Cruising Solo

[Safari-Wom]

3 hours ago, ncgolferette said:

I am no longer planning to cruise on Celebrity.  Have a cruise booked on HAL and Oceania. Oceania doubled my OBC for excursions since I was paying for two people being a solo. No penalty there. I just think it’s so outrageous what Celebrity is doing to solo cruisers.  I have loved the line for years but I guess a divorce is in order. 

I posted the original question about cruising solo and I’m no longer very nervous about the solo part (thanks to the kindness of the folks responding), but am increasingly incensed about Celebrity pricing with this string of posts. I’m just going to vent…at length…sorry.   I paid a ridiculous sum for solo because I’m used to traveling at least twice a year and haven’t been able to for a couple years due to my and my friend’s age & health.  I got itchy feet and decided that I could handle a cruise by myself,  especially since I can embark close to home without exhausting air travel.  And I figured that I had saved a significant amount of money by not traveling and could splurge on the Retreat class of cruise….even solo.  Now, I’ve just realized that having paid thousands of dollars for the cruise & three excursions, I didn’t get an OBC & possibly didn’t get what I thought was the “included” drinks package and upgraded wi-fi…. I think I fouled up with the confusing ‘check out’.  Maybe the later is my fault but I’m blaming Celebrity 🙂  ANYWAY, I saw the post about Norwegian and MSC (?) not charging the single supplement so I checked out Norwegian and found that to be true.  I could have booked a suite in their comparable (to the Retreat) ‘Haven’ for less than half what I  paid Celebrity and with all the bells & whistles.  Not expecting sympathy because many would probably think I was foolish to pay that exorbitant fee in the first place when I could have paid lots less for a solo cabin, but part of the cruise experience for me is to relax on my cabin veranda and to enjoy my own surroundings….especially solo.  It’s too late & costly to cancel now but I’m through with Celebrity (always been my favorite). Im not wealthy & am currently on a pretty ‘fixed income’ but I didn’t go into debt for this & after sleeping on it, I’ve decided to just go head with the trip and enjoy it.  I will meet with the Retreat concierge when on board about the OBC and other perks I thought I was getting but, regardless of their response, I’m going to just ‘get over it’ and enjoy beautiful Alaska at this point.  I’m new to the Cruise Critic forum but enjoy the camaraderie of fellow cruise enthusiasts.  My trip isn’t until June 21, but I’ll post about my solo experience during or after.
 

[Lena11033]

I originally booked a NCL balcony which I am having to cancel but it was the same as what Celebrity is charging me for a veranda.

MSC is hit and miss, they are discouraging solo cruisers too, sometimes when you look up a cruise and put 1 person in it will come back as 'no room available' but if you put two there is.

[ncgolferette]

Safari-wom

 

Yes.  Have a wonderful time on your cruise.  The retreat is wonderful and you will be fine cruising solo. We all live and learn.  Best to you.

[dreamer321]

18 hours ago, Damager said:

According to multiple sources at Celebrity, this no longer works.   They will revert you to the higher solo price if you end up traveling solo.   The whole approach is ridiculous to me.

 

Do you have any first hand experience with this happening?  I've heard the hearsay as well and I have a cruise booked for Fall 2025 that I booked as myself and a guest TBA.  Normally I cruise solo and pay the normal 100% solo supplement up front when booking. For the fall `25 cruise they had a pricing glitch that had a concierge cabin for two priced less than an inside cabin booked as a solo.  Since the cruise is 18 months away I figured I'd have the flexibility to invited someone to sail with me and if not I'll just name someone who will then unfortunately have to cancel at the last minute.

Edited May 16 by dreamer321

[Damager]

I cant give you an example of this happening factually.   I CAN tell you that my girlfriend went to Future Cruises on a cruise last week, and looked at some options.   They quoted her the (now insane) pricing for solo's, and when she said she would just add another traveller and cancel just before the cruise, she was told directly and in no uncertain terms that this loophole would not work any more, and they would charge the full rate.

[Eggs2Go]

What matters is the bottom line and affordability. Every cruise, every line is different on price each time. I recently booked my first Celebrity cruise, a transatlantic on the Equinox departing Lisbon Nov 21. As a solo I paid x2 plus about $50 additional. But the price on the bottom line seemed very reasonable to me. About $1500 for 12 days, or $125 a day. Granted this is an inside cabin with no drinks package and no perks, but I'm satisfied and won't worry about whether someone else is paying less. I think this is a very good deal although I'm paying double plus. And if I could afford it, I may think that the Retreat is also fairly priced.

