Cruises don't work like land vacations.
Because you are on a moving ship visiting different countries, there are a variety of charges depending on which ports you call at.
Additionally, cruise lines charge daily gratuities, which are technically optional, but are generally considered an additional required fee by cruise passengers.
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Cruise ships also have some fees and charges that land-based hotels and resorts do not charge.
Of course, the rates are not reserved for cruises. President Joe Biden has been trying with some success to get hotels to eliminate resort fees or force them to disclose them in listed prices.
Cruise lines don't charge resort fees, but they do charge port charges and now major cruise lines announce them in advance.
However, passengers traveling alone face an additional fee that surprises some passengers. That is something that many passengers do not consider fair.
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Image source: Carnaval Corp.
This is how cruises are priced
Hotel rooms are generally sold based on double occupancy, with a single traveler paying the same price as two people. If you bring more than two people, the costs increase.
You don't get a deal for being alone in a hotel room, but since it's not that important if 1 or 2 people are staying in the room, the second person's name doesn't need to be on the room. Cruise ships, however, must accurately track each person on board,
This is, at least in part, because there needs to be a place for a lifeboat for each passenger. Therefore, when you book a room, you must share how many passengers will be traveling in that room.
Some rooms only accommodate two passengers, so if you have 3 or 4, you will need a larger room.
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But, because cruise lines force you to share how many people are in the room, it seems like passengers are paying a penalty for traveling alone. Basically, in addition to port fees, a solo cruiser pays a double occupancy price.
In reality, that's exactly how things work at land hotels, but the way cruise ships are priced makes it seem like a penalty. And to be fair, in some ways, it's like a solo cruiser that won't eat for two, take up two seats at a show, or take up space in a pool or hot tub.
Carnival charges a solo supplement
Most cruise lines do not have individual staterooms (and those that do have a relatively limited number of them).
Janene McAlpine recently wrote to Carnival Cruise Line's brand ambassador asking how solo cruises are priced.
“Hi! This is just a question, not a complaint! I generally travel alone. Why am I being charged the same as a cabin with two? I'm sure it's been addressed before, but I couldn't find anything about it. ” Hence the question! Thank you and have a great day,” he shared.
Heald, as he always does when asked a question politely, responded with warmth and compassion.
“Thank you. Yes, of course, this is very standard, and I understand your frustration. Obviously, simply charging for a person is not something we do at this time,” he added.
Heald shared that he is working on a bonus for solo cruisers.
“I'm working on trying to get double points for our wonderful solo cruises. So thank you, I know the challenge is in your face and I hope we see you very, very soon. If there is anything I can do for you, please Let me know. I know,” he added.
Royal Caribbean offers double loyalty programs for its solo cruises, charging a 150% surcharge instead of 200% for guests with 340 or more Crown & Anchor loyalty program points.
READ ALSO: Top travel agents share how to get the best price on your cruise
Bob Kissinger also weighed in on Heald's response.
Janene McAlpine, Carnival does not have individual cabins on any of its ships. They can't charge you for a single cabin if they don't have one. “If you want to book a cabin designed for two passengers, then you have to pay that amount for that cabin, regardless of whether you put two passengers in it or not,” he posted.
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