Possible Semi-private Solution

In researching my desire to take a solo cruise, I discovered the dreaded single supplement (cue creepy organ music). While I'm appalled that solo travelers are penalized with having to pay double, I am also a tad sympathetic to the cruise lines position on profit loss.

Appreciating those cruise lines that have made allowances and even created special spaces for us, it still may not be enough in that the few single cabins that there are sell out quickly

So, I came up with a possible solution that may be a compromise for both the solo-travelers who shouldn't have to pay an arm and a leg for privacy and the cruise line's profit margin. Here it is....

You know how the queen bed in most standard cabins can split into two twin beds? What if there were curtains that could wrap around those twin beds like those in hospital rooms? While common areas would still have to be negotiated, there would be a private area into which one could retreat by enclosing themselves with the curtain.

If someone wanted to stay up and read, they could have a light on in their enclosed area that wouldn't bother the other. A shy or modest person wouldn't necessarily always have to feel like they had to get ready in the bathroom. Of course, it may not help as much if someone is loud or a snorer, but this idea might help with at least some degree of privacy where familiarity is not a given.

What do you all think?

Solocater

In researching my desire to take a solo cruise, I discovered the dreaded single supplement (cue creepy organ music). While I'm appalled that solo travelers are penalized with having to pay double, I am also a tad sympathetic to the cruise lines position on profit loss.

 

Appreciating those cruise lines that have made allowances and even created special spaces for us, it still may not be enough in that the few single cabins that there are sell out quickly

 

So, I came up with a possible solution that may be a compromise for both the solo-travelers who shouldn't have to pay an arm and a leg for privacy and the cruise line's profit margin. Here it is....

 

You know how the queen bed in most standard cabins can split into two twin beds? What if there were curtains that could wrap around those twin beds like those in hospital rooms? While common areas would still have to be negotiated, there would be a private area into which one could retreat by enclosing themselves with the curtain.

 

If someone wanted to stay up and read, they could have a light on in their enclosed area that wouldn't bother the other. A shy or modest person wouldn't necessarily always have to feel like they had to get ready in the bathroom. Of course, it may not help as much if someone is loud or a snorer, but this idea might help with at least some degree of privacy where familiarity is not a given.

 

What do you all think?

 

Solocater

Interesting... I would still be concerned about the security of having my stuff where somebody else has easy access to it.

One idea I could get behind would be having a sleeping room for one with a vanity/desk and chair, and a large bathroom with several spa-type showers and toilet stalls to be shared. (One for the ladies, one for the men.) Kind of like a college dorm. I did it for two years, I'd gladly do it for a week to save a few hundred dollars.

In researching my desire to take a solo cruise, I discovered the dreaded single supplement (cue creepy organ music). While I'm appalled that solo travelers are penalized with having to pay double, I am also a tad sympathetic to the cruise lines position on profit loss.

 

Appreciating those cruise lines that have made allowances and even created special spaces for us, it still may not be enough in that the few single cabins that there are sell out quickly

 

So, I came up with a possible solution that may be a compromise for both the solo-travelers who shouldn't have to pay an arm and a leg for privacy and the cruise line's profit margin. Here it is....

 

You know how the queen bed in most standard cabins can split into two twin beds? What if there were curtains that could wrap around those twin beds like those in hospital rooms? While common areas would still have to be negotiated, there would be a private area into which one could retreat by enclosing themselves with the curtain.

 

If someone wanted to stay up and read, they could have a light on in their enclosed area that wouldn't bother the other. A shy or modest person wouldn't necessarily always have to feel like they had to get ready in the bathroom. Of course, it may not help as much if someone is loud or a snorer, but this idea might help with at least some degree of privacy where familiarity is not a given.

 

What do you all think?

 

Solocater

I am guessing you are suggesting this for cruisers who want to share

a cabin?

I have been sailing solo for 13 years and love it. I wouldn't ever share

a cabin with someone I don't know know as for sharing with someone I

do? Well, for the first time in many years I am cruising with my sister.

