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Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Cruise Line Building More Single Cabins

Budget Travel: Norwegian Cruise Line will introduce more of its popular Studios cabins for solo passengers when it launches its two newest ships in 2013 and 2014, Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway, respectively.

That comes as good news for singles looking for affordable pricing.

Cruise line fares are typically based on two people in a cabin, with single travelers often getting stuck with a double tab. NCL sought to address the issue last year when it introduced The Studios, a highly innovative complex of inside cabins for solo travelers on its 4,100-passenger Norwegian Epic.

We're not talking rock bottom pricing — on Epic for a weeklong Eastern Caribbean cruise this winter you'll pay from $839 to stay in The Studios. But that's still better than doubling a $599 fare for a standard inside.

As on Epic, The Studios on the new 4,000-passenger ships will be located in their own private-entry complex, albeit smaller, with 59 cabins each on Breakaway and Getaway (compared to 128 on Epic).

The 100-square-foot cabins on all the ships share a hip design by London-based Priestmangoode that includes faux portholes in the door, which help to give the illusion of more space; full-size beds; deconstructed bathrooms (sink, shower and enclosed toilet are all separate); and colored, controllable LED lights that allow you to set the mood.

Most of the cabins connect, for singles traveling with friends.

Private keycard access also gets passengers staying in the complex into The Studio Lounge, a comfy, two-deck space with a bar where singles can mix and mingle.

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