New policy!!! 1a solos no longer 150%

[hdawson]

Hey guys! It's their ship and we have the privilege to sail or not.

[Froufie]

I would suggest all those not happy with this decision let Carnival know (you can find a 'contact us' email form on the Carnival home page. I am anxious to hear their response regarding why they are doing this - I don't think they realize they are alienating many of their (previously?) loyal solo cruisers who would be looking elsewhere to spend their cruising dollars!!!

[iowagirl411]

Also consider this. When 2 people are onboard they usually will do the following more;

 

1. Order more DOD's

2. Order More Photos (SGL's may not buy any photos at all)

3. Spend more on Overpriced T-shirts & Souveniors

4. Less likely to purchase Excursion. Also 2nd charge here lost also

 

These are all HIGH Profit centers for the cruiseline. So it isnt just the Cruise Fare they want to make up, it is all the little HIGH profit extras.

 

Wow! and to think I was feeling bad for the solo cruisers esp. since cruising solo was something I was planning for the future. Now I find out I wouldn't be drinking or making purchases or going on excursions?

 

Are you sure of your facts?

 

I can drink enough for 2 or 3(4?), can shop with the best, and as a solo would be more likely to purchase a ship sponsored excursion.

[INCHARGE]

After reading this post, I high-tailed over to the Carnival website, and locked in on an 8-day Freedom cruise next year. I called Carnival, and she said yes, it is going to 200% tomorrow. What she didn't know, was the Cruise Critic cruisers had already given us the 4-1-1. :D

I was going to wait for a week or two before booking, but I am so glad I read this thread today. Thanks so much for the info. Saved me hundreds. :)

[MOHAVE]

I think they probably know. There are only a dozen or so 1A cabins on each ship and all the math everybody assumes here is probably correct. Ifno other line is doing this, why should Carnival? But I not really sure what it is they think they are going to do to make any real money on some of these misfit cabins.

I booked a second cruise on the rumor. Now that I'm convinced, I'm thinking of booking a third tonight. The 100 sq foot cabin on the other cruise line may not charge for the second person but what good is that if the solo price is double Carnival in the first place?

[Tara&Jas]

Oh that sucks!

 

We were planning a "family cruise vacation" but will have to look into something else that works for all of us, instead of just the couples.

[urbanhawk]

I take it that the second cabin in the video is a 1A.

I had never seen one before and didn't know that they were available. It is too bad to hear the news but who would pay 200% for this room when they can get a larger cabin? I would have considered it for future cruises but not at 200%. :mad:

 

The 1A's are 185 sq. feet-same as the other inside cabins, just as an f.y.i.:)......

[IslandCruz]

Nobody owes anyone facts and names upon any demands. This is a forums board, not a corporate office. Anyway, you're not going to get some broadcast statement from Carnival, you're just going to try to book after this week and find the higher rates. The greatest evidance that this is true (and you may be correct, it may be a great hoax that all Carnival PVP are telling all us us recent bookers on the phone) is that several of us, including me were told this one the phone in the last couple days as we were booking solo 1A rooms. I was sceptical but am fully convinced now. Carnival told me it is true.

 

I didn't demand anything. I asked with a please in the request. I was trying to substantiate this news as legit. I have since confirmed a policy change will take effect. The date in the original post is wrong. I know this is a cruise forum board and not a corporate office. Personal attacks are not in order.

[firefly333]

The 1A's are 185 sq. feet-same as the other inside cabins, just as an f.y.i.:)......

 

... and lots are larger. The 1As on Conquest are much in demand, with either two twins or the larger ones on the lower decks, that have two port holes are all larger than 185 s.f., one twin and one sofa.

 

I think thats the problem ...on the conquest, triumph and destiny class, the 1As are often larger than a regular inside ..and some of these larger ones are on higher decks.

[Cruiser@Heart]

I just booked Cabin #2445 on the Triumph for my little ol' lonely self last night. It is an L Shaped cabin and has TWO big windows. Lot's of floor space. It is considered a 1A cabin. :D Loved my cabin (#2216) on the Valor last year, but think I am going to love the room in this one even more. SWEET!!!!

