How To Tell If A Cruise Ship Has Unsold Cabins
Youve got a flexible schedule, and you want to figure out which itineraries and ships have unsold cabins so you can get a deal. You might find its harder than you thought to figure out which sailings to watch.
Cruise lines do a good job of protecting this information on their consumer booking engines, Beci Mahnken, president and CEO of MEI-Travel, says. Some will allow you to see available inventory during the booking process while others will only show you a handful of options. Travel advisors sometimes have a clearer view of the inventory available on a particular sailing, but not always.”
Starting the online booking process is your best bet at getting a glimpse of how many cabins are available. Sites like Costco Travel and Best Price Cruises do a good job of showing full deck plans with available cabins, though youll need to manually check all the categories and decks for available rooms.
Best Cruise Ships For Solo Travelers
While there are ten Royal Caribbean ships that offer solo rooms of one kind or another, I think a few stand out for offering the best options for a solo traveler.
The Quantum Class of ships, which include Quantum of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, and Anthem of the Seas, offer not only standard studio staterooms, but also studio balcony rooms.
These Super Studio Ocean View balcony rooms offer a private balcony that measures 55 square feet, and is a rare commodity for any solo room.
If you want to try one of Royal Caribbean’s biggest ships, check out Harmony of the Seas for their Studio Interior and Studio Ocean View rooms. Harmony is the only Oasis Class ship to offer studio rooms, so if you want to cruise on the largest ships in the world, this is the one for you.
Best Cruise Lines For Single Cabins
Solo traveling is a solid match with cruise vacations. And, the good news is that the best cruise lines have eliminated the pesky and costly single supplement. This was an extra charge levied against people traveling unaccompanied. Those days are gone and ships have created single cabins with amenities rather than sticking solo travelers in double rooms or dark corners near the engine.
Here are our recommendations for your next solo cruise vacation:
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Solo Travel Can Be More Expensive
Beware the dreaded single supplement
Cruise fare pricing is typically based on two people sharing a stateroom which is called double occupancy. Solo cruisers will typically pay 125% 200% above published prices on most cruise lines. This extra charge is called a single supplement.
However, some cruise lines are tailored to single travelers, and offer discounts for the solo traveler. Some of these perks include reduced or waived single supplements. A few have even built staterooms designed and priced for a single occupants.
Many cruise lines are adding new amenities for solo travelers so that everyone has the opportunity to feel included on their vacation!
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line offers solo travelers the opportunity to purchase a solo cabin on many of their most popular ships. Almost half of Royal Caribbeans fleet now has solo cabins. The type of cabin varies by class of ship. Studio Interiors can be found on the Anthem, Adventure, Brilliance, Harmony, Jewel, Mariner, Ovation, Quantum, Radiance and Serenade of the Seas and offer 96 square feet. Studio Virtual Balcony cabins can be found on the Anthem, Harmony, Ovation and Quantum of the Seas are similar to Studio Interiors but feature a Virtual Balcony flat screen television which simulates a picture window. A Studio Ocean View can be found on the Harmony of the Seas with 96 square feet of space. While the Studio Ocean View Balcony on the Anthem, Quantum and Ovation with 119 square feet of cabin space plus an additional 55 square feet for the balcony.
On Royal Caribbean Oasis-class ships, solo cabins are located in Central Park and Boardwalk neighborhoods one is an inside stateroom while the other is an outside with obstructed views . Solo travelers have access to the Cruise Connections Lounges where they can relax and take advantage of Wi-Fi.
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Deals On Unsold Cruise Cabins
Unless the situation is dire, you are not going to find crazy promotions such as a weeklong cruise for $70 or a suite listed at inside cabin prices. Cruise lines try to protect their pricing, especially on balcony cabins and suites. They dont want cruisers to expect discounts on the top staterooms or get used to booking last-minute to get the lowest fares.
Therefore, they get a bit sneaky when they want to increase bookings on a ship thats selling slowly. Here are some ways that cruise lines try to fill unsold cruise cabins with deals and discounts:
Our Tips For Picking A Solo Cruise That Fits Your Vacation Style Personality Itinerary And Budget
You may dream of embarking on a glorious Caribbean cruise with a suitcase packed with novels and sunscreen. Your agenda would consist of no more than enjoying the ship, making some new friends, and exploring sunny and sandy ports of call.
However, you may have heard that cruises are expensive if you sail solo. Not true! Were here to happily tell you that the industry has changed a lot over the last five years and pricey cruises for singlesones where a single supplement was charged if you didn’t have someone sharing your cabinare just about over. Thats right! Todays cruise ships often have cabins specially designedand pricedfor solo cruisers.
Heres what you need to know to plan a fabulous cruise for yourself.
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Unsold Cruise Cabins: How To Find Deals When Ships Arent Full
Youve heard the stories of cruisers getting amazing last-minute travel deals on unsold cruise cabins. How do they do it? You dont know how to tell how many cabins are left on a cruise, let alone determine where to look for deals and discounts.
If you care more about price than picking the perfect cabin or sailing, well share some travel agent insight about how to nab a low price or extra perks if a ship isnt likely to sail full.
