This Luxury Cruise Line Adds Solo Cabins To Its Fleet And They Come With Balconies
The single-occupancy cabins will make their debut in 2023.
Going on a cruise as a solo traveler typically means paying a supplemental fee to make up for occupying a cabin meant for at least two people. But in recent years, several major cruise lines have done away with that practice by adding cabins specifically designed for a party of one.
The latest company to join the trend is Oceania Cruises, a luxury line offering sailings around the world.
When Oceania’s newest vessel, Vista, makes its debut in 2023, it will feature six cabins for travelers embarking on the ship themselves, according to a press release. This marks the first time in Oceania’s nearly 20-year history that the company will add this type of cabin to its fleet.
Referred to by the cruise line as “spacious and airy yet cozy,” these single staterooms will measure 270 square feet, and like every other cabin aboard the Vista, they’ll even feature a private balcony. They’ll also offer a Tranquility memory foam bed, a seating area that overlooks the private balcony, and plenty of storage space.
Thanks to its categorization as a Concierge Level Veranda Stateroom, cruisers in these single-occupancy cabins will also have access to Oceania’s Concierge Level amenities. These extra perks and services include free laundry service, room service from the dining room menu, exclusive keycard-only access to the dedicated Concierge Lounge, priority embarkation, a complimentary bottle of Champagne, and more.
Ships With Great Studio Cabins
Fran Golden
As more and more solo travelers head out on the high seas, cruise lines are responding with innovative staterooms designed for one. Best of all: These cabins are also priced for one, meaning you don’t have to pay a nasty single supplement just because you decided to cruise alone. From the classic ships to the latest launches, here are the top accommodations for solo cruisers. Note: Book early to snag a spot, as these rooms tend to be very popular.
On board Norwegians four new ships as well on Pride of America, which sails in Hawaii youll find Studios, a dazzling complex of sleek cabins for solo travelers. Each has 100 square feet of private space, a full-size bed, and mood lighting . Another perk: a special lounge reserved for Studios guests. Its a great place to mingle with like-minded travelers.
On board Norwegians four new ships as well on Pride of America, which sails in Hawaii youll find Studios, a dazzling complex of sleek cabins for solo travelers. Each has 100 square feet of private space, a full-size bed, and mood lighting . Another perk: a special lounge reserved for Studios guests. Its a great place to mingle with like-minded travelers.
Up next…
Are Single Cruise Cabins Good Value In 2021
Historically, from a financial perspective, cruising has not been a great choice for solo travellers. The absence of single cruise cabins and single supplements approaching 100 per cent have penalised those travelling alone.
Heres the thing it has not been in cruise lines interests to include single cabins.
Traditionally, cruise operators have worked on a financial model based on double occupancy of a cabin or stateroom. Whilst single cabins take up almost as much square footage as twin cabins, they generate half the revenue.
However, the tide is turning.
Cruise lines are slowly recognising the growing and lucrative solo traveller market, and are designing their ships accordingly. With the introduction of their stylish single cabins, Norwegian Cruise Line has led the charge, and other operators are following suit.
But do these shiny new single cruise cabins represent good value to the solo traveller? To help you decide, lets take a look at what six of the most popular cruise lines are offering solo travellers.
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How Big Are Studio Cabins On Cruise Ships
Much like regular staterooms, the size of studio cabins varies widely. With that said, the studios on most lines can make a New York City micro apartment look spacious. Sizes can be as small as 100 square feet for comparison, oceanview and balcony cabins on mainstream cruise lines are typically at least 150 to 200 square feet.
Money Saving Tip: Pretend You Are Not Solo
One of my best tips is to price out a cruise booking as a solo cruiser, as well as making up a second person in the room to see which option is cheaper.
Royal Caribbean’s system sometimes penalizes solo cruisers so much with the single supplement fee, that it is not uncommon to find a lower price by paying for a phantom second guest who never actually shows up.
Essentially, you place your name and the name of someone else on the reservation. This could be a family member or friend who has absolutely no intention of sailing. It does not really matter, since this person will not be sailing, and there is no penalty or issue if a guest does not show up for the cruise.
While you will be paying for a second person that is not going on the cruise, in many cases this is still cheaper than a booking that only has one guest on the reservation.
It should be noted that when you show up for the cruise without that second person, you will be refunded port fees and taxes for the second person, as well as still receive double Crown and Anchor points for cruising solo.
The best part about this tip? You get an even bigger stateroom than if you booked a studio cabin!
