I joined friends on a cruise where I sailed without a roomate, Are there differences in the surcharge by various cruise lines for a solo cruiser or is it usually double? The cruise I sailed on I paid the same for my room on the inside "basement" as did each friend crusing with a roommate in a balcony room. Maybe I can suggest another cruise line where the difference is not so great? Thanks.

Some cruiselines are 200%, HAL is usually 150%

NCL has a new program where you can cruise solo without paying a single supplement. Just ready about it here:

http://allthingscruise.com/ncl-marke...olo-travelers/

I paid 150% on a window cabin - it was a special deal.

I think if you pre-book, it will depend on the cabin category. If close to the departure, it will depend on how desperate they are to sell the empty cabins (if there are any)

You've touched on my biggest complaint against the cruise lines -- I mess-up only one bed and eat for only one person. Because I am relatively neat and not a big eater, I am annoyed when asked to pay double for a cabin as if there were two bodies being fed and transported. Once Cunard (QE2) waived the upcharge because they were in need of passengers. The next time they only charged me 150% of the quoted per person fare based on a double occupancy. It seems everything is negotiable depending on demand. I will not pay double prices; I just go on to the next cruise line and someone usually desires the business enough to make the fare reasonable. I am a prize! I do not complain or cause waves -- they should compete for my business!

PS323: Well, that's one way to look at it. But remember that the cruise lines only make part of their money from from your fare. When rates are low, they actually make more from passengers' onboard spending --alcohol, shore excursions, and gambling (I think in that order, could be wrong). One person in a cabin is likely to spend half as much on these things.

Not saying I like the policy, only that I understand it from a business perspective...