Which Cruise Lines Offer Single Occupancy Rates
Go solo on a cruise without splurging on single supplements.
Several large cruise lines are catching the wave of an expanding singles market by providing staterooms for singles, socializing opportunities and adjusted fare structures. Solo travelers may find ocean and river cruises an appealing vacation option due to built-in entertainment, offshore excursions, onboard dining options and ease of transport. However, a single occupancy fare of 200 percent puts a big dent in the budget. When cruise lines waive the supplement and provide dedicated singles-only experiences, they become even more attractive to solo passengers, from millennials to baby boomers.
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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!
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.
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Targeted Group Price Reductions
When cruise lines want to offer soft-selling cabins at a lower price without advertising discounts, they might target promotions to select groups of travelers.
For example, Mahnken explains that to fill inventory, cruise lines will leverage their most loyal clients by offering perks like double loyalty points reduced or even free cruise fare to casino club members…. Resident discounts are often available when a ship in a particular port has some space to sell. Price drops for senior cruisers or certain professions are also popular ways to fill ships.
Set yourself up to receive these discounts by joining the loyalty program of every cruise line you sail and subscribing to promotional emails. The more you sail on one line, the better chance you have of being offered exclusive discounts.
You may also want to cultivate relationships with or sign up for emails from cruise-focused travel agencies. Cruise lines looking to move unsold cabins will offer flash sales or exclusive promotions to their best partners. Youll only find out about these deals if youre on the agencys email list. Sometimes, the discounts are so secret, you can only find out by calling or having an agent reach out to you because they know your travel interests.
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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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.
Best For Adventure: Cruise And Maritime Voyages
Cruise and Maritime
- Sails from: Portbury
- Duration: 12 nights
- Ship Name: Magellan
- Itinerary: Kollafjørður, Faroe Islands Seyðisfjörður, Iceland Akureyri, Iceland Ísafjörður Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland Cobh, Ireland Portbury, England
If youre a solo traveler seeking an adventurous experience, consider a ship from Cruise and Maritime Voyages. The company caters to singles by offering dedicated cabins at a lower cost in both oceanview and interior styles, as well as onboard events and get-togethers with your fellow passengers. The Magellan ship carries 1,250 guests and offers lively evening comedy shows and cabarets, along with educational guest speakers and arts and crafts. Passengers can also have some quiet time in the library, two outdoor swimming pools or three heated whirlpools, wellness center , or in many comfortable lounges.
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Best Cruise Lines For Solo Cruisers
Traveling alone on cruise ships just got a whole lot better. In the last several years, a variety of cruise lines have introduced single-occupancy cabins on their ships, as well as events and activities just for those interested in solo cruises. Here are the top cruise lines to consider when planning your next cruise adventure:
Is A Single Cruise Cabin Good Value Tips For Booking Cruises With Single Cabins
The higher costs associated with travelling alone is one of the reported key concerns of solo travellers. To help reduce this unfair solo travel tax, it is worth considering a single cabin as a solo traveller, but it is not your only option.
First and foremost, dont expect the price of a single cabin to be half that of a regular cabin.
As a general rule of thumb, expect your fare to be 125 to 160% more than that of someone who is sharing an equivalent cabin class. However, this may still be a good deal compared to typical cruise single occupancy supplements of between 125 and 200 per cent.
When you are planning a cruise, it pays to book as early as possible and this more important is you are looking for a single room. Single cruise cabins are limited and coveted by solo travellers. Therefore, they can get booked up quickly. If you have your heart set on a single cabin, dont delay.
It pays to compare the cost of a single cabin to that of sole occupancy of an equivalent cabin.
You may find that there is not much of a difference and the regular cabin is in a better location. As it is impossible to provide a general comparison between the prices of single cabins and sole occupancy of regular ones, you will need to do this on a case-by-case basis.
Ill give you a real-life example. When I did my Norway fjords cruise on MS Britannia as a solo traveller in 2018, I booked a regular balcony cabin.
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The 8 Best Cruises For Solo Travelers Of 2021
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- Best for Millennials: U River Cruises See Rates“Sleek and stylish ships equipped with several modern cabins for solo travelers.”
- Best for Over 50: Saga Cruises See Rates“Theres a singles mingle drink hour, singles lunch, and singles meet ups for cultural shore excursions.”
- Best Spa Experience: Norwegian Cruise Line See Rates at Expedia“When booking a solo stateroom, passengers get keycard access the Studio Lounge shared only by other Studio guests.”
- Best Alaskan Cruise: Royal Caribbean See Rates at Expedia“Step inside the North Star, a rotating glass capsule for 360-degree views of the stunning Alaskan wilderness.”
- Best River Cruise: American Cruise Lines See Rates“The open-seating dining program and included cocktail hours make it easy for solo traveler to get to know fellow passengers.”
- Best for Adventure: Cruise and Maritime Voyages See Rates“The company caters to singles by offering dedicated cabins at a lower cost in both oceanview and interior.”
- Best Transatlantic Crossing: Cunard See Rates“The vessel is also known for outstanding cuisine.”
- Best European Cruise: Fred Olsen’s Cruises See Rates“A U.K.-based company that caters to solo travelers with small ocean ships.”
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.
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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