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Questioning what travelling with Marella Cruises is like for singles and solo travellers? After spending every week cruising solo, right here’s my sincere overview…
It didn’t take me very lengthy in any respect to grasp I used to be going to like cruising solo! Standing on my cabin’s balcony, searching to sea and realising that the largest determination I’d need to make that day was which guide to learn first – and which patch of sunshine to lie in while studying it!
This was every week of doing precisely what I needed, once I needed, with out as soon as feeling responsible or compromising. A lot of self-indulgent me-time – and, not like my traditional solo travels, all of it fully hassle-free and organised by another person!
Marella Cruises was an ideal choice for my first solo cruise. They’re identified 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 identical time, the vibe onboard was tremendous relaxed and nothing felt too full-on or obligatory – so I used to be in a position to spend a lot of time chilling out in precisely my very own manner, too. In brief, one of the best of each worlds!
On this publish, I’ve tried to cowl each element of the expertise as a solo traveller with Marella Cruises. In the event you’re contemplating reserving your first solo cruise – otherwise you’ve already booked one and wish to know what to anticipate – this publish is for you. Bon voyage!
Disclaimer – my latest journey with Marella Cruises was a part of a press journey. Nevertheless, this weblog publish wasn’t requested by them and I’m writing it purely as a result of I wish to! As all the time, all phrases and opinions are my very own.
Marella Cruises for Singles and Solo Travellers
Beneath, I’ve 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 everyday expertise for singles and solo travellers throughout all Marella Cruises…
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 they’re precisely the identical as common cabins.
You possibly can often select from a Single Inside or Single Exterior cabin and so they’re the identical dimension and setup as the usual Inside or Exterior Cabins, with double or twin beds.
The solo cabins weren’t constructed for this objective, however they’re put aside particularly for single travellers. This has been finished in order that solo cruisers don’t need to pay a hefty single complement as you do on different cruise strains.
High tip: There are a really restricted variety of solo cabins and so they can promote out quick, so guide as far upfront as you possibly can.
Is there a single complement on Marella Cruises?
The short reply to this query isn’t any – nevertheless it’s difficult! Not like some cruise strains, there’s no Single Complement for solo travellers on Marella Cruises.
It’s because they’ve a small variety of single cabins put aside on every ship (see above). You pay for the cabin as a complete somewhat than a “per individual” value, so there’s no complement.
Nevertheless, a single cabin is greater than half the worth of an ordinary cabin for 2 folks – so it looks like the only complement is constructed into the price of the room. It’s nonetheless lots lower than the only 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 offer you an thought of value comparisons (packages are All Inclusive as customary and embody flights/transfers):
- Aegean Shores* itinerary, Marella Explorer, 9 Could 2025. A Single Inside Cabin is at the moment £1852, whereas an Inside Cabin for 2 folks is £1340pp (£2679 complete). *that is the itinerary I did.
- Paradise Islands itinerary (Caribbean), Marella Discovery, 6 February 2025. A Single Inside Cabin is at the moment £2101, whereas an Inside Cabin for 2 folks is £1510pp (£3019 complete).
- Atlantic Islands itinerary, Marella Voyager, 3 April 2026. A Single Inside Cabin is at the moment £1854, whereas an Inside Cabin for 2 folks is £1216pp (£2432 complete).
High Tip: Marella Cruises usually runs particular reductions for solo travellers so maintain an eye fixed out for these. Proper now, solo cruises can save £150 on all sailings as much as April 2026 utilizing code SOLO150.
Life Aboard Marella Cruises as a Solo Traveller
Meetups and occasions for solo travellers
Fearful you’ll get lonely on a solo cruise? Don’t panic, as a result of Marella Cruises is among the greatest cruise strains for taking care of solo travellers.
After I arrived onboard, there was a particular solo cruiser welcome letter in my cabin, 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 ship’s two Visitor Expertise Coordinators. Aga and Lois have been completely pretty, and clearly have plenty of observe at getting dialog flowing between a gaggle of strangers. It didn’t 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 ship’s 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 didn’t all be part of each evening, as a result of not one of the occasions have been obligatory, nevertheless it was pretty to have the choice of firm over dinner.
Among the solo travellers additionally met up by the pool through the day or to discover the port cities collectively. Personally, I most popular to sit back and do my very own factor through the day, then meet everybody up with the group within the night to swap tales about what we’d been as much as every day!
Good to Know: It’s value noting that there was nothing organised for the primary evening onboard so I needed to dine alone. I didn’t thoughts in any respect, however in the event you’re 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 – 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 – they informed me that there’s often a greater mixture of genders, however that the ages do are usually older on the entire.
In the event you’re in your twenties, that 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 – the 2 Visitor Expertise Coordinators have been a lot youthful (I’d guess twenties) and so they got here to each meet-up, so if you’re youthful you’ll seemingly nonetheless have somebody your personal age to talk to.
