Best way to find cheapest single supplements?

[sexyaznboy]

Hi there, life is rough as a single trying to go solo on a cruise!:(

 

What is the best way to find the best single supplements? From the board it looks like Carnival is the best way to go, but do you have to go through the motions of booking a single ticket in order to determine how much the supplement is? Does it vary by cruise even within a single cruiseline?

 

I'd like to take a trip by myself but confused as to how to find these deals...can anyone help?:cool:

[PaulfromPA]

Hey Sexy:

 

Here is my strategy for finding good cruise deals:

 

First, find a good website that sells cruises. (Sorry, the rules prohibit me from recommending a specific site.) By a "good" site, I mean one that allows you to search among all cruise lines using any number of criteria that you select. Also, to me, a "good" site not only sells cruises for the same price as the cruiselines, it offers some unique perk as a booking incentive. (Airline frequent flyer miles, for example.)

 

Second, enter the criteria for a cruise that will meet your needs. For instance, the time of year, number of days, destination, etc.

 

Third, sort your results by price, lowest to highest.

 

A good search engine will allow you to select a specific cruise, enter the number of passengers (one), see which cabins are available, and then let you know exactly how much the cruise will cost for you to be in the cabin you select... all before you have to enter any personal information let alone commit to a purchase.

 

To me, the key to getting a great deal begins with finding a cruise that is heavily discounted. The single supplement is a secondary factor. In other words, you may end up paying less for a heavily discounted cruise with a higher single supplement than you would for a cruise with a lower single supplement that is not discounted.

 

Discounts, of course, really depend on how well a cruise is selling, or on how likely the cruiseline thinks the cruise will sell out. The best deals usually appear early or late (although I have seen some mid-way price drops, too.) The same goes for single supplements: In my observation there can be differences within the same line for different sailings, or even differences in the same sailing depending on cabin category. So I think the only true way to determine whether a given sailing is a steal, oops, I mean deal, is to get a firm price quote online. It may require a few extra mouse clicks, but I think it is well worth the savings. After all, we've all done a lot more work for less reward, eh?

 

Have a great day!

 

Paul

[sexyaznboy]

Hey Paul!

 

Thanks for the great advice and taking the time to share your experiences! As I'm in Canada, the sites will likely be a bit different than in the US. I guess I'll have to do the trial and error thing with the popular sites. For me, it probably doesn't matter where I go as long as I'm on a boat LOL...so in that way, I'm flexible.

 

I've thought about the roommate matching services some cruiselines provide, but it could be a recipe for disaster if we don't get along!:eek:

 

The main problem is that the prices fluctuate so much before sailing, usually the best prices are last minute, its hard to keep track of all the different cruises! But another problem is that if I can get a cheap cruise, the flights are way more expensive at the last minute, so I have to take that into consideration as well.

 

Happy cruising to ya! ;)

[PaulfromPA]

Hey Sexy:

 

I am glad to help in any way I can. I certainly understand the dilemmas you face. I am thinking, however, that you may be able to use any of the US-based websites. The only thing is that you will be paying for your cruise in US dollars. But if you don't mind having your credit card charged in US dollars, this may be viable for you. Besides, prices through Canadian travel agents may already account for the exhange rate differential, so it may end up being essentially the same price for you either way.

 

I agree that the roommate matching service is a roll of the dice. And, personally, I am not much of a gambler. After I lose $5 I am done with the ship's casino! ;)

 

Anyway, back to bargain hunting: Aside from looking for cruises that are discounted, my strategy has been to book early to take advantage of those cruises that offer steep early-bird discounts. (But I only put down an initial deposit - I don't pay the balance until about a week before it is due.) Then, every once in a while, I check the price of the cruises on which I have a deposit. Most of the time I see the price going up, which makes me glad that I booked early. But sometimes I see a price drop, and in that case I call my travel agent (which is the customer service number of the booking website I use) and ask to have my cruise repriced. In one of my upcoming cruises for instance, I was able to move to a better cabin for a couple hundred dollars less money. Again, not a bad dividend for a few mouse clicks.