[Damager]

3 minutes ago, Eggs2Go said:

What matters is the bottom line and affordability. Every cruise, every line is different on price each time. I recently booked my first Celebrity cruise, a transatlantic on the Equinox departing Lisbon Nov 21. As a solo I paid x2 plus about $50 additional. But the price on the bottom line seemed very reasonable to me. About $1500 for 12 days, or $125 a day. Granted this is an inside cabin with no drinks package and no perks, but I'm satisfied and won't worry about whether someone else is paying less. I think this is a very good deal although I'm paying double plus. And if I could afford it, I may think that the Retreat is also fairly priced.

To be clear, I'm not complaining about the 2x, or even the 2x plus a small amount.   I'm complaining about 2x + $800 on a cruise that is $800 per person for an inside cabin.   That's asking me to pay for THREE people as a solo.   Ridiculous.   

[goofysmom99]

12 minutes ago, Damager said:

I cant give you an example of this happening factually.   I CAN tell you that my girlfriend went to Future Cruises on a cruise last week, and looked at some options.   They quoted her the (now insane) pricing for solo's, and when she said she would just add another traveller and cancel just before the cruise, she was told directly and in no uncertain terms that this loophole would not work any more, and they would charge the full rate.

I wouldn't base that certainty on something that anyone in future cruises told me.  I know first-hand to never rely on their knowledge (frequently wrong so I never ask them anything).  I personally doubt X's software could track someone not showing up (it happens to couples, too), but if it scares you, then don't do it. 

 

I'm PO'd about the things they're doing to solos that don't show.  For example, as a solo, my military discount has been $200 as long as I've been cruising solo (16 yrs since DH died).  Three weeks ago, when I changed cabin category on a 2025 sailing (booked onboard last Nov), my existing $200 military discount dropped to $125.  They've also dinged me as a solo when I booked a suite with the zenith discount; then they wouldn't honor the military discount at all.  My TA, who is also a solo zenith, has questioned Celebrity about these changes/eliminations; evidently, it's the game they've very recently decided to play.  I've booked cruises on other lines for 2025 and as it stands now, I guess other lines will be in the cards for 2026.  I've tolerated a lot of X's slash-and-burn style of management over the past two years, but I'm finding this military insult difficult to overlook/forgive. 🤬 OK, rant over for now.

[Eggs2Go]

Then it is time to search for another cruise to book. And that is why I almost always in the end choose to book on Norwegian. I feel Norwegian Cruise Line honors solos and wants our business. I am a Norwegian loyalist and probably my Celebrity booking is a one off. But you never know until you take a look at a particular cruise yourself.

[Port Power]

On 5/16/2024 at 7:50 AM, Damager said:

How do you Solos feel about the relatively new Celebrity policy that charges Solo cruisers not only for 2 people per cabin (which I understand), but also charges an extra large fee for the fact that you aren't now a revenue opp for 2 drink packages, 2 wifi packages, etc, etc.    I had a cruise specced out on the Celebrity site, and the single price was $825.  I assumed my price as a Solo would be $1650 (plus all the fees).   The minute I shared that I was a single, the price jumped to $2450.   An $800 penalty for traveling solo.   This sucks for solos.

I don’t believe this is true.  I booked a solo Sky suite yesterday with only a 75% solo subsidy.  Two days ago I booked a solo infinite for two cruises in November 2025, but I did check out other categories and they also came out at 75% more.  For one cruise there was a ridiculous price (more than double), but I put that down as a computer glitch.  
 

If charging double the per person rate PLUS an extra fee, Celebrity would be crossed off my cruising list.

 

If you didn’t actually call Celebrity or your TA for the correct fare, how do you know this is a new “policy”?

[Damager]

3 minutes ago, Port Power said:

I don’t believe this is true.  I booked a solo Sky suite yesterday with only a 75% solo subsidy.  Two days ago I booked a solo infinite for two cruises in November 2025, but I did check out other categories and they also came out at 75% more.  For one cruise there was a ridiculous price (more than double), but I put that down as a computer glitch.  
 

