One of the more noticeable trends in cruising involves a greater number of people traveling solo. With every new ship, Celebrity has added more staterooms to its fleet that are solo-traveler friendly and many of them have a private veranda, too. Solo travelers make up 10% of the passengers on this river cruise line. CRUISES FOR SINGLES & SOLO CRUISING Sign Up For Special Offers Let Us Call You Call Your Travel Professional Best for Solo Travellers - Cruise Critic's 2019 Editors' Picks Awards Best Cruise Line for Solo Travellers 6 years in a row - Porthole Magazine [See the top Azamara cruise itineraries onGoToSea, a service of U.S. As soon as I got onboard, I met two guests, Zach and Collin, at the embarkation day lunch with The Key. THE 25 BEST Royal Caribbean Singles Cruises (with Prices) on Cruise Critic Royal Caribbean Singles Cruises We found you cruise s Filter Sort: Popularity Serenade of the Seas Apr 8, 2024 16. In this post well share more about how cruise lines set their pricing and how that impacts solo traveler policies at various cruise lines, and 10 tips for making your trip as a solo cruiser as cost-effective and enjoyable as possible. Celebritys cruises have onboard activities to suit everyone, from thrilling entertainment and live music to guest speaker series and guided meditations. Once on board the vessel, check out the daily program for activities conducive to meeting others like wine tastings, cocktail-making classes and more. Be among the first to know about special offers, exclusive sailings, and much more. News. The hip vibe on board the adults-only Virgin Voyages ships is ideal for solo cruisers looking to meet other travelers. Solo Cruises | Tips for Traveling Alone | Royal Caribbean Cruises Olsens solo cruises look after its singles well, with special activities arranged for single travellers and dance hosts who make sure that everyone who wants one has a dance partner in the evenings. For an extended sailing, check out the festive 15-night Carnival in Rio Voyage, which features a stop in Rio de Janeiro during the city's famed Carnival. These Insider and Sea View cabins are designed and priced for single travelers, with amenities like high-tech mood lighting and roomy rain showers awaiting you. I've taken many cruises solo and my answer to your question, "which line." is that the company doesn't matter. Avalon's fleet of new and nearly identical Suite Ships operate in Europe and Southeast Asia and feature cabins with a minimum of 172 square feet. Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, and Spectrum of the Seas all do, but my ship didn't. Answers to All of Your First-Time Cruise Questions, Cruising During Hurricane Season: Everything You Need to Know, Overnight Cruises: Where to Go, What to See, How to Spot Marine Mammals From a Cruise Ship, Everything You Need to Know About Embarkation Day, Long Weekend Cruises: Where to Go, What to Do, 2022 Celebrity Cruises, Inc. Ships Registry: Malta and Ecuador. [Want to check out a Seabourn cruise? Marella Explorer 2, also has 15 single cabins for solo travellers. The new Celebrity Cruises Edge-class ships offer some of the best options for solo cruisers. Caribbean Singles Cruises - Cruise Critic Celebrity was the proud winner of the 2022 Solo Traveler Magellan Award, presented by leading travel industry publication Travel Weekly. Fifteen smart Britannia single staterooms were added to Queen Mary 2 in June 2016, during the ship's remastering. The advantage of these studio staterooms is that they can be reserved by someone cruising alone without the usual single supplement fee, which doubles the cost of the cruise fare. solo cruise - Solo Travel Forum Leagle. 1. All three Cunard ships (four from 2024 when Cunards new ship, Queen Anne, launches) have had single cabins added as part of their 2016-2017 refurbishment programmes -- priced with no single supplements. Traveling single gives you the opportunity to pick a ship based on your . Meals at all the dining venues, premium beverages and wines, gratuities, emergency medical evacuation insurance, one culturally immersive excursion and more are included in the fare. Olsen offers one of the warmest welcomes you're likely to find on a cruise ship. It's not at all unusual to meet your cabin neighbors in passing, make friends during dinner, converse with your cabin steward, or to bond over gameshows in the theater. If each person pays the full fare per person, or 100%, that means the full cabin is expected to take in 200%. World Cup - Solo Travel; Show More . If you dont feel totally compatible with the other folks at your table, talk to the matre d and ask for a different table. During my seven-night voyage, the ship sailed to Roatn, Honduras; Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico; as well as Royal Caribbean's own private island in the Bahamas. Marella Cruises from Newcastle and Southampton were available in 2021, though the line is back to offering all fly-cruise holidays from 2022, including the Canary Islands, Mediterranean and Caribbean. Guests of the studios enter by keycard access, where they'll also find the private Studio Lounge. Top 10 Cruise Lines for Solo Cruisers These 8 cabins are great for travelers cruising alone For itineraries, Azamara's signature "Country-Intensive Voyages" are a favorite of solo cruisers, including the seven-night Greece Intensive Voyage. These include Steakhouse Surf and Turf; and pan-Asian Kora La, both