Solo travel is a growing trend, especially among retired clientele, and in many ways cruising is an ideal choice for those singles who still want plenty of company and lots of organised activities.
Cruise lines have responded well to the rise of the solo traveller, with many adding more single cabins or offering reduced or nil supplements for double cabins during certain cruises. For example, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) now has more than 1,000 single cabins across its fleet, while river cruise line Riviera has 45 dedicated solo cruises in 2025, up from 27 this year.
Claire Hills, Riviera National Sales Manager for Retail and OTA, said: “Solo cruising is growing more than ever before. It’s a fantastic product for a single traveller as every aspect of the trip is looked after, starting from a meet and greet at the airport or station.”
If you can convince clients to take their first solo cruise, Claire says they’re likely to return to book again. “We have clients who go on their first cruise solo and then next year return with friends they have met onboard,” she added.
NCL was the first to launch dedicated solo cabins in 2010 on Norwegian Epic, and now has them across all 19 ships. Plus, as an extra perk, NCL’s solo passengers have exclusive key-card access to the Studio Lounge, with beer, wine and snacks served daily. Pictured above is a studio cabin on Norwegian Prima.
All P&O Cruises’ ships also have single cabins, ranging from cheaper inside cabins to balcony cabins (pictured below). Its newest ship, Arvia, has the most at 28.
Celebrity Cruises has added single cabins to all of its Edge-class ships, starting with 16 on Celebrity Edge, 24 on Celebrity Apex, and there are 32 on both Celebrity Beyond and Celebrity Ascent.
All Cunard ships have both inside and outside cabins for solo travellers, while single cabins are also available on all Marella and Fred. Olsen ships, with 65 on Balmoral, including balcony cabins, pictured below.
Adult-only Virgin Voyages offers 46 solo cabins on all three of its ships.
When it comes to new-builds, Princess Cruises has added four solo cabins on Sun Princess, and MSC’s World Europa has 22.
Royal Caribbean’s Quantum-class ships have 28 studio cabins, which are geared to single travellers.
Be aware that single cabins are popular, so are among the first to book up.
One of the issues when selling a solo cruise is that cabin prices are usually based on double occupancy, but even when cruise lines don’t have single cabins, they will often offer discounts for single travellers occupying double cabins.
Ambassador Cruise Line has allocated 78 single occupancy cabins on Ambition and 89 on Ambience, and often offers them to solo travellers for a supplement of just 25%, instead of double the per person price.
Currently, a five-night cruise to Germany and Amsterdam on Ambience this December starts at £731 per person for a single traveller, while the fare for two passengers travelling together is £531 each.
Look out too for nil or reduced supplements on selected river cruise sailings with lines including Scenic, Tauck and Uniworld as well as Riviera.
Small ship line Cruise Croatia has dedicated single occupancy cabins on every departure throughout 2024, with no extra charges, and Windstar Cruises offers no or a low solo supplement of 20%.
Expedition and specialist lines including Hurtigruten/HX and AE Expeditions waive solo supplements from time to time so look out for these departures.
In the premium and luxury market Explora Journeys, Regent Seven Seas and Silversea offer a reduced supplement of 25% on selected sailings.
Cruise lines offer a variety of social get-togethers for single passengers, including welcome drinks, dinners and group shore excursions.
Ambassador Cruise Line Head of Distribution Nicola Harper said: “When on board, our inclusive solos activities and events help guests to meet new people and expand their horizons while travelling with us.
“Feedback from solo travellers is consistently positive, and we will always provide the warmest welcome at sea to all that travel with us whether they are sailing as a couple, with a group of friends or on their own.”
Traditional lines such as Fred. Olsen and Cunard have dance classes and team quizzes for guests to get to know one another.
Cunard Director of UK Sales Tom Mahoney said: “As a solo traveller with Cunard, you are part of a community of like-minded travellers.”
Regent Seven Seas also has afternoon meet ups for singles, along with quizzes and events where they can get to know one another.
Additionally, theme cruises from musical to gardening to archaeology and astronomy are a great way for single travellers to strike up conversation with fellow guests with a common interest. Mainstream lines such as Ambassador, Cunard and Fred. Olsen offer a variety of special interest cruises, while tall-ship line Star Clippers has yoga sailings too.
Will your clients have to dine alone? No, they’re likely to be put on a table with other single travellers. If they book a set sitting for dinner, they will get to know the people on their table. Cruise lines also have a solo travellers’ dinner, hosted by the onboard team.
Won’t they feel left out? Not if they go to the solo traveller meet up and check the daily cruise newsletter for details of get-togethers with others, or join an activity such as dance classes, yoga or craft sessions.
What about excursions? Book excursions and they will be with a group of people. Even better, if they choose an activity such as wine-tasting or chocolate-making they’ll have some social interaction with their group.
Will the cabin have one or two beds? It depends on the ship and cabin choice. Purpose-built single cabins will likely feature a small double or large single bed, but those that are blocked out for single occupancy will have twin or double beds.
The post Why you should sell cruises to single travellers appeared first on Travel Gossip.
