The Truth About Solo Cruise Cabins
For solo travelers, the traditionally coupled-up cruise world has long meant navigating unfriendly waters, largely due to the dreaded “single supplement.” This pesky — and pricy — fee could easily double the cost of a cruise vacation for a single cruise traveler looking to sail in a room priced for two.
Happily, the tides have turned: More and more cruise lines are coming out with priced-for-one solo cruise cabins on both new and reconfigured ships. These are meant to afford single travelers savings at sea . So what exactly do you get when you sign up for a solo cruise?
Celebritys Infinite Veranda Solo Rooms
Cruisers looking for a little bit more space on a line that falls somewhere between Royal Caribbean and Oceania will have luck with Celebrity Cruises Infinite Veranda solo cabins. Unlike traditional balconies, Infinite Verandas extend the overall square footage of the cabin, featuring a window that raises and lowers with the push of a button.
Passengers can find 16 of these 131-square-foot staterooms on Celebrity Edge and 24 on Celebrity Apex.
Are You Happy To Match Staterooms With Other Solo Travelers
Another key question to ask yourself is if you are willing to share a room with someone, or not. On singles only cruises and other types of cruise ship you will have the option to be matched with another solo traveler of the same gender and therefore traveling supplement free.
While this might sound like a great adventure for some and a good way to meet a new friends, some others would prefer the privacy of their own cabin. The downside here though, is that a lot of ships have very few or no single person cabins and therefore it is not an option.
The alternative to this is to find someone that you are going to be more comfortable with and this can be done in one of two ways. Firstly you could travel with an existing single friend who loves cruising or alternatively there are online forums where you are able to search for potential roommates.
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Best For Over : Saga Cruises
Courtesy of Saga Cruises
- Ship Name: Spirit of Discovery
- Itinerary: Aalborg, Denmark Aarhus, Denmark Gothenburg, Sweden Oslo, Norway Esbjerg, Denmark Southampton, England
The U.K.-based cruise line, Saga, offers ocean cruising on smaller ships for the over 50 crowd and its newest ship, Spirit of Discovery, will debut more than 100 cabins dedicated to solo travelers. All singles cabins have balconies and average 245 feet of space, and theres even singles suites for more space. The company offers door-to-door pick-up service to transfer guests to the ship followed by a sail away cocktail party. The ship focuses on boutique luxury cruising, and the intimate atmosphere makes it easy to create comradery with other guests. Even more, theres a singles mingle drink hour, singles lunch and singles meet-ups for cultural shore excursions like Scandinavian jewelry and art workshops.
Best Cruise For Foodies
Celebrity Apex
The second in Celebritys Edge series of ocean liners is the cruise lines ship with most single staterooms , increasing your odds of meeting other single cruisers. The ship itself is stunning and the cabins spacious for single foodies looking for a solo vacation at sea, but the culinary scene on the Celebrity Apex is the star of this show. Through 29 distinctive restaurants, bars, and lounges, youll discover more of the destinations you are visiting during your itinerary because the Michelin-starred chefs and mixologists onboard work to bring the flavors, ingredients, and cultures of each port onto the ship. Its a dining experience unparalleled in the world of cruising, which makes it perfect for a solo foodie wanting to taste adventure. To ensure that you enjoy every single bite, you have to avoid getting sick on a cruise.
What to expect:
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Solo Travel Is Becoming More Popular
As solo travel becomes more popular, more cruise lines are catering to solo travelers. Many people want the flexibility of enjoying their own time while on vacation but still having access to group activities and events. There are many different ways that solo travelers can enjoy a cruise ship without feeling like theyre alone all of the time!
Best Cruise For Beach Lovers
Carnival Mardi Gras
The newest ship on Americas most trusted cruise line makes weekly trips to the Caribbean from Port Canaveral, Florida, so a solo cruiser can easily pop into a Disney park or The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios before or after the cruise. Theres a brilliant and affordable Western Caribbean seven-day cruise itinerary available, which makes three straight port calls in sandy slices of heaven: Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Mahogany Bay. It will delight solo beach lovers looking for long days with their toes buried in the warm sand and a fruity beverage in their hands.
What to expect:
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Dining As A Solo Cruiser
If cruising solo isnt challenging enough for some people, dining on a ship as a solo can be terrifying. If youre not comfortable dining alone in a land-based restaurant, your shipboard dining experience should be a little better.
On a ship you have dining options. Retreat into your own world at the Lido buffet or one of the sandwich or pizza bars. But if only for social reasons, the Main Dining Room can be a lifeline if you need one.
If you request a large table in the dining room, be forewarned. Even if youve requested to sit at a large table with solos, theres still the chance of a mix-up. Your waiter could lead you to your table on the first night, only to find that the others at the table are all cozy couples.
