Each Cruise Line offers different supplements, rates and terms and conditions for solo passengers. Some Cruise Companies will charge a solo passenger double rates to stay in a twin stateroom (twin for sole use), whereas others may have designated single staterooms with a flat rate price.
There are a number of cruise lines which cater well for the solo traveller with some of the biggest and newest ships having more dedicated solo staterooms and improved facilities.
Below is a short summary of some of the best cruise lines for solo travellers as recommended by our Cruise Experts:
P&O Cruises
P&O offer both Interior and Oceanview options on their single cabins and include little extras like complimentary water and a ""pamper pack"" on arrival. These staterooms have excellent facilities including flat-screen TV’s, a writing desk, plus a bathroom with shower.
Staterooms are priced on a flat rate with no supplement, but they do sell out very quickly so the earlier you book the better. The limited availability also means that it’s unlikely that you will get any special offers on these types of staterooms.
Azura and Ventura both offer 18 dedicated single cabins for solo cruisers and the newly launched Britannia has a total of 27 single cabins.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise line have a unique stateroom type, specifically targeted at solo travellers – Studio Staterooms. These are extremely competitively priced with no extra supplement to pay and good facilities such as full-sized beds, flat-screen TV’s and private bathrooms. Every Studio is an Interior stateroom, however, each has a window looking out onto the corridor.
A great benefit of these staterooms is access to the Studio Lounge - a unique and exclusive social space to meet with other single cruisers with large-screen TVs, coffeemaking facilities, a bartender at set times throughout the day and pre-dinner gatherings hosted daily.
The newest ships of Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway each feature 59 studio cabins and the upcoming Norwegian Escape will feature a total of 82 studio units.
Fred Olsen
Fred Olsen is a firm favourite with us Brits with it’s more relaxed and intimate atmosphere than some of the more mainstream cruise lines. Each ship has dedicated Single cabins for solo travellers with zero supplement in a variety of categories, including balcony suites!
Fred Olsen also offer exclusive solo get- togethers onboard and can also pair single travellers together for dinner, should you wish.
All 4 ships offer solo cabins, ranging from 40 onboard Braemar to 64 on board Balmoral, but will also offer twin cabins for sole use.
Fred Olsen are one of the few cruise lines who often have a number of special offer rates for solo passengers with reduced supplements of 50%, 75% or even waived completely.
Take a look at the Singles Cruises special offer section on the website for further information by clicking here
Holland America Line
Holland America Line do not offer dedicated single cabins, however their onboard programme of events is by far the most varied and engaging and they are well known for catering to single cruisers.
Their ‘Single Partners Program’ is available on most voyages and offers onboard hosted solo traveler events as well as a roommate-matching service pairing same sex passengers who would like to share. This is ideal for those on a more limited budget as it guarantees that you will only pay the agreed price, even if they are unable to find a partner for you.
Many of the general onboard activities also don't require partners and are therefore open to all allowing flexibility without any awkwardness.
Typical rates for twin cabins for sole use vary from 50% to 100% and they do not tend to offer any special offers on these.
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean International currently offer a limited number of solo traveller staterooms onboard Radiance of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas and Brilliance of the Seas. Each has a twin bed, private bathroom and minifridge.
The newest ground-breaking ships Anthem of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas have however brought about a change as each ship will feature 28 dedicated ""studio"" cabins across two different categories.
Each ship will have sixteen interior studios with full-size beds and industry-first 'Virtual balconies' - an 80-inch floor-to-ceiling LED display screens projecting live images of the ocean and ports.
There will also be twelve 'Super studios' equipped with more traditional 55-square-foot open-air balconies.
Our Cruise Experts can guide you through choosing the right Cruise and Ship for all of your solo traveller needs. Call us today on 0800 197 8050
