Found an article stating that cruise lines want solo travelers.

Not totally convinced that all of them do , based on how much they charge for single supplements, but here is the article:

http://www.cntraveler.com/daily-traveler/2014/04/cruise-ship-cabins-for-singles_slideshow_slide_9

I think the reason some of them might want solo travelers is that some solo travelers are willing to pay more, and willing to take tiny, inside cabins that the cruise line created from "wasted" space, thereby giving them more revenue ;)

I think the reason some of them might want solo travelers is that some solo travelers are willing to pay more, and willing to take tiny, inside cabins that the cruise line created from "wasted" space, thereby giving them more revenue ;)

I "second" your comments! :-)

Majority of the cruise lines mentioned are not even accessible to most of us. What about RCCL, CCL, etc. They don't want us and they make it very hard to find a deal.:(

I can see Carnival and Norwegian do give good offers to singles. Norwegian has the solo cabin which is a steal especially id your sailing c.f. eom Miami for like $300-400. Then there's Carnival which waives the supplement fees on some sailings, especially for last minute sales. Then there's Celebrity and MSC, which if prepaid at least a year in advance are also food deals as well. As always it depends on your budget and when you want to go.

Sent from my SGH-T399 using Tapatalk

I totally agree with calliopecruiser.

I have sailed twice in NCLs solo "friendly" studio cabins on their new mega ships. They are well designed and the studio lounge concept is nice. On the other hand, they are very small interior cabins which NCL doesn't sell at an especially cheap price for what they are. Plus, the other aspects of the ship have to be enjoyable (food, clientele, public spaces etc.). Good experience on the Epic, not so good experience on the Breakaway...

Not totally convinced that all of them do , based on how much they charge for single supplements, but here is the article:

http://www.cntraveler.com/daily-traveler/2014/04/cruise-ship-cabins-for-singles_slideshow_slide_9

Well, there is a vast group of singles out there that want to travel and some cruise lines like Carnival and NCL want that business. It's far better to fill a cabin with a solo cruiser then for it to go out empty. At least the crew get tips and there's on board upside revenue like from the casinos and bars. What solos have on their side is a huge amount of berth inventory that the cruise lines need to sell. Carnival has been offering no supplement on many sailings & NCL has solo cabins. Some of the more upscale lines offer a more reasonable supplement like 10-25%. Some of the less friendly lines like RCI offer better rates in off season or weak demand sailings. I've found some great solo deals but you have to hunt for them. Although many solo deals are for inside/outside cabin, I've found some good deals on balcony & suites too.

I totally agree with calliopecruiser.

I have sailed twice in NCLs solo "friendly" studio cabins on their new mega ships. They are well designed and the studio lounge concept is nice. On the other hand, they are very small interior cabins which NCL doesn't sell at an especially cheap price for what they are. Plus, the other aspects of the ship have to be enjoyable (food, clientele, public spaces etc.). Good experience on the Epic, not so good experience on the Breakaway...

Jolie, I sailed in a Solo Studio on the Epic back in 2012, and figured that the Breakaway would improve upon the Epic -- what about this ship/experience didn't meet your expectations?

Jolie, I sailed in a Solo Studio on the Epic back in 2012, and figured that the Breakaway would improve upon the Epic -- what about this ship/experience didn't meet your expectations?

Hi,

Glad you asked this. I wrote a thorough review of my Breakaway experience in the studio entitled "Average solo cruise on PACKED ship" Bermuda 09/13 rated ***. It will be easier to find if you put the list of reviews from low to high. Among other things, I cover the solo "friendliness" of the studio price in my last paragraph.

I wouldn't say they don't want solo travelers, I would say they don't encourage them. If you're willing to pay the price, you are treated well. The only ones I feel who suffer are the cabin stewards, who only get half the tip for cleaning the same size cabin, but even so, I've always had wonderful service from them. One thing I've found, is that the lines that do offer a better single supplement, only do so at full fare. When the rates drop, the supplement usually goes back up to 200% other than the very last minute deals. So in most cases you're back where you started. Oh well. Guess I can't blame them... If they can fill a cabin with 2 rather than one, and get double for excursions, drinks and so on.., I think though, solo travels are more apt to buy a ship excursion than a couple???? But as solo travelers, we get an entire cabin to ourselves!!! I never want to share a cabin with anyone again!!!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Once the world economy gets back on tract, solos will be back to 200%.

Cruise lines don't care about us.

Once the world economy gets back on tract, solos will be back to 200%.

Cruise lines don't care about us.

I would also add Travel agents, certainly in my area, Here they mostly want to sell to groups in senior living, assisted living, where they can "push" 30 or 40 , in "gods waiting room", on their "way out" clients together.

