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Adventure of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas have between two to five solo cabins. These solo cabins are just 100 square feet in size, and passengers booked in these rooms can take advantage a dedicated studio lounge, where they can mingle with others cruising by themselves. To help lone travelers feel welcome on board, cruise lines are also rolling out additional opportunities for them to meet other singles at exclusive receptions, get-togethers, and group dining just for solo cruisers. Royal Caribbean has taken a page from Norwegian's playbook in recent years by adding solo cabins to both new and older ship classes. The line's Quantum-class vessels, which began debuting in 2014, offer up to 28 of these dedicated studio cabins, which measure from 101 to 119 square feet. Looking at all these criteria — price, cabin options and a welcoming environment — I've identified five lines going the extra mile for cruisers traveling alone.
Themed Sailings or Full Ship Charters
Atlas' first solo suites hit the seas this year onboard its debut ship, World Navigator. Each suite clocks in at just over 180 square feet and comes equipped with a queen-size bed, a 42-inch TV, and a shower complete with L'Occitane bath products. I can't tell you how many times I've been sitting alone in a corner of a cruise ship lounge, minding my own business, when another passenger (or two or five) stopped by and struck up a conversation. Additionally, Royal Caribbean ships are particularly known for their wide range of onboard activities, from big-production shows to rock-climbing walls and surfing pools, that you can enjoy just fine as a solo traveler. MSC Cruises has undertaken a shipbuilding boom, rapidly increasing the size of its fleet in a bid to make itself the largest cruise line (in terms of number of ships) by 2030. As the line's ships grow in size and amenities, they have begun to add cabins for solos.
Best for Solo Travelers – Cruise Critic’s 2023 Editors' Picks Awards
If you’re single and want to meet up with other singles, be sure to attend the solo traveler’s coffee mornings. They have since expanded their single cabin offerings on other ships with Celebrity Apex having 24 and Celebrity Silhoutete refitted with 4 single interior staterooms. With a capacity of 1400 passengers, the ship offers a range of Inside, Ocean view and a Super Plus with a single balcony rooms. Small group excursions and events mean you won’t get lost in the crowd. One of Seabourn's loveliest traditions is to have its officers, staff and entertainers host tables at dinner -- not only on a formal evening but just about every night.
Dining Options and Social Meals
More adults and fewer children on board mean a greater chance of meeting more adult guests traveling solo. Remember to retain any OBC (onboard credit) or special offers in your original booking. You can then speak to 3 or 4 more cruise lines and find a comparative price for the same cabin type. This solo lounge is excellent for relaxing, eating breakfast, and getting refreshments. And you can be sure to meet others traveling alone as no other guest category is allowed there. They also go one step further and offer beautiful lounges for the solo cruising guest if you wish.
Solo cabins cost less than comparable double-occupancy rooms (though not quite half as much). But travelers can also book regular cabins with a reduced single supplement of up to 50% for specific categories, along with 2-for-1 Cruise Fare deals. Oceania also creates special opportunities on board for solo cruisers, including welcome cocktail receptions and group dining tables—the line is known for its high-quality cuisine. Today, this line known for its specialty dining is still trailblazing.
P & O Cruises
Other cruise lines followed suit and jumped on the solo cabin bandwagon. Royal Caribbean, Oceania Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America and Virgin Voyages all offer solo cabins on select ships. Norwegian responded to frequent requests to accommodate single cruisers by debuting the industry's first solo cabins in 2010 on Norwegian Epic.
I'd failed to write down the address of my destination, trusting the driver to have it. Then, because I'd failed to put a travel notice on my credit card, my debit card was declined at the airport's ATM. Cruise Radio prioritizes well-balanced cruise news coverage and accurate reporting, paired with ship reviews and tips. For instance, a guided historical tour can offer a deep dive into the destination’s culture and history. Solo travelers might also consider activity-based excursions – like snorkeling or a cooking class – as they often encourage camaraderie among participants. Solo travelers have various dining options, from high-end specialty restaurants to casual buffets.
Tips for Traveling Alone and Why You Should Go on a Solo Cruise
Strike up a conversation and make some new friends on the very first night of the cruise. Perch at the bar for drinks if you feel awkward sitting alone at a table. Get chatting on shore excursions, and join group activities on board. There will also be a special solos’ table at dinner that night, and an unhosted solos’ table every night thereafter for anybody who is enjoying the company of new friends for dinner. This is the perfect opportunity to get together with other people traveling solo. Finding a bartender you get along with so you can have your own “local” bar on the ship is an easy way to feel comfortable in a lounge while cruising solo.
