Travel Tips

Avoiding Single Supplements & Solo Cruise Tips

Cruising solo often means getting the short end of the stick when it comes to price and service. But in today’s economy, some cruise lines are beginning to make life a little easier for solo travelers.

Traditionally, solo cruisers have had to pay the double occupancy rate for a room, or pay a hefty single-supplement fee.

The cruise lines make their money from onboard spending, so having one person taking up a room for two isn’t their favorite option.

But the tides are shifting….

Norwegian Cruise Line’s new mega-ship, the Norwegian Epic, has 128 studio rooms designed for solo travelers.

For an upcoming seven-day Caribbean cruise, a single room rooms cost about $800. Based on double occupancy, similar rooms go for about $1,300.

Sounds like a deal to me.

Other cruise lines are taking a different approach.

If you’re an older woman cruising for a younger man—or vice versa—Royal Caribbean’s Cougar Cruise will set sail this May from L.A. to the Mexican Riviera.

It’s co-sponsored by the Singles Travel Company.

Of course, on this cruise, the only way to avoid the single supplement is to get matched up with a roommate.

Some luxury liners like Seabourn and Swan Hellenic have rock-bottom single surcharges on higher category cabins.

Do the math before you book and you might find you’ll get a better deal on a pricier cabin.

For more ideas on solo travel, check out Peter’s Live Chat on Solo Travel.

Or visit our Solo Travel section.

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