of which are for a small fee. Avalon recommends booking early as the specially priced cabins do sell out. There's now a ship for every traveller who prefers to sail alone -- including the hippest line afloat, Virgin Voyages. Are you thinking of going on a Royal Caribbean cruise solo? During my time on Independence of the Seas, I would go to events onboard that skewed more social, such as trivia, and also chat with the bartenders and crew throughout the ship. And your journey is a relaxed and safe one. ], (Michel Verdure/Courtesy of Holland America Line). There's also a rock-climbing wall and two swimming pools on TUI Discovery and Discovery 2. Are there special prices for single guests? - Royal Caribbean Cruises Though most of the P&O Cruises fleet is family-friendly, the good news for those solo travellers who prefer not to have to share a ship with other people's children is that Arcadia and Aurora are both exclusively for adults, so you'll find them full of like-minded passengers enjoying the fine dining, sophisticated bars, pampering spas, quiet pools and very grown-up facilities like the onboard casino and art gallery on Arcadia. Well, you've come to the right place! I recently booked a Royal Caribbean kayak excursion on a cruise that stopped in Alesund, Norway. All Rights Reserved. Submit. The exploratory nature of the excursion fostered a social environment for everyone in the group, leading to a fun afternoon of conversation, diving, and snorkeling. Marella Cruises' four ships all offer dedicated solo cabins for an extra-friendly, all-inclusive style of cruising for solo travellers. On some ships, mainly those in the NCL fleet, studio cabins for singles are clustered in one area of the ship, and they offer access to an exclusive solos-only lounge -- a great place to meet others who are onboard alone. In the end, my solo cruise experiences could not have been more different than I initially imagined. Royal Caribbean boasts the most single cruise cabins of any line, with about half of the ships in its fleet housing at least two. Most voyages of more than 10 days also have gentleman hosts onboard as dance partners and shore excursion escorts. They also have funky, multi-coloured lighting and an unusual bathroom design to maximise space. Sometimes you dont want to wait to see a destination until you have a travel partner who can go with you. Solo pricing is as low as 75% over the standard fare for Insider, Sea View and Sea Terrace cabins, and 100% higher for suites. Not only are single staterooms spacious, but theyre also outfitted with the same modern, sleek design and luxurious amenities as all staterooms on Celebritys ships. The "grog walk" is a fun pub stroll where solo sailors can join fellow mates while sipping and snacking their way through all the signature bars. Jenna DeLaurentis Wondering what it is like to go on a cruise by yourself? There are lots of reasons why people choose to cruise solotheir partners or friends may not have the time to take a cruise with them; they're independent and simply enjoy their own company; or are happy just to travel alone, to name a few. Single guests will also have the opportunity to engage with other solo travelers during a welcome reception with Champagne at the beginning of each voyage. I recently had my first solo cruise experience with a 4-night sailing on Independence of the Seas and a 7-night sailing on Harmony of the Seas. Youll be conveniently guided right to your shore excursion transportation from the ship. Royal Caribbean ships with solo cabins include Quantum of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas and Odyssey of the Seas, which each feature 28 studio cabins for solo travelers. ROYAL CARIBBEAN. From the best solo cruises from the UK to the best international cruises, here are 10 of the best cruises for solo travellers. the only option is an interior cabin of some sort. Will I dislike not having someone there with whom I could share my experience? Most ships will do their best to seat you with other solo vacationers, so you'll have something in common right off the bat. Virgin Voyages cabins are easily configured (and rearranged mid-cruise) for both sleeping and entertaining, giving solo cruisers all the comfort they need and none of the welcome to my tiny space vibe. [Set sail on a solo Avalon Waterways cruise. On the last night we shared a dinner at Jamies Italian and it was a wonderful way to close out a solo cruise experience that ended up being one of my most social cruises yet. Celebritys ships are equipped with high-speed WiFi so its easy and convenient to start a WhatsApp group to arrange activities and meet-ups with newfound friends. Always opt for a P&O Cruises Single cabin to benefit from a no-single supplement fare. The line's newest ship, the futuristic MSC World Europa (with its inaugural cruise set for December 2022), will have 28 cabins 10 studio interior and 18 studio ocean view staterooms designed specifically for solo travelers. News.]