Single Supplement now 200% effective 8/21/2012

[lbgraves]

I just got an email from my TA about this.

Effective immediately, Disney Cruise Line will no longer be charging 175% of the cruise fare for single cruisers. Instead they will go to 200%. Existing single reservations will remain as they are unless a cruise date or itinerary is changed and then they will switch to 200% single supplement rate.

 

[kerstfan1]

well i hope this is not true because my september cruise will be my first and last with disney

 

[lbgraves]

I know that my TA would not be sending out information if she had not confirmed it with DCL.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Ouch!

I would invite a friend to go along.

 

[MillauFr]

I guess they are spending so little on food that having an extra person in the room really isn't costing Disney anything.

 

[mmackeymouse]

Harsh.

I understand both sides of the coin. When a single travels, alone, that takes away a cabin that could be occupied by a larger group, up to 4 or 5 people, thus taking away revenue for that particular cabin.

At the same time, a single person will likely have less of a burden for the stateroom host, eats less food (usually), utilizes less common space, will require fewer paper goods, like navigators and what not. It seems unfair to charge them the same amount as a couple. I thought 150% was probably fair; 175% a little high; but 200%? I would put that on the unfair side.

 

[lbgraves]

From comments discussing it, many other lines already charge the 200%. Only NCL Epic has a studio available without a supplement from what I have seen.

 

[WDW Princess 71]

This sucks, since I travel alone on many of my cruises and vacations in general. I always hated having to pay any supplement just for going alone, but 200%? That is paying for 2 people to be there while there is only 1. I guess I'll have to resort back to picking up the tab for a family member to join me again if they agree to just cover their airfare and incidentals since I hate to waste money paying double for a cruise just for myself. At least when I bring my brother he gets way more than his money's worth with the amount of food he consumes!

 

[mmackeymouse]

From comments discussing it, many other lines already charge the 200%. Only NCL Epic has a studio available without a supplement from what I have seen.

Well, boo on them too. It is still harsh for single people like me.

That said, I did notice that if a couple travels in a room designed for 5, Guest 1 and 2-the price is the same whether 2 travel or 5 people travel. In my opinion, that's the same situation. Two people are taking a room that could be occupied by more.

 

[MedicGoofy]

Well, Im confused with this. Im currently online, 'attempting' to book a cruise. Booking the same date, same itenerary, but one with 1 person, and one with 1. Two totally different prices. When does this go into effect? It obviously isn't immediately?

 

[jahber]

Well, boo on them too. It is still harsh for single people like me.

That said, I did notice that if a couple travels in a room designed for 5, Guest 1 and 2-the price is the same whether 2 travel or 5 people travel. In my opinion, that's the same situation. Two people are taking a room that could be occupied by more.

This is probably a logistical problem in pricing. They'd have to break out prices by how many each room sleeps in EACH category. That would be a nightmare to present on the Web site. And considering the problems they are working through with the Web sites and the ADA, that will never happen.

ETA: I would love it if this were possible, though! If my DH and I could pay less for a smaller (ie sleeps 3 room vs. sleeps 5) it would be great! But again, what a mess that would be!

 

[erionm]

Well, boo on them too. It is still harsh for single people like me.

That said, I did notice that if a couple travels in a room designed for 5, Guest 1 and 2-the price is the same whether 2 travel or 5 people travel. In my opinion, that's the same situation. Two people are taking a room that could be occupied by more.

To the cruise line, two in the stateroom is 100% occupancy.

 

[Mokat76]

I love Disney but it sure is apparent my love is unrequited. :-(

 

[sayhello]

From comments discussing it, many other lines already charge the 200%. Only NCL Epic has a studio available without a supplement from what I have seen.

Well, I'm glad I have a DCL cruise scheduled for December, because that's likely going to be my last DCL cruise! Talk about discrimination.

From comments discussing it, many other lines already charge the 200%. Only NCL Epic has a studio available without a supplement from what I have seen.

But have you seen the "studio" cabins on NCL Epic? They are little more than a closet with a bed in it. The idea is that you spend all your non-sleeping/showering time in the common area.

Sayhello

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

Carnival just recently went with charging 200% for the deposit. Cruise lines really don't seem to like the solo traveler....

I have one solo cruise booked with DCL, which may well be my last. I have one solo cruise booked with Carnival which I got in just before the double deposit.

NCL does have the studios, but they seem expensive for what they are - a really small cubicle waaay smaller than an inside.

I know people are always saying, "well you don't spend time in your cabin". Not me - I do because I get a veranda and like spending time out there!

You know a friend had commented to me a while ago that DCL really doesn't like the solo or non-family traveler. I think she is more than correct! They really prefer the newbie family with a few kids. They spend more as they don't know the ways to get around add on fees. Same with the repeat cruisers. You've been there, done that - so often spend less. Not always as some will argue - but for many - yes, they've seen the gift shops, have the stuff, etc, etc.

 

[kerstfan1]

Carnival just recently went with charging 200% for the deposit. Cruise lines really don't seem to like the solo traveler....

I have one solo cruise booked with DCL, which may well be my last. I have one solo cruise booked with Carnival which I got in just before the double deposit.

NCL does have the studios, but they seem expensive for what they are - a really small cubicle waaay smaller than an inside.

I know people are always saying, "well you don't spend time in your cabin". Not me - I do because I get a veranda and like spending time out there!

You know a friend had commented to me a while ago that DCL really doesn't like the solo or non-family traveler. I think she is more than correct! They really prefer the newbie family with a few kids. They spend more as they don't know the ways to get around add on fees. Same with the repeat cruisers. You've been there, done that - so often spend less. Not always as some will argue - but for many - yes, they've seen the gift shops, have the stuff, etc, etc.

i think u are right i know i pay major when staying at a disneyhotel but thats a choice i make due to not wanting to drive in a strange country but with cruises u cant pick much

 

[lbgraves]

I did see them referred to as padded rooms, but they have a seperate lounge area just for those traveling in single rooms.

As far as the cost difference, it seems to be more than 175%, but not consistent.

October 27, 2012 cruise with just cruise fare in a cat 7A
1 person: $2506
2 people: $2646 [$1323 pp]
> 189% single rate

cat 11C
1 person: $2058
2 people: $2198 [$1999 pp]
> 187%

So more than the 175% but less than 200%.

 

[jilljill]

I did see them referred to as padded rooms, but they have a seperate lounge area just for those traveling in single rooms.

As far as the cost difference, it seems to be more than 175%, but not consistent.

October 27, 2012 cruise with just cruise fare in a cat 7A
1 person: $2506
2 people: $2646 [$1323 pp]
> 189% single rate

cat 11C
1 person: $2058
2 people: $2198 [$1999 pp]
> 187%

So more than the 175% but less than 200%.

Don't forget to take into account the fare includes some non-commissionable fares that don't get charged twice for single bookings. Also, port charges are only charged once for the single cruiser.

 

[kcashner]

I love Disney but it sure is apparent my love is unrequited. :-(

You love Disney and Disney loves your money!

The reason for the above figures is that they charge 200% of the CRUISE FARE portion of the ticket + 1 set of government fees and taxes (basically port charges).

It was the same with the 175%....what the actual figure comes to depends on the category of cabin selected, but it will never hit all the way to 200% because each person pays only one set of taxes. In a cat 11, it will come out to something just under 190%, if you look at a concierge cabin it will be 198%!

 

[Ajojo]

Oh dear ......... looks like Disney is no longer going to be an option for me, so sad.