While many people cruise with a partner, friends or family members, there are passengers who choose to cruise on their own. Some simply enjoy traveling alone, while others can’t wait to meet their fellow passengers and create a new group of acquaintances.
If you would like to take a cruise on your own, here are
some things to consider.
Single supplements. Most cruise ship cabins are designed
for at least two people. If you want one for yourself, you may have to pay a
single supplement: a fee that offsets what the cruise line loses by not selling
a second fare for the cabin. While the single supplement is often discounted,
it can be as much as you pay for your own fare.
If you want to avoid paying the supplement, you may have
other options. If you don’t mind sharing a cabin, many cruise lines offer a
roommate-matching service. And, an increasing number of ships have cabins
designed for solo cruisers, including some ships in the fleets of Celebrity
Cruises, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and other
ocean and river cruise lines.
Ship size. Solo cruisers sail on ships of all
types and sizes, so think about what type of ship appeals to you most. Smaller
ships with fewer passengers make it likely you’ll see the same people each day,
which can make socializing easier.
Bigger ships with more passengers make it likely you’ll see
different people each day, which can be an advantage if you want some
uninterrupted time to relax as you cruise. However, if you want to sail on a
big ship and meet some of your fellow passengers, just ask a member of the
cruise director’s staff to introduce you around. Or, at dinner, ask the head
waiter to seat you with other solo cruisers or with a friendly group you met at
the pool or on an excursion.
Singles cruises. There’s a difference between cruising
solo and taking a singles cruise, which is designed to help passengers meet
potential romantic partners. It’s easy to mingle on a singles cruise because
everyone is interested in meeting new people. But non-singles cruises often hold
special receptions and other events for solo travelers so they can meet each
other, if they choose.
To learn more about lots of wonderful options for cruising
on your own, talk with Anita, your professional travel advisor.
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