Single Cabin Question

[bunky144]

My husband and I decided to take my Mom on a cruise for her 80th birthday next year. She has never cruised before, needs her own cabin due to a medical issue. It is a dream for her to go on a cruise however, having cruised several times before with my husband we actually did not realize that single cabins were not available at a reasonable price but are 200% higher than a cabin with 2 passengers. A family suite is a little out of our price range and I am not sure what alternatives we might have. Can anyone make any suggestions? I do not want to disappoint my Mom and although I prefer Princess I am willing to look at other cruise lines that might be more reasonable. I thank everyone who responds in advance for your suggestions and appreciate any information you might provide. Have A Wonderful Day!

[kryos]

My husband and I decided to take my Mom on a cruise for her 80th birthday next year. She has never cruised before, needs her own cabin due to a medical issue. It is a dream for her to go on a cruise however, having cruised several times before with my husband we actually did not realize that single cabins were not available at a reasonable price but are 200% higher than a cabin with 2 passengers.

That's not necessarily true. Oftentimes you can get a single cabin at between 125% and 150%. I've traveled Princess twice this past year, and never paid 200%. Of course, I always get inside cabins and I know the single supplement for them is far cheaper than it would be, say, for a balcony cabin.

 

It is only if you are traveling in peak time periods (holiday sailings, etc.) or really exotic itineraries (South Pacific, etc.) that you will pay 200%. Keep looking, or better still hook up with a good travel agent and let her do the looking for you. You'll surely find something for your mom that won't cost an arm and a leg.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[custompcsys]

The "single premiums" vary from cruise line to cruise line and from sailing to sailing. I'm cruising in a single cabin next month on the Diamond and paid about 175% of the double-occupancy rate. If you are flexible as to cruise line and/or intinerary, you might want to have your TA shop the best single rate for you. Some cruise lines are more single-friendly than others, so it pays to look around!

 

By the way, I'm planning to take my 80 year old mom on a northern European cruise in 2006. We're going to have to share a cabin, its the only way to make it affordable for a 10-night cruise. Not my first choice, but its better than not going! Good luck, I hope mom enjoys! :)

[Desert Nurse]

single cabins were not available at a reasonable price but are 200% higher than a cabin with 2 passengers.

 

As some posters have already mentioned, the usual single supplement is 125-150%. I cruise alone most of the time and have never paid 200% on Princess. If it is an exotic cruise, holiday cruise or you are booking a suite, then the single supplement on Princess is 200%. Be sure to check with another travel agent or online to see if you are getting acurate information.

 

The single supplement issue is why I quit crusing with Royal Caribbean as their policy is now 200% supplement on all cabins, all cruises. The represenative I spoke with told me the change in policy was because a large portion of the revenue is based on casino, bar and shore excursion sales so they don't make as much money on a single.

[kruisey]

I always book an inside cabin and it states that it is 175% for inside.....Princess have never charged me 200%.Ask Princess themselves...get the price of an inside from them.

I can understand the cruise lines point of view...they could be getting revenue for two instead of one....and we must remember although its a vacation for us ,it is a business for them.

Its a pity they don't allow the ships to be built with a few single cabins anymore because there are alot of singles in the world.

[kruisey]

I should have used 160% :)

[Pam in CA]

I often cruise in a single cabin, particularly on longer and exotic cruises when I go with my sister, BIL and friends, and I've never been charged a 200% supplement. The most I've been charged is 180%, even for a balcony by myself. (Still significant.) Some cruiselines offer Senior discounts (not Princess). You might also consider going at a less-expensive time. For instance, it's a LOT less-expensive to cruise in early December than it is two weeks later. A good TA will have all of that information and know what sort of discounts are available and which sailings are less-expensive.

[taterules]

Also, if the prices are just too high for you, you might consider leaving your husband and home and just going with your mom. If this is a possibility for you, I'm sure she would love to go and just spend time with you.

[WeBeGone]

I'm taking my 81 yr old dad on his first cruise in Sept. to Alaska. I didn't care what it cost for a single. Sometimes memories and experiences are more important than money.

[sunprincess]

I usually travel as a single. You can find deals with Princess even as a single.

They do have a Share Program. But, you did mention that your Mom had some health issues, so she may not want to share a cabin. Did you price the suite? It might be a better deal than the single supp. for Mom.

Good Luck.

[susancruzs]

I sail single alot and right now single prices are higher than a few years ago. Princess has a strange way of figuring single pricing, they give you what looks between 125% and maybe 150% but then they double the taxes.

 

For my upcoming Sea Princess cruises in Sept. I paid maybe 125% but they added on this unbelievable amount for taxes/port fees. There was a thread a few months back on this very issue with Princess.

 

Susie

[Coral]

It is correct - Princess can charge anywhere between 125 - 200% for singles and from what I can tell, Princess charges double port charges (not sure why they do this).

 

Though percents are not the whole picture - for example, for a recent cruise - the cost for a single cabin was 160% (outside) using one rate code though there was a flash rate and the cost using the flash rate was 200% (based on a different rate code) for an outside cabin. One would think that the person paying 160% was getting a better deal - in reality, the 2 prices were identical (but they had different single supplement percentage).

 

It also seems that balcony cabins are almost always at 200%.