New carnival policy - 1a cabins now charged @ 200%

[ATL2LAS]

It is actually cheaper for me to go to Vegas solo than to cruise in a 1A. And that includes airfare and food. Never thought I would say that:(

[yellowbird23]

It is actually cheaper for me to go to Vegas solo than to cruise in a 1A. And that includes airfare and food. Never thought I would say that:(

Maybe that's what I should do. I usually wind up in the casino every night on a cruise anyhow. Entertainment in Las Vegas is probably much better as well.

[MOHAVE]

I live in Las Vegas. I think I prefer the cruise. LOL

[yellowbird23]

I live in Las Vegas. I think I prefer the cruise. LOL

I see that the "bug bit you" on your first cruise. That's the norm! Enjoy!

[MOHAVE]

I see that the "bug bit you" on your first cruise. That's the norm! Enjoy!

Heck. I haven't been on the first cruise yet but have already booked the second. I've always wanted to go but never did.

[Froufie]

Heck. I haven't been on the first cruise yet but have already booked the second. I've always wanted to go but never did.

 

How come you chose the same ship for your 2nd cruise? Is it also the same itinerary? (guess if you didn't get it right the 1st time you can try again? :D)

[yellowbird23]

Heck. I haven't been on the first cruise yet but have already booked the second. I've always wanted to go but never did.

Oh! I see that...I was booked on that same cruise for 11/14, but changed my mind. Don't like the sea days so chose Victory instead....port every day. Been to all islands, but want to go back. More bang for the buck!

[ATL2LAS]

I am really hoping that Carnival changes its solo policy. I love Vegas, I love cruising...but now that airfare has come down to Vegas it is back in the running.

[jpg1747]

I just did a faux booking on Princess for a January 14, 2012, 7-day Southern Caribbean cruise sailing from Ft. Lauderdale, inside guarantee cabin. The solo supplement is 150%. Cruise only base price is $649; single price is $973.50.

[bryantl]

Sad to say folks but I spoke with my pvp today and he did confirm that Carnival's new policy is to charge 200 % for singles even in a 1a cabin.

Very sad but they seem to feel that having a full ship is more important that having a single cruiser on board.

What to do?????

Bryan

[dolphin1313]

Sad to say folks but I spoke with my pvp today and he did confirm that Carnival's new policy is to charge 200 % for singles even in a 1a cabin.

Very sad but they seem to feel that having a full ship is more important that having a single cruiser on board.

What to do?????

Bryan

 

Yes Bryan, Carnival is charging 200% for singles now in their 1A cabins. I did notice a couple of sailings that I looked at that the 1A was $50-$100 cheaper than the IS. I was hoping that Carnival was going to give a discount for solos when a sailing got closer, like RCL, but it doesn't appear to be the case. I know that it's too soon after the change to say that, however, I was looking at the Miracle sailing that's leaving tomorrow and for the past week they have been reducing all the prices pretty low to try and sell out the cabins but the single supplement didn't go down at all.

 

As far as what to do, compare the prices of all the cruise lines and pick the one that gives you the most value for your money. Don't just look at the single supplement, what matters the most is the total price of the cruise. Personally I haven't sailed on any other cruise lines but I have been looking at various lines and always check the RCL weekly specials since sometimes they offer reduced single supplements. Lastly, NCL Epic now has solo cabins with no single supplement although the cabins are a little higher than their cheapest inside cabins from what I've seen. However, I think that part of the reason is that they are on a higher deck.

 

-Mark

[yellowbird23]

Yes Bryan, Carnival is charging 200% for singles now in their 1A cabins. I did notice a couple of sailings that I looked at that the 1A was $50-$100 cheaper than the IS. I was hoping that Carnival was going to give a discount for solos when a sailing got closer, like RCL, but it doesn't appear to be the case. I know that it's too soon after the change to say that, however, I was looking at the Miracle sailing that's leaving tomorrow and for the past week they have been reducing all the prices pretty low to try and sell out the cabins but the single supplement didn't go down at all.

 

As far as what to do, compare the prices of all the cruise lines and pick the one that gives you the most value for your money. Don't just look at the single supplement, what matters the most is the total price of the cruise. Personally I haven't sailed on any other cruise lines but I have been looking at various lines and always check the RCL weekly specials since sometimes they offer reduced single supplements. Lastly, NCL Epic now has solo cabins with no single supplement although the cabins are a little higher than their cheapest inside cabins from what I've seen. However, I think that part of the reason is that they are on a higher deck.

 

-Mark

I'll be anxious to see the reports on those Epic solo cabins after she sets sail and people come back here and rate them. I'm not crazy for the size of the ship though. I prefer a smaller ship.

[fpslim]

I've been researching my cruise for this winter; so far even without the 150% supplement,

CCL is still cheaper than any line I've looked at for similar itineraries... But I'm still not happy

about the change.

Incidentally, I looked at the "Cash Back" fare, which is around $100 more that ES, and is

supposed to be $160 OBC for 7 day cruises, however if you book as a solo, the OBC is only $80!

So solos pay full fare but only get half the OBC!!

Seems CCL's message to solos is clear: Ambivalence!!! :mad:

[ladysail2]

Incidentally, I looked at the "Cash Back" fare, which is around $100 more that ES, and is

supposed to be $160 OBC for 7 day cruises, however if you book as a solo, the OBC is only $80!

So solos pay full fare but only get half the OBC!!

Seems CCL's message to solos is clear: Ambivalence!!! :mad:

 

 

:mad: Don't even get me started on that 'pay twice/benefit once' tactic of cruiselines. It's all the same for the mainstream ones.

I have two CCL cruises booked, when they upped the supplement...the third cruise went to the competition....:p..

