450% fare for solo--any way around?

[Random Cruizer]

I just did a couple of searchs, including the November for Bahamas/Mexico 5 day and it came out to a little over double for the inside for solo.  I didn't see any 450% or more.  Was it a glitch?

Edited September 4, 2023 by Random Cruizer

[Random Cruizer]

1 hour ago, Hobbsey said:

Going solo for the first time on a 5 day in Nov.  I booked it at the very right time so not quibbling over my fare.  But, as I watch the pricing I notice that Solo cruisers are not offered the Guarantee rate when available.  Right now on my cruise a couple would pay $700 plus fees for an OV, a solo would pay $1100, nearly 300% of the PP charge for 2. 

 

Other than increased head count and on board charges they might collect why do you think they don't open up the guarantee rate?   There are plenty of cabins.

  I'm confused--$1100 isn't 300% of $700--it's not even 200%, it's not even double.  I'm not sure how the math is being done in this thread.  That $1100 is just $1100--not $2200 for the cabin.

 

I just did the booking I referenced above and got $875 total for a couple and $968 total for single.

Edited September 4, 2023 by Random Cruizer

[RTShaker]

2 minutes ago, Random Cruizer said:

  I'm confused--$1100 isn't 300% of $700--it's not even 200%, it's not even double.  I'm not sure how the math is being done in this thread.  That $1100 is just $1100--not $2200 for the cabin.

He said the $700 was for two.

[Random Cruizer]

I know--but I just did a booking for a $299 per person that came out $876 for a couple and $968 for a single TOTAL.  I don't think people are doing the math right.

[Random Cruizer]

In other words, when you book as a single, the website gives you the total for 1 person, not a price that you double for the cabin.

Edited September 4, 2023 by Random Cruizer

[Hobbsey]

51 minutes ago, Random Cruizer said:

  I'm confused--$1100 isn't 300% of $700--it's not even 200%, it's not even double.  I'm not sure how the math is being done in this thread.  That $1100 is just $1100--not $2200 for the cabin.

 

I just did the booking I referenced above and got $875 total for a couple and $968 total for single.

$700 per couple is $350 per person.  Sorry I didn't show all my work, does that affect my grade?

[SoloAlaska]

Just did a test of this and found a sailing that was 404%. It seems to come down to guaranteed not being an option for solo which is just absurd. This was a 6 night Cabo and San Diego cruise which I selected at random.

[rbelshaw]

There is a website that tracks bargain solo fares. Substitute "plum" for "critic" when you google . Last month, I booked a SV on Beyond  to the Carib with a August '24 sail date - solo premium of 25% - identified as a "75% discount for the second passenger". Last November I was able to get an RC for  a solo seven days/Mexican Riviera for $3660 total. I passed on a PS at 5K. I do not believe there was any solo premium on that cruise. That was, of course, during the "troubles" in Mexico and I assume a lot of late cancellations.

 

The solo deals are out there. You just have to be obsessed with finding them.

 

[miched]

Take a friend with benefits 😍 a relative you really like, or just a good friend.  

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

[Travel-and-See]

On celebrity you can’t easily find solo pricing either.  It’s very annoying.

[Spudd]

Just book it as a double and call in to remove the second person. The reservations reps are happy to do this for you.

[RD64]

1 hour ago, Spudd said:

Just book it as a double and call in to remove the second person. The reservations reps are happy to do this for you.

For now perhaps - but it is a loophole that will eventually be closed.

[RD64]

3 hours ago, SoloAlaska said:

Just did a test of this and found a sailing that was 404%. It seems to come down to guaranteed not being an option for solo which is just absurd. This was a 6 night Cabo and San Diego cruise which I selected at random.

Yes - there is something about these Cabo cruises that sends the single suplement way up.

[RD64]

4 hours ago, Random Cruizer said:

I know--but I just did a booking for a $299 per person that came out $876 for a couple and $968 for a single TOTAL.  I don't think people are doing the math right.

November 11th to Cabo - double occupancy is $279 per person. Solo occupancy is $1765.

 

((1765-279)/ 279) * 100= 532.62% ….and that is how we teach them to calculate a percentage change at my high school in Canada.

Edited September 5, 2023 by RD64
Spelling

[Random Cruizer]

11 minutes ago, RD64 said:

November 11th to Cabo - double occupancy is $279 per person. Solo occupancy is $1765.

