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Single parents can set sail too
The second ship to be deployed by casual cruise line Ocean Village is to cater for single parents.
The ship Ocean Village 2, which enters service next April, will have 100 specially designed three-berth cabins for single parents with two children. The cabins will consist of standard twin beds and a specially designed bed which folds away when not in use.
The line has seen a 26% rise in single parents travelling with two children in the last year and an 8% increase in families of one adult travelling with one child.
Research by Mintel reveals that work pressures are forcing many families to holiday separately, with one parent taking the children on holiday while the other remains at home, working. A third of holidays taken by a single adult were taken by married couples too busy to holiday together in 2004.
Ocean Village managing director Peter Shanks said: “Our kids’ and teens clubs and night nursery give single parents the benefit of much needed “me” time whilst our relaxed style on board and upbeat activities ashore create a very friendly atmosphere for families.
“Over the coming 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.”
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 onboard services mean they provide a safe, secure environment in which child and parent can enjoy quality time together as well as on their own.”
Report by Phil Davies
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