BEST CRUISE LINES FOR SOLO CRUISERS
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- čas přidán 29. 06. 2024
- BEST CRUISE LINES FOR SOLO CRUISERS.
More and more cruisers these days are saiing solo. however cruise line price the cabins based on 2 passengers and most of the time we have to pay as if we were 2 people. These cruise lines are some of mu picks to cruise on if your planning to cruise solo.
Thank you for thinking of solo cruises. So many lonely people that can’t find someone to go with them.
My first cruise was with a bunch of extended family. There were things that I wanted to do that no one else did, so I did not end up doing them. Then there were also things that I had no interest in doing that I was kind of forced to do. Now I prefer cruising solo so I can do what I want when I want. So relaxing when you are not on someone else's schedule. I completely agree with you on the top three things: good food, good entertainment, and clean.
Ilana of Life Well Cruised has a video that includes tips to consider to enjoy your cruise. One is, Don’t go with the “wrong” people. Meaning pretty much what you describe. Even our loved ones can be the “wrong” people to cruise with.
We “older” people are valuable for trivia games!
Norwegian recently added more solo designated cabins on a number of their ships in inside, ocean view, and balcony categories, priced for solos and with key card access to the solo studio lounge.
As I recently noted, they have also some suites and even the Haven available for solos.
On which NCL ships are there solo cabins in the Haven? @@monikaliebold4225
Yup. Got a solo rate, balcony cabin back in January
All cruise lines should do this. Paying double is just too expensive and unfair we have to pay double.
Don
What about celebrity...that is great. .just was on the reflection in may...
Yeah it's too much. I'm not paying double because you want double.
@@choco.es.unlimited I was going to book a couple of cruises for this winter but decided to book a dive boat and check out Tiger Sharks in the Bahamas. There's all way other ways to vacation
NCL now has solo insides, oceanviews and balconies available and they do not charge the full solo supplement on those. Sometimes they are even less than the Studio cabins! You do also get full access to the Studio Lounge (if the ship has one) with these solo cabins. They also have solo meetups every day around 5:30 so you can meet other solo cruisers to share dinner, excursions, etc. if you so chose. I have found when booking RCL that they typcially charge 220% for a solo supplement, which is outrageous. And with MSC, they don't even want you. I sail 100% solo for the past 8 years so have a bit of knowledge about the subject.
I had a solo balcony on my trip on the Joy, but there is no solo lounge on the ship, however, they did have solo get togethers.
Just note, when looking online for solo cabins with NCL: You have to set filter to 1 guest, bc without adjusting filter you will always get information "sold out" as automatic filter is 2 guests.
I'm another solo cruising Princess fan. They make very few concessions to solos but I agree with Don's assessment and always have an excellent time.
I am a solo cruiser and love Princess! Pricey but like you its my personal choice.
I'm a solo cruiser and Princess is my favorite!
I sail solo on Princess and really enjoy it. Prefer the grand class ships over the larger ones. Only wish Princess would offer some discount for solo travelers.
All cruises need to adopt this on their ships for single passengers
I travel solo, my husband is a homebody.
Just got back from Allure of the Seas. I couldn’t find quiet place . Loud music everywhere! I like this about Princess they keep,the volume down!
I only solo travel, 20 years.
Works for me!
Doing Azamara in 4 weeks!
I have a balcony ( I have always preferred and paid for this)
I am worth every cent!
Thank you Don, I only by myself and want to cruise. Now I can look into it. I love princess.
Hello Don. I am single and I have thought many times of just going on a cruise alone. Tired of worrying about other peoples drama. Just go to do whatever I want, when I want. 😎. Thanks for the info!
I enjoy Princess cruises as well, and the smaller ships. The food is always so good, enjoyable entertainment, and exceptional service. I haven’t yet cruised solo, but would feel very comfortable to do so.
Thanks for the info videos, Don!
Thanks for the interesting info!
Thanks for all the info on solo cruises.
I know a couple people at work who cruise solo. They seem to like it.
Great update and new info for solo cruisers...
Thanks for the suggestions. Will have to look into NCL and the solo cabins.
thank you this is very valuable , I have been a NCL but I am willing to try some of the others
Don thank you so much for this information looking to do my first solo cruise.
Great seeing you in PR! We were on Adventure.
Keep up the good work!
