SOLO CRUISE
Sail away Sam Ballard looks at some of the options for solo travellers now that cruise is no longer just the preserve of couples For years, cruise has been a holiday for couples, whether it’s honeymooners meandering around the Caribbean or grandparents celebrating their golden wedding anniversary. It’s a legacy that has been strengthened by the economics of the industry: hotels charge by the room, cruises charge by the customer. However, that rule isn’t necessarily universal. Fred Olsen Cruise Lines is one company that caters to the solo market, offering up to 190 cabins across its fleet to solo passengers, including 11 suites. Each of the company’s four ships allocates between five and ten per cent of its cabins to solo passengers without any additional charge. The onboard experience is finely tuned, too, with solo guests sitting together at dinner and offered
companions if they want to go ashore or dance in the evenings. Geoff Ridgeon, head of sales at Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “We understand that solo travel can be a daunting thought, particularly when it is your first time, but a cruise is such a great way to combine seeing the world and having the comfort and security of not actually travelling alone. “Typically, the most popular of our sailings among solo travellers are our ‘Grand Voyages’ and aroundthe-world cruises, with specific destinations including the Baltic, Canary Islands and UK also popular. On the longer-duration sailings, around 20 per cent of guests will be solo travellers.” P&O Cruises is another company that is tapping into
the market, with specially designed accommodation for solo travellers across its fleet. The cabins are hugely popular, according to a company spokesperson, as they offer a cheaper alternative than a solo guest occupying a double room. Solo cabins are available in different categories across the fleet: Arcadia (inside and balcony), Aurora (outside and balcony), Azura (inside and outside), Ventura (inside and outside), Britannia (inside and balcony) and the soon-to-be-launched Iona (inside and balcony). Special dispensations for solo passengers are given by an increasing number of lines, although there are a few that are renowned for it. Cruise & Maritime Voyages, Saga and Crystal all have great solo SOLUSMAGAZINE.COM
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