Currently undergoing her first major overhaul in Hamburg since her delivery back in 2010, Cunard cruise ship, Queen Elizabeth,is being fitted with nine new, single cabins.
Though the dimensions and prices for these have not yet been put in the public arena, this represents a very welcome move by the company. While the veteran Queen Elizabeth 2 had a fair number of single cabins, none of her three successors- Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth- originally featured any at all.
Needless to say, many people- including yours truly- will hope that both of the other, above mentioned ships will also be retrofitted with some single cabins. Though nothing has been said on the subject, it does seem likely.
In doing this, Cunard is following the example set by sister company P & O Cruises, which incorporated a small number of single cabins into the then new Azura, and then retrofitted a number into both her sister ship, Ventura, and the adults only Oriana.
As well as the single cabins, Queen Elizabeth will also benefit from the installation of 32 inch flat screen televisions in all cabins, the addition of two new, luxury shops, and enhancements to the passenger flow in the self service part of the Lido Restaurant.
The single cabins bandwagon is slowly gathering speed across the mega ship market. Even Royal Caribbean International has been busy retro fitting some of its ships with them. But the slow surge in single cabins can actually be traced back to 2010, and the debut of the Norwegian Epic.
Then, the brand new ‘studio concept’ was introduced, with a block of 128 small, clubby interior cabins done up with funky lighting, as well as a communal bar and lounge. This was so successful that it has now been rolled out on both the newNorwegian new builds that followed, and will also feature on the next two ships, Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Bliss.
None the less, it is hugely gratifying to see Cunard at last tipping it’s head in the direction of the single traveller who, in the past, was put off by the 175 per cent surcharge levied by the line on most of its sailings. It does provide another option for travellers seeking a somewhat more formal ocean going experience than that offered by the opposition.
That said, the dimensions, locations and status of these cabins- are they insides, outsides or both?- plus the per diem rates- remain to be seen. But at least it can be said that Cunard is listening, learning, and adapting to demand, and that is always to be applauded.
As ever, stay tuned.
Update: it seems that eight of the new cabins will be outside with an ocean view, and the ninth will be a standard inside.
Then, the brand new ‘studio concept’ was introduced, with a block of 128 small, clubby interior cabins done up with funky lighting, as well as a communal bar and lounge. This was so successful that it has now been rolled out on both the newNorwegian new builds that followed, and will also feature on the next two ships, Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Bliss.
None the less, it is hugely gratifying to see Cunard at last tipping it’s head in the direction of the single traveller who, in the past, was put off by the 175 per cent surcharge levied by the line on most of its sailings. It does provide another option for travellers seeking a somewhat more formal ocean going experience than that offered by the opposition.
That said, the dimensions, locations and status of these cabins- are they insides, outsides or both?- plus the per diem rates- remain to be seen. But at least it can be said that Cunard is listening, learning, and adapting to demand, and that is always to be applauded.
As ever, stay tuned.
Update: it seems that eight of the new cabins will be outside with an ocean view, and the ninth will be a standard inside.
This article from the West Australian started out describing solo travelers an perhaps unwanted if not also inconvenient, but later lists ships that are offering lower solo supplements...............however many of the companies cater to a luxury market.
Arcadia, pictured sailing into Sydney Harbour, has the first new single balcony cabins in the P&O Cruises fleet. Picture: James Morgan
Ships' cabins are decked out for doubles. But the cabin is a haven - your private home at sea, a place to sleep and relax. And if you're a single traveller, it might not work for you to share with an unfamiliar person. In most cases, cruising alone in a double cabin will see you pay a hefty single supplement. This is imposed to try to make up lost revenue, or "spoilage" as it's called in cruising - an empty bed means one less fare and lost income from drink and food sales, the casino and shore excursions.
But more of us are travelling alone, particularly older travellers, many of whom enjoy cruising. And some cruise companies are slowly making changes in an attempt to accommodate the single traveller.
When Cunard launched Queen Elizabeth in 2010 with nine single staterooms, it became the first vessel in the fleet to offer these since QE2 was retired in 2008. Cunard has long attracted solo cruisers with the income to pay the single supplement and the company attempts to cater for those who wish to dine alone or will seat them with other singles. Across the fleet, it employs "gentleman hosts" who will partner women who wish to dance. This is particularly useful on Queen Victoria, which has one of the biggest ballrooms at sea.
To give an indication of how the single supplement increases the price of a cruise, I've compared standard inside cabin fares on a seven-night Queen Mary 2 transatlantic crossing from New York to Southampton in July. For two people sharing (twin share) the fare is $1479 per person. But one person cruising alone will have to pay a single supplement of $1110, taking the fare to $2589 - or 168 per cent of a twin-share fare.