 

As for those last-minute deals, they often appear before the last minute. For instance, if the cruise line policy requires final payments 45 days out, and if a lot of people don't make those final payments, then a great deal might appear 30 to 45 days in advance. That still gives you enough time to see if the airfare is affordable. Also, if you see a great deal online, you can always call the website's customer service number and ask how much it would cost to add cruiseline air. That means that the cruiseline agrees to fly you to and from Toronto for a set price. They choose the airline and schedule, but they are also responsible for getting you to and from the ship. Often that price is lower than what you could get on your own. As my mama often says, "It never hurts to ask."

 

By the way, I saw a lot of great short-notice deals last fall. If you are flexible about your travel dates and able to travel on short notice, you may want to start hunting around in August or September for a cruise departing in October, November, or early December.

 

Well, again, I hope this helps. By the way, I was just in Toronto a couple of days ago. What a great city for you to call home! :cool:

 

Warm regards,

 

Paul

[sexyaznboy]

Thanks again Paul!

 

Geez, this whole process is quite confusing to a new cruiser like me! I have to say the people on this board, including you, have been incredibly nice! Must be the sea air LOL

 

I've heard that if you put a deposit on the cruiseline, you can transfer it to any cruise later and retain the ship board credits...is this true? I definitely have to figure out the timeline to do things, its too bad you can't tell me the sites you use ;)

 

Its a bummer about the single supplement but also that I have to take air fare into consideration too...ugh...

 

Well it'll be fun (NOT) trying to figure this thing out!

 

Are you a solo cruiser or ex-solo cruiser? Toronto is a nice city...but far away from the ports...LOL

[jjb415]

In addition to the hints that have been offered, you can sometimes check the big travel websights that normally offer airfare/hotel deals. I don't think we are allowed to name them in this forum. They have cruise sections that are quite good. I recently found some good deals for somewhat last minute Coastal/Alaska sailings at only a 50% single supplement on Holland America. The description of the 'Special Fare' said that they were offered as specials only on that particular site. With the favorable exchange rates the Canadian Dollar is yielding now, these specials would be particularly attractive. Good luck.

[PaulfromPA]

Greetings Sexy:

 

Hmmm... I guess you've gotten my two-cents worth, so now I'll try to make it four!

 

Here are my thoughts on your questions and comments:

 

1) I reckon sea air could make me nice. Then again, I have been hoping it would make me naughty. Well, I suppose that is a whole different story for a whole different post on a whole different day. ;)

 

2) I haven't heard of a cruiseline that won't let you switch your deposit and so it's my understanding that it is doable. Thus far, it is not something I personally have had to do. Still, if you have a concern about this you could always ask at booking time. One thing I would ask, for instance, is whether you have to rebook a specific cruise, or if you can simply retain a credit. If they allow you to retain a credit, I would ask when it expires.

 

3) I don't really think too much about the single "supplement." Instead, I think of it as paying for an upgrade. Having a whole cabin to myself, in which I am free to make all the rude noises I want, is an upgrade in my book. :D

 

4) Call me crazy (and why not, plenty of others have) but I actually like hunting around for a cruise bargain. At least once or twice a month I poke around the net to see what's out there. In fact, all of the cruises I book are the result of a poke here or a poke there. I tend to see something and say myself, "Hey, self, that looks like a bargain for an interesting itinerary over some schedule-friendly dates, why not book it?"

 

5) For now I am definitely a current solo cruiser. Like so many others on this board, I decided that the lack of a signficant other should not stop me from going on a cruise if I so choose. Come to think of it, maybe if and when I acquire a significant other it will be the end of my cruising days. I can just hear it now: "Nooooo, dear, you can't go on that cruise, we have to be practical and pay for Fifi to go to dog obedience academy this year." Yikes! :rolleyes:

 

6) I guess we are both semi-land locked. I suppose if we are really desperate for a quick cruise, there is always one of those dinner-dance thingys for a few hours. You on Lake Ontario, me on the three rivers. Either way, you know there will be a bad polka band on board. Double yikes! :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

 

7) ......................................................

 

Cheers!

