Articles & Tips

We are fortunate enough to have been doing this a good while, and have experienced great times with our guests. That said, we felt like it is our duty to inform both new cruisers as well as seasoned ones about some of the things we (and our guests) have learned throughout the years that make the most of your vacation. We hope you find a good tid bit of info, and feel free to share with us anything you might like to see on this page that could enhance everyone’s experience!

Playing the online dating game

Are you tired of the online dating game? You wait for him or her to wink at you, then you wink back, they say “hello”, you say “hi”. They tell you that your profile looks interesting and that you have a lot in common. And then you slowly await their next response which can lead to 15-20 emails before they ask for your phone number to text, not call you.

The downside of online dating

You FINALLY speak on the phone and decide to meet. The pressure builds as you anticipate the date. Will you like him or her? Will they think you are cute? Will they look older than their photos? Will there be awkward silence? Who will pay, or should you go dutch?

At this point your hopes are higher than they should be because it seems that all those wonderful statements in your date’s online profile are only half truths. You are starting to realize that many people’s perception of themselves hardly matches the actual person that they are. As soon as you sit down to meet him or her, BAM, you find out in the first three minutes that you would never be interested in dating this man or woman, let alone spend the next excruciating hour with them.

Inevitably you chalk it up to making a new friend except you really never become friends because one person is usually interested and one person is not.

Benefits of meeting face to face on a Singles Cruise

On a Singles Cruise sailing, you get to skip the whole “smoke and mirrors” act of who these people think they are and you get to actually meet them right away! You will be able to tell if you have chemistry with a person as soon as you look into their eyes – and most everyone agrees that you need to have chemistry in order to start a relationship.

A Singles Cruise is the perfect environment to get to know a person’s real “profile” by actually spending time getting to know them, and seeing how they treat you and others in the group. What a concept — meeting the person before you decide to date them — it’s brilliant!

Make friends that will last a lifetime on a Singles Cruise

If you don’t feel the chemistry with someone, you might have just made a new travel buddy or met a useful networking contact. You will be having so much fun meeting different men and women that you are sure to leave your vacation with many happy memories and some new friends. In fact, Singles Cruise has a 60% return customer rate because guests find they can easily connect with the other single professionals onboard who love to travel as much as they do.

Now that’s the way to date. No pressure, no email, and no text messaging — actually meeting interesting and approachable singles face to face in a fun and relaxed setting. The only games you will be playing with the other guests are on the beach volleyball court or in the cruise ship’s casino!

If you have ever seen our cruise directors hosting a Singles Cruise sailing, you know that they don’t sit down much! That’s because the team is busy preparing and coordinating all of the fun-filled events you will be attending on your cruise. Here’s what you can expect from your energetic onboard cruise hosts:

• Host singles events throughout the week. All you have to do is show up at the scheduled event and your enthusiastic singles cruise host will lead the activity and ensure everyone in the group is comfortably mixing and mingling. The host will create a fun environment for the group to meet and socialize, and encourages everyone to get involved and introduce themselves to one another. The best way to meet all of the singles is simply to say “hi!” and introduce yourself. It’s really that easy!
• Organize shore excursions. The cruise hosts will be your main contact for the shore excursions that will be offered during your sailing. Before the cruise, they will secure your spot on a particular excursion and answer any questions you may have on each option. The SinglesMingles daily activities guide will list a meeting place for your particular shore excursion. The hosts will escort you to your professional and native tour guide. They take care of all the details, so you can concentrate on enjoying the fun activity at hand with your new single friends.
• Coordinate singles events schedule. Prior to the cruise, our lead cruise director works hard behind the scenes to plan and organize the entire schedule of events for your cruise. Once onboard, the host works closely with the cruise line staff to confirm all of the events and meeting places on the ship, and makes any last-minute adjustments if necessary.
• Serve as onboard travel contact. What other vacation have you been on where your travel agent came along with you to make sure your trip runs wonderfully? First time cruisers will be glad to have a travel professional on board who knows the ropes and can answer any of their questions on the singles cruise program or cruising in general.
• Offer tips and recommendations on sightseeing. Chances are, your singles cruise host has probably been to the ports you will be visiting so can recommend the top excursions to take or the best spot in town to grab lunch and do some leisurely sightseeing. SinglesCruise.com staffs our singles cruises with experienced cruise professionals, many whom have even worked onboard cruise ships for years.

The onboard hosts are crucial to the success of the Singles Cruise program and truly want all the guests to have a great vacation experience.

If you’re intrigued by the thought of meeting new friends or travel companions or are simply looking for an alternative to traveling on your own, you may be interested in embarking on a singles cruise. A singles cruise allows you to meet and share your vacation with other unattached travel companions, while cruising to beautiful and exotic destinations.

Once you are onboard the ship and about to join your first singles orientation mixer, what’s the best way to interact with the other singles in the group?

