Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH), the parent company of Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, just delivered a major blow to solo cruisers. The company is reversing course on its plan to expand solo accommodations across its fleet. After promoting itself as a champion for solo travelers, NCLH is now scaling back the number of single-occupancy staterooms available, signaling a major strategic shift toward families and higher-occupancy cabins.
For those new to the solo cruise scene, the appeal of these special cabins was huge. Traditionally, cruising alone came with what’s known as a “single supplement,” where solo travelers had to pay nearly double the fare because cabins were priced for two people. Norwegian was one of the first cruise lines to recognize the opportunity to better serve this growing market. The brand introduced “Studio” cabins on ships like Norwegian Epic, Breakaway, Escape, Bliss, Encore, Prima, and Viva — rooms designed specifically for one guest, complete with private access to a shared Studio Lounge.
In 2023, Norwegian went a step further. The line reclassified nearly 1,000 existing double-occupancy rooms across its fleet as new solo categories: “Solo Inside,” “Solo Oceanview,” and “Solo Balcony.” These cabins weren’t physically smaller, but they were priced just for single travelers without the single supplement. It was a smart move that mirrored a growing trend across the industry — from Virgin Voyages’ solo-friendly pricing to new single cabins on ships from Holland America and Cunard — as cruise lines began to recognize the increasing number of people vacationing alone.
But that expansion was short-lived. In November 2025, CEO Harry Sommer announced that NCLH would begin minimizing solo staterooms across all three brands. Instead of continuing to allocate cabins for one, the company will now focus on maximizing revenue through higher-yield categories like family suites and concierge-level accommodations. Sommer explained that cabins previously set aside for solo travelers would be replaced with Penthouse Suites and Concierge Veranda staterooms.
This change doesn’t mean that all solo-friendly options are disappearing. Ships that were originally built with dedicated Studio cabins — such as Norwegian Epic, Breakaway, Escape, Bliss, Encore, Prima, and Viva — will continue to offer those rooms. However, the number of standard staterooms available for solo pricing will shrink dramatically. That means fewer opportunities for single cruisers to snag affordable oceanview or balcony cabins without paying the dreaded 200% single supplement.
For those still planning to cruise solo, this news means two things: book early and be flexible. The remaining Studio cabins will likely sell out quickly, especially on popular ships. Solo travelers should also pay close attention to cabin categories to ensure they’re booking a true single-occupancy room, not a standard double cabin that requires the full fare for two passengers.
Fellow solo cruisers, the message is clear — your best bet is to plan ahead, book early, and hold onto those Studio cabins while they still exist. Because as Norwegian pivots to chase higher profits, finding a fairly priced room for one might just become a little harder to do.