 

Paul

 

P.S. I have to be on a flight to California early tomorrow... I guess I better git to the packin'...

[PINEVIEW01]

I've heard that if you put a deposit on the cruiseline, you can transfer it to any cruise later and retain the ship board credits...is this true? I definitely have to figure out the timeline to do things, its too bad you can't tell me the sites you use ;)

 

While I was on a Princess ship I booked a future cruise, not a certain cruise. This qualifies me for a ship board credit. I than go home and when I find the cruise I want I book it with a TA and still get the ship board credit.

The details very by cruise line. All that I’m aware of allow you to change to another cruise at least once. All cruise lines, again that I know of, allow you to change a booking from the cruise line to you own TA.

 

I’m not sure if this is the answer you are looking for.

 

Also, I understand the solo sup delima. Carnival is the only one I found that has a 150% sup fee all the time and that is only on a 1A. inside. But, I have found if sailing aren't selling other lines will offer the reduced fee. I just got a great solo deal on my Elation saling. I got the 150% on an OV (6A) and was upgraded to a 6D to boot.

 

The deals are really hard to find and you just have to work to find them. Paul is right, it is worth the keystrokes. I use the big travel sites like a Travelocity/Orbitz type site, as a search engine. Just go to thier cruise section. You select one person when you find the cruise you want and the price will let you know if it is reduced or doubled.

 

I live across the lake in MI so, I know about the air thing.

[rajr27]

Hello,

 

To avoid paying a huge single supplement try sailing in the fall. The cruise line prices are generally lower this time of year. Keep in mind the hurricane season peak months are mid August to the end of September although a hurricane can happen anytime between June and the end of November. Carnival has good prices for a single traveler. 1A cabins (bunk beds) I often see various cruise lines offer a cut rate on an "ANYWHERE CABIN" or "GUARANTEE" where the cruise lines selects the cabin. (Most of the deals are on inside cabins) If you don’t mind the location of where you are on a ship always leave it on a Guarantee. I generally see better prices about 2 months prior to sailing; it all depends on how many are booked on any voyage. The cruise lines usually don’t admit this. Have Fun !!

[sexyaznboy]

Thanks for the advice guys, I will try Carnival...what is this sail anywhere? And any advice on how to get the last minute deals, do I just keep trying the website at the last minute or is there a trick to this?

[PaulfromPA]

Hi Sexy / Roland:

 

I just got back from my California trip and now I am up late because my body is three hours behind. Anyway, what Rajr calls a "sail anywhere" deal or "guarantee" means this: On some lines you can pay a certain price and instead of booking a specific cabin, they only guarantee that they will at least put you in a stateroom of the category you pay for. The advantages are two-fold: 1) The price is usually lower. 2) There is a distinct possibility you will get a complimentary upgrade. The disadvantages are: 1) You may not know what cabin you are in until you show up at the pier. 2) Some cabins within the same category are theoretically better than others, so you may end up in the worst cabin within the category you guarantee.

 

Personally I think the potential rewards outweigh the risks, and I have booked a couple of cruises that way. On my last cruise I got a four-category upgrade and my cabin was situated in a nice location. If you are thinking seriously about a guarantee I would just check to make sure the price is lower than booking a particular cabin. Oddly enough, sometimes the guarantee price is actually higher for a given category, which makes no sense to me.

 

Cheers!

 

Paul

[PINEVIEW01]

Thanks for the advice guys, I will try Carnival...what is this sail anywhere? And any advice on how to get the last minute deals, do I just keep trying the website at the last minute or is there a trick to this?

Let us know what you find! Like I said, I got a 6D at 150% of the 6A fare price for 12/10 elation. This is the first I got anything other than a 1A for that. Good Luck and happy sailing!!

