“NEW” Cruise Line Policy EXPLOITS Cruisers!?

Maybe I have a slightly different outlook as an Australian but just tell me what my fare is. I don’t really care how much of it is port fees, or taxes, or going to the crew, or…
As far as I’m concerned, they’re all business costs and the responsibility of the cruiseline. Work out how much you need to charge me to meet your profit margin after ALL the expenses. I don’t need an itemised list.

I tend to spend more money as a solo traveler than I do when I’m traveling with someone. I definitely spend way more money in the casino when traveling solo.

This is what it's known as a temperature check. This was not an accident this was done intentionally to see what kind of response they would get. How hard the push back would be. Based on the public reaction, they will make decisions such as implementing the change, delaying the change, adjusting the change, or canceling the change altogether.
The only purpose here is for them to see how far they can push the consumer before they go too far.

Funny- these lame brained ideas “leak out” - I think to test reactions and depending on the outrage decide if to keep it or throw it out.

Hi Jordon which Celebrity Cruise ship has the retreat

I believe NCL is the way to go for Solo Traveling@

I have no idea of what the cruise line’s profit margins are, but I expect they are minimal. Why else so so many lines nickel and dime their customers?

I just love how some cruise lines look at one side and say "That solo cruiser is not spending as much as the room next door with two cruisers." But those cruise lines conveniently ignore that solo cruisers consume half as much as two people. Half the food, half the drinks, half the trash, cabins that require less time and resources to tidy up. Sure, cruise lines are losing some revenue on solo cruisers, but they are also reducing expenses. 6 to one, half a dozen to the other.

If a ship is charged port fees based upon capacity not # of guests, then if only 50% full they lose heaps.
If solo passengers don't book the cruise company misses out entirely.

so..,if you are in a room designed for a solo...they still gonna try and pull that stunt? I want to find another cruise (both of mine were on Celebrity) but the cost is just out of the budget!

Unbelievable that they would even consider this - and my reponse is what about all the $$$$ they are saving on food? As a solo cruiser I pay double occupancy but certainly don't eat for 2 people? Shouldn't I be getting a credit for that? LOL Or just use that saving to line your coffers and stop with all the all crazy money grabs please!

There are so many more solo cruisers now. Cruise line should just figure out a fair rate to charge per person no matter what

Bye bye Holland America... Never got to sail with you but if you're charging me for something you don't actually have to pay for yourself then why should I pay it?

That’s not necessarily true that solo cruisers spend less than two people in a cabin. My husband and I don’t spend any extra on ships. Meaning, no specialty dining, no spa, no alcohol purchases, etc. We enjoy the amenities and entertainment included in our fare. So by their example, they’re not making any extra money on us and we’re two people.

🎸⚓🔥 You two ROCK the boat and tell it like it is! I’m seriously blown away by how fast you jumped on this story and gave it the heart and clarity it needed. 💬💡 You don’t just report the news—you fight for the cruising community with style, smarts, and soul! 🎤🛳 That Holland America policy was a total facepalm 🤦‍♂, and it’s a good thing voices like yours are out here making noise and holding cruise lines accountable. Solo travelers deserve better—and thanks to you, they’re not alone in this battle. 🙌💙 Keep lighting up the cruise world with your energy, honesty, and epic content—you're the rockstars we need at sea! 🌊🔥 PS: If you ever feel like kicking back with some glam metal cruise madness, check out my newest cruise-themed music video—it’s loud, wild, and full of shipboard rebellion! 🤘🎶💋

Wow, as a person that has only cruised solo, that is such BS! I'm glad they retracted it but not getting the warm and fuzzy that they or any other line won't try to pull these type of shenanigans again on solo cruisers...

I cruise solo more often than not, and I know that I don't spend as much onboard as I would if traveling with a friend. I don't go to specialty dining for the most part. That's just one example. On the other hand, if I take an excursion, I'm more likely to book it through the cruise line than to venture out alone with an independent vendor. I'm sympathetic to the cruise lines efforts to stay profitable. I'd be interested to know how full the ships would be without the solos.

I'm a solo cruiser (15 cruises... with #16 beginning this Saturday). Whoever it is who said that solo cruisers spend less hasn't met me yet... and likely won't.

How does this work with cabins sailing with 4 people that could also hold just 2? Are the port fees calculated on the higher or lower number? Guessing this helps even out solo cruisers if they only charge the standard occupancy

NCL is the BEST for solo cruisers ❤

Interesting quick retraction. Holland America realized their mistake and retracted it. Shame on any line that charges solo cruisers twice the fees.