Our top ten tips for making connections with other travelers onboard your Singles Cruise:

1. Look your absolute best and be on time for the mixer so you can get into the flow of the party quickly.
2. Be approachable, open and responsive when joining any event or party.
3. Say “Hi” quickly and ask your neighbor’s name. Use pleasantries. Be interested in the person you are speaking to at the moment.
4. Keep the conversation light and easy. Ask questions about restaurants, favorite hobbies, work or what they enjoy doing in their free time.
5. Allow opportunities to be presented to you. If you are not overly interested in the person you are speaking to, they could have a friend, acquaintance or co-worker that they might want to introduce you to in the future. Put your best foot forward.
6. For the ladies: Wear a necklace, scarf, jewelry, a pendant or a special color that someone might compliment to help conversations begin.
7. For the men: Wear a nice shirt, watch, shoes, a fun tie and cologne. The ladies notice your efforts!
8. Chat about travel. A great light-hearted topic of conversation perfect for mingling on a singles cruise is asking other singles about vacations. Find out where they went on their last vacation, or if they have a special adventure coming up? Ask if they
9. have ever tried a singles vacation before? Travel is a fun topic to discuss and share experiences.
10. Try a new activity together to break the ice and give you something fun to talk about. Attend a singles beach party onshore, zipline through the jungle together, or kayak with a group through the warm Caribbean waters.
11. Relax and be yourself and others will want to get to know you.

A singles cruise is a great opportunity to get you and other unmarried adults out of their normal routine at home, and into a fun new experience where you can meet new people in a comfortable and relaxed setting and perhaps even make a romantic connection.

You are about to depart on an exciting singles cruise adventure for the first time. Now, what to pack? Read on to discover what you should take and what you should leave behind when stepping onboard.

• Pack a nice casual outfit in your carry-on for dinner the first night on the ship because your checked bag sometimes doesn’t arrive until after dinner. Also, bring along your bathing suit, hair products and toiletries as you might need those before you see your bags too.
• Always bring a hair dryer because the ones onboard supplied by the cruise lines are sometimes weak.
• Try to pack in three color combinations like black, white and gray, or white, aqua and tan. This way you can mix and match your outfits and it makes it easier to unpack and choose clothes. You can also use the same color code for accessories such as earrings, necklaces, shoes, and pocket books to save valuable packing room.
• Leave your alcohol at home – most cruise lines do not allow you to bring any alcohol on board.
• Bring a small beach bag to carry your sunscreen, bottle water and any other belongings you might need in port. You can also use it to hold any souvenirs you buy in town.
• Wear your bathing suit under your shorts outfit/sundress if you are vacationing in the Caribbean. You will be ready to hit the beach, shop or do lunch.
• Be sure to bring cash, particularly small bills for tips, trinkets and a bite to eat while in port as many small vendors don’t take credit cards or have the ability to break large bills.
• Forget larger items that take up a lot of room like your own snorkel gear. You can typically rent gear for less than ten dollars.
• Make room for your formal attire. A cruise is the one place where vacationers still get to dress up on one or two nights. You will look your best and feel great when you are dressed up. Some cruise lines consider formal night to be a bit less formal than in the past; ladies wear cocktail dresses more than gowns and men often wear button down shirts and dress pants in place of tuxedos and suits.
• Don’t pack more than one regular sized suitcase and one carry-on. It will become a hassle during your travels and you’ll end up wasting time figuring out what you want to wear instead of being on the Lido deck making new friends, enjoying live music and gazing at the blue sea.

A singles cruise is a very economical choice for a vacation getaway because it provides you with an all-inclusive vacation. Your accommodations, meals, entertainment, amenities and singles cruise program are included in the basic per-person price, making it so much easier to stick to your vacation budget.

Before selecting your singles cruise itinerary, it may be more cost effective to look for an upcoming cruise that is departing out of a port near your hometown. If you can drive to the port of embarkation, you can save on air travel, hotel costs, and transfers to and from the cruise terminal.

Another way to save money before you set sail is to plan to share a cruise cabin with another solo traveler in the group. Singles Cruise provides a complimentary roommate matching service for all of their guests. This can help you take advantage of the lower double occupancy cabin price. Sharing a cabin with another cruiser also allows you to meet someone new right away at the start of your vacation who is in the same boat as you.

Once onboard, you can participate in as many of the organized singles activities included in your cruise price as you like. During your days at sea, you will meet your single counterparts at complimentary cocktail mixers, dance lessons, board game sessions, speed meeting, ice cream socials, wine and chocolate get-togethers and more. After the sun goes down, you can dress the part for several fun theme nights while you enjoy open table dinner seating within the singles group.

There are plenty of other free recreational activities and events to participate in on the ship to keep you entertained all day and night. In your free time, you can spend time together with your new unattached friends sunning at the pool, playing games on the sports deck, meeting up for a work-out, or taking in a show at the ship’s theater. To keep your budget in line, be sure to watch spending on extras such as alcohol, spa treatments, specialty dinner clubs, and souvenirs which can hike up the cost of your cruise vacation.

Once you reach your ship’s ports of call, there are often a number of affordable ways to see the sights. Many cruise travelers opt to explore as much of their destination as they can by foot to take in the city’s unique flavor and offerings. For warm-weather itineraries, many cruisers simply ask the locals where the best beach is and take an inexpensive bus or cab ride there. Depending on the port, you can often take the same low-cost transportation to a number of nearby attractions.