If charging double the per person rate PLUS an extra fee, Celebrity would be crossed off my cruising list.

 

If you didn’t actually call Celebrity or your TA for the correct fare, how do you know this is a new “policy”?

The level of Solo screwing differs from cruise to cruise.   You seem to have landed several cruises that have a lower "upcharge".   In my case, I'm looking at a Transatlantic and then a Italy and Croatia back to back.   The overcharge for the Transatlantic is only $150 (2x + $150).   The overcharge for the Italy and Croatia is 2x + $800, which is silly.

Besides others on this thread who have also experienced this issue, I have several proof points:

1.  My partner experienced the person in future cruises stating that this is the new policy.
2.  My cruise planner told me as well that they received this policy about 3 months ago, and agreed that it makes no sense.
3.  I DID call Celebrity directly, and their own Rep told me this new policy is to address the fact that Solo's don't "buy multiple drink packages, or multiple wifi packages, or multiple specialty dining outings, or spend as much in the Casinos".

Not sure what additional proof you require, but I'm happy that this hasn't affected you YET.

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

6 minutes ago, Port Power said:

I don’t believe this is true.  I booked a solo Sky suite yesterday with only a 75% solo subsidy.  Two days ago I booked a solo infinite for two cruises in November 2025, but I did check out other categories and they also came out at 75% more.  For one cruise there was a ridiculous price (more than double), but I put that down as a computer glitch.  
 

If charging double the per person rate PLUS an extra fee, Celebrity would be crossed off my cruising list.

 

If you didn’t actually call Celebrity or your TA for the correct fare, how do you know this is a new “policy”?

 

I now always check the price for two vs. the price for one in a cabin.  Mostly the price for one comes up as way more (sometimes as much as $1500 more) than two people would pay to occupy the same cabin.  I've looked at 15 different cruises lately and they all came up with that pricing.  Needless to say, I did not book any of them.

 

So be grateful for what you found, but don't deny that this price gouging is going on.  It is.

[Port Power]

6 hours ago, Safari-Wom said:

I posted the original question about cruising solo and I’m no longer very nervous about the solo part (thanks to the kindness of the folks responding), but am increasingly incensed about Celebrity pricing with this string of posts. I’m just going to vent…at length…sorry.   I paid a ridiculous sum for solo because I’m used to traveling at least twice a year and haven’t been able to for a couple years due to my and my friend’s age & health.  I got itchy feet and decided that I could handle a cruise by myself,  especially since I can embark close to home without exhausting air travel.  And I figured that I had saved a significant amount of money by not traveling and could splurge on the Retreat class of cruise….even solo.  Now, I’ve just realized that having paid thousands of dollars for the cruise & three excursions, I didn’t get an OBC & possibly didn’t get what I thought was the “included” drinks package and upgraded wi-fi…. I think I fouled up with the confusing ‘check out’.  Maybe the later is my fault but I’m blaming Celebrity 🙂  ANYWAY, I saw the post about Norwegian and MSC (?) not charging the single supplement so I checked out Norwegian and found that to be true.  I could have booked a suite in their comparable (to the Retreat) ‘Haven’ for less than half what I  paid Celebrity and with all the bells & whistles.  Not expecting sympathy because many would probably think I was foolish to pay that exorbitant fee in the first place when I could have paid lots less for a solo cabin, but part of the cruise experience for me is to relax on my cabin veranda and to enjoy my own surroundings….especially solo.  It’s too late & costly to cancel now but I’m through with Celebrity (always been my favorite). Im not wealthy & am currently on a pretty ‘fixed income’ but I didn’t go into debt for this & after sleeping on it, I’ve decided to just go head with the trip and enjoy it.  I will meet with the Retreat concierge when on board about the OBC and other perks I thought I was getting but, regardless of their response, I’m going to just ‘get over it’ and enjoy beautiful Alaska at this point.  I’m new to the Cruise Critic forum but enjoy the camaraderie of fellow cruise enthusiasts.  My trip isn’t until June 21, but I’ll post about my solo experience during or after.
 

As you have booked The Retreat, the premium drinks package and premium WiFi is included.

 

My advice is never to book online.  Once you have the information you want, ring Celebrity or a good cruise TA.  My TA gave me a further $500 discount and US$94 OBC due to their relationship with Celebrity.

