The rise and rise of solo cruising

West Australian

4 days ago

The popularity of solo cruising is on the rise, accounting for 12 per cent of passengers in 2024 according to the latest industry intel.
As a regular sole cruiser myself on work trips I appreciate the opportunity to meet fellow solo travellers to enrich the experience.
Likewise, I value the option to dip in and out of the social scene as I choose.
Peak body Cruise Lines International Association reports cruisers choosing to sail solo reached 12 per cent last year, doubling in proportion from 6 per cent in 2023. When considered in the context of overall passenger growth to 34.64 million in 2024 versus 31.69 million in 2023 (up 9.3 per cent), it's a clear trend involving a very big cohort of travellers.
CLIA also reports cruise lines are offering more single-occupancy cabins. Norwegian Cruise Line, for instance last year more than doubled solo accommodation capacity across its 19-ship fleet. It added 1000 staterooms available to book as solo cabins for less than the cost of a double occupancy room.
I recall a voyage last year aboard NCL's Norwegian Escape during which I had access to a key-activated Studio Lounge dedicated to solo travellers. It included an optional lounge get-together scheduled every late afternoon, with free cafe-grade coffee, drinks and snacks, an excellent host . . . and nice company, of course.
On a recent cruise aboard Ponant Expeditions ship Le Lyrial, an invite to a hosted group dinner for English-speaking solo travellers was unexpected but the ideal way to settle into the voyage.
The delightful three-course meal hosted by travel ambassador Charlotte Thomas at elegant onboard bistro, Le Celeste, was the beginning of a week of shared experiences and laughs in between exploring the wilds of Svalbard. Weeks later, we're in touch and checking in.
We know from research globally that solo travel more broadly is a top emerging trend, and it appears cruising is a beneficiary.
Further to that it's interesting to hear the reasons people travel and cruise solo. Some interesting points emerged when chatting to my new cruising colleagues, particularly among the females.
Sharon Garrick, 64, from the Sunshine Coast, tells me she's travelling alone because 'hubby doesn't like the cold'. She too is a loyal Ponant cruiser.
Sharon was drawn to the single supplement-free fare and 'wanted to see polar bears, glaciers, walruses and reindeer' so went ahead and booked her maiden solo voyage.
'I was quite apprehensive to travel by myself, but it's given me confidence to do more travelling by myself and it's quite safe,' she says.
'It's the first time I've kayaked in the ice flow — I wouldn't be doing that in Queensland!'
Sydney-sider Gillian Burke is originally from New Zealand and worked in banking. She is on her fourth Ponant voyage but this trip is her first solo cruise experience. She tells me: 'I think particularly Ponant's been really good about introducing me to other singles.
'All my other trips have been with friends and so this was the first time (travelling solo).
'And I was a little concerned about being on my own. But I've found it so easy . . . it's been really good.'
It's no surprise Gillian's trip highlight was seeing a polar bear in the wild — it was mine too.
Seasoned solo traveller John Drummond, 76, is a former chemistry teacher and headmaster from Cambridge, New Zealand. He says: 'I'd been wanting to go to the Arctic for some time, then I saw this particular cruise advertised with no solo supplement, and that's what clinched it for me. Without that, I would never have done it.'
Ponant's supplement-free fare was a key deal-maker among our sole-traveller group. But what's clear is that tailoring experiences to this growing segment of cruise travellers goes beyond simply making cabins more affordable.
Cruise options for solo travellers:
+ Ponant: More than 300 Free Solo Supplement cruises to the polar regions, Mediterranean, Northern Europe and British Isles, Greenland, South Pacific and other destinations.
+ Hurtigruten has year-round solo traveller offers on selected sailings updated monthly — no solo supplement on sailings generally within three months of departures. A spokesperson tells me: 'Our world-class Expedition Team go out of their way to make you feel welcome. They will invite you to a get-together with your fellow solo travellers and help you get involved with as many activities and excursions as you choose.'
+ Aurora Expeditions: No Solo Supplement offer for all Antarctica voyages for the 2025-26 season; and all Arctic and Global Discovery expeditions through to September 2026. This offer can be booked until September 30, 2025.
+ Scenic: Save up to 75 per cent off the single supplement on select departures and suite categories in the Arctic/Antarctica; Australia and South Pacific; the Americas; and Europe.
+ Coral Expeditions: Sole occupancy promotions on several late 2025, and 2026 voyages. These include supplement reductions of 25 per cent to the Kimberley and Tasmania, and a waived sole supplements on its Equatorial Adventure Across North Borneo cruise (16 nights), departing December 19, 2025.
+ Norwegian Cruise Line: Pay less than a traditional double occupancy room in a choice of three categories: Solo Inside, Solo Oceanview and Solo Balcony.
+ Celebrity Cruises: There are dedicated events including the solo travellers gathering and dinner hosted by the Activity Team, and an unhosted solos table every night thereafter on board its newest class of ships — the Edge series — and Millennium and Solstice-series ships.
+ Oceania Cruises: Up to 50 per cent reductions on its single supplement in select categories on 99 cruises, including on the brand new Oceania Allura in dedicated veranda cabins.