Something we get asked about frequently on social media is solo holidays and one of the best solo holidays you can take is a cruise holiday. Cruise holidays are fantastic for many reasons. Not only do they give you the opportunity to discover multiple destinations; while only unpacking once, cruise ships are floating resorts with so much to enjoy. If you are thinking about your next solo holiday and perhaps are curious about cruising, or you are willing to try something new, here are 5 reasons why cruises are great for solo travellers.
Specially designed solo cabins
Did you know that many leading cruise lines now feature solo cabins on board. These single occupancy studios are designed to offer solo travellers the opportunity to holiday without paying costly single occupancy fees. Designed for optimal comfort, solo cabins offer the same comforts as other cabin types while being much more affordable for those who are travelling alone or for those who enjoy their own space on holiday.
Dedicated solo spaces and events
Cruising as a solo traveller gives you the opportunity to be a part of a solo community without the pressure of having to do so as well. And while solo cruising opportunities exist on all cruise lines, there are some cruise lines who truly cater to this audience.
The Best Cruise Lines for Solo Cruising
Norwegian Cruise Line, or NCL for short are the leaders in solo cruising. Being the first cruise line to not only feature solo studios on board, they also recognised that often, solo travellers like to meet other like-minded solo travellers, and they introduced the concept of solo dedicated lounges on board select ships. These lounges offer solo cruisers the opportunity to make friends with other solo cruisers or you can simply choose to unwind and relax all cruise long, in a friendly space.
Virgin Voyages also cater very well to solo cruisers and offer a number of events in their daily planner that cater to this cohort. These events are again, a great way to mingle and enjoy the company of other solo cruisers. And that’s not all, MSC Cruises and Celebrity Cruises have introduced solo cabins on board a number of their ships giving you plenty of choice when it comes to choosing a cruise line and ship that matches your needs.
Safety and simplicity in foreign destinations
Travelling to new destinations alone can be daunting for some solo travellers and cruise holidays work well because your accommodation is safe, you can explore new destinations as part of a guided tour, and you know you always have a team of staff on board to help you with anything you need which is very reassuring. The natural flow of a cruise holiday also offers the opportunity of structure and simplicity to a holiday, something that will make your full getaway feel seamless.
Shore excursions
Want to wander through the winding streets of Genoa, come face to face with a Glacier, explore the charming old town of San Juan or perhaps take a cycling tour through the French Countryside? Cruise lines offer a huge array of shore excursions to enjoy in each port of call, with something for everyone and something for all fitness levels. For solo travellers who might not like exploring on their own, cruise line shore excursions can be a great way to chat with other cruisers while also being full immersed in each destination. If you have a cruise booked and are thinking of booking shore excursions, we recommend booking your chosen tours before you travel as they do book up fast.
Predictable costs that are easy to budget
We touched on the proposition of solo cabins in point one, which offers you the chance to cruise without having to worry about single supplements impacting the cost of your holiday. But alongside of this, cruise holidays are great value for solo travellers, and they make holiday budgeting really easy. Having your food covered for the entire holiday offers less need for spending money and you can also choose to pre-book drinks packages and shore excursions before you travel which can help reduce overall costs while making budgeting for spending money much easier.
Cost effective way to see multiple destinations
Cruises are also great for reaching those dream destinations without having to take multiple flights or stay in multiple hotels. So, if there is a region of the world you’d like to explore, perhaps it’s the charm of the Greek Islands or the beauty of Alaska, cruising is a great way for you to get to see and experience these destinations in one trip. As a solo traveller, this makes cruising a very cost-effective way of travelling.
So, there you have it, 5 reasons why cruises are great for solo travellers. We know that choosing the right itinerary, cruise line and ship can be daunting, particularly when travelling alone but that is where our five-star cruise experts are here to help. Give our team a call on 01-6995250 for more information.