Solo Eating on Marella Cruises
Some cruise ships have a communal eating desk for solo travellers, so that you’re pressured to decide on between eating on the buffet or eating with a gaggle of strangers.
Not so with Marella Cruises, fortunately. You’re free to take a seat at a desk by yourself in the event you desire, even in the principle eating room.
High tip: There may be a little bit of a wait, and you’ll’t pre-book a desk in the principle restaurant, so strive heading for dinner both as quickly because it opens or after about 7:30pm.
In the event you don’t wish to dine alone, the solo travellers meet for drinks within the early night every single day – and often head for dinner collectively afterwards.
In the event you don’t get on with the opposite solo cruisers, otherwise you’d somewhat dine at a special time or in a special 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.
High tip: If you end up eating solo and really feel somewhat self-conscious about it, strive taking a guide with you. I all the time discover studying a superb distraction once I’m eating alone.
Suggestions for Cruising Solo with Marella
Learn how to meet folks as a solo cruiser
1 – Go to the meet-ups. As I’ve shared above, Marella Cruises organise day by day meet-ups for solo travellers. In the event you’re feeling nervous, do not forget that everyone seems to be in the identical boat as you – and the Coordinators do an ideal job of getting everybody chatting! In the event you miss the primary one, don’t fear: you’ll nonetheless be greater than welcome on the subsequent.
2 – Think about reserving just a few excursions. I discovered a lot of the excursions onboard my Marella Cruise to be very fairly priced. They have been additionally a good way to fulfill folks – I used to be chatting to strangers very quickly while wine tasting in Crete!
3 – Take part with the actions and lessons. There appeared to be one thing occurring nearly each minute of the day on my Marella Cruise. From dance lessons to pool-side quizzes, there’s one thing for everybody – and these actions present the proper setting for making buddies. Go alongside to a category on the gymnasium, give aqua aerobics a go on the pool deck, or strive your hand at shuffleboard!
4 – Hang around on the deck or within the bars. Marella Cruises are identified for his or her social scene, which implies that many individuals guide with the intention of assembly fellow cruisers. Throughout my cruise, I discovered there have been all the time folks wanting to talk, particularly on the pool deck and the adults-only
You simply want an open thoughts and to be prepared and keen to get chatting, and making buddies onboard may be surprisingly simple. BUT if you wish to do your personal factor, not one of the social actions are obligatory – you’re free to laze round with a guide or headphones on in peace!
Learn how to Make the Most of Your Solo Cruise
To begin with – embrace the me-time! I LOVED chilling out alone, doing my very own factor, and being totally egocentric for every week! How usually do you get to spend all day doing precisely what you need?
Secondly, listed below are just a few of my tricks to profit from your time onboard a Marella Cruise:
E book the spa. I believed the spa was very fairly priced: on my cruise, it was £99 for limitless entry for 7 days. If you wish to loosen up and profit from your me-time, it’s WELL value paying for spa entry. And that is additionally one other excellent place to fulfill fellow cruisers!
Splurge on a balcony. Balcony cabins clearly price a bit extra, however when you have the funds I’d extremely suggest reserving one. They arrive with hammocks and/or sunloungers and make a improbable place for some quiet, secluded me-time. Click on right here to look at my video for a cabin tour.
Don’t be afraid to discover the port by yourself. The day by day publication and TUI’s Navigate app have a lot of options and useful recommendation for every new port, and it’s often very simple to get on and off the ship – ask employees for ideas in the event you’re undecided.
Considered one of my fellow solo travellers was too nervous to get off the ship by herself and I actually felt she’d missed out. That stated – if you’re nervous, reserving one or two excursions means you may get out and discover while not having to organise all of it your self!
READ MORE: 7 Suggestions for Your First Cruise Solo
Marella Cruises for Solo Travellers: Fast Recap
- No single complement – and a restricted variety of Single Cabins put aside for solo travellers.
- Nevertheless, the complement is considerably constructed into the room value as an alternative.
- First-day meet and greet for solo travellers and day by day night drinks meet-ups, organised by the Visitor Expertise Coordinators.
- No obligatory shared tables at dinner, even in the principle eating room.
- LOADS of actions, lessons, and leisure to select from – lots of them nice methods to fulfill different travellers.
- Shore excursions are fairly priced (in contrast with different cruise strains) and a good way to fulfill different cruisers.
- Marella Cruises are identified for his or her social scene and enjoyable vibes in order that they’re an ideal selection if you wish to meet folks and make buddies.
- However there are nonetheless a great deal of choices in the event you simply wish to be by yourself, take pleasure in some me-time, and loosen up!
Learn Extra
7 Causes to Take a Cruise Solo
My Suggestions for Cruising Solo
I’d love to listen to about your experiences as a solo traveller with Marella Cruises! Scroll down to depart a remark…
