Single Supplements

[needtoescape]

My mother and father loved cruising in retirement years. A few years ago, my father died and I know that my mother would love to cruise again but single traveller supplements make it expensive.

My husband and I would be happy to accompany her, so a family (two bedroom) suite option may work too.

Does anyone have any advice, please?

Their favourite cruise line was Celebrity and they travelled in all corners of the globe but particulary enjoyed Alaska out of Vancouver.

[bonniejoy03]

Hi Needtoescape (and yes, I also need to escape!) My mother died last year and my parents travelled all over the world! My father is 85 and we wanted to keep him travelling so I did a little research for his benefit. He went to Panama last November (land tour and than full day transit through the canel.) He just returned from the Majestic Cruise Lines at the end of May (the former Delta Queen. Paddleboat crusing.) I found that if you call a reputable travel agent, they can help with the single supplement issue. For example, some boats and trips have a special time of the year that single supplements aren't added or greatly reduced. Now, for his trip in May on Majestic, he did pay the full single supplement. The saving grace was that he had a fantastic time and wish he could have done this with my mother! He was so joyful! He is now planning his next one for the fall. If your mother is comfortable travelling alone, I would highly recommend calling a travel agent with her destination and budget in mind and requesting a boat where a single supplementwouldn't be charged. This will save you a lot of time and give you more options that you could do on your own. Hope this helps.

[needtoescape]

bonniejoy03,



Thank you. That's great advice.

I'l follow it up.

[romualda]

My wife and I are just starting to toy with the idea of a cruise. We have been resisting the idea because all we picture is Carnival Cruises and those floating cities. It would be great to hear from someone who has been on SilverSea or Regent - as they seem to be more personalized and luxury. I checked some rates and LL has really good prices - but it would be nice to hear from a member who has actually been on one of tehse cruises - to find out if they are asgood as they look.

[ferret]

I've done Royal Caribbean and Princess. I suggest you do one of those or at a similar level and not an expensive luxury cruise as your first one. Once you have taken your first cruise, many of the negativeimpressions you have now will be wiped away. It is difficult to convince people who have a bad impression of cruising that they just might like it. The food is fabulous on this level cruise, and would satisfy even refined tastses. In fact, it's a great learning experience about food. There is so much to do, plenty of opportunity to be alone or with other people, and you will have many options and much flexibility along the way.



Note: you posted in the wrong thread.. this is about single supplement.. so you may want to take this to another more general thread to get more advice.

[claassenam]

Hi Ferret,

Here I am perpetuating the posting in the wrong thread, but I'm curious about your advice regarding skipping the"upper" level cruises and sticking to the larger Royal Caribbean and Princess? Don't get me wrong, I am sure that they provide wonderful cruise experiences, but if the poster is willing to pay the higher price for that higher level of luxury, service and privacy, why not? I've done the Royal Caribbean/Princess/Holland America level cruise which was fantastic but there were definite drawbacks to being on a boat that large. Despite the wonderful service of the staff and all of the amenities, we did tend to feel a bit herded like cattle when it came time for the shore excursions. Also on a boat that large it is simply impossible to get the personal attention you would on a boat with, say, 200 passengers. My next cruise will be on a smaller boat, I'm just looking for the right opportunity. I highly recommend cruising at any level that anyone can afford, but if you can afford the silversea/regent/seabourn level cruise, I'd say go for it, you probably can't go wrong.

[bonniejoy03]

Hi needtoescape. We just booked my father on another Majestic Cruise line trip from Cincinnati to Pittsburgh on the American Queen (Paddleboat). On this trip, there were single rooms so he didn't have to pay a large single supplement. Please check with the cruise lines. He had just been on the boat in May and we weren't aware of the single rooms. It saved him hundreds and now at 85 he can enjoy himself and save money! I would recommend this company to your mother because it is a nice mellow trip and lots of nice people. My mother passed away one year ago and we hated for him to stop travelling. So far he has been to Panama (on his own with a driver!!), Florida (visiting family), Phoenix (visiting family), and the American Queen by himself in May. He said he had a fantastic trip and met so many nice people. Good luck!

[katherine clement]

I'm looking to take a cruise on windjammer or windstar and would love to be able to skip those nasty single supps. LL has some great trips-have used it for trip to Austria and Spain, but does it offer any singles trips or cruises ever? Or is there another site I might try? I am even keen on finding a roommate- any ideas.

Katherine

[katherine clement]

I wasnt very clear on my last posting. By "finding a roommate" I meant that I may be amenable tosharingmy cabin or room on a cruise if no other options were available. I have found, in the last couple of days, in speaking with a travel agent, since booking so late in the game, that mostcruises are full.



I read that someone else was curious to hear from someone who has sailed the Silver Seas line. I would also be interested in hearing not only about the experience in general but also if you would recommend to a single traveler.

[bonniejoy03]

Hi Katherine. I cannot specifically help with the ships you are looking at but I can help on a broader level. We have been sending my father on trips by himself. We have found that some ships have special times of the year that the single supplement is waived. Also, check which ships have single rooms. The Mississippi or American Queen has single rooms so you don't pay the supplement. THe rooms are quite small but it saves ALOT of money. Actually, my father is booked for August and the single room vs the next room was a savings of $1000. I am also looking at Tauck tours and trips in Costa Rica for single travellers. You might want to ask your agent which ships offer single rooms or special times of the year promotions for single rooms. I don't think I would like a roomate.