**A Sea of Change: How Cruise Industry Recovers**
The cruise industry’s recovery is fueled by pent-up demand, a desire for travel experiences, and the easing of travel restrictions. This has led to a surge in bookings and a rise in cruise prices. The cruise industry’s recovery is also driven by the fact that cruise lines are now offering more attractive and diverse itineraries, including shorter cruises and more destinations.
**Cruising Solo: The Perks and the Price**
Cruising solo can be a fantastic way to experience the world, offering a unique blend of freedom and adventure. However, the cost of a solo cruise can sometimes be a deterrent. The good news is that savvy cruisers can find ways to enjoy a solo voyage without breaking the bank. **Booking Early: The Key to Savings**
Booking your cruise well in advance is crucial for securing the best deals.
“We saw a change after the pandemic,” said Shelby Frenette, who runs the agency TravelFun.Biz, based in Boca Raton, Florida, which specialises in group solo travel. To get travellers back on ships, she said, “Cruise lines were waiving the single supplements in a big way.” Now, she said, prices are again rising as interest in cruising grows. Passenger volume in 2023 was 31.7 million, according to the Cruise Lines International Association, exceeding 2019 levels by 7%. “It’s so busy, we are back to pre-Covid times when there’s a lot less opportunity for singles to save money,” Frenette said. In managing occupancy, cruise lines use single supplements like “a lever that can be pulled depending on their needs,” said Theresa Scalzitti, chief operations officer of CruisePlanners, a travel agency based in Coral Springs, Florida.
**Cruise Lines: Discounting Their Way to Full Ships**
**Cruise Lines:
* Cruise lines are increasingly offering discounts and promotions to attract more passengers. * These discounts are often targeted at specific demographics, such as families, seniors, or military personnel. * Cruise lines are also offering discounts on specific sailings, such as those during the shoulder season or off-season.
The cruise industry is experiencing a surge in demand for solo travelers. This trend is being driven by several factors, including the rise of solo travel as a lifestyle choice, the desire for more personalized experiences, and the increasing affordability of cruises. Several cruise lines are responding to this demand by offering more solo cabins and other amenities specifically designed for solo travelers.
These staterooms are considered premium offerings, as they offer a unique and luxurious experience. The concept of single staterooms on cruise ships is relatively new, and it’s gaining popularity. This trend is driven by the desire for more privacy and a more intimate experience on board.
HX, formerly known as Hurtigruten Expeditions, says one in four bookings among American passengers are solo travellers, and the line experienced more than 50% growth in single sailors between 2022 and 2023. Hurtigruten Expeditions has seen a 50% increase in single travellers between 2022 and 2023. Photo / Hurtigruten Group In 2024, about half of its single passengers travelled without paying a supplement while the other half received discounts of varying levels (HX is currently selling supplement-free cabins to solo travellers on 10-day sailings in the Galapagos Islands, from US$8634 through March 2026). Aqua Expeditions, which operates small ships on the Amazon and Mekong rivers, and in the Galapagos and Indonesia, saw its solo business grow 50% between 2019 and 2023. It waives the single supplement on select sailings. Three-night itineraries on the Amazon start around US$3450 a person.
Solo travel is on the rise, and cruise lines are responding by offering more options for solo travelers. Small-ship cruise lines, in particular, are seeing a surge in solo bookings, with some lines seeing over 50% growth. These lines are catering to a specific niche market, offering unique experiences and itineraries that appeal to solo travelers.
* Booking a flight or cruise can sometimes result in a lower fare. * If a fare drops after booking, many airlines and cruise lines will honor the lower rate. * Single supplements on cruises can be significantly higher than double occupancy rates.
Elaine Glusac, in her report, highlighted the remarkably low occurrence of major issues within a specific context. While the exact nature of this context remains unspecified, Glusac’s statement emphasizes the limited number of significant problems encountered. She explicitly stated that only a small number of major issues had emerged, suggesting a relatively smooth and problem-free situation.
