Best Transatlantic Crossing: Cunard
- Ship Name: Queen Mary 2
- Itinerary: New York, NY
Cunard specializes in luxury cruises across the Atlantic on the regal ocean liner, Queen Mary 2, a bucket list voyage for every cruise enthusiast. The 2,691-passenger ship has lovely single staterooms with large picture windows, a desk and vanity, and tasteful, modern décor. Like single cabins on other vessels, these rooms sell out quickly so book early. Queen Mary 2 has some unique activities like the planetarium at sea, lavish gala nights where guests don their finest evening attire, and the companys signature white-glove afternoon tea. The vessel is also known for outstanding cuisine both in the Britannia main dining room and in specialty restaurants like the Verandah steakhouse or the King’s Court which features a different type of cuisine every evening.;
Go Your Own Way: The Best Cruise Lines For Solo Travellers
Jeannine Williamson
Tuesday May 18 2021, 09:54am
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Best European Cruise: Fred Olsen’s Cruises
Fred Olsen’s Cruises
- Ship Name: Black Watch;
- Itinerary: Lisbon, Portugal; Portimao, Portugal; Leixoes, Portugal; Liverpool, England;
A U.K.-based company, Fred Olsen caters to solo travelers with small ocean ships that have a maximum capacity of 1,300 passengers. Plus, they offer special rates on voyages for singles and solo staterooms on each of the four vessels. On Black Watch, the staterooms average around 150 square feet and are available in each category: interior, oceanview, balcony, and suite. Rooms have flat screen televisions, USB charge ports, tea and coffee making facilities and even mini refrigerators in some. On Exploring Portugals Highlights, the ship will spend an overnight in Lisbon as well as visits to smaller fishing villages.;
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Which Cruise Lines Offer Solo Cabins
Once windowless broom cupboards tucked away in a corner of the ship, single cabins are no longer the poor relation of twins and doubles. Check out Celebrity Cruises, Cunard, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, P&O Cruises, Saga, Virgin Voyages and, for river cruising, Arena Travel, AmaWaterways, American Cruise Lines, American Queen Steamboat Company, CroisiEurope, Emerald Cruises, Scenic, Tauck and Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection.
Last Minute Cruises Can Sometimes Be The Cheapest Cruise Deal
Sometimes, but not always, the cheapest cruise deal is a Last Minute Cruise. You won’t get a wide selection of stateroom categories or a chance to select your stateroom location but if your schedule is flexible you just might find a cheap cruise price on a last minute cruise. Last minute cruises are cruises leaving in the next 90 days. The cruise line really wants to fill those last few staterooms and sometimes will offer them at a discount cruise price in exchange for you giving up your right to a full selection of cabin categories or deck locations. CruiseExperts.com makes it easy for you to poke around and see what’s available in last minute cruise deals. View our Last Minute Cruise Deals by clicking here and give it a try. This is one of our most popular website features.
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More Options For Single Cruisers
- The new ship Celebrity Edge by Celebrity Cruises features the new Edge Single Stateroom with an Infinite Veranda. This spacious stateroom provides solo travelers with all the benefits of a private veranda and all the perks of a traditional cabin at a price that makes sense.
- Named one of the “World’s Best River Cruise Lines” by the readers of Travel + Leisure, Taucks river cruises are a great way for guests traveling solo to explore Europe. You’ll be in the company of like-minded travelers with mutual interests that foster camaraderie and a crew that makes you feel welcome from the moment you step on board.
Insider Tip: Solo travelers on Tauck will enjoy savings of $1,000 per cabin on select river cruises and categories, plus CruiseInsider’s InsiderExtras you cant get anywhere else.
- Luxurious, all-inclusive Uniworld Boutique River Cruises offer meticulously planned itineraries ideally suited for solo travelers with open seating at every meal, small group excursions, and kindred spirits who share your passion for fresh destinations and a safe, convenient, and rewarding travel experience. Plus, they’ve waived or reduced the single supplement fees on many of their most popular itineraries.
- Whether you’re experienced at solo travel or trying it for the first time, Lindblad Expeditions’ welcoming on-board community, many group activities, and even their exclusive roommate program make traveling on your own a comfortable and rewarding experience.
Best For Over : Saga Cruises
Courtesy of Saga Cruises
- Ship Name: Spirit of Discovery
- Itinerary: Aalborg, Denmark; Aarhus, Denmark; Gothenburg, Sweden; Oslo, Norway; Esbjerg, Denmark; Southampton, England
The U.K.-based cruise line, Saga, offers ocean cruising on smaller ships for the over 50 crowd and its newest ship, Spirit of Discovery, will debut more than 100 cabins dedicated to solo travelers. All single’s cabins have balconies and average 245 feet of space, and theres even single’s suites for more space. The company offers door-to-door pick-up service to transfer guests to the ship followed by a sail away cocktail party. The ship focuses on boutique luxury cruising, and the intimate atmosphere makes it easy to create comradery with other guests. Even more, theres a singles mingle drink hour, singles lunch and singles meet-ups for cultural shore excursions like Scandinavian jewelry and art workshops.;
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Look For A Line That Accommodates Singles
Robin Smith, a retired Texan who often travels by himself, prefers big-ship cruises, which can be less expensive.
