Single cruiser/double points

[caribsun]

I never received double points and have sailed solo on CCL, NCL, Princess and RCCL. Looks like RCCL does now.

[sandebeach]

Carnival should seriously consider looking at their Loyalty Program in comparison to their competitors. For example, you do pay the double occupancy price on Royal Caribbean if booking as a solo, but if I book as a solo in a Junior suite, I get triple points per night. So a 7-night cruise sailing solo in a Junior Suite, while pricey, will earn me 21 points.

 

 

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[Retired_to_Cruise]

No problem. Give me a 1A and charge me for one person. If Celebrity and RC can give double points, why can’t Carnival? And no I shouldn’t complain about those other things. I’m not asking for a suite to be the same price as an inside. I’m asking not to be penalized for cruising by myself. Or at least if that’s the way it has to be, give me the benefit of paying for 2 people. A cabin to myself isn’t necessarily a luxury.

 

Sorry, but a 1A cabin is an upper and lower two person cabin. You just do not seem to get it. That is not going to happen on Carnival at this point in time. Complaining about it is not going to make you feel any better or make it happen any faster. The policy is what it is right now. You are being charged for one person in a two person cabin and getting credited for the number of days at sea that you spend there. That happens to be the going rate for that cabin being occupied by one person. It is what it is.

[Froufie]

Sorry, but a 1A cabin is an upper and lower two person cabin. You just do not seem to get it. That is not going to happen on Carnival at this point in time. Complaining about it is not going to make you feel any better or make it happen any faster. The policy is what it is right now. You are being charged for one person in a two person cabin and getting credited for the number of days at sea that you spend there. That happens to be the going rate for that cabin being occupied by one person. It is what it is.

 

Not all 1A cabins are upper and lower - some even have portholes or windows and space for 2 of course... they used to be a good deal when Carnival priced these at 125-150% for solo travellers....and once in a while if you looked real hard you could even find some cruises with no solo supplement - those were usually a fantastic deal!.

[Computer Nerd]

just found out from Carnival that they do not reward double points for a single cruiser even though I had to pay double for my room. Most all other cruise lines do. Not good Carnival.

 

Nothing new.

[Computer Nerd]

It’s true. I get screwed on this 2-3 times a year.

 

I don't believe you got screwed since you knew before going you would get only single points and you still volunteered to go.

[Computer Nerd]

If I need to pay for two people then I should get double points. If they want to reduce the price by only having me pay for one person, then I’m OK with getting one set of points.

 

Since you've sailed multiple times on Carnival with the current set of rules it seems you are okay with the current rules unless you are just a glutton for punishment. ;)

[firemanbobswife]

Since you've sailed multiple times on Carnival with the current set of rules it seems you are okay with the current rules unless you are just a glutton for punishment. ;)

 

That could be! Well I guess I don’t have to like them, but yeah, since I have been cruising as a solo I don’t have much choice. That doesn’t change the fact that I don’t think it’s right. I am entitled to express my opinion after all.

[Computer Nerd]

That could be! Well I guess I don’t have to like them, but yeah, since I have been cruising as a solo I don’t have much choice. That doesn’t change the fact that I don’t think it’s right. I am entitled to express my opinion after all.

 

Never said you weren't entitled to your opinion and you usually have good ones. But come on, where did you put your big girl panties? You know when booking a cruise on Carnival you only get single points and yet you've done it multiple times and will probably do it again. And you know complaining here does nothing. Time to get on the horn and talk to the folks who actually have the ability to change it.....Carnival. I'm not saying you don't deserve double points, I'm just saying folks really relinquish their right to complain about what they perceive to be a problem when they do the same thing over....and over.....and over.....and over.....

 

BTW, everyone has a choice. A choice to cruise a different line, a choice to take land vacations, a choice to not go on vacation at all. There's always a choice.