Norwegian Cruise Line made waves in 2010 when it launched the 4100-passenger Norwegian Epic, the first ship with single studio cabins. There are 128 of these spread over two decks, and each has a full-size bed and ensuite. Guests also have access to a solo lounge, The Living Room, where they can mix with other singles. These cabins sell out well ahead of each cruise - they are in the region of $1000 for a seven-night cruise - and NCL has added them to its newest ships, including Norwegian Getaway, which was launched in January with 59 solo studios, while Norwegian Escape, due in October next year, will have 82 solo studios.
There was something in the water around the turn of the decade, for P&O Cruises mega-ship Azura also made a splash in 2010 when it launched with 18 solo cabins which have been snapped up well in advance of every cruise since. Fleet-mate Arcadia is a frequent visitor to Australia and arrived here in March fresh from a multimillion-dollar makeover which gave it more restaurants as well as the first new single balcony cabins in the fleet. P&O claims Britannia, due in 2015, will have more purpose-built solo cabins than any other ship. Aurora has 18 solo cabins and, along with Ventura and Oriana, will also have a handful of staterooms regraded as single balcony, inside or outside. In addition, each will have twin cabins available for single travellers with a smaller supplement.
Pearl Seas Cruises will launch Pearl Mist next month. The US-based ship will carry just 210 passengers on itineraries around the Americas and will have 12 solo cabins. Lone passengers can book double cabins and pay between 150-175 per cent of the double- occupancy rate depending on the stateroom class.
Sister company Azamara Club Cruises will arrive in Australia for the first time in 2015 when 694-passenger Azamara Quest sails from Indonesia. The boutique cruise line offers a small single supplement of 125 per cent of a twin-share fare on selected voyages for those who would rather have their own cabin.
Luxury line Silversea doesn't have solo cabins but does run specials that significantly reduce the single supplement, going as low as 125 per cent of a twin-share fare and providing dance partners on longer cruises. The same is true of Crystal Cruises, which often has singles dinners.
Holland America's MS Prinsendam has three solo cabins and the company's Single Partners Program allows solo travellers to share a cabin with another traveller of the same sex or, if one is not available, pay the agreed- upon double occupancy fare. On each ship, there are more than 40 on-board activities geared towards passengers cruising without a partner.
Fred Olsen Cruises principally sails from the UK but sometimes visit Australia on circumnavigations and all of the ships in its fleet have between 40 and 64 solo cabins.
MSC Cruises offers a single supplement of between 50 and 100 per cent of a second fare on selected itineraries from Genoa and Venice.
Those seeking solo fares are much more likely to find them with the help of a travel agent, in person or online; they have access to offers often not quoted on cruise line websites.
The Australian-based Companion Cruising website specialises in cruising deals for the solo passenger, allowing travellers to register details such as age, gender and where and when they would like to visit before attempting to pair them with a suitable match, thereby avoiding single supplements for both. There's also a companion search noticeboard listing travellers looking for a cruising partner and information about which itinerary they're embarking on. And there are details of available cruises with solo cabins and selected itineraries that have no single supplement.
Cruise Express has a dedicated area called Your Solo Zone which lists cruises with reduced single supplements and waivers. A seven-night cruise on Norwegian Epic round trip from Rome throughout June and July is listed from $1171 in a studio cabin. The company also has fully escorted group tours on which singles can get to know each other.
A glance at cruiseabout.com.au shows dozens of solo cruising offers on lines including Princess, Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Holland America. One of these is a seven-night Inside Passage cruise departing from Seattle on June 21, 2015, on Ruby Princess, starting from $1739.
One last tip for cruising on the ocean: single supplements tend to drop significantly in the shoulder season when companies offer what are called repositioning cruises - essentially moving the ship to cruise in a different part of the world. These cruises are often outside the school holidays and tend to be longer, making them less attractive to families.
There is space for singles on the rivers, too. In 2014 and 2015, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has waived the single supplement on multiple departure dates on 15 different European itineraries, while there are reduced supplements on other cruises. The 14-day European Serenade along the Danube, Main and Rhine rivers from Vienna to Amsterdam on River Princess and River Duchess departing on July 5 and 18, November 1 and June 25, 2015, is one of these. See the website for specific prices.
Avalon Waterways has a cabin-match program and a single supplement waiver on some 2014 cruises. Examples include a 13-day cruise from Zurich to Amsterdam departing on October 14 and a nine-day Christmastime on the Danube cruise from Vienna to Prague departing on December 3.