. Sometimes cruise lines completely waive the solo supplement fare, meaning you travel for the cost of a per person, double occupancy fare even though you have the room to yourself. Hanging out in the hot tub always led to interesting conversations with fellow passengers, several of which I connected with throughout the rest of the cruise. You could join an expert talk led by a guest speaker or take part in an arts and crafts session -- such as bead jewellery-making, painting, mosaic decoration, calligraphy and decorative card art -- to learn a new skill and meet fellow passengers. As soon as I boarded Independence of the Seas for my first solo cruise, I quickly realized that you are never truly alone on a cruise ship. Her work has appeared on Cruise Critic, USA Today, the Associated Press, NBC News, the Miami Herald and Huffington Post. When you book a shore excursion, you know youll be spending your day surrounded by other travelers on your ship. A Complete Guide to Solo Cruising in 2023 Prof. Cruise If you need more thrills to stay busy, Royal Caribbean's ships feature world-class shows and adrenaline-pumping rides and attractions. Giving Royal Caribbean feedback on their excursions? - Cruises Forum Going on a solo cruise means being able to do what you want, when you want to do it, and it has its own sets of perks (and hurdles). People will likely be intrigued by you traveling on your own, want to get to know you better, and enhance their own dining experience. Another boon, all four ships in the Fred. Come with U.S. News on a tour of L'Ermitage Beverly Hills in Los Angeles, Come with U.S. News on a tour of the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills in Los Angeles, Come with U.S. News on a tour of The Peninsula Beverly Hills in Los Angeles, Come with U.S. News on a tour of Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles, Come with U.S. News on a tour of The Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles. Dedicated Solo Hosts will also seat new friends together on the bus for shore excursions. 15,952 forum posts . If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. Priced for one, the fares are far more reasonable than what you'd pay to stay by yourself in double-occupancy digs, albeit with a little less space. Norwegian Cruise Line offers this category on eight of the 18 ships in its fleet, including the newest ship, Norwegian Prima. Bond with fellow passengers by exploring the port together. If a solo traveler booked the same room - a room that could have been booked by two people - for the same per person rate of $600, the line would miss out on the second $600. Another concern I had was with dining. Holland America is very good about arranging events for single and solo travelers: One of the trends Cruise Specialists has noticed growing over the last few years is single or solo cruisers! Saga Cruises is especially solo friendly, with around 20 percent of cabins dedicated to singles in a range of accommodation categories. 4 day bahamas and perfect day Single guests can also choose to dine with just one person or sit at a table for four, six or eight passengers during the cruise. Royal Caribbean Singles Cruises The line's two intimate yacht-style cruise ships World Navigator and the new World Traveller are all-inclusive. Celebrity is also one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly cruise lines in the business, too. Seabourn occasionally offers single guarantee fares for just 50 percent more than the double-occupancy fares. Cruising Solo: Tips on How to Take Cruise Vacations Alone - Insider For even more fun, check out the evening spa parties to see the DJ transform the thermal suite at Redemption Spa into a nighttime party hideaway. Theres dazzling entertainment on every ship, whether you want to take a front row seat at the Martini Bar and watch the mixologists at work, or take in one of our state-of-the-art shows. On solo cruises for seniors, accessible staterooms and excursions for all types of mobility levels ensure guests see as much of the world as they desire. If they know youre a solo cruise passenger, they may give you some insider tips on upcoming activities or entertainment you wont want to miss. The line's 21-day Morocco and Canary Islands itinerary is a great option for single cruisers seeking an extended holiday. Cruise Ship Lifeguards: Which Cruise Lines Have Them? There is no requirement to go on a solo cruise with the intention of making new friends or always chatting with other guests and crew. The idea of going on a cruise alone can be daunting but especially in a post-COVID world, solo travel is the way of the future. FL:ST39344 | CST# 2096145-50 | WA/UBI 602864630. Download our free Alaska cruise line guide and start planning the trip of a lifetime. 21,651 forum posts. Two single occupancy staterooms are available on four of AmaWaterways' river cruise ships: AmaDolce, AmaDante, AmaLyra and AmaCello. Norwegian Cruise Line is consistently recognized as the leader in singles cruises, thanks to studio cabins sized and priced perfectly for one and a lounge area for single travelers to meet and. The experience did not match at all with the description we had been given. Ambassador Cruise Line cabins include 89 single-occupancy options across a selection of accommodation types. Celebrity Cruises has beautiful single staterooms, many with a private veranda, and offers hosted social events for solo travelers. You might be tempted to unwind in your stateroom after busy days ashore. The newest vessels for many lines (Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, MSC, Celebrity, Cunard) feature solo cabins. Do you know about when you'd like to sail? These cabins do not carry the single supplement fee singles encounter when booking other types of staterooms, making them an attractive option when traveling alone. By Chantae Reden | Published on December 1, 