[firemanbobswife]

Sorry, but a 1A cabin is an upper and lower two person cabin. You just do not seem to get it. That is not going to happen on Carnival at this point in time. Complaining about it is not going to make you feel any better or make it happen any faster. The policy is what it is right now. You are being charged for one person in a two person cabin and getting credited for the number of days at sea that you spend there. That happens to be the going rate for that cabin being occupied by one person. It is what it is.

 

They are classified as a upper and lower, yes. Although some don’t have an additional bed, they have the top of the sofa acting as one. And they also did used to have them at a reduced rate for solos which was nice. Now solo supplement = 200% of the base fare for one person. Which means I am paying 2x what the rate is for one. I do get how it currently works and I can say that I don’t like it.

 

Other lines give double the points which are calculated based upon the number of nights sailed just like Carnival. Difference being they award additional points based upon the type of cabin you have. It has nothing to do with the amount paid. So if I would have earned say 7 points on one cruise if there were 2 in the cabin but I went by myself, I would get 14 points. Guess what? I still only sailed 7 days! It’s only fair that since I AM paying for 2 people that I should get some type of benefit.

 

I can express my opinion on this all I want. What you don’t seem to get is that Carnival doesn’t care about solo cruisers with the additional supplement and no additional benefits. We have a legitimate complaint. I don’t know why you are so against people saying the way they wish it was. And how do you know they aren’t going to change it? The VIFP club is eventually going to get revamped again. Maybe they will reconsider for solo cruisers. As far as what makes me feel better, you aren’t in any position to know that.

[milford7355]

I kind of think that paying a extra cabin supplement at full rate is unfair. But those are the rules. On the other hand, by not having that extra person in the room Carnival is losing any potential revenue from that person. I almost think it would be worth it to pay double to not have to share my cabin with any one else. The toilet is just mine. I leave things the way that I want them and only have to adjust to my timing for how late I stay out or get up. And last but not least, I don't have to put up with anyone else snoring or farting.

[firemanbobswife]

Never said you weren't entitled to your opinion and you usually have good ones. But come on, where did you put your big girl panties? You know when booking a cruise on Carnival you only get single points and yet you've done it multiple times and will probably do it again. And you know complaining here does nothing. Time to get on the horn and talk to the folks who actually have the ability to change it.....Carnival. I'm not saying you don't deserve double points, I'm just saying folks really relinquish their right to complain about what they perceive to be a problem when they do the same thing over....and over.....and over.....and over.....

 

BTW, everyone has a choice. A choice to cruise a different line, a choice to take land vacations, a choice to not go on vacation at all. There's always a choice.

 

Yes I know I only get single points. That doesn’t mean that I can’t feel that they should change it. Believe me, if I could find someone to go with when I want to go, I would be sharing a cabin. But it’s pretty sad when you can’t even give away a free cruise and have them just pay their taxes and port fees! So yes, I can stay home, or suck it up and take what I get. I usually do the latter but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.

 

Carnival does monitor these boards and while I don’t foresee this little thread changing their minds, at least they can add it to the other times people have expressed their opinions about it. I really hope they look at the other lines that do it. They all seem to follow one another in lots of things (heck, they even keep naming ships the same - the new Seven Seas ship is the Splendor! LOL!) so maybe this is something they are working on for the new “Brilliant” VIFP change. I can only hope. Not that I ever expect to hit Diamond on Carnival anyway.

 

If they keep raising prices on the cruises, I’ll be forced to go back to Celebrity or maybe even try RC. Both give solo’s double points and even status match across the brands. So it might not be a bad thing.

[firemanbobswife]

I kind of think that paying a extra cabin supplement at full rate is unfair. But those are the rules. On the other hand, by not having that extra person in the room Carnival is losing any potential revenue from that person. I almost think it would be worth it to pay double to not have to share my cabin with any one else. The toilet is just mine. I leave things the way that I want them and only have to adjust to my timing for how late I stay out or get up. And last but not least, I don't have to put up with anyone else snoring or farting.

 

Hahahahahahaha! Yeah there are benefits to having your own place for sure, but to me I don’t think it’s worth paying double. I would be happy with 50% more.