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Cruise lines have responded well to the rise of the solo traveller, with many adding more single cabins or offering reduced or nil supplements for double cabins during certain cruises. For example, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) now has more than 1,000 single cabins across its fleet, while river cruise line Riviera has 45 dedicated solo cruises in 2025, up from 27 this year.
Claire Hills, Riviera National Sales Manager for Retail and OTA, said: “Solo cruising is growing more than ever before. It’s a fantastic product for a single traveller as every aspect of the trip is looked after, starting from a meet and greet at the airport or station.”
If you can convince clients to take their first solo cruise, Claire says they’re likely to return to book again. “We have clients who go on their first cruise solo and then next year return with friends they have met onboard,” she added.
Single cabins
NCL was the first to launch dedicated solo cabins in 2010 on Norwegian Epic, and now has them across all 19 ships. Plus, as an extra perk, NCL’s solo passengers have exclusive key-card access to the Studio Lounge, with beer, wine and snacks served daily. Pictured above is a studio cabin on Norwegian Prima.
All P&O Cruises’ ships also have single cabins, ranging from cheaper inside cabins to balcony cabins (pictured below). Its newest ship, Arvia, has the most at 28.
Celebrity Cruises has added single cabins to all of its Edge-class ships, starting with 16 on Celebrity Edge, 24 on Celebrity Apex, and there are 32 on both Celebrity Beyond and Celebrity Ascent.
All Cunard ships have both inside and outside cabins for solo travellers, while single cabins are also available on all Marella and Fred. Olsen ships, with 65 on Balmoral, including balcony cabins, pictured below.
Adult-only Virgin Voyages offers 46 solo cabins on all three of its ships.
When it comes to new-builds, Princess Cruises has added four solo cabins on Sun Princess, and MSC’s World Europa has 22.
Royal Caribbean’s Quantum-class ships have 28 studio cabins, which are geared to single travellers.
Be aware that single cabins are popular, so are among the first to book up.
Cruises can be an affordable option for solos
One of the issues when selling a solo cruise is that cabin prices are usually based on double occupancy, but even when cruise lines don’t have single cabins, they will often offer discounts for single travellers occupying double cabins.
Ambassador Cruise Line has allocated 78 single occupancy cabins on Ambition and 89 on Ambience, and often offers them to solo travellers for a supplement of just 25%, instead of double the per person price.
Currently, a five-night cruise to Germany and Amsterdam on Ambience this December starts at £731 per person for a single traveller, while the fare for two passengers travelling together is £531 each.
Look out too for nil or reduced supplements on selected river cruise sailings with lines including Scenic, Tauck and Uniworld as well as Riviera.
Small ships also cater for solos
Small ship line Cruise Croatia has dedicated single occupancy cabins on every departure throughout 2024, with no extra charges, and Windstar Cruises offers no or a low solo supplement of 20%.
Expedition and specialist lines including Hurtigruten/HX and AE Expeditions waive solo supplements from time to time so look out for these departures.
In the premium and luxury market Explora Journeys, Regent Seven Seas and Silversea offer a reduced supplement of 25% on selected sailings.
Cruise lines provide lots of entertainment
Cruise lines offer a variety of social get-togethers for single passengers, including welcome drinks, dinners and group shore excursions.
Ambassador Cruise Line Head of Distribution Nicola Harper said: “When on board, our inclusive solos activities and events help guests to meet new people and expand their horizons while travelling with us.
“Feedback from solo travellers is consistently positive, and we will always provide the warmest welcome at sea to all that travel with us whether they are sailing as a couple, with a group of friends or on their own.”
Traditional lines such as Fred. Olsen and Cunard have dance classes and team quizzes for guests to get to know one another.
Cunard Director of UK Sales Tom Mahoney said: “As a solo traveller with Cunard, you are part of a community of like-minded travellers.”
Regent Seven Seas also has afternoon meet ups for singles, along with quizzes and events where they can get to know one another.
Additionally, theme cruises from musical to gardening to archaeology and astronomy are a great way for single travellers to strike up conversation with fellow guests with a common interest. Mainstream lines such as Ambassador, Cunard and Fred. Olsen offer a variety of special interest cruises, while tall-ship line Star Clippers has yoga sailings too.
Solo Cruise Q&A
Will your clients have to dine alone? No, they’re likely to be put on a table with other single travellers. If they book a set sitting for dinner, they will get to know the people on their table. Cruise lines also have a solo travellers’ dinner, hosted by the onboard team.
Won’t they feel left out? Not if they go to the solo traveller meet up and check the daily cruise newsletter for details of get-togethers with others, or join an activity such as dance classes, yoga or craft sessions.
What about excursions? Book excursions and they will be with a group of people. Even better, if they choose an activity such as wine-tasting or chocolate-making they’ll have some social interaction with their group.
Will the cabin have one or two beds? It depends on the ship and cabin choice. Purpose-built single cabins will likely feature a small double or large single bed, but those that are blocked out for single occupancy will have twin or double beds.
The post Why you should sell cruises to single travellers appeared first on Travel Gossip.
Continue reading...
