NO BARGAIN for Princess & single cruise travel !

[mediaman]

Hi CCers;

 

A recent Princess brochure, to club members, has a low rate for an Asian Cruise. It is not so great after single surcharges and other Princess costs are added.

 

A Japan/China cruise would start at a cost of double the brochure rates, for a single (no share).

 

The extra 'operational' overnights/transfers were listed for both ports at about $350 or more.

 

Adding two extra nights in Japan was a 50% increase for a single.

 

There was no member discount or travel agent (consortium) discount. Other fees added, too.

 

Airfare was quoted at about 50% higher than what may be found now from my home.

 

So, a cruise starting at $1700 USD would now be over $6500 USD! That does not include the onboard costs and tipping.

 

There are some other travel and cruise lines that now do better than Princess for single travel. I guess that I'll be traveling with them.

 

Some of the added fees are explainable and my figures are approximate, but the total is not good. I don't really want to share. "I could take another person almost for the single total", they said. Huh?

[BalconyGal]

Wow, that sucks! :eek:

[kruisey]

Hi CCers;

 

A recent Princess brochure, to club members, has a low rate for an Asian Cruise. It is not so great after single surcharges and other Princess costs are added.

 

A Japan/China cruise would start at a cost of double the brochure rates, for a single (no share).

 

The extra 'operational' overnights/transfers were listed for both ports at about $350 or more.

 

Adding two extra nights in Japan was a 50% increase for a single.

 

There was no member discount or travel agent (consortium) discount. Other fees added, too.

 

Airfare was quoted at about 50% higher than what may be found now from my home.

 

So, a cruise starting at $1700 USD would now be over $6500 USD! That does not include the onboard costs and tipping.

 

There are some other travel and cruise lines that now do better than Princess for single travel. I guess that I'll be traveling with them.

 

Some of the added fees are explainable and my figures are approximate, but the total is not good. I don't really want to share. "I could take another person almost for the single total", they said. Huh?

You didnot mention what kind of cabin you were booking. For and inside it would be 70%. If you have past passenger credits you get it cheaper.

I have found since I am now elite that Princess gives me good discounts for my passenger loyalty to them. Which I appreciate very much.

I don't know how you calculated your figures because double $1700=$3400 for the cabin.:confused:

[LARGIN]

You didnot mention what kind of cabin you were booking. For and inside it would be 70%. If you have past passenger credits you get it cheaper.

I have found since I am now elite that Princess gives me good discounts for my passenger loyalty to them. Which I appreciate very much.

I don't know how you calculated your figures because double $1700=$3400 for the cabin.:confused:

Never heard of cruise discounts for being Elite. Can you explain please??

[paul929207]

The bottom line is, most of the time, Princess will get two people to book every cabin. Why should they let someone have it for half price? Hotels charge the same for a room whether there is one or two people in the room.

[Toto2Kansas]

Never heard of cruise discounts for being Elite. Can you explain please??

 

A past passenger is a past passenger, doesn't matter what status you are in the Captain's Circle, at least for anyone I have ever talked to or the discounts I have seen direct from Princess (Elite has never brought me a bigger discount with Princess).:confused: Now we have received special promo pricing that is linked to our Captain's Circle number, but even then, not every Elite member in our group got the discount, some did, some didn't.

[Treven]

I don't think that's specific to Princess. I've cruised on most of the main-lines ships and know that it's going to cost me 100% of the single price. I won't share as I liken that to be like a blind date that lasts a week :p .

So the choice is entirely mine; either I pay double the price, or I stay home.

[Hflors]

Hi CCers;

 

A recent Princess brochure, to club members, has a low rate for an Asian Cruise. It is not so great after single surcharges and other Princess costs are added.

 

A Japan/China cruise would start at a cost of double the brochure rates, for a single (no share).

 

The extra 'operational' overnights/transfers were listed for both ports at about $350 or more.

 

Adding two extra nights in Japan was a 50% increase for a single.

 

There was no member discount or travel agent (consortium) discount. Other fees added, too.

 

Airfare was quoted at about 50% higher than what may be found now from my home.

 

So, a cruise starting at $1700 USD would now be over $6500 USD! That does not include the onboard costs and tipping.

