In the hustle and bustle of daily life, we can often let the most important person fall by the wayside: ourselves.
In celebration of independence and choice, leading cruise company Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is encouraging travellers to celebrate the freedom offered by solo travel, and to put themselves, and their globe-trotting dreams, first.
Because sometimes you just want to explore on your own schedule without having to compromise or accommodate the interests, budgets (and ages) of others.
Solo travel continues to gain momentum as an increasing number of people prioritise self-care and choose to stay and play their way. Google searches for ‘solo travel’ quadrupled between 2020 and 2022[i], and the ‘solo travel’ hashtag increased tenfold in just three years on TikTok.
And when it comes to how to make the most of solo travel, cruising is the ideal way to do just that.
Whilst many hotel and holiday packages are tailored to couples and families, NCL has been setting the benchmark for individual adventures since it became the first international cruise line to introduce solo staterooms back in 2010. Available on nine NCL ships, these Studio staterooms are designed and priced for the solo traveller with access to the communal Studio Lounge for guests to socialise together.
Fast forward to 2024, and the cruise line has rolled out almost 1,000 additional solo staterooms to ensure solo voyagers can enjoy the benefits of single accommodation on any NCL vessel across the company’s 19-strong fleet – at a lower price than traditional double occupancy staterooms. Guests can choose from Inside, Oceanview or Balcony cabins.
But NCL’s expanded, award-winning solo accommodation is just the beginning.
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11 reasons why cruising is the ideal way for solo travellers to indulge their wanderlust:
- NCL was Cruise Critic’s 2023 Editor’s Pick for Solo Cruisers
- On numerous NCL ships solo travellers enjoy private keycard access to NCL’s innovative Studio Lounge, where they can enjoy complimentary coffee and snacks throughout the day (and alcoholic beverages for those with a beverage package)
- Guests can join designated solo traveller meet-ups and happy hours
- Cabins are priced exclusively for solos whether Solo Inside, Solo Oceanview or Solo Balcony staterooms
- Guests can cruise their way – unwind with a book, watch the big screen TV or meet fellow solo cruisers
- Like-minded travellers can try something new such as cocktail making or cooking classes
- Access to world-class entertainment, comedy and daily music not to mention a host of onboard activities such as sports, trivia and lively game shows
- Guests can pamper themselves in the onboard Mandara Spa® which offers everything from massages and facials to acupuncture, Medi-Spa services, manicures and more in a luxe space complete with saunas, steam rooms and heated tiled loungers with panoramic views. On NCL’s newest ships, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, guests can also experience the first charcoal sauna at sea, an Ice Room and the tranquil Flotation Salt Pool. NCL also won Best Spa in the 2023 Cruise Critic’s Editor’s Pick Awards.
- Enjoy adrenaline pumping activities such as thrilling waterslides or zipping around a multi-level onboard racetrack – the largest at sea, which is featured on the Breakaway, Breakaway Plus and Prima Class ships
- NCL sails to more than 450 destinations across the globe and solo staterooms are available on itineraries in Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas, the South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand – and beyond
- For exceptional value-for-money both onboard and ashore travellers can choose to include NCL’s popular ‘Free at Sea’ package, which includes a complimentary beverage package (hello cocktails), free wi-fi, shore excursion credits ($50 per port) and a specialty dining package to enjoy icons such as modern Italian restaurant Onda by Scarpetta and steakhouse and wine bar Cagney’s Steakhouse in addition to the extensive complimentary dining options available on every ship.
7-day Hawai’i cruise from AUD$3,635 pp twin share and AUD$5,215 pp for solo occupancy cabin
One of the best parts of solo travel is booking last-minute trips that are unencumbered by other schedules or opinions. One day, you could be doing household chores, and the next kicking back with a cocktail against a backdrop of breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, wading in pristine waters and hiking through one of the world’s most naturally beautiful locations: Hawai’i. Solo travellers can discover the wonders of Hawai’i with Pride of America’s seven-day round-trip Inter-island cruise from Honolulu, departing 20 July, 2024. NCL is the only cruise line sailing four islands in a week with two overnight stays for a more in-depth Hawaiian discovery.
10-day Greek Isles: Italy, France & Greece from AUD$3,185 pp twin share and AUD$4,510 pp for solo occupancy cabin.
Solo travellers can live out their ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ fantasy with this 10-day Greek Isles: Italy, France & Greece cruise. Departing from Barcelona, Spain, on board Norwegian Escape, on 23 June 2024, this sailing visits Cannes, France; Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Rome (Civitavecchia), Naples, and Messina (Sicily) in Italy; Corfu in Greece; Dubrovnik and Split in Croatia; before finishing up at Venice (Trieste), Italy. Nothing says independence like sipping Marsala wine at a sidewalk café amid the fountains and cathedrals of Messina or admiring the famous painted ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Michelangelo, in fact, sought inspiration for the ceiling through his numerous solo journeys across Europe, in which he studied ancient sculptures and architecture.
11-day Mediterranean: Italy, France & Spain from AUD$3,080 pp twin share and AUD$4,125 pp for solo occupancy cabin.
Live it up in the Mediterranean with NCL’s 11-day Mediterranean: Italy, France & Spain cruise allowing endless adventures with a new port of call every day. Starting in Rome (Civitavecchia), the sailing visits some of Europe’s most must-see destinations such as Naples, Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy, Nice/ Monaco (Villefranche), Provence (Marseille), France, Barcelona, Palma (Majorca), Ibiza, Motril, Seville (Cadiz), Spain, Gibraltar, United Kingdom and Lisbon, Portugal. On board NCL’s all-new second Prima Class ship, Norwegian Viva, guests will never be short of things to do, from epic world class productions such as Beetlejuice the Musical, daily entertainment including live music and comedy clubs, state of the art spa facilities and fully equipped fitness centres, beautiful outdoor spaces such as Oceanwalk and Infinity Beach and fun-filled outdoor activities such as the Viva Speedway, the first three-level race track at sea, slides and mini-golf, there are countless opportunities to mingle and make memories with new friends on board.
*Terms and conditions apply: Price is per person based on twin share and includes taxes, port fees, FAS gratuities and daily service charges. Price, itinerary and offers are correct as of 25 March 2024 and are subject to change, availability and withdrawal. Price does not cover all products and service offerings that relate to the cruise. Price based on 7-day Hawai’i departing 20 July 2024, 10-day Greek Isles: Italy, France & Greece departing 23 June 2024 and 11-day Mediterranean: Italy, France & Spain departing 18 November 2024.
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