Hi don
Wow i thought you were 55 years old you look great. Really enjoy your videos and the information. Thank you so much. ❤
We're taking our first Princess cruise for the first time for a 16 day Hawaii cruise!
I'm on NCL Escape in September in a solo oceanview cabin. Can't wait. I like a window at least but it gets expensive for solos with the single supplement.
Have to agree with you on NCL. have sail with them on my Last 9 cruises and never had a problem. but been looking around for other lines that might offer something similar to NCL. Thank you Don for the suggestions.
Ncl does a great job with it.
Great solo cruise on Norwegian Epic. Had our own private companion way and lounge
Have done 10 ncl solo cruises. Love ncl. 😊
I'm fortunate enough not to need to go solo but you are spot on about Princess, most people are very friendly and will always talk to you and welcome you. I have found some other lines can be a bit offish.
Thanks, Don, for the solo tips! Tired of places where you get penalized for travelling solo!
Norwegian leads the way in solo cabins, but they can't handle solos when it comes to dining. On my last cruise with them, I ate alone for every meal. Of course, I also went through that on Royal Caribbean for a few years after restart, which, on one cruise, got worse. They not only wanted me to specify the same time, but wanted to put me in the same section. One night I was told it would be about 10 minutes for a table, and 45 minutes later (15 minutes before closed) I still hadn't been seated. It was the worst of all worlds.
After some rocky stuff with Royal Caribbean, I returned to Princess this year for New Zealand and loved it. I'm still a bit younger than their main target, but I had a fabulous time and have booked them next year for Iceland and Greenland.
The only line I currently think compares to Princess in terms of having a mess of activities I like is Disney. I did a four day one and loved it. Multiple trivias, smaller scale game shows but more often (notably Majority Rules), learn to draw... all kinds of stuff I liked. I was impressed enough I booked them for Alaska this year (after I canceled a booking to Egypt and the Holy Land; ahead of the curve on that one. After it went to hell I figured there was no way they'd sail to Israeli ports this year, so I got out, and, sure enough, a few weeks later they changed the ports).
I think this seven day cruise will get me a better feel for if Disney will be on my shortlist going forward.
There is each day of cruise a solo meeting on NCL ships (mostly at 5 p.m.). There the solo host always does dinner reservations in MDR for solos. So, just join solo meeting and tell, at which day you will join dinner with solos (normally it's at 6 p.m.). And even you won't join solo meeting, then just ask at reception of MDR, to put you in to solos table. Mostly at each day of cruise there is at least one solo table.
I am with you Don. I am just comfortable with Princess environment. Before prices started going up so much, you could even find rooms on older ships that had much less than 100% supplement. I actually got 2 back to back cruises that were a negative supplement. A rare find, but I sure enjoyed it.
I usually do NCL. Great solo setup
I like that Celebrity and Royal do have solo balconies on some ships if you want to try other brands than NCL. NCL does now have solo balconies. Just had one in March. Have a solo balcony on Edge coming up. And a solo balcony next year on Ovation. You have to book way ahead of time but they are there
Thank you for the tip
Never sailed solo but there will come a day when I will, so I'm very happy to see cruise lines implementing solo travel options.
I hope I never have to cruise solo but if I did I would do Virgin for sure
I've been on 5 solo cruises. I get my cruises from the casino. For me I enjoy solo cruises in Europe alot. European knows how to party. I'm getting older so I like Celebrity for the food, service and passengers my age. I think Celebrity and Princess are about the same. You will never see a water slide on their ship.
I sail solo almost exclusively. The NCL studio cabins are the best cabins I have been in, my experience goes from inside to mini suite. Princess has done a good job for me and I have been able to gain status really quickly with their double credits for solo sailors. I have a solo cabin booked for a trans Atlantic on Queen Mary 2 in May. Looking forward to seeing how they compare.
