Good sign or bad sign?

[fantasy51]

fishywood, thanks for the scoop, and sorry, Dancer Bob, I was unaware of Cunard's policy that thwarts a solo's ability to simply pay 200%. Isn't that uncommon in the travel industry? In fact, I can envision how it could produce a rash of last-minute ill partner scenarios--why foster that artifice?

 

Cunard and P&O had this policy in the UK last year. I think quite a few of us complained. I saw one marvellous cruise where a solo would be paying four times as much for the stateroom as a couple, because we could not access the cheap deals. Loads of us complained and they changed their policy. I alerted the BBC and ended up on a TV programme over it (though Cunard had already decided to change their policy before it aired).

 

The moral is, write in to Cunard and complain. Write to newspapers and well-recognised TV channels.

 

I went as far as checking my facts first. I contacted Trading Standards here, who put me on to a discrimination board, who said there was nothing in law to say that different rates for singles was discrimination. Evidently we are not protected.

[BlueRiband]

Just to play Devil's Advocate on the solo fare exclusions: What would keep a couple from waiting out a deal and then booking individual staterooms? A place to put the extra luggage, your own bathroom, perhaps sleep separately on some nights if one wants to retire early and the other prefers spend time in G32?

 

Why book 2 or 3 in a stateroom at $1199 per person if at $1198 ($599 x 2) per person each one can have their own? It would take five minutes for people to figure this out and in a short time a cruise line would go bankrupt.

 

I'm looking at the TA deals on the US site, and perhaps I'm being discriminated against because I'm not retired and cannot take advantage - solo fares or no solo fares.

[Calliope]

I heard a story about two people that planned to make a crossing together, but one was not able to go. Cunard went to the travel agent after the voyage was over asking to collect the increased difference between one vs. the two traveling together. No one was remotely amused.

[Salacia]

I heard a story about two people that planned to make a crossing together, but one was not able to go. Cunard went to the travel agent after the voyage was over asking to collect the increased difference between one vs. the two traveling together. No one was remotely amused.

 

 

Calliope, hopefully the passenger who was unable to sail had travel insurance since he or she was unable to board.

 

It's never amusing when a passenger is unable to sail, but I can understand why cruise lines pursue the matter of one person boarding for a double occupancy cabin, but not second passenger. Did the second passenger contact Cunard and advise that he or she would not be able to board?

 

I've read that some people advise that a solo passenger makes a booking for two, knowing that the second passenger is a 'dummy' booking.

Not to suggest that is a common practice, but one that cruise lines are vigilant

in investigating.

[Salacia]

In Germany the crossings Hamburg to New York on Nov, 10th and New York to Southampton on Nov, 19th inside are advertised for €899 including the flights over the pond, eastbound also include transfer to Heathrow and flight to Germany. Single surcharge is 25%

Unfortunately I can not do the trips, because I'm ill :-(

But I think if I were not ill I had done my booking early and had paid more money.

 

I like Nov. crossings, but I think there will be none the next two years. Next year there will be a cruise to the Caribbean and the year after I think there will be the refit.

 

Hi Frank. That's pretty sweet deal. I'm sorry you can't avail yourself of that bargain, but I'm even more sorry that you have been ill. Ich hoffe, es geht dir wieder besser. Regards, Salacia

[Keuka Lake Sailor]

I booked the November 12th crossing last July when they offered no single supplement on this sailing. I paid $1199 for cheapest iniside which was the pp rate at the time. Also $150 obc included. I have since been upgraded to an inhull balcony on deck 4 so am well satisfied. I have no problem traveling in an inside cabin, but of course, nicer to have the view and fresh air. I also get the $100 military credit so that helps out too. Airfare from JFK to Heathrow thru Cunard Air was 331.51 on Virgin Atlantic. This voyage now appears to be sold out except with the exception of a few categories of insides still available.

[babs135]

Cunard and P&O had this policy in the UK last year. I think quite a few of us complained. I saw one marvellous cruise where a solo would be paying four times as much for the stateroom as a couple, because we could not access the cheap deals. Loads of us complained and they changed their policy. I alerted the BBC and ended up on a TV programme over it (though Cunard had already decided to change their policy before it aired).

 

The moral is, write in to Cunard and complain. Write to newspapers and well-recognised TV channels.

 

I went as far as checking my facts first. I contacted Trading Standards here, who put me on to a discrimination board, who said there was nothing in law to say that different rates for singles was discrimination. Evidently we are not protected.