Some of his favorite trips have involved Norwegian Cruise Line, which courts single travelers. Its 100-square-foot studio cabins are made for solos; no single supplement is charged.
Norwegian really seems to embrace single travelers, Smith said. Some of the others make it clear they dont want solo passengers.
Besides its studio cabins, Norwegians newer ships have a hangout area for singles called the Studio Lounge, which has a bartender who serves cocktails during nightly mixers.
Theres also a coordinator who helps organize people who want to go to the shows or have dinner together, Smith said.
An insider tip for single cruisers: If you watch for special promotions, you can sometimes afford to upgrade yourself to a balcony cabin for not much money more than youd pay for a studio, he said.
There are plenty of Norwegian cruises to choose from if you want a studio room. Sailings for Norwegian Bliss, launching this spring, found a single traveler could sail from Los Angeles to the Mexican Riviera on a weeklong trip beginning Oct. 13, starting at $1,299.
Or head for Alaska from Seattle on June 30 and pay a rate starting at $2,499, for a weeklong trip. Those are single rates. No double occupancy charges.
The line also goes out of its way to make solos feel comfortable, scheduling more than 40 daily activities, mixers and get-togethers.
What Are Royal Caribbeans Single Cabins Like
The type of stateroom will depend on which ship you are sailing on.
Lets take a look at their;Quantum Class ships; Quantum, Anthem, Ovation and Spectrum first. These ships offer two types of solo cabins for those travelling alone:
- Studio interior stateroom with a virtual view similar in size to the studio cabins on NCL, these innovative staterooms feature a floor to ceiling LED screen displaying real-time ocean views.
- Super studio balcony stateroom Super studios are 199 sq. ft. with a 55 sq. ft. balcony and full-size beds.
Harmony of the Seas;features Studio Interior and Studio Ocean View cabins.
Adventure of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas;and;Serenade of the Seas;feature Studio Interior staterooms only. The availability of these solo cabins is limited to 2 -5 per ship.
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Best River Cruises For Single Travelers
Solo travel is taking off in a big way — and not just on the mega-ships. River cruises are quickly becoming a popular destination for those who travel by themselves. River cruises are a great choice for solo travelers, thanks to their convivial atmosphere and relatively small number of passengers. As a single traveler, it is easier to get to know a few hundred people rather than a few thousand.
If you’re traveling as a single on a river cruise, the atmosphere is generally gracious and welcoming. Expect fellow passengers to go out of their way to be inclusive when it comes to dinners — perhaps the only awkward moment on a river cruise as a single traveler, due to the open-seating nature of most onboard dinners. For those who are shy, try grabbing a seat at a large table and let your fellow cruisers make the introductions.
Traveling solo by river has never been easier. Many river cruise lines now offer solo traveler discounts on selected sailings throughout the year that can reduce or even eliminate the dreaded “single supplement” that a normal booking would entail.
And while there is no “wrong” itinerary for solo travelers, it might be a good idea to stay away from barge cruises through the canals of France, unless you are incredibly social and outgoing. Most barges only hold between six and 12 people per vessel, and a few families traveling together can make a solo passenger feel like a bit of an outsider.
The Solo Perk: Solo Savings, Single Occupancy Staterooms
What Are P&os Single Cabins Like
Like Royal Caribbean, the type of solo cabin will depend on the ship.
Arcadia, Azura, Britannia, Iona;and;Ventura;have a small number of single interior cabins.
Aurora, Azura;and;Ventura;have single sea view cabins
Arcadia, Aurora, Iona;and;Britannia;have single balcony cabins.
Note also that you will be sleeping in a single bed in all of these cabins.
Arcadia and Aurora are adult-only ships, perfect for those looking for a child-free holiday!
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How To Navigate In Port When Cruising Solo
Im firmly convinced that four eyes are better than two when exploring a new city.; If mazeophobia, my made-up name for the fear of getting lost in unknown surroundings, is something of concern, youll need to be prepared.
What a solo cruiser should always do when going ashore in an unfamiliar port
- Make sure to write down the name of your ship, pier, port agent and departure time on a piece of paper.; Sometimes the cruise line daily planner includes it in a corner of the paper.; Tear it out and put in your pocket.; Or simply take a screenshot.
- Once again, take a photo of the All Aboard time sign as you leave the ship.; Guessing the departure time does not help.; This will also help you remember where your hundreds of photos were taken on that day.
- If youre on a motor coach tour or public transportation, when you step off the bus take a photo of the bus with its surroundings.; Make sure to include a notable or colorful building or some kind of identifier.; Ive used this ploy a dozen times.
