Finding Room Mates HAL

[koss78b2]

I heard something of HAL that lets people pair up and find room mates when you book a cruise if you are solo.

Now on the website for HAL I can't seem to find that option. How would you arrange that with HAL.

[TiogaCruiser]

For some cruises HAL used to offer a Single Share program. I do not know if it still exists. I used it in January 2013.

 

Basically, you pay a fare which includes a lower single supplement, but less than double occupancy rate. HAL tries to match you with another single of the same gender, and if possible, close to your age, who has booked the Single Share program. If there is no one, you get the cabin for no additional fee.

 

Depending on the cruise, the savings can be a lot, or minimal. I saved over a thousand for a 3 week cruise that was selling well and had a large group aboard. I checked out the same cruise afterward ( going the opposite direction) and found the difference between single share and full single occupancy was around $60 (if I recall correctly). If you do single share, you can't really follow price drops, as they are not published.

[sail7seas]

Did they match you or did you have the cabin to yourself?

 

[deck chair]

Hello

 

Cunard used to have a single share program which I used successfully. I saved thousands of dollars in single supplements. In all my many bookings I had exactly one roommate. (A great older gentleman.) The other times I had the cabin to myself. I think this was because very few males wanted to participate. Female solo travelers were much more likely to end up sharing with strangers. It is my understanding the program ended because too many of the participants did not get along with their roommates and complained so it became a giant headache to Cunard. Perhaps that is why HAL apparently ended their program.

 

Deck Chair

[Krazy Kruizers]

About 4 years ago we were on a cruise and ran into a woman in the Explorer's Lounge crying her heart out. We stopped and asked her what was wrong -- did she need for us to call someone. It seems that she was sharing a cabin with another woman whom she had just met on the ship and they did not get along. The other woman stayed out half the night, came in drunk and noisy.

She tried to get another cabin but that weren't any left. It was a 21 day cruise.

We felt so sorry for her. We made it a point to stop and talk to her whenever we could.

[guinnesshalfpint]

It is still offered as of a few months ago. I asked my PCC about it with the thought I could get a really good price on a guaranty cabin for a 15+ day cruise, with the hopes they wouldn't find an appropriate match. However I believe the only selection criteria is gender and smoking preference. What she explained didnt seem that appealing. From what I recall it was only available for certain cabin categories (2-3 I believe) and excluded you from any promo fares like Explore 4. She priced the difference for a single supplement cabin ocean view guaranty compared to the available category and the difference not that much, so our conversation stopped there. Sorry I don't recall the specifics.

[sambamama]

It is only offered for some cruises. My TA priced it for my Alaska cruise two years ago in May. It was more money than double occupancy. So I did not think that made any sense. Why should I pay more and run the risk of having a room mate when I could pay less and have no room mate?

 

The one thing I hate about HAL is so rarely can I find cruises where the single supplement is not 200%. As I am still working full time, I can't take cruises more than than 2 weeks to 21 days very often. Thankfully, my TA has been able to find some casino rates for me, and I have found some cruises which have not been too popular (or at least 6 or more months out, which is when I normally book, as that's what my schedule normally needs to plan for being gone for a fairish amount.)

 

I have been able to find room mates twice on a web site that helps people coordinate room mates. I could find more, but am not comfortable sailing with a man I have never met. If I can find a woman, it allows me to sail on more expensive cruises. That's how I sailed this past April on my 20 day Panama Canal cruise on the Westerdam where I was lucky enough to get a very reasonable upsell to a suite.

[sammiedawg]

About 4 years ago we were on a cruise and ran into a woman in the Explorer's Lounge crying her heart out. We stopped and asked her what was wrong -- did she need for us to call someone. It seems that she was sharing a cabin with another woman whom she had just met on the ship and they did not get along. The other woman stayed out half the night, came in drunk and noisy.

She tried to get another cabin but that weren't any left. It was a 21 day cruise.

We felt so sorry for her. We made it a point to stop and talk to her whenever we could.

 

We were on a fourteen day Princess cruise and we had a similiar encounter with a woman crying and upset about her roommate, a man. She had just met the guy and asked him to share a cabin on a cruise. Once on board the man became verbally abusive to her. The hotel manager, front desk manager all worked on her behalf to find another cabin. Then crew members rearranged the shore excursions she had booked so she wouldn't have to see him. But she knew he was still on the ship and never really relaxed.

 

I would be very fearful about sharing a cabin with anyone I barely knew.

I would advise talking to an experienced travel agent who can advise on cruise deals for singles. Saga is very popular with singles and I've heard it is a nice cruise line.m

[take us away]

Several years ago did the single share program which was the double occupancy price. On the day before departure my TA called to say no one was in the cabin with me. So I get to the cabin and there is a lady unpacking. She does last minute cruises several times a year as a single share. It worked out perfectly as we sat down and hashed out some ground rules with respect to mornings, preparing for dinner, coming home at decent hours, but loved it when she said and "as we are single ladies, we need to work out what to do if we get lucky"'. After almost falling off the bed laughing and then finding out she was serious, we figured out a code and an 'end time' when we could get back into the cabin. On the last day, found out she was 85 years old and was hoping to 'get lucky'. What a woman! we stayed in contact until she passed in her mid-90's. I digress

 

Attached is the single share info from HAL:

PR_Single-Part.pdf

[TiogaCruiser]

We were on a fourteen day Princess cruise and we had a similiar encounter with a woman crying and upset about her roommate, a man. She had just met the guy and asked him to share a cabin on a cruise. Once on board the man became verbally abusive to her. The hotel manager, front desk manager all worked on her behalf to find another cabin. Then crew members rearranged the shore excursions she had booked so she wouldn't have to see him. But she knew he was still on the ship and never really relaxed.