Thats happened to me a few times. Right after dinner I went straight to the Maître d and remedied the situation for the next night.
Heres What I Do in the Main Dining Room
On boarding day, I go to the dining room and check out where my assigned table is located. Then at dinner on the first night, as the waiter leads me to my assigned table, I deliberately walk slow.
As I get nearer to my assigned table , if it looks like its all romantic couples or a situation Id rather avoid, I keep walking, stop short or do a U-turn. Then Ill quietly tell the waiter that I want to go back to the Maître d and get a new table assignment. Ive done this many times.
Cruise Solo The Best Cruises With Single Cabins
Travel solo and experience a fantastic vacation on cruises with single cabins. Dare to see the world on your own terms and make new friends at the same time. You just need to be a little bit bold.
Just like when you are traveling with family or friends, there is a lot to consider when choosing to cruise solo. Think about what the cruise line can offer, the facilities on board the cruise ship, your budget and the best itineraries for cruises with single cabins.
But there is one thing that makes some cruises lines stand out from the rest if you are traveling by yourself the opportunity to meet other solo travelers.
Going on a cruise by yourself doesnt have to be that different from going with company if you pick a cruise line that focuses on solo cabins, solo guest events and facilities on board.
In this article we tell you some of the major cruise lines successfully offering independant single travelers the opportunity to book and cruise solo. We answer common questions and give you our 5 best tips for cruising solo.
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Which Cruise Ship Cabins To Avoid
After analyzing their deck plans, well list here the most famous ships and their worst cabins. The bad cruise cabins issue is not about amenities, but about location and noise. Cabins located nearby the ships elevators or with some public areas above , or near public bathrooms may present some noise concern during the day or late at night.
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What The Cruise Lines Dont Want You To Know About Cruising Solo
Experienced solo cruisers never hesitate to set out on their next cruise. We love to cruise solo on a whim, take over an entire stateroom, do what we want when we want to do it. All looks really rosy. And it usually is.
What cruise lines and experienced solo cruisers dont tell you about cruising solo probably isnt what youd would expect.
No, its not about being alone on your balcony under a beautiful moonlit sky. Or having no one to schmear suntan lotion on your back. The occasional awkwardness of dining alone in a crowded main dining room. Or even having an end-of-the-cruise glass of champagne by yourself. None of these situations are unexpected or surprising.
Theres a challenging side to a solo cruise that we, as solo cruisers, have simply had to adapt to and accept in order to survive.
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The Joys Of Cruising Solo
Sailing in and out of ports, an aft-facing balcony gives you a whole new perspective.
Since first I fell in love with cruising about five years ago, Ive taken around a dozen voyages, all of them by myself. Im a huge fan of getting away from it all including my friends and family to enjoy a week of me time. Thats not to say I hole up in my stateroom like some kind of an antisocial hermit.
In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. But theres a certain freedom that comes with doing what you want, when you want without anyone to answer to.
Want to sleep all day? Go for it. Want to party all night? Have at it.
While I always travel solo, thats not to say that I dont sometimes know people on board. There are almost always familiar faces whom Ive cruised with before, especially since some of us try and coordinate our cruises.
But theres a difference between traveling with people you met on a cruise and doing so with people who know you in every day life.
Ships With Great Studio Cabins
Fran Golden
As more and more solo travelers head out on the high seas, cruise lines are responding with innovative staterooms designed for one. Best of all: These cabins are also priced for one, meaning you dont have to pay a nasty single supplement just because you decided to cruise alone. From the classic ships to the latest launches, here are the top accommodations for solo cruisers. Note: Book early to snag a spot, as these rooms tend to be very popular.
On board Norwegians four new ships as well on Pride of America, which sails in Hawaii youll find Studios, a dazzling complex of sleek cabins for solo travelers. Each has 100 square feet of private space, a full-size bed, and mood lighting . Another perk: a special lounge reserved for Studios guests. Its a great place to mingle with like-minded travelers.
On board Norwegians four new ships as well on Pride of America, which sails in Hawaii youll find Studios, a dazzling complex of sleek cabins for solo travelers. Each has 100 square feet of private space, a full-size bed, and mood lighting . Another perk: a special lounge reserved for Studios guests. Its a great place to mingle with like-minded travelers.
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Traveling Solo On A Cruise How To Keep From Paying The Dreaded Single Supplement
The emails subject line caught my attention: No single supplement on your cruise fare.
Single supplements are the bane of the solo traveler. But some cruise lines favor them because they make up for revenue theyre not getting from that second person.
If a rate shows as â$500 per person, double occupancy, it means you will most likely pay $1,000 if youre traveling alone.
