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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 evaluation…
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, looking to sea and realising that the largest resolution I’d must make that day was which ebook to learn first – and which patch of sunshine to lie in while studying it!
This was every week of doing precisely what I needed, after I needed, with out as soon as feeling responsible or compromising. A lot of self-indulgent me-time – and, in contrast to my standard solo travels, all of it utterly hassle-free and organised by another person!
Marella Cruises was a terrific possibility for my first solo cruise. They’re 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 obligatory – so I used to be in a position to spend plenty of time chilling out in precisely my very own manner, too. Briefly, the very best of each worlds!
On this submit, I’ve tried to cowl each element of the expertise as a solo traveller with Marella Cruises. Should you’re contemplating reserving your first solo cruise – otherwise you’ve already booked one and wish to know what to anticipate – this submit is for you. Bon voyage!
Disclaimer – my latest journey with Marella Cruises was a part of a press journey. Nonetheless, this weblog submit wasn’t requested by them and I’m 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
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 standard 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’ll be able to often select from a Single Inside or Single Exterior cabin they usually’re the identical measurement and setup as the usual Inside or Exterior Cabins, with double or twin beds.
The solo cabins weren’t constructed for this goal, however they’re put aside particularly for single travellers. This has been carried out in order that solo cruisers don’t must pay a hefty single complement as you do on different cruise traces.
Prime tip: There are a really restricted variety of solo cabins they usually can promote out quick, so ebook as far prematurely as you possibly can.
Is there a single complement on Marella Cruises?
The fast reply to this query is not any – but it surely’s sophisticated! Not like some cruise traces, 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 an entire slightly than a “per particular person” worth, so there’s no complement.
Nonetheless, a single cabin is greater than half the worth of an ordinary cabin for 2 folks – so it appears like the one complement is constructed into the price of the room. It’s nonetheless quite a bit lower than the one complement on many cruise traces (which generally cost as much as 100% of the cruise fare as a complement).
Listed here are a few examples to provide you an thought of worth comparisons (packages are All Inclusive as commonplace and embody flights/transfers):
- Aegean Shores* itinerary, Marella Explorer, 9 Might 2025. A Single Inside Cabin is presently £1852, whereas an Inside Cabin for 2 folks is £1340pp (£2679 whole). *that is the itinerary I did.
- Paradise Islands itinerary (Caribbean), Marella Discovery, 6 February 2025. A Single Inside Cabin is presently £2101, whereas an Inside Cabin for 2 folks is £1510pp (£3019 whole).
- Atlantic Islands itinerary, Marella Voyager, 3 April 2026. A Single Inside Cabin is presently £1854, whereas an Inside Cabin for 2 folks is £1216pp (£2432 whole).
Prime Tip: Marella Cruises typically runs particular reductions for solo travellers so preserve a watch 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
Apprehensive you’ll get lonely on a solo cruise? Don’t panic, as a result of Marella Cruises is without doubt one of the greatest cruise traces 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 primary 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 beautiful, and clearly have quite a lot of follow 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 right down to dinner collectively.
After that, we met for drinks and dinner each night time of the cruise. We didn’t all be part of each night time, as a result of not one of the occasions have been obligatory, but it surely was beautiful to have the choice of firm over dinner.
A number of the solo travellers additionally met up by the pool through the day or to discover the port cities collectively. Personally, I most well-liked to relax 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 price noting that there was nothing organised for the primary night time onboard so I needed to dine alone. I didn’t thoughts in any respect, however if you happen to’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 20 years. Our group was principally women 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 women within the group have been seasoned solo travellers – they instructed me that there’s often a greater mixture of genders, however that the ages do are typically older on the entire.
Should you’re in your twenties, which may put you off. However I get pleasure from chatting to anybody and everybody, and I had a blast with my solo women. We have been often those laughing (aka cackling) the loudest within the bar each night time!