Of course, youre going to have to turn on your inner radar for anything or anyone that gets too close to you.; With only one set of eyes, youre on your own.
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines
Fred Olsens four small ships, recently joined by Bolette and Borealis, are renowned for their welcoming atmosphere, making the line a popular choice for a first-time solo cruise traveller. Single guests can sit together at meals and meet up to go ashore. Expect plenty of social get-togethers, dance partners for single ladies and inclusive activities including bridge and art classes. The line also sometimes offers double cabins for solo occupancy.
Why we rate it Friendly, traditional-style ships with single cabins ranging from affordable to sumptuous suites.
Whats included? All food and entertainment. Excursions, tips and drinks arent covered, but drink packages are available.
Price range £
The bar terrace on a Riviera Travel ship
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The Best Cruise Lines For Singles
By Jason
When it comes to cruising, many people have come to believe that the most important ship is kinship. People usually like to bring their companions, co-workers, family members and the like along on cruises. But what if youre a solo traveler?
A J.D. Power cruise industry report says that, Cruises are best when experienced in groups. From organized groups to friends, family, children, partners and spouses, cruises are just more fun in groups than when traveling alone. But depending on your circumstances, traveling with another person may not be an option.
Cruise lines know this, so theyre catering to single travelers like never before. Nearly 80% of travel agents reported an increased in cruise bookings in 2018, many of them from singles looking to get away and go it alone, according to the Cruise Lines International Association. If youre thinking of booking a solo cruise, the key is to do your homework and find out what specific amenities, packages and programs each cruise ship is offering.
Many cruise liners are trying to make solo travelers feel at home but not all of them. Some cruise liners dont even offer studio cabins, preferring to feature spacious staterooms instead. That said, here are some of the best cruise lines for solo travelers:
Crystal Cruises
Holland America Line
Norwegian Cruise Lines
Royal Caribbean International
Cunard Cruise Line
Best Cruises & Cruise Lines For Solo Travelers
Cruising is the perfect vacation for solo travelers who want their own independence but also want the flexibility to join activities or dine with other travelers. Luckily, many cruise lines are very welcoming to singles and even have special programs and accommodations to make solo travelers feel right at home. Here are some of the best cruise lines for singles.
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What Are Celebritys Single Cruise Cabins Like
Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Apex feature their first cabin designed for the solo traveller,;Single Stateroom with Infinite Veranda.
As the name suggests, this stateroom has a balcony, but this is a balcony with a difference. At the push of a button, the veranda doors slide into the sides of the room, transforming the entire stateroom into a large veranda.
At 142 sq feet, this is smaller than the regular Stateroom with Infinite Veranda but does feature a queen-sized bed.
There are only 16 of these single cabins on Celebrity Edge; 24 on Celebroty Apex
Best Cruise Lines For Single Cruisers
Once an industry that was thought to be reserved for newlyweds, budget-conscious families and retirees, cruising is emerging as a preferred form of travel for single cruisers of all ages.;
After all, a ship that is three football fields long, with all the entertainment, food and drinks you could want, and sailing to one exotic destination after another would seem to be a great way to meet new people, right?
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You might be asking yourself are cruises good for singles? Or you might be anxious to test the waters. But before you jump right into the maritime meat market, it is important to realize that some cruise lines do the single thing better than others.
So, unless youre comfortable on a cruise where you might be sifting your way through armies of Disney characters, or not being able to get a seat on bingo night, check out a few of our favorite cruise lines for single travelers.
Depending on your age and interests, its important you find the right cruise line when youre single and ready to mingle.
Below are some of the best singles cruise lines .
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Traveling Alone Here Are The Best Cruise Ships For Singles
Cruise lines know this, so theyre catering to single travelers like never before. Nearly 80% of travel agents reported an increased in cruise bookings in 2018, many of them from singles looking to get away and go it alone, according to the Cruise Lines International Association.
If youre thinking of booking a solo cruise, the key is to do your homework and find out what specific amenities, packages and programs each cruise ship is offering.
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Many cruise liners are trying to make solo travelers feel at home but not all of them. Some;cruise liners dont even offer studio cabins, preferring to feature spacious staterooms instead. That said, here are some of the best cruise lines for solo travelers:
What The Cruise Lines Dont Want You To Know About Cruising Solo
Experienced solo cruisers never hesitate to set out on their next cruise.; We love to cruise solo on a whim, take over an entire stateroom, do what we want when we want to do it.; All looks really rosy.; And it usually is.
What cruise lines and experienced solo cruisers dont tell you about cruising solo probably isnt what youd would expect.;
No, its not about being alone on your balcony under a beautiful moonlit sky.; Or having no one to schmear suntan lotion on your back.; The occasional awkwardness of dining alone in a crowded main dining room. Or even having an end-of-the-cruise glass of champagne by yourself. None of these situations are unexpected or surprising.
Theres a challenging side to a solo cruise that we, as solo cruisers, have simply had to adapt to and accept in order to survive.
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