Michael1973

I'm looking into the possibility of doing a singles cruise. I want to make sure I consider all my options before booking anything. To date, I've only managed to find two websites that specifically focus on singles cruises, as opposed to ones that lists all cruises imaginable. The sites are singlescruise.com and vacationstogo.com. Each has a pretty good selection, but I'm extremely picky as to what I want, and would like to know if there any other sites I could look at.

The thing is, I'd been hoping to try it this year, but the best options (based on my criteria) seem to be after New Year's, which seems like an eternity. I am willing to wait that long, but again I want to make sure I'm not overlooking any other options either.

Thanks,
Michael

Sassafrass

Not a particulat web site, but some ships now offer special cabins, areas of the ship and events for singles. One is Norwegian Epic. The ship has a whole section of single cabins designed for one person, though two are possible, with a central "lounge/living room" exclusively for the use of singles in that section.

doug_stallings

Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway also offer the same kind of single cabins,and they are a good value for what you get (small but workable for one person). These are not singles cruises---and I'd be remiss in not saying how family-oriented an NCL cruise can be---but the ships are so big that singles are certainly on board. But that may not be the experience you are looking for.

Every cruise has singles onboard, but they aren't the focus of the cruise (and there aren't special mixers) unless you go on a singles charter or large-group trip.

jacketwatch

Sass gives good advice. In addition to the Epic the NCL Getaway and Breakaway have singles cabins and they have their own lounge so you can meet people. I looked at the 1st link and the prices are very high.

Michael1973

Thanks for the replies. Just to clarify, I am in fact looking for tour groups geared toward singles, which would include on-board activities specifically for people within the group. There seem to be a limited number of these, and I'm also finding that only a small few will meet my criteria. However, I don't like the idea of randomly going on a cruise that's likely to be all families, couples and/or older travelers.

Sassafrass

www.bestsingletravel.com offers all kinds of singles group tours, including cruises, for a variety of age groups and interests.

doug_stallings

Michael, I don't want to discourage you from taking a cruise because I think you'd find it enjoyable, but none of these singles cruises is a full charter, so even though you may have a large sub-group of singles and special activities, there will always bee a large number of families, couples, and older travelers on the ship. So there might be 200 or 300 singles on a cruise (even 500), but the ships may carry over 3000 passengers, so one way or another, you're a small minority.

On a regular cruise (non-singles), you are very likely to still have a similar number of singles. But you won't have the special programming of the specialty group charters.

Michael1973

Doug, thanks for clarifying that. I still think it would be more in my favor to do the singles group because, while the number of total singles on the ship might be the same as any other, the groups offer special activities so the singles can meet and socialize. Otherwise, I'd feel completely on my own.

Sassafrass, I will check out that site. Thanks for the suggestion.

Sassafrass

Michael, dates of cruise are also important.

We just did one during Spring Break for my GD. It had about (I am not kidding) a thousand kids on the ship. So don't go during Spring breaks, which this year were mostly last week of March through second week of April.

Also, those lines where kids sail free and those that have the best kids' programs will always have more families.

Michael1973

Yes, dates are definitely a factor I'm considering seriously. One issue I'm facing is that I'm leaning towards going to the Caribbean, however the cruise with the best itinerary that I've found so far goes in August. Being from the northeast, where we only get about 5 months a year with good weather, I can't get excited about doing a tropical vacation when it's warm and sunny at home!

Sassafrass

Michael, which cruise are you looking at?

I agree. I like going to the Caribbean Nov through early April, when it is cold and miserable here - mid Atlantic.

Don't know about specific singles cruises, but look at cruises departing from San Juan. They always seem to have the best itineraries. Royal Caribbean and Celebrity both have some terrific itineraries that go as far South as Barbados. They are in the winter months too, Nov - April. The first cruise we did was similar to these in Feb. and there were a lot of single people on the cruise.

I did not look at Carnival, but am sure they have similar itineraries.