Building a community onboard is crucial for solo cruisers and can greatly enhance the cruise experience. Both cruise lines have developed a reputation for a refined cruise experience and feature programs and amenities that make solo travel inviting and enjoyable. For instance, if you book a balcony stateroom for one person as a solo cruiser, you will be charged the rate for two people (while only paying the port taxes for one person). When you book a shore excursion, you know you’ll be spending your day surrounded by other travelers on your ship. Most ports have multiple ships calling at them each day, so it’s better to spend the day making new friends with people who will board your ship at the end of the day.
Some lines routinely offer lower single supplement charges than others, or they reduce or waive single supplements during promotions. Today, solo traveler-favorite Norwegian remains at the forefront of the movement with the most solo cruise cabin offerings of any cruise line, spread out across four of its ships. Passengers get design-savvy (if snug) cabins for one -- dubbed "studios" -- as well as the industry-exclusive extra of a shared solo travelers lounge, allowing for easy socializing between solo travelers onboard.
And they’re also waiving or reducing the dreaded “single supplement” fee, which charges vacationers for two full cruise fares even when they stay alone in a double-occupancy room. On board, Tauck directors and cruise directors take special care of solo travelers, and communal tables at mealtime make it easy to meet other travelers. Note that the solo cabins with windows are at the front of the ships, facing forward. While that's a spectacular location for sightseeing, seasoned cruisers know that cabins in this location can be bumpy in rough seas. I love a little movement when I cruise (how else do you know you're at sea?), but if you don't, consider yourself warned.
As a solo cruise traveler, you may benefit more from doing a traditional assigned seating time instead of dining at different times. Sitting here is a great way to meet other adventurous solo travelers and swap stories. People will likely be intrigued by you traveling on your own, want to get to know you better, and enhance their own dining experience. Since you’re all travelers who enjoy seeing the world, it’s easy to swap travel stories.
Going on a cruise alone? Here are the 8 best solo cruise cabins - Cruise Blog
Going on a cruise alone? Here are the 8 best solo cruise cabins.
Posted: Mon, 21 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
That's a bonus for solo cruisers looking to hop on any of the line's itineraries, including a Seabourn Mediterranean cruise. Dining is one of the most common conundrums for solo travelers, especially if you're not keen on ordering room service each evening. Fortunately, the maître d' often has a good eye for matching solo travelers at a dining table together as long as you simply let staff know in advance. If you'd like your solo vacation to double as a complete retreat, bring a book along and enjoy dining in your own company. Additionally, some river cruises in the US and Europe offer reduced cruise fares for solo travelers. It encourages solo travelers to leave their comfort zones and engage in new experiences, increasing self-reliance.
Yes, they were small, at just 100 square feet, but they enabled solo travelers to consistently avoid the single supplement. Located on the inside, they had a full-size bed and a window feature, but not one that faced the water. With solo cruising on the rise, cruise lines are beginning to take notice by adding accommodations for one to their newest ships. Some have even outfitted older vessels to offer accommodations for solo travelers. Although they can be pricey, single cruise cabins usually represent some savings versus what you'd pay for a voyage in a cabin meant for two.
Only a portion of each ship’s staterooms are reserved for solo cruisers on each itinerary. Costa Cruises and Royal Caribbean International trail Norwegian with big-ship inventory, with Royal Caribbean touting some high-tech touches like "virtual balconies" for interior solo staterooms. Holland America Line followed suit with a dozen designated solo cruise cabins aboard Koningsdam. The only Oasis-class ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet to have single-occupancy cabins is Harmony of the Seas. Fifteen cabins, a mix of inside and ocean-view rooms, are available; they're smaller than what you'll find on the Quantum-class ships, starting at just 96 square feet in size.
Cruise lines embrace solo travelers with single cabins - Newsday
Cruise lines embrace solo travelers with single cabins.
Posted: Fri, 02 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Holland America’s biggest and newest ships have included solo cabins. Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam each feature 12 staterooms designed for singles, with no single supplement charge. These cabins offer ocean views and range in size from 127 square feet to 172 square feet. Small, intimate, and easy to navigate, Oceania Cruises’ six ships are especially conducive to solo travelers and the line is stepping up to meet the increased demand from this group. Although these Concierge Level Veranda units only have twin beds (pictured above), they entitle cruisers to keycard-only access to a Concierge Lounge with extra amenities.
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