplement in that case..

The only mainstream cruise line I know of that still takes "singles willing to share" bookings is Holland America. And they do not offer short Mexico cruises.

 

It is simply not possible to do what is appears you believe you can: book for one person at the per person/double occupancy rate. You must either provide two names at the time of booking and pay for two people, or pay the single supplement that is charged when only one person stays in a cabin.

 

Though it is also possible that this new Cruise Critic member is looking at a singles charter cruise that will match up solos wiling to share. If that is the case you need to read the terms and conditions of the charter company very carefully: you might get your own cabin if they don't find a match for you--but it is possible you may be required to pay the single supplement in that case..

Generally speaking, for a 'cheap cruise' (sub-$300 not including taxes and fees, etc.), what would a single supplement cost? And would that supplement be the charge for a single person having their own, non-shared room?

Regards,

I am a single cruiser and most cruise lines charge 150 to 200% for a single room. If you book 2 people in a room that second person has to show up and be on the cruise. If not before the ship sails they will make you pay a single rate.

Yes you get your own room.

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all of us who cruise solo wish that the answer was yes, unfortunately you have less than a 0% chance of this happening, unless you book a cruise that does not have a single supplement.

I am a single cruiser and most cruise lines charge 150 to 200% for a single room. If you book 2 people in a room that second person has to show up and be on the cruise. If not before the ship sails they will make you pay a single rate.

 

Yes you get your own room.

 

 

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If you say you want to share a room with someone else, is there a chance you might be the 'odd man out' and get your own room, or is that unlikely?

Is there even an option to ask to share a room when you are booking the cruise?

The only cruise I ever booked myself I booked for 3 people in one room

No cruise lines don't find people for you to share a room with. There are websites that will help you find one but I have never seen them.

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Zero. No one will book perfect strangers into the same cabin and no one will waive the single supplement unless they run a sale( pretty much never happens. )

Best you can hope for is paying 150% or so.

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This (from USA Today) may help if you keep on top of it:

"With 24 big ships chock-a-block with casinos, water parks, sports and comedy clubs, the emphasis has been on fun over luxury, so the singles market has long been a part of Carnival's target audience. Carnival Cruise Lines offers single supplement waivers on a promotional basis for more than half their fleet at any given time. Departure ports include Vancouver bound for Alaska, as well as Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Jacksonville, Port Canaveral, Charleston, Galveston, New Orleans, Los Angeles, New York City and San Juan to destinations in Mexico, the Bahamas and the Caribbean. The single supplement waivers are seasonal and changing, so travelers are advised to check frequently for the latest offers."

I now understand. My only remaining question is, how do you know what the cruise booking company's singles supplement is prior to/during booking? I was just on a reputable booking site, and there is no written fee on the page where you select your cruise. Maybe its on a future page prior to checkout.

Is it the booking site that determines the fee, or the cruise line? (or do the booking companies take the cruise line's fee and tack on a bit to it for themselves?)

Regards,

I want to take a cheap 4-day Mexico cruise. I want to pay the sub-$300 price plus all applicable taxes and fees, etc.

 

I'm wondering if I pay this price which is based on double-occupancy, what will be the likelihood that they will give me my own room if the cruise is not sold out? That is, without paying double the price?

 

'Nice replies' would be appreciated

 

Regards,

No chance, otherwise everybody would do it. Sorry Charlie.

There are a few ships which offer single cabins. Small cabins designed for one occupant. Those cabins typically share a lounge.

 

$300 cruise is cheap. Do you have a friend, relative or co-worker who'd like a cheap vacation.

When you say "share a lounge" .... do you mean share a bathroom?

OP, it sounds like you're new to cruising. If there is a good travel agency near you, or with a toll-free number, I think a conversation with a travel agent would help you decide which cruises and cruise lines you should be looking at for a single occupancy cabin. When you look on line, most cruise prices are given per person, but based on the price that two people sharing would pay, and as you've found it's not always easy to find the price a single cruiser would actually pay.

