Do you recommend single travelers get matched with a roommate to lower fares? Sharing a cabin means that solo travelers will not be required to pay the "single supplement," which is a fee that cruise lines charge to single travelers.
"For many single travelers, being matched with a roommate that they don't know seems like a complete nightmare," said Emily Motycka, a travel agent with AAA Travel in Omaha, Nebraska who specializes in helping people find cruises they will enjoy. "But other single travelers see it as an exciting adventure that only adds to their enjoyment of the cruise experience."
Sharing a cabin means that solo travelers will not be required to pay the "single supplement," which is a fee that cruise lines charge to single travelers. "Cruise lines, like hotels, base their pricing on a double occupancy," said Ms. Motycka. "If you're traveling with a friend or partner, this is great!" she explained. But, if you're traveling alone, it means that you alone must bear the burden of the entire cabin charge by yourself. This is often called a "single supplement" in the travel industry.
To put it in numbers, if a cabin on a three-day cruise costs $1200 based on double occupancy, that works out to be $600 per person. Since a cruise line misses out on some extra revenue by selling a double-occupancy room to a single traveler, they charge an extra fee to make up some of this lost revenue. This fee can be as high as the full cost of the cabin's double-occupancy rate of $1200. It can also be somewhat lower, as well, depending on the cruise line.
Many single travelers enjoy the benefit of finding a roommate to share the costs of a cabin, and are willing to gamble that their roommate will be bearable - or even enjoyable. However, Ms. Motycka explained that "there are only a handful of cruise lines that will match you with a roommate any more." For those that do, you can ask to be matched with a roommate when you book your cruise, and if the cruise line can match you with another single traveler of the same gender, you are not charged the single supplement. If they are unable to accommodate your request, then the single supplement would still be charged.
If you are would like to find a roommate to share cabin costs, but the cruise line cannot accommodate your wishes, "you might want to consider trying an online matching service," suggested Ms. Motycka. Various travel websites help to match up travelers - for a fee. Members of these websites may post their travel plans or desires, and then other members may contact them to make travel arrangements.
If you do end up deciding to sail with a roommate who you do not know, try to agree on some basic ground rules in advance - or at least on the first day of your cruise. Consider making rules regarding issues such as quiet hours in the cabin, assigned times for using the bathroom, smoking, and bringing others - especially romantic partners - into the cabin. Also, be sure to check with the purser's office on the last day of the cruise to be sure that all charges have been posted to the correct person's account.
