Cruise Industry Offers Incentives and Experiences to Help Solo Travelers Fall in Love with Cruise Travel

WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwired - February 08, 2017) - While Valentine's Day may put a spotlight on couples, there's another great relationship on the horizon - singles and cruise travel. Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the world's largest cruise industry trade association, is celebrating the season of love by highlighting tips and benefits for travelers interested in going solo to discover a love of cruising.

"Recently, the travel industry has seen a growing trend in solo travel and the cruise industry is responding," said Cindy D'Aoust, president and CEO, CLIA. "Cruise lines now offer a variety of incentives, benefits and experiences designed with single cruise travellers in mind to ensure they also have the chance to discover the amazing benefits of cruise travel."

From pricing discounts to specially tailored cruises, to events and activities designed specifically for singles, a variety of cruise lines offer benefits, rewards, and exclusive programs for solo cruisers:

1. Cruise Matchmakers: When it comes to finding the best cruise for singles, travel agents can truly be matchmakers, helping solo cruisers find the best cruise line and experiences. Today, there are more than 25,000 CLIA Certified Travel Professionals globally. Travel agents specializing in cruise travel for singles can be found at cruising.org by using the Cruise Agent Finder.
   
   
2. Single Incentives: In an effort to welcome solo travellers, there are cruise lines waiving the typical single supplement or offering single studio staterooms.

• Avalon Waterways - For every departure on every European itinerary in 2017, Avalon Waterways offers a select number of rooms without a single supplement in place.
• Tauck - Tauck has waived the single supplement on all "Category 1" cabins aboard its European riverboats, for every departure of every Tauck river cruise itinerary. In all, the supplement is waived on over 230 Tauck river cruise departures for this year.
• AIDA Cruises - On AIDA Cruises, singles can book a stateroom for sole occupancy. A select number of such staterooms are offered on every cruise, in all stateroom categories with a range of discounts.
• AmaWaterways - From The Enchanting Rhine to Vietnam, Cambodia & the Riches of the Mekong, AmaWaterways is offering nine river cruise itineraries where the single supplement is waived when booked by March 31, 2017.
• Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection - In 2017, Uniworld is waiving or reducing the single supplement fee on 30 of its most popular itineraries.

3. Studio Staterooms: Cruise lines also offer studio rooms designed specifically with solo travellers or for those looking for a private room.

• Norwegian Cruise Line - As the first cruise line to build staterooms and common areas specifically for the single cruiser, Norwegian Cruise Line offers studio rooms on select cruise ships that are the perfect sized room for solo cruising.
• Royal Caribbean International - On some of the newest or revitalized ships, Royal Caribbean International offers studio staterooms - including those with balconies and virtual balconies (a category unique to Royal Caribbean International) - where solo guests only have a single cruise fare, foregoing additional single supplement costs.
• Cunard - The cruise line has long seen demand for single staterooms on the current fleet of Cunard Queens, especially since the line has a tradition of offering these accommodations. Over the last few years, Cunard has responded, and completed the addition of new single staterooms to each ship: Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth, and most recently on flagship Queen Mary 2 during her significant Remastering last summer.

4. Making Connections: Before setting sail, join discussions on cruise forums exclusively for solo cruisers for a chance to meet others travelling on the same cruise. For example, many cruise travellers use the forums on Cruise Critic (http://boards.cruisecritic.com) to make connections and meet others travelling individually on the same cruise.
   
   
5. Singles Exclusive Events and Experiences: Boredom will be far from any single cruiser's mind as many cruise lines offer activities and excursions specifically tailored to solo travelers.

• American Cruise Lines - For one, American Cruise Lines offers singles itineraries to complement needs with onshore excursions and onboard programs conducted in intimate groups to cultivate a bonding experience among guests. The line also offers cocktail hours each night, a perfect setting for singles to mingle with fellow passengers.

About Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) -- One Industry, One Voice

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is the world's largest cruise industry trade association, providing a unified voice and leading authority of the global cruise community. The association has 15 offices globally with representation in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australasia. CLIA supports policies and practices that foster a safe, secure, healthy and sustainable cruise ship environment for the more than 23 million passengers who cruise annually and is dedicated to promote the cruise travel experience. Members are comprised of the world's most prestigious ocean, river and specialty cruise lines; a highly trained and certified travel agent community; and cruise line suppliers and partners, including ports & destinations, ship development, suppliers and business services. The organization's mission is to be the unified global organization that helps its members succeed by advocating, educating and promoting for the common interests of the cruise community. For more information, visit www.cruising.org or follow Cruise Lines International Association on CLIA Facebook and Twitter pages.