singles "dumped" = no more 150% rates

[Thoth]

As a single/solo I just got dumped by Carnival cruise line.
Just a few minutes ago I was told by the cruise line that 150%
rates for singles "is gone"..."only 200% now" fleet-wide. Rates for singles are "history".
I was prepared to book Funship cruise #8 and pen, paper, & credit card handy. I guess not...not today !
A married man would pay $500 and I would have to shell out $1000. I guess we single people are an anomaly shunned by polite society, after all. Nobody loves us !
Since I'm now doomed to pay that cursed 200% rate anyway, I might now branch out to Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, or Norwegian.

[Trip]

Paul is in a solo cabin on the NCL Epic now...so watch for his blog and postings....this could be the ticket for you Take a peek at it on the website....has romance mood lighting too

[Mike M]

This is a bummer. It is really unfair for singles to pay a full 200%. The cruise lines do lose out on onboard revenue with singles but a 150% rate should compensate for a lot of that.

Oh well: It's as good of an excuse as any to expand out and try other lines and ships. There are a lot of good ones out there. NCL, Princess and HAL have some great singles rates.

Take care,
Mike

[IslandLover]

It seems unfair and I don't see why they don't have some cabins made especially for singles. They could be smaller and more expensive. I don't understand why they wouldn't want accomodate people that cruise without a partner.

[Solo1959]

Originally Posted by Trip

...a solo cabin on the NCL Epic....has romance mood lighting too

That's humorous.

[Trip]

Lol...reading that, my innocence was bliss

Once out of the bed, the two people could trip over each at every turn, but they will have great lighting!!

[Tree Hugger]

I guess from Carnival's POV, it still costs them the same amount for stateroom maintenance, but I still think that they would still make their money from a 150% rate for singles. I've been married for 11 years so I hope I never have to worry about that.

[Thoth]

Here's what happened eventually. I looked at Princess, RCCL, Celebrity, and NCL. and saw nothing that really interested me . Thanks for those who suggested the Norwegian Epic. Too bad the ports just didn't interest me.
What I wanted was Key West and something else new and a close port of embarkation.
NO changing planes in Atlanta !
What is came down to was I really did want the Key West and Bahamas cruise from Galveston. The price quoted is $998 with the super saver which will deduct any future discounts such as past guest when offered. It's for next year, but by booking now I did get my choice of a 1A room ( 8357 mid-ship). :-D
If I change my mind, then I only pay $50. That way, I have little to lose.
This past April's Mexican cruise started at $719 and went down below $700 with super saver. Of course $998 is a little more than $719, but not quit enough to sweat.

[sistagoldenhair]

I dont understand why the cruise lines are pushing singles and their vacation dollars into the land vacation market? In my opinion, the industry should make room for that market segment, and its $$$ lost to them since they don't.

I would think the revenue would be there, singles mingling and drinking and buying singles excursions?

[Kimbopolo]

Originally Posted by sistagoldenhair

I would think the revenue would be there, singles mingling and drinking and buying singles excursions?

I know I spent more when I went solo on my first cruise vs. with DH on my second.

[Snoozeman]

I'm married, but take quite a few SOLO cruises so I'm not happy about it; however, I think there will be a lot of 150% supplements out there, just not on every cruise. For example, not ALL cruises have military discounts, etc. so not all will have the automatic 150% on 1A's.

[Thoth]

Originally Posted by Snoozeman

I'm married, but take quite a few SOLO cruises so I'm not happy about it; however, I think there will be a lot of 150% supplements out there, just not on every cruise. For example, not ALL cruises have military discounts, etc. so not all will have the automatic 150% on 1A's.

I'm booked on the Conquest for next year, and hoping some of those discounts kick in under this super saver terms. It's worth a try.
Since you live in Texas, is the Conquest your sentimental favorite "Fun Ship" ?

[Snoozeman]

Originally Posted by Thoth

I'm booked on the Conquest for next year, and hoping some of those discounts kick in under this super saver terms. It's worth a try.
Since you live in Texas, is the Conquest your sentimental favorite "Fun Ship" ?

Well until it leaves then it will be the Magic & Triumph. I am Conquest Platinum since I do have done ten cruises on just her. Great ship.

[Michelle1959]

This IS really sad; I hope it doesn't become an industry standard!

As the population is aging and living longer, men and women cruising without spouses/significant others/friends, etc. will want to cruise and only those lines which offer affordable single rates will get the business. Carnival isn't making a smart business decision here!

