Why do cruise lines charge the same amount for an additional person?

[BoiiMcFly]

For example, I purchase a stateroom and pay $800, add my wife as an extra person and she still pays the full price. Shouldn't every additional guest be less since they are not receiving another room?

 

In that case we could make 2 reservations, get 2 rooms (possibly connected if that exists) and still pay the same price as if we share 1 room? Are my calculations off or is that right?

[cruisemom42]

Huh?

 

The cruise lines' profit model is based on getting bodies onboard and then upcharging the heck out of them. They want to have at least two people in every cabin.

 

If you're a solo in a cabin, you are basically paying for two bodies, much of the time (in other words, the cruise lines charge you a 100% supplement). There are a few single cabins here and there on ships, and a few lines that charge slightly less for a solo -- but mostly for less desireable inside cabins.

 

People have complained about this for years, but not much changes. Some compare it to a hotel room, which basically charges the same for one or two people. Others say why should they pay for two people when they aren't eating two sets of meals, and so on. (Here's a clue: the cost of feeding a person 3 meals a day and then some on a cruise ship isn't that much.....the main cost is the space.)

 

But hey, at least us solos only pay one set of port taxes and gratuities!! :cool:

 

I'm not sure I understand your last sentence. In general, the model is: if the cabin is $800 and there are two occupants, the cruise fare for each occupant is $400. If you are a solo in a cabin, you generally still pay $800.

 

If you and the wife each get a separate room, then you're paying $1600 (or basically, for four occupants).

[Sequim88]

Actually it's more like the cabin is $1,600 whether one or two are in it. So called "single supplement" if you cruise alone you're going to pay the whole amount. So sort of works as you describe - just phrased differently and probably done so for legal reasons (cruise contract and all that). 3rd and 4th persons actually are less per person but the cabin rate is calculated based on two people (double occupancy).

[sail7seas]

For example, I purchase a stateroom and pay $800, add my wife as an extra person and she still pays the full price. Shouldn't every additional guest be less since they are not receiving another room?

 

In that case we could make 2 reservations, get 2 rooms (possibly connected if that exists) and still pay the same price as if we share 1 room? Are my calculations off or is that right?

 

 

You thhink you have a complaint? :D

 

 

Your theory is wron g and here is why

 

I am a widow and cruise as a solo. I pay for two people to be in my suite though I will be the only occupant. I pay gthe same amountaas a couple but I am a single. At least in your example, there are two peoople who will be enjjoying the cruise. In a solo's case, there is only one person but in a solo's case, we pay for two people...... smae for a hotel room. You pay for the room the same amount whether there is a couple in it or a solo.

Edited January 30, 2017 by sail7seas

[Kartgv]

First, because they can - a high percentage of cruises sail full. Second - unlike a hotel, you're not just paying for a room. Your $800 includes all food (except specialty restaurants), entertainment, transport from one great location to several other great locations, etc. All those thing cost the cruise lines money. If you try to book two separate rooms for each person, you'll most likely get hit with the 'single supplement' (a couple of cruise lines do have a small number of small rooms for singles). You would probably end up paying $1600 for each room - a steep price to pay for 2 bathrooms!

[sail7seas]

You think you have a complailnt? Try this.....

 

 

 

I am a widow and must paytt for two people though I will be the only person in my suite. At leasft in yourf example, gtgwo people ewill enjjoy the cruise. In a solo's case, only one peson is in the cab in though we apy as though gttherea are ttwo.

[BoiiMcFly]

Sorry guys I was confused by their booking system. Just found out that if you cruise alone you basically pay for 2 people. I thought the price I saw was per room, but it is not. The price you get as a solo cruiser is the actual price of the cabin. Wow that's crazy, so cruising solo is actually more expensive than as a couple or family.

[BoiiMcFly]

You think you have a complailnt? Try this.....

 

 

 

I am a widow and must paytt for two people though I will be the only person in my suite. At leasft in yourf example, gtgwo people ewill enjjoy the cruise. In a solo's case, only one peson is in the cab in though we apy as though gttherea are ttwo.

 

Yeah that's crazy, they should only make you pay for half of the rate. Doesn't NCL have discounted cabins for solo cruisers? I thought I saw something about that on the Epic.

[leaveitallbehind]

For example, I purchase a stateroom and pay $800, add my wife as an extra person and she still pays the full price. Shouldn't every additional guest be less since they are not receiving another room?

 

In that case we could make 2 reservations, get 2 rooms (possibly connected if that exists) and still pay the same price as if we share 1 room? Are my calculations off or is that right?

 

Sorry, but I'm not following your logic at all. Staterooms are priced at double occupancy rates, which has each person paying the same rate in the room. If the rate by your example is $800, that is per person, so you are at $800 and the second person is at $800. It's as simple as that.

[sail7seas]

I sailed NCL in a suite as a solo cruiser jjust after I lost my DH and I paid for two people., very hihg high per person charge.

 

They should at least give a credit for the food b udgetr per day seeing theer is only me 'eating. :)

[BoiiMcFly]

Sorry, but I'm not following your logic at all. Staterooms are priced at double occupancy rates, which has each person paying the same rate in the room. If the rate by your example is $800, that is per person, so you are at $800 and the second person is at $800. It's as simple as that.

 

Yes sorry I just figured that out :p I didn't know they were priced at double occupancy. I am a newbie when it comes to everything cruising.

[BoiiMcFly]

I sailed NCL in a suite as a solo cruiser jjust after I lost my DH and I paid for two people., very hihg high per person charge.

