Kate

I will be booking a cruise for either March/April 2002, and will be traveling alone. I have done 2 shares on Carnival in the past, however I would like to have the cabin to myself on this trip. Can anyone recommend a cruise line/ship? I am in my early 30's, and want to relax for 5-7 days at sea. Just looking to have fun and relax solo.<BR>thanks,

Paul Therault

Hi Kate,<BR><BR>I would stick with Carnival. They have category 1A cabins with one upper and one lower bed. Not too many passengers book these cabins and they are very reasonable. Also very large.<BR><BR>Paul

Sara

Too bad you missed Celebrity's and RCCL's special. If you booked by December 15th for sailings through March - you only had to pay for one person in the room. It was an excellent special.

Paul Therault

Another tidbit I neglected to mention. Often the 1A cabins are offered with a "guarantee." this will just about "guarantee" you an upgrade. See your travel agent. Make sure that your travel agent will continue to check with the line after you book to see when a "guarantee" will become available. Your reservation can be changed.<BR><BR>Paul

Cathy

I don't know of any cruise lines that don't charge the dreaded "single supplement" except Carnival's share program. Windjammer has singles cruises, but I don't know how relaxing the cruise will be. It is a shame that you missed the supplement free booking deadline. Go to vacationstogo.com and see if there are any ships with deep discounts for March or April. If there are, this may mean that there are still cabins available and you could call the cruise line and ask if they would be willing to waive the single supplement. It's a shot. <BR>I have heard that HAL has a few single cabins on its older ships. Call Holland America and see if any of these are available.<BR>I do know a few single people who are willing to pay double to have a cabin to themselves - that is your other option. I don't know if you want to do this or not.<BR>With single people being at least 25-30% of the United States Population (singles, never married, divorced, widowed) I don't see why the cruise market does not address this issue, especially is light of the soft economy. This is one reason why cruises have not grown beyond 12% of the travel market. Cruise Critic has a message board section for single cruisers that has a link to an excellent article about doing away with the single supplement.

cruiseladytx

Just booked my 7th and 8th cruise and have traveled solo on all but 1. Sailed on both Royal Carribean and Carnival. Enjoyed both. I always ask for a large table for dinner and the late seating. Also, I usually book the ships tours unless I know the ports well. Safety in numbers, I guess. Have always met great people but also have plenty of time to relax by myself. Love having a cabin to myself. Never have to worry if I'm coming in late or leaving early. <BR><BR>Go and have a great time.

Jeanette

Princess used to charge only a 125% supplement. I would also call the cruise lines direct (going around the TA's) and explain your request. Especially if you are booking a ship that is not full, I'm betting they will accomodate you. This particularly applies to the lines that had the special that applied *only* until Dec. 15th. I'm betting you could get them to extend the courtesy, especially if they didn't have to pay a TA commission (sorry, Paul et al). Also look carefully at HAL's five-day flash specials, and call HAL direct. While I'm sure they won't give you that flash price, I suspect they will find you a good deal on those sailings. <BR><BR>

Paul Therault

Sorry Jeanette, if you wish to get the promotions the way to go is a travel agent. They can get to the proper departments that you can not.<BR><BR>It is also a fallacy that by cutting out the travel agent will get you a better price. If you book through the line they will save the travel agent's commission but you will not.<BR>The cruise lines can not cut their own throat by giving lower prices than the travel agent. The travel industry would come down hard on any cruise line that may do this.<BR><BR>The cruise line give us the exact same price and promotion that they would give you. We can fool around with the price and save you some money.<BR><BR>Paul

Jeanette

Paul, your opinion as a travel agent, differs from my experience as a consumer.<BR><BR>In some cases, TA's were able to get me a better price. In most cases, they added perks (like shipboard credits), which made it a better deal for me. However, in other cases, the cruise line gave me the same price as the TA's, but better perks (including shipboard credits and substantial upgrades).<BR><BR>Personally, I think it all depends on how full the ship is and which cruise line and which TA. And how good the consumer is at horse trading.<BR><BR>

Paul Therault

OK Jeanette this is what you do. Book with the cruise line since apparently your travel agent is not paying attention. Then switch the booking over to your travel agent. You will get the same price and the same perks and possibly your travel agent will reduce his/her commission and pass back the savings to you.<BR><BR>Make sure you are booking with the cruise line. Some unscrupulous agents will pass themselves off as the cruise line.<BR><BR>Paul