 

I would be very fearful about sharing a cabin with anyone I barely knew.

I would advise talking to an experienced travel agent who can advise on cruise deals for singles. Saga is very popular with singles and I've heard it is a nice cruise line.m

This is sounding more like SHE matched herself before the cruise, and not like he was a "potluck" roommate provided by the cruise line.

[TiogaCruiser]

Did they match you or did you have the cabin to yourself?

 

 

I ended up with the cabin to myself. :)

 

Adding that I booked about 11 months out when another cruise was added right afterward. On The one I booked SS and did, I had been on the wait list as it sold out quickly. By the time final passed, the prices had dropped significantly. In fact, it was listed at LESS for single occupancy in a lesser cabin.

 

Sparing the details, HAL did allow me to upgrade to a C guarantee ( I had k or better SS) but the booking remained as SS. With the prices where they ended up I doubt anyone would take the SS. I requested C and no higher as didn't want to be "gifted" with a spa closet.

[sail7seas]

I ended up with the cabin to myself. :)

 

Adding that I booked about 11 months out when another cruise was added right afterward. On The one I booked SS and did, I had been on the wait list as it sold out quickly. By the time final passed, the prices had dropped significantly. In fact, it was listed at LESS for single occupancy in a lesser cabin.

 

Sparing the details, HAL did allow me to upgrade to a C guarantee ( I had k or better SS) but the booking remained as SS. With the prices where they ended up I doubt anyone would take the SS. I requested C and no higher as didn't want to be "gifted" with a spa closet.

 

Thanks so much for your response. Very interesting.

 

I'm way too private and cautious to risk an assigned share roommate but I was interested to hear how it worked.

 

Happy it has worked well for you and others. :)

[TiogaCruiser]

Thanks so much for your response. Very interesting.

 

I'm way too private and cautious to risk an assigned share roommate but I was interested to hear how it worked.

 

Happy it has worked well for you and others. :)

 

I can't see myself doing that (SS) again, but at the time I wanted to do that cruise (Antarctica) so badly (having missed it 2 times) I would have accepted a hammock in the marshaling area. I do not regret it. Am now more used to travel solo with HAL that am planning on my third (solo) cruise in a few weeks. (I'd prefer if DH would join me, but I have tons more vacation and won't get full pay for most if I don't use prior to retirement. (Not that I'm planning to retire anytime soon).

[SHayesShip]

This is diverting a little from the OP however it is about single occupancy cabins. The new Koningsdam has 10-12 outside single cabins designated "OO". They are all on main deck forward and range from 135 to 170 square feet. I know because I booked one for a 9 day caribbean cruise Dec. 2016.

I booked when they offered the Explorer 4 package and the pricing was approximately 150% when I priced out for a double. So there was some savings. I usually had balconies when my traveling mate was going so it will be interesting what it is like in an OV cabin by myself.

[sail7seas]

Yah, I saw the location etc of those solo cabins.

[Topsham]

 

I would be very fearful about sharing a cabin with anyone I barely knew.

I would advise talking to an experienced travel agent who can advise on cruise deals for singles. Saga is very popular with singles and I've heard it is a nice cruise line.m

 

 

Yes, Saga works very well with singles. Roughly 15% of the cabins are single cabins. The cabins for singles grade from insides, outsides, balconies and even suite. Of course the rates are a bit higher for singles. Here is one I had on the Saga Pearl... their little baby ship... for 450 pax.

 

Nice cabin... balcony... bath and rain shower /wet/dry room. Through the door... out onto the deck to the Sundowner's Bar. Two second from bar to bed! The four suites on this deck were singles.

Edited November 23, 2015 by Topsham

[cruz chic]

This is diverting a little from the OP however it is about single occupancy cabins. The new Koningsdam has 10-12 outside single cabins designated "OO". They are all on main deck forward and range from 135 to 170 square feet. I know because I booked one for a 9 day caribbean cruise Dec. 2016.

I booked when they offered the Explorer 4 package and the pricing was approximately 150% when I priced out for a double. So there was some savings. I usually had balconies when my traveling mate was going so it will be interesting what it is like in an OV cabin by myself.

 

This is what bugs me. Single cabins never seem to be priced without some kind of supp.

[Topsham]

This is what bugs me. Single cabins never seem to be priced without some kind of supp.

 

 

 

A bit like a hotel room. You pay the price for a room.... be one in the room or if it is two in the room.

 

So... if the room rate is say $400. One person pays $400. If two people... $200 each!!!!!! That is always 200% supplement.... at least that is better in a cabin at 150%.... but you are back to a suite at 200%.

[phabric]

I was on a Princess cruise, there was a Vacations To Go Single group on board, some had single cabins or shared cabins that Vacations To Go had matched up. They have a few cruises each year for singles.

[cruz chic]

A bit like a hotel room. You pay the price for a room.... be one in the room or if it is two in the room.

 

So... if the room rate is say $400. One person pays $400. If two people... $200 each!!!!!! That is always 200% supplement.... at least that is better in a cabin at 150%.... but you are back to a suite at 200%.

 

Yes, I understand but these aren't cabins designated for two people. They are single cabins. There should be a single price. You couldn't put 2 people in those rooms. The post I quoted was talking about single cabins on the koningsdam. I'm not speaking of any other ships. Apples and oranges.

Edited November 23, 2015 by cruz chic