One of our favorite cruises was an Alaskan cruise. We sat at traditional dining with the same guests each night and had the opportunity to broaden our knowledge of the beautiful ports we visited as we listened to our dinner companions share their stories from their day in port. It was a pleasant group of three couples ages 30 – 70 and a thirty-something professional woman who was sailing alone. Each evening as we shared our experiences from the day, we were all intrigued and impressed by the adventurous excursions of our single cruising companion. She was enjoying a bucket list trip as we were and she had planned exciting activities. Like us, our new friend was taking the White Pass Railway to Fraser, British Columbia, but instead of coming back by train or van, she joined a guided bike tour for the scenic return trip from the mountains to the coast and Skagway.
Cruising continues to grow in popularity, and the number of vacationers traveling solo is on the rise. Surveys conducted In 2017 from Princeton Research Associates, AARP, and Carlson Wagonlit Travel, show a growing trend toward travelers who go it alone. The data gleaned from the surveys showed that baby boomers are more likely to vacation alone with millennials following close behind with 9% of baby boomers planning international solo trips and 7% of millennials.
The cruise industry has always welcomed solo cruisers willing to pay the two passenger fare for a cabin or a single supplement of 50% – 100%. That means that a cabin that would sell for $2,000 with two passengers in the cabin will cost the solo cruiser $1,500 to $2,000. Cruise lines operate on the revenue received per cabin and the money spent on all of the optional purchases like liquor, shore excursions, and gambling. Passengers traveling alone pay for the cabin by themselves and the revenue from additional purchases are generally going to be less.
Only recently have cruise lines responded to the growing market of solo cruisers when designing cabins on new cruise ships. NCL and Royal Caribbean both offer studio cabins without a single supplement on several newer ships, and some itineraries include social gatherings just for passengers traveling alone. Holland America and Cunard have refurbished ships to create single occupancy cabins, and the atmosphere on board is popular with solo travelers. Several of the smaller luxury cruise lines Silversea, Seaborne, and Crystal Cruises offer special fares with low or no single supplement on limited sailings.
At the time of this post, all of the studio and single occupancy cabins on the major cruise lines are either ocean view or inside cabins. If a solo passenger wants a balcony, they must pay the double occupancy rate. With the newer ships offering inside rooms with virtual portholes streaming wave images, this cabin may be an option for cruisers who would not have considered an inside cabin.
Keeping in mind that solo does not necessarily mean single, there are group cruises designed for singles which may offer cabins without a single supplement and activities designed for individuals traveling alone. Individuals that want choices without having to research may prefer to work with a travel agent that specializes in tours and travel for solo travelers.
Confident solo cruisers inspire veteran cruisers who have yet to sail solo and may even be a bit jealous of their independent itineraries. What is it like to have that compact bathroom to yourself? Watching our Alaskan single cruise companion embrace the whole cruise experience and participate fully based on her personal preferences offered a wonderful example of why cruising is a great vacation option for everyone.
Source:
CWT/Carson Wagonlit Travel, (2017, November 29). CWT Research: Millennials like to travel in groups – and are the most security-conscious. Retrieved from https://news.carlsonwagonlit.com/pressreleases/cwt-research-millennials-like-to-travel-in-groups-and-are-the-most-security-conscious-2313078
Market Research Today,(2017, September 24). 11 Interesting Travel and Vacation Statistics about U.S. Consumers. Retrieved from http://marketresearchtoday.com/2017/09/24/11-interesting-travel-vacation-statistics-u-s-consumers/
AARP, (November 2018). R&R, Family Visits, and Bucket Lists: Travel Trends for 2018 https://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/research/surveys_statistics/life-leisure/2017/2018-travel-trends.doi.10.26419%252Fres.00179.001.pdf
