Cruising and travelling solo look to be made for each other. There are group excursions, drinks parties and restaurant-style seating if you want to strike up a conversation with your fellow passengers, plus most ships offer tables for one if you enjoy your own company.
But the cruise industry was recently singled out for “failing solo travellers” and Ben Bouldin, managing director of Royal Caribbean International, UK & Ireland, admitted at Abta’s Travel Convention that his company “did not make it as easy for solo travellers as it might”.
There’s no question that single travellers love cruising – single cabins invariably sell fastest, according to Bouldin. But with limited numbers and high solo supplements on twin cabins, supply isn’t always keeping up with demand.
Things are changing though, believes Andy Harmer, CLIA’s senior vice-president and director, who points to new solo cabins on Celebrity Edge, P&O Britannia and Norwegian Cruise Line, one of the first to cater for single cruises.
So if you are looking for a solo cruise, where should you start?
The Staterooms
Norwegian Cruise Lines were one of the earliest to add studio staterooms on board, and are still one of the best – Norwegian Epic has a whole solos-only area including a lounge and the cabins with queen-size beds, for example, while Getaway, Breakaway and Escape all have some on board too.
P&O also has solo cabins on six of its ships, including adults-only Arcadia and Oriana.
For over-50s, Saga’s ships all offer single staterooms as well – 41 on Saga Sapphire alone, while the new addition to the line, Spirit of Discovery, coming in summer 2019, will have twice as many, making more than 20% of cabins for singles.
Fred. Olsen also has 190 single cabins across its fleet.
Singles specialists such as Solos Holidays arrange cruise breaks in partnership with Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson), Fred Olsen and Cruise & Maritime Voyages too, so you’ll be part of a larger group of solo cruises within the ship.
If you are happy to share, Holland America Line has a Single Partners Program to match you up with someone of the same sex in a twin cabin, so you pay half the standard occupancy rate. If they don’t find anyone, you won’t be charged extra.
The Dining
Cruise lines have changed since the more formal days when you were always sat at the same table for dinner with the same people every night. That option is normally there if you want it, as is the option of a table for one.
Some lines, including Cunard and Fred Olsen, arrange tables of single travellers, so you’re guaranteed not to be the odd one out.
And more ships have informal dining options as well, so you can book in to the various specialty restaurants or stroll in to grab a meal whenever suits you – on your own, or with people you’ve met on board.
The Activities
Take a look at what’s on offer both on and off the ship – all lines will have organised excursions, so it’s easy to book with a group. A few, such as Fred. Olsen, can even arrange companions to join you on shore.
On board, a lot of the cruise lines with single staterooms will also organise events to help you settle in and meet people – drinks at the start of the cruise, for example. Some have dance hosts.
Consider a smaller ship too. Cruisers have a reputation for being friendly, so chances are you can settle down with a drink and get chatting, but the more intimate cruise ships with under 300 passengers make it even easier to strike up conversation.
The Majestic Line has only 10 guests on board if you’d like to discover the Scottish islands, while Avalon Waterways has river cruise ships with 36-166 passengers.
Sign up for Deals
With limited single cabins, the early bird often catches the worm – sites like iglucruise are great for last-minute offers as well as highlighting solo prices across a range of companies.
Sign up to newsletters and social media to find out first – including the 101 Singles Holidays newsletter. If you’ve got a favourite cruise line, make sure you’re on their mailing lists to hear what’s on offer.
For example, Fred. Olsen has a current deal for solo guests on its river cruise ship Brabant for 2018, with 75% off the sole occupancy supplement if you book by the end of November 2017.
And the best part of cruising solo? You can snap up the deals without waiting for someone else to make a decision.
For more inspiration and advice on solo travel, visit 101 Singles Holidays