As a solo passenger Goodbye Princess

[kruisey]

After many discussions with Princess plus the many specials flyers and e-mails everyone one of them with the ' NOT APPLICABLE FOR SINGLES' after 23 voyages I have decided to end my relationship with this cruise line.

If one cannot accept them one quits. My future cruise credits membership of Captains Circle former returned to my credit card.

This is nothing to do with the wonderful times and atmosphere on the ships.The employees and fellow passengers are the very best.:)

[tourismtessy]

I know that NCL (Norwegian) has single suites available on most of their ships (at least the newer ones). They are a great cruise line and I actually prefer their entertainment over Princess. I think the food and service is comparable. You will find a wider demographic of cruiser on the Norwegian line as well. Carnival has a few single rooms but I don't like their environment (a little loud and younger/partier crowd). IMHO, I think you will enjoy Norwegian.

[Cruise Raider]

I completely understand and sorry to hear that Princess doesn't give any breaks to solo passengers and sometimes even charges more. I suppose you could always book with a friend that just doesn't show up for the cruise portion ....but they probably have some provision not allowing this either. And in all honesty, a hotel room isn't usually cheaper if only 1 instead of 2 guests per room but you are not eating all the food and using the services of two passengers so there should be some compensation for that.

 

I found a great site (not allowed to mention it on these boards) that lists all the solo cruiser rates. I have a friend that I like to travel with but we really need our own rooms (nobody would sleep otherwise). It will have to be on NCL or maybe even Carnival, both of which do offer some terrific solo rates. So annoying to have to jump over to another line as we are elite on Princess and Celebrity...neither of which offer solo rates. The only discount is that you pay for only one set of government taxes and fees. :(

 

Addendum: Wow....just have to take this back. I just saw a sailing on that site and saw that 1 Princess sailing was listed on here. The single supplement was only 33% ... hey, it's a start! Maybe they are listening. So turning my :( face into a semi :) face.

Edited February 1, 2016 by Cruise Raider

[RDC1]

I completely understand and sorry to hear that Princess doesn't give any breaks to solo passengers and sometimes even charges more. I suppose you could always book with a friend that just doesn't show up for the cruise portion ....but they probably have some provision not allowing this either. And in all honesty, a hotel room isn't usually cheaper if only 1 instead of 2 guests per room but you are not eating all the food and using the services of two passengers so there should be some compensation for that.

 

I found a great site (not allowed to mention it on these boards) that lists all the solo cruiser rates. I have a friend that I like to travel with but we really need our own rooms (nobody would sleep otherwise). It will have to be on NCL or maybe even Carnival, both of which do offer some terrific solo rates. So annoying to have to jump over to another line as we are elite on Princess and Celebrity...neither of which offer solo rates. The only discount is that you pay for only one set of government taxes and fees. :(

 

Addendum: Wow....just have to take this back. I just saw a sailing on that site and saw that 1 Princess sailing was listed on here. The single supplement was only 33% ... hey, it's a start! Maybe they are listening. So turning my :( face into a semi :) face.

 

The biggest reason why they don't discount singles is because singles are an opportunity loss to the cruise line. Cruise lines get around 40% of their revenue from onboard spending. When they use a double cabin to hold a single passenger They lose out on the onboard spending from that second passenger. Using the averages that means approximately a 14% expected reduction in revenue for the cabin, even if they pay full second fare. As such solo passengers are not a positive for a cruise line. A bit different if the cruise line has smaller cabins designed for single cabins.

Edited February 1, 2016 by RDC1

[Cruise Junky]

HAL's new ship has 12 solo cabins. HAL is also only charging Canadians about 35% exchange.

[jollyjones]

After many discussions with Princess plus the many specials flyers and e-mails everyone one of them with the ' NOT APPLICABLE FOR SINGLES' after 23 voyages I have decided to end my relationship with this cruise line.

If one cannot accept them one quits. My future cruise credits membership of Captains Circle former returned to my credit card.

This is nothing to do with the wonderful times and atmosphere on the ships.The employees and fellow passengers are the very best.:)

 

I feel much the same. I just disembarked from the Ruby and suspect it'll be my last Princess cruise. It's a shame because I've been elite for years and I used to think Princess was the best fit for me but they are changing the product in so many ways, they are not really the same anymore.

 

For example these are some of these changes that matter to me (everyone will have their own list):

Much harder for solos to catch a break, plus we are often excluded from special offers.

The Sapphire and Island were my favorite ships ... 'nuff said.

The direction they are going with new builds doesn't suit me - too big, no proper promenade deck, no forward viewing area, no OV cabins.

The stewards are being so overworked, it's getting harder for them to do a good job.

 

The sad truth is that Princess is probably thinking 'good riddance' - solos are not their best money making pax.

 

To make a positive of it, I expect I will enjoy trying out other cruise lines altho' I'm already at 100 days with Silversea and so far, that's working for me.

 

P.S. Puleeese don't suggest the NCL solo cabins - I really couldn't cruise in a hundred square foot interior space that's little bigger than a closet, there isn't even room for a fridge. And the price isn't even that attractive.

