I often hear from solo cruisers who feel a bit ‘put off’’ by having to pay such a high price for their cruise fare compared to people who travel together as a couple.
Yes, solo cruisers normally pay a 100% ‘single supplement’.
They pay double the base, per-person cruise fare (but the tax is only charged once). As a result, the price for a solo cruiser is almost double what a couple would pay on a per-cabin basis.
I can see it both ways.
From the cruise line’s point of view, a solo cruiser is taking up two beds, which could have been sold separately.
But solo cruisers point out that they only eat half the amount in restaurants, and place half the demand on the ship’s staff.
The mass market cruise lines have started to address the needs of solo cruisers by building ‘studio cabins’, which are designed specifically for solo travellers.
Studio cabins are not on all the ships (yet), but they are becoming more and more common. These cabins are frequently (but not always) tiny, interior cabins without a balcony or even a window.
The upscale and luxury lines (and also river cruise ships) treat their solo clients a little better. They do this by occasionally offering reduced single supplements.
Sometimes they waive the single supplement altogether.
The best part of these ‘reduced single supplement’ offers is that they are not limited to the lowest priced, least desirable cabins. You can travel solo in a balcony or suite if you like.
Oceania currently has a great promotion for solo travellers.
They are offering a reduced single supplement on 17 different sailings (all with 2017 departure dates).
If you’ve never sailed on Oceania before, here’s a bit of information:
- They are considered the best cruise line for “foodies”. They pride themselves on the quality and diversity of the food offerings on their ships.
- Oceania has six ships, and they sail all over the world. The largest ship carries 1250 passengers, and their smallest carries 684.
- Like other upscale lines, the culture onboard is relaxed and informal.
- The onboard experience is more focused on quality, service, and the ports, and less on climbing walls, and ice-skating rinks.
- They pride themselves on being the ‘Best Value in Upscale Cruising’. INCLUDED in your fare, you get free Airfare; Internet; Dining at all specialty restaurants; Unlimited soft drinks, bottled water, cappuccino, espresso, teas and juices; Shuttle service from ship to city center in many ports of call; and Room service dining 24 hours a day.
Here’s a sampling of the 17 sailings with reduced single supplements:
May 10th, 2017 (11 days, San Francisco to Vancouver), from $2445 base price. BONUS – your choice of:
- 6 FREE Shore Excursions OR
- FREE House Beverage Package OR
- $600 Shipboard Credit per stateroom
May 23rd, 2017 (28 days, Rome to Montreal), from $6681 base price. BONUS – your choice of:
- 8 FREE Shore Excursions OR
- FREE House Beverage Package OR
- $800 Shipboard Credit
July 7th, 2017 (10 days, Rome to Barcelona), from $2272 base price. BONUS – your choice of:
- 6 FREE Shore Excursions OR
- FREE House Beverage Package OR
- $600 Shipboard Credit per stateroom
August 31st, 2017 (10 days, New York to New York), from $1559 base price. BONUS – your choice of:
- 6 FREE Shore Excursions OR
- FREE House Beverage Package OR
- $600 Shipboard Credit per stateroom
Remember, this is just a sampling and there are 17 sailings to choose from!
If you’re a solo traveller, then you’ll want to consider Oceania’s current promotion. In my mind, it offers remarkable value.
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I look forward to hearing from you.
Sue Bradley
Sue Bradley