A Singles Cruise is a rewarding and affordable vacation where you can enjoy shipboard life and the company of new people while staying within your budget.

Singles who love to travel may have heard a few things about singles-oriented vacations and group Singles Cruise, but most of them probably don’t really know what to expect. Many people share common misperceptions about Singles Cruises that stop them from venturing onboard and experiencing a fun vacation.

Some of the stereotypes include:

• Singles Cruises are just one big party at sea. While some cruisers do like to party, the majority of travelers are business professionals who want to take a break from their hectic lives and enjoy the new experiences a cruise vacation has to offer – only they don’t want to do it alone. Yes, there are parties and cocktail mixers onboard, but there are also a number of fun singles events that you can participate in that don’t involve alcohol such as dance lessons, board games, volleyball games and ice cream socials as well as a variety of singles-only shore excursions to choose from.
• Everyone onboard a Singles Cruise is searching for their soul mate. While some people are open to the idea of making a romantic connection with another cruiser, there are plenty of others who would like to meet new friends and people to travel with or simply just don’t want to travel alone. Many women in particular find joining a singles group for their vacation provides a safe way for them to travel on their own.
• I’ll still find singles on a regular cruise. On a regular cruise, you might meet a few singles on the ship here and there, but you won”t be part of a large group of unmarried vacationers all looking for new friends and companions to meet and enjoy their vacation with.
• I won’t have anything in common with the other travelers. Most singles cruises have between 50-150 people in the group so you will meet travelers from all around the country and even around the world. The group members often start off by sharing at least one common interest – a passion for travel, people and trying new experiences.
• I’m too shy for such a big group of singles. Events are led by professional staff making it easy for shy people to join and get introduced to others. While most organized events attract a large number of singles, some of the more specialized activities such as the walk a mile club may give you a chance to interact with a smaller group of singles.
• I won’t meet anyone my age on a Singles Cruise. Singles from their twenties to their sixties join singles cruises ensuring there will likely be a wide range of ages in your group. You can also choose to book an age-specific cruise such as a 20’s and 30’s cruise or one for Baby Boomers.

While a singles cruise is not for everyone, it is a fun vacation option for solo travelers who want to meet new friends and explore new destinations together.

Each year, many singles from around the world look forward to attending SinglesCruise.com’s large annual Halloween Cruise. Going on for 30+ years, it is our most popular singles cruise event of the year.

“Everyone likes to take part in a fun event while enjoying their vacation, and our Halloween cruise lets them dress up and become someone else for the night,” explained one of our cruise directors. “Our singles crowd comes up with some very original costumes – every year they get more creative and more outrageous.”

The top ten reasons why singles love to pack their Halloween costumes along with their bathing suits and venture onboard this memorable fall singles cruise:

1. Guests look forward to dressing up for the large Singles Cruise Halloween party and costume contest held onboard.
2. Single travelers can begin the fun in Miami with a special Halloween pre-cruise hotel stay and pool party in Ft. Lauderdale.
3. The Halloween cruise guarantees singles they will meet several hundred new single travelers from all over the country and even around the world, upping their chance to meet someone special onboard.
4. The singles get to talk about their costumes and vacation plans before the cruise sets sail on SinglesCruise.com’s private Facebook groups.
5. Halloween is a festive, fun holiday that is not just for kids and allows singles the chance to try on a new persona for a night.
6. The Halloween cruise provides singles a comfortable way to meet other singles through the organized activities and events held onboard.
7. Halloween cruisers get a discount for purchasing the following year’s Halloween cruise while onboard.
8. The single vacationers can take advantage of our complimentary roommate matching option to save money on their cabin cost.
9. Single travelers enjoy and appreciate the opportunity to step out of their ‘regular’ lives for a new adventure where they can also dress up and be a kid again.
10. Many cruisers return year after year for the special Halloween cruise to meet up with friends they met on previous singles cruises.

Singles Cruise’s annual Halloween cruise is a great vacation option for first time cruisers looking for a new way to meet other singles in a fun and social setting.

While the majority of Singles Cruises are linked to a specific itinerary and are open for single adults of all ages, there are several event theme cruise options throughout the year that you can choose from that celebrate a special holiday or cater to a particular age group. These theme cruises can add a fun twist to the traditional hosted onboard singles program.

Theme Cruises Offered by Singles Cruise Include…

Halloween Cruise: The annual Halloween cruise is a fall treat for singles of all ages and is always the most popular cruise of the year. You can leave your inhibitions at home while you dress up in costume and take on a whole new personality. Everyone looks forward to the large Halloween costume party and contest held exclusively for the singles in our group. In addition to the special Halloween themed events and activities held throughout the week; don’t miss the special pre-cruise party package offered on this cruise each year.

New Years Eve Bash:  Celebrate the end of the year and possibly the end of your single days while vacationing onboard the festive annual New Years Eve cruise. What better way to start off the New Year than by making new acquaintances and possibly a love connection with another unmarried cruiser? Pack your special party clothes to celebrate a New Years Eve party at sea like no other.