[luv2kroooz]

I am Diamond on CCL but switched to Princess and NCL.

Princess gives double points; NCL regularly offers cruises with no single supplement. Many, but not all, are last minute specials, though.

[crzndeb]

I have traveled solo on Carnival since 2010. I always look at a per day price and then decide if it’s a good deal for me. I have visited all of the places that I could on Carnival, and personally have no issue paying the solo prices to have a cabin by myself. Maybe if they offered something at their highest level Diamond that really appealed to me, I would be more apt to want double points.

 

I have gone back to RCI for now, and was already Emerald, so will become Diamond in Dec. The drinks in the evening, reduced internet cost, 150% solo supplement at 340 points, and going to places Carnival doesn’t go to, is what appeals to me now.

 

I know what I’m getting and have no problem paying solo rates to cruise with me, myself, and I.

[Elaine5715]

As a solo cruiser, I can live with paying double but what burns my butt, is the dilution of any status ...

As a Plat, I pay double and get only single benefits..one water, one drink, only using one slot in priority board or tendering, one seat at the party...etc

Then next door is two cruisers, one Plat and one first timer, they get to double or share all my same benefits. If it is true that they are actually inviting all cabin occupants to the Plat/Diamond party, then my earned status is furthered diminished and I get crowded out at the party as servers head towards the full tables first.

[luv2kroooz]

The problem is that with only one person in the cabin, then there is only one person to buy drinks, spa treatment, shore excursions, specialty dinners, etc. Maximizing onboard revenue is huge to the cruise lines and it is much harder for them when there is 1 person in the cabin.

[firemanbobswife]

The problem is that with only one person in the cabin, then there is only one person to buy drinks, spa treatment, shore excursions, specialty dinners, etc. Maximizing onboard revenue is huge to the cruise lines and it is much harder for them when there is 1 person in the cabin.

 

I can see that, but what if I brought a baby as the 2nd person? Rate isn’t based on age limit so there is a real possibility that person #2 won’t spend anything. Also since it’s only the solo person, there’s no one else to have to feed. While I realize the actual food cost per person is negligible, it’s still something.

 

I’m not trying to argue and I believe you are correct. Just saying that yes generally speaking a second person would spend something onboard, but it’s not a given. There are always the types that refuse to buy any drinks and are happy with the free beverages, don’t gamble, don’t need any of the “junk” in the shops, don’t get any spa treatments, and don’t believe in going to any upcharge restaurants. I’m sure both of those examples aren’t all that common though.

[Retired_to_Cruise]

I am Diamond on CCL but switched to Princess and NCL.

Princess gives double points; NCL regularly offers cruises with no single supplement. Many, but not all, are last minute specials, though.

 

The only cabins with no single supplements on NCL are their solo studio cabins which are 100 sq. foot cabins with one bed in them. There are 128 on the Epic, 59 on the Breakaway, 82 on the Getaway, and 4 or 5 0n the Pride.

[robin13]

The only cabins with no single supplements on NCL are their solo studio cabins which are 100 sq. foot cabins with one bed in them. There are 128 on the Epic, 59 on the Breakaway, 82 on the Getaway, and 4 or 5 0n the Pride.

 

I did a Med cruise on the Epic and stayed in their studio cabin. Yes it is only 100 sq feet but it was very comfortable and I would do it again in a heartbeat to save money. Matter of fact that cabin only cost me $449 for a 7 day cruise out of Barcelona. What killed me was the airfare which was $1200. I really wish that Carnival would wise up and do some of these solo cabins as RCCL has just done.

[luv2kroooz]

The only cabins with no single supplements on NCL are their solo studio cabins which are 100 sq. foot cabins with one bed in them. There are 128 on the Epic, 59 on the Breakaway, 82 on the Getaway, and 4 or 5 0n the Pride.

 

This is not a true statement. There are many instances of no solo supplement on insides, oceanview and balconies. Many, but not all are the last minute sail away rates, which do not include free at sea. Often times, these rates are much cheaper than the solo studio cabins.

