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In many social media solo traveler groups, I often hear the
question, “How can I find a solo price for
my cruise?”
Although there is a growing trend toward solo travel, including
solo cruising, pricing is generally still based on double occupancy. In other
words--typically, you pay for two people.
Finding good solo deals is like finding a needle in a haystack.
In my response, you will hear many adverbs of frequency such as
often, rarely, never, sometimes, occasionally---and needle in a haystack!
Remember--Just as hotel rooms
charge one price whether there are one or two people in the room, cruise lines
also generally have one price--whether there are one OR two guests in the room.
It is very rare that you will
find a solo price.
A small number of ships (less than 5% of all cruise ships), have
solo staterooms/cabins --sometimes they are priced higher than a double
occupancy room.
Occasionally, usually on short notice, you can find deals on
cabins for one traveler.
Solo Cabins-
Only
a dozen or so ships (out of more than 250), system-wide, provide solo cabins (at
10-2018: 14 of 269 ships). These cabins generally sell out quickly, often or year or two in advance.
Accommodations are smaller than regular rooms and most have a small double bed.
Please recognize they don’t always represent a bargain. Sometimes, solo cabin
fares are similar to double-occupancy fares in a larger room. I have seen solo
cabins priced at $1200 for a small room, while a double occupancy room may
charge $599 per person times two-$1199. In essence, the same price. Searching
for solo rooms significantly limits your travel options. Consider that when
searching for solo cabins, you must restrict yourself to the limited number of
itineraries offered on these few ships.
If
you are still interested in these rooms, keep in mind that a third of Norwegian
cruise lines fleet, several in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, and a handful of
Holland America, Cunard, and (soon one on) Celebrity, offer solo cabins. Check
prices regularly, as they tend to fluctuate.
Solo Fares-Solo Supplements
Keep in mind all pricing is based on supply and demand— just like
the airlines and hotel industries.
Just as hotel rooms generally charge
one room price (whether there are one or two people in the room), cruise lines
also generally have one price--whether there are one OR two guests in the room.
Several cruise lines offer solo price discounts on occasion,
depending on the season and on how many cabins are booked on individual ships.
If you are flexible about your travel plans, you can benefit from some cruise
lines that may offer last-minute solo discounts on close-in sailings. Some
deals may include single supplements waived completely, especially 1-2 months
prior to sail date. These savings are of course, offset by higher, last minute
airfares and pre/post cruise hotel stays.
Another consideration for last minute cruising is Visa requirements for itinerary
countries.
The bottom line is---You must be willing to invest a lot of time
searching for these few-and-far-between deals---if this is a priority for you.
It will be easier to find a
double-occupancy-priced cruise that simply has low prices. For example, a
10-day cruise that charges $599 per person is a great deal for a solo traveler @$120
per day!
Bon Voyage!!!!
Good luck!
Please post about your experience here.