2021 At the age of 19, I purchased a plane ticket to Nicaragua and ventured on my first-ever solo trip to Central America. We also have a growing contingent of retirees who love traveling together on World Cruises yet still Cunard Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Celebrity Cruises are just a few of the cruise lines that have ships with solo cabins, Cruise Critic reports. Steve and Wendy Bodenheimer Before my cruises, I was feeling nervous about what it would be like to go on a cruise alone. You can also participate in onboard activities like trivia contests, drink seminars, escape rooms, dance classes and pool parties. Choose an excursion that features a hands-on activity. Get-togethers before each port for those who'd like to go ashore with some companions are also organised. If you're not necessarily a joiner, try opting for set seating in the main dining room for dinner, and be sure to request placement at a table with others. Fred. North America, the Caribbean . Because your cruise line's bottom line is calculated based on two people per room, you will almost always have to pay a single supplement if you sail alone in a cabin meant for two. Royal Caribbean offers these in a mix of virtual balcony cabins (inside cabins) and solo balcony rooms with 55-square-foot open-air terraces. Queen Mary 2, Cunard's most well-known ship, which sails regular transatlantic voyages between Southampton and New York, now includes 15 solo cabins -- ranging from 178 to 183 square feet -- among its cabin types. Izumi Hibachi tables seat eight people. Avalon Waterways' river and small-ship cruises traverse waterways around the world, including in Europe, Asia, Africa and South America. Consider a 7- or 10-night Caribbean cruise, where snorkeling and diving shore excursions are bound to introduce you to people with similar interests and a sense of adventure. In St. Thomas I reserved the Discover Scuba excursion, which took ten guests to an island off the coast of St. Thomas to learn the basics of scuba diving. Intimate and culturally immersive excursions also create opportunities to meet passengers with similar interests. Attend shows, dine with new friends, hit the spa and more on your next solo cruise. Celebrity Beyond has 32 solo staterooms with an Infinite Veranda, as does the new Celebrity Ascent. So if a double occupancy cabin is listed at $600 per person, the cruise line expects to receive $1200. One benefit of cruising solo is that you can choose to do whatever you want while in port. Maybe you just like the introspective time that a solo vacation can provide. And if your travel companion of choice is of the furry, four-legged variety, Cunards Queen Mary 2 is the proud owner of the only kennels at sea -- complete with Kennel Master -- to transport pets in pampered comfort to and from New York. Luxury line Silversea Cruises offers 25% single supplements on various voyages throughout the year, including expedition cruises to destinations like the Galpagos Islands, Antarctica and the Arctic. I recently had my first solo cruise experience with a 4-night sailing on Independence of the Seas and a 7-night sailing on Harmony of the Seas. Do I prefer cruising solo or with friends and family? Most importantly, though, I learned a few key lessons that may help alleviate a few concerns if you are planning a solo cruise vacation. These ocean view staterooms range in size from 127 to 172 square feet and feature the same amenities of the double occupancy cabins but with a double bed. Holland America Line's newest ships, the Pinnacle-class vessels (the Nieuw Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Koningsdam), each offer 12 solo cabins to accommodate single travelers. Download our free world cruise guide and start planning the trip of a lifetime. Its latest ship, Vista, debuting in 2023, includes six 270-square-foot solo cabins, each with a . Saga river cruises are a great option for solo travellers looking to enjoy the gentle pace of Europes waterways with like-minded travellers. The line's current fleet of intimate ships, carrying no more than 608 guests, offers an atmosphere perfect for meeting solo and like-minded travelers. Cruise lines base their pricing on an assumption that 2 people will share each cabin (hence, the term double occupancy). For a little "me time" pampering while on board, solos will appreciate 24-hour room service, complimentary Penhaligon's toiletries and a chilled bottle of sparkling wine. However, the most impressive are Super Studio staterooms with balconies, found on Anthem of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas and Odyssey of the Seas. The spas and fitness facilities on board are second to none. Diners will enjoy the interactive experience at Gunbae, the lively Korean barbecue venue. Some of the enrichment programs and special-interest cruises ensure a compatible mix of people with like-minded interests, solo or not. THE 25 BEST Singles Cruises to Caribbean (with Prices) on Cruise Critic Caribbean Singles Cruises We found you 834 cruise s Filter Sort: Popularity Grandeur of the Seas 9 Night Eastern. The 930-passenger Braemar has two balcony suites, 12 outside single cabins, six superior inside cabins and 15 inside singles. Instead, the solo traveler is almost always expected to pay the . Long committed to solo travelers, the line boasts a Single Partner Program, where guests can meet other singles through wine tastings, cocktail