[rajr27]

Hello Again,

Carnival is a great line just more of a Las Vegas Style. When you do sail with them be sure to go on one of their new ships on a 7 day voyage or longer. The ships are much nicer. There are more dining/food options. The casino's, deck space, show lounges and the spas are great. The ships they use on the shorter cruises are getting a little dated, but sill ok for a quick trip. The Guarantee or Anywhere deals are around you just have to search for them, I generally see them closer to sailing. Ask a travel agent to check on what sailings offer these deals, or what sailings sill have 1A cabins available. Then leave it on a guarantee for a possible upgrade. Travel agents get e-mails and faxes constantly from the cruise lines. Again I have seen many good single rates in the fall season.

Happy Cruising!!

[Buddy604]

I've also noticed that Carnival does some great 1A fares on westbound transatlantics in November. I've yet to try Carnival, but it could be fun to toss around like a cork in a tidal pool for 16 days. :) And some 1As, while in theory interior cabins, actually have portholes.

[PaulfromPA]

Greetings S/R and all:

 

I was just thinking that I forgot to weigh in on the "How do I find those last-minute deals?" question. It seems there are two basic options: 1) Keep lurking around the internet to see what pops up. 2) Sign up for various cruise-related list serves. If one chooses the latter, it means registering with various websites that will then send out regular e-mails advertising cruise deals. For instance, it seems that all the cruise lines feature this option on their websites. Also, there are other travel-related sites (including some linked from CruiseCritic) that offer this "service." Personally, I haven't taken the bait on this because I don't like commercial e-mail cluttering up my in box (I already get enough from various companies I do business with.) But if one doesn't mind the e-mail clutter, it could be a way of snagging a great last-minute deal.

 

Cheers!

 

Paul

[Buddy604]

Hey Paul, I see you planning the Canival Freedom TA for next year. That's one of those runs with an excellent single sup fare on a 1A cabin - less that $1000 for a 14 day transatlantic.

 

A friend and I are talking about grabbing a balcony or oceanview on her for the trip - the rates are amazing.

[PaulfromPA]

Hi Buddy:

 

Yes, you are right, I am booked on Carnie Freedom's April 2008 transatlantic. And I was able to grab that 1A guarantee for less than a grand. Of course I will be adding air and some post-cruise days in Rome, but it is still a good deal even with those add-ons. BTW, I see Carnie is still offering the deal, but I imagine it will disappear soon -- after all, they won't want to sell too many of those 1A guarantees. In fact, it seems there is only one 1A cabin left that hasn't been reserved, so to me that is a sign the price is set to go up very soon. The next category, 1S, is $225 more (booked for a single) than a 1A.

 

I decided to grab this sailing not only for the price, but because the Carnie Freedom is a new ship; it is always great to be on a ship that is not showing some wear and tear. It turns out that there is also a very strong roll call underway, which is always a sign there will be a great group of folks on board.

 

Stay well!

 

Paul

[Thamsey]

I am also from Toronto so a double slam with single supplement and exchange rate. I also book way in advance or about a month before sailing. I am going on a 12 day Hawaiian cruise and I have a 4D(based on 1A rates) and it cost me 808US. I will also be on the Freedom same time as Paul, April next year and was lucky got the 1A with the 2 windows for the transalantic sailing and the med for just over 2500 for 26 days. I got my prices then went to ******** and it was lowered almost 300 bucks. We have to be creative. I have yet to sail solo I have these all booked and will venture out in 19 days and well guess I will find out if I am truly a solo traveller. If not Paul will give you my 1A with windows:eek:

[PaulfromPA]

I will also be on the Freedom same time as Paul, April next year and was lucky got the 1A with the 2 windows for the transalantic sailing and the med for just over 2500 for 26 days. I got my prices then went to ******** and it was lowered almost 300 bucks. We have to be creative. I have yet to sail solo I have these all booked and will venture out in 19 days and well guess I will find out if I am truly a solo traveller. If not Paul will give you my 1A with windows:eek:

 

Heyya Thamsey:

 

I have an inkling you will have fun on your upcoming solo adventure. You have a great online personality, after all, so if your real life personality is just as fun I reckon you will do fine.

 

I must admit, though, that when it comes to the April 2008 TA, I prefer an inside cabin to an oceanview. For one thing, I like to sleep in, and so I really prefer the darkness of an inside. Also, I prefer midship instead of forward. So we'll have to see how my 1A non-designated "guarantee" works out. Personally I am hoping my luck with the upgrade fairies holds out! :cool:

 

Cheers!

