Norwegian Epic offers Caribbean cruise with no single supplement

Norwegian Epic's solo cabins rated a major travel story in the Los Angeles Times today.

The reporter went on a Caribbean cruise specifically to check out the solo sailing on a cruise line has taken notice of the solo traveler market.

Norwegian Epic offers private rooms on a seven-day cruise for $1,271-$1,409. It would cost nearly twice as much for a solo traveler to book a double room, as they have to on most cruise ships.

The Epic "shows promise of being great fun for those who travel solo," the reporter says. The 100-square-foot studios are, however, a "small shock," although there was plenty of storage space for her stuff.

And the size didn't seem to bother other folks who took advantage of the low price to stuff two people in the room.

The writer met other solo travelers who told her they chose the ship not for the destination but for the solo cabins. Still, Epic could lose up to $5 million in the first year due to the lost revenue of two people in a cabin.   

I sure hope they find some major advantage in offering benefits to solo travelers. And that other people in the industry take note.

I don't want to rewrite the whole story here but I was amazed to read that not only are solo travelers freed from the nasty single supplement, they actually get special treatment. Like a lounge for solo travelers only.

What a great way for people traveling alone to connect. I'm impressed.

Photos: Courtesy of Norwegian Epic

 

Comments

[Ted]

It's worth mentioning that the L.A. Times story is part of a Travel section mini-feature on solo travel. There are also articles about "10 vacations for solo travelers" and "How to avoid single-supplement charges." No particular revelations in either one, but any articles that publicize solo travel can only be beneficial.

[Ellen]

Thanks Ted. Those will be part of a solo travel roundup in my next post.