Attention SOLO cruisers & "3rd guests": Certain insides have NO EXTRA CHARGE

I just made a great discovery, which is not at all being promoted by NCL (to my knowledge).

On certain poorly-selling cruises, solo cruisers can book an inside guarantee without paying the usual "single supplement" surcharge!

For those unaware, the "single supplement" charge basically forced solo cruisers to pay double when inhabiting a double-occupancy cabin (meaning all except studios) by themselves.

This made solo cruising expensive, and it also forced people with odd-numbered parties to stuff the extra guest into a room usually made for two.

I have an upcoming sailing (leaving very soon), and our party has three people -- myself, my wife, and our 7-year-old son.

I always get two rooms when I cruise, but this time I decided to save a bit of money and squeeze into one. (In previous years, I was able to get a cheap second room via the casino, but this year I couldn't.)

As a shot in the dark, I decided to look at the NCL site to see if the rate on insides had dropped enough to want to purchase a second room.

I was shocked to see that a solo guest can sail for $399 plus tax in an inside guarantee, and the single supplement charge is zero.

Since my wife is a Caesars Diamond, she got some additional money off, taking it down to $359. The tax is essentially the same (slightly more), so that pretty much cancels out.

I called NCL, had her removed from our first room, and she bought an inside guarantee as our second room. Now we have a second room -- with one official occupant -- for about $370 more. Excellent deal.

Once again, I cannot find this promoted ANYWHERE by NCL. It's something they seem to be doing on the down-low in order to encourage solo people to sail. Also, not all cruises will do this -- only the ones which aren't selling well.

Additionally, you probably won't find this until shortly before your ship sails -- maybe a few weeks out, but it's always worth a try earlier than that.

While our second room can be located anywhere on the ship (they assign it), it's still great to have. It's an extra place for one person to nap during sea days. It's an extra place to store stuff. It's an extra bathroom and an extra place to take a shower. You won't reailze how wonderful it is to have a second room until you actually have it.

Keep in mind that you can remove your 3rd guest with no penalty and move them to their own room, but if it's fewer than 14 days until sailing, you will need a supervisor's approval to waive the fees for doing so.

Even better if you're traveling soon, there are great deals for solos up to a mini-suite.

 

Once again, I cannot find this promoted ANYWHERE by NCL. It's something they seem to be doing on the down-low in order to encourage solo people to sail. Also, not all cruises will do this -- only the ones which aren't selling well.

 

Sailings with a reduced or no single supplement isn't new, nor is it a secret. There is an entire list of these published each week in the SalesPAL (if you don't know what that is, you need to work with a better PCC or TA). Additionally, if you search for a cruise on NCL's website...and you select "1 Guest" for the Number of Guests...these sailings are all marked with a blue square containing a white "S" for Solo Cruiser Discount.

I am a casino customer so I don't have a PCC or TA.

I did not know that this isn't new, but I sincerely doubt this is common knowledge among most cruisers or even CC readers for that matter.

You mean like this featured page on the NCL website:

https://www.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/solo-cruising

You mean like this featured page on the NCL website:

 

https://www.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/solo-cruising

So because it's buried in the middle of an obscure NCL page, you think all cruisers are aware of this?

I wasn't aware until a few days ago, especially because I don't cruise solo -- I usually have 3-4 people in my party.

This is helpful info for people who might want an extra room or want a good solo cruise deal, so how about cutting down on the snark and understanding that I am posting this to help fellow board members.

The OP is trying to give information that he was previously unaware to additional people. Why are any of you responding as if his information is meaningless.

I travel routinely with 3 in a room, and did not know about single supplement discounts other than studios. i had never even thought to consider a second room for just 1. We have thought of bringing along a fourth, either another family member or friend of our son. This could very well be something we may look into in the future.

That being said, thank you OP for the information and using the header to include 3rd person, as I probably would have passed by reading this for just solo cruiser heading.

So because it's buried in the middle of an obscure NCL page, you think all cruisers are aware of this?

On NCL's front page, you select "learn about our cruises." Then click "singles cruises." I think anyone on the planet could find it in less than 10 minutes.

On NCL's front page, you select "learn about our cruises." Then click "singles cruises." I think anyone on the planet could find it in less than 10 minutes.

First off, most experienced cruisers do not even think of going to a "learn about our cruises" section, especially if they've sailed on NCL before.

Second, people with a third person (such as myself) do not ever think of reading about singles cruises, for obvious reasons.