 

There are some other travel and cruise lines that now do better than Princess for single travel. I guess that I'll be traveling with them.

 

Some of the added fees are explainable and my figures are approximate, but the total is not good. I don't really want to share. "I could take another person almost for the single total", they said. Huh?

 

Do you know anyone who would want to go with you? This way you would only need to pay half the costs. I hope you find a solution to this problem. It sounds like you really want to go.

 

helen

[Traveling Bob]

The bottom line is, most of the time, Princess will get two people to book every cabin. Why should they let someone have it for half price? Hotels charge the same for a room whether there is one or two people in the room.

 

True for most US hotels. But many European hotels charge by the person. And most All inclusive resorts (which are the closest comparison to a cruise) charge more for the 1st person and lower amounts for each additional. They take into account that the space is used by the 1st person and the others only use extra food.

[kruisey]

Never heard of cruise discounts for being Elite. Can you explain please??

 

I receive must better past customer credits since I became elite.

We all know that Princess also allows 'Specials' on certain cabins that only last for a couple of days .One has to keep checking this coupled with past passenger credits gives one a good discount.

Lets not bring up the TA versus Princess direct again. To each his own as far as I am concerned.:)

I must add the cabins I reserve and can afford are always under ocean view.These are usually the ones one can get 'Specials on'

[paul929207]

True for most US hotels. But many European hotels charge by the person. And most All inclusive resorts (which are the closest comparison to a cruise) charge more for the 1st person and lower amounts for each additional. They take into account that the space is used by the 1st person and the others only use extra food.

Or does the first person pay for the room, and their food and drink, while the second just pays the extra for food & drink

[lovevacadays]

I receive must better past customer credits since I became elite.

We all know that Princess also allows 'Specials' on certain cabins that only last for a couple of days .One has to keep checking this coupled with past passenger credits gives one a good discount.

Lets not bring up the TA versus Princess direct again. To each his own as far as I am concerned.:)

I must add the cabins I reserve and can afford are always under ocean view.These are usually the ones one can get 'Specials on'

 

 

Huh? Elite do not receive any better past passenger rates than other past passengers. But if it makes you feel better thinking so that's great.

[Toto2Kansas]

Huh? Elite do not receive any better past passenger rates than other past passengers. But if it makes you feel better thinking so that's great.

 

I sooooooo agree with you. ;)

[kruisey]

Huh? Elite do not receive any better past passenger rates than other past passengers. But if it makes you feel better thinking so that's great.

Wow I always feel better with the rates Princess gives me:)

[rdsqrl]

The bottom line is, most of the time, Princess will get two people to book every cabin. Why should they let someone have it for half price? Hotels charge the same for a room whether there is one or two people in the room.

Hotels are doing exactly the same thing, only you don't realize it. The rate for a hotel room is $300/night. I alone pay that $300, or you pay $150 and your wife pays $150. Sure, your $150s are coming from a joint checking account but at the end of the day, you're paying less on a per person basis for that room at the Ritz-Carlton than I am.

Anyway, not to get way off topic here, but there's a lot more to the cruise fare than just a cabin. I may be only one person in that cabin but I'm also not eating as much as two people nor do I require as much service (one set of towels to launder, one set of dishes/silverware/glasseware to wash, etc.) as two people. While I'm still spending as much as, if not more, than a couple in bars/excursions/other extras (I base this on posts I've read herein from others referencing their total onboard expenditures for both as far less than mine have been). Why shouldn't Princess let someone (i.e. a Platinum and above cruiser as a fan-bloody-tastic loyalty benefit) book a cabin for a much reduced single supplement, say 25%?

[Pam in CA]

I've been cruising as a single for years on both Princess and HAL. On some itineraries when I book a basic outside cabin, I've paid 150%; for balconies and mini-suites, I've paid 200%. This is nothing new and is the price of cruising as a single. A good TA will get you a nice discount but you're still paying the extra.

 

Sometimes, I'm approached by others on my roll calls to say that their mother/aunt/sister was looking for a roommate and they were sure I'd enjoy rooming with them. I respond saying that I appreciate the thought but I cruise as a single in a cabin by choice and perhaps someone else might be interested.