A Holiday for Baby Boomers:  Perfect for active Baby Boomers who are young at heart, there are several Baby Boomer themed cruises offered each year. While it’s always great to meet singles of all ages who share your common interests, these cruises allow you to connect with singles who are at the same fun life stage as you. Lucky for you, these cruise itineraries are carefully selected to appeal to even the most well-traveled single adult. You will enjoy a variety of exciting activities and events onboard and off that allow you to comfortably interact and get to know the others in your group. Who knows, you might just end up making a romantic connection with another cruiser!

20’s and 30’s Spring Break:  Like most young people, you probably want to surround yourself with available Single Cruisers in your own age group. This annual spring break cruise is a hit with the young and adventurous singles crowd who are always up for meeting new people and enjoying new experiences together. This Singles Cruise offers special group events and shore excursions you can take part in with a mix of action and adventure. If you are looking to meet singles who enjoy traveling and having a good time as much as you do, this is the cruise for you!

Many singles enjoy taking a Caribbean cruise for the warm climate, picturesque tropical islands, and laid-back island lifestyle. While every Caribbean cruise itinerary varies on what particular islands your ship will visit, each island exudes its own unique charm. Read on to discover our list of must-see Caribbean destinations!

1. St. Thomas: Take the Singles Cruise catamaran tour – Captain Joe and his crew will take you on an amazing snorkeling journey where you will see incredible sea life up close. Visit Paradise Point where you will get the ultimate view of St. Thomas and be sure to enjoy the island’s famous Bushwhacker frozen cocktail.
2. Nassau: Visit the gorgeous resort and beach side on Paradise Island and head to Senor Frogs for tasty margaritas and dancing.
3. San Juan: Check out the island’s magnificent rainforest with its waterfalls and abundant wildlife, and the Old Fort – a historical monument where they once kept prisoners.
4. Cozumel: Interact with playful dolphins in their natural habitat on the Dolphin Tour. You will never forget this once in a lifetime experience. Top off your day with a visit to Carlos and Charlie’s for a delicious pina colada.
5. Costa Rica: Speed through the rain forest on an adrenaline-pumping zip line tour at 100 feet above ground. This is the most exciting way to experience the country’s lush tropical rainforests.
6. Belize: Take a cave tubing tour where you actually get to float on a tube through an authentic cave full of stalagmites and stalactites, listening to the echoes that surround you. You can also opt to tour the breathtaking Mayan Ruins and learn about their fascinating culture and history.
7. St. Lucia: The beautiful twin mountains called Pitons will consume you upon arrival on this island; they are a wonder to the eye and call to be photographed.
8. Panama Canal: Cruising through the Panama Canal is a must-do sometime in your life to see the most influential man-made creation in the history of our time. You will see and learn how water is displaced after many years of engineering by some of the bravest and most ingenious men of the century.
9. Ocho Rios: Tube down the river to get a true Jamaican experience! The natives help you float in the right direction and sing Bob Marley along with you while you enjoy your fun river tubing journey. Top off your adventurous day with a party at Margaritaville!
10. Barbados: Make sure you take the city tour for a great way to gain some historic perspective of this special island. You will likely run into a monkey or two as well as the famous Boat Yard bar where the party always is!

The best part of taking a Caribbean Singles Cruise is having the opportunity to explore these great sights with the new single friends you have made during your trip.

While not everyone ventures onboard a singles cruise with the intention of meeting their soul mate, it does happen more frequently than you might think. Through a variety of scheduled games, parties and other get-togethers, singles have the opportunity to meet a large group of other singles on their cruise vacation.

“Meeting in a fun, laid back setting like a Singles Cruise is so much better and more authentic than perhaps meeting them online because you meet and get to know someone face-to-face,” one of our cruise directors explained. “Right away, you can tell if you have a spark with another single and you can get to know them better throughout your cruise.”

“I am really thankful and blessed that through Singles Cruise I have met and made lifelong friendships with amazing people including my soul mate,” said Texas passenger Carrie Vargas. “My fiancé and I had a connection that we knew had begun on the Halloween 2004 Singles Cruise and was just getting stronger and better on the Mexican Riviera 2005 Singles Cruise. He proposed during my family vacation, and we got married last fall with a small reception onboard last year’s Halloween Singles Cruise to celebrate with our friends.”

“A Singles Cruise gives you the opportunity to meet other interesting people and create friendships from all over the world,” said another past cruiser Lori Sgarbossa from Toronto. “I went on my first Singles Cruise in April 2005 not looking for that special someone, but for fun and sun. I had such a great time and met so many new friends, some of whom I stay in touch with to this day. On my second singles cruise over Halloween 2005, I still wasn’t looking for a serious relationship, but I ended up meeting my future husband Jim Robertson from Vancouver.”

Another unique benefit to booking a Singles Cruise is that you will meet potential love interests from all over the country and even all over the world that you never would have met otherwise. Instead of the tired dinner and movie date, you can get to know your catch while you snorkel, kayak, play beach volleyball or attend a karaoke party.

