Cruise Talk: Options for single cruisers

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Topic: Options for single cruisers

hhornblower
First Class Passenger
Member # 1047

posted 09-24-2000 08:27 PM

I cruised on the Voyager of the Seas in July and would like to cruise next year. I am single and was able to cruise with family members. I dread having to look for someone to cruise with for next year. I travel solo alot and this is one of the major drawbacks to cruiseing - it is not geared well to the single traveler. Am I just stuck with Carnival or Windjammer? I really don't want to do a Windjammer cruise at this time - just not what I want. Royal Caribbean no longer has its share program, and I am disappointed with that. If there are any other singles out there, what do you do to avoid the single supplement?

Posts: 84 | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

Terri Lee
First Class Passenger
Member # 942

posted 09-24-2000 10:24 PM

Hello hhornblower.........

I am a solo traveller but unlike you I have always paid the single supplement mainly because I like my own space,privacy and most important(to me)...my own bathroom!!!!

However,I do know that HAL(the only line I cruise on)has a "single share" program.In fact I have met many singles who were sharing and they always seem to get on with each other.

Please check out HAL...they will do their best to accommodate you.

TL :-))

Posts: 292 | From: Burlington Ontario Canada | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 09-25-2000 10:06 AM

Hi Terri Lee - I was going to say the same thing and hhornblower, if you are lucky you may get a room all to yourself.
I am like Terri - I now have to sail alone, unless my daughter relents and comes with me, and I would much rather pay the single supplement as I also like my own bathroom. Do try HAL.

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Justine
First Class Passenger
Member # 1335

posted 09-25-2000 02:29 PM

Hornblower, I dont like to share a stateroom either but I cruise alone a lot. email me and I will tell you of a single cruise connection for women past fourty. (No strings)

Posts: 126 | From: Northern Ontario | Registered: Jun 2000 | IP: Logged

topgun
First Class Passenger
Member # 928

posted 09-25-2000 05:57 PM

We travelled Holland America three years ago.

My daughter who is forty years of age had another cabin with a guaranteed share.

Her room mate turned out to be around 75 years of age and was a French speaking Canadian with no English at all.

Just beware of the line saying that they will try to match you up with someone suitable.

Posts: 759 | From: Burlington ont,canada Cruise center of North America | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 09-25-2000 06:19 PM

quote:
Originally posted by topgun:
We travelled Holland America three years ago.
My daughter who is forty years of age had another cabin with a guaranteed share.
Her room mate turned out to be around 75 years of age and was a French speaking Canadian with no English at all.
Just beware of the line saying that they will try to match you up with someone suitable.

That's why I'd rather pay the extra and have my privacy.

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Terri Lee
First Class Passenger
Member # 942

posted 09-25-2000 07:12 PM

Hi Sympatico....

You took the words right out of my mouth....

To be honest,hhornblower,it really IS worth the single supplement.....that way,you cannot possibly be disappointed in your room mate...just look in the mirror!!!!

TL :-))

Posts: 292 | From: Burlington Ontario Canada | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

LJH
First Class Passenger
Member # 1411

posted 09-26-2000 01:07 PM

I also cruise alone frequently. I am sailing on the 041301 cruise of the panama canal. The best way to get a lower single supplement is to book early on Holland America! After the discount 56%, it ended up that I was paying the same rate I would have paid if I would have found a partner to cruise with.

Posts: 11 | From: Coon Rapids, MN, USA | Registered: Jul 2000 | IP: Logged

Vickie
First Class Passenger
Member # 466

posted 09-26-2000 04:37 PM

I always pay the single supplement - I've met too many women on ships who are very unhappy about having a "share" roommate who is glued to their side and thinks they're buddies for life!! Crystal is unusual in that their single supplement is only 125% of the brochure rate (for all categories except suites and penthouse). Yes, Crystal is expensive, but at 125% they end up being close to HAL's single supplemented prices. AND, if you choose a repositioning cruise (or one of their discounted itineraries) on Crystal, then you've got a real bargain for singles!! QE2 also has single cabins which often end up being the same (or lower) price than Crystal, depending on the itinerary. BUT, the cabin you get on QE2 (even first class) is a whole lot smaller than you'll get on Crystal, so that's not an apples to apples comparison. I like the QE2 but recognize that it's an acquired taste.

Posts: 29 | From: Connecticut, USA | Registered: Nov 98 | IP: Logged

hhornblower
First Class Passenger
Member # 1047

posted 09-26-2000 10:52 PM

First, I would like to thank all of your for your responses! This site is one of the best for cruises because I have always gottern wonderful information.
The last time Royal Caribbean had a share program, I was very lucky and ended up with another woman who was good company but was independent so I didn't feel obligated to do things with her. We also arranged for differnet times to be in cabin which worked out great. I don't mind sharing with an older person as long as they are not looking for a travel companion. I may end up paying for the cabin if the supplement is not too high. I just figure I could have that extra money to do something else. With all the single cruisers out there, it seems like the cruise lines should include at least 2-3 single cabins on the ship.
Any additional comments are very welcome.

Posts: 84 | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

NAL
First Class Passenger
Member # 1102

posted 09-27-2000 11:08 AM

hhornblower.....

You have gotten some good advice from the
many replies to your question. So few ships
have single cabins these days and that's a
shame. The modular design of the cabins is
one of the reasons. I have often traveled
alone and find the suppliment the way to
go. Even traveling with friends can be a
real pain.....snoring and sharing a bath
can be irritating to say the least....and
I am saying this from the male point of
view.
Terri Lee......good to see you back on line.
Your postings have been missed. We HAL
enthusiasts have to stick together!!

Posts: 2243 | From: Watsontown, PA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

luvtocruise
First Class Passenger
Member # 680

posted 09-27-2000 06:09 PM

I have also had to rely on family members to cruise with. I have often been tempted to cruise by myself (I do travel by myself frequently) but have hestitated to cruise because of supplements and being a little uncomfortable doing everything by myself. Has anyone had any problems meeting people when traveling alone -- what about dining? I'm in my mid 40's.
Thanks!!

[This message has been edited by luvtocruise (edited 09-27-2000).]

Posts: 20 | Registered: Feb 99 | IP: Logged

Terri Lee
First Class Passenger
Member # 942

posted 09-27-2000 07:32 PM

My goodness,NAL,thanks for your kind words.

I didn't realise that anyone had noticed I had been away again! All I can say is...I am so glad to be back home after a few bad experiences "Over 'Ome",what with one thing or another but mainly the fuel problems in the UK.

Hi luvtocruise....

Since I started cruising,alone on HAL,I have never been lonely.Mind you,I find it very easy to make friends on board a ship,more so than in an hotel(feel safer,I guess.)

I have many friends from my various cruises and we are in constant touch.In fact,I was on the ROTTERDAM only this August with some great guys whom I first met on the World Cruise(same ship) in 1998.They had been my dinner companions then and we hit it off from day one! And on this latest cruise,we all got on even better!Now we are all looking forward to our next cruise together.....

My point is this....if you smile and go out of your way to be friendly on board a ship,you will never be lonely...anyway,there is always the cruise staff to fall back on if all else fails. And there are usually other solo travellers on board as well....so go to the Singles Meeting,that way you can find out who else is "alone".

One last tip...ask to be seated at a large table...most times,on Formal Nights the ship's officers host most of the large tables and they can be a lot of fun...don't be shy!!

Good Luck!!

TL :-))

Posts: 292 | From: Burlington Ontario Canada | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

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