Written by The Rapid Rise of Solo Cruisers in the Booming Cruise Market – A Trend Unveiled and Explored
Written By: Tom Ogg, Co-Founder and Co-Owner – HomeBasedTravelAgent.com
One of the quickest-growing markets in cruising is the solo cruiser market. I realized this after taking a number of cruises this summer as a solo cruiser. I did 4 different Alaska cruises and a Mexican Riviera cruise all on NCL. I was surprised at how many solo cruisers there were on each cruise and I found it interesting why people chose to cruise solo.
So you are possibly wondering “What’s the difference between a single cruiser and a solo cruiser?” A single cruiser is looking to hopefully meet up with other singles and they are also looking for potential relationships that will survive the cruise itself. Solo cruisers just enjoy cruising by themselves and have no expectations other than their primary objectives for cruising.
Having done hundreds of cruise seminars all over the world for travel agent groups, I was always working on a cruise. Cruising solo for me is extremely enjoyable and gives me a cruise experience that I have never had before. Here is why cruise agents should take a look at this niche.
Why Sell Solo Cruises?
Cruise Lines That Focus on Solo Cruisers
There are two lines that focus on solo cruisers and offer comprehensive benefits for them.
NCL / Norwegian Cruise Line
When NCL announced that as of January 2nd, 2024, NCL will increase their solo cabin inventory by 1,000 cabins across all 19 ships, it told me that the other lines were missing out on a huge opportunity. NCL saw a 267% increase in solo cruisers from December 2020 to April 2022 which is a very motivating number.
Along with studio cabins for solo cruisers, NCL’s newer ships also have lounges strictly for those in solo cabins. The lounges have coffee drinks, snacks, and fruit and most of them also have a bar with a bartender serving wine and othduring happy hour. Since these lounges are only for solo cruisers it makes the a great place to meet other solo cruisers. The ships that have this amenity are the Norwegian Epic, Breakaway, Getaway, Escape, Joy, Bliss, Encore, Prima, and Viva.
It is unknown at this time if the rest of the fleet will also get solo lounges as the solo cabins become fleet-wide in January.
Saga Cruises
Based in the U.K., Saga Cruises specializes in cruises for over 50 solo cruisers and couples. It offers an upscale small ship experience with all-inclusive pricing which includes all restaurants, alcohol, gratuities, insurance, and free ground transportation in port. 20% of the ship’s cabins are solo balcony cabins. However, booking a Saga Cruise is going to require some investigation in order to make it happen as Saga does not actively market in the U.S. If you decide to work with them call Saga directly and have them set you up either directly or through one of their U.K. agents.
Cruise Lines with Solo Cabins
Many lines offer solo cabins for solo cruisers but are not necessarily focused on the solo cruise market. Each line will have organized activities for single and solo cruisers so it makes sense to sell them. Here is a list of lines and the ships that have them.
Celebrity Cruises
- Celebrity Apex 24
- Celebrity Ascent 16
- Celebrity Beyond 32
- Celebrity Edge 16
- Celebrity Silhouette 4
Costa Cruises
- Costa Fascinosa 17
- Costa Favolosa 17
- Costa Pacifica 17
- Costa Serena 17
- Costa Magica 14
- Costa Fortuna 14
Cunard Line
- Queen Mary 2 15
- Queen Elizabeth 9
- Queen Victoria 9
Fred Olsen Cruises
- Balmoral 64
- Bolette 52
Holland America Line
- Koningsdam 12
- Nieuw Statendam 12
- Rotterdam 12
MSC Cruise Line
- MSC Bellissima 32
- MSC Grandiosa 15
- MSC Meraviglia 32
- MSC Virtuosa 15
- MSC World Europa 22
Norwegian Cruise Line
- Norwegian Bliss 82
- Norwegian Breakaway 59
- Norwegian Encore 82
- Norwegian Epic 128
- Norwegian Escape 82
- Norwegian Getaway 59
- Norwegian Prima 73
- Norwegian Viva 73
- Pride of America 4
Oceania Cruises
- Insignia 14
- Nautica 14
- Regatta 14
- Sirena 14
- Vista 14
P&O Cruises
- P&O Arvia 32
- P&O Azura 18
- P&O Arcadia 6
- P&O Aurora 4
- P&O Britannia 27
- P&O Oriana 2
- P&O Ventura 18
Royal Caribbean International
- Anthem of the Seas 26
- Adventure of the Seas 5
- Brilliance of the Seas 3
- Harmony of the Seas 15
- Jewel of the Seas 3
- Mariner of the Seas 2
- Odyssey of the Seas 12
- Ovation of the Seas 8
- Quantum of the Seas 28
- Radiance of the Seas 3
- Serenade of the Seas 3
- Spectrum of the Seas 28
Virgin Voyages
- Scarlet Lady 46
- Valiant Lady 46
- Resilient Lady 46
Cruise Lines With Low Single Supplements
While these lines may not offer solo cabins, they will sell solo cruisers a full-sized cabin with either no single supplement or a low single supplement. Of course, it depends on a number of variables. It is best to inquire during the shoulder to off-season periods for an itinerary. Cruise lines would rather fill the ship with double occupancy. The following list are lines other than those already mentioned above.
Explora Journeys
Oceania Cruises
Ponant Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Seabourn