“I love that I met my wife Trish swimming with the stingrays in Grand Cayman,” said past cruiser Jason Garrett. “We have such a great ‘how they met’ story! I had tried meeting people through various dating services, club scenes, etc., but this gave me a ‘no-pressure’ approach during a fun vacation. I never thought that I would meet the woman of my dreams at sea!”

We estimate that as many as 40-50 couples a year start a long-term relationship after their Singles Cruise, and of those, maybe four or five that result in a marriage.

The odds are in your favor that when you combine time off from work, a cruise, tropical weather and a large group of singles that you will have a great time on your Singles Cruise vacation. To make sure your first Singles Cruise is all smooth sailing, read on to discover our top five pointers for getting the most out of your cruise vacation.

• Make sure you attend the opening orientation party. This first event not only provides an overview of the week’s program but it also gives you your Singles Cruise ID necklace required to get into all of the group’s private events and helps you start interacting with other singles right away through a variety of fun ice breaker games. Some of the common ice breakers at Singles Cruise’s initial mixer include a lock and key event where the ladies use their key to try to open the locks of the male guests, and a number match game where all the guests receive a number on their necklace and try to find their match in the crowd.
• Participate in singles events and mixers during your Singles Cruise. Whether it’s playing ping pong, joining a trivia game, or taking a dance lesson, the more hosted activities you join, the better chance you have to make a lot of new friends or even meet the ‘one’. There are a variety of singles activities for you to choose from during each singles cruise so you will be sure to find some that interest you.
• Try a new experience with someone in the group. There’s no better way to get to know another single traveler than through sharing a fun new experience like zip lining through the jungle or swimming with dolphins. You will get to see a new side of someone you might want to get to know better, as well as have a fun new adventure. Singles Cruise organizes several popular shore excursions on each cruise so you won’t be stuck on a snorkeling outing with a bunch of families.
• Sit with different dinner companions each evening. The Singles Cruise group enjoys open seating at dinner so you can dine with different singles every night of your vacation. This allows you to spend quality time getting to know different people in the group.
• Be friendly and socialize with others in the Singles Cruise group. It’s important to not only attend as many singles events as you can during your cruise, but also to actively participate in the experience while you are there. The Singles Cruise directors are responsible for running the events, as well as making sure everyone in the group is interacting with one another. All of the singles are in the same boat as you so it makes it easy to strike up a conversation with someone new.

While there’s no exact science at making sure your trip is a success, but the more singles you get to know, the better time you will have on your first Singles Cruise vacation.

While it’s tempting to stay on the cruise ship lounging by the pool, doing so will cause you to miss out one of the best and most memorable Singles Cruise activities – the shore excursion. Participating in shore excursion together is the best way to meet, mix and get to know someone better.

A Cruise shore excursion not only offers you a chance to explore exciting destinations, it also provides an easy opportunity to meet singles and get the conversation flowing,. There is no better way to really get to know a different side of someone’s personality than when you are both taking part in a fun new adventure.

Some of the best excursions for singles to meet and engage with each other include:

• Snorkeling Tour. Every snorkeling tour has its own unique features. For example, in St. Thomas, Captain Joe and his team will steer you and the other singles to a remote part of the island on their catamaran where you can jump off and snorkel near a preserved cave full of beautiful coral reefs and loads of tropical fish. You might even catch a glimpse of some stingrays or endangered sea turtles on this outing. On the way back to shore, you can relax and enjoy the sunshine, some tasty rum punch and the companionship of your Single Cruise mates.
• Beach Party. A Singles Cruise favorite, a beach party lets you shut off from reality and enjoy the ‘true Caribbean lifestyle’. You can relax on a lounge chair, swim in the warm, inviting water or play a friendly game of beach volleyball. End the picturesque day by indulging in delicious tropical cocktails and dancing on the beach with your new friends.
• Zip Lining Adventure:. Bond with the other singles as you swing through the lush, tropical rainforests on a zip line course. This excursion is sure to thrill anyone looking for a good adrenaline rush and who is not afraid of heights. You’ll find out quickly who the most daring singles are in the group, and who needs an extra nudge to take their feet off the tree platforms. One things for sure, those who take part in this exciting tour will have plenty to talk about over dinner that evening!
• Cave Tubing: There is no better way to spend an afternoon than floating on a tube down a river sharing stories and laughs with friends. Enjoy the lush scenery and rush of water as you make your way through a variety of sights depending on the destination including Mayan caves, exotic birds and animals and stunning jungle landscapes.

Whether you are a seasoned traveler or a first time cruiser, these fun excursions will enhance your vacation and allow you to connect with other singles.

FAQs

We have created a FAQ section to provide you with detailed information on what to expect during your cruise with Singles Cruise. Please call us at 201-210-7918 or 800-393-5000 or send us an email if you have any additional questions about our cruises. Be sure to sign-up for our e-specials mailing list to receive exclusive announcements on future Singles Cruise deals and the latest information on upcoming sailings!

WHO IS SINGLES CRUISE?

Singles Cruise is the largest singles cruise travel agency in the United States and has been organizing singles cruises since 1991. Offering exclusive events hosted by professional cruise directors, Singles Cruise provides a unique and memorable vacation experience for singles looking for fun and adventure with new travel companions. Singles Cruise is a subsidiary of Travel Leaders Leisure Group, a division of Travel Leaders Group, LLC.