We get along pretty well so hopefully the cruise will be fun:) We are

getting an AFT balcony and so the balcony will be a bit larger:D

Doing what you suggest may work for some folks but not for all of us.

Oh, as for the Single Supplement? I haven't looked at it for years.

I look at the total price of the cruise and if it is within my cruise

budget.......the SS is what it is......if the cruise is more than I can

afford I don't book.

In researching my desire to take a solo cruise, I discovered the dreaded single supplement (cue creepy organ music). While I'm appalled that solo travelers are penalized with having to pay double, I am also a tad sympathetic to the cruise lines position on profit loss.

 

Appreciating those cruise lines that have made allowances and even created special spaces for us, it still may not be enough in that the few single cabins that there are sell out quickly

 

So, I came up with a possible solution that may be a compromise for both the solo-travelers who shouldn't have to pay an arm and a leg for privacy and the cruise line's profit margin. Here it is....

 

You know how the queen bed in most standard cabins can split into two twin beds? What if there were curtains that could wrap around those twin beds like those in hospital rooms? While common areas would still have to be negotiated, there would be a private area into which one could retreat by enclosing themselves with the curtain.

 

If someone wanted to stay up and read, they could have a light on in their enclosed area that wouldn't bother the other. A shy or modest person wouldn't necessarily always have to feel like they had to get ready in the bathroom. Of course, it may not help as much if someone is loud or a snorer, but this idea might help with at least some degree of privacy where familiarity is not a given.

 

What do you all think?

 

Solocater

tven 3 seconds seiouss consideration. Privacy to me means more rhan a curatin around my bed I want tv on'off, when I want, I dfon'tt want to have to listern to dome strangr'ss play list of musor potentially their snorngi. I want to read when I want. I want use of the f bathroom when I want it. :D iG YTYHID APPEALSS EO OYTHTR4SDS, great, BUYT PLEASE PUT ME ON TH4 'NO W3AY' LIST. ;0I don't eewant sgyygrangertsds 'vidsditginhg in our casbin. I certsainly do not ewant to vomr to my csbin and find my 'toomste hass a guest.......

That scenario is a nightmare to me. that is NO vacation. I'd rather not go.

Interesting... I would still be concerned about the security of having my stuff where somebody else has easy access to it.

 

One idea I could get behind would be having a sleeping room for one with a vanity/desk and chair, and a large bathroom with several spa-type showers and toilet stalls to be shared. (One for the ladies, one for the men.) Kind of like a college dorm. I did it for two years, I'd gladly do it for a week to save a few hundred dollars.

Years ago, it was not uncommon to share a cabin with a stranger. I did on my first cruise. I was 19 and she was retired. but that was also a time when people shared bedrooms, houses had one bathroom and solitude was not as available.

There are some cruise lines that offer a partner plan, but I think it is a dying breed.

I would find the curtain to be more a hindrance than a help, and it doesn't improve the challenge of sharing common space.

I've shared space with friends and can manage it because we spend little time together outside the cabin, but I couldn't do room with strangers any more....so 'no' for me.

 

You know how the queen bed in most standard cabins can split into two twin beds? What if there were curtains that could wrap around those twin beds like those in hospital rooms? While common areas would still have to be negotiated, there would be a private area into which one could retreat by enclosing themselves with the curtain.

 

If someone wanted to stay up and read, they could have a light on in their enclosed area that wouldn't bother the other. A shy or modest person wouldn't necessarily always have to feel like they had to get ready in the bathroom. Of course, it may not help as much if someone is loud or a snorer, but this idea might help with at least some degree of privacy where familiarity is not a given.

 

 

What do you all think?

 

Solocater

The vast majority of cruise lines stopped matching strangers up to share a cabin -- it's a huge liability issue for them. Personally, I would never room with a stranger, but I know there are some people who are willing and looking to do so. (I don't think a curtain would make much of a difference, and would make the cabin seem smaller.)

