This cruise ship will carry solo passengers only
Travelers are embracing solo trips with unfamiliar faces
Solo trips with strangers are gaining popularity as travelers seek freedom, reflection, and authentic experiences.
Cruise lines have added more cabins for passengers traveling alone, but one company will dedicate a whole ship to solo guests.
Riviera Travel’s MS George Eliot will begin exclusively offering solo cruises in 2027, accommodating up to 68 guests sailing on their own.
Stuart Milan, president of North America for Riviera Travel, said the “first-of-its-kind program is a prime example of the way we’ve continued adapting our business to meet the changing needs of travelers.”
“Our solo river cruises are among our most popular itineraries,” he said in a news release. “With growing demand for even more solo departures, we knew it was time to dedicate an entire ship to this thriving segment of the market. With this announcement, we are proud to take the next step in redefining solo travel and to offer an all-new luxury river cruise experience.”
Where will Riviera’s solo traveler ship sail?
The vessel will sail seven-night itineraries on Europe’s Danube, Moselle and Rhine rivers starting in June 2027.
What can guests expect?
Riviera has offered a limited number of solo river cruises since 2018, but the company will lean in further with its designated ship. For starters, those sailings take place primarily in the spring and fall, but MS George Eliot will give “solo travelers the opportunity to choose whether they sail during peak river cruise season or at other times throughout the year,” according to the release.
The ship was originally designed to carry 140 passengers, so guests will have ample space in double cabins, most of which have a French balcony. Other onboard spaces include a bar, lounge and sun deck. “A welcome dinner and cocktail reception, as well as daily entertainment will let travelers connect with those who have shared interests for a social connection when desired,” Riviera added.
How much do the cruises cost?
Prices vary based on departure date, room category and other factors. Still, a seven-night cruise sailing round-trip from Cologne, Germany, on Sept. 15, 2027, currently starts at $5,199 per person, according to Riviera’s website.
The fare includes meals, an “all-day drink package,” shore excursions and more, the company said. There is also no single supplement (a fee many cruise lines impose to make up earnings when a solo traveler stays in a cabin designed for two).
Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].
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