I always travel solo. While often friends are travelling on the same ship, I like my own cabin. Cruiselines don’t cater or like solo travellers and I say this after more than 50 cruises. Below are my top 5 annoyances with all cruise lines.
1. The price is always more for a solo. At worst 200% of the double rate, and at best at least 20% more for the solo cabins. To reduce this, I wait for sales, book at least 9 months out, and have stopped taking cruises like norwegian that are always 100% or more . Always compare the rate they are offering for a solo to the double rate. Interestingly hotels especially in Europe offer solos better pricing than doubles.
2. Solo cabins are tiny and usually inside. and very few cruise lines offer balcony or ocean view ones. I have yet to find a solo cabin that includes a comfortable chair or sofa. Even the solo balcony on Rcl only has a stool. You’re better to get a regular cabin on sale. I typically get an obstructed ocean view or regular ocean view as I find them quiet versus balcony. Also they have very few solo cabins on a ships and even a year out, they are all booked.
3. Seating in the main dining room is typically a large shared table in the middle of the dining room..no window views for solos. If you ask for early dining you will get the 5 pm vs 5:30 or 6pm regular early seating. They give the regular seatings and best placement to couples., regardless of your loyalty status. I go to the maître de on the first day after checking the seating and am willing to sit alone for better tables.
4. Response times to issues has been slower for a solo. On Cunard I was told I was not a priority to get the phone and air con fixed. I always have to try multiple times to get things fixed on all cruise lines. . I have had to escalate to managers and the hotel director. Be polite but persistent until they help you.
5. When booking a cabin for 1 especially on RCL and MSC, you will often get a message that states this type of cabin is not available, but if you change it to 2 people you will see cabins still available. The cruise lines try to limit the number of cabins offered to solos. You have to call or better yet have your travel agent call to get them to release the cabin for a solo. Note especially on msc, they would rather not have the booking unless it’s very close to departure.
I hate to be a Debbie downer but this is what it is for solos.
Hope this helps
Marcia
