How Cruise Deals Are Making Solo Travel More Affordable
A Caribbean cruise is probably not the first thing that comes to mind when planning solo travel. Thanks to shipboard activities and shore excursions traditionally tailored to couples and families, along with the industry practice of tacking on a supplement fee for solo travelers taking cabins designed for two, solo cruising can be lonely and expensive. But that’s changing fast, said Matt Hochberg, inveterate cruiser and editor-in-chief of Cruise Blog, which offers reviews and information on cruises.
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Can You Pay for One Person on a Cruise?
In short, yes. Hochberg said that in recent years, cruise lines have added a growing number of staterooms built for solo travelers, from small, affordable cabins to luxurious ocean-view staterooms. He said that the solo cruise market is not only getting more affordable, but filled with more offerings tailored to single travelers.
Are There Cruise Lines That Don’t Charge a Supplement Fee?
It’s true that supplement fees have long dissuaded solo cruisers and were rarely avoidable. Why? “Historically, solo cruising has been an overlooked segment for cruise companies,” said John Maguire, founder of CruiseDirect, a cruise booking website. But Maguire said that cruise lines have adapted not only with more cabins for singles, but also by reconsidering the supplement fees. They saw that “catering to solo cruisers presents an opportunity for cruise lines to fill unsold cabins efficiently,” he said.
So today, cruise deals for singles are not relegated to studio cabins or cramped staterooms. Savvy travelers can often find last-minute deals on staterooms meant for two, said William Lee, a travel expert with Chima Travel. “It’s more beneficial [for the cruise line] to have two people in the cabin so they can make more on drinks, food, etc. However, having someone in the cabin is better than not, hence the special offers for no or low supplement fares for single travelers,” Lee said.
Which Cruise Lines Are Best for Solo Travelers?
Here are five cruise lines recommended by experts for solo adult cruisers. Prices vary, but these lines are all making an effort to cater to the solo cruising crowd.
Virgin Voyages
Virgin Voyages not only has staterooms for singles, but it also has adults-only cruises, with dining and other experiences solely tailored toward adult clients. As far as solo cabins, it offers two choices: Sea View and Insider. As the names imply, the Sea View cabins feature a porthole while the Insider is an interior room without an ocean view. The rooms range from 105 to 190 square feet.
Virgin Voyages does require you to pay more if you book a cabin meant for double occupancy, so you will want to make sure you search for solo traveler offers. These offers include the same amenities as double occupancy cruises, however, like Wi-Fi, entertainment, dining, soft drinks and water, and more. So, you can avoid wasting money on cruise extras.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian was the first cruise line to introduce cabins and common areas specifically tailored to solo travelers and has gained a reputation for doing it best — most experts interviewed for this article listed Norwegian as a top pick. And apparently, it’s working out for Norwegian, too, because this year, the cruise line expanded its solo staterooms from nine of its ships to its entire 19-ship fleet.
The line has studio cabins for solo travelers, but it also offers special solo rates on other room choices, such as Balconies, Oceanview and Inside Staterooms. All of Norwegian’s solo cabins give solo cruisers access to the Studio Lounge, allowing singles a chance to meet other solo travelers.
Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean was another line singled out by experts as particularly accommodating to solo travelers. And while it doesn’t offer specific pricing for single travelers on dual occupancy cabins, it does offer studio staterooms for solo travelers on certain ships. These do not include the usual supplement fee.
There is also a range of studio stateroom choices, from 101 square feet to 199 square feet in three classes: Studio, Virtual Balcony and Super Studio, the latter of which features a balcony. Search for solo options aboard these Royal Caribbean ships: Brilliance of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas and Spectrum of the Seas.
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity is another line that has taken advantage of the growing solo cruising market. It offers single inside staterooms on its Celebrity Silhouette ship that feature a double bed and measure 103 square feet. With only four of these rooms available, however, don’t expect a singles cruise.
If you prefer a slightly elevated experience, Celebrity offers the Edge Single Infinite Veranda stateroom for singles aboard its Celebrity Edge, Apex, Beyond and Ascent ships. These rooms measure 184 square feet and feature a view and a 42-square-foot veranda, giving you access to the open air “with the touch of a button,” according to Celebrity’s website.
Cunard
Cunard has made a gallant effort at courting the solo cruiser market of late, including cabins for singles on all three of its luxury liners: Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria. They offer two levels, the Britannia Inside and Britannia Oceanview.
The solo accommodations don’t end at your stateroom door, either. The line offers morning coffee and other receptions specifically for solo travelers, as well as the ability to dine alone or with other passengers. The same options hold for when going ashore.
Other Solo-Friendly Cruise Lines
In addition to the above cruise lines, MSC Cruises, Holland America Line and Oceania Cruises are other top picks for solo cruisers, said Cruise Blog’s Hochberg. For instance, Holland America’s solo cabins are relatively large and all feature an ocean view, said Hochberg. Similarly, he said that Oceania’s fleet offers many ocean-view solo staterooms, as well as many Concierge Level single cabins, which include free laundry, room service, a private lounge and a free bottle of champagne.
Is It Worth Going on a Cruise by Yourself?
This is, of course, a very personal and subjective question to answer. Here are some pros and cons of cruising solo:
Pros:
Freedom to design your own agenda
Opportunity to meet other singles with a similar love of travel
Prices are now reasonable with a growing number of solo offerings
Cons:
Possible safety concerns when exploring cities alone
Dining and excursion options are often designed for groups
Feelings of loneliness or awkwardness on couple- or family-heavy cruises
The consensus among experts is that successful, cost-effective solo travel on cruise ships requires a bit more research than the average family might need to do, especially if your goal is to avoid cruises designed for families or couples. But the good news is that you have more affordable choices than ever before.
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How Cruise Deals Are Making Solo Travel More Affordable