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Questioning what travelling with Marella Cruises is like for singles and solo travellers? After spending every week cruising solo, right hereโs my trustworthy evaluationโฆ
It didnโt take me very lengthy in any respect to understand I used to be going to like cruising solo! Standing on my cabinโs balcony, searching to sea and realising that the largest choice Iโd must make that day was which e-book to learn first โ and which patch of sunshine to lie in while studying it!
This was every week of doing precisely what I wished, after I wished, with out as soon as feeling responsible or compromising. Numerous self-indulgent me-time โ and, in contrast to my traditional solo travels, all of it fully hassle-free and organised by another person!
Marella Cruises was an incredible possibility for my first solo cruise. Theyโre recognized for his or her social scene and enjoyable vibes, and there have been a great deal of social actions and meet-ups, so I by no means felt lonely. However on the similar time, the vibe onboard was tremendous relaxed and nothing felt too full-on or necessary โ so I used to be capable of spend a number of time chilling out in precisely my very own method, too. In brief, the most effective of each worlds!
On this put up, Iโve tried to cowl each element of the expertise as a solo traveller with Marella Cruises. When youโre contemplating reserving your first solo cruise โ otherwise youโve already booked one and wish to know what to anticipate โ this put up is for you. Bon voyage!
Disclaimer โ my latest journey with Marella Cruises was a part of a press journey. Nonetheless, this weblog put up wasnโt requested by them and Iโm writing it purely as a result of I wish to! As at all times, all phrases and opinions are my very own.
Marella Cruises for Singles and Solo Travellers
Under, Iโve shared my experiences as a solo traveller onboard the Marella Explorer. This was on the 7-night Aegean Shores itinerary in Greece; however after chatting to fellow solo cruisers and the onboard Visitor Expertise Coordinators, this appears to be the standard expertise for singles and solo travellers throughout all Marella Cruisesโฆ
Marella Cruises Singles Cabins
Some cruise ships have particular, smaller single-occupancy cabins onboard for solo travellers. Marella Cruises do have particular cabins for solo travellers (single cabins), however theyโre precisely the identical as common cabins.
You may often select from a Single Inside or Single Exterior cabin they usuallyโre the identical dimension and setup as the usual Inside or Exterior Cabins, with double or twin beds.
The solo cabins werenโt constructed for this function, however they’re put aside particularly for single travellers. This has been achieved in order that solo cruisers donโt must pay a hefty single complement as you do on different cruise strains.
Prime tip: There are a really restricted variety of solo cabins they usually can promote out quick, so e-book as far upfront as you’ll be able to.
Is there a single complement on Marella Cruises?
The short reply to this query is not any โ nevertheless itโs difficult! In contrast to some cruise strains, thereโs no Single Complement for solo travellers on Marella Cruises.
It is because they’ve a small variety of single cabins put aside on every ship (see above). You pay for the cabin as an entire fairly than a โper individualโ worth, so thereโs no complement.
Nonetheless, a single cabin is greater than half the worth of a typical cabin for 2 folks โ so it seems like the one complement is constructed into the price of the room. Itโs nonetheless rather a lot lower than the one complement on many cruise strains (which typically cost as much as 100% of the cruise fare as a complement).
Listed here are a few examples to present you an concept of worth comparisons (packages are All Inclusive as commonplace and embody flights/transfers):
Aegean Shores* itinerary, Marella Explorer, 9 Could 2025. A Single Inside Cabin is at present ยฃ1852, whereas an Inside Cabin for 2 folks is ยฃ1340pp (ยฃ2679 complete). *that is the itinerary I did.
Paradise Islands itinerary (Caribbean), Marella Discovery, 6 February 2025. A Single Inside Cabin is at present ยฃ2101, whereas an Inside Cabin for 2 folks is ยฃ1510pp (ยฃ3019 complete).
Atlantic Islands itinerary, Marella Voyager, 3 April 2026. A Single Inside Cabin is at present ยฃ1854, whereas an Inside Cabin for 2 folks is ยฃ1216pp (ยฃ2432 complete).
