Do Cruise lines discriminate against solo travellers?

With some cruise liners charging all most double for a solo traveller to go on their trip I want to look at whether or not it is fair for them to be charging this much and if It would put people off from travelling.

Recently I have had a massive influx of phone calls from Solo Travellers wanting to go on a cruise. Why wouldn’t they want to go? Cruising is the perfect place to meet people on board where many customers will make friends for life whether you are solo or not. The problem is without paying almost double the price if you went with someone else then you are likely to be out of luck.

I can see both sides of the argument. From the cruise lines perspective, they know that if they have 2 people travelling in a cabin that means more money spent on drink, excursions, shops etc on board. Most cruise lines wont offer many single cabins so it would mean a solo passenger have a double room. From the solo perspective they feel as though they are missing out. Many people who cruise have lost loved ones as an example and may want to get out and meet new people.

Two cruise ships that do include: Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Epic boasts a massive one hundred and twenty-eight single ‘studios’ (with dedicated studio ‘social’ area for easier mingling!) and 25% of Saga Cruises’ cabins are single! Fred. Olsen Cruises are also great for those going solo, with around two hundred single cabins across the fleet. If your cruise ship of choice doesn’t have single cabins available there’s no need to throw in the beach towel just yet. Why not consider sharing with a fellow solo cruiser? It isn’t for everyone but it means that you get the cruise that you want, without paying extra and hopefully a new friend for your voyage! Holland America runs a Single Partners Share Programme to make finding another solo traveller easier.

I would like to hear from you on this one. Does a Big Single supplement put you off? Or do you bit the bullet anyway? Any advice on cruise lines you have been on with no supplement would be good to hear. Also If you can think of any solutions that will always be good to get feedback. I.E would you consider sharing with a stranger for a cruise if it made things cheaper.