WHAT DOES A SINGLES CRUISE VACATION ENTAIL?

As part of the private Singles Cruise group, singles who are 21 and older will take part in lively cocktail mixers, lectures, theme parties, poolside get-togethers, games, and a separate dining area just for our group. All of our onboard social activities are organized by our professional cruise directors. We also coordinate optional singles shore excursions, pre/post-cruise hotel, pre-cruise meet and greet and a Facebook group for you to join.

WHATS INCLUDED IN MY CRUISE FARE?

Food, food and more food!
All of your meals and snacks throughout the day in the main dining areas are included with your singles cruise. Room service is also a nice alternative and is usually complimentary but please inquire on your cruise as some late night requests may involve a nominal service charge. Some ships offer optional gourmet specialty restaurants that charge a nominal fee.

Drinks
There is complimentary fountain water, ice tea, coffee and a small choice of juices available in the buffet area 24 hours/day. Any beverage ordered at the bar such as soda, bottled water, alcohol drinks, juice and specialty coffees are an additional fee. Most cruise lines now offer inclusive bar packages that will include beer, wine and soda for an upfront fee of approximately $45 per day. Please inquire with our team for details whether this option is available on your singles cruise. One small caveat: everyone in your stateroom must order the beverage package in order for you to be eligible to purchase it.

Entertainment
Cruise ships cater to the casino lovers and show stoppers! Live bands, comedy clubs, Las Vegas style production shows and deck parties are all included in your fabulous cruise vacation. The vast majority of cruise lines include all the onboard entertainment with your cruise fare.

Taxes/Port Fees
Singles Cruise includes all of these excess fees in our final pricing so there are no surprises. Taxes and port fees are a large percentage of the cruise cost and many travel agencies will charge them separately.

Not Included: Gratuities for the ships staff. Most cruise lines add approximately $15/day per person to your onboard cruise bill which is split up between your room attendant, dining room servers and those hard-working behind-the-scenes employees who making sure the buffet is full at all times. It is customary, but voluntary, to tip your state room steward and waiter extra in cash if you feel their service was exceptional.

WHAT ARE THE AGES OF THE OTHER SINGLES ON BOARD?

Most of our Singles Cruises are open to singles of all ages 21 years and above with the majority of people in any group usually falling somewhere between 35 to 55 years old. Of course, there will be singles younger than 35 as well as over 55, so don’t let those statistics stop you! We also offer several unique age specific singles cruises throughout the year such as our 20s and 30s sailings, and over 40 sailings that are very popular within those age groups.

WHAT ARE THE AVERAGE MEN TO WOMEN RATIO ON A SINGLES CRUISE?

Most of our typical singles cruises are very close to a 50/50 ratio which is what we strive for and again will ultimately depend on who signs up for any particular cruise. We will do our best to get equal numbers of the opposite sex to join all cruises, however this cannot be guaranteed. No matter who ends up in your group, you are sure to make new friends and have the time of your life!

HOW MANY TRAVELERS ON AVERAGE ARE IN A SINGLES CRUISE GROUP?

The number of single travelers in each of our groups varies based on the destination, season and obviously the number of people who sign up, but is typically around 100 people (potentially plus or minus 50 singles). Many of our cruises exceed this number with the most popular cruise of the year being our Halloween sailing which can draw as many as 300 to 400 passengers.

WHAT ARE THE TIPPING GUIDELINES?

Although most cruise lines automatically add a daily gratuity charge to each passenger’s onboard account, the amount is always at the travelers’ discretion and they can increase or decrease the amount. As a guideline, most cruise lines recommend approximately $15.00 – $20.00 for a standard stateroom per day/per person to cover your waiter, assistant waiter, head waiter, room steward, etc. A 15%-20% gratuity will also be automatically added to any bar bill.

WHEN SHOULD I PLAN TO ARRIVE FOR MY CRUISE?

Singles Cruise coordinates an optional pre-cruise meet and greet and also contracts an optional pre-cruise hotel as a special service to our guests. We recommend you arrive the day prior to your cruise departure date (as flights and weather can be unpredictable) and to get a jump start on all of the fun! For those who choose to arrive the day of sailing, please make sure that you plan to arrive to the ship several hours before the departure time so schedule your air flights accordingly (make sure you select the correct arrival airport). We can also assist with air reservations, transfers from the airport to the ships pier (roundtrip) and/or from the SinglesCruise pre-hotel to the pier.

IS THE ENTIRE SHIP SINGLES TRAVELERS?

No, the entire ship is not all single travelers. Although our groups typically have quite a large presence onboard the ships, there are still other “non-single” travelers onboard.

WHAT TYPE OF SINGLES CRUISE WITH SINGLES CRUISE?

Singles who travel with Singles Cruise come from all over the US and even around the world. Some of our guests are looking to make a romantic connection, others are interested in having fun and meeting new friends and many don’t like traveling alone and enjoy being part of our large groups.

ARE THE SINGLES CRUISE ACTIVITIES OPEN TO ANY SINGLES ONBOARD THE SHIP?