Tauck's new Inspiration Class ships Inspire and Savor carry 130 passengers and each has four cabins for solo travellers. And the group has done much to encourage solo travellers with single supplements waived on category one (the smallest class) cabins on all European river cruises this year. There are also savings of up to $1000 on bigger category four and five cabins on selected cruises with single supplement waivers on some 2015 cruises booked through Cruiseabout.
Scenic Cruises has a single balcony stateroom on every ship and regular single supplement waiver specials.
Six AmaWaterways ships cruising in Europe have single-berth cabins and the group, which has chocolate and knitting-themed cruises, announces selected departures with no single supplement about November for the upcoming seasons in Europe and Asia.
APT has single supplement waivers which are usually on sale until December 31 each year.
I meet wonderful people when I travel solo and yesterday I met Christina Willetts, the owner of Side Street Bakery in Southport, NC
On a day trip to Southport, NC while staying on the coast this month I planned to visit the Wednesday waterfront market and explore the side streets of Southport.
Southport is a charming old town on the Cape Fear river. It has all the components of ‘a town I want to move to” : water view, you can walk everywhere, a good town library, planned festivals, events, functions, benches to sit on and think and lots of free parking!. http://www.downtownsouthport.org/southport/
Located about 30 miles south of Wilmington, NC and the same distance to Myrtle beach, There is also a small car/pedestrian ferry that takes you to Fort Fisher where you don’t want to miss the North Carolina Aquarium located right on the beach front. http://www.ncaquariums.com/fort-fisher. Bring your bike and spend the day in the sun.
Amuzu Theater built in 1908
The original brick buildings in downtown are now home to cafes, art stores, antique stores, local artists are showcased in many of the gift and jewelry stores. There is even a Christmas house.
From the ferry port here you can drive the beach road to the bridge for Wilmington. This was a great, inexpensive way to sail the river! I read on the attached link that pets are allowed, pre arranged weddings and with restrictions, scattering of cremation ashes. http://www.southporttimes.com/southportferry.html
Southport is a well preserved small town. The residents were proud to tell me several movies have been filmed here and the current TV show, Under the Dome, is currently being filled in the town.
Today was the beginning of the weekly farmers market in the public park. More than a fruit and veggie market there are local artists, crafts people and vendors.
Today I met a woman who grows flowers on a professional farm, a woman who makes great tote bags from feed bags and tutu happy Ellie DeYoung a creator of happiness, she creates Tutus for all sizes and several other friendly locals who were happy to give me a few moments without the motive to ‘sell’ me something.
Tutu lovely. Tutu Divine does tutus for all occasions
If everyone (even men) wore then at event no one would stop laughing.
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Exploring the shops along the streets near the market i followed the sign for Side Street Bakery and met Christina Willetts. Although she was busy mixing up a new chocolate treat she quickly came out of the kitchen to greet me.
A cozy cottage with seating in the yard or on the porch
Christina, the owner and baker made me laugh when she told me: " They will eat dirt if you put Cream Cheese frosting on it!" And after sampling the frosting, I can understand this.
The small store front did not allow me to view the treats inside but the sign said Pie, Cakes, Cookies, donuts and Breads….so what else could i need? And I don’t think I have met a bakery I didn’t like!
So many treats to choose from. Christina bakes 2 or 3 specialty cakes a day and sells slices of these as well as lemon squares, cookies, donuts, chocolate covered fruit, even on lone canolli! Fresh bread is baked at night by the ‘bread man’.
Pies and Cakes Specialty Cakes and Pies need to be ordered in advance or as the owner told me, ‘give me 2 hours and I will have a pie ready”. This was VERY tempting because the pies offered were from old southern recipes and my mouth watered reading the list of black bottom peanut brittle pie, apple cream cheese cake, pecan pie, hummingbird cake, carrot cake, white chocolate Oreo cookie cheesecake, pumpkin cheese cake and on and on. Christina also creates her own one of a kind offering such as here almond joy cake. If you have a favorite, just ask her if she can suggest a cake that will make your ‘mouth smile’.
She told me she has “always enjoyed baking”, learning from her mother over the years. The recipes originate from her mother, grandmother and friends who share others that have been passed down. The names of each offering remind me of a trip through the deep south: hummingbird cake, pear and pecan pie, carrot cake, key lime pie, lemon squares.
Of course I had to take a selection home with me to authenticate the story.
I returned to Southport in December 2014 and my FIRST stop was the bakery. Unfortunately Christinia was out delivering a wedding cake but I did meet her Mom and of course tried another cake! This time it was hummingbird cake.
I sent an EM to the bakery to find out what is in Hummingbird cake:
The hummingbird cake is bananas and
pineapple with a hint of cinnamon and of course cream cheese icing.
Has anyone tried this southern treat? Did your grandma make this too?