 

Paying the premium to cruise as a single is the cost of cruising. It is what it is. FYI, I don't think I've ever received an additional discount because I'm Elite; never heard of that.

[RickEk]

You might want to take a look at the new Norwegian Epic. She, apparently, has 128 single occupancy rooms.

[Pam in CA]

You might want to take a look at the new Norwegian Epic. She, apparently, has 128 single occupancy rooms.

The old Regal and Crown Princess had single cabins. They were great even though they were on deck 4 and had portholes instead of a big window. They were large with tons of storage.

[rdsqrl]

You might want to take a look at the new Norwegian Epic. She, apparently, has 128 single occupancy rooms.

The old Island and Pacific did, too -- nice little cabins on the Promenade deck. Great location. Great ships. Sigh. I miss the original little girls . . .

[airlink diva]

Good evening!

Welcome to the world of solo cruising Mediaman!

Regardless of what major and most minor cruiselines you sail on, a single supplement is in place. The only sailing where I had no single supplement was when I sailed on the Alaskan State Ferry. It was a base rate that was the same for everyone and the cabin cost was just based on the cabin,not how many people using it.

May I suggest if you are flexible to check all the sailing for this cruise. One sailing may not be selling that well and a better price is offered. Also if the sailing you look at is during prime sailing time,expect it to be higher.

You didn't state what type of cabin for the sailing. Often an inside (and sometimes an outside) is a smaller difference. Balconies and suites rarely go lower than 200% for solo cruisers.

There are some who sail alot that are offer great rates. I know someone who sails on another line (HAL) that get great rates. But this person sails five to ten times a year with them and at that level, better rates that I will ever get.

But sadly single supplement rates are a fact for solo cruises. I would love to pay less for my cruises. I normally sail with rates between 120% to 150%. My best was last year on the Fantasy (the sailing was changed from a five to seven day and I was upgraded to an outside. Final cost was $87 a day). On sailings where it's not selling well, the mid to low 125% to 130%. Also, if you can find a great travel agent that keeps an eye on solo cruises or have heavy bookings with Princess, they can find good rates.

Also on the airfare, sounds like you are looking at the cruise air. Shopping around on your own for this can often find a better fare.

If this is a cruise that you really want to do and can't find anyone to share the cabin with, just bite down and research to find the best rate that you can afford and enjoy the cruise.

[Buddy604]

I agree with the other posters that if you look around, you can sometimes find reduced single supplement deals on sailings that aren't selling too well. Unfortunately, on the popular runs expect to pay the 150% - 200%.

 

Unlike AI resorts, cruise lines expect to make a significant profit on each passenger's onboard spend - drinks, casino, photos, shops, specialty dining - so the fact that as a single they're only feeding one of you for the same fare, they're more than losing that food cost savings in the extra revenue your no-existent roommate isn't spending.

[SomeBeach]

I just appreciate that Princess recognizes that I pay for 2 and gives me 2 cruise credits. If I book a suite, I would receive 3 credits.

To my knowledge, no other line has started that program.

[Joshua1]

I just appreciate that Princess recognizes that I pay for 2 and gives me 2 cruise credits. If I book a suite, I would receive 3 credits.

To my knowledge, no other line has started that program.

 

do you mean that you get a credit for each person?

 

We have done a few cruises as a couple and have only got 1 credit for each cruise is this right? On the last cruise we only got 1 credit and that was for a mini suite.

[airlink diva]

do you mean that you get a credit for each person?

 

We have done a few cruises as a couple and have only got 1 credit for each cruise is this right? On the last cruise we only got 1 credit and that was for a mini suite.

 

Yes, by sailing solo on a Princess ship, it's counted as two cruises!! That's why a solo person can get to a higher level due to this. But I wish all cruiselines do this!!

[robgvic]

Have you seen the p and o's new ship, aurora i think, now has single cabins. The only problem is that they are sold out for this year and, wow, are they expensive.

 

Be thankful we in canada and us don't have topay the terrible prices they do in uk. No, we do not get p and o any cheaper than they do, to be beswt of my knowledge