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What Are The Best Cruises For Solo Travelers
The best cruises for solo travelers depend on the experiences you most want out of a vacation.
Are you a thrill-seeker looking to cross items off your bucket list? Want to see the capital cities of Europe without hotel-hopping and planning all your own accommodations and train travel? Are you more interested in hiking or history?
Weve crafted different itineraries for travelers of all kinds, from introverts who prefer fewer social activities to extroverts who thrive on meeting new people.
Craving time in the sun against the backdrop of white sand beaches and crystalline waters? Consider a 7- or 10-night Caribbean cruise, where snorkeling and diving shore excursions are bound to introduce you to people with similar interests and a sense of adventure.
Some of the best cruise destinations for history buffs are located in the Mediterranean, where you can tour thousand-year-old churches in Italy or see the ancient ruins of Greece up close.
There is no shortage of options for cruisers who are traveling solo.
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.
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When Do Cruise Lines Discount Unsold Cruise Cabins
You cant predict when an awesome deal will crop up, but you can make a decent guess.
Sales tactics can be implemented at any time before the ship actually sails. We can see them weeks or months prior to the scheduled sailing. It really depends on the cruise line and the occupancy they are trying to achieve, says Mahnken. Of course, the cruise lines tend to avoid discounting until they have to, so we generally see many tactics pop up after the final payment.
Sixty to 90 days out is often the sweet spot, when final payments have come due and cruise lines can see which cabins remain empty. Start your deal hunt three months before departure, knowing it might be weeks before you start to see deals on unsold cabins.
Tauck And Other River Lines
Solo travelers looking for an upscale river cruise often can find a deal from Tauck, a high-end tour company that has a European cruise division. It markets more than half a dozen river vessels.
As it often does, Tauck this year has eliminated its single supplement completely on its least-expensive category of cabins . The waiver applies to every departure for 2021, more than 200 in all.
Tauck also has reduced its standard single supplement charge by $1,000 for other selected cabin categories on select departures.
Other river lines that sometimes waive or significantly lower single supplement charges include Avalon Waterways and AmaWaterways. The latter currently has a promotion that drops the single supplement for balcony cabins on more than 800 Europe and Asia sailings to just 25%. The promotion also offers a very low 10% single supplement for solo travelers who book a fixed-window cabin on one of more than 200 departures.
AmaWaterways also has four ships in Europe that each have two dedicated solo cabins that carry no single supplement. They are the France-based AmaDolce, AmaLyra and AmaCello, and the AmaDante, which sails on the Rhine and Moselle rivers.
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Virgin Voyages Seriously Suites
Virgin Voyages is new to the cruise industry, but it knows whats up. Positioning itself as a hip anti-cruise line, it has built its first vessel, Scarlet Lady, to include 46 cabins for single passengers, 40 of which are insides and six of which provide rare forward-facing views of the sea.
Theyre a bit small at just larger than 100 square feet, but these Seriously Suites are cleverly named and even more cleverly appointed with full-sized beds and sleek, stylish furniture, decor and bathrooms.
Mscs Solo Inside Rooms For One
MSC Cruises has undertaken a shipbuilding boom, rapidly increasing the size of its fleet in a bid to make itself the largest cruise line by 2030. As the lines ships grow in size and amenities, they have begun to add cabins for solos. Currently, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Virtuosa, MSC Grandiosa and MSC Bellissima are outfitted with rooms for one.
However, they are all insides with a single bed and roughly 129 square feet of space.
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How Can I Go On A Cruise By Myself
6 Tips for Going on a Cruise AloneSave money with a cruise that has single cabins. Norwegian Escape/Oyster. … Take advantage of exclusive perks for solo travelers. Norwegian Getaway/Oyster. … Opt for a set dining time. … Participate in competitive ship activities. … Stick to your budget. … Enjoy yourself literally.
Best Cruises For Singles Over 40
Cruises offer single travelers in their 40s and 50s a comfortable launch pad for their global adventures. They can be great vehicles for meeting people and exploring in a group, while providing a safe base that’s less isolated than other forms of travel.
Single travelers over 40 are often looking for ways to meaningfully connect with other travelers on a cruise, without the “meat market” or party cruise atmosphere. They also might be seeking trips that they can arrange around their work vacation schedule and itineraries that offer a good value.