My question - why was the "policy" even written up? Obviously, they were considering it, or the draft text would never have been on anyone's computer as a possibility.

Great show 🎉😊

Just because two people are traveling doesn’t mean they are going to spend any more money. I’ve traveled with the my husband and not have spend nothing extra on the cruise. So, if I were to go alone that wouldn’t change either, so where do they come up with their logic?

What is next? Charging couples without children extra because everyone knows that parents spend more than “non-parents” or seniors? Ridiculous!!!

Money Money Money

Funny thing here,....my wife and I rarely spend any money on board,....

Every form of travel as a solo vacationer is absolutely outrageous. We have to pay significantly more. Why would they be surprised that we’re not willing to spend as much on other things after that?

I travel solo...On my Australia trip I found if you book in Australia the solo travels charged double gratuities noy sur3 about port fees. Busses don't tip so they force them by making the gratuities non refundable...but not fair th3 solo has to pay double. I spend more onboard then when traveling solo...more excursions wifi...I Don't drink so no alcohol anyway. Crazy to charge us more. Just because my hubby doesn't want to travel doesn't mean I won't

I don’t spend anymore sailing solo than I do when I have my spouse with me. He doesn’t drink, gamble or buy sodas. I drink, gamble a small amount & drink special coffees. So your actually making money from me the solo cruiser

I’m a solo cruiser and always spend anywhere between $800 and $1,000 between the spa appointments and shopping. So not fair, I’ll probably stop cruising if they do this.

What a stupid decision that would be. As a solo cruiser, I have only cruised on Holland America up till now and am getting close to being a 4 star mariner. If they implemented this change, it would only encourage me to try other cruise lines.

I eat more specialty dining I get the drink package I play bingo I go to the game show as Etc I spend money when I solo, if it's two of us someone doesn't drink it's not worth the drink package to pay for two just for her to drink a lemonade once in a while so yeah I don't go in the casino so I don't spend money there she doesn't gamble so she wouldn't spend money there but we couldn't go out and have four meals at specialty dining either together where I can individually because well I'm not buying the crap in the stores I look at cruises that are giving 0 to 30% supplements and I'll I'll do them all day and that's the one thing I love so much about Norwegian they have solo rooms and now they have the solo balcony Holland America knows they just did a big boo boo and possibly solo Travelers won't even entertain the idea of going on their ships

It is illegal to charge taxes above government rates and pocket them. It is fraud and could result in criminal charges. I would imagine port charges would be similar.

Guess I won’t sail with them. They need to think about what solo cruisers spend in the casinos !!!!!

If the port fees are charged to the ship, is it based upon cabin occupancy? If cruise lines added more solo rooms, then occupancy of those rooms would be 1 passenger, right?

HAL,, Great job!

I’m a solo traveler a lot of time I don’t think it’s fair to charge us extra

Darn this people are greedy! I travel only SOLO🎉

Holland America, Celebraty. Goodbye. 👋

Errors like this rarely happen. What are the chances they really planned to do this but backed down in light of the backlash?

Cruise lines continue to show their ugliness.

HA must be breaking a rule somewhere. If you book a cabin as a double and only one occupant shows up, after sailaway the cabin gets the port tx reimbursed for the absent passenger.( Hi, Della here)

I wonder what will be next? Are they going to charge more for people with kids under a certain age because they aren't spending as much?

I’m a solo traveler and this is already happening on some cruise lines …. Check it out for your self. Do a mock booking for 2 and note what the cruise fees and taxes are per individual….Then just change the number of guests to 1 and you will see that the cruise fees and expenses are the doubled however the Govt taxes and fees remain the same …. I tell ya … some cruise lines already doing it

Solo cruisers don’t eat/drink (non alcoholic beverages) either. Ever gave them money back for That?

Late in posting this comment as after my cruise I got sick with sinus infection.
Was so great to meet you 2 on my anniversary cruise on the Celebrity Edge May7-16 you two were so awesome and I love your updates only wish I had my camera when I talked to you
Thank you for taking the time to talk to me Kimberly from Canada 🇨🇦

We have stopped cruising after nearly 21 years as the cruise industry has gotten out of control with the prices and nickel/dime approach of passengers. We are finding land based vacations to be better deals now vs cruise vacations.

I cruise solo since my wife passed. I cruise with the same budget as when there were two of us, so the cruise line is not losing money.