[DGP1111]

Anyway, the point is, if a room will fit 2 people, and it is designed for 2 people, then by gosh it should have the revenue of 2 people.

 

That really is the bottom line.

 

Dingo:

I'm going to ask you to be completely honest here and let me know if you'd not be more than a wee bit torqued if CCL started charging two persons (a couple) for a third, non-existent, person because the room had a pull down bed available??

 

That would, therefore, be a room "designed for 3 people".

[MOHAVE]

I didn't demand anything. I asked with a please in the request. I was trying to substantiate this news as legit. I have since confirmed a policy change will take effect. The date in the original post is wrong. I know this is a cruise forum board and not a corporate office. Personal attacks are not in order.

It wasn't an attack. I'm sorry if it seemed so.

[royd1968]

Dingo:

I'm going to ask you to be completely honest here and let me know if you'd not be more than a wee bit torqued if CCL started charging two persons (a couple) for a third, non-existent, person because the room had a pull down bed available??

 

That would, therefore, be a room "designed for 3 people".

 

great point

[tiger belle]

Loved my cabin (#2216) on the Valor last year

 

I am booked in this same cabin on Triumph...aren't Valor and Triumph the same class of ship? if so, I am happy to see that you loved that cabin...any pics?

[firefly333]

I am booked in this same cabin on Triumph...aren't Valor and Triumph the same class of ship? if so, I am happy to see that you loved that cabin...any pics?

 

No, not quite. Triumph is Triumph class, doesnt have pay dinner restaurant or Sur Mer.

 

Valor is Conquest class, about 300 pax bigger, longer ship.

 

The L shaped 1A spoken of is no longer a 1a on the conquest class because it was changed to two twins, but on triumph its still a 1A with bunk beds ..but has two large full sized windows ...the windows are the big attraction.

[Cruiser@Heart]

On the Valor, I had a single bed and a sofa with a port hole. (#2216) It was super quiet and a fairly smooth sailing feeling. The cabin was very roomy. I loved it.

 

VALOR 1A CABIN #2216

 

 

I am really excited to snag one of the L shaped cabins on the Triumph. On the Conquest class ships these are now considered a 6B. :rolleyes:

 

I found these pics posted regarding this cabin in a Cruise Critic review:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1015096&highlight=2445

[k2excursion]

This is not a smart move at all by Carnival. I've cruised solo only once out of 7 cruises. However, if I have to pay 200% and not 150% for a solo 1A, I would instead spend slightly more to get a 4A with the 2 beds that can push together instead of just one bed. Ultimately, in this scenario, I take away a 4A that could have otherwise been booked by 2 people who would have both then drank and gambled and bought merchandise. Meanwhile, even though all non-1As may sell out on the cruise, the 1A that I would've otherwise booked remains empty, as nobody will book that. All solo cruisers will go with a category 4, and no couples will go with a 1A.

 

Ultimately, for me, what this means is that I will go on fewer cruises as the years go by, since I will now only cruise with others. I had thoughts of throwing in an extra solo cruise every year or two, but not anymore. And the 1As that I don't book will remain empty. Carnival isn't going to make more money with this decision. They'll lose money. I guess once they see all the empty 1As and the money they're losing, they'll change the policy back.

 

Oh, yeah. While 1A rooms vary in size and some can be bigger, the general rule is that they are about 160 sq.ft, despite what Carnival's website will try to claim. Cruisedeckplans backs me up on this. Plus, the Elation 1A that I was in was definitely no bigger than 160. The 1A on the Holiday was probably around 150.

[reggierail]

It's too bad but I will now look at other cruise lines when I sail solo.

At least RCCL and Celebrity only charge 100% port charges for the solo cruiser. Carnival charges the port charges at the same 150 or 200% as the cruise fare. :eek:

[sjn911]

I had a 1A booked before this news for fall...may cancel it as things roll along here.