The solution? Consider a cruise that meets the needs of singles over 40, whether it’s a small river cruise company, a major line that sails the globe or a theme cruise specifically devoted to singles. Many offer adventures with learning components, laid-back bars ideal for chatting over a cocktail, group social activities and discounts for solo cruisers, making them a great choice for the traveler without a plus-one.
If a cruise is your preferred getaway, here are the best cruises for singles over 40.
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How To Safely Use An Atm In Port
Cruise lines will offer to exchange foreign currency for you at their Front Desk or Pursers Office. Theyll also warn you about money scams in foreign port. Remember, the cruise lines charge commissions to exchange currency, the same as youll find on shore. Its the amount of commission that can vary. I usually avoid currency exchange on the ship, whenever possible.
Using an ATM in a port does have some risks. With no one to watch your back, you have to be extra aware of your surroundings as well as using your PIN and pocketing your new money. Do it quickly, securely and leave the area.
Heres what I try to do in foreign ports. There will be people on your ship that head to an ATM as soon as they go ashore, so I follow them. How do I know where theyre going? I listen and watch. Usually its a topic of conversation.
As I walk to the nearest ATM with them, sometimes Ill strike up a conversation, especially if we sort of recognize each other from the ship. As we queue in line for the ATM, Ill ask if theyll watch my back as I use the machine. And then Ill offer to do the same for them.
Theres nothing wrong with exchanging currency on the ship. But usually the commission is lower at an ATM machine. Ill even walk into a Currency Exchange if it looks safe or if Im tagging along with other cruise passengers. And I quickly put my money away before walking out the door.
Best Cruise Line For Solo Travellers 6 Years In A Row
Whether you’re taking some me time on a cruise, just happen to be the odd number person in a group, or think it’s best you and your buddy get your own rooms, Norwegian Cruise Line gives you plenty of options to plan your singles cruise vacation.
During each of Norwegian’s sailings there are plenty of opportunities to meet fellow passengers. Most sailings have singles meet-ups for those cruising alone. Some of our onboard cruise staff host bar crawls around the ship, or even get your pride on at the Friends of Dorthy happy hour happening every night.
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Why Are P& o Cruises Good For Solo Cruisers
P& O have solo cabins on Arcadia, Azura, Britannia, Iona, Oriana & Ventura. They have solo balcony cabins on Arcadia, Aurora, Britannia and Iona which look amazing. The design of the cabins is the same as regular balcony cabins. I have a full post about the cabins that youll find on P& Os Britannia: P& O Britannia .
Below is a photo of a solo inside cabin.
Below are photos of a solo balcony cabin.
Possible Cons
- No solo lounge or area reserved for solos
- Formal dress/nights
Okay okay, I know some people LOVE formal nights but some people also really hate it. The formal nights on P& O are quite formal and might not be to everybodys taste.
Costa Cruises Single Cabins
Costa Cruises, the Italian ship line, owned by Carnival Cruise lines, offers roomy solo cabins of 130-160 sq. ft. on eight of its fourteen ships the number ranges from 6 to 21 solo cabins depending on the ship. The Costa Diadema has single cabins with extra perks available to guests. Im not that familiar with Costa as Ive not sailed them yet but as an Italian ship, I have to think that the food onboard is amazing.
- Costa Diadema 21 solo cabins
- Costa Fascinosa 17 solo cabins
- Costa Favolosa 17 solo cabins
- Costa Pacifica 17 solo cabins
- Costa Serena 17 solo cabins
- Costa Magica -14 solo cabins
- Costa Fortuna -14 solo cabins
- Costa neoRomantica 6 solo cabins
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How Many Studio Cabins Are On An Average Cruise Ship
While they are gaining popularity, studio cabins are still very limited. Norwegian Epic and Escape stand out from the crowd with 128 and 82 studios, but most ships will only have between 10 and 30 , with select river vessels only offering one or two per ship. With this in mind, its best for solo travelers to book extremely early.
The Best River Cruise Lines For Solo Travelers
March 4, 2021 By Britton Frost
Doing my first river cruise alone was one of the most fulfilling travel experiences of my life. There is something about traveling solo that makes me feel fiercely independent and unstoppable. The only downside to traveling solo, however, is the cost. Well sometimes.
Solo passengers often have to pay single supplements, meaning that they usually must dole out what a couple would pay for the same stateroom. Though single supplements can run high, some companies waive these fees. Some river cruise operators also have solo cabins, or, in Rivieras case, a waived solo supplement for a certain amount of travelers on every departure. But more on that in a minute.
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