 

As @goofysmom99 stated, never believe what Future Cruise people tell you.  I once booked for two passengers, but my son didn’t board.  No problems at all.  I let Celebrity know a week before via my TA.  They cannot charge any more for a paid up cabin.  I’m not even sure that would be legal?

[Safari-Wom]

I just faux booked a Retreat sky suite for 2 people June 2025 = $7321 or $3661 per person.  I went back in and booked Retreat Sky Suite for 1 = $10542 before taxes.  So, I’m not much at math and not sure how others were figuring the percent difference but I see that my half of the suite for two would be $3661 and I would pay, as a solo $10542.  The cost as single is not double the total cost of the suite for 2.   Any way you look at it, solo cruising is expensive.

[Damager]

5 minutes ago, Safari-Wom said:

I just faux booked a Retreat sky suite for 2 people June 2025 = $7321 or $3661 per person.  I went back in and booked Retreat Sky Suite for 1 = $10542 before taxes.  So, I’m not much at math and not sure how others were figuring the percent difference but I see that my half of the suite for two would be $3661 and I would pay, as a solo $10542.  The cost as single is not double the total cost of the suite for 2.   Any way you look at it, solo cruising is expensive.

Interesting - so you are seeing what I'm seeing - basically a solo is being charged 3X what a couple would pay per person.   Ridiculous.

[Port Power]

1 hour ago, Safari-Wom said:

I just faux booked a Retreat sky suite for 2 people June 2025 = $7321 or $3661 per person.  I went back in and booked Retreat Sky Suite for 1 = $10542 before taxes.  So, I’m not much at math and not sure how others were figuring the percent difference but I see that my half of the suite for two would be $3661 and I would pay, as a solo $10542.  The cost as single is not double the total cost of the suite for 2.   Any way you look at it, solo cruising is expensive.

 

I think that is a glitch in Celebrity's system.  As I mentioned previously, if I seriously wanted to make that booking, I would telephone Celebrity or my TA for the correct price.

 

But also as mentioned, if it was the actual price and I still really wanted to go on that particular cruise, I would use my son's name but he would not cruise.  Actually, though, I would walk away and find a better deal!

 

Or go to Crystal, which has lovely solo ocean view cabins, around 600 guests and always organises a pre-dinner cocktail hour for solos.  Oh, and premium drinks and WiFi is always included.   

Edited May 17 by Port Power

[Ellaleah]

2 hours ago, Port Power said:

I don’t believe this is true.  I booked a solo Sky suite yesterday with only a 75% solo subsidy.  Two days ago I booked a solo infinite for two cruises in November 2025, but I did check out other categories and they also came out at 75% more.  For one cruise there was a ridiculous price (more than double), but I put that down as a computer glitch.  
 

If charging double the per person rate PLUS an extra fee, Celebrity would be crossed off my cruising list.

 

If you didn’t actually call Celebrity or your TA for the correct fare, how do you know this is a new “policy”?

It is definitely true on several cruises that I have priced as a solo and if a solo wants the AI “forget it!”  The price to upgrade as a solo to AI is ridiculous and so much more than the price pp for a double.

[Eggs2Go]

It's true and it's not a website glitch. 

 

https://cruiseradio.net//celebrity-solo-cruisers-paying-more-than-double-fare/

 

[Damager]

10 hours ago, Port Power said:

 

I think that is a glitch in Celebrity's system.  As I mentioned previously, if I seriously wanted to make that booking, I would telephone Celebrity or my TA for the correct price.

 

But also as mentioned, if it was the actual price and I still really wanted to go on that particular cruise, I would use my son's name but he would not cruise.  Actually, though, I would walk away and find a better deal!

 

Or go to Crystal, which has lovely solo ocean view cabins, around 600 guests and always organises a pre-dinner cocktail hour for solos.  Oh, and premium drinks and WiFi is always included.   

Not a glitch - a policy.

