Cruising Solo, not Single

[Iggipolka]

I'm married, but not able to travel with my partner for awhile. So, I'm looking for great cruise deals with low single supplements and am getting a bit frustrated. The good deals on are "Singles" cruises. I am not the least bit interested in meeting someone for a relationship and the party atmosphere of singles cruises isn't appealing.

Any ideas for finding good deals on solo travel as opposed to singles travel?

[kitty9]

You have to stay away from the mass market lines as most charge 200% of the regular fare. Some lines will have specials, and that's a reason to go to a local travel agent, where they know of deals to be had. The luxury lines have SS anywhere from 105% to 135%, which is much better than most. You can also look for 2 for 1 specials where you only pay the first person fare.

[mikesteg]

Where do you find good deals on "singles" cruises? Most of those just seem to be a gimick where they match you with room mates to get the regular rate. :(

 

Carnival does 150% supplement on 1A cat cabins, but those seem to run out sometimes a few months out from the saiing date. RCI used to have 150% supplement on many of it's Tuesday Specials, but that seems to be fairly rare these days. I got what I think is a 50% supplement on Grand Princess for next December, but that was booking 50 weeks out and now the same cat is at 100% supplement. I don't know if I got lucky with that, or Princess just has a small number of inside cabins at 150% supplement on every cruise and when they are gone that is it...

 

Another option is the group cruises here on CC. Though some of them don't even bother listing a solo cabin, and most of the others aren't much of a deal. Still may be worth checking out since that gets you into a group which isn't based specifically on singles.

[airlink diva]

I understand your concern about solo cruising!! I venture out on all my trips alone. My advice, find a great travel agent who have good experience with cruises. A good travel agent can receive deals that's not listed.

For example, I was able to take a seven day trip on a very nice cruise line for under $800. I had an outside cabin (blocked view, but who is in their room ??) and only paid a small mark up.

You have to be flexiable and willing to snap a great deal up right away.

But check around with anyone you know that cruise often and ask them who they dealt with. Good luck!!

[MaryEllen1952]

I did research about Alaska cruises and found only a few cruiselines which were single-friendly. I did not want a huge party ship (like Princess) so I booked on Holland America as I decided they were probably more my type - over age 40, smaller ship and have a single share program. But I had to go to their website; didn't find travel agents very knowledge about single shares so it will pay you to do a lot of research on the destination you desire. You'll probably have better luck with the Caribbean cruises as they tend to cater more to singles than Alaska or other destinations.

[Roz]

I just booked my 3rd solo cruise on Holland America. If you're flexible on cabins and dates, you can get single supplements from them that are below 150%. Book early, because the lower single supplements are capacity controlled. Also avoid peak times, like school breaks and holidays.

 

Roz

[MaryEllen1952]

I was not impressed with "*****". For my style of traveling, too limited selections.

[1cruiselvr]

I think they have a very good general selection - Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska, Panama Canal, Med.......I'm thinking of trying one of their single sponsored cruises next year unless I can find a willing GF as DH has decided he's had enough of cruising....Happy Sailing!

[Iggipolka]

I booked a cruise in November on HAL for only $200 more than the usual double occupancy rate. Pretty impressed with that. :)

[dburger]

I'm also married but circumstances force me to cruise solo. I'm booked for vacations to go singles cruise on March 13th. We'll see how it goes

[1cruiselvr]

Please post your VTG singles cruise experience when you return from your March cruise. I am also married but forced to sail solo in the future so I'm considering one of their singles cruises in 2006. Thanks. Happy Sailing!

[dburger]

I'll do that

[mpw2002]

Solo cruising is great. My wife and I usually end up taking one solo trip a year and another trip together in part because of our work and holiday schedules. Of the mass-market lines HAL seems to offer some good deals on single supplements. Sometimes the high end lines like Crystal or Silversea have very low single supps which make them a good value (although still $$$) compared to the lines charging 150-200%.