Seabourn cruises offer an intimate cruising experience aboard vessels that typically accommodate about 200 passengers. This smaller size makes it easy for single cruisers to not be overlooked by the crew and makes it more comfortable to interact with other cruisers. Because of their size, Seabourn cruise vessels travel exotic itineraries to places that larger cruise ships can't sail to. All cabins on a Seabourn vessel are suites and include flat screen TVs, Bose Wave sound systems and a complimentary bottle of champagne. Public space is ample and single cruisers are charged a 50 percent markup over double occupancy rooms for most of the line's suite categories. An added amenity singles enjoy is the fact that Seabourn's entertainment staff and ship officers join the passengers for dinner each night. Invites to sit at the staff and officer tables are extended to single cruisers first, giving them the opportunity to avoid eating alone, if desired.
Cruise Critic reports that Crystal Cruises attract single passengers, with 15 percent of its cruisers being solo travelers. Crystal Cruises offers a combination of luxury with a larger capacity -- their ships accommodate nearly 1,000 passengers. However, Crystal Cruises offers upscale, gourmet dining options like a formal dinner, sushi and an Italian bistro, with classy dress code requirements, elegant afternoon tea sessions and one of the industry's highest crew to passenger ratios. Onboard activities like napkin folding, paddle tennis and casinos are offered as well as unique excursions like a no-cost opportunity to help improve a local facility such as a school at a port of call. Gentleman hosts serve as dance and shore excursion partners for solo passengers. Singles may also prefer the assigned dinner seating on Crystal Cruises which prevents solo passengers from finding themselves in the awkward position of dining alone. The cruise line adds a 25 percent fee over the cost for booking a double occupancy room for single passengers for many of its cabin categories.
Silversea Cruises is an upscale cruise line offering single cruisers a luxury experience. Silversea's fleet of ships are all-suite vessels that carry about 300 passengers per voyage. Silverseas is also an all-inclusive line which means the cost is higher upfront, but onboard everything is included, even a butler for each room. While rates for single passengers are higher (25 to 75 percent) than double occupancy rates, single cruisers may qualify for Silver Savings discounts or reduced airfare. According to Cruise Critic, single cruisers comprise about 10 percent of Silversea's passengers. A cocktail reception is held on every Silversea voyage which many single passengers attend. On all trips more than 10 days in length, Silversea provides male "Social Ambassadors" who serve as dance partners and shore excursion partners for single female passengers.