Cruise #1 as a solo traveler was an 11 day on the Breakaway in a Studio. Yes, it was small but had plenty of room/storage for me. #2 was a 21 day on the Bliss from L.A. to New York. And because I booked after the final price deadline I lucked out and got a great deal for a balcony cabin. #3 will be a 15 day the Prima in January 2025. I started out booking a Studio but about 2 weeks after booking the price went down and the price for an Inside cabin was less that the Studio so my travel agent booked that. It was a guaranteed inside solo cabin (IT) so I had to wait for them to assign a cabin. I was fine with that but a couple of weeks ago I got a cabin number and the category had been changed to IB which meant it was regular inside. I keep watching the prices as maybe there'll be another price adjustment and I could move up into an Oceanview or even a Balcony. It's only 186 days to cruise time, but who's counting! 😆
I'm solo, thanks for the information
Other than my first cruise in 2003, which was with a professional group, I have always cruised solo. I have sailed on RCL, Celebrity, Azamara and Avalon. I have another Celebrity cruise coming up this fall and in 2025 I have booked a port intensive Mediterranean cruise on NCL in a solo studio. Working with a travel agent I have usually gotten good deals, for example, on Avalon I got on one of their cruises that had no single supplement. I actually met another solo cruiser on that ship who had paid double by booking on Vacations to Go! So your travel agent’s expertise can make all the difference. I usually like a balcony, especially for a cruise with many sea days, but I’m willing to give NCL’s solo studio a try on a cruise where I won’t be spending much time in my cabin. It’s all part of the adventure.
I'm retired and my wife is not. I have been solo twice, and I'm looking to do it again. I _am_ toying with the idea of contacting you Don to book my nest solo adventure which will be in 2025. Don't get me wrong, my wife does cruise, but she limits herself to 7 days and warmer climates. Whereas I go for longer Atlantic transits. Yes, NCL is my target line. But I am willing to consider other lines as long as they are warm and accommodating welcoming of a slightly disabled senior with mild cognitive challenges.
Those sound like some very interesting options as a solo cruiser
I want to try a solo cruise but haven't yet. It's intimidating to travel solo, thanks for the tips.
I frequently cruise solo. My favorites are Princess and Celebrity. I’ve been thinking about trying VV.
i HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING SOLO CRUISS FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS NOW AND ONCE AGAIN YOU HAVE DONE YOUR RESEACH AND CAME UP WITH SOME THINGS I NEVER CONSIDERED. THANK YOU AGAIN DON. SORRY MY COMPUTER IS STUCK ON CAPITALS. HOPEFULLY I CAN GET THAT FIXED AFTER THE LONG WEEKEND.
Tap your CAP LOCK button. Caps is like yelling at everyone.
I have a solo Trans Atlantic cruise planned on Princess for next year. I got a fabulous price but airfare back to the states is high.
Just got back from Allure of the Seas. I couldn’t find quiet place . Loud music everywhere! I like this about Princess they keep,the volume down!I think Don will be going to the Galopolas islands on his next cruise
I think having the lounge would be awesome.
I love traveling solo and thank you for the recommendations
I wish Royal and Msc and Carnival have solo cabins I hate the fact the first three cruise years I did solo cruise on Carnival I think Virgin would be more my speed 😅 and maybe Norwegian but I always wanted to go on Princess because of the Love Boat😊
Virgin and NCL make a big deal of their solo cabins but they are the size of a closet. (Watch Fraser at Sea in his). Cunard MQ2 has some small cabins for solo but they are ocean view and big enough for a chair and you can walk around a bit.
The child-free aspect makes Virgin cruises more appealing to me.
Virgin is my favorite. No kids and great food
My first 'Solo' was with Royal on Empress of the Seas Feb 2020, just before the shutdown. Perfect size, everyone was so nice and inviting, it turned out better than I could have even hoped for. Still loyal to Royal with many booked however with the prices skyrocketing and single supplement, I'm not sure how much longer I'll stay with them. I'm also not interested in the Amusement Park Vibe but sail for the Itinerary.
There is only one cruise line for me - Princess. I know exactly what I will get and Princess suits me perfectly. I watch for sales and occasionally get an inside or oceanview to keep the cost down since I sail solo. Thanks for the tips Don - Antartica is on my radar so I will check out Hurtigruten.
