Nancy Norris
Articles for Single Cruisers
TrvlJrnlst@aol.com

When the glass slipper fit Cinderella perfectly, her Prince whisked her off to the castle and they lived happily ever after. I can’t guarantee you will meet your Prince (or Princess) Charming on a cruise, but I can promise that if you select carefully your ship won’t turn into a pumpkin at midnight. So, how do you choose?

All cruise ships are not designed equally, therefore, the first thing you must do is assess your needs. Be honest and think about what you want from your cruise experience:

      Where would you like to go?   Are there specific ports or destinations you have dreamed of visiting? Do you see yourself sipping pina coladas on a Caribbean beach, enjoying a luau in Hawaii, salmon fishing in Alaska, exploring Mayan ruins, admiring the fall foliage in New England, or shopping in an exotic port? Or, is that unimportant, and you would be just as happy if the cruise ship itself was the destination?

     What are your time and financial constraints?   How much are you willing to spend, and what can you realistically afford? How many days would you like to cruise? Seven days is probably an ideal length for a first time cruise, but if you have a limited amount of time or money, consider a 3 or 4 night cruise to give you a taste of the cruise experience. Obviously, the price of a cruise varies by ship, season, length of voyage and category of cabin, but knowing your uppermost limits will allow you to better explore your options.

      What is your lifestyle and activity level?   Personally, I prefer a cruise with a lot of activity, opportunities to socialize, and an exciting nightlife, but you might prefer a quiet relaxing getaway, far from the maddening crowd. Are you looking to dance, party, and let your hair down? Do you want adrenaline flowing experiences to satisfy your need for adventure? Do you enjoy exercise and physical activity, or is slathering on some suntan lotion as physically active as you plan to be on your vacation? Do you prefer a casual, relaxed atmosphere, or something a little more formal? Do you enjoy dressing elegantly for dinner, or is your idea of dressing up wearing a clean t-shirt? There are cruises designed for each of these lifestyles, but the bottom line is: where will you feel most comfortable.

     Once you have answered the above questions, it is time to get to the specific ship amenities that you find most appealing to enhance your cruise experience. To help you find the “ultimate fit” I have compiled a list of on board activities/facilities. Which ones are most important to you? Are some of the services absolute necessities to you, while others are relatively unimportant? How you prioritize this list will determine the cruise tailored to your needs.

Once you have assessed your cruise needs and wants, there are specific aspects of a cruise that singles should consider. Some cruise lines are more accommodating to the single passenger by providing single occupancy cabins and single share programs (a program whereby the cruise line tries to find the single traveler a compatible cabin mate). Some cruise lines also provide gentlemen hosts to act as dance partners, or dining companions. You may wish to take these options into consideration when making a final decision. Although, I have made every effort to be accurate, the cruise industry is constantly in a flux of change. Therefore, I wish to qualify: At the time of writing, the following is a list of cruise lines that offer these accommodations.

Note: **Limited/not all sailings/itineraries)

With all this said, from my perspective, there are certain cruise lines and specific ships that are better suited than others for singles to enjoy the ultimate cruise experience. The following recommendations and tips may be an oversimplification of the facts, but are based on personal experience (mine and numerous singles I interviewed).

Large vs. small ships: Both have their advantages and disadvantages. The new mega liners offer more activities, and social events, therefore more opportunities to meet someone with similar interests. As the number of passengers increases, so does the pool of potential new acquaintances. However, due to the size of the ship, you may meet someone once, and never seem them again the rest of the cruise. Small ships are more intimate, enhancing interaction between passengers and crew, making it easier to make friends. Now, although it is certainly easier to make friends on a small ship, this can be a disadvantage.  Due to the limited number of lounges, and public areas on board, there is no doubt that once you meet someone, you will see them frequently. Speaking from experience, if you happen to be the “receivee” of some unwanted attention, a cruise on a small ship can be very tedious as you spend most of your time avoiding uncomfortable encounters. Armed with this knowledge, the decision is yours to make.

A 3 or 4-day cruise has a proportionately larger number of single passengers than longer cruises. This may be due to the fact that singles, at the height of their careers, have a limited amount of leisure time.

If you love adventure, enjoy a party, prefer a very casual experience, and you’re under 40, take a Windjammer Barefoot Cruise. They offer singles cruises throughout the year that sail with a 50-50 ratio of men to women.

Carnival is for the young and young at heart who enjoy an active nightlife. You will find more singles under the age of 35 on a Carnival ship than any other. 

Royal Caribbean and NCL also draw their share of singles from the 30’s and 40’s market. With Royal Caribbean’s heavy promotion of its new megaships aimed at the active traveler/sports enthusiast, more single men are finding their way onboard.

Cunard and Crystal are the best bets for the mature single traveler in the upscale market. If a luxury class ship is not within the budget, than mature travelers should look to Celebrity or Holland America. Just make sure it is one of the sailings that provide gentlemen hosts. Men, this goes for you as well as women.  Think about it! Gentlemen hosts are being provided because the cruise lines knows that on that particular sailing there will be a number of unattached women. Now I don’t know about everyone, but personally, I would much prefer to dance with a fellow passenger, who just happens to be an eligible bachelor, than a host provided by the cruise line.

Look for theme cruises that address your hobbies or interests. If nothing else, their will be many other kindred spirits on board that share your passion.

Contrary to popular opinion, I recommend a cruise during school holidays. Of course, I am a former schoolteacher, and love children, but there is a logic to my reasoning. If you are not put-off by little ones, cruising during school breaks is a great time to meet single parents. The school calendar dictates when most single parents can travel, however, they too, are looking for some fun and the camaraderie of other adults. 

Don’t get hung up on demographics! Although I have stated age parameters on certain cruise lines, they are intended only as guidelines. I am well over the age of 35, but love the Carnival Cruise experience. Remember age is a state of mind, and your activity level and interests, not your birth date, should dictate your selection.

Finally, enlist the help of a good travel agent who has knowledge of the cruise industry. If your schedule is flexible, have your travel agent watch for promos on single cruises. You don’t have to travel with the group that is promoting, or booking, the cruise, but a savvy travel agent can get you on the same sailing, and you can board the ship confident that other singles will be joining you. You know what you want, and a knowledgeable travel agent has the expertise to select the “ship that fits” all you have to do is “cruise it”!

Happy sailing,

Nancy Norris
TrvlJrnlst@aol.com
http://www.SinglesCruiseCenter.com