SOLO CRUISING

10 Tips for Solo Cruisers: How Cruises are Priced and How We Can Help You One of the most frequent questions we receive at Cruise Specialists is if we offer pricing for solo cruisers. The answer is – most certainly – YES, but there are some things to consider. And it may require flexibility on your part. In this post we’ll share more about how cruise lines set their pricing and how that impacts solo traveler policies at various cruise lines, and 10 tips for making your trip as a solo cruiser as cost-effective and enjoyable as possible. Cruising: A Fantastic Way to Travel Solo How Cruise Pricing Works The biggest obstacle to solo travelers in terms of pricing goes back to how cruise lines establish their fares. Cruise lines base their fares on the presumption that two people will be in a room, called double occupancy. With that fare, the passenger receives their accommodations, meals, entertainment, and so on. The cruise line sets up its expected revenue based on the idea that it will fill the ship to capacity based on double occupancy, and will set budgets for all of the things its guests will enjoy accordingly. If it sells those staterooms to only one person for only half the price it was expecting, the cruise line will lose money and more importantly, can’t provide the type of premium experience that cruisers expect. As a cruise departure date approaches, it’s possible the cruise line may decide to cut its losses and provide some of its open cabins for a special price to solo travelers. This is where the single supplement enters the picture. What is the Single Supplement? Remember, if two people in the cabin each pay full fare, or 100% of their fare each, then the full cabin is going to take in 200%. (100 percent plus 100 percent.) If there is only one person in the cabin, the standard operating procedure would be for that person to still pay for two people, often referred to as the 200% single supplement. If a cruise line advertises a single supplement of 125% or 150%, the solo traveler is getting a better deal than they normally would, even though it’s a premium compared to two people in a cabin. Breaking it down by percentage, here is how we would rank the different single supplements: 200% = standard 175% = good 150% = better/very good 125% = excellent 100% = the best – this is also referred to as a waived single supplement   When Do Single Supplement Deals Occur? As mentioned, cruise lines don’t always make single supplement deals available, although some do more than others – more on that later. Their goal is to have the ship sail at full capacity to maximize revenue. As the departure date approaches, they may decide it is better to offer a stateroom or staterooms with a lower single supplement so they can recoup some of their expenses. This leads us to: Solo Cruising Tip #1 Be flexible with your sailing dates or ships, since single supplement offers can appear at any time, typically six months or less before sailing. Single Supplement Policies by Cruise Lines: Some cruise lines are known for more favorable pricing for solo travelers. While this can change at any time, here is a look at some of the more longstanding single supplement policies from some of our top cruise line partners.   Excellent Windstar Cruises – 120% Windstar Cruises offers single supplements as low as 120% on select voyages across a variety of destinations. A Windstar Ship in the Caribbean Silversea – 125% Silversea welcomes solo travelers with single supplements of 25% above their Silver Privilege Fares, on selected voyages, for select suite categories. Very Good to Excellent Azamara – 125% to 150% Solo travelers with Azamara pay the double occupancy fare for one person, plus between 25% to 50% of the stateroom fare on select sailings.   Very Good Oceania Cruises – 150% On select voyages, solo travelers may reserve staterooms at a reduced single supplement of 150% in select categories. Seabourn – 150% Seabourn offers a reduced single supplement starting at 50% above current fares on select voyages and in select suite categories. AmaWaterways (river cruises) – 150% on select stateroom categories AmaWaterways is an excellent river cruise line that offers a reduced single supplement at 50% of the twin price in select stateroom categories on all 2023 European and Mekong sailings (if you cruise yet in 2022 they offer it further reduced at only 25% in select categories). The offer is subject to change at any time. Good to Excellent, based on sailing Regent Seven Seas Cruises® – 110% to 175% Regent Seven Seas Cruises® offers a reduced single supplement ranging from 10% to 75% above the per person fare in select suite categories, on select voyages, across every region. This leads us to: Solo Cruising Tip #2 Understand which cruise lines regularly offer single supplements. This will help narrow the choices of which cruise lines you should regularly monitor for single supplements. This also leads us to: Solo Cruising Tip #3 Luxury cruise lines are among the best at offering single supplement deals. Regent Seven Seas Cruises®, Silversea and Seabourn are luxury cruise lines that offer an all-inclusive experience. So, even though you may pay more upfront, you