 

They should at least give a credit for the food b udgetr per day seeing theer is only me 'eating. :)

 

Agreed you should at least get some extra perks or onboard credit.

[Texas Tillie]

Agreed you should at least get some extra perks or onboard credit.

 

Why? A single is taking the space that the cruise line bases their plan on having 2 in a cabin. That means 2 will be buying drinks, booking excursions, possibly using the casino. This is where the cruise lines make their real money. They are lucky to break even or make a pittance on the room rate.

[luddite]

For example, I purchase a stateroom and pay $800, add my wife as an extra person and she still pays the full price. Shouldn't every additional guest be less since they are not receiving another room?

 

In that case we could make 2 reservations, get 2 rooms (possibly connected if that exists) and still pay the same price as if we share 1 room? Are my calculations off or is that right?

 

Why in the world would you think that they should do this?

[luddite]

Oh shewt. I didn't realize who the OP was.

Never mind.

[mjkacmom]

Agreed you should at least get some extra perks or onboard credit.

 

The reason is cruise lines get most of their revenue from what folks spent on board - alcohol, gambling, spa, specialty restaurants, gift shop... They lose money on every empty bed.

[navybankerteacher]

Sorry guys I was confused by their booking system. Just found out that if you cruise alone you basically pay for 2 people. I thought the price I saw was per room, but it is not. The price you get as a solo cruiser is the actual price of the cabin. Wow that's crazy, so cruising solo is actually more expensive than as a couple or family.

 

Your math is a bit off. If the fare is $800 per person in a two person cabin (virtually all cabins are for two or more), two people sailing together will pay the $1600 for the cabin. The solo person will also pay no more than that $1600 for the cabin - and actually very often somewhat less. How does that make cruising solo more expensive than as a couple?

 

The same sort of thing happens to you when you rent a car from Hertz for $80 per day. The car might hold four people -so it would cost each of them $20. But the guy who rents it alone has to pay $80.

 

The car costs Hertz the same whether one person or four people are in it - just as moving the ship costs the line the same whether there was one person or two in your cabin -- but in the case of a cruise ship, they will not get the revenue from two people spending on board if it is just you in the cabin -- so it actually costs the cruise line more (in terms of reduced revenue) if it is just you in the cabin and not two people. The lines have it figured out: the average passenger will contribute much more in miscellaneous on board revenue than the value of the food not eaten by the person who did not share that cabin with you.

[BoiiMcFly]

Oh shewt. I didn't realize who the OP was.

Never mind.

 

Please explain...

[BoiiMcFly]

Your math is a bit off. If the fare is $800 per person in a two person cabin (virtually all cabins are for two or more), two people sailing together will pay the $1600 for the cabin. The solo person will also pay no more than that $1600 for the cabin - and actually very often somewhat less. How does that make cruising solo more expensive than as a couple?

 

The same sort of thing happens to you when you rent a car from Hertz for $80 per day. The car might hold four people -so it would cost each of them $20. But the guy who rents it alone has to pay $80.

 

The car costs Hertz the same whether one person or four people are in it - just as moving the ship costs the line the same whether there was one person or two in your cabin -- but in the case of a cruise ship, they will not get the revenue from two people spending on board if it is just you in the cabin -- so it actually costs the cruise line more (in terms of reduced revenue) if it is just you in the cabin and not two people. The lines have it figured out: the average passenger will contribute much more in miscellaneous on board revenue than the value of the food not eaten by the person who did not share that cabin with you.

 

Yes thanks I do understand how it works now. I had the booking system confused when I posted this but understand now that they work like hotels. Makes business sense but sucks for the solo traveler.

Edited January 30, 2017 by BoiiMcFly

[Capt_BJ]

A FEW lines have built single person rooms ... they are smaller but you don't pay the single person penalty ... dunno that the fare is 1/2 of the standard two person per room fare.

 

CUNARD is one as I recall .....

 

just offering

[sail7seas]

A FEW lines have built single person rooms ... they are smaller but you don't pay the single person penalty ... dunno that the fare is 1/2 of the standard two person per room fare.

 

CUNARD is one as I recall .....

 

just offering

 

 

HSL's new ship, Koningsdam, has some single cabins. They are in the bow, and are quite pric ey. I'd reather pay the singgle supplement, bbook a ca bin in a much bretter lo ation and not have to deal with awful location, and have a decent size c ab in. JMO

.

Edited January 30, 2017 by sail7seas

[SantaFeFan]

...Some compare it to a hotel room, which basically charges the same for one or two people.

 

Or, maybe they ARE charging for two people whether one or two are staying in that room. Same end result as the cruise line model, just different ways of describing the total price.

[Karysa]

The reason is cruise lines get most of their revenue from what folks spent on board - alcohol, gambling, spa, specialty restaurants, gift shop... They lose money on every empty bed.

 

This is a very good point.

[luddite]

Please explain...

 

Oh..... none needed.

[bakersdozen12]

Sorry guys I was confused by their booking system. Just found out that if you cruise alone you basically pay for 2 people. I thought the price I saw was per room, but it is not. The price you get as a solo cruiser is the actual price of the cabin. Wow that's crazy, so cruising solo is actually more expensive than as a couple or family.

 

 

It wouldn't be any different if you were staying at a hotel. If the room is $300, you are going to pay the same amount whether you are staying there alone or with your spouse. And if book additional people in the room, they typically charge you.

 

Hotels and cruises are both based on double occupancy. I'm not sure why people perceive one to be ok but not the other.

 

 

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