Hi Don. I've done African Safari land based. . Not a cruise however am looking at African cruising. Did Antarctica cruise not too long ago, right down to Elephanta Island where explorer Shackleton and his men were stranded over 100 years ago. Stopped in the Falklands for one of the shore excursions. Did a Galapagos cruise. That was awesome!!!! . The last 2 cruises I did were Amazon to Manaus in 2020. Last cruise I did was in Oct-Nov, 2023, I did a South Pacific bucket list cruise. . Always wanted to go to Tahiti, Fiji, Cooks Island, etc. I did a China land tour combined with 3 or 4 days down Yangtze River cruise few years back. That was amazing!!!! Everyone gets a balcony. The shore is close on both sides There is a UK cruise and it stops in different places in England, Scotland, Shetland Island and Wales. That one interests me currently. Im so glad to have done cruise down the Suez Canal with Azamara, and a Russian River cruise with Viking. Those 2 destinations are out now. Looking at Nile cruise combined with land tour of the Giza Pyramids seriously. Already went to Karnak Egypt on the Azamara cruise. . I like doing exotic type cruises which are different from the normal regular cruises ppl take. I like looking for something different and exciting or unusual, which intrigues me.. Tho I am looking at Japan and Panama Canal cruises as well which you did already Don. The African one might have priority for me, going to Madagascar, Port Elizabeth, Johannesburg, etc. You still have cruises to places you haven't been. On the other hand, I've never been on an Alaskan cruise after seeing Antarctica. I watched Ben and David's Greek Island cruise wirh Celestyal, a greek cruiseliner. I loved the ship, decor and the Greek gastronomy. Their vlog made me fall in love with this cruise. I have googled it. Not cheap but worth it by the looks of everything. And I am a solo traveler. I see your vlog on Solo travellers. Wish you would do more vlogs on Solo cruises. I'm always researching. Planning on the Greek Island Celestyal cruise n the near future. I spent 2 weeks in Crete in my floating Timeshare last year. Planning to return later on this year. Greek Islands are awesome. I can see why Mykonos and Santorini and are cutting back on cruises. I can go to these islands by boat from Crete for sightseeing. ❤
I did South Africa on NCL and it was a solo cruise for me! I had a fantastic time
I don't know whether Costa still does this but years ago, Costa used to sit these single sailing sailors at the same table. I don't know whether they do it anymore, but it was wonderful.
Holland America solo occupancy Oceanview cabins on their newer ships are wonderful. I am a solid Princess cruiser even though they charge 200%.
My 2 cruises have both been solo on Princess. Loved everything about them and plan to continue booking on Princess. Everything you said is true: fine food and entertainment; great vibe; happy and pleasant fellow passengers. Also, P has great itineraries, port times, etc. All top notch.
I'm going on my first cruise in November. I'll be a solo, due to an 'unfortunate passing'.
I'd never really considered cruising before. DH wasn't interested, and we usually went to WDW.
So I'm starting with Norwegian, on a solo oceanview; no solo lounge on my ship. And I've already booked a cruise on Sun Princess for _next_ November. We'll see how it goes.
My first of only two cruises so far was on The NCL Escape. Maybe I cruused at the wrong time of year at the rnd of July as i paid about 80 percent supplement so I don't think the Solo cabins are such a great deal. BTW, I'm sure you know there are now Ocean and Balcony Solo Cabins as part of the Solo Cabin Lounge area. I also don't appreciate them automatically including the xrink package. Its not free. You paying for it one way or the other. I did however love dining with the other Solo Cruisers. It was a game changer for this introvert. I really do think i would enjoy Princess. It seems to be your favorite. It looks so elegant. The Food, Shows, and bedding seem like a plus.
July is high season in USA as well in Europe, bc of school holidays. During this season prices are overall extremely high - no matter which cruise line you book. I'm experienced solo cruiser with NCL- they are great. When booking with NCL you can always opt out drink package (automatically within free at sea promotion) during booking process.
@@monikaliebold4225but my experience was if you opt out of drink package, they only subtract the gratuity for the drink package which isn't worth it. You might as well keep it. I didn't see an option to subtract the whole charge for the drink package.
@@monikaliebold4225thanks. I did actually know that about the time of year, but I dilly dallied and boomed it then. My off-season in the limo business is May thru October.
@@jeffreylevin9616The price of the unlimited drink package is included in base fare - it isn't shown in detail. Only gratuity, which is always additional with drink package (no matter which cruise line), can be opt out. But onboard then you don't have the promotional unlimited drink package. Although onboard you can book the unlimited drink package +additional gratuity 20%, but it will be for a significant higher price compared to around 150 $ gratuity in total per person for a 7 days cruise. Hope, this information is helpful.
I went to Antartica with Hurtigruden as a solo traveler. They did a wonderful job, and at a price I could afford. With the limit on passengers in Antartica, the Midnastol had extra rooms anyway.
Don, I just booked a solo balcony on the NCL Escape. Solo balconies are available and as another traveler said I have access to the Studio Lounge.
Good to know.