No, unfortunately singles must book with Singles Cruise to take advantage of our exclusive onboard program.

DO YOU MATCH SINGLES WITH ROOMMATES? WHAT IF I PREFER MY OWN ROOM?

We do match singles with roommates based on similar age (whenever possible) and the gender marker on your passport at no additional charge. Must be a Non-Smoker. Booking early will help ensure that you are matched with someone close to your age but this can not be guaranteed. This complimentary matching service saves our guests money by allowing them to take advantage of the shared (double) occupancy cabin rate. This service is available in most standard cabin categories but not available for suites. No special requests or qualifiers permitted under our matching program. If a single prefers to room alone, we can provide rates on single occupancy cabins.

Our goal with our complimentary roommate matching program is to help foster the development of new friendships during your singles cruise and offer you the opportunity to save money by avoiding any single supplement charges imposed by the cruise lines for single cabins.

Please note that Singles Cruise accepts no responsibility for roommate matching incompatibility such as sleep patterns, snoring, noise, or age differences. If you are concerned that any of these disparities may be an issue affecting the enjoyment of your vacation, we recommend you purchase a single cabin or better yet – bring a friend along who may also enjoy a singles cruise!

SinglesCruise will match clients of the same gender to share a cabin, and it will try to match roommates based on age similarity, although this is not a guarantee. Singles Cruise does not conduct any type of background checks on it clients in general, and specifically does not conduct background checks on matching a client with another in a roommate situation.

Singles Cruise makes no representations or warranties regarding compatibility between roommates. Our roommate matching is strictly for non-smokers – this is for the comfort of all our roommate matches, and it relies on the honor system at booking and common courtesy while onboard. Even if you don’t consider yourself a regular smoker, if you do choose to smoke during the cruise, then you will not have the option of using our roommate matching on any future cruises.

Under no circumstances will Singles Cruise be liable for any damages whatsoever, whether direct, indirect, general, special, compensatory, consequential, and/or incidental arising out of or relating to the conduct of any client or guest action or interaction between clients or guests, including without limitation bodily injury, emotional distress, harassment, and defamation.

If you have chosen roommate matching and Singles Cruise cancels group, or decides cruise will not be hosted, you may choose to sail on your own by paying the single supplement rate or providing your own roommate.

ARE THE PRICES QUOTED BASED ON SHARING A CABIN?

We offer rates for both single and double occupancy (which is noted next to each rate), and are not guaranteed until a deposit has been made, the credit card has been charged and an invoice has been physically mailed or emailed to you. Cabin prices are subject to availability and do sell out quickly, so reserve your cabin space early for the best rates.

HOW MUCH IS MY DEPOSIT AND WHEN IS MY FINAL PAYMENT DUE?

We require a deposit for each cruise booking to reserve your cabin space (unless otherwise stated). Deposit amounts vary and are based on the length of cruise and the cruise destination. Deposit information for each cruise is posted next to the online pricing information. Full payment is generally due 90 days prior to the sailing date (but may vary by cruise line). Payments can be made by personal check, Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover. For those guests who book within 90 days of sailing, full payment is required at the time of reservation. All payments must be processed through SinglesCruise, not directly with the cruise line.

CAN I BOOK A SHORE EXCURSION THROUGH SINGLES CRUISE?

Yes, Singles Cruise offers optional shore excursions for our group. Shore excursions are guided tours or adventures in a cruise ship’s port of call. We will provide information and booking instructions on these excursions approximately 60 days prior to each cruise. You may also purchase shore excursions directly with the cruise lines through their own Shore Excursion Desk.

WHERE DO I SIT IN THE DINING ROOM?

One of the benefits of cruising with Singles Cruise is that we have a separate area of the dining room just for our group, whenever possible. With the exception of the first night, you do not have an assigned seat in the dining room and we encourage you to sit with different dinner partners each night (open-seating) within our reserved Singles Cruise tables. We generally reserve late dining (8:00 p.m.) for our entire singles group. Group dining is based on individual cruise line guidelines.

HOW DO I FIND THE SINGLES ACTIVITIES ONBOARD?

You will be invited to a welcome reception on the first day of the cruise to receive your Singles Cruise ID necklace and schedule of events for the week. Our cruise directors also post each day’s events at the onboard Singles Cruise hospitality desk. Your ID necklace also acts as your entry pass into all of our private and exclusive events.

CAN I MEET ANY OF THE OTHER SINGLES ON THE CRUISE BEFORE IT DEPARTS?

Yes, you will be given access to our Facebook page to communicate with and get to know other singles on your Single Cruises. We typically hold an optional pre-cruise meet and greet and arrange a pre-cruise hotel in the port city the night before the cruise departs to welcome all of our singles and begin the fun! Ask our cruise specialists for the pre-cruise details after your booking is completed.

WILL THE CRUISE EVER BE MODIFIED OR CANCELLED?

The safety and satisfaction of our guests is always the #1 concern of the cruise line and Singles Cruise. The cruise line or Singles Cruise may modify, change or cancel a cruise at any time and for any reason whatsoever. The cruise line may change our onboard events location and schedule at any time. A hosted group departure may also be modified, changed or cancelled and may go un-hosted should there be an insufficient number of guests.

