Cruise Solo Without Paying For Two! How Do I Do It?

Sad to say, sharing with someone would be best; getting a 30% premium on an inside cabin is sad--because if you are solo you may wish to spend more time in your cabin and no view is not great. And then the choicse are so limited. A sale on a duo would be worth perhaps sharing, especially if you can communicate beforehand and set some ground rules (ie do you come back at 2am inebriated and with a new partner? Uh, no. Let's find different cabin mates, then.)

not only the cruise lines, but the hotels need to pay attention to solo travelers. I have found myself in a similar situation, wanting to travel somewhere, partner cat't go, friends don't want to go or can't afford to go, so, solo is my option. And hotel prices are also based on double occupancy. Don't mind a half regular sized hotel room for a singles price. Also want the choice of views. Years ago I traveled solo with a now defunct group called Singleworld. It was the same as you described some of the hosted solo groups. I did get put with a room-mate on a couple cruises, worked out fine, the gals were nice. They also had private group excursions or you could go on the ship's excursions, or just do your own thing. It was nice to go solo onboard a big cruise ship and already have 20-30 Singleworld 'friends'.

I'm enjoying the tips and advice you're sharing for solo cruising – it's incredibly helpful and practical information.

I wouldn't want to share my space with a stranger either. Inside cabins are fine with me.

I've just a solo balcony on Ovation of the seas to the south seas,

I just booked with NCL and they gave me a single person discount for a balcony room. Yes, this is way more than a single person room. But what really gets me is most cruise prices I see charge 2 people per room. Now, I did pay more than the single person room because it is a balcony room, but I'm not eating for two and I'm not doing double the activities. So, there should be a discount for a singleton! Not all the NCL offered that single person discount though... I am going to ALASKA in three months. booking a bit late. so maybe that's why there was such a discount? Either way, I'm happy. I have a lower price and a balcony room.

How do cruise lines determine how much to charge for a third or even a fourth person in a "per person, double-occupancy" room, particularly if the additional persons are adults? They probably charge a third or fourth person supplement, right? Why don't they apply that model to a second person in a cabin, that is, one person is charged for being in a cabin, and additional passengers are charged a supplement to cover their food, services, amenities, taxes, fees, etc. Solo travelers would be the default, instead of the assumption we are all traveling two-by-two, like Noah's Ark. I know, what a wild and crazy idea!

I don't share rooms with a friend. I'm sure not sharing a room with stranger!
The whole "per person, double-occupancy" is a scam. It's just a way to make the cruise (or vacation at an all-inclusive resort) sound cheaper than it is, especially since cruises are usually oriented to couples. The default should be for ONE person in a room, with a second person supplement.

Celebrity Edge class ships have outside infinite veranda solo cabins.

Someone should build an app for solo cabins only. Not just ‘singles’ cruises - there is a huge market out there and it would be nice to have one app to find the best price for one person per cabin. All the advertised deals when you click (1) traveler, prices go sky high! Someone could make a lot of money focusing on our demographic. I don’t want to share a cabin nor do I go on cruises to ‘hook up’ - just want to travel and not get soaked because I’m divorced and travel alone

Gary thank you for your advice and your amazingly helpful videos. Thanks to you I am leaving tomorrow on the ruby princess as a solo cruiser with a zero % surcharge.

My wife and I are not solo cruisers. But after 35 years of cruising, we prefer to let the truly intelligent people cruise on the large ships well, the idiot's like us prefer to cruise on ships of 2,200 or less these ships go to smaller ports, the old Panama canal and I have to agree that we meet a lot of single cruisers on these voices. Many of them and their 70s and above like we are and everybody is so friendly and includes them in all the activities. That does not happen on the mega ships .. but as I said, we're not the brightest people in the world, but we have a lot of fun 🙂

I've used Vacations to Go to find single supplement cruises.

If you are a gambler and go to the casino, try calling thr casino club to book. Often, I get huge discounts on staterooms and only have to pay for myself. You do of course, need to gamble, but I do that anyway. Did 9 night cruise to Greece last year for about $900 solo with balcony. Just be sure to stay within a budget.

I live in Australia and would love to be able to cruise solo, but the cost is prohibitive when you have to pay for two

MSC Single supplementbis almost nothing. With their prices I would never share cabin. Its worth it even if just for the extra bathroom

Thank you. Great tips. 👍

This was very interesting. Thank you for another very informative video

My cabin mate doesn't even work in the UK. I must have to tell my iphone i'm in america.

Thank you Gary for such an excellent and informative vid. While you at it, you mind sharing info on your cruise agent you mentioned in this video??? LOL. 🤣 Take care and safe travel!!!

It’s not the price of two. The sale price is set for two. You just pay more when booking solo. You can never get the advertised price. You pay twice as much as the sale price.

Travel agents still exist? how did find one?

NCL is definitely ahead of the curve big time on this, being super accommodating to solo travelers with their abundance of studio cabins and even a studio lounge.

