Specially designed single suites, single supplement waivers and select itineraries are ensuring solo cruisers are well catered for.
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Managing Director Australasia Joel Katz says there’s been a big increase in the demand for solo cruising.
“Cruise lines are experiencing more enquiries from solo travellers and as a result we’re seeing more initiatives like solo cabins, attractive single-supplement waivers and other offers,” he says.
Tips for Solo Cruising
- Study the ship size and what’s on offer for solo travellers including social activities.
- Keep on eye out for solo specials – cruise lines are aware it’s a growing market and offering incentives.
- Most cruise lines now offer special group touring, dinners and cocktail receptions for solo cruisers.
- Join a trivia team and get to know your team mates – it’s a regular event so team up early.
- Sign up for classes and workshops to meet like minded people – there’s everything from cards to computer classes.
- Off ship tours and private excursions are a safe way of discovering a city rather than wandering by yourself.
- Join a hosted share table for dinner.
Ponant
The sleek luxury Ponant fleet offers more than 136 select voyages with a free solo supplement including Antarctica and India, where the cost of the double cabin is waived, but solo passengers benefit from the double occupancy space. The smaller, intimate ship size is also conducive to solo travellers. A 10-night Antarctica: The White Continent with Smithsonian Journeys, departs from Ushuaia on 26 February 2024.
Cunard
Cunard has embraced the demand for solo travel with spacious solo staterooms with all the cruise line trimmings and lots of activities including coffee mornings and drinks receptions specifically for solo travellers.Shared tables are offered and dinner hosts can provide company. If you want to hit the dance floor, dance hosts are on hand in the Queens Room on every voyage to take you for a twirl.
Guests sailing transatlantic on Queen Mary 2 can also bring their cat or dog on board for company using the kennel facilities.
Explora Journeys
The new luxury cruise line offers guests undertaking a solo Ocean Journey and those who prefer to enjoy a suite to themselves, a lower supplement fare on selected Journeys, with all services and amenities included. Any suite can be booked with a single supplement starting from 25% above the current per person fare. Taxes, fees and port charges are paid for one guest only.
Holland America Line
Solo cruisers are well catered for – Pinnacle Class ships including Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam have single cabins ranging in size from 11.79 to 15.97 square metres each with ocean views. Solo Travellers parties are held soon after boarding to meet other like-minded travellers and there are more than 40 activities including exercise classes, enriching lectures, line dance class, wine tasting and cooking demonstrations, team trivia contests, the daily quiz and sports challenges.
Crystal
Crystal offers contemporary and welcoming single guest rooms with ocean views – up to 20 sq metres and personal butler on both of its ships, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity. A straight solo fare is offered, and for solo passengers who like to dance, Ambassador Hosts are professional dancers and dance teachers . Current offer: all guests who book before 31 March will receive a complimentary room upgrade (T&Cs apply)
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line recently increased its solo room occupancy by 144 per cent and is set to introduce nearly 1000 dedicated solo staterooms across its diverse 19-ship fleet. For the first time ever NCL will introduce three new solo stateroom categories, including Solo Inside, Solo Oceanview and Solo Balcony with sailings underway. Solo guests have access to a dedicated solos Studio Lounge.