I tend to think of this second person Im paying for as my shadow friend. The good news is that I never hear Fabricated Fred or Silent Susan complain the bad news is that they double the cost of my cruise.
Fortunately, there are ways around having to pay for make-believe companions. Here are some:
Book Shore Excursions Through The Cruise Line
Anchorage, Alaska
Shore excursions highlight the best parts of a destination and provide unforgettable experiences. Bond with fellow passengers by exploring the port together. Youll have the chance to run into them again on the ship for more fun and conversation.
When you book a shore excursion, you know youll be spending your day surrounded by other travelers on your ship. Most ports have multiple ships calling at them each day, so its better to spend the day making new friends with people who will board your ship at the end of the day.
Alaska
Choose an excursion that features a hands-on activity. This gets people out of their element and provides easy conversation starters. Chatting with others while hiking through a rainforest or waiting on a zip-lining platform can lead to fun conversations.
If you go on a sightseeing shore excursion on a bus, try to sit up near the front so youre close to the guide. Theyll usually be open to conversations and are a wealth of knowledge on the destination youre visiting.
You can ask questions and also learn about what its like to live there. Its a way to have some socialization throughout your solo cruise day in port while also learning more about the city or town youre visiting.
Galapagos
The best part? All the details are taken care of for you. Youll be conveniently guided right to your shore excursion transportation from the ship. Youre guaranteed to be back to the ship in time before it leaves for the next port.
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How Carnival Cruise Line Could Score Big With Solo Cruisers
Recently, Carnival Cruise Lines Brand Ambassador, John Heald, took to his Facebook page to address, among other things, the topic of solo cruisers. In part, he expressed a somewhat admiration for those who opt to cruise by themselves in general and, more particularly, those who choose to dine alone. I feel sorry for them, he admitted. I know I shouldnt, but I really do.
But it was toward the end of the post that he acknowledged a far bigger problem faced by solo cruisers: I know, many have the challenges on the price to pay for the cruise, and I wish there was something I could do to change that right now.
And, seeing as he brought up the topic, I thought that I might mention a few ways in which Carnival can help solo cruisers such as myself.
Cruise Line Adding Solo Oceanview Cabins On All Cruise Ships
A cruise line has announced that they will be adding oceanview solo cabins on all of their cruise ship this year.
Oceania Cruises, one of the worlds leading destination focused cruise lines, is adding 14 solo cabins on each of their four cruise ships. The 14 Solo Oceanview Staterooms will debut aboard Regatta on September 25, 2022 Nautica on September 26, 2022 and Insignia and Sirena on October 1, 2022.
With the addition of these 56 staterooms, plus those that debuted to a sell-out success on Vista earlier this year, Oceania Cruises is reinforcing its commitment to solo travelers. The cruise line also revealed two new shore excursion series Go Green and Beyond Blueprints to provide curious travelers with even more options for discovery, exploration, and personal connections with the destinations visited.
One of the greatest factors in Oceania Cruises success is that we not only listen to the feedback our guests and travel partners provide, we act on it. Our guests and travel partners wanted more options for solo travelers and more diverse tour offerings, and we are delighted to deliver, stated Howard Sherman, President & CEO of Oceania Cruises.
These new single-occupancy staterooms are ideal for guests seeking the joy of traveling solo while experiencing all the comfort, cuisine, and destination expertise that Oceania Cruises is renowned for, added Sherman.
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Holland America Cruises For Solo Travelers
Holland America Line is renowned for its commitment to solo cruisers. There are plenty of activities that can be delightfully solitary or a means to meeting others . Holland America’s Single Partners Program, available on most voyages, offers events for solo travelers like cocktail mixers and games, too. Singles are also invited to dine together .
But does Holland America have single cabins, you ask? Yes, they do. The line’s biggest and newest ships, Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam, offer 12 solo cabins. They are all ocean view rooms and range from 127 to 172 square feet. They feature all of the same amenities of a double-occupancy cabin, but with a twin bed.
Holland America Line Solo Cruise Pricing: Solo cabins are priced for one single supplements are as much as 100 percent over standard per person double-occupancy fare for all other cabins.
Get Out And Mingle The First Night
You might be tempted to unwind in your stateroom the first night, especially if you had to travel a long way to get to your solo cruise and are still feeling tired from the journey. However, spending time in public spaces on the ship is a great way to meet new people and one of the best things to do on a cruise.
Celebrity roofdeck
Strike up a conversation and make some new friends on the very first night of the cruise. Nothing is better than a familiar face when youre traveling solo.
Check the program in your stateroom before you head out to the next activity. You may find events that are solo cruiser friendly.
Casino
Exchanging stateroom numbers is helpful, too, so you can call new friends later on in the cruise to arrange times to meet up for dinner, a drink, or games.
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