Cruise Newsletters Archive

Today I'd like to share some news with our customers who travel solo. 

In 2004, we launched our hosted singles cruise program for singles of all ages. In 2005 -- the first full year of our hosted singles cruise program -- we hosted more than 14 sailings, and have hosted at least that many each year since. They're a great way for singles to cruise as part of a casual and fun-loving group. Click here for more information and a list of dates and prices.

Today, I'd like to announce another program for our customers who travel solo, one designed to help locate sailings with little or no "single supplement". First, here's a bit of background information.

It is standard procedure for all cruise lines to charge a single supplement to passengers traveling solo. Typically the line takes the per-person rate based on double occupancy and adds 50-100% to the price for a single. That means that a cabin that sells for $1,000 per person based on double occupancy would be sold to a single for $1,500 to $2,000, with the exact price depending on the cruise line and sailing date.

From the cruise line's perspective, what they are selling is space on the ship. If there are two or more people in a cabin, they split the cost of that space. People traveling alone pay for all the space by themselves.

Many singles don't see it that way. Surely it costs less to feed and entertain and transport one person than it does for two, they argue. The savings aren't as great as one might think, say the lines, since a lot of food "cost" is in chefs, waiters, bus boys and dining venues, and the ship is staffed and provisioned to be able to accommodate a full (two-or-more-to-a-cabin) sailing.

I believe some cruise lines may bump up the single supplement a bit to make up for the onboard and shore excursion revenue they lose when a cabin is occupied by only one person.

Ultimately, it is up to the cruise lines to set their rates, and I estimate that more than 95% of cruise cabins carry a single supplement that is 50% to 100% of the per person, double occupancy rate.

At Vacations To Go, we want a great price for all of our customers -- including those who travel solo -- so we launched a division devoted to negotiating special low supplements for singles. We'll post every special we arrange on our site, and you can see all of the current opportunities by clicking the "Singles Discounts" link on our Home page or by clicking here.

In today's list, you will find more than 300 sailings offering at least a few cabins with single supplements that are much smaller than average, ranging from 0-49%. As always, these deals are subject to availability at the time you call. And if you are interested in the single rate for a sailing that is not listed here, just give us a call and our cruise counselors will quickly get you a quote.

Sincerely,

Alan Fox
Chairman & CEO
Vacations To Go

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