WHAT ABOUT LAST MINUTE RESERVATIONS?

Due to our strong relationship with the cruise lines, we are often able to accommodate last minute guests, so please contact us even if a sailing is noted as “sold-out”. We may likely still have cabins available even if the cruise line is sold-out as last minute cancellations are a regular occurrence.

DOES A SINGLES CRUISE COST MORE THAN A REGULAR CRUISE?

As the leading singles cruise operator, we are able to negotiate very favorable pricing with the cruise lines. Singles Cruise provides a complete exclusive onboard program including private activities, events, complimentary cocktail parties, open seating dining, private message boards for pre cruise communication and much more! We offer optional pre cruise meet and greets, hotel, shore excursions and transfers. Our cruises are also fully hosted by a team of professional group cruise directors who sail with you to ensure that you have a great time and fully enjoy your singles cruise experience. All of this is in addition to the standard cruise line offerings and there may be a slight premium over the cruise line.

DO I NEED A PASSPORT? HOW DO I OBTAIN ONE?

The destination and embarkation/disembarkation port of the cruise will determine what form of ID you will need for boarding. Most cruise lines require a valid proof of citizenship such as a passport, certified birth certificate with photo ID, military ID, and/or original naturalization papers. US laws have recently changed. The new laws are part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. The goal is to strengthen border security and facilitate entry into the United States for U.S. citizens and legitimate foreign visitors.

On June 1, 2009, the U.S. government will implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of WHTI. The proposed rules require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have a passport, passport card, or other travel document approved by the Department of Homeland Security.

For more details, to apply for a passport and other country requirements, please visit www.travel.state.gov.

United States citizens can visit the State Department’s travel website www.travel.state.gov, or call the U.S. National Passport Information Center: 1-877-4USA-PPT; TDD/TTY: 1-888-874-7793. The standard processing of a passport is six weeks if you apply from inside the U.S. SinglesCruise recommends that all travelers gain a passport even if just considering a cruise vacation.

WHAT HAPPENS IN THE EVENT OF A HURRICANE?

Hurricane season begins June 1and continues through November 30. During this time, cruise lines keep a close watch of any tropical storms or hurricanes forming in the warm waters of the Atlantic and the Caribbean Sea. In the event of a hurricane, the cruise lines top priority is the safety of its guests and may choose to delay the start of the cruise, extend the cruise, or cancel the cruise completely. SinglesCruise.com closely monitor’s any hurricane activity that could affect our cruises and will keep you informed of any delays or cancellations. The latest hurricane information can also be viewed at www.nhc.noaa.gov.

DO MANY PASSENGERS GET SEA SICK?

No, most passengers do not experience motion sickness on today’s modern cruise ships because of their large size, stabilizing devices and advance weather notification systems. If you feel you might be prone to motion sickness, there are a number of over-the-counter medications available in your local pharmacy as well as onboard the ship.

WHAT SHOULD I PACK?

Daytime calls for casual clothing, and the dress code for the evenings includes anything from casual resort wear to a sport coat and tie. Remember, jeans, shorts and t-shirts are never permitted in the dining room during dinner. Each cruise generally has one or two formal nights onboard the ship where passengers get decked out in party dresses, evening gowns, suits or tuxedos. Don’t forget to pack your special outfits for the Singles Cruise theme nights (you will receive a description of your cruise theme nights prior to departure).

WHEN CAN I BOARD THE SHIP?

Embarkation normally begins three to four hours before the cruise departure time (see your cruise documents for details).

CAN I BRING ALCOHOL OR OTHER DRINKS ON A CRUISE?

Many cruise lines allow you to bring a bottle of wine/champagne on board on embarkation day as long as it is in your carry-on luggage, we suggest researching their website for more information. Any alcohol purchased on board or in port will be held until you disembark the vessel. Most cruise lines allow you to bring a small amount (approximately 12 small bottles) of non-alcohol beverages such as water or soda.

Discounts

We have several discount programs to reward customers that have sailed with us.

SinglesStar
Our terrific customer loyalty program for our elite group of singles who have cruised with us six or more times. Our SinglesStar members receive significant savings on upcoming cruises and special recognition. You can become a SinglesStar by having cruised with SinglesCruise.com six times. Our exclusive SinglesStars all receive $50 off their sixth cruise and every cruise after that (on cruises 6 nights and longer) and a unique necklace bead.

Refer-a-Friend Our unique referral program where you can earn money off your own singles cruise just by referring friends who have never cruised with us before. The Refer a Friend program is simple – you earn $25 off your cruise fare for each new singles cruiser you persuade to take a SinglesCruise.com cruise. That means if you refer four friends, you receive $100 off the same cruise as you. Applicable only if person being referred has never sailed with SC. No limitations. Referring customer must have sailed with SC. IOW, if two new customers book a cruise, one cannot refer the other. The discount is given to the REFERRING party, not the referred (new) guest.

Book Onboard and Save Book your next SC onboard or within 7-days of returning from your cruise and receive $50 off that sailing! Applicable to 6+ night cruises.