Cruise lines embrace solo travelers with single cabins

There was a time, not too long ago, when cruise passengers wishing to occupy a cabin by themselves had to pay a supplement of up to 200% of the double-occupancy fare.

Increasingly, though, cruise lines are catering to solo travelers with cabins that require no penalty for single occupancy.

Solo cabins were something of a rarity on modern cruise ships until Norwegian Cruise Line started the trend in 2010 aboard the Norwegian Epic. Now, many other cruise lines are jumping on the single-cabin bandwagon.

Here's a quick rundown of choices for solo travelers aboard the newest classes of ships, which, of course, are the most in-demand (all passenger capacities are based on double occupancy).

Celebrity Cruises Celebrity’s Edge-class ships offer more than 100 single cabins spread across four vessels: The Celebrity Beyond and Celebrity Ascent each offer 32 single cabins, while the Celebrity Apex has 24 and the namesake Celebrity Edge numbers 16. These cabins measure 140 square feet or more and feature the exclusive “Infinite Veranda," which turns the entire living area into a balcony at the push of a button. Ships in the premium-category Edge series carry about 3,000 passengers.

Cunard Line Cunard’s most recent ships, the near-sisters Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria, each boast nine single staterooms. Eight are oceanviews with one interior. The two Queens accommodate almost 2,100 passengers.

Holland America Line Holland America’s Pinnacle-class ships — the Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam — each offer 12 single staterooms. All are oceanview and measure 127 to 172 square feet. These ships accommodate 2,650 passengers.

MSC Cruises MSC’s enormous World Europa, the first vessel in the line’s new World class, described by the line as “trailblazing” for its use of LNG and other green technologies, boasts 22 single cabins in both outside and inside accommodations. These Studio accommodations measure 108 to 129 square feet. The ships carry 5,252 passengers.

Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Cruise Line has brought its Studio concept of single cabins aboard its newest ships, with 73 such staterooms aboard the Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva. Studio cabins offer access to the private Studio Lounge. The mainstream Prima-class ships carry over 3,000 passengers.

Oceania Cruises Oceania’s newest ship, the Vista, has six single-occupancy cabins. These are among the biggest solo cabins available, measuring 270 square feet with large balconies, and they offer occupants access to the private Concierge Lounge. The Vista carries 1,200 passengers.

Princess Cruises Princess debuts its next-generation Sphere-class ships this month, starting with the Sun Princess, which, among its many firsts for the line, will offer a new cabin category for single travelers. It and the Star Princess carry 4,300 passengers.

Royal Caribbean International Royal Caribbean’s latest ships to offer solo cabins are its two Quantum-Ultra vessels, the Odyssey of the Seas and Spectrum of the Seas. Both have 28 single staterooms. Some insides feature “Virtual Balcony” technology that uses LED TV screens to simulate the view outside the ship. The ships carry more than 4,000 passengers.

Virgin Voyages Virgin Voyages is a new brand that offers 46 cabins for single passengers on each of its three ships— the Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady and Resilient Lady. The Virgin Voyages sisters carry 2,800 passengers — perfect for travelers who want a ship that's big but not enormous and tailored to adults only.