Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), a trailblazer in the global cruise industry, is making waves once again. In an exciting move set to redefine solo travel experiences, NCL has announced its ambitious plan to double the capacity of dedicated solo staterooms across its extensive 19-ship fleet. This remarkable expansion is slated to commence on January 2, 2024.
Introducing New Solo Stateroom Categories
In a historic first, Norwegian Cruise Line is now offering three distinct solo stateroom categories: Solo Inside, Solo Oceanview, and Solo Balcony. These enticing options will be available for bookings starting from January 2, 2024. The pricing and availability of these staterooms will vary depending on your chosen destination and demand. However, one thing is certain—solo travellers can anticipate paying less than the cost of a traditional double occupancy room.
David J. Herrera, the President of Norwegian Cruise Line, expressed the company’s commitment to providing guests with an array of choices to craft their dream vacations. He said, “Since the inception of our solo staterooms with Norwegian Epic back in 2010, they have been immensely popular among single travellers. We continuously listen to our guests to deliver the experiences they desire. Recognizing the surging demand from individuals seeking to explore the world on their own, we have expanded the availability of single occupancy staterooms across our entire fleet.”
Exclusive Benefits for Solo Travelers
Guests staying in the new solo stateroom categories will gain access to the exclusive Studio Lounge, accessible on select ships. This dedicated lounge offers a serene space to unwind, a bar stocked with beer and wine, and a delectable array of daily snacks. In addition to their private lounge, solo cruisers can partake in specially curated activities designed for single travellers. With the expansion of solo stateroom categories from nine ships to encompass the entire 19-ship fleet, solo adventurers now have a multitude of opportunities to explore captivating destinations such as Asia, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand—destinations that have not traditionally offered solo accommodations.
A Response to the Solo Travel Boom
This momentous announcement aligns with the growing trend of solo travel within the tourism industry. An increasing number of individuals are opting for solo adventures, eschewing traditional group travel with friends, family, or partners. According to a Travelport study, solo travel accounted for nearly 18% of global bookings in the travel industry. More recently, Radical Storage reported a staggering 267% surge in online searches for the term “solo travel” between December 2020 and April 2022. Notably, from 2019 to 2022, Norwegian Cruise Line observed a significant uptick in guests booking accommodations as single occupants in non-studio staterooms.
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