mixers, exercise classes, daily quizzes, sports challenges and more. While there are plenty of out-of-the-way spaces to enjoy onboard most ships if you're seeking solitude, cruising is a social vacation. Ready to cruise solo? These accommodations do not have single supplement fees. A solo cruise is an excellent vacation choice if youre looking to experience exciting destinations around the world and make new friends along the way. It will give you some familiarity as your tablemates, server, and sommelier get to know you and your dining preferencesand sparkling personality! Norwegian Communications Center. News. Olsen Cruise Lines fleet offers a wide choice of no single supplement cruises on a range of cabin categories, making it an affordable holiday option for solo travellers. Luxury line Atlas Ocean Voyages offers single cruisers 183 square feet of beautifully appointed space in solo accommodations that come without single supplement fees. Cabins feel extra special, too. Saga Cruises Spirit of Discoveryand Spirit of Adventure both carry 999 passengers and have 81 dedicated single cabins, all of them with balconies. Our Studios are the perfect sized room for solo cruising and the Studio Lounge is a great way to meet other single cruisers. If a guest chooses to book a different stateroom, single supplements for double occupancy cabins are as much as 100% over the standard fare, depending on the voyage and the cabin category. If you're sailing in the Caribbean, there are plenty of opportunities to meet and chat with other passengers at the line's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. Saga solo river cruises also offer at least three excursions onboard Spirit of the Rhine. Perch at the bar for drinks if you feel awkward sitting alone at a table. Royal Caribbean's Nordic Prince sailing away from Hamilton, Bermuda in 1991. I thoroughly enjoyed my solo days in port, too. That means that as a solo traveler you will still pay for two people. A journal is a lovely way to pass the time at dinner, giving you the opportunity to reflect on the day and write about all the amazing things you saw in port or did on the ship. I also learned that booking excursions can also be an easy way to mingle with fellow passengers. If your group is not a party of 8, multiple parties will be seated together at the same table. Solo cruisers can also book staterooms on any of the line's ships with a 50% single supplement. 20102023Regal Sea Media LLC. Just because youre cruising solo doesnt mean you have to be alone, unless you want to be, of course. Single Stateroom with Infinite Veranda on Celebrity Beyond. If youre seated at a table on your own and feel self-conscious, have a book or journal on hand. The line's all-inclusive fares include luxurious ocean view suites, gourmet dining, complimentary wines and spirits, gratuities, onboard enrichment and entertainment, shore excursions, and more. After 19 Solo Royal Caribbean Cruises: 4 Things You Need to Know Single guests will find events during the sailing and venues around the ship where you can mix and mingle with other solo travelers and chat with the friendly crew. To cater to this trend and type of traveler, Royal Caribbean has added . Today, solo cruisers can expect more choice of solo cabins, tailored activity programmes, dedicated cocktail parties for mingling, and dining companions hand-picked for compatibility. While this is not always the case, those who identify as singles are often interested in getting to know other singles onboard for potential companionship. 888-862-8881 or Sales@UnCruise.com. Royal Caribbean Solo Cruise Pricing: Royal Caribbean's studio solo cabins don't incur extra charges (i.e., there is no single supplement); regular cabins booked for a solo traveler come with single supplements up to 100 percent over standard double-occupancy fares. Here are some of their top tips and recommendations to help put your worries at ease. Making friends onboard proved to be extremely easy and having a group to hang out with certainly enhanced my experience. News.]. Virgin cruises, like Scarlet Lady, offer a wide array of edgy extras and are designed for socializing. You'll also enjoy thrilling top-notch entertainment around the ship in The Theatre, The Club and Eden. Fred. September 12, 2020 shares So you want to know everything about solo cruises and cruising single? Search, compare and buy the best travel insurance for the lowest price. Dining is one of the biggest concerns for solo cruisers, but on my cruise I learned that dining alone does not have to seem so intimidating. Norwegian Cruise Lines .css-hghiur{transition-property:var(--chakra-transition-property-common);transition-duration:var(--chakra-transition-duration-fast);transition-timing-function:var(--chakra-transition-easing-ease-out);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;font-weight:var(--chakra-fontWeights-medium);border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;cursor:pointer;color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);border-color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);}.css-hghiur:focus-visible,.css-hghiur[data-focus-visible]{box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-outline);}.css-hghiur:hover,.css-hghiur[data-hover]{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;}Norwegian Epic, based in Barcelona during the summer, broke the mould when it came to single cabins when it launched in 2010.