I'm a solo cruiser but haven't been for 5 years. I like NCL especially for our own lounge. I also like Princess
Solo cruising has all I’ve ever done- I’d definitely cruise more if cruise lines didn’t charge me 70-100% in Single supplement.
Great video but wish I wasn’t still awake at 1 am on a Monday morning to watch it so soon after it went up.
David Young 39 Brisbane Australia
MSC NEVER charges anywhere close to 7-100% for double....often it is only an extra $200-300!
I know what you are taking about. I had to travel solo on Princess and there were couples that wanted me to join them at movie nights and different tours too.They wanted to adopt me!!
I'm a solo Princess cruiser. Widowed since 2020 in my early 60s. I have a friend to cruise with some of the time but I'm fine going on my own. I do balconies and I'm going to have to slow down a bit until the bubble bursts on prices. If I was younger, I'd be trying Virgin.
Holland America also offers ocean view cabins for solo cruises
As a solo cruiser I say any line is great! MSC has the cheapest supplement, but for a reason. I like Princess, Celebrity and Holland.
Great for solo cruisers on Norwegian. I love it.
I agree 👍👍
I haven’t thought of cruising solo but maybe in the future
In may I was on a cruise in the Med on Norwegian Epic in a solo cabin/studio. I loved the cruise, but I didn't participate in any meetup or other thing since, even if I was solo, I was qith a group of 37 people (I was the odd one) and most of my time on board was with that group. I didn't ask if it was possible, but One thing I would like is to take one bed out. They use 2 singgle bed put togther to make a larger one, it doesn't left lots of floor space in the cabin. I would prefer to have a smaler bed and a bit more space in the room, maybe add a real chair in it's place. There is a small simili desk, but the only way to use it is to sit on the bed, more space and a chair would be great!
Important to have a big bed in case you get lucky
@@GaryVC Lol!
Norweigan has solo host and solo programming that other cruise lines say they have but don’t have. Still cheaper than other lines if not in solo cabins
I have recently started cruising solo and found that both Holland and Princess have occasional restricted fare sales that make cruising possible. I will definitely consider your other suggestions, though I heard sometimes it's cheaper to pay the supplement than get a studio suite on Norwegian. Hopefully, that has started to end.
Like the thought that I can do a solo cruise without the big cost.
Good things to know 😊
RC and MSC are great for solos. Always lots of solo cruisers of all ages and many activities that are solo friendly.
We cruise "solo" meaning if the single supplement isn't much(hard to find but it's out there) my husband and I get inside single rooms. He's a night owl and I'm up at 3 or 4 am. Works out nicely. We don't mind an inside but not with 2 in the room
With my solo cruise with Norwegian Spirit there was an Australian couple, they do it the same way for over years - always booking with deals. We had a lot of fun with these both "solos".
My 6+ cruises have all been solo on NCL, RCL and Carnival My last cruise, last month on NCL, was my favorite of the lot but i have always enjoyed myself. Granted, i am an introvert and not picky, so I probably am not a good example for some others... My requirements include a safe and clean ship, friendly and accommodating staff and interesting excursions. With one exception, my requirements have been met on NCL.
Ama Waterways has 1.25 or 1.5 solo supplements most cruises, Ive done 6 and loved them
I am a solo traveller in my 70s. I have cruised on Celebrity with great success 🎉
when I was younger and just started cruising in the 80's, I booked with Single World and shared a cabin with another girl who I didn't know. I always lucked up and got a great cabin mate
I don’t cruise solo but if I did I think I would probably choose Princess. Two reasons for choosing them is your recommendation and I have never cruised Princess and would like to try them.
Great tips. Been thinking about a solo trip
Regent has solo cruises and a cruise director too!
Good to know
I travel solo often. Hubby likes me gone. Ha. But I like to go more often than him. Thanks for the info, Don.
Awesome to know as I am single and I'm 63 years old. Always have to find or be with someone.
Based on my experience I found MSC and Princess many times they both offer the lowest single supplement
NCL does have Solo Balcony cabins and it’s not double supplement it is cheaper than a regular balcony
Ive considered it...because i dont have anyone to take with me...but my concern is mostly about the loneliness when ur in port. I dont have the money to go on trips and i dont think i would like to go around in a city on my own. So that is what have been keeping me from doing it.
My family had a group cruise this past winter . I did not go as solo was more expensive as double
If I ever solo cruise, I'd probably go NCL. It's my go to cruise line