[TNTLAMB]

Back in the day we had 8 kids. It would have been so much easier if we had been able to buy each one of them their own cabin............ Especially if it was much the same price as for a double (or quad) I would gladly have paid the difference......

[paul929207]

Heather,

 

Good luck. Hope you find options that better meet your needs.

[shredie]

Best of luck to you, Heather.

[TracieABD]

Happy sails, Heather!

I hope that you find a new cruise home that works for you...

[kruisey]

I was expecting a blast off...

I will start making inquires with other lines after things are settled down overseas were I am dashing off overseas yet again re my sisters health.

The first question I will ask these other cruise lines ..On all of your 'Specials' do you quote 'Not Applicable for singles' if they do I will not sail with them.:cool:

[reedprincess]

Another option with solo cabins in Royal Caribbean. Their new builds - Quantum class, and the new Harmony which is Oasis class - have solo cabins.... Granted, those are their largest ships, but it at least is an option. And they're bigger cabins than NCLs..at least somewhat. And often their solo pricing is at least more friendly than Princess...Celebrity doesn't yet have solo cabins, but they do sometimes offer solo travelers rates at 150% rather than 200% or more!

Good luck, I do hope you find a good fit for future travels.

[riclop]

After many discussions with Princess plus the many specials flyers and e-mails everyone one of them with the ' NOT APPLICABLE FOR SINGLES' after 23 voyages I have decided to end my relationship with this cruise line.

If one cannot accept them one quits. My future cruise credits membership of Captains Circle former returned to my credit card.

This is nothing to do with the wonderful times and atmosphere on the ships.The employees and fellow passengers are the very best.:)

 

Where can you go besides MSC.

[Myrtle Ave. Mayhem]

I agree with you regarding the unfortunate direction that Princess is heading.The new Royal/Regal ships seem most appalling IMHO. Princess no longer has that decidedly luxe upscale feel. This is not meant to complain, but it's just my subjective opinion. I started sailing with Princess in my early 20's, just after the Sitmar buyout. I miss the Sitmar style of tableside food preparation on the carts and the embarkation cabin escort by the white gloved stewards. I always felt that Princess made a determined effort to welcome solo cruisers by their on-board product but the 200% pricing point is discrimination anyway you look at it. They can surely keep a section of cabins designated as solo use. The big changes started with the introduction of Grand Princess from what I remember. I jumped ship so to speak and become a Holland America fanatic..... but my last few sailings with them have been some clunkers in the food & service department, which is sad because I LOVE the nautically correct ships.... Konningsdam excluded.

[GUT2407]

The biggest reason why they don't discount singles is because singles are an opportunity loss to the cruise line. Cruise lines get around 40% of their revenue from onboard spending. When they use a double cabin to hold a single passenger They lose out on the onboard spending from that second passenger. Using the averages that means approximately a 14% expected reduction in revenue for the cabin, even if they pay full second fare. As such solo passengers are not a positive for a cruise line. A bit different if the cruise line has smaller cabins designed for single cabins.

 

That's pretty much in line with what I was told.

 

A shep sailing at 90% capacity is at break even point (as a generalization) and it then makes its profit from the 10% and inboard spending. So a ship full of singles would really cut heavily into the profit, I was also told that singles spend less on board than couples.

 

Now was it true?? I was persuaded anyway.

[Gator83]

I think it is sad that they think Solos aren't valuable because of the onboard spending. My travel partner and I hardly spend a cent on a cruise other than the cruise fare itself; I am sure they wouldn't really want us since we don't spend money.

[kruisey]

Pleased that other lines have considered solo's.

It will be exciting looking for new directions and the new single cabins sound good to me.

Naturally I will miss familiarity of the Princess routine on board but enjoy the excitement of venturing into new territory:D

[RDC1]

That's pretty much in line with what I was told.

 

A shep sailing at 90% capacity is at break even point (as a generalization) and it then makes its profit from the 10% and inboard spending. So a ship full of singles would really cut heavily into the profit, I was also told that singles spend less on board than couples.

 

Now was it true?? I was persuaded anyway.

 

Are you saying that a single on average spends less then the per individual spend rate for a couple? If so then that would make the opportunity loss to be even more than the model I ran which assume a similar individual spend.

[broberts]

The biggest reason why they don't discount singles is because singles are an opportunity loss to the cruise line. Cruise lines get around 40% of their revenue from onboard spending. When they use a double cabin to hold a single passenger They lose out on the onboard spending from that second passenger. Using the averages that means approximately a 14% expected reduction in revenue for the cabin, even if they pay full second fare. As such solo passengers are not a positive for a cruise line. A bit different if the cruise line has smaller cabins designed for single cabins.

 

The reasoning doesn't really matter. The OP justifiably feels that the cruise line is not that interested her/his business. When a merchant indicates they are not interested in doing business with me, like the OP I generally go elsewhere.

 

As a counter to the lost revenue argument I would point out that each single cabin increases the number of cabins that can be sold to 3/4 guests. Given the much lower overhead for those extra guests, net revenue should actually be higher, not lower.