Today read 3 travel ads, not one advertised dates, ship or cruise line, it was "call for details" in other words "we are pushing this trip, so call us so we can snow you into booking".

I love Cunard transatlantic cruises, but have to admit that Cunard is NOT SOLO friendly. Supplement is too high, Social hostess is not interested in arranging solo meets, (on my last cruise, she looked in for less then 10 mins on first day and we never saw her again ) Even on a cruise with ports, solos are "on their own".

On one cruise, as a senior solo I found myself at a table with 3 NON English speaking couples (Japanese) when I asked MD for a move, he gave me a speech re the difficulty of placing a solo!!!!!. On another trip, at lunch I stated "willing to share" and was shown to a table set for one !!!!!

Of course if I were a 30 year old blonde wearing short shorts, and had D size implants I am sure I would not get the same indifference.

I am sure I will get "flamed " for my previous remarks, but it is important to be honest when answering another posters questions.

Yes on my last voyage, there was a notice in the daily news sheet re a solo meet. I went, the Hostess as I stated showed her face for about 10 mins ,just long enough to give her name, introduce the dance hosts, then she left and never appeared again.

Each morning , after that, the notice said the solo would meet in the Buffet , (plastic tables for 4 and plastic chairs, and surrounded by smell and sight of those eating a late breakfast) there we were expected to go to the coffee machines fetch a cup, and sit at a table for 4 people for about 10 mins , then leave. End of get together.

No Hostess , no introducing among the group (other than that which we did ourselves) no arrangements for get togethers outside that 10 mins in the Buffet area .

As stated I like the ships, the formality, but as regards making solos feel welcome, Cunard scores a miserable 1 on a scale of 1-10 . When I first cruised with Cunard, things were very different, but that was back in the days of QE2.

A word here re dance hosts. They are not always good dancers, not always pleasant "companions", they are 4 men (often past their prime) who on the first night decide between themselves which "stable " of ladies they will "honour" with their attentions during the cruise. Each night in the ball room you will see them dancing with the same small group of females, who sit at the side of the dance floor. Hosts do not move around the room, they stick like glue to the same small group of "admirers"

Even at the cocktail parties, they do not circulate, you will see them a circle of 4 who break away only to speak with the same ladies with whom they dance, then they scuttle back to the circle.

Voyages to Antiquity currently has lots of cruises with low supplements - 10-15% only and has lots of solo cabins onboard their one ship. I travelled in one of the solo cabins and they have a 3/4 bed, lots of storage and a small but efficient bathroom. My cabin (H ) also had a good-sized window albeit with a tender hanging outside. They also have solo balcony cabins.

I've also gone to solo M&G onboard HAL ships and, although I did not hang around with my fellow solos, it was nice to know other pax by name. Others from the group ended up doing shore excursions or shopping trips together.

Shar

I have travelled six times on Celebrity and was able to get a single rate, at just 150%, four times buy checking randomly for the deal. Two of those were for a suite guarantee, one a veranda guarantee and one as a regular Aqua class. The other two were really good deals even at 200%. I do book mostly during the Xciting Deals period, but have found great deals outside this period. My most recent suite guarantee is an upcoming Alaska cruise at 150% supplement. The Xciting deal has been going on for almost a month, it is not listed, but when you go to price it the indication is that it falls under the special rate. The single supplement equation has gone up and down on the same cruise, same class the entire month, sometimes it allows for a single traveller and sometimes not. I do call if Captain's Club if I want a guarantee that is offered for two and not for one on the website. I have been "allowed" to purchase that at 200%, it does required being quite firm about my right to purchase what has been offered.

I love Cunard transatlantic cruises, but have to admit that Cunard is NOT SOLO friendly. Supplement is too high, Social hostess is not interested in arranging solo meets, (on my last cruise, she looked in for less then 10 mins on first day and we never saw her again ) Even on a cruise with ports, solos are "on their own".

On one cruise, as a senior solo I found myself at a table with 3 NON English speaking couples (Japanese) when I asked MD for a move, he gave me a speech re the difficulty of placing a solo!!!!!. On another trip, at lunch I stated "willing to share" and was shown to a table set for one !!!!!

I kind of figured this would be the situation sailing on a Cunard Vessel. I will be on The Queen Mary 2 in October as a solo. I requested a table for 2, so I don't have to deal with the large table situation and stuffy people. And I won't be expecting the social hostess to put herself out for the solo traveler.:)

Thanks for the heads up.

"I love Cunard transatlantic cruises, but have to admit that Cunard is NOT SOLO friendly. Supplement is too high, Social hostess is not interested in arranging solo meets, (on my last cruise, she looked in for less then 10 mins on first day and we never saw her again ) Even on a cruise with ports, solos are "on their own".