 

I wonder how they class discrimination? I suspect it's probably fine line. Still seems grossly unfair. It's not my daughter's fault that she hasn't got a partner and, therefore, it is cheaper for her to share with us rather than have her own cabin. Single people still want to take holidays and surely their money is as good as anyone else's. If it's simply a case of one person will not spend as much as two, it's a weak arguement. Our DD could be a rabid alcoholic who would drink Cunard dry - BTW she isn't :D

[Jim Avery]

Short term it's good for anybody who has the flexibility of time to go on short notice.

 

Long term it's not good as Cunard will cut back on late season TAs if they have to drop prices this low.

 

I agree with you that this could mean fewer future TAs. Unfortunately, doing that will put other pressures on QM2. Imho, QM2 is not a good choice for port intensive cruising as she has to anchor out and tender at many ports or (worse) dock at remote heavy commercial facilities. I still contend that part of the lack of interest in TAs is the plodding 7 and 8 day crossings on a ship capable of so much more. The 5 day norm meant one could sail one way, fly the other with a day at one end all in a week's time off work. No longer possible. Personally, I have a goodly number of Cunard TAs ranging from Queen Mary to QM2 and no longer choose to sail them. I just cannot seem to enjoy a powerful ship just idling along. My opinion, your mileage may vary.:D:D

[BlueRiband]

... I still contend that part of the lack of interest in TAs is the plodding 7 and 8 day crossings on a ship capable of so much more. The 5 day norm meant one could sail one way, fly the other with a day at one end all in a week's time off work. No longer possible. Personally, I have a goodly number of Cunard TAs ranging from Queen Mary to QM2 and no longer choose to sail them. I just cannot seem to enjoy a powerful ship just idling along. My opinion, your mileage may vary.

 

Agreed and I made note of that in free text comment area in the survey sent last month. As somebody who is still working I don't have time for longer and longer TAs. (I do understand that slowing ships down was a Carnival-wide move made to save on fuel as consumption increases exponentially with speed.)

 

Many posts on the boards however indicate that some members are very disciplined in their discretionary spending. If certain TAs are made up primarily of passengers who:

 

1. sail only on a rock bottom deals
   
2. rarely order anything (alcoholic or not) from the bars
   
3. don't use the spa or casino
   
4. don't dine in any specialty restaurants
   
5. don't buy anything on board
   

then these sailings are losing money. Future TAs where the passenger demographic is likely to fit this profile will be stretched even further to compensate or dropped altogether. Superb food, service, and amenities at rock bottom pricing cannot co-exist for very long. It's just Economics 101.

Edited November 2, 2014 by BlueRiband

[Calliope]

Calliope, hopefully the passenger who was unable to sail had travel insurance since he or she was unable to board.

 

It's never amusing when a passenger is unable to sail, but I can understand why cruise lines pursue the matter of one person boarding for a double occupancy cabin, but not second passenger. Did the second passenger contact Cunard and advise that he or she would not be able to board?

 

I've read that some people advise that a solo passenger makes a booking for two, knowing that the second passenger is a 'dummy' booking.

Not to suggest that is a common practice, but one that cruise lines are vigilant

in investigating.

 

I honestly don't know any more about what happened or if the passenger whom was unable to make the crossing notified Cunard or not.

[Ab Ovo]

Having flexibility, I take it as a good sign, certainly for me and booked two westbound TAs …. 12 November and 15 December. Of course as a Single I pay the 2x rate. It's still cheaper than my "special single rate" offered last 15 December. Got air, Delta both times, and OBC. There were no small-print "nos" for me. Feel it is nonsense to think there are cutbacks on the ship to give these fares. When she, or the others, runs toward low bookings and a light load, Flash Fares attract. These fares between $399 to $599 pp.(offered only on three voyages) for a cabin on these TAs are the best in years!

[BlueRiband]

Having flexibility, I take it as a good sign, certainly for me and booked two westbound TAs … Feel it is nonsense to think there are cutbacks on the ship to give these fares. When she, or the others, runs toward low bookings and a light load, Flash Fares attract. These fares between $399 to $599 pp.(offered only on three voyages) for a cabin on these TAs are the best in years!

 

Great that the pricing and timing worked for you, and I hope you have two great crossings.

 

I do have to disagree with your statement, "Feel it is nonsense to think there are cutbacks on the ship to give these fares." Carnival is not in business to lose money. We've read from several sources where the average price paid affects food budgets. And the following year she'll be deployed where it is more profitable.

 

Remember when the first WB TA for QM2 had her arriving in New York mid to late April? Now it's mid to late May. She's on a longer world voyage because the April TAs generated less revenue. Bad for those who once enjoyed at great late April fare for a flight and a WB.

Edited November 8, 2014 by BlueRiband