This isn't a matter of being able to find it. It's a matter of being likely to run into it through the process of normal booking/browsing.

I believe that likelihood to be low.

I know a lot about NCL, its fares, and its policies, and even I was unaware of this until two days ago.

We already have one person in this thread who stated that this information was helpful to them.

Even if I posted something that 80% were aware of (though I highly doubt that), are you claiming that my post wouldn't have value to the other 20% who aren't?

Or are you simply responding this way because you enjoy trolling people?

I would think that, after 8 years and 2200+ posts on this forum, you would have gotten over the need to troll on here.

It's not a big secret, but fairly well kept and I don't "blame" NCL for advertising it loudly - it is true, last minute sailings this month & next month ... good TA would know about it or anyone else with time, working their magical keyboard (and, CC'er hanging out here often.)

It's a great "steal" for those self-employed, retirees and otherwise can pack & go ... on short notice - driving / short distance to the nearest NCL pier/cruise terminal ( NYC ... 30 to 45 minutes ride for us, LOL)

Breakaway out of NYC - just sailed yesterday, last minute was $299, Inside GTY & zero supplement - add port taxes/fees & DSC - is about $550 all inclusive. Bonus if you have a CruiseNext to use, that's a "discount" of $100 to $125 based on its face value vs. actual money paid. That bring it down to $450 or even $425 - of course, there are no NCL "freebies" to go with it, no UBP or SDP, etc. - saving mucho $$$ & just pay for whatever extra as desired. Platinum gets a bottle of wine, 2 specialty meal & a bottle of water, plus a bag of free laundry any day of the week - and, nearly every stateroom get a bottle of "bubbles" anyway. Yes, a great deal in my books.

Nearly same deal for this week's BA sailing, prices dropping - $329 for Inside, no solo supplement - still available to book. Now, here's the "bomb" - how about a balcony for under $1,000 for 7 nights ... same sailing, as a solo (it is actually cheaper to book as a solo Balcony-GTY than a Studio, no perks or freebies, of course.) Do a mock sailing & you will see - all that without using any CAS discounts or coupons, but I'm sure those qualified can further sweeten the ("prepaid" casino-rebated for playing) cruise even more. Lastly, NCL stock holders ... can get - still - piled OBC on top by submitting a request to shareholder relations ... whatever the deals are, so more rebate & lowered net cost.

Next week is Jersey Week & there will be kids as schools are out for them, so pricing/availability will be more challenged. Well, fire sales being run by other major lines lately - just need time to research & know how to price them out, etc. etc. - all the usual tricks of the trade for insiders and it's all "Kosher".

Here's something extra for thoughts - with last minute booking, some of the GTY rooms being reassigned, can actually be, if you are lucky - be in a rather nice deck & location, as they might've been reserved & held 18 months ago by seasoned cruisers, like those angled hump balconies ... those are the chances being taken. I would not be surprised to find deals & bargains out of Florida ports, just haven't been checking those.

P.S. Something is happening with all those Studio cabins, they are being vacated - up to 15 of them available at this moment, 5 days to sailing ... could it be that words got around & they upgrade bidded to move up for more space ??? Hmmm, we scored a balcony from a good OV for a poor offer (in the middle of that scale's range too).

That being said, thank you OP for the information and using the header to include 3rd person, as I probably would have passed by reading this for just solo cruiser heading.

Ditto....thank you pokerpro5 for this info!

So let's say two people were going to share an inside guarantee room. Would there be any downside to booking two solo single inside guarantee rooms? It'd be the same price, wouldn't it?

Also, it'd let you use multiple CruiseNext certificates (where you are usually only allowed to use one per stateroom).

For any packages (e.g. beverage package) that requires everyone in the stateroom to get it, if you didn't want to purchase it for everyone in the room, couldn't you just purchase it for a single person if you got two separate single staterooms for the same price?

Is there any downside here? Do they give you a crappier room if you are by yourself?

Downside for that bases on a couple of mock bookings I looked at would be the reduced single supplement appears to apply to sail away rooms which do not qualify for other promos. So no UBP, or SDP. Also being sail away you cannot pick your rooms so you conceivably would be far away from each other. For me as the 3rd in the room doesn't get the promo anyway it might be worth considering depending on the price paid for the 3rd in the cabin provided we did not boom during a 3rd and 4th free. We typically loom for these deals buy they are not always available.

