Jayestravellingadventures

I have cruised alone on 4 cruises now and have found out a lot of interesting information which I would of if traveling with a loved one or family. Cruising its self is surprisingly popular for all age groups, however those who have no one to travel with are left in a difficult decision. Do they pay additional for just themselves or find someone to travel with. Single Supplements could cause the price to go up, but I have found ways around them.

P&O offer three options for solo travellers which are:

– Book a single cabin

– Book a standard cabin for 1 occupant.

– Find someone to travel with and share a cabin.

There is no right or wrong option with these as, everyone travels different. I have written some pros and cons further on.

Single Cabins =

Pro = Located with the other single cabins, you pay no single supplement.

Con = Small cabins and can cost more than a double.

Most of the time this is the best option for single cruisers as there is no single supplement however, the price can sometimes cost the same amount as a standard cabin. It is all dependant on the cruise. It is always best to check the difference in price to ensure the best value for money, however you will need to be quick as there is a limit to single cabins onboard.

Standard Cabin for Single Occupancy =

Pro = These cabins have more of an option on locations and there are more standard cabins onboard.

Con = This can be the most expensive option majority of the time, so it depends on if you are happy to spend the money.

This is the option I always go for as I like the extra room, and I feel I can choose the best location I want to be in. Most of the solo cruisers I have met choose this option, it gives them the freedom to choose a cabin that suits them, on an itinerary that they want. You will still need to pay the single supplement, which means you’ll pay for more then one person that what you would if sharing the cabin.

Finding someone to travel with =

Pros = Cheapest option, and no single supplement to pay.

Cons = Less alone time and reduced privacy in your cabin.

When I first started travelling on my own, I tried to find people I could travel with such as a work colleague/best friend. However, when I wanted to go on specific cruises and they were not free I had to option to wait or go by myself. This option is perfect for those on a budget. If you manage to find someone to travel with you wont need to pay the single supplement. Some people may not feel comfortable sharing a cabin with others they aren’t close with so, it is beneficial if you are a social and outgoing person this would be a perfect option for you. You can find others to hare a cabin with via different Facebook forums by searching ‘Solo Cruisers’. You aren’t tied to them throughout the holiday, you can always go off and do your own things, after all you might not share the same interests.

Single Cabins Across the Fleet =

Aurora =

– Single Outside – 4 cabins @ 150 sq ft (Deck 9 – 11)

– Single Balcony – 6 cabins @ 179 sq ft (Deck 8)

Being the smallest and oldest of the fleet as well as for adults only, there is no option for any inside options. The outside cabins are under the bridge and don’t offer the best sea views but, Deck 11 has more of a view. The Balcony cabins are all congregated at the Aft of the ship near the terrace pool but, below the show bar. The balconies are steel based so when sitting down you wont be able to see the water.

Arcadia =

– Single Inside – 4 cabins @ 189 sq ft (Deck 10)

– Single Balcony -2 cabins @ 206 sq ft (Deck 10)

Being one of P&O’s adult only ships, these cabins go very quickly, especially as this ship covers longer duration cruises. The cabins are a very good size being 72% larger than the Iona, and the balcony cabins are almost twice as big as on Iona.

Ventura =

– Single Inside – 6 cabins @ 130 sq ft (Deck 6)

– Single Outside – 12 cabins @ 130 sq ft (Deck 6)

Being Azura’s sister ship, there is no options for a single balcony. They are more or less identical and situated in the same location.

Azura =

– Single Inside – 6 cabins @ 130 sq ft (Deck 6)

– Single Outside -12 cabins @ 130 sq ft (Deck 6)

This ship doesn’t offer any single balconies so you will have to be content with or without a window. They make up for it by being in the best location possible, being all together (like the Britannia), and next to the atrium, allowing it to be easy meeting others.

Britannia =

– Single Inside – 12 cabins @ 134 sq ft (Deck 16)

– Single Balcony – 15 cabins @ 164 sq ft (Deck 16)

This vessel is known to be one of the best ships for solo travellers, with the most cabins available and located in one area of the ship. Its convenient for solos to meet and create new friendships. The cabins are placed at the highest point of the ship and at the front so, you will feel the motion of the sea a lot more.

Iona =

– Single Inside – 10 cabins @ 101 sq ft (Across Decks 5, 9, and 12)

– Single Balcony – 12 cabins @ 107 sq ft (Across Decks 9, and 12)

This is the sister ship of Arvia, so there is some similarities including the cabin size however, they are less spread out and have less choice of Deck positions.

Arvia =

– Single Inside – 10 cabins @ 101 sq ft (Across Decks 5, 8, 9, and 12)

– Single Balcony – 12 cabins @107 sq ft (Across Decks 9, 11 and 14)

With 22 single cabins available, Arvia is the newest ship of the fleet. These are unfortunately the smallest in comparison to her sister ships, so if you are claustrophobic these might not be for you. The inside cabins are dotted in Midship where as, the balconies are laces towards the Aft of the ship.

My 3 top tips =

– Try to book your cruise as early as possible, this will ensure you are able to book a single cabin at a cheap price. To know when cruises are released you can sign up to receive notifications from P&O. If you don’t book early, be prepared to pay more for a double cabin rather than a single cabin. If you don’t mind paying that little extra or you notice a standard cabin is the same price or cheaper, then you don need to rush to book.

– Check the Horizon which is a daily cruise schedule of all activities and shows onboard. There is lots of solo activities you can do whilst enjoying your holiday, even if you want to be in your own bubble, attending these could be a big benefit. You can also join a Facebook group created for the cruise specifically, to meet those who booked the same holiday prior to joining the ship.

– With lots of restaurants on board, you have the option of sharing a table or keeping yourself to yourself. There is 2 different dining options which are Club Dining or Freedom Dining. You can choose to sty on the same table with the same people throughout your cruise, or decide to switch it up by choosing a different table each night. When you have the option to choose a table size always go for the biggest, as others may decide to go to the buffet one night or try a speciality Resturant. I always choose the same table every night at the size of 6-8, I have met some amazing people to which I still keep in contact with today. I wouldn’t of met them if I hadn’t of picked a shared table.

There are so many benefits when travelling alone as well as so many set backs, from trying to find the cheapest way to travel and to knowing what is the best way to share a cabin. My advice is to always check the prices and see what works out better for you. There are detailed deck plans on all ships on the P&O website, to allow you a chance to view each location before booking.