Are Single Travellers Getting A Raw Deal?

Of course they are! It is ridiculous that many single people are having to pay double the fare (in some cases) then a couple travelling together. The cruise lines have always promoted a cruise as a great holiday for single travellers, which it is, then they penalise them with huge single supplements, why? Because in alot of cases the single traveller is occupying a cabin for 2.

The answer is of course to have more single cabins, economically is this making money for the cruise lines? I do have to say that NCL cruises are trying to buck the trend with the bigger ships. When the Epic was launched in 2010 they had 128 single “studio” cabins. They are small yes, but do have all the facilities you need plus access to a singles lounge. These studios have become so successful that NCL put them on a further 3 ships. The Breakaway has 59, 82 on the Escape and 4 on the Pride Of America. Of course, other cruise lines then take notice and have more, but not enough. Holland America on the Koningsdam which was launched last year has 12. Cunard has 15 on the Queen Mary. P&O Britannia has 27 with the Azura and Ventura with 18 a piece.

You may find it more comfortable sailing on a smaller ship.  Fred Olsen cruises have 190 single cabins across it’s 4 ship fleet. Hebridean Island cruises have 10, Cruise & Maritime have 150 twin cabins, for single occupancy, each on Magellan and Columbus. Let us also not forget the river cruise lines who really do, in my opinion, try. Riviera, Tauck, Ama  and Uniworld for example,  have no single supplement offers on some departures throughout the year.

The big message of course is to book early. The popular cruises sell out fast. The cruise lines do also offer good offers at certain times of the year, such as Cruise & Maritime offering a low solo occupancy of 25% on the Columbus, the newest ship in their fleet.

At the end of the day I personally do think there has to be a change. I understand the cruise lines are there to fundamentally make money but without you they wouldn’t!  Perhaps it is time now that all of these new ships which are coming onto the market will have more singles.  Time will tell!

Till next time x