A major drawback for single cruisers are the supplements that cruise lines typically charge.
These are the extra fees paid by one person who plans to stay in a cabin built for two.
Almost every cruise ship on every cruise line in the world is priced based on double occupancy.
This means that even if you are going alone, you pay the same price that a room for two people would minus the government fees for a second passenger.
A solo or single cruiser creates “spoilage” in cruise-speak. In other words, not only does it leave an empty bed that doesn’t add booking revenue, but it also means a missing body to add revenue from drink sales, casino use, shore excursions, and spa treatments.
This is the principal hurdle for solo cruisers. Since most lines do not offer cabins for singles, or because the ships that do have them sell out rather quickly, the cruise line will charge an extra fee to a solo traveler wanting to reserve a double-occupancy stateroom unescorted.
HOWEVER, there is recent good news for solo cruisers!!
Certain cruise lines have noticed the need for solo cabins and have started introducing them on their newer ships.
Keep reading to learn which cruise ships offer special ‘studio’ cabins for one and a special common area for ‘studio’ cabin solo-ers to meet!!
Norwegian Cruise Line Military and Veteran Discounts for 1:
Studio cabins are available on the Escape, Breakaway, Getaway, Epic, and the Pride of America.
Passengers booked in one of these studio cabins not only avoid having to pay the hefty single supplement, but they have exclusive key card access to the Studio Complex and Lounge.
This shared private area is where you can stretch out, have a drink, order room service, watch the big-screen TV and meet your other single neighbors.
These cabins come with no single supplement.
MSC Military and Veteran discounts for solo cruisers:
MSC has introduced single occupancy cabins on their newest ships, the Meraviglia and the Bellissima.
There are quite a few IS1 Interior cabins available. We do recommend that you book them as far in advance as you can because these cabins can also be the middle room in MSC’s Super Family Balconies.
Singles and large occupancy cabins are both hard to find and can sell out quickly!
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line Military and Veteran Discounts for singles:
Royal Caribbean offers studio interior cabins on three of their ships which are the Anthem of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, and Quantum of the Seas.
These cabins come equipped with a full-size bed, private bathroom, and virtual views of real-time scenery on your flat-screen television.
These cabins come with no single supplement.
Costa Cruise Line Military and Veteran Discounts for 1:
Costa Cruises has limited single cabins in both inside and outside units on half of its ships including the Classica, Fascinosa, Favolosa, Fortuna, Magica, neoRomantica, Diadema, and Pacifica.
Costa offers singles’ meet-and-greet parties onboard, as well as a full range of other traditional shipboard activities that encourage social interaction among solo passengers.
Single cabins do carry a supplement, but it can be as low as 30 percent above the double-occupancy rate.
Cunard Cruise Line Military and Veteran Discounts for 1:
The Queen Elizabeth boasts 1 interior cabin and 8 ocean view rooms.
These cabins are approximately 160 square ft. and are located on deck 2.
Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 has 15 ocean view staterooms for solo travelers that are located on deck 2 and 3.
The Queen Victoria has 9 new single staterooms which consist of 8 that are ocean view and 1 interior all located on deck 2.
These cabins come with no single supplement.
Aside from spacious solo cabins, Cunard also offers the popular Gentleman Dance Hosts program for solo women who like to dance and do not have a partner.
Holland America Cruise Line Military and Veteran Discounts for 1:
The MS Prinsendam has 3 solo cabins while the brand new Koningsdam offers 12.
Koningsam’s cabins are priced for one so they do not require a single supplement.
Typical rates for MS Prinsendam solo cabins run from 150 percent to 200 percent.
Holland offers a Single Partners Program where they host onboard solo traveler events like cocktail parties and games.
Singles are also invited to dine together (by advance request), and, on voyages of 40 days or more, gentleman hosts are available for dancing and dining.
