Cruises Target the Solo Traveler Market

In a recent move, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has decided to double the number of its single-person cabins, underlining the cruise industry’s acknowledgment of the growing strength of the solo travel market.

Both cruise lines and travel agencies have observed a surge in bookings from single travelers, prompting many cruise companies to create or designate cabins specifically tailored for those traveling alone.

This trend is a reflection of current demographic realities, as single-person households accounted for 29% of all U.S. homes in 2022, as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau. Meanwhile, nearly 46.4% of U.S. adults are unmarried, including those who are widowed or divorced.

Solo travel, which has gained even more popularity, particularly among women, since the onset of the pandemic, has prompted tour operators and cruise lines of all categories, from luxury to contemporary brands, to adapt. They are adding cabins designed for solo travelers and eliminating single-supplement fees.

This year, when Crystal Cruises introduced its new ship, it featured single cabins without any additional charges on the renovated Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony. The Oceania Vista, launched in May, introduced a solo cabin category with balconies. Cruise lines that made their debut during the pandemic, such as Atlas Ocean Voyages and Virgin Voyages, designed their first cruise ships with solo accommodations.

John Diorio, Vice President of North American Sales at Virgin Voyages, noted the significance of solo travelers for their brand, as nearly 10% of their audience consists of solo travelers.

NCL, recognizing the surge in demand from solo travelers, made the decision to expand its single-person cabin offerings. In 2010, NCL introduced its first complex of “studio cabins,” designed and priced for solo travelers, complete with a Studio Lounge for socializing. NCL now boasts 642 studio cabins across nine of its 19 ships.

Starting next year, NCL plans to offer a minimum of 850 inside, oceanview, and balcony staterooms for solo cruisers, depending on availability and demand. In total, the cruise line will set aside over 1,500 cabins for solo travelers.

John Chernesky, NCL’s Senior Vice President of North America Sales, explained to Travel Weekly that these solo staterooms are highly popular and frequently sell out. The new staterooms will provide more opportunities for travelers to explore destinations such as Asia, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand on ships that did not previously offer solo accommodations.

NCL will expand access to its Studio Lounge for solo travelers staying in staterooms outside the Studio complex and will introduce programming tailored for solo travelers. While Chernesky did not provide specific pricing details, he indicated that the rates for these rooms would be less than those for double-occupancy cabins.

However, not all cruise lines are following suit in expanding their solo accommodation options. Royal Caribbean International, for instance, offers 160 such staterooms on a dozen of its ships but has no plans to include them on its upcoming Icon of the Seas, the first of its class to set sail in January.