This cruise line is finally giving solo travelers what they've been asking for
It’s a great day for solo cruisers. Norwegian Cruise Line announced Monday its plan to expand its offerings to travelers who want to cruise without a companion. The line will more than double its solo accommodations across its 19-ship fleet beginning in January.
Additionally, the new solo cabins will include ocean-view and balcony options. Currently, studio cabins on Norwegian ships are tiny inside cabins. The line plans to recategorize existing cabins and retrofit them as solo accommodations across the fleet.
Why has Norwegian decided now to retrofit its ships with new solo rooms? It's likely because the demand for solo cruise accommodations shows no signs of diminishing.
A study by Travelport revealed that solo travel made up nearly 18% of global bookings in the travel industry. Additionally, from 2019 to 2022, Norwegian reported an increase in guests booking accommodations as a single occupant in non-studio cabins.
Solo cabin amenities
Although Norwegian's existing studio cabins are small — around 100 square feet — they are ideally designed to maximize storage space. These solo cabins are situated around an exclusive-access Studio Lounge, which features a bar and television area, as well as daily happy hours.
New solo cabin categories will also include access to the dedicated lounge space. However, ships that currently do not offer studio cabins will only receive the solo cabin retrofit and no new lounge space. Passengers can take part in organized onboard activities exclusively for solo travelers.
Designated solo cabins will be available on every ship, but the number of accommodations will vary. For example, currently, Pride of America features four studio cabins, while Norwegian Viva offers 73.
Related: These 8 cabins are great for travelers cruising alone
Solo cruising conundrum
Solo cabins are highly sought after on cruise ships because single cruisers have historically been punished for traveling alone. Most cruise ship cabins are designed for two people, and the cruise fares for these cabins are per person, based on double occupancy. That means the rates are only available to customers sharing the cabin with a second paying passenger.
Solo cruisers must pay an extra fare, known as a “single supplement,” to make up for the lost revenue from the hypothetical second passenger who could have shared the room with them.
Norwegian responded to frequent requests to accommodate single cruisers by debuting the industry's first solo cabins in 2010 on Norwegian Epic. It was such a success that the line continued to include the studio cabins on ships that followed. You'll find them on Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Viva, Norwegian Prima and Pride of America.
Other cruise lines followed suit and jumped on the solo cabin bandwagon. Royal Caribbean, Oceania Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America and Virgin Voyages all offer solo cabins on select ships.
Related: The 5 best cruise lines for solo travelers
Booking new studio cabins
Beginning Oct. 19, you can book one of Norwegian Cruise Line's new solo cabin categories for sailings beginning Jan. 2, 2024.
Pricing will vary with destination and demand but will be cheaper than having to pay the single supplement for a traditional double occupancy room. If you're thinking of booking, act fast. Studio cabins are a hot commodity and are usually snatched up early, and the new solo rooms will likely be equally popular.
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- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.