"On one cruise, as a senior solo I found myself at a table with 3 NON English speaking couples (Japanese) when I asked MD for a move, he gave me a speech re the difficulty of placing a solo!!!!!. On another trip, at lunch I stated "willing to share" and was shown to a table set for one !!!!!"

I kind of figured this would be the situation sailing on a Cunard Vessel. I will be on The Queen Mary 2 in October as a solo. I requested a table for 2, so I don't have to deal with the large table situation and stuffy people. And I won't be expecting the social hostess to put herself out for the solo traveler.:)

This is an area I don't agree with Jimsgirl. I am perfectly capable of introducing myself at the solo meetings. Also, Cunard provides elderly gentlemen as "dance hosts". If they're not socializing with the passengers (QM2 seems to have lower standards than QV/QE), a complaint to the Entertainment Director, with a copy to the Entertainment Department in Southampton is in order. The Social Hostess also normally does the knitting, scarf-tying and napkin folding sessions. Were they not offered? (Also, if the hostess just came on board, there is a lot of training she has to attend.)

First sitting dinner is often over-subscribed. For a choice of tables, second seating is better.

The Social Hostess on QE's World Voyage this year attended the solo get togethers and was often the last to leave the 45 minute meeting.

Prior to my cruise on the QE I had requested, for second sitting in the Britannia Restaurant,to be on a table for 8 solo passengers.

This was arranged and we all got on so well that most evenings we were too late for the start of the theatre show.

For breakfast, and lunch in the Britannia ,I was always asked if I wanted to join a large table.

I always said yes, as in so doing I widened my circle of people with whom I could interact during the cruise.

Also, going on ship excursions is another way to meet people.

Prior to my cruise on the QE I had requested, for second sitting in the Britannia Restaurant,to be on a table for 8 solo passengers.

 

This was arranged and we all got on so well that most evenings we were too late for the start of the theatre show.

 

For breakfast, and lunch in the Britannia ,I was always asked if I wanted to join a large table.

I always said yes, as in so doing I widened my circle of people with whom I could interact during the cruise.

 

Also, going on ship excursions is another way to meet people.

I find Cunard are great at matching fellow diners, too! None of us on my solo table of 11 ever made any of the shows on my QV except dear Erma who insisted on an early dessert so she could see the show.

I've sailed solo on Celebrity, NCL, RCI, Crystal.

Celebrity did nothing for solo travelers. For that matter, I gave up on getting support for any kind of crafters get together. The CD staff was disorganized.

NCL has done well, on both the larger and smaller ships.

Royal organizes some stuff, I normally don't bother since I have access to the Concierge and Diamond Lounges. Finding other people to chat with or do things isn't an issue. I have done 3TA with them that were solo supplement free.

Crystal - one TA - 15% solo supplement. Staff was fabulous (except for the attempt to host a solo traveler dinner. When more than 8 people requested to join, they were at a loss. Some how the thought of barely a single supplement and having more solo travelers hadn't connected in their minds.

Just a thought for everyone. Perhaps it would be better if the lines just had a flat charge per cabin, rather than a per person charge.... After all hotels do exactly that and we don't howl about the hotel charging us double....

-Holly

whose TA on the Independence this spring netted her a really, really nice cabin when there wasn't a single supplement at all. Now I could have traveled cheaper, but it fit in my cost/per day limits.

Just a thought for everyone. Perhaps it would be better if the lines just had a flat charge per cabin, rather than a per person charge.... After all hotels do exactly that and we don't howl about the hotel charging us double.... .

But a cruise isn't a hotel room -- it's a hotel room plus food and drink and entertainment.

I have cruised solo on three cruise lines; NCL, RCL and Celebrity. NCL was, IMO, the only cruise line that really put any effort into the solo cruise experience.

My current favorite solo 'unwelcome' story is on Celebrity just this past January.

I asked for second seating at dinner when I booked my cruise. It was confirmed through my TA and on my cruise documents. I thought great! When I got to my stateroom I was 'confirmed' for early seating. I went to the dining room and talked to whoever was doing dining assignments (sorry I cannot remember their title) and asked to be changed to a late seating table. He told me 'I have no where to put you so I cannot change the time of your dinner seating'. Nice. I never went to dinner in the dining room as I do not eat that early.

No reason to try Celebrity as a solo again....JMO. :)

The rest of the cruise went well and I met some great people but it seemed quite dismissive and really enough to not want to try again.

Majority of the cruise lines mentioned are not even accessible to most of us. What about RCCL, CCL, etc. They don't want us and they make it very hard to find a deal.:(

Just price an RCL promo rate--2nd passenger 50%--so 150% for solo right? It's advertised as balcony $850. You pick that and go to pick cabin and the price is now $2700. If you travel solo or 2. I don't get it. Sure don't want solo. They shouldn't advertise that amount if they really meant guarantee or something else.