I sincerely wish that cruiselines would advertise the price of a cabin in the same way that hotels advertise the price of a room. Then we wouldn't feel so ripped off. If we book a hotel room for $100...we don't demand 50% back if only one person uses the room.

It is maddening that they add 100% to the cost of the cabin, but any perks are given at the solo/single value.

We will just have to do what others are doing...look for the deals. I really like the 1A's with portholes on Carnival and it made me so happy to snag one, and only pay 150% of the pp rate. I was a happy cruiser. I'll still be a happy cruiser, but not in the same way.

I'm glad that this thread exists...I'll be checking it more often, and posting any specials that I find, too!!

Joyce :D

[jpg1747]

And just to further annoy us solos, when you apply for a price reduction, they deny it and tell you it's because they're now comparing our ES 150% price to the current 200% price. I countered that by saying they should compare the base price without the supplement. Waiting to hear back.

[Rosebud5t]

I checked my cruises this morning (I'm ES in a 1A on a couple of future cruises) and the supplement is up to 200% - so I shouldn't expect any rate reductions on those trips.

 

Thanks to the OP for giving the heads up - I went ahead and booked one more cruise I'd been debating before the increase hit.

 

Like others have commented - the positive part of this is that I won't be needing to book so far in advance to snag a porthole 1A - and at 200% their pricing will be a lot closer to other cruise lines so I'll feel better about spending a bit more to try something different.

 

Em

 

 

You said exactly what I was thinking. I've started shopping other cruise lines for the first time since I started cruising. Who knows, maybe we'll all find something we like even better. :)

 

Judy - thanks for the info on the Princess cruise.... good to know, I'll check them out!

 

Happy cruising, fellow solos!!!

[SemperFi_Cruiser]

I am a solo cruiser (11 past cruises on Carnival, with two more Carnival cruises currently booked, one this year and one in 2011.) But I wanted something to fill in the gap next Spring. Carnival's new cat 1a pricing structure won't drive me away completely...but it's already caused me to look on other cruise lines which are not Carnival. So after being a loyal cruiser on Carnival for many years...Guess what? I found just what I wanted on the NCL Epic.

 

I know that Carnival reads these threads and posts, so just FYI, my bar tab, excursions, gift shop expenditures, etc. on a 7-day cruise typically equals or exceeds my cruise fare. :D So in this case, it's gonna be about 2K total that's gonna go to one of your competitors. While I certainly accept the fact that Carnival is a business and must operate in such a manner as to make a profit, I do believe that any policy that drives away loyal customers is a bad one at best.

 

In my case, Mr. Cahill, your strategy is working quite successfully. See you on the Epic next April!

 

And oh...BTW...if you have a change of heart and rescind your new policy...it's too late. The damage is already done as I'm already exploring those new world's where "no man has gone before..." But their name isn't Carnival...:mad:

[thescot123]

Have never been on Carnival but was looking at some last minute rates. However, the 200% for solo has put me off. Rather sale on NCL, which does charge 200% but is better when it comes to freestyle. Yesterday, I did manage to find a cruise on the NCL Sky at 150% which is a deal. Hopefully, Carnival will go back to 150% for 1A.

[Cathalain]

I had considered booking Carnival for cruises as a solo traveller, but ended up going with RCI, as I have previous experience with them and therefore a better deal, even with the 200% supplement. Carnival was high on the list, though, as far as price is concerned. With this news, I'm much less likely to go with them now.

 

NCL looks a lot more solo-friendly, and if the pictures I've seen are any indication, their accommodations frankly look a lot more luxurious and plush, at least to me. This won't end well for Carnival, I think.

 

Shame, because I really think the solo market is a lot larger than a good deal of these cruise lines believe it is.

 

-c.

[patattack]

I am also a solo cruiser with 9 Carnival cruises with my Platinum one coming on the Carnival Dream in Oct. The l50% supplement made cruising affordable for me. When searching for my 2011 cruises, (I have started cruising twice a year), I ended up booking Feedom of the Seas for a good solo price for Sept. 2011.

 

Pat

[jpg1747]

I'm committed to three of my 4 upcoming Carnival cruises with an ES deposit. I'm debating about cancelling the 4th one. I booked the one on Princess because I had an FCC and some OBC to use. But after that I'm going to take a look at Celebrity out of Baltimore. By moving from Carnival to Princess the corporation is still getting my money. And as much as I love Princess, I feel the need to take my money elsewhere, at least for a while.

[Roz]

JPG,

 

I'm also looking at the Celebrity cruises out of Baltimore. SW has good nonstop inexpensive flights between Nashville and Baltimore as a substitute for D.C.

 

Roz

[407dm]

froufie,

 

did you ever hear back from carnival?? just checking to see if they replied or just ignored you

 

I am not happy with the 200% charge either and like others I am starting to look at other cruise lines and other vacation options. I guess that 12 cruises on carnival may be all I take.

[Roz]

I'm still pricing Carnival cruises for comparison, but I'm finding that for just a little more, I can get a better cabin, even an outside, as compared to paying 200% for a 1A. If more solos upgrade their cabin cabins, Carnival has a limited pool of people who would want the 1As with the bunk bed configuration, IMO.

 

Most couples wouldn't want bunk beds, neither would the elderly or those with any type of disability, and anyone weighing over 250 lbs. (I think that's the weight limit on bunks). Maybe a parent traveling with one child/

 

Roz

[Froufie]

froufie,

 

did you ever hear back from carnival?? just checking to see if they replied or just ignored you

 

I am not happy with the 200% charge either and like others I am starting to look at other cruise lines and other vacation options. I guess that 12 cruises on carnival may be all I take.

 

Actually I did realize the other day that despite sending off a letter and cc link to customer service no response received.

 

Anyone have cahill's email address? I think I would like to resend my 'opinion'! :D:D