Prime Tip: Marella Cruises typically runs particular reductions for solo travellers so maintain a watch out for these. Proper now, solo cruises can save ยฃ150 on ย all sailings as much as April 2026 utilizing code SOLO150.
Life Aboard Marella Cruises as a Solo Traveller
Meetups and occasions for solo travellers
Anxious youโll get lonely on a solo cruise? Donโt panic, as a result of Marella Cruises is likely one of the greatest cruise strains for taking care of solo travellers.
After I arrived onboard, there wasย a particular solo cruiser welcome letter in my cabin,ย inviting me to a lunch meet-up:
So, on the primary full day of the cruise, I headed alongside to the Solo Traveller Lunch in the principle eating room. The occasion (and all of the others) was organised by the shipโs two Visitor Expertise Coordinators. Aga and Lois have been completely pretty, and clearly have plenty of follow at getting dialog flowing between a gaggle of strangers. It didnโt take lengthy earlier than we have been all chatting and attending to know each other over lunch.
That very same night, we met for pre-dinner drinks in one of many onboard bars (and a fast meet and greet with the shipโs surprisingly dishy captain!), earlier than heading all the way down to dinner collectively.
After that, we met for drinks and dinner each evening of the cruise. We didnโt all be part of each evening, as a result of not one of the occasions have been necessary, nevertheless it was pretty to have the choice of firm over dinner.
A few of the solo travellers additionally met up by the pool in the course of the day or to discover the port cities collectively. Personally, I most popular to relax and do my very own factor in the course of the day, then meet everybody up with the group within the night to swap tales about what weโd been as much as every day!
Good to Know: Itโs price noting that there was nothing organised for the primary evening onboard so I needed to dine alone. I didnโt thoughts in any respect, however in case youโre feeling nervous about travelling solo that is one thing to concentrate on.
What are the opposite solo travellers like on a Marella Cruise?
At 37, I used to be the youngest of the group of solo cruises by about twenty years. Our group was principally girls aged from round mid-sixties to mid-eighties. There was additionally one man in his late fifties, however he solely got here to the primary meetup (I feel we scared him off!).
Clearly, this was simply my expertise throughout a one-week cruise. Marella Cruises enchantment to an enormous vary of travellers โ there was a giant combine onboard and many younger adults (principally {couples}). A number of of the opposite girls within the group have been seasoned solo travellers โ they instructed me that thereโs often a greater mixture of genders, however that the ages do are usually older on the entire.
When youโre in your twenties, which may put you off. However I take pleasure in chatting to anybody and everybody, and I had a blast with my solo girls. We have been often those laughing (aka cackling) the loudest within the bar each evening!
Additionally โ the 2 Visitor Expertise Coordinators have been a lot youthful (Iโd guess twenties) they usually got here to each meet-up, so if you’re youthful youโll possible nonetheless have somebody your personal age to speak to.
Solo Eating on Marella Cruises
Some cruise ships have a communal eating desk for solo travellers, so that youโre compelled to decide on between eating on the buffet or eating with a gaggle of strangers.
Not so with Marella Cruises, fortunately. Youโre free to take a seat at a desk by yourself in case you want, even in the principle eating room.
Prime tip: There could be a little bit of a wait, and you mayโt pre-book a desk in the principle restaurant, so strive heading for dinner both as quickly because it opens or after about 7:30pm.
When you donโt wish to dine alone, the solo travellers meet for drinks within the early night day-after-day โ and often head for dinner collectively afterwards.
When you donโt get on with the opposite solo cruisers, otherwise youโd fairly dine at a distinct time or in a distinct restaurant, nobody will drive you to dine with the group! I dined with the solo traveller group for five out of seven night meals: there was no meetup on our first evening, so I dined alone, and I additionally paid for one of many speciality eating places as a particular deal with for myself.
Prime tip: If you end up eating solo and really feel slightly self-conscious about it, strive taking a e-book with you. I at all times discover studying distraction after Iโm eating alone.
