We have heard this question:

"I want to go on the cruise, but I understand that each stateroom if for TWO people. I don't have a partner yet, can I still go at the same price?"

The answer is "Yes, probably." We already have several people who want to go as singles, and are looking for a room-mate. So we can play match-maker and put you together with this other passenger. You can meet before the cruise and make sure you will be compatible.

For now, Let either Ken or Terry know that you are ready to sign up and it will be arranged for you to make deposits, and not specify your room-mate. Terry will walk you through the system manually instead of on-line. But we can work it out for you provided there are enough singles. If for any reason you do not have a room-mate by the August deadline we will have to consider other possibilities.

Your other option is to go out and ask your friends if they want to go on the cruise. Pick your own room-mate!

What happens if there are no room-mates available for you? Well, if you like, you can choose to pay a 150 to 200 percent of your fare charge for a single room, IF a single room is available. Our estimate is that this will cost you up to around $300 to $400, and you will have a private room, but that must be worked out based upon availability at the time.

If you must cancel before making your final payment on August 5th, you can get a full refund.

After the August 5th deadline, you have options:

It will depend on how close to the sailing date to receive a partial refund, but within 30 days of the sailing date, probably no refunds. If you think this is going to be your situation, ask specific questions for specific answers.

If you want to leave your money as a reservation for ANOTHER cruise, you can simply transfer your deposit for a fee of only $50.00.

If you want all your money back, and you want a guarantee of that, you will have to buy cruise insurance, at a cost of $79.50. The cruise lines recommend that everyone take this option because it makes money for them. You must decide for yourself, and read the terms of the insurance and cancellation very carefully to determine if it is a good option for you. Ask and you will get other opinions about this.

REPLY to discuss this further.

I am single but possibly have roommate -- will know in about a week -- BUT my real concern is that I belong to a sort of co-op and thru them can book same cruise somewhat cheaper. is there a possibility of connecting to this group without booking thru your agency?

NOTE: Paul has found a cabin-mate. Looking forward to seeing both of you on the cruise!

Paul,

Yes you can book through another source, and of course if you can get it cheaper we understand. Do let us know the particulars!

One feature of our package that I want to remind everyone of is that if you make your reservation deposit before April 5th, the amount due is only $25.00! That is an amazingly low deposit. Plus, we can take monthly deposits to make it easy for you. A $25.00 deposit and $100.00 per month payments is like a cruise lay-away plan!

We too found some cheaper prices advertised. It is always possible that for reasons we won't ever know, there may be an advertised price, or "loss-leader," so let me share what we found. First, no one includes the $80.00 ($10.00 per day) in tips that Carnival puts on your bill. That alone lowers the price from $645.00 to $565.00.

Most advertised prices don't include the taxes and port fees. We do!

Our package includes a $50.00 on-board credit to your sign and sale account, which lowers the effective price to $515.00. $509.00 is the lowest price that Carnival advertises for any room, and those are on the lower Riviera Deck.

We are on either the Main or Upper Decks which if you look at the ship places us mid-way from the bottom to the top. The bottom (Riviera Deck) is where a lot of machinery and ship's equipment is located, so we feel fortunate to be three or four higher levels. Not only may it be quieter, it means fewer stairways or elevator waits to get around.



When we first investigated some $479 and $489 prices, we found that some tour packagers would buy some of the Riviera Deck rooms and the rooms advertised at these rates were upper and lower bunks. There are only 5 rooms like this on the ship. So obviously since our group is larger than than this, we could not go for these bunk-bed rooms. If you are looking at one of these rooms, ask what category the room is; these bunk-bed rooms are a category 1-A. Our rooms are minimum category 4-B.



We found that the $509.00 cabins were on the lower Riviera Deck, and our package automatically upgraded our group to the higher decks at the same effective price, so we know our deal is a good one.

Plus... our group receives a free bottle of wine in every stateroom which we are having served in the dining room on "formal" night. The cheapest bottle on-board is $30.00. We also will be included in a invitation-only cocktail party with an open bar. I call this our "one hour drinking contest!" As a group, our dinner seating will at the same time. Honestly, we are still finding out about different options to offer benefits to the group. Remember, I am not a professional tour operator or travel agent so I am finding new things every day... however, I spend several hours every day looking for ways to make this cruise better for our group.

As a group we hope to have other benefits, but honestly can't make those promises until later when we know how many of us there are. I can tell you that I am already having contacts with gay bar owners in Acapulco about a private party, and in Manzanillo a potential private beach party. Any other private shore excursions we plan will obviously cost less than the shore excursions offered by the ship

So there will be other benefits of being with our group and at least now you can weigh some of the differences and make a decision that is best for you. It's also possible that if you are a past Carnival passenger you qualify for other benefits and discounts that give you a good deal. One thing I wanted to make sure about was that our's is the best package going, and we have a guarantee from Carnival that our price is the lowest. Of course, we will welcome you with open arms whether you book with us or your co-op.

I am constantly networking with guys from around the world and know of other gay men who will be on this cruise, and of course there will be "Friends of Dorothy" cocktail hours most afternoons for networking and making new friends. All will be welcomed and you will fit in! So no matter what, just make sure you get on-board so we can meet you and have a good time on the Mexican Riviera! If we offer you a good, fair deal, then please book with us because that is how we qualify for some of the benefits we are able to provide our group members.

We have matched up four passengers already, and just found out we have another who needs a roomie! Let Ken know if you are coming and need someone to sleep with... so to speak!

You won't have any trouble filling your extra bed cutie..I offer turn down service...or is that bend over service...lol welcome aboard!




(Kenz Note: Yup, he's mine... )

Hey guys....I am a 65 year old male from Salem Oregon looking for a roommate. Check Out my picture. I have already put down a deposit on the cruise and I really don't want to be in my room alone. My particulars are gay, white, 5'7", 170#, non smoker, social drinker, employed engineer, and all around nice guy. You can contact me if you want more info at boyfun@comcast.net...........Thank you.

April 12th....Thanks guys for the responses but I now have a roommate....

[quote="airborne619"]You won't have any trouble filling your extra bed cutie..I offer turn down service...or is that bend over service...lol welcome aboard!

Well, I still don't have a roomie but booked anyway -- anyone interested in joining me in this cabin can contact me -- $600. for oceanview cabin #1214 -- does not include gratuities

NOTE: Paul has found a cabin-mate! We still have a few others looking for cabin-mates, so if you are interested, let us know!