Are cruises prices based on double occupancy?

It's a fact— the price that you see for a cruise ship cabin is typically based on double occupancy. That means the price you are seeing is ½ the total cost of the stateroom. It is the cost paid by each person assuming that two people will be staying in a room, each paying the stated price.



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Most cruise lines price the cabins assuming there will be two people per cabin. If you sail solo, they will charge you double, minus tax and port fees. Some ships do have solo cabins, which don't charge double, but usually only a few rooms.

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Cruise prices are typically shown per person, based on double occupancy, which means that the price is based on two people sharing a cabin. If you're traveling solo, you may be required to pay a single supplement fee, which is an additional fee that covers the cost of the second person in the cabin.

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Tip: Unlike hotel prices, cruise fares are listed per person, not per cabin, with rates based on two people occupying a stateroom. Cruise lines offer single travelers the opportunity to book a double cabin for themselves by charging a “single supplement,” which is basically 1½ or 2 times the list price for one person.

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Cruise fares are priced based on the assumption that each cabin will be occupied by two passengers. So, for example, if the cruise fare for each person in a cabin is $10,000 then the cruise line pricing assumes they will be paid $20,000 in total fares for the cabin.

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That's why many Carnival staterooms can be configured in different ways — some sleep up to five! Keep the group together. Some cabins have connecting rooms with a common door between them. When it comes to bathrooms, an extra might be a good idea.

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A few cruise lines feature a limited number of cabins designated for single occupancy sparing the solo cruiser from having to pay double. While cruise lines advertise these single cabins as having no supplement, the single rate is usually slightly higher than the per-person rate of comparable double occupancy cabins.

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While they vary quite a bit, on average the single supplement fare is charged at a rate that is 75% higher than the double occupancy fare. In our example above, where the double occupancy fare per person is $10,000, the single supplement fare would be 75% higher or $17,500.

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Many people suggest $100 per day, and this has generally worked well for me in my cruising experiences, but there are a lot of variables to consider.

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But what if you add a third person into the cabin? You might not realize it, but while most people cruise with two to a cabin, you can cruise with three people… and even a fourth cabinmate. For some passengers this is a great way to sail with family or friends, without the cost of an additional room.

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Double occupancy rates usually cover the cost of two guests sharing a room, so there is typically no need to pay extra for the second person.

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The default pricing for a cruise is always based on double occupancy, meaning solo travelers would need to pay almost double to secure a ticket at the advertised rate. The final price isn't exactly double, as port fees and gratuities (if included) are charged per traveler.

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Because most cruise ship staterooms are meant to hold at least two people, booking a room by yourself often means still paying higher prices that are equivalent to two people. According to Cruise Critic, some cruise ships have solo cabins that are meant for just one person, but it's not common.

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Many regular cruise rooms, also called cabins or staterooms, can sleep up to four people. All rooms have two twin beds that can be pushed together to form a queen or king; additional sleeping spots might be a pullout sofa or upper bunks that fold down or pull down from the wall or ceiling.

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Family-Friendly: Designed with families in mind, these staterooms accommodate up to five people and thankfully come with an extra bathroom. Great for groups too, thanks to connecting doors. Upper deck: Consider a stateroom on the upper deck of your ship.

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As any seasoned traveler knows, you'll often find lower rates or free add-ons as the departure date approaches and the cruise line works to fill the ship.

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What is the cheapest time to book a cruise? Prospective cruisers can usually find a lot of good deals at the beginning of the year during wave season, Goldberg-Glazer said. That period typically lasts from January until March. However, the optimal time to book may depend on when you plan to sail.

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According to an extensive study that followed price drops in the cruise industry, Thursdays may be the best day to book a cruise. Prices associated with travel are always in flux due to supply and demand, so the prices of a cruise can change daily. Prices could spike on a Wednesday and drop, well, on a Thursday.

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In general, plan on giving $16–$23 in gratuities per day for each passenger. Note that the amount should be tabulated for each individual in your party—don't try to tip once per couple or group. So if you're planning to go on a 7-day cruise, expect to give a total of between $112 and $161 per person in gratuities.

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The answer to this question varies a lot by person, their travel habits, spending preferences, length of the cruise and destination. Many people suggest $100 per day, and this has generally worked well for me in my cruising experiences.

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13 Tips for Finding Cheap Cruise Deals
  1. Don't Wait for Last-Minute Cruise Deals on High-Season Sailings. ...
  2. Hunt Down Shoulder Season and Repositioning Cruise Deals. ...
  3. Use Cruise Critic's Deal Score to Know When a Deal is Really a Deal. ...
  4. Bundle Up for the Best Cruise Deals. ...
  5. Ask for a Price Drop Credit When Cruise Fares Change.


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