There was a time, not too long ago, when cruise
passengers wishing to occupy a cabin by themselves had to pay a supplement of
up to 200 percent of the double-occupancy fare.?
Increasingly, though, cruise lines are catering to
solo travelers with cabins that require no penalty for single occupancy.?
Solo cabins were something of a rarity on modern
cruise ships, which favored staterooms designed for two or more until Norwegian
Cruise Line started the trend in 2010 aboard the Norwegian Epic. Now, many
other cruise lines are jumping on the single-cabin bandwagon.
Heres a quick rundown of choices for solo travelers
in different market segments aboard the newest classes of ships, which, of
course, are the most in-demand (all passenger capacities are based on double
occupancy):
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Celebrity Cruises
Celebritys Edge-class ships offer more than 100
single cabins spread across four vessels: The Celebrity Beyond and Celebrity
Ascent each offer 32 single cabins, while the Celebrity Apex has 24 and the
namesake Celebrity Edge numbers 16. These cabins measure 140 square feet or
more and feature the exclusive Infinite Veranda," which turns the entire living
area into a balcony at the push of a button. Ships in the premium-category Edge
series register 130,000 to 140,000 gross tons and carry around 3,000
passengers.
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Cunard Line
Cunards most recent ships, the near-sisters Queen
Elizabeth and Queen Victoria, each boast nine staterooms for single passengers.
Eight are oceanviews with one interior. The two Queens register just over 90,000
gross tons and accommodate almost 2,100 passengers, making them a midsize choice
for solo cruisers in the luxury end of the market.
Holland America Line
Holland Americas Pinnacle-class shipsthe Koningsdam,
Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdameach offer 12 single staterooms. All are
oceanview and measure 127 to 172 square feet. Holland Americas Pinnacle-class
ships register just under 100,000 gross tons with accommodations for 2,650
passengers, which makes them a midsize choice for solo travelers in the premium
category.
MSC Cruises
MSCs enormous World Europa, the first vessel in the
lines new World class, described by the line as trailblazing for its use of
LNG and other green technologies, boasts 22 single cabins in both outside and
inside accommodations. These Studio accommodations measure 108 to 129 square
feet. The contemporary-category World Europa is among cruisings largest ships,
registering over 215,000 gross tons and carrying 5,252 passengers.
Norwegian Viva. (Photo Credit: Claudette Covey)
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line has brought its Studio concept
of single cabins aboard its newest ships, with 73 such staterooms aboard the
Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva. In addition to almost 95 feet of living
space, Studio cabins offer access to the private Studio Lounge. Even larger
single cabins measure up to 250 or 350 square feet and are available in various
categories, including inside, outside, and balcony accommodations. The mainstream
Prima-class ships register 143,000 gross tons and carry over 3,000 passengers.
Oceania Cruises
Oceanias newest ship, the Vista, has six
single-occupancy cabins. These are among the biggest solo cabins available,
measuring 270 square feet with large balconies. Part of the lines Concierge
category of accommodations, they offer occupants access to the private
Concierge Lounge. The 67,000-gross-ton Vista carries 1,200 passengers, which
puts it in a unique cruise niche that the line calls "upper premium."
Princess Cruises
Princess debuts its next-generation Sphere-class ships
in February, starting with the Sun Princess, which, among its many firsts for
the line, will offer a new cabin category for single travelers. The Sun
Princess and its forthcoming sister, Star Princess, are premium-category big
ships that register 175,500 tons and carry 4,300 passengers.
Royal Caribbean's Spectrum of the Seas. (photo via Royal Caribbean) (Photo Credit: photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean)
Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbeans latest ships to offer solo cabins
are its two Quantum-Ultra vessels, the Odyssey of the Seas and Spectrum of the
Seas. Both have 28 single staterooms, including interior, exterior, and balcony
accommodations. Some insides feature Virtual Balcony technology that uses LED
TV screens to simulate the view outside the ship. The mainstream category Quantum-Ultra
ships register approximately 167,000 gross tons and carry more than 4,000
passengers, placing them among the larger cruise ship choices for single
travelers.
Virgin Voyages
Virgin Voyages is a new brand that offers 46 cabins
for single passengers on each of its three shipsthe Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady
and Resilient Lady. Forty are inside cabins, while six are outside
accommodations with sea views. Virgins solo staterooms measure 105 to 130
square feet. The Virgin Voyages sisters register 110,000 tons and carry 2,800
passengersperfect for travelers who want a ship that's big but not enormous
and tailored to adults only.
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