 

Helped me decide to find a TA and get a better than advertised rate on premium rather than mainstream line for my next cruise in a lower level mid ship outside category for the following fall. I did not rush to Carnival to book one more 1A..too mad. I get the theory of the more beds occupied the more money made period. Other arguments also ring true...on budget lines singles are more apt to pay for offered services..and many do gladly pay for the suites alone etc. and for even better service as they can afford...I've met those folks on Carnival. One gal was paying 1600 for her Cat.11 suite on Paradise for 4 days and I was paying 297..or so for my same 4 days in the 1A...it was last June this exact time...special 30 day out sale etc...and I had an Escort older gals gig..had to really find a budget way last year.

 

I've read a few price things here..everyone resarches and gets different deals etc..I really understand when a budget is really tight and these 1a's on Fantasy class are great; but just not 2 people really great for a longer time on a regular basis.

 

Just want to add that I think that Epic price was a 7 day at around $800 a ways back..for a ship with TONS of new things and options..not bad for what you get..but I do understand the super duper better 1A prices especally on 4,5 and 6 day cruises with Carnival...just thought that was pretty good for what it was....

 

Thanks to more comments today..now yesterday...maybe writing them will not be completely "spitting in the wind." (Smiles)...Solo travellers unite!!! I'll drop a line.

 

Gee it feels good that lots of people (SINGLE AND DOUBLE) care and do not like this..hey..there are going to be more solos as our long time spanse boomer group.. kick and scream our way through the years there...and at lots of levels. They have to have a way to have it cost effective for the mainstream middle income group. We do not give up on travel..we find better options and they will want our dollar if we vote with out pocket book.

[k2excursion]

I know I went on my long rant earlier, but has this info been verified? I'm just wondering, because I haven't yet seen the change on the website. It's still 150%.

[BeyondKen]

Also consider this. When 2 people are onboard they usually will do the following more;

 

1. Order more DOD's

2. Order More Photos (SGL's may not buy any photos at all)

3. Spend more on Overpriced T-shirts & Souveniors

4. Less likely to purchase Excursion. Also 2nd charge here lost also

 

These are all HIGH Profit centers for the cruiseline. So it isnt just the Cruise Fare they want to make up, it is all the little HIGH profit extras.

 

Wow! and to think I was feeling bad for the solo cruisers esp. since cruising solo was something I was planning for the future. Now I find out I wouldn't be drinking or making purchases or going on excursions?

 

Are you sure of your facts?

 

I can drink enough for 2 or 3(4?), can shop with the best, and as a solo would be more likely to purchase a ship sponsored excursion.

I think I'm going to have to side with Airwolf here:

 

 

My 1A cabin on the Destiny:

[Traveler353]

Just checked my up coming cruises and a couple of more. September Triumph has sold out all 1As so nothing to check there. December Elation is still at 150% for 1As. Also checked a couple of other cruises in the future for Elation and all 1As are still showing 150% on both. Called Carnival direct to double check and they also still have the same two cruises as 150%. I am assuming if the reports are true that Carnival has not updated its data base as of this time. I am in wait and see mode on this.

[halos]

Hey guys! It's their ship and we have the privilege to sail or not.

 

I totally agree with that!!! If you don't like what they're doing, then try a different line. That's always my mantra.

I'm just very curious as to why CCL seems hell bent on pushing some people to NOT cruise with them lately. :confused:

 

...waiting to see what the next little 'change' will be.

[hdawson]

Michael. When I checked with Carnival Sat about the change and availability of 1As on Fantasy for Nov 15th, there were only three 1As left. I called my TA and took one of them. Same cabin that I'm on Elation in Aug. That way I'll know my way around. lol

[MOHAVE]

I just ran through the same booking process on the Carnival sight that I did yesterday. Thus far, the price is the same. Maybe Carnival was fishing yesterday. Maybe the web master isn't in yet. At 6:20 AM Mountand standard this morning, the price is the same as yesterday for a solo 1A booking.