Edited February 2, 2016 by broberts

[RDC1]

I think it is sad that they think Solos aren't valuable because of the onboard spending. My travel partner and I hardly spend a cent on a cruise other than the cruise fare itself; I am sure they wouldn't really want us since we don't spend money.

 

Keep in mind that businesses like cruise line look at trends by demographic category. So you would be lumped into all those others traveling with similar demographics. The problem is that the numbers for solos as a group are very much an issue when one looks at how cruise lines try to drive revenue. To put it simply the fact that you as an individual spend less does not impact the pricing models as long as all of the couples average a given number. Now it might impact a marketing program if you get a certain mailer or not.

 

It is far less an issue for cruise lines that are more all inclusive then the main stream lines so one would probably see better deals there. The all inclusive lines financial impact would be more like on a river cruise or a land tour. Far less opportunity cost for a single so less of a single premium charged.

Edited February 2, 2016 by RDC1

[GUT2407]

Are you saying that a single on average spends less then the per individual spend rate for a couple? If so then that would make the opportunity loss to be even more than the model I ran which assume a similar individual spend.

 

That's what I was told.

 

Less spend in specialty restaurants, less spend in on board shops (apparently a large part of shop spending is buying for your partner, or perhaps more accurately encouraging them to buy when they are undecided "go on get the watch we're on holidays after all" and slightly less in drinks. So yes the opportunity cost is greater if what I was told is correct.

[RDC1]

The reasoning doesn't really matter. The OP justifiably feels that the cruise line is not that interested her/his business. When a merchant indicates they are not interested in doing business with me, like the OP I generally go elsewhere.

 

As a counter to the lost revenue argument I would point out that each single cabin increases the number of cabins that can be sold to 3/4 guests. Given the much lower overhead for those extra guests, total revenue should actually be higher, not lower.

 

As I mentioned elsewhere the full capacity of a cruise ship tends to run around 20% more then the two person per cabin lower bunk capacity.

 

Cruise lines tend to average about 105% of lower bunk capacity so on Princess you very seldom run into situations where a ship reaches full capacity, you more often run out of cabins.

 

CCL hit 110% occupancy for summer 2015 when school was out and you get a lot of families so that means that the rest of the year they are running below the 105% number.

 

I would expect that family oriented lines like RCL and Carnival would be more at risk of hitting the max capacity before all cabins are sold then the demographics for Princess would drive.

 

Not saying that it never happens on Princess, just not that often. I would expect that if you did start to reach that situation of nearing passenger max with unsold cabins the pricing model would drive 3/4 passenger rates up and might see single rates go down.

 

Instead you normally see revenue maximization keep solo rates at full price and reduce 3/4 cabin rates.

[TNTLAMB]

I think it is sad that they think Solos aren't valuable because of the onboard spending. My travel partner and I hardly spend a cent on a cruise other than the cruise fare itself; I am sure they wouldn't really want us since we don't spend money.

 

But the cruise line is selling cabins. Whether they get that "fare" with one or two folk doesn't matter to them. BTW don't think for a moment, the cruise line (any cruise line) doesn't know to the penny what you spend. Your offers, OBC's, upgrades etc asre ALL factored on it. Heck even grocery stores rate customers right along with credit card companies who sell the info.

[RDC1]

But the cruise line is selling cabins. Whether they get that "fare" with one or two folk doesn't matter to them. BTW don't think for a moment, the cruise line (any cruise line) doesn't know to the penny what you spend. Your offers, OBC's, upgrades etc asre ALL factored on it. Heck even grocery stores rate customers right along with credit card companies who sell the info.

 

For main stream cruise lines it does matter because they get around 40% of their revenue from onboard sales. So if you have two people each spending 40% of their fare onboard you get a cabin revenue number 1X + .4X + 1X +.4X =2.8X where X is the fare. With A single in a cabin, even if they pay twice the fare, does not generate the same level of on board spend. Even if the individual hit the per individual spend the revenue for that cabin would be 2X + .4X = 2.4X. A reduction in revenue of .4X or around 14% lower.

 

Now an individual might say that they buy all of the excursions and drink like a fish and make up that spend, but to a business the pricing model is built on averages not individuals.

 

If you find a main stream line willing to give singles a break in a double cabin then by all means take advantage of it, but also keep in mind that they are certainly going out of their way to do so and are doing so at a cost to them.

Edited February 2, 2016 by RDC1

[Luvmyrotti]

But the cruise line is selling cabins. Whether they get that "fare" with one or two folk doesn't matter to them. BTW don't think for a moment, the cruise line (any cruise line) doesn't know to the penny what you spend. Your offers, OBC's, upgrades etc asre ALL factored on it. Heck even grocery stores rate customers right along with credit card companies who sell the info.

 

Unlike land based hotels, they are actually not selling cabins, they are selling berths. Why does it make any business sense to get revenue from a single berth fare in a cabin in which they could get two berth fares (or more) in that same cabin? This is why the solo gets charged fares for both berths in the cabin they are occupying solo.

 

While I really do appreciate the struggle of the solo cruiser, I'm a business woman and I would take a higher-revenue generating customer any day over a lower revenue generator. We all have to remember that Princess is a business. As a stockholder, I want them maximizing their revenue and profit.