Ideas for Cruising Solo with Marella
How you can meet folks as a solo cruiser
1 โ Go to the meet-ups. As Iโve shared above, Marella Cruises organise day by day meet-ups for solo travellers. When youโre feeling nervous, keep in mind that everyone seems to be in the identical boat as you โ and the Coordinators do an incredible job of getting everybody chatting! When you miss the primary one, donโt fear: youโll nonetheless be greater than welcome on the subsequent.
2 โ Think about reserving a couple of excursions. I discovered many of the excursions onboard my Marella Cruise to be very moderately priced. They have been additionally an effective way to satisfy folks โ I used to be chatting to strangers very quickly while wine tasting in Crete!
3 โ Take part with the actions and lessons. There appeared to be one thing happening virtually each minute of the day on my Marella Cruise. From dance lessons to pool-side quizzes, thereโs one thing for everybody โ and these actions present the right setting for making pals. Go alongside to a category on the health club, give aqua aerobics a go on the pool deck, or strive your hand at shuffleboard!
4 โ Hang around on the deck or within the bars. Marella Cruises are recognized for his or her social scene, which implies that many individuals e-book with the intention of assembly fellow cruisers. Throughout my cruise, I discovered there have been at all times folks wanting to speak, particularly on the pool deck and the adults-only
You simply want an open thoughts and to be prepared and prepared to get chatting, and making pals onboard could be surprisingly simple. BUT if you wish to do your personal factor, not one of the social actions are necessary โ youโre free to laze round with a e-book or headphones on in peace!
How you can Make the Most of Your Solo Cruise
To begin with โ embrace the me-time! I LOVED chilling out alone, doing my very own factor, and being completely egocentric for every week! How typically do you get to spend all day doing precisely what you need?
Secondly, listed here are a couple of of my tricks to take advantage of your time onboard a Marella Cruise:
Guide the spa. I assumed the spa was very moderately priced: on my cruise, it was ยฃ99 for limitless entry for 7 days. If you wish to chill out and take advantage of your me-time, itโs WELL price paying for spa entry. And that is additionally one other great spot to satisfy fellow cruisers!
Splurge on a balcony. Balcony cabins clearly value a bit extra, however when you have the funds Iโd extremely advocate reserving one. They arrive with hammocks and/or sunloungers and make a implausible place for some quiet, secluded me-time. Click on right here to observe my video for a cabin tour.
Donโt be afraid to discover the port by yourself. The day by day publication and TUIโs Navigate app have a number of strategies and useful recommendation for every new port, and itโs often very simple to get on and off the ship โ ask workers for suggestions in case youโre unsure. One in all my fellow solo travellers was too nervous to get off the ship by herself and I actually felt sheโd missed out. That mentioned โ if you’re nervous, reserving one or two excursions means you will get out and discover while not having to organise all of it your self!
READ MORE: 7 Ideas for Your First Cruise Solo
Marella Cruises for Solo Travellers: Fast Recap
No single complement โ and a restricted variety of Single Cabins put aside for solo travellers.
Nonetheless, the complement is considerably constructed into the room worth as a substitute.
First-day meet and greet for solo travellers and day by day night drinks meet-ups, organised by the Visitor Expertise Coordinators.
No necessary shared tables at dinner, even in the principle eating room.
LOADS of actions, lessons, and leisure to select from โ a lot of them nice methods to satisfy different travellers.
Shore excursions are moderately priced (in contrast with different cruise strains) and an effective way to satisfy different cruisers.
Marella Cruises are recognized for his or her social scene and enjoyable vibes so that theyโre an incredible alternative if you wish to meet folks and make pals.
However there are nonetheless a great deal of choices in case you simply wish to be by yourself, take pleasure in some me-time, and chill out!
Learn Extra
7 Causes to Take a Cruise Solo
My Ideas for Cruising Solo
Marella Explorer Overview
Iโd love to listen to about your experiences as a solo traveller with Marella Cruises! Scroll down to depart a remarkโฆ