are receiving a relatively great bargain with a reduced single supplement. Plus, once you are on board, you have even more of a carefree experience, since alcoholic beverages, premium coffees and teas, specialty dining and much more is all rolled into your price. So, go ahead to the lounge and start mingling! Interested in seeing solo cruise fares now? We have a selection of Solo Traveler offers here, and there are others frequently crossing our desk, so don’t hesitate to contact us if there is something specific you are looking for. Solo Staterooms Are Gaining Popularity Norwegian Cruise Line started a trend in 2010 when it pioneered its solo cabins on Norwegian Epic. Now, many of the cruise lines offer them, and they are an attractive option. Drawbacks include the fact that they aren’t as roomy as a stateroom designed for two people, and there is a limited number of solo cabins, so they sell out quickly. Keep in mind that sometimes you may find a double occupancy room for a better rate, even with the single supplement. This leads us to: Solo Cruising Tip #4 Ask your cruise consultant to do a price comparison for you when looking at a solo cabin versus a double occupancy stateroom. There may be other things to consider, such as if you need to pay taxes and fees for one person or for two. This is where our extensive experience in cruising as well as our commitment to service helps you save time and money. Among the many cruise lines that now offer solo cabins on certain ships: Holland America Line Cunard Celebrity Cruises Virgin Voyages Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) Royal Caribbean Atlas Ocean Voyages Oceania Cruises – its new Vista ship debuting in 2023 will feature Concierge Level Solo Veranda Staterooms How You Can Enhance Your Solo Travel Experience Now that we have covered pricing and solo staterooms, there are still many additional ways you as a solo traveler can maximize the value of your journey. This is regardless if you are hoping for a more social type of experience or are truly looking to get away on your own. Solo Cruising Tip #5: Consider an Adults Only Cruise Viking and Virgin Voyages are both adults only cruise lines, meaning you must be at least 18 years old to cruise. If you wish to reduce the number of children and families you’re cruising with, these are great options. Viking provides a serene and enriching atmosphere, while Virgin Voyages is more entertainment and activity focused; Virgin Voyages’ cuisine is also exceptional and wide-ranging. A Viking Ocean Ship in Iceland; courtesy client Sheryl J. Solo Cruising Tip #6: Consider a River or Expedition Voyage River cruise lines such as Tauck, AmaWaterways and Avalon Waterways, plus Hurtigruten Expeditions are some of the companies that regularly waive single supplements or offer a reduced single supplement. With these being much smaller ships, it’s also easier to mingle and run into familiar faces more easily. Solo Cruising Tip #7: Consider a Hosted Cruise Cruise Specialists is a leader in hosted cruising—it has been part of our DNA for 35 years. On certain hand-picked voyages each year, including World Cruises, we offer an above-and-beyond experience to everyone who reserves their cruise with us. We provide a Voyage Host who accompanies our group throughout the voyage, offer special onboard events and much more. Additionally, as part of the Travel Leaders Network of agencies, we offer hosted cruises on hundreds of departures each year, on more than 10 cruise lines. Each of these hosted voyages includes a welcome reception plus a special amenity, such as a VIP Shore Event, where you can explore with a group of like-minded travelers. Cruise Specialists Hosts Help Everyone Feel Welcome Solo Cruising Tip #8: Watch for Special Onboard Events for Solo Travelers Cruise lines are savvy to the fact that they have solo travelers on board and want to make you feel welcome! They may offer champagne welcome receptions, reserved dining tables for solo travelers and more. Additionally, cruising is, by nature, a social mode of traveling. There are so many opportunities to connect with other travelers—from dance classes, to group fitness, trivia and more. Of course, if you crave quieter moments, there is an equal amount of activities to suit someone who wishes to simply have some alone time. There’s no better way to relax than to sit on a deck chair and watch the waves go by. Solo Cruising Tip #9: Go On the Cruise Line’s Shore Excursions Be sure to reserve some of the cruise line’s shore excursions to explore each destination in the safety and comfort of a group. Conversations easily occur as you participate in the activity, whether a cooking class, a nature walk or a tour of the region’s best highlights. Taking the shore excursions offered through the cruise line is also a good way to ensure that the company running that tour has been properly vetted, and they are held accountable for getting you back to the ship on time.   Solo Cruising Tip #10: Contact Cruise Specialists The best advice we can give you when planning a solo cruise is that you don’t have to go it alone. At Cruise Specialists, we understand the pricing and policies, and we are committed to serving our clients to ensure you get exactly what you desire. Sharing Travel Stories at a Meal Ready to start planning your solo cruise? Contact a Cruise Specialists Cruise Consultant today. See upcoming cruises with no single supplement or reduced single supplements.   ... Read more

