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If you can't make one of our hosted singles cruises but you're still
looking for a festive mood and other single passengers to socialize
with, large ships (1200+ passengers) sailing seven nights or fewer in
the Caribbean, Bahamas or Mexico have many singles on board.
On a cruise, everyone's "in the same boat." The atmosphere is social
and making friends can be as easy as leaving your cabin and joining
in the various ship activities and shore excursions. Some cruise lines
cater to single customers by hosting special get-togethers.
Orient hosts singles gatherings. Holland America throws
a Solo Traveler's party each sailing. If you're interested in meeting
singles in other ways, request to be seated with other singles at dinner.
Many cruise lines will make these special efforts for you.
One of the most popular services for mature, single women is something
called the gentlemen host or social host program. Gentlemen hosts act
as dance partners and conversationalists for single women on board. You
need only to venture to the evening's entertainment to find yourself a
delightful new friend. Gentlemen hosts may usually be found on
Cunard's Queen Elizabeth II, Voyages of Discovery Cruises' MV Discovery and on most sailings on Crystal
and Silversea. You'll also find them on Orient and
Holland America's longer cruises.
So, what will it cost you to cruise as a single? That depends on the ship
and the option you choose. Some cruise lines have a limited number of
single cabins available. Orient's Marco Polo has single cabins
(category K), as does Voyages of Discovery Cruises' MV Discovery (category C). Cunard's QE2 has both inside and outside staterooms
available for single travelers (categories M1 and M2). Cruise
West's ships Spirit of Discovery and Spirit of 98 have single
cabins, and on their Spirit of Columbia and Spirit of Alaska, you can
book a double room at the single rate (categories B and C), subject
to availability. Silversea provides single staterooms, with
categories and availability varying between sailings.
One way to cut costs as a single traveler is to participate in a singles
share program. Cruise West, Delta Queen,
Holland America, Orient, Princess, Uniworld
and Windjammer will offer to pair you with a roommate of the same
sex in a double stateroom. Both singles pay the per person, double
occupancy rate, and if they find no one suitable for you to room with,
you will get your own double stateroom for the single price! These
singles share programs are restricted by category and limited in
availability, as are the single cabins. If you want to participate
in the singles share program, you'll need to book early!
If you'd rather not share your room or be limited by category, you
will have to pay a single supplement fare. These fares can run anywhere
from 110-200% of the per person double occupancy rate, with 6-star
lines (Crystal, Silversea, Radisson and Seabourn) charging the smallest
supplement for singles. Most other cruise lines charge 150-200% of the
per person, double occupancy rate for their single supplement fares.
Click here for more singles information about specific cruise lines, or search below for cruises offered by your preferred line.
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