When Norwegian Cruise Line offered one-person cabins for the first time in 2010 on Norwegian Epic, it was heralded as a revolution in cruising. The line, which remains a favourite with solo travellers, now offers dedicated solo accommodation options on nine ships, including its new Prima-class vessels, and they are often the first cabins to sell out. Guests in solo Studio cabins have key-card access to a Studio Lounge area, exclusively for passengers who are travelling alone.
"Cruising solo offers the ideal balance of adventure, independence, safety and security, with guests able to explore ports alone or join excursions with a community of like-minded people," says Ben Angell, VP and managing director, Norwegian Cruise Line APAC. "NCL has always been at the forefront of solo cruising, and our new Prima-class ships are continuing to innovate and provide opportunities and experiences tailored to meet the needs of this growing guest sector."
They're not the only cruise line to jump on this trend, which has boomed after the pandemic in response to travellers' desires to go where they want, when they want, no companion required. According to Flight Centre, bookings for cruises by solo female travellers peaked in September and October last year and have stayed strong.
In shipyards around the world, new-build ships of all sizes are being fitted out with cabins for one and one alone. Oceania Cruises has witnessed a post-pandemic boom in the demand for solo accommodations and now offers 62 dedicated staterooms across its fleet of seven small, luxurious ships. This includes six in-demand verandah staterooms aboard its new ship, Vista, which debuted in May.
After luxury travel group Abercrombie & Kent acquired Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, the ships underwent extensive renovations to reconfigure cabins and create new guestroom categories, including the Single Guest Room with Ocean View.
Jacqueline Barney, SVP of global marketing at Crystal, says the line has listened to guest feedback and created the single rooms as an option for solo travellers without the worry of paying additional single supplements.
At up to 20 square metres, with a queen-size bed, sizeable living area and butler service, the rooms are luxe and in demand. In fact, Solo Guest Room bookings for the rest of the year are already at 88 per cent occupancy. "We've seen a steady rise in solo travel - a testament to the changing landscape of modern exploration and the evolving mindset of travellers of all ages and abilities," says Barney. "When reimagining Crystal, we wanted to ensure all passengers feel welcome. By offering single occupancy accommodations we hope to create the most hospitable, most exceptional experience at sea."
New-build ships of all sizes are being fitted out with cabins for one and one alone.
Other cruise lines, including Pandaw and Avalon Waterways, regularly waive single supplements, giving solo cruisers the opportunity to travel for the same price, per person, as guests in a twin-share cabin.
In a move that's sure to be popular, Avalon recently waived the single supplement across their 2023 and 2024 Europe and Asia river cruises. Their Active & Discovery portfolio is well-suited to solo travellers, giving them the opportunity to try out dozens of included activities and excursions with fellow guests.
Two's A Crowd, a tour company specialising in solo travel, launched 11 years ago to serve a segment of the travelling population which, according to managing director Ken Morgan, was not being well served by an industry focussed on couples.
"Our clients were upset by high single supplements and feeling like a fifth wheel in tour groups or on board cruises," Morgan says. The company has championed the concept of "travelling alone, together", taking small escorted groups of about 15 solo passengers on cruises where everyone has their own cabin. They also charter entire ships and sell the cabins exclusively to solo cruisers. Morgan says they were the first to operate this style of solo-only voyage.
In addition to the frequently touted benefits of cruising - unpack once, good value, ease and convenience of travelling style - Morgan says it's a great choice for those going it alone because the cruise provides good security, support and company when you feel like it. "Our clients love it," he says. 'Everyone on our cruises has their own cabin and as solos, they're all in the same boat."
THE POWER OF ONE
Make the most of your solo cruise with these tried-and-tested insider tips.
1. Do your research: Spend some time reading up on different cruise lines and itineraries to find the right fit for your interests and budget.
2. You do you: Don't pick a cruise just because it caters well to solo travellers. Better to follow your own passions, whether that's for Old World wine or hiking waterfalls, and look forward to meeting like-minded people doing the same.
3. Book your cabin early: Studios specifically designed for solo travellers are often the first cabins to book out. The same goes for special promotions waiving single supplements. Paying a deposit as soon as you can will give you the best shot at savings on a cabin that's in a good location.
4. Be open to meeting new people: The cruise director will often organise social meet-ups for travellers on their own. Go along, be interested and interesting, and see if you click with anybody. If a designated solo gathering feels a bit awkward, join other social activities like karaoke or a teppanyaki dinner.
5. Embrace the me-time: On the other hand, spending time alone in beautiful places can be good for the soul. True, it can take some getting used to if you're accustomed to always having company, but lean into the solitude, sleep-ins, and days and nights spent doing whatever you wish.
6. Be smart, safe and aware: Cruising provides safety in numbers for solo travellers, but it's still smart to be aware of your surroundings and alert when alone in unfamiliar places. Buy travel insurance before you leave home, invest in an anti-theft backpack and always trust your gut.
- This article first appeared in Explore.