Are you considering a cruise, but concerned about going alone? Our hosts have been around the world many times and helped hundreds of solo cruisers enjoy the experience. Here are some of their top tips and recommendations to help put your worries at ease. Solo Events Steve and Wendy Bodenheimer We usually have lots of solo travelers in our Cruise Specialists groups and they seem to do very well making friends. Holland America is very good about arranging events for single and solo travelers: lunches, dinners dance lessons where no partner is needed book clubs other small gettogethers daily organized classes But the most important resource is the Cruise Specialists group itself! We’ve seen some great friendships start at Chat Time, our free get together, our dinners, cocktail parties and on our shore excursions. Because they have the initial familiarity of meeting at an event and are all part of the same group, they seem to feel more comfortable talking to strangers. While this is especially true on our World Cruise due to the send off party, it happens on every cruise we host! Fun Filled Days Kay and Alan Gick In response to your question concerning one being nervous about going solo on a world cruise, let us first say that a world cruise is no doubt one of the safest ways to travel  and see the world, and, solo or not, the escorted shore excursions are a prime example of assured safety as you explore. Cruise staff coordinate many daily events while at sea–shuffleboard, table tennis, corn hole, bingo, trivia, name that tune where groups form randomly (single or otherwise). Let’s not forget the wonderful cultural presentations and various enrichment classes offered to everyone–computer, jewelry, yoga, arts and crafts, bridge and dancing to mention a few. Finally, over the years, we know of many singles who have met others, become life-long friends, and subsequently, have traveled together on many cruises. Interesting to note that we know several singles who have actually met and later married! Our neighbors at home are a prime example! If you’re looking for more information on single cruise supplements (click here) or find out which cruise lines we love for solo cruisers (click here). Let our team help you! ... Read more

One of the trends Cruise Specialists has noticed growing over the last few years is single or solo cruisers! We have shared our voyage host tips for solo cruisers and talked about how to find the best deals, but wanted to give you some insight from our guests. Cruise Specialists guest Anna, set sail for the 2018 Holland America Grand Voyage and shared her story and tips with us. My first World Cruise was in 2002, aboard Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth 2, right after 9/11. Many people canceled their World Cruise reservations after 9/11 but I did not. Ours was the first cruise ship to leave New York after 9/11 and it was very powerful. That sailing went to China, the Taj Mahal, and many other places — it was great. In 2013 I decided to go again and I picked the Holland America Line World Cruise. I had done other cruises with them, including Alaska, Baltic and South America, and I loved the food, the service, the dancing, and other activities like Tai Chi. I didn’t mean to go on a world cruise again, but I met so many wonderful people I went again in 2015 and 2017 and went again in 2018. I also did the 2016 Voyage of the Vikings and it was the most beautiful scenery, ever! Everyone says, “Why would you travel alone?” I’m never really alone. Excursions are very good and you get to explore with other people. The people I meet, both on the ship and out on the excursions are magnificent. I don’t attend too many of the chat times because I’m too busy doing other activities. The whole world is beautiful — I love meeting new people and experiencing different cultures. Why a World Cruise/Hosted/Longer Voyage? People say, “I’m not a cruiser.” They have stereotypes of what a cruise is. I can say, this is NOT a cruise in that stereotyped image, whatever that may be. This is a voyage. Between the shore excursions, the lectures, and the shows, it is such an all-encompassing experience. I’m often exhausted at the end of the day. Advice for solo/single women? I’ve seen more and more single women doing these voyages. More are taking that step into it. They don’t want to take that first step, but once they do, they don’t regret it. I’d say if you have never done a World Cruise before, but you want to try one, do a group tour so you can get the idea of what it’s like traveling with a group, and a shorter cruise to build up your confidence for traveling on your own. Once you do that you’ll find that it’s fine and it will help reduce whatever worries you may have had. Ready to explore solo cruising or world cruises? Take a look at our World Cruises page to find your ideal voyage >> Or check out our featured cruises for going solo!    ... Read more