Currently my cheapest option is $204 which doubles to $408 for a 4 Night Catalina & Baja Mexico cruise in early November, excluding fees. It would be nice to pay $352 rather than $408, because the money I save would pay for my room gratuity of $15 per day, at least.

We could answer more of your questions, but the suggestion about calling a travel agent is a better thing. Also, the cruise you describe is most likely Carnival. Call them and ask for a Personal Vacation Planner (and don't settle for just whoever answers their 800 number). Chat it up with him/her and ask all of the questions you like. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, so worth a shot if you are serious.

When you say "share a lounge" .... do you mean share a bathroom?

I believe they are talking about NCL Epic ... the single cabins have a lounge area where you meet the other solo cruisers

they have private w/c in the cabin

If it was possible to book and pay only for one person per cabin, two people would book two adjoining and connecting cabins for a family of two. More rrrrroooom. :)

Winter rates are in the $170 range for the 4 day cruises out of Los Angeles/Long Beach. That's been the cheapest we've seen lately. Singles pay double. This will get you a bunk bed interior cabin.

Several years ago it was possible to get cruises for $99pp/double occupancy. Those days are long gone.

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I believe they are talking about NCL Epic ... the single cabins have a lounge area where you meet the other solo cruisers

 

they have private w/c in the cabin

Ok. Thanks. Never knew that or heard of it.

If it was possible to book and pay only for one person per cabin, two people would book two adjoining and connecting cabins for a family of two. More rrrrroooom. :)

MORE rrrooom and even better, two bathrooms. :)

As a single, I'd be happy go get a solo cabin and only pay half. Why would any of us pay 200% if we could get a ca bin To ourselves and pay for one person? I don't know too many solos who actually like the solo supplement.

Winter rates are in the $170 range for the 4 day cruises out of Los Angeles/Long Beach. That's been the cheapest we've seen lately. Singles pay double. This will get you a bunk bed interior cabin.

 

Several years ago it was possible to get cruises for $99pp/double occupancy. Those days are long gone.

 

 

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OMG ... 1994 we paid $99 each for a day cruise to Ensenada out of San Diego. Was a way for me to get my husband on a cruise ship to see if he would like to do a real/longer cruise. He did.

On the prominent booking website I am currently perusing, when I select 1 person on the 'Guest Options' screen (first screen), then I select the price and cabin. On the second screen it automatically doubles the price. Is there a known booking site which will do 150% rather than 200% on the single supplement?

Most lines charge the 100% single supplement (i.e., 200% of the basic fare). HAL is one line that offers (or used to offer) 50% single supplement for inside or outside cabins (but not balcony and suite cabins).

I agree with calling a TA. But all cruise lines online give you the option of putting in from 1 to 4 persons to get the cruise price.

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When you say "share a lounge" .... do you mean share a bathroom?

no. as was said, a couple of ships have a section of the ship devoted to single cruisers, with cabins that only hold one person. they may also have a lounge area( think comfy seats and maybe a bar ) that only people in those cabins can access.

now before you get all excited, these cabins are MINISCULE, tend to be less desirable categories( insides or in crappy locations) and are usually more expensive per square foot of space so that paying the supplement is a better deal.

typical cruises are $100 per person per day.. for the absolute cheapest cabin on board. that means a small inside cabin in the bowels of the ship nowhere near the public spaces. they also tend to sell out fastest as there are not many of them in overall inventory.

it is far better to set your self a (realistic) budget for the total cost( including taxes, fees, daily gratuities etc) and then look for something that is within that budget. there can be sales to take advantage of that would make the overall cost cheaper than trying to book solo. Royal frequently has second berth 50% off sales, or 30% off all berths.

Celebrity has even been recently charging 250% single supplement! Talk about penalizing single cruisers!

Video tour of NCL Breakaway Solo Studio rooms: