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Why do cruise prices go up for one person?

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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A short three to four-night cruise can start from as low as $200-$300 per person for an inside cabin, while a week-long cruise can cost anywhere from $500-$1500 per person, depending on the cruise line, the destination, and the type of cabin.

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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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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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Cruise line fares include a number of items that may usually be additional expenses for travelers, like food. And while a number of offerings, such as specialty restaurants and alcohol, might cost extra, passengers can generally dine well while spending as much or as little as they like.

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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. For instance, where a double occupancy room might cost $599 per-person for a total of $1198, a single occupancy cabin costs $799 total.

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Solo travelers may pay more If you're traveling alone, you may also need to factor in a single supplement, which can add up to as much as 100% of the cruise fare.

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The price of a cruise is the same whether you book onboard or at home, but Royal Caribbean will give you extra onboard credit for booking onboard. It's a bonus on top of other promotions the cruise line has, and is one of the best ways to rack up onboard credit.

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Aside from the main benefit of enjoying the cruise with friends and/or family a group cruise most often is priced lower (for the same cabin categories) than regular rates. In addition to the rate reduction, most cruise lines offer certain amenities to the group such as onboard spending credit, welcome parties, etc.

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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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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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Gratuities aren't mandatory on cruises, however they are widely expected and built into the price structure on most major cruise lines. It's a bit like when you go to a restaurant and you are expected to give a tip to your servers.

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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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There are several ways to avoid paying a solo supplement or having the single supplement waived:
  1. Book your tour or accommodations with a company that doesn't charge a solo supplement. ...
  2. Roommate Matching Service. ...
  3. Book late! ...
  4. Book early! ...
  5. ASK for a waiver! ...
  6. Take advantage of Search. ...
  7. Set up a Google Alert for these searches.


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Cruise lines report that as many as 20% of their passengers are solo travelers, so there are plenty of opportunities to make friends and have a great time. If you previously ignored cruises as an option for solo travel, think again. Your next solo adventure might be on a cruise ship.

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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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The prices of some cruises will decrease last minute – but this doesn't always happen. Booking a cruise within the last 60/90 days may not always be the best way to get a bargain. If you leave it this late you run the risk of the cruise line only having a few cabins left and the prices increasing.

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Cruises are often known for decadence when it comes to food – it's available all day, every day, in unlimited portions, and it's certainly not all healthy. That said, it is possible to eat healthy while on a cruise ship – while still enjoying yourself, too!

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Much like any hotel on land, room service tends to be operational 24/7 and that means passengers can have breakfast in bed at 2 p.m. if they so please or enjoy a hot pepperoni pizza at 3 a.m. by the sea.

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