[maryann2]

I have visited all of the places that I could on Carnival, and personally have no issue paying the solo prices to have a cabin by myself. Maybe if they offered something at their highest level Diamond that really appealed to me, I would be more apt to want double points.

 

I have gone back to RCI for now, and was already Emerald, so will become Diamond in Dec. The drinks in the evening, reduced internet cost, 150% solo supplement at 340 points, and going to places Carnival doesn’t go to, is what appeals to me now.

 

:evilsmile::hearteyes::hearteyes:

Like you Debbie I have more or less left Carnival. Do have the TA on the Horizon booked but not wasting my money on Carnival`s solo prices any more. Their itineraries are no longer interesting to me and the TA I have booked on the Horizon is far more expensive than other lines.

By getting double points for solos am now Diamond plus on Royal, my goal is to get to 340 points when the 150% solo supplement kicks in. Also of course love the TAs.

Sometimes Royal does have no solo supplement. Did the Radiance to Alaska in May this year with no supplement. Not a studio cabin an OV and still double points.

[Retired_to_Cruise]

This is not a true statement. There are many instances of no solo supplement on insides, oceanview and balconies. Many, but not all are the last minute sail away rates, which do not include free at sea. Often times, these rates are much cheaper than the solo studio cabins.

 

Supplements, no supplements, and last minute sail away rates are 3 completely different animals.

[wiskt]

Solo's pay for both occupancy because the total price of a double occupancy cabin is what is used to pay for the overall expense to sail the ship (Food, fuel, staff) All the revenue is made off onboard sales, excursions, Booze sales, Spa, Casino, souvenirs etc.

 

You can still get Single rates (supplement waved) however they are normally last minute and not advertised. You just need to be flexible on a last minute cruise. Once the overall quota has been reached on cabin occupancies sold they are usually available as well as upsells, free cabins and resident discount rates to those that are more flexible to drive last minute and cruise. I've already sailed on the Breeze and others without having to pay the double supplement charge. If it means getting a body into an empty cabin it will be waved. You sometimes can find them on last minute cruise sites and/or calling your PVP or booking agent.

 

As for the "double VIFP cruise points" you are awarded them per Days Sailed, not the amount paid. So regardless of whether a solo pays double supplement, have a $25 Pack and Play offer, or even a Free cruise you are still only sailing the initial amount of days and everyone receives the same VIFP point reward. For me the rewards are just that, extra.

[firemanbobswife]

As for the "double VIFP cruise points" you are awarded them per Days Sailed, not the amount paid. So regardless of whether a solo pays double supplement, have a $25 Pack and Play offer, or even a Free cruise you are still only sailing the initial amount of days and everyone receives the same VIFP point reward. For me the rewards are just that, extra.

I don't know of any cruise line that rewards points based on $$ spent (there could be, however, I am unaware of them) but rather on nights sailed with some bonus points given for certain types of cabins. Some other cruise lines do reward twice as many points for solo cruisers because they are in fact paying double. No matter how you want to skin the cat, it boils down to one person pays what 2 would if they had a cabin mate. Hence it's called 200% or 150% solo supplement which translates to twice as much as one person would pay or one and a half times what one person would pay respectively. Those cruise lines are nice enough to recognize this and award the solo cruiser double points since they are traveling alone and paying twice as much as if they would have had a cabin mate.

 

Let's take a look at Celebrity. You earn points based upon the nights you sail plus the type of cabin you have. Let's say I stay in an inside cabin. If I have a cabin mate I will earn two points per night which on a 7 day cruise is 14. But since I am by myself and paid double, I am awarded the points for both parties. So now I have 28 points counted on that cruise even though I've still only sailed 7 days in an inside cabin and if I hadn't been by myself, I would have only earned 14.

 

I know that's not how it works on Carnival, but that doesn't mean I can't hope that maybe some day it will. If other cruise lines can see and appreciate the solo cruiser, it would be nice if Carnival did too. This guy gets it.

https://travelupdate.boardingarea.com/double-points-solo-cruisers-celebrity-cruises/