Informal cruise brand Ocean Village will introduce cabins specially designed for single families in its new ship Ocean Village Two.
The ship, which is being switched fellow Carnival brand Aida Cruises, will enter service with Ocean Village in April following a major refurbishment.
Ocean Village said the decision to include single parent cabins comes after it found between summer 2005 and summer 2006 there was a 26% increase in single parents travelling with children and an 8% increase in families consisting of one parent and one child.
The specially designed three-berth cabins with twin beds and a fold away bed have been developed to meet this growing demand said UK managing director Peter Shanks.
“Over the years we expect to welcome increasing numbers of single parent families on board and we’ll continue to adapt our offering to help cater for them.”
The cruiseline says it is reacting to Government figures that show single parent families account for 25% of the UK family market and Mintel research that has predicted because of work pressures more families will holiday separately with one parent taking the children away.
Passenger Shipping Association director Bill Gibbons said: “The cruise market is in pole position to steal a march on land-based holidays in attracting single parent families.
“The wealth of services onboard mean ships provide a safe, secure environment in which child and parent can enjoy quality time together as well as on their own.”