 

((1765-279)/ 279) * 10 = 532.62% ….and that is how we teach them to calculate a percentage change at my high school in Canada.

 

Yep, you're right.  The ones I checked were only a little over double.  So some cruises are only about double and some are way over.  It isn't consistent pricing.

[Random Cruizer]

14 minutes ago, RD64 said:

November 11th to Cabo - double occupancy is $279 per person. Solo occupancy is $1765.

 

((1765-279)/ 279) * 10 = 532.62% ….and that is how we teach them to calculate a percentage change at my high school in Canada.

 

Interesting, though--for retreat it's $2983 x 2 for a couple ($5966) and $6518 for a single, so only a little over double for the same trip--seems like it's only the lowest cabin that has that horrible price.  Seems like a glitch...

[SoloAlaska]

16 minutes ago, Random Cruizer said:

 

Interesting, though--for retreat it's $2983 x 2 for a couple ($5966) and $6518 for a single, so only a little over double for the same trip--seems like it's only the lowest cabin that has that horrible price.  Seems like a glitch...

But why is it standard to charge more than double for a single to even start with.

[Mike07]

On 9/3/2023 at 2:40 PM, basenji56 said:

I saw another thread where a solo said they couldn’t even book a solo cabin on MSC—-the cruise showed as sold out until they added a second person. 

 

Sheesh.... As somebody that occasionally goes solo, I'm going to have to book a friend that suddenly can't make it due to a last minute emergency.

[Mike07]

12 minutes ago, SoloAlaska said:

But why is it standard to charge more than double for a single to even start with.

 

 

My guess.... Lost revenue from casino, speciality dining, shorex, etc.

 

But, that's assuming the revenue department is desiring a system like this to begin with.

Edited September 5, 2023 by Mike07

[Guera53]

Vacations to Go has good options. https://www.*****.com/ticker.cfm?incCT=y&jpw=107&sm=0&tm=0&r=0&l=0&s=0&n=0&d=0&v=0
 

[kelib]

4 hours ago, rbelshaw said:

There is a website that tracks bargain solo fares. Substitute "plum" for "critic" when you google . Last month, I booked a SV on Beyond  to the Carib with a August '24 sail date - solo premium of 25% - identified as a "75% discount for the second passenger". Last November I was able to get an RC for  a solo seven days/Mexican Riviera for $3660 total. I passed on a PS at 5K. I do not believe there was any solo premium on that cruise. That was, of course, during the "troubles" in Mexico and I assume a lot of late cancellations.

 

The solo deals are out there. You just have to be obsessed with finding them.

 

I use this site and have found some good deals, sometimes you can find last minute deals that even at the 100% supplement is good.

This is not a booking site/agency….just gives you a good place where to look and take information to your favorite TA or cruise line.

 

Only thing showing fir Celebrity if any value are short trips on the Silhouette.

[iandjm]

400% This is discrimination. My first reaction to your question is book with a decent cruise line that values you as a solo traveller.  Celebrity don’t, and to make it even worse when you try and book all in as a solo they charge you double!  There are no excuses for it to be honest.  

Edited September 5, 2023 by iandjm

[helencruising]

Oh no. Another thread that has me concerned. My family is looking at Celebrity. We’ve cruised Princess a lot and Royal a few times. It would be my brother and his wife in one cabin, my two nieces in another, and me solo. I’m up for paying the price of two passengers but not more. I think I’ll try a booking online and see what I get

[BB94]

Wanted to add to this thread -

 

I spoke with Celebrity yesterday and posited the question: "If I book a 2nd person on my trip and they end up not being able to go, what happens?" The gentleman told me historically port fees and taxes would be refunded, however now they will also charge the difference in price. How I understood it was basically I'd have to pay the x00% single supplement difference.

It's very disappointing. The majority of my cruises have been RC and Celebrity, and I'll be starting over from scratch with another cruise line if this continues. My last cruise was in the Caribbean on Celebrity and I was in booked in a suite in the Reserve. 

Frustrating to see a price of $538 pp for double occupancy, but then $3500+ for single occupancy. 

[Salt Lifer]

On 9/4/2023 at 9:06 PM, SoloAlaska said:

But why is it standard to charge more than double for a single to even start with.

Absolute greed.  That is why.  They want more people on board to spend more money on overpriced wine, shore excursions, and specialty restaurants.  

Edited December 13, 2023 by Salt Lifer