I agree that's it's not an ideal idea and wouldn't be for everyone. I couldn't do it cause I snore. I was just thinking of those folks that are shut out by the single supplement and thus feel forced to get a stranger with whom to bunk.

My mission is to find a way to lure more cruise lines into following suit by ditching the supplement where they can. With a demographic of at least 50% of solo folks out there, their shortsightedness is hurting them as well as the budget conscious solo-traveler.

I'd thought of a dormitory or old-style sleeper train car style set up. However, as I think about it, I'd be apprehensive to suggest that to cruise lines lest they might be inclined to really pack us in like sardines while still finding ways to charge more.

Well, I'll get back to the drawing board and devise new ways to slay the supplement serpent. In the meantime, I'll be grateful that at least the travel industry has come a long way since the days of Colonial Williamsburg where InnKeepers would pile a dozen dirty strangers in one bed. Oh da horrors!

Thanks for all the feedback

With a demographic of at least 50% of solo folks out there, their shortsightedness is hurting them as well as the budget conscious solo-traveler.

I don't think it's really hurting them! If it were, things would be different, but right now cruise ships almost always said full, so I don't see why they'd be moved to change. While it's true that the average solo traveler spends more on board than your average non-solo, it's still not enough to make up the difference of the lost fare.

That scenario is a nightmare to me. that is NO vacation. I'd rather not go.

I agree. Solo means solo to me. The cruise lines need to give us a break.

Lets face it, on average solo cruisers generate less revenue per square foot than people sharing. Say you purpose built a ship with the solo cabins at 100 sq ft and the doubles at 160 sq ft. In 800 sq ft you can have 5 doubles or 8 singles, however those singles have bathrooms so you need more stewards. Those 8 solo cruisers don't generate the same revenue as 10 people sharing. :eek:

It pays to shop around. I have recently returned from a cruise where I had a double cabin for about 40% supplement with an excellent hosted social programme if you wanted to take part. this however is a smallish cruiseline targeted firmly at the British market. (The ship used to be the Splendour of the Seas)

I agree. Solo means solo to me. The cruise lines need to give us a break.

Could never do it! EVER...EVER....EVER (LOL)

I wouldn't want to share with a stranger. I don't think that anyone would want to share with me either.

I can't help it, but I am an early riser. Once awake, I need to get up and use the bathroom.

Sharing with a night owl would be pretty bad for me.

I was just thinking of those folks that are shut out by the single supplement and thus feel forced to get a stranger with whom to bunk.

I don't know anyone who has ever bunked with a stranger, do you? If I couldn't afford to cruise solo, I do have family, friends, even acquaintances I could call on. But, a stranger, no. Where would I even find a stranger? :confused:

I don't know anyone who has ever bunked with a stranger, do you? If I couldn't afford to cruise solo, I do have family, friends, even acquaintances I could call on. But, a stranger, no. Where would I even find a stranger? :confused:

I have seen requests for a cabin share on a FB group that I'm on. I don't think that I would want to share with someone that I don't actually know.

I don't know anyone who has ever bunked with a stranger, do you? If I couldn't afford to cruise solo, I do have family, friends, even acquaintances I could call on. But, a stranger, no. Where would I even find a stranger? :confused:

I have bunked with a stranger in the past - someone I met in the group I was traveling with.....I think people look to social media and work to find people to travel with if they're want a bunk mate. While we all have family, friends, and acquaintances, very often they are not willing or able to travel when and where we want to go. None of my friends, for instance, want (or are able to get time off work) to do a 3 week transpacific cruise, for instance. Right now I have a friend who is currently in Malawi, and none of her husband, children, or friends were interested in going with her. Actually, she's on a Habitat for Humanity trip, and will be bunking with a stranger in that adventure.

