Solo pasengers get double cruise credit on Princess

I received a notice from Princess congratulating me on reaching my 10th cruise milestone but I only count 8. It went further to explain that if you book a cabin for yourself you receive double the cruise credit. Thank you, Princess. Now, what about the other cruise lines?

I received a notice from Princess congratulating me on reaching my 10th cruise milestone but I only count 8. It went further to explain that if you book a cabin for yourself you receive double the cruise credit. Thank you, Princess. Now, what about the other cruise lines?

Congratulations! It's good to see that Princess has done away with the discriminatory practice of only one cruise credit for a 200% room.

As a single person and solo traveller, I am getting mighty fed up with all the discrimation and biases against those of us who choose to walk through life's paths by ourself. Sigh....I guess in our society you only count and are viable if you are part of a couple and/or decide to bear children....another big sigh.

Interesting responses on the RCCL board with regards to this issue.

Interesting responses on the RCCL board with regards to this issue.

Interesting responses indeed. I'm sure some of those responders would rather the cruise lines find a broom closet to stick the solo passengers in so they could just shut the door and lock it and then they wouldn't have to deal with those who don't fit into their small-minded world.

It's also interesting to note that all of the NCL single rooms are inside cabins - just another way to say that solo travelers are inconsequential and don't warrant the same treatment as couples and families.

Since I began cruising in 1988, cruising has come a long way and the cruiselines have become very successful at building walls, biases and prejudices against solo travellers. In the early days, I don't recall being discriminated against because I travelled solo. But then, back in those days, passengers were treated as equals - all were aboard to equally enjoy a pleasant time on the seas. As far as the passengers back then, there were no balcony or suite snobs, no Elites, no Diamond Plusses, no "I'm better than you because I {fill in the blank}" attitudes.

Interesting responses indeed. I'm sure some of those responders would rather the cruise lines find a broom closet to stick the solo passengers in so they could just shut the door and lock it and then they wouldn't have to deal with those who don't fit into their small-minded world.

 

It's also interesting to note that all of the NCL single rooms are inside cabins - just another way to say that solo travelers are inconsequential and don't warrant the same treatment as couples and families.

 

Since I began cruising in 1988, cruising has come a long way and the cruiselines have become very successful at building walls, biases and prejudices against solo travellers. In the early days, I don't recall being discriminated against because I travelled solo. But then, back in those days, passengers were treated as equals - all were aboard to equally enjoy a pleasant time on the seas. As far as the passengers back then, there were no balcony or suite snobs, no Elites, no Diamond Plusses, no "I'm better than you because I {fill in the blank}" attitudes.

I too have been cruising since the mid 80's and I totally agree with you.

Interesting responses indeed. I'm sure some of those responders would rather the cruise lines find a broom closet to stick the solo passengers in so they could just shut the door and lock it and then they wouldn't have to deal with those who don't fit into their small-minded world.

 

It's also interesting to note that all of the NCL single rooms are inside cabins - just another way to say that solo travelers are inconsequential and don't warrant the same treatment as couples and families.

 

Since I began cruising in 1988, cruising has come a long way and the cruiselines have become very successful at building walls, biases and prejudices against solo travellers. In the early days, I don't recall being discriminated against because I travelled solo. But then, back in those days, passengers were treated as equals - all were aboard to equally enjoy a pleasant time on the seas. As far as the passengers back then, there were no balcony or suite snobs, no Elites, no Diamond Plusses, no "I'm better than you because I {fill in the blank}" attitudes.

The responses on the RCCL board to my post have been very sympathetic and applaud Princess for doing this. I didn't detect the least bit of snobbery. Some mentioned single cabins being a solution but I didn't take that as being dismissive.

Taking this one step farther... if you are paying 200% you should get twice the OBC that might be offered. Does any cruise line offer this? I haven't been able to find one.

Taking this one step farther... if you are paying 200% you should get twice the OBC that might be offered. Does any cruise line offer this? I haven't been able to find one.

No, and isn't that a booger? I've always thought that if we're paying for two passengers, why don't we get the two passenger OBC?

No, and isn't that a booger? I've always thought that if we're paying for two passengers, why don't we get the two passenger OBC?

I never thought of that but I do concur with this.

Also, several years ago didn't it come to light that one of the mass market cruiselines was charging singles twice for port charges which was illegal? I seem to recall that they double charged the solos and then scooped the the illegal second set of port charges they collected directly into their own coffers before they were caught and that practice was shut down.

I think the bottom line is that the number of solo passengers are rapidly increasing and cruiselines need to start taking notice that perhaps a solo passenger may actually be spending more "pure profit" money for the cruiseline on their cruising experience than say a young family with smaller children who aren't dropping money in the bars or the casinos or the specialty restaurants / activities because they simply can't afford to spend anymore than the cruise fare, taxes and tips.

No, and isn't that a booger? I've always thought that if we're paying for two passengers, why don't we get the two passenger OBC?

Hey, I don't even get 2 chocolates on my pillow (although RCCL and NCL cut them out completely).

It seems there are many of us that think alike.:) This should be something all other cruise lines take notice of in regard to solo cruisers. If we are willing to pay what the cruiseline charges giving us a little something like extra cruise credit would make me happy. I know us solo cruisers are looked at as pariahs but as a previous poster mentioned we are more likely to spend more disposable funds on the ship in bars or in specialty dining.

Also, several years ago didn't it come to light that one of the mass market cruiselines was charging singles twice for port charges which was illegal? I seem to recall that they double charged the solos and then scooped the the illegal second set of port charges they collected directly into their own coffers before they were caught and that practice was shut down.

Holland America did this to me a few months ago. I was a solo on the Noordam, and the captain decided to skip Half Moon Cay. They gave everyone an on board credit equal to the port charges for the cancelled port; when I got home, my TA said that they actually had charged me twice for the port fees, and thus I was due _another_ credit.

She fought it with HAL, but HAL flat out refused to issue a credit. They claimed that the extra amount was part of the single supplement.

Due to that, as well as a bunch of other mistakes they made while on-board, I won't cruise on them again. I'm 35 years old and I've already been on 12 cruises, so HAL will definitely lose out in the longer term: I find HAL to be one of the most solo unfriendly cruise lines out there....

I am really enjoying all of the perspectives on solo travel. I was recently widowed and have not really traveled solo but am certainly not going to let it prevent me from engaging in the travel I enjoy. To read the postings on this all of the Solo Cruisers threads is really helping me look forward to my first solo cruise.

Thanks!

I think the bottom line is that the number of solo passengers are rapidly increasing and cruiselines need to start taking notice that perhaps a solo passenger may actually be spending more "pure profit" money for the cruiseline on their cruising experience than say a young family with smaller children who aren't dropping money in the bars or the casinos or the specialty restaurants / activities because they simply can't afford to spend anymore than the cruise fare, taxes and tips.

I am in total agreement with you on this. The current solo surcharges do not make sense from this point of view.

I am in total agreement with you on this. The current solo surcharges do not make sense from this point of view.

I'm going on a cruise in April wih Le Voyageur!