Need to understand how cabins are priced

[okay01192013]

Please forgive me if I sound dum, but I really need to know how pricing is done. Say for instance I pay a certain amount for a cabin, are those cabins usually for two people? So that price will be split between the two? What the difference between a hotel room with double beds at one price and a cabin? Help a first timer please. :eek:

[Kartgv]

Welcome to Cruise Critic! It is confusing if you compare it to a hotel room; that's because a hotel room usually doesn't include meals and other amenities such as entertainment. On a cruise, you pay a stated price per person. The exception is if you have only one person traveling - unless you find a 'single cabin', which is relatively rare, then you may pay a higher rate, as much as double the per person rate. That's because the cruise line is losing revenue they might have gained if the cabin was occupied by two people. If you intend to have 3 or more people in the cabin, each person will be charged, though possibly at a lower rate for the 3rd & 4th.

 

To check what the cruise will cost you, either work with a travel agent, or go onto a cruise line website and do what we call a 'dummy booking'. You can choose a category of cabin, and proceed as if you were booking a cruise - choose a cabin, the number of people, and then you will see the total price for the room including all taxes and port fees. That will usually not include extras such as gratuities or alcohol/specialty drinks, unless you see these included during special sale events. You do not have to complete the booking - stop before entering actual names or payment information.

Edited December 8, 2016 by Kartgv

[leaveitallbehind]

Rates are for double occupancy, so the rate (plus taxes and fees, which are added to the rate quoted) is for one person and assumes two will be booked in the stateroom. So the total rate is double that shown and will be for two people. If you cruise solo you will typically be charged up to 200% of the rate shown, with taxes and fees for one.

[Dayenu]

The best way to understand is to do a false booking. You will see the total price before you are asked for credit card number, so you can just close the page, or go back.

 

Usually the price is per person if 2 people are traveling, but on top of that taxes and port fees will be added to the total.

[easyboy]

Please forgive me if I sound dum, but I really need to know how pricing is done. Say for instance I pay a certain amount for a cabin, are those cabins usually for two people? So that price will be split between the two? What the difference between a hotel room with double beds at one price and a cabin? Help a first timer please. :eek:

Any price you see is per person in a stateroom for 2 persons. If only 1 will occupy, the rate is 200%. There are staterooms that can accommodate 3 or 4. In this case, the rate for the 3rd and 4th person is discounted. On top of that, other charges are added for port fees & taxes. A travel agent may be able to assist you, or you can do a mock booking online until the credit card info is required, to see how charges are applied.

[MicCanberra]

Welcome to cruise critic, the others have provided sound advice. Please come back and seek clarification if more is needed.:D

[Flatbush Flyer]

Please forgive me if I sound dum, but I really need to know how pricing is done. Say for instance I pay a certain amount for a cabin, are those cabins usually for two people? So that price will be split between the two? What the difference between a hotel room with double beds at one price and a cabin? Help a first timer please. :eek:

 

 

In general:

Hotel price (room only) is per room.

Hotel "package" price (incl meals et al) is per person (based on double occupancy)

Cruise price is per person (double occupancy)

Cruise price for less/more than two people depends on a variety of circumstances (e.g., the cruise line in question).

[Cruisin' Chick]

Please forgive me if I sound dum, but I really need to know how pricing is done. Say for instance I pay a certain amount for a cabin, are those cabins usually for two people? So that price will be split between the two? What the difference between a hotel room with double beds at one price and a cabin? Help a first timer please. :eek:

 

as someone else suggested, find a travel agent that you can sit down with and let them help you. Ask friends, family members, co-workers....you'll be surprised at how many people you know who have taken a cruise. Someone should be able to recommend a TA that helped them book a cruise that they are happy with. Go in with your ideal budget, time of year you want to go, where you want to go and if you're looking for an active time, a party cruise, a quiet and relaxing cruise, etc.

 

Make sure the TA won't charge you any fees for changes or cancellation. You shouldn't be charged any fees to have the TA book the cruise for you. And a good TA will be a valuable resource. You can even ask them to book your flights (just make sure you're not flying in the day of your cruise) and pre or post-cruise hotels if you want.

 

As others have said, it's not like booking a hotel room in that it's priced per person as meals are included. But a cruise is a great value for being able to visit many places during your sailing.

[MCC retired]

As others have stated , you can't compare prices for a cruise that includes , room , dining , entertainment and travel , with a hotel room price that gets you a bed and maybe a continental breakfast if you are lucky.

 

 

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[navybankerteacher]

As others have stated , you can't compare prices for a cruise that includes , room , dining , entertainment and travel , with a hotel room price that gets you a bed and maybe a continental breakfast if you are lucky.

 

 

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Exactly - you are buying the whole package, not just the bed. Also, the line does not get much profit (if any) from the fare alone - they look for on board spending by two (or more) people per cabin - having just one passenger in a cabin means less on-board revenue generated from the booking.

[sail7seas]

Pric es are per erson with prfereably two or more to a cabin.

Edited December 9, 2016 by sail7seas

[spookwife]

Please forgive me if I sound dum, but I really need to know how pricing is done. Say for instance I pay a certain amount for a cabin, are those cabins usually for two people? So that price will be split between the two? What the difference between a hotel room with double beds at one price and a cabin? Help a first timer please. :eek:

 

 

A hotel is one price for up to x number of people(typically 4)

 

A cruise cabin is per person, minimum of two.

 

A hotel you can easily cram extra people. A cabin that is not allowed. If it is rated for 3 then only three people may be booked into it.

 

In a cruise cabin, the first 2 people pay full price each. Persons 3+ may pay less, but not always a lot less. Don't try and understand the bazillion different sales put there yet. If only one person wants to sail, they must still pay for 2, although you can sometimes find penalties under 100%.

 

At the end of the day it's just better to look at the bottom line cost and decide whether or not you can live with it

 

 

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[GUT2407]

Please forgive me if I sound dum, but I really need to know how pricing is done. Say for instance I pay a certain amount for a cabin, are those cabins usually for two people? So that price will be split between the two? What the difference between a hotel room with double beds at one price and a cabin? Help a first timer please. :eek:

 

It's per person, remember it also includes your food (sometimes your drink) -and your entertainment.

[GUT2407]

Exactly - you are buying the whole package, not just the bed. Also, the line does not get much profit (if any) from the fare alone - they look for on board spending by two (or more) people per cabin - having just one passenger in a cabin means less on-board revenue generated from the booking.

 

Yep, that's the crux of it. Double occupancy, pretty much full = break even, the drinks, shops, art sakes, bingo, casino etc, = profit

[MicCanberra]

IMO, Casino has the most profit, at both land and sea, which is why they sometimes invite people to come and play for free or for very cheap rates.

[cb at sea]

No one knows how the pricing is done. it's like airline prices...no 2 people pay the same price for the same trip.

[MicCanberra]

No one knows how the pricing is done. it's like airline prices...no 2 people pay the same price for the same trip.

 

I don't agree, I always pay the same as my wife.:D

[Sequim88]

A cruise cabin is per person, minimum of two.

 

And just to make things a little more confusing there are the luxury lines that often have seasonal specials for 2-for-1 or 2nd person highly discounted - but when you add it all up and divide by 2 the per person equivalent is still far higher than other lines. You do get "more" included but the stated pricing gets more complicated.