I probably can't afford to look at cruising again for a few years, especially as I'm a single mom, child support will end next spring, and my son will then head to college (even though my dad's helping out with that) plus he'll need his own car to get to school and back.

However, whenever I can think of cruising again, if I go solo I will definitely shop where the single rates are best. I wish it would be Carnival but there are other lines out there.

[venice]

Michelle..look at the upsideyour son will graduate from college, get a great job working for one of the major cruiselines, where parents get to cruise space available for free and he will reward you for your sacrifices by sending you on 2 cruises a year in a balcony cabin

based upon the success or lack of success, on the NCL Epic studio staterooms, will determine how the industry reacts to single/solo cruisers

[Thoth]

Originally Posted by Michelle1959

This IS really sad; I hope it doesn't become an industry standard!

As the population is aging and living longer, men and women cruising without spouses/significant others/friends, etc. will want to cruise and only those lines which offer affordable single rates will get the business. Carnival isn't making a smart business decision here!

I probably can't afford to look at cruising again for a few years, especially as I'm a single mom, child support will end next spring, and my son will then head to college (even though my dad's helping out with that) plus he'll need his own car to get to school and back.

However, whenever I can think of cruising again, if I go solo I will definitely shop where the single rates are best. I wish it would be Carnival but there are other lines out there.

Hopefully you will get to cruise again...real soon.

[venice]

she will

[Michelle1959]

Unfortunately, Ian didn't get hooked on cruising like I did. He doesn't like travel at all, actually - by car, by plane, ship, anything. He likes seeing new places, it's just the travelling to those new places that he doesn't like.

[Thoth]

Originally Posted by Michelle1959

Unfortunately, Ian didn't get hooked on cruising like I did. He doesn't like travel at all, actually - by car, by plane, ship, anything. He likes seeing new places, it's just the travelling to those new places that he doesn't like.

I guess that's why we sometimes have to be solo travlers. The great thing about the ships is never having to say ...." table for ONE please".

[briguy]

From a business side, since ships most likely sail near 100% double occupancy then there is no need to offer a discounted rate for solo cruisers. To them its giving revenue away if they offer singles at 150%. True, from a customers perspective it seems unfair and I agree with that but the market is so competitive nobody wants to give anything away. My guess is the entire industry will watch NCL's Epic very closely and see how their solo room section sells. If there is a huge demand then that may influence future designs or current ship modifications. Till then the solo sailor better have deep pockets.

[Cruznut2]

This really upsets me as I enjoy Carnival. The cruiselines are going to price me out of cruising. I looked at the singles cabins on the Epic. I was unimpressed with thse tiny cell like cabins. The biggest concern I had is the "living room" area for socializing. Most of the singles sailing are young. I would hate to see a bunch of singles come back late night from an evening of drinking and carry on the party there. There would be no sleep for anyone in the rooms.
I just got off the phone with NCL. The going rate for booking a regular cabin is 200%. I think it is very unfair.

Laura

[Thoth]

Originally Posted by Cruznut2

I looked at the singles cabins on the Epic. I was unimpressed with thse tiny cell like cabins. The biggest concern I had is the "living room" area for socializing. Most of the singles sailing are young. I would hate to see a bunch of singles come back late night from an evening of drinking and carry on the party there. There would be no sleep for anyone in the rooms.

Laura

That's right !
It is all about privacy and that is one of my reservations about NCL Epic's single rooms. I need my private area and will pay extra.

[Snoozeman]

Yesterday I checked on booking a 1A on Ecstasy sailing tomorrow just to get away for 4 days. They had two unsold and several 4A's and I was fine with the fare until I saw the 200% supplement. NOPE, I guess those will sail empty as I'm not doing just for principle.

[Thoth]

Originally Posted by Snoozeman

Yesterday I checked on booking a 1A on Ecstasy sailing tomorrow just to get away for 4 days. They had two unsold and several 4A's and I was fine with the fare until I saw the 200% supplement. NOPE, I guess those will sail empty as I'm not doing just for principle.

I have principle too. It's sad that we must compromise our principles just for a good time.
If the cruise line is selling a 7 day for $499 ( 100%), then $998 (200%) is still somewhat reasonable. That's why I went ahead and booked on the Conquest. Do a week long land vacation, hotels + food+ transportation adds up.