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Sailings with a reduced or no single supplement isn't new, nor is it a secret. There is an entire list of these published each week in the SalesPAL (if you don't know what that is, you need to work with a better PCC or TA). Additionally, if you search for a cruise on NCL's website...and you select "1 Guest" for the Number of Guests...these sailings are all marked with a blue square containing a white "S" for Solo Cruiser Discount.

There is an ongoing thread right here on CC that covers all cruise lines, but not necessarily all cruises...

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2396334

Not only is booking one of these deals in a guarantee inside good financially, but sometimes you may get upgraded at no charge into a balcony...it happened to me last January...:cool:

Keep in mind that those rooms are guarantees that come with no perks, so if you like to enjoy more than a couple of adult beverages a day and have to buy the drink package that may not be such a good deal.

Thank you pokerpro5. I have not sailed alone but always thought that it was very expensive. Good to know about all deals.

I just made a great discovery, which is not at all being promoted by NCL (to my knowledge).

 

On certain poorly-selling cruises, solo cruisers can book an inside guarantee without paying the usual "single supplement" surcharge!

 

For those unaware, the "single supplement" charge basically forced solo cruisers to pay double when inhabiting a double-occupancy cabin (meaning all except studios) by themselves.

 

This made solo cruising expensive, and it also forced people with odd-numbered parties to stuff the extra guest into a room usually made for two.

 

I have an upcoming sailing (leaving very soon), and our party has three people -- myself, my wife, and our 7-year-old son.

 

I always get two rooms when I cruise, but this time I decided to save a bit of money and squeeze into one. (In previous years, I was able to get a cheap second room via the casino, but this year I couldn't.)

 

As a shot in the dark, I decided to look at the NCL site to see if the rate on insides had dropped enough to want to purchase a second room.

 

I was shocked to see that a solo guest can sail for $399 plus tax in an inside guarantee, and the single supplement charge is zero.

 

Since my wife is a Caesars Diamond, she got some additional money off, taking it down to $359. The tax is essentially the same (slightly more), so that pretty much cancels out.

 

I called NCL, had her removed from our first room, and she bought an inside guarantee as our second room. Now we have a second room -- with one official occupant -- for about $370 more. Excellent deal.

 

Once again, I cannot find this promoted ANYWHERE by NCL. It's something they seem to be doing on the down-low in order to encourage solo people to sail. Also, not all cruises will do this -- only the ones which aren't selling well.

 

Additionally, you probably won't find this until shortly before your ship sails -- maybe a few weeks out, but it's always worth a try earlier than that.

 

While our second room can be located anywhere on the ship (they assign it), it's still great to have. It's an extra place for one person to nap during sea days. It's an extra place to store stuff. It's an extra bathroom and an extra place to take a shower. You won't reailze how wonderful it is to have a second room until you actually have it.

 

Keep in mind that you can remove your 3rd guest with no penalty and move them to their own room, but if it's fewer than 14 days until sailing, you will need a supervisor's approval to waive the fees for doing so.

One thing you need to keep in mind is and contemplate is the loss of any perks. For example if you previously had the UBP or SDP etc. Now only one of you will be able to get free drinks or meals.

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OP: Your best post since the classic a couple years back about when to book.

Thank you very much.

I just made a great discovery, which is not at all being promoted by NCL (to my knowledge).

 

On certain poorly-selling cruises, solo cruisers can book an inside guarantee without paying the usual "single supplement" surcharge!

 

For those unaware, the "single supplement" charge basically forced solo cruisers to pay double when inhabiting a double-occupancy cabin (meaning all except studios) by themselves.

 

This made solo cruising expensive, and it also forced people with odd-numbered parties to stuff the extra guest into a room usually made for two.

 

I have an upcoming sailing (leaving very soon), and our party has three people -- myself, my wife, and our 7-year-old son.

 

I always get two rooms when I cruise, but this time I decided to save a bit of money and squeeze into one. (In previous years, I was able to get a cheap second room via the casino, but this year I couldn't.)

 

As a shot in the dark, I decided to look at the NCL site to see if the rate on insides had dropped enough to want to purchase a second room.

 

I was shocked to see that a solo guest can sail for $399 plus tax in an inside guarantee, and the single supplement charge is zero.

 

Since my wife is a Caesars Diamond, she got some additional money off, taking it down to $359. The tax is essentially the same (slightly more), so that pretty much cancels out.

 

I called NCL, had her removed from our first room, and she bought an inside guarantee as our second room. Now we have a second room -- with one official occupant -- for about $370 more. Excellent deal.

