Avoiding the Single Supplement

Most fares say "based on double occupancy". If you are traveling alone, you may wind up paying a Single Supplement, which is . Even worse, those Single Supplements almost never fall under promotional rates such as "second passenger half off", meaning that you may pay more to travel alone than a couple is paying for the room next to yours!

Norwegian Solo Studio

Good News! Some cruise lines are recognizing the needs of solo travelers. Here's a long, but not exhaustive list.

Norwegian <-- my favorite ocean choice

Escape – 82 available

Breakaway – 59 available

Getaway – 59 available

Epic – 128 available

Pride of America - 4 available, lounge is much smaller than the others

Rooms are about 100 square feet, which is about 35 square feet less than a standard room. They feature full sized beds. Studio guests have exclusive key card access to the “Studio Complex & Lounge”. This area, shared only with fellow Studio guests, is a place where you can stretch out, have a drink, order room service, watch the big screen TV, and get to know your neighbors. Complimentary coffee, espresso, and snacks are available throughout the day, as is the room service menu for all meals.

Royal Carribean

Quantum of the Seas – 16 interior, 12 balcony available

Anthem of the Seas – 16 interior, 12 balcony available

Ovation of the Seas – 16 interior, 12 balcony available

Harmony of the Seas – fewer interior rooms, no balcony rooms

Interior rooms are about 100 square feet and feature a “virtual balcony”, which is a floor to ceiling LED screen that projects real-time views of the ocean and ports. Balcony rooms are about 120 square feet PLUS a 55 square foot balcony. (By comparison, a standard room would be about 160-180square feet.)

Holland America

Koningsdam – 12 ocean view rooms

Prinsendam – 2 exterior, 1 interior room

The Koningsdam rooms vary from 127-172 square feet. The Prinsendam rooms vary from 156 to 205 square feet and has a shower rather than a tub. Both options only offer twin beds.

Costa

Diadema – 21 available

Fascinosa – 17 available

Favolosa – 17 available

Pacifica – 17 available

Serena – 17 available

Magica – 14 available

Fortuna – 14 available

neoRomantica – 6 available

Cabins are either outside ocean view, or interior with no windows. No balcony rooms are available. Room sizes range from 102-199 square feet, and come with a twin bed.

Cunard

Queen Victoria – 8 ocean view, 1 interior

Queen Elizabeth – 8 ocean view, 1 interior

Queen Mary 2 – 15 ocean view available

Cunard solo rooms vary from 159-183 square feet and feature wide single beds (almost 4 feet across).

American Queen Steamboat Company <-- my favorite Mississippi option

American Queen – 2 inside, 4 outside with veranda

American Empress – 1 outside with veranda

Inside solo rooms on the American Queen run about 80 square feet with a single bed and no window. Outside solo rooms on the American Queen go up to 140 square feet with a queen sized bed and balcony with French doors.

The solo room on the American Empress is 160 square feet with a twin bed, balcony, and windows.

Vantage River Cruises

Splendor

Voyager

Discovery II

Venture

Solo cabins are about 125 square feet with single beds and showers rather than tubs.

AMA Waterways <-- my favorite European river cruise provider

Verde – 1 solo cabin with window

Bella – 1 solo cabin with window

Lyra – 2 solo cabins with balconies

Dolce – 2 solo cabins with balconies

Dante – 2 solo cabins with balconies

Cello – 2 solo cabins with balconies

Rooms feature twin beds in 140 square foot rooms. Note: AMA also frequently waives the solo supplement for regular staterooms!

Fred. Olsen

Braemar – 40 available

Black Watch – 43 available

Boudicca – 43 available

Balmoral – 64 available

Rooms range from 130-140 square feet. The beds are oversized singles, measuring 6 feet long by 4 feet across.

P&O Cruises

Azura – 12 outside cabins, 6 inside cabins

Arcadia – 2 balcony cabins, 4 inside cabins

Aurora – 4 outside cabins

Oriana – 2 inside cabins

Ventura– 12 outside cabins, 6 inside cabins

Britannia – 15 balcony, 12 inside

All solo rooms come with oversized single beds, and showers rather than tubs.

These are some, but not even all of the lines who are working to serve solo travelers. Of course, it’s always wise to check standard room promotions to see if there’s a better deal, but it’s nice to have a lot of options. I’m really looking forward to planning your trip! Contact me today at hello@marionktravels.com or 1-800-990-3614 to get started!