[TGfromTX]

On 5/9/2024 at 8:41 PM, Safari-Wom said:

I’m about to go on my first solo cruise:  a 7 night Alaska trip.  My usual & favorite travel companion is unable to go due to health issues (we are both 76 yo so not surprising I guess) and nobody else I know is interested.   I’m going on Celebrity Edge & have splurged on a Retreat level Sky Suite so I’ll have access to the Retreat Lounge, Pool Deck & my own balcony so I’ll only have to deal with 300ish cruisers opposed to 3000

 

which makes me feel more comfortable.  I was wondering if anyone has recent experience with solo on a cruise ship they’d be willing to share.  I’ll have access to Luminae specialty restaurant for meals and I can use room service w/o paying the ridiculous fee for that with Retreat. I’m used to doing many things comfortably on my own and love to read and play games on my IPad which will help & I’ve booked several small group excursions.  Please share any tips or experiences with me.  

Retreat sky?  I wish I were your friend.  Ha ha.  I can provide no info, but I'm doing my first solo cruise ever due to my travel buddy having a work issue come up - I could have probably rebooked, but they offered me an upgrade from window to a single balcony for no extra - so I jumped.

[Marie51]

Well, just out of curiosity after reading this I did a moc booking. Price for two people in the cabin was $2089, price as a solo is $1947.

[Georgia_Peaches]

On 5/15/2024 at 9:41 PM, Damager said:

According to multiple sources at Celebrity, this no longer works.   They will revert you to the higher solo price if you end up traveling solo.   The whole approach is ridiculous to me.

 

Really?  I hadn't heard this.  Wonder where it's written...I don't solo cruise but I know of at least one friend who was booked and ready to travel with a guy.  The guy somehow got out of the picture and so she went solo as I wasn't able to go with her.  She was not charged as a solo.  This was in February.

[dreamer321]

55 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Really?  I hadn't heard this.  Wonder where it's written...I don't solo cruise but I know of at least one friend who was booked and ready to travel with a guy.  The guy somehow got out of the picture and so she went solo as I wasn't able to go with her.  She was not charged as a solo.  This was in February.

I'm curious, was your friend able to get double Captain's Club points since she traveled solo or did she only get single Captain's Club point since the cabin was originally booked as double occupancy?

[TGfromTX]

On 5/9/2024 at 8:51 PM, Octavias said:

As an aside, we too, are going on an Alaskan cruise on the Edge.  It leaves the 24th out of Seattle.  
 

one idea is to find and join your roll call for the specific cruise you are on.  It’s a good way to “pre-meet” some people.  Often times there are meet ups once onboard.  
 

and by the way, welcome to the board! 😊

I joined my roll call on here but it looks like there are only handful of people that joined.  Unless things pick up in the next 8 weeks I don't think that silent group is going to meet up.  I've never met anyone from any rollcall so far.  Does someone usually just start asking to meet up out of the blue?  

My experience is limited because I've only done 4 cruises.  The people I've met onboard where we've hung out with after initially meeting.  It has happened at group tables for breakfast or lunch.  Never dinner for some reason.  Once at a bar at one port also - mainly because we were all from Texas and sailed out of Florida.  I don't really enjoy sitting in the bar - I take my drink and go do stuff and those people appear to enjoy sitting at the bar more than I do.

I've met people on excursions where we recognize each other afterward, but never hung out.  I do wonder if food and beverage make me look like more fun to hang out with.  Group tables may not be a thing now though - my last cruise they never provided that option when being sat.

[Octavias]

2 minutes ago, TGfromTX said:

I joined my roll call on here but it looks like there are only handful of people that joined.  Unless things pick up in the next 8 weeks I don't think that silent group is going to meet up.  I've never met anyone from any rollcall so far.  Does someone usually just start asking to meet up out of the blue?  

My experience is limited because I've only done 4 cruises.  The people I've met onboard where we've hung out with after initially meeting.  It has happened at group tables for breakfast or lunch.  Never dinner for some reason.  Once at a bar at one port also - mainly because we were all from Texas and sailed out of Florida.  I don't really enjoy sitting in the bar - I take my drink and go do stuff and those people appear to enjoy sitting at the bar more than I do.

I've met people on excursions where we recognize each other afterward, but never hung out.  I do wonder if food and beverage make me look like more fun to hang out with.  Group tables may not be a thing now though - my last cruise they never provided that option when being sat.

I’m on my cruise now, it’s my first.  We ended up having more than one idea floated as a meet up.  I showed up to both but was late to the first and couldn’t find anyone.  Met up with others though and it was great!  I just asked in our roll call and that’s what started the conversation.  We,ve also met other people just by chance and are having a blast making new friends!