 

Paul

[Thamsey]

Geez now I have to take a poll better personality online or in person? am I truly the same person or is one of those personalities better then the other? Which personality would you consider spending more time with? etc etc. I guess if no one wants to spend time with me I can go to the internet cafe. Just stress me out there Paul:mad: just like my friend who thught he was being nice and sent me an article on crime on the high seas. Great just Great, now I can lie in bed and wonder who will rescue me when I am tossed overboard at midnight by someone who wants my S and S card for the rest of the trip.

Paul and I am sure you have thought about this, :rolleyes: but if you say.......had a window..... could you not pull those big heavy black drapes across so the light dosen't come in.

Anyways, thanks for our support and I am sure I will be fine, at least that will be my chant (I will be fine) and if I am screaming it in the dining room and on the Lido deck.. well maybe someone can alert the ships doctor.

Looking forward to our TA

Ellie

[PaulfromPA]

Just stress me out there Paul:mad: just like my friend who thught he was being nice and sent me an article on crime on the high seas. Great just Great, now I can lie in bed and wonder who will rescue me when I am tossed overboard at midnight by someone who wants my S and S card for the rest of the trip.

Paul and I am sure you have thought about this, :rolleyes: but if you say.......had a window..... could you not pull those big heavy black drapes across so the light dosen't come in.

 

Hi Ellie:

 

In the spirit of being helpful, I will send you some articles about how to best ward off sharks when you have been thrown overboard at midnight. I reckon the people who were not successful at warding off the sharks aren't around to write those articles, so the information should be reliable. :rolleyes:

 

As for the "drapes" thing, I always seem to get stuck in those hotel rooms in which the drape mechanisms are slightly out of whack and therefore there is a crack of sunlight that cannot be blocked. :mad: I don't want to have that luck follow me on board. I mean its bad enough when the cruise director comes on the loud speaker with those corny jokes to start the day, but at least I have learned the fine art of tuning out people who are just as corny as I am.

 

Paul

[Buddy604]

As for the "drapes" thing, I always seem to get stuck in those hotel rooms in which the drape mechanisms are slightly out of whack and therefore there is a crack of sunlight that cannot be blocked. :mad: I don't want to have that luck follow me on board. I mean its bad enough when the cruise director comes on the loud speaker with those corny jokes to start the day, but at least I have learned the fine art of tuning out people who are just as corny as I am.

Wow, sounds like we get the same rooms. I just take a sleep mask with me - end up looking like some silver screen starlet, but at least I get my sleep. I also encourage any of my travelling friends to bring one too since I like to read at night and gave up the quest for the perfect book light. :D

 

The other point you made, um, I've never travelled on Carnival before - does the CD usually make announcements in the room?! Is this maybe once or twice a cruise, or perhaps even more often?? I'd really hate that.

[PaulfromPA]

The other point you made, um, I've never travelled on Carnival before - does the CD usually make announcements in the room?! Is this maybe once or twice a cruise, or perhaps even more often?? I'd really hate that.

 

Hi ya Buddy:

 

My 2008 TA will be my first on Carnie, so I am not sure what their standard practice is. I have heard, however, that Carnival is really bad when it comes to announcements... that they use and abuse the loudspeaker system like no other line. I am just hoping that the speaker system is limited to the hallways, with the option of having it in the room if one sets the TV to the ship's announcement channel. Even then, I always hear those announcements filtering in from the hallway, and I have never heard of a cruise director that wasn't chock full of corn.

 

Hmmm, I just realized, we are a bit off topic for the intended thread. But then again, SexyAznBoy, who started this thread, is off on his Panama Canal cruise. Maybe we can get it back on topic by the time he returns. Shhhh! Don't tell him what we talked about while he was away! :rolleyes:

 

Paul

[Lard Greystoke]

I was on Carnival a month ago. There were no PA announcements in my room. Announcements were in hall on my cruise, and I didn't notice any unusually early or late. Not excessively corny.