Additionally – the 2 Visitor Expertise Coordinators have been a lot youthful (I’d guess twenties) they usually got here to each meet-up, so in case you are youthful you’ll possible nonetheless have somebody your individual age to speak to.
Solo Eating on Marella Cruises
Some cruise ships have a communal eating desk for solo travellers, so that you’re compelled 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 if you happen to want, even in the primary eating room.
Prime tip: There may be a little bit of a wait, and you may’t pre-book a desk in the primary restaurant, so attempt heading for dinner both as quickly because it opens or after about 7:30pm.
Should you don’t wish to dine alone, the solo travellers meet for drinks within the early night day-after-day – and often head for dinner collectively afterwards.
Should you don’t get on with the opposite solo cruisers, otherwise you’d slightly dine at a special time or in a special restaurant, nobody will pressure 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 night time, 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 a bit of self-conscious about it, attempt taking a ebook with you. I at all times discover studying a superb distraction after I’m eating alone.
Ideas for Cruising Solo with Marella
How you can meet folks as a solo cruiser
1 – Go to the meet-ups. As I’ve shared above, Marella Cruises organise each day meet-ups for solo travellers. Should you’re feeling nervous, keep in mind that everyone seems to be in the identical boat as you – and the Coordinators do a terrific job of getting everybody chatting! Should you miss the primary one, don’t fear: you’ll nonetheless be greater than welcome on the subsequent.
2 – Take into account reserving a number of excursions. I discovered a lot of the excursions onboard my Marella Cruise to be very moderately 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 courses. There appeared to be one thing occurring nearly each minute of the day on my Marella Cruise. From dance courses to pool-side quizzes, there’s one thing for everybody – and these actions present the proper setting for making mates. Go alongside to a category on the health club, give aqua aerobics a go on the pool deck, or attempt your hand at shuffleboard!
4 – Hang around on the deck or within the bars. Marella Cruises are recognized for his or her social scene, which implies that many individuals ebook 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 keen to get chatting, and making mates onboard could be surprisingly simple. BUT if you wish to do your individual factor, not one of the social actions are obligatory – you’re free to laze round with a ebook or headphones on in peace!
How you can 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 typically do you get to spend all day doing precisely what you need?
Secondly, listed below are a number of of my tricks to take advantage of your time onboard a Marella Cruise:
E-book the spa. I believed the spa was very moderately priced: on my cruise, it was £99 for limitless entry for 7 days. If you wish to calm down and take advantage of your me-time, it’s WELL price paying for spa entry. And that is additionally one other excellent spot to fulfill fellow cruisers!
Splurge on a balcony. Balcony cabins clearly value a bit extra, however in case you have the price range I’d extremely suggest reserving one. They arrive with hammocks and/or sunloungers and make a unbelievable place for some quiet, secluded me-time. Click on right here to observe my video for a cabin tour.
Don’t be afraid to discover the port by yourself. The each day publication and TUI’s Navigate app have plenty of recommendations and useful recommendation for every new port, and it’s often very simple to get on and off the ship – ask employees for suggestions if you happen to’re undecided.
One in all my fellow solo travellers was too nervous to get off the ship by herself and I actually felt she’d missed out. That mentioned – in case you are nervous, reserving one or two excursions means you will get out and discover with no need 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 – 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 each day night drinks meet-ups, organised by the Visitor Expertise Coordinators.
- No obligatory shared tables at dinner, even in the primary eating room.
- LOADS of actions, courses, and leisure to select from – lots of them nice methods to fulfill different travellers.
- Shore excursions are moderately priced (in contrast with different cruise traces) and a good way to fulfill different cruisers.
- Marella Cruises are recognized for his or her social scene and enjoyable vibes so that they’re a terrific alternative if you wish to meet folks and make mates.
- However there are nonetheless a great deal of choices if you happen to simply wish to be by yourself, get pleasure from some me-time, and calm down!
Learn Extra
7 Causes to Take a Cruise Solo
I’d love to listen to about your experiences as a solo traveller with Marella Cruises! Scroll down to go away a remark…