It's laughable that some cruise ships literally have a single digit number of studio rooms, basically making them non-existent as they're of course booked up the moment the cruise is available for booking!

Thanks, so helpful

Cruises are a massive ripoff... you can fly to tye same place a d stay in a hotel for a better price. A d not be captive in your hotel most of the time....

It's funny that these cruises charge as much for single then shared. Would love a single smaller cabin to meet others

Solo travelers should only pay half the price that 2 people would pay.......PERIOD!

I’ve recently been in my first cruise, travelling solo, and I had a bargain by booking within 2 weeks of departure (P & O). Normal cabin just for me! I’ve also discovered an agent that bags great deals for solos called Passion for Cruises (same one that Gary mentioned) - some really good deals on there!

Some of your older videos have lost the videos that continue the discussion of the video that was wrapping up. You would point to my top right corner (in theory, your left but I have been told that they get flipped on upload. Told by someone who is sometimes in error but never in doubt) at the end of the video and suggest that we watch that one next. On this particular video, you were referencing a solo cruising playlist. As I am newly widowed, I am not looking for a partner but a rate reduction. A dinner partner would not hurt my feelings but I would rather eat alone than worry about any entanglement.

It is my first time cruising. But sharing not an option. I must have a balcony and must be alone. Thank you. This is costing me a fortune so sorry did not see this before🇿🇦

This was very helpful Thank you😊

As to sailing with empty cabins.
Part of something ((Sailing with one person in a regular room) is better than all of nothing. Sailing with that room completely empty.
I imagine some bean counters have determined it's better to maintain the current system. However, I would propose that the last week before the ship departs opening up available cabins to single passenger cruisers with no supplement .

I booked an interior room on Norwegian for a Caribbean 7 day trip 5 days before departure on VTG and arrive in New Orleans, drag my bag to the check in counter in dire need of air conditioning and the sound lady searched for a room, smiled and said " I think you'll like this one".
I board the ship and I'm directed up rather than down and open the door to a white with wood paneling and a double balcony.
The steward promptly stops by the room and asks when the rest of my party will arrive and informed him it was just me. He appeared started and I gave him a $20 up front and a cash gratuity at the end and received great service.

That's the only time I've gotten that type of bump at no additional charge.

You will find that Cruises that that have no or low single supplements are jam packed with ... Solo Travels! Which was great to see.

So tired of hearing about Norwegian's solo cabins. When I called to inquire about them, I was told that the cost for them was MORE than standard cabins.

I have just returned from a 7 night cruise from Southampton to Norway for £499. I was cruising solo but had a double room. Food, non alcoholic drinks, entertainment and gratuities included. I thought that was great value but have just booked a 15 night cruise with the same company for £614 in October. I think timing and a little bit of luck work wonders

looking forward to try a solo room on a Panama Canal cruise. the list really helped

Have you ever booked through vacations to go? You seem to think they are great but is that your opinion from experience or just googling information? On your advice I looked into their site and I'm very apprehensive, they seem to only have terrible testimonials. But it's an enticing idea ...

thank you Gary, I've only been on one Queen Mary cruise .Quebec to NYC .. I am 65 years old and hadnt done it before...OMG I am now addicted .. doing a Celebrity Reflection cruise to the Meditteranean in 2023 with 3 friends, however, cannot share !!! so will gave to pay double, your solo cruise you tube helped me for the future as I will travel sole (as I was on QM2) I m retired so can go at last minute .. I'm from Australia, and so appreciate your comments.. really helpful...hope to see you on future cruises !!!

I cruise solo and get great prices through the casino loyalty programs. It’s great.

And I want to go somewhere other than the Med, Alaska and Caribbean. Been there, done that.

Yes, ticks me off, but cruise lines are all about making money! I would never match up with a stranger to share a cabin with!

I have been offered a cabin for free from Holland America simply because I played in the casino on a previous cruise. Not even much money. Maybe $200. I'm surprised Gary, that you haven't received the same offer. It's not a double rate. They offer the cabin for free. Joining Club Orange even allows for a free upgrade. Still not a double rate. I've been out 3 times this year on these offers.

The top question I get is how to avoid the solo supplement. I was glad to watch this again to remind me of your solutions.

Booking a solo cruise shouldn't involve such mental gymnastics!!

Considering sharing a cramped living space with a total stranger? Well you could just commit a crime, go to jail and get the experience for free!

As a solo traveller, I have done numerous trips around the world on group tours & backpacker tours. Sometime you just have to share. But I do appreciate the rise in single cabins on cruise ships. They are small, but a lot cheaper than standard twin cabins. I also sometimes manage to find great sales and deals on regular cabins.

This has been bothering me, aren't you British? Why do you seem to only use American notes in all of your videos?

NCl does have balcony cabins for solo travelers. These cabins are not in the single traveler area, but you can still gain entrance there.

My friends don't cruise either so that's out. VTG is no good as I live in the wrong place for many sailings e.g. MSC, NCL, Princess and cannot book through VTG! Doing my first solo cabin this year. I'm signing up everywhere for now. Thanks Gary.