NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line announced plans to introduce nearly 1,000 dedicated solo staterooms across its extensive 19-ship fleet.
Starting this week, the company will make available for sale three new solo stateroom categories: Solo Inside, Solo Oceanview, and Solo Balcony, with sailings commencing on January 2, 2024. Pricing and availability will vary depending on the destination and demand, but solo travelers can expect to pay less than the cost of a traditional double occupancy room.
David J. Herrera, President of Norwegian Cruise Line, stated they aimed to provide their guests with diverse offerings to create their dream vacation.
"Since we first launched our solo staterooms in 2010 with Norwegian Epic, they have been quite popular with single travelers. We are continuously listening to our guests to deliver the experience they want. After realizing the growing demand of individuals looking to travel on their own, we have now expanded single occupancy staterooms across our fleet."
Guests staying in the new solo stateroom categories will also enjoy access to the Studio Lounge, accessible via key card entry on select ships. The Studio Lounge offers a dedicated space for relaxation, a bar serving beer and wine, and daily snacks. Additionally, solo cruisers can participate in activities designed for single travelers to socialize and connect. With the availability of solo staterooms expanding from nine ships to the entire 19-ship fleet, solo travelers have more opportunities to explore sought-after destinations, including Asia, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, on ships that historically did not offer this unique option.
This announcement aligns with the growing popularity of solo travel within the tourism industry. A study by Travelport revealed that solo travel accounted for nearly 18% of global bookings in the travel sector. Furthermore, Radical Storage reported a 267% increase in online searches for the term "solo travel" between December 2020 and April 2022. Norwegian Cruise Line also observed a rise in guests booking accommodations as single occupants in non-studio staterooms from 2019 to 2022.