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As the list of cruise lines that cater to solo travelers continues to grow, paying double cruise fares to make up for the "second passenger" is becoming a nuisance of the past. These ocean, river, and expedition cruises are waiving single supplements, offering fare discounts, and creating dedicated single staterooms to encourage travelers to cruise solo.
Best Ocean Cruises for Solo Travelers
Royal Caribbean
Although the massive vessels of Royal Caribbean may not seem like an obvious choice for singles trying to meet others, the Quantum class ships, Anthem of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas are fitted with comfortable studio cabins. These staterooms average 119 square feet with private balconies (55 square feet), while interior cabins have a state-of-the art "virtual veranda" with real-time views of the scenery.
Saga Cruises
The U.K.-based cruise line, Saga, believes in the concept of ocean cruising on smaller ships, and its two vessels carry no more than 720 passengers. The Saga Sapphire has 44 small, single cabins in six different categories (averaging 65 square feet), while Saga Pearl II has 57 single cabins across seven categories that average 50 square feet. In addition, the company also offers solo traveler cocktail parties to meet other like-minded passengers.
Costa Cruises
More than half of Costa Cruises' fleet is fitted with solo traveler cabins, including the newest jewel, the Costa Diadema, which has 21 of these coveted rooms - the most in the fleet. Costa Fascinosa, Favolosa, Pacifica, and Serena have 17, Magica and Fortuna have 14 and neoRomantica and neoClassica have six solo staterooms. Not surprisingly, these sell very quickly on the cozy Costa ships (most have less than 1,500 passengers).
Norwegian Cruise Line
NCL made headlines when the Epic debuted sporting 128 chic and trendy solo staterooms with 100 square feet of space, full-size beds, and key access to the "the Living Room," a private lounge and bar for singles. Sister ships Getaway and Breakaway also feature the new stateroom categories (59 studios), and even Pride of America, which specializes in Hawaii cruises, has been fitted with four studios.
Cunard
The Queen Victoria just joined Cunard's latest vessel, the Queen Elizabeth, in offering dedicated cabins for solo travelers. Nine of these elegant rooms ? most with ocean views ? have been added to each of the two ships, setting the stage for other luxury vessels to follow suit.
Fred Olsen
Fred Olsen caters to solo travelers with smaller ships that have a maximum capacity of 1,300 passengers, special offers on voyages for singles, and solo staterooms on each of the four vessels. These cabins range from 130 to 160 square feet and are available in several categories including interior, picture window, or balcony.
P&O Cruises
Three of P&O's mid-sized and larger vessels, the Azura, Ventura and Aurora, are all fitted with single cabins as well as two of the company's adults-only, smaller vessels: the Arcadia and Oriana. In addition, the soon-to-debut, Britannia will have 27 modern and stylish cabins ? many with private balconies.
Best River and Expedition Cruises for Solo Travelers
International Expeditions
International Expeditions began waiving single supplements in 2012, and now solo travelers make up an impressive 21 percent of all passengers in the Amazon and Galapagos. In 2013 and 2014, IE offered cabins on every Amazon departure with no single supplement, and this year this program has expanded to include waived fees on all Galapagos voyages aboard the 32-passenger yacht M/V Evolution (and will continue in 2016). The 31-guest La Estrella Amazonica also has dedicated single cabins and excursions consist of small group activities.
Island Windjammers
The vibe on Island Windjammers is casual and designed for solo travelers to explore new Caribbean destinations with good company. Guests can cruise at their own pace; whether that means curling up on the teak deck with a good book, sharing stories with the crew, or swinging into the ocean on a rope swing. The company's popular "Solo Sojourns" take place on select dates (there are three in 2015). Cozy solo cabins are available with a shared bathroom, or guests can bunk up with a cabin buddy.
Adventure Canada
The expedition company Adventure Canada has 18 single cabins and is currently waiving the single supplement in numerous categories on cruises to Newfoundland, Labrador, the St. Lawrence Seaway, and Arctic expeditions. When solo cabins sell out, the company also pairs singles in the same cabin and takes extra steps to make sure they are a good match.
American Cruise Lines
American Cruise Lines is a small-ship company that plies iconic waterways in the United States. Every one of its vessels has dedicated single cabins - as many as 19 - to add to its close-knit environment (ships have around 50 staterooms on average). With 200 square feet, the cabins are considerably larger than solo staterooms on ocean ships, and many have private balconies (on some ships). An open-seating dining program and complimentary cocktail hour encourage guests to mingle and create friendships.
Tauck
Adventure travel company Tauck has two new river cruise ships, ms Inspire and ms Savor that each have four 150-square-foot cabins set aside for single travelers. Most passengers are English-speaking guests, making it easy to establish connections. The company's solo traveler online forum allows passengers to ask questions of other Tauck travelers before their cruise.
Emerald Waterways
One of the newest river cruise lines, Emerald Waterways features two single cabins on each of its ships (a fourth vessel is set to launch this year). These rooms have 130 square feet of space, robes and slippers, a picture window, flat-screen television, and mini fridge. The company also offers significant discounts on single supplements for select voyages as a part of their limited time offers.
Ama Waterways
Eight of Ama Waterways river cruise vessels are fitted with single cabins ? nearly half the European river cruise fleet. The AmaVerde and AmaBella will each have one single cabin and AmaLyra, AmaDolce, AmaDante, AmaCello, AmaLegro, and AmaDagio will have two. Single supplements are often waived on select departures ranging from tulip voyages to Christmas cruises.
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