I have shared, albeit on an expedition type cruise on a 100 passenger small vessel to Antarctica back in 2008-9. for over 20 nights. It's still normal on those vessels to match solo cruisers to twin cabins and most of us were 'solos'. I got on really well with my cabin share. We were a similar age (40s) and had no issues at all. Though I appreciate a cruise holiday like that is far more specialist. One could book a cabin to themselves but I didn't hear of anyone who had,though I knew someone who got one by chance, but she had booked to share. I am still in contact in FB from someone on that cruise. I'd do it again like a shot if I had the money, but I'm now married!

Lets face it, on average solo cruisers generate less revenue per square foot than people sharing. Say you purpose built a ship with the solo cabins at 100 sq ft and the doubles at 160 sq ft. In 800 sq ft you can have 5 doubles or 8 singles, however those singles have bathrooms so you need more stewards. Those 8 solo cruisers don't generate the same revenue as 10 people sharing. :eek:

 

It pays to shop around. I have recently returned from a cruise where I had a double cabin for about 40% supplement with an excellent hosted social programme if you wanted to take part. this however is a smallish cruiseline targeted firmly at the British market. (The ship used to be the Splendour of the Seas)[/quote

 

I am not sure I agree with your analysis of solo cruisers and the revenue generated. NCL added more Solo cabins to their new ships after the success of them on the Epic. No way NCL would have done that if it wasn't profitable; especially NCL.

There are quite a few couples that do not spend any extra $$ on a cruise.

 

I couldn't room with a stranger either....

 

Safe cruising all! :)

NCL added more Solo cabins to their new ships after the success of them on the Epic. No way NCL would have done that if it wasn't profitable; especially NCL.

 

Safe cruising all! :)

That's because they took underused and unwanted interior space, carved tiny cabins, put a special name and an advertising slogan on them, and sold them for (comparatively) big bucks. I have to admire their marketing smarts, because I think that they are a selling a pig in a poke......not that the solos who book them aren't satisfied, just that they don't realize that their prime value lies in their scarcity, not in what's offered. I personally find the concept of NCL's solo cabins to be kind of offensive people traveling solo - they don't value my business or my presence (even though they're glad to have it).

In reality, they are often charging about the same as being solo in a "standard" interior cabin for many destinations - I've seen a few where studios are more expensive. Even on Caribbean trips (where Studios are prices lower), the Studios are only $10-$20/day cheaper.

That's because they took underused and unwanted interior space, carved tiny cabins, put a special name and an advertising slogan on them, and sold them for (comparatively) big bucks. I have to admire their marketing smarts, because I think that they are a selling a pig in a poke......not that the solos who book them aren't satisfied, just that they don't realize that their prime value lies in their scarcity, not in what's offered. I personally find the concept of NCL's solo cabins to be kind of offensive people traveling solo - they don't value my business or my presence (even though they're glad to have it).

 

In reality, they are often charging about the same as being solo in a "standard" interior cabin for many destinations - I've seen a few where studios are more expensive. Even on Caribbean trips (where Studios are prices lower), the Studios are only $10-$20/day cheaper.

Well, IMHO they are selling the experience along with the solo room. I have stayed in solo cabins twice and liked it; did not really care for a standard inside cabin....different experience.

Many people re-book NCL studio cabins because it is fun; if it wasn't liked no one would re-book no matter how much advertising/marketing is done.

Just like any other cabin on a cruise ship, 'the prime value lies in the scarcity', as you indicated, but not only the solo cabins, any category.

Have you even stayed in any solo cabin on any cruise line? :)

Have you even stayed in any solo cabin on any cruise line? :)

I have stayed solo in a cabin on several cruises, but none of them were labeled a "solo cabin". I won't stay in a cabin without a window -- I need some natural light.

That must be the Solo Lounge! :D:D

Capsule hotels in Japan have floors that are separated by gender, if they are among the very few that accept women at all. I find the idea kind of interesting --I am considering spending 1 night in one, just out of curiosity, when I go to Tokyo next spring.

Ooh, not for me! It would be like being in an MRI machine!