 

Once again, I cannot find this promoted ANYWHERE by NCL. It's something they seem to be doing on the down-low in order to encourage solo people to sail. Also, not all cruises will do this -- only the ones which aren't selling well.

 

Additionally, you probably won't find this until shortly before your ship sails -- maybe a few weeks out, but it's always worth a try earlier than that.

 

While our second room can be located anywhere on the ship (they assign it), it's still great to have. It's an extra place for one person to nap during sea days. It's an extra place to store stuff. It's an extra bathroom and an extra place to take a shower. You won't reailze how wonderful it is to have a second room until you actually have it.

 

Keep in mind that you can remove your 3rd guest with no penalty and move them to their own room, but if it's fewer than 14 days until sailing, you will need a supervisor's approval to waive the fees for doing so.

Thank you for this information as I have thought about cruising solo but won't pay double to do so! Pay no attention to the rude people and their replies regarding this "well known" secret.

Good grief. Thank you for information and ignore nasty people here. We are all just looking for good info to help others. I take all info in. Digest. Dismiss bad people. I recently booked a cruise on Sky (Inside - Sailaway). Next month. Their price dropped significantly from when I booked (less than 30 days out). My TA was able to get me an OV for $100 more and also onboard credit of $100. It cost me nothing to upgrade from inside to OV. Work with your TA or negotiate on your own. Yeah...solo travelers always take a hit, but understand how Corporate rolls to make $

:)

It's not a big secret, but fairly well kept and I don't "blame" NCL for advertising it loudly - it is true, last minute sailings this month & next month ... good TA would know about it or anyone else with time, working their magical keyboard (and, CC'er hanging out here often.)

 

It's a great "steal" for those self-employed, retirees and otherwise can pack & go ... on short notice - driving / short distance to the nearest NCL pier/cruise terminal ( NYC ... 30 to 45 minutes ride for us, LOL)

 

Breakaway out of NYC - just sailed yesterday, last minute was $299, Inside GTY & zero supplement - add port taxes/fees & DSC - is about $550 all inclusive. Bonus if you have a CruiseNext to use, that's a "discount" of $100 to $125 based on its face value vs. actual money paid. That bring it down to $450 or even $425 - of course, there are no NCL "freebies" to go with it, no UBP or SDP, etc. - saving mucho $$$ & just pay for whatever extra as desired. Platinum gets a bottle of wine, 2 specialty meal & a bottle of water, plus a bag of free laundry any day of the week - and, nearly every stateroom get a bottle of "bubbles" anyway. Yes, a great deal in my books.

 

Nearly same deal for this week's BA sailing, prices dropping - $329 for Inside, no solo supplement - still available to book. Now, here's the "bomb" - how about a balcony for under $1,000 for 7 nights ... same sailing, as a solo (it is actually cheaper to book as a solo Balcony-GTY than a Studio, no perks or freebies, of course.) Do a mock sailing & you will see - all that without using any CAS discounts or coupons, but I'm sure those qualified can further sweeten the ("prepaid" casino-rebated for playing) cruise even more. Lastly, NCL stock holders ... can get - still - piled OBC on top by submitting a request to shareholder relations ... whatever the deals are, so more rebate & lowered net cost.

 

Next week is Jersey Week & there will be kids as schools are out for them, so pricing/availability will be more challenged. Well, fire sales being run by other major lines lately - just need time to research & know how to price them out, etc. etc. - all the usual tricks of the trade for insiders and it's all "Kosher".

 

Here's something extra for thoughts - with last minute booking, some of the GTY rooms being reassigned, can actually be, if you are lucky - be in a rather nice deck & location, as they might've been reserved & held 18 months ago by seasoned cruisers, like those angled hump balconies ... those are the chances being taken. I would not be surprised to find deals & bargains out of Florida ports, just haven't been checking those.

 

P.S. Something is happening with all those Studio cabins, they are being vacated - up to 15 of them available at this moment, 5 days to sailing ... could it be that words got around & they upgrade bidded to move up for more space ??? Hmmm, we scored a balcony from a good OV for a poor offer (in the middle of that scale's range too).

Yes I am waiting for the first of January cruise to go that way

on the Breakaway and it is sure to as so many are upset about the decreased number of ports this year.. it has been a giveaway the last couple of years as people are less likely to cruise right after New Years or late Nov and December other than the holiday cruises.. always been a great time for solo cruisers

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