This cruise line is lastly giving solo vacationers what they have been asking for

It is a terrific day for solo cruisers. Norwegian Cruise Line introduced Monday its plan to develop its choices to vacationers who need to cruise with no companion. The road will greater than double its solo lodging throughout its 19-ship fleet starting in January.

Moreover, the brand new solo cabins will embrace ocean-view and balcony choices. Presently, studio cabins on Norwegian ships are tiny inside cabins. The road plans to recategorize present cabins and retrofit them as solo lodging throughout the fleet.

For extra cruise guides, information, evaluations and suggestions, join TPG’s cruise newsletter.

Why has Norwegian determined now to retrofit its ships with new solo rooms? It is possible as a result of the demand for solo cruise lodging exhibits no indicators of diminishing.

A research by Travelport revealed that solo journey made up almost 18% of world bookings within the journey trade. Moreover, from 2019 to 2022, Norwegian reported a rise in company reserving lodging as a single occupant in non-studio cabins.

Solo cabin facilities

Though Norwegian’s present studio cabins are small — round 100 sq. toes — they’re ideally designed to maximise space for storing. These solo cabins are located round an exclusive-access Studio Lounge, which incorporates a bar and tv space, in addition to day by day pleased hours.

New solo cabin classes can even embrace entry to the devoted lounge house. Nevertheless, ships that at the moment don’t provide studio cabins will solely obtain the solo cabin retrofit and no new lounge house. Passengers can participate in organized onboard actions solely for solo vacationers.

Designated solo cabins will likely be accessible on each ship, however the variety of lodging will differ. For instance, at the moment, Pleasure of America options 4 studio cabins, whereas Norwegian Viva gives 73.

Associated: These 8 cabins are great for travelers cruising alone

Day by day E-newsletter

Reward your inbox with the TPG Day by day e-newsletter

Be a part of over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s consultants

Solo cruising conundrum

Solo cabins are extremely wanted on cruise ships as a result of single cruisers have traditionally been punished for touring alone. Most cruise ship cabins are designed for 2 folks, and the cruise fares for these cabins are per particular person, primarily based on double occupancy. Which means the charges are solely accessible to prospects sharing the cabin with a second paying passenger.

Solo cruisers should pay an additional fare, often known as a “single complement,” to make up for the misplaced income from the hypothetical second passenger who may have shared the room with them.

Norwegian responded to frequent requests to accommodate single cruisers by debuting the trade’s first solo cabins in 2010 on Norwegian Epic. It was so successful that the road continued to incorporate the studio cabins on ships that adopted. You will discover them on Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Viva, Norwegian Prima and Pleasure of America.

Different cruise traces adopted go well with and jumped on the solo cabin bandwagon. Royal Caribbean, Oceania Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America and Virgin Voyages all provide solo cabins on choose ships.

Associated: The 5 best cruise lines for solo travelers

Reserving new studio cabins

Starting Oct. 19, you possibly can guide one in every of Norwegian Cruise Line’s new solo cabin classes for sailings starting Jan. 2, 2024.

Pricing will differ with vacation spot and demand however will likely be cheaper than having to pay the one complement for a conventional double occupancy room. If you happen to’re considering of reserving, act quick. Studio cabins are a sizzling commodity and are often snatched up early, and the brand new solo rooms will possible be equally in style.

Planning a cruise? Begin with these tales: