The 5 best cruise lines for solo travelers
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Norwegian has since added similar solo cabin areas with exclusive lounges to seven more new ships, including its two newest vessels, Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima. Both ships have a 73-cabin solo complex that spreads across two decks. Solo travelers are unlikely to be bored on any Cunard ship with so many activities taking place onboard.
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It Takes a Special Kind of Person to Cruise Solo
Solo fares are often 25 to 75 percent above the double-occupancy rate. Singles make up about 7 percent of the line's passenger base, ensuring a good amount of fellow solos onboard any given voyage. For example, in late 2023, NCL announced it was introducing nearly 1,000 new dedicated solo cabins across its entire fleet — including solo balcony cabins, which are rare. Perhaps best of all, this conversion of new rooms includes taking rooms that are normally double occupancy and designating them for single travelers — giving you more space than a traditional solo cabin. Still, all is not lost if you're a singleton wanting to experience life at sea.
Holland America
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With every new ship, Celebrity has added more staterooms to its fleet that are solo-traveler friendly – and many of them have a private veranda, too. Don’t miss out on a trip of a lifetime because you don’t have a travel partner who can go with you. Even so, it takes an outgoing personality to strike up a conversation with other cruisers — especially when they are normally coupled up with another person.
Can I find reduced single supplements or deals on solo cabins?
Cruise Critic's Roll Calls are also a great way to meet others who will be on your specific sailing. Through the Roll Calls, you can chat with others before you embark and make plans to share shore excursions or gather face to face during an onboard meetup of Cruise Critic members. Seabourn Cruises is ideal for solo cruisers who want a little luxury in their vacation.
Solo Cruises on Norwegian Cruise Line
That means the rates are only available to customers who will be sharing the cabin with a second paying passenger. A full-sized bed, flatscreen TV and private bathroom are all packed into these up-to-100-square-foot accommodations. Although all studios on Norwegian cruises are inside cabins, some have windows that look out onto corridors. Studio cabins on Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Joy and Norwegian Encore have virtual portholes that stream ocean views.
In addition to the activities mentioned above, you're always welcome to strike up a conversation with the person on the next deck chair or in line at guest services. The more you make the effort, the more fun you'll have interacting with people. Additionally, you'll want to gravitate toward activities where you and your fellow cruisers can cut loose, act silly and use teamwork to form bonds; anything that requires you to participate is key. Try trivia and karaoke at the bar, gameshows and dance lessons in the theater, and hairy legs/chest contests by the pool. Shore excursions are also a great way to meet people with similar interests.
But if you’re hoping to meet other single and/or potentially solo travelers during your cruise, these meetings can be perfect. Full charters for solo cruisers are virtually nonexistent, but there are travel agents who specialize in bookings for those traveling alone. However, as the number of solo travelers increases, so does the cry for accommodations that address the single supplement plight. The good news is that cruise lines have been listening, and many newer ships, and some retro-fitted older ships, have cabins specifically designed for one person. Avalon Waterways waives single supplements on its European river cruises and on some itineraries in southeast Asia. About 10 percent of Avalon passengers are solo cruisers, but you’ll want to book early to join them.
To give you a better idea of what you can expect and what to consider before you take a solo cruise, here are some things to think about before you hit the seas. Maybe you’re someone who relishes some quiet time to decompress without other people around. Or perhaps you found a great deal on a cruise, but it means sailing when no one else is available to go with you. Solo travelers looking for an upscale river cruise can often find a deal from Tauck, a high-end tour company with a European cruise division.
Seabourn Cruises for Solo Travelers
One perk of paying more is that you can also potentially get more when it comes to loyalty programs. Every cruise line will have a loyalty system and they typically work where you get one point for every night that you cruise. As the most discerning, up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel, Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse, offering both inspiration and vital intel.
It also has four ships in Europe that each have two dedicated solo cabins that carry no single supplement. If you're looking to make a transatlantic voyage, Cunard offers solo cabins on the Queen Mary 2, the iconic ship known for its transatlantic crossings between London and New York. Although they only offer a twin-size bed, solo suites onboard the Queen Mary 2 are around 180 square feet and include ocean views. Two other Cunard ships, the Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria, also offer single cabins, but some are interior rooms without ocean views. The ability to explore, take chances, meet new people and do what you want when you want.
Celebrity’s cruises have onboard activities to suit everyone, from thrilling entertainment and live music to guest speaker series and guided meditations. Celebrity is also one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly cruise lines in the business, too. Instead of waiting on someone else to get ready or finish a meal or wanting to see one more souvenir store, your time is constrained only by what you want to do. So if you’re ready to see or do the next thing, then you can do it when you want instead of having to wait for another person. On the plus side, you get to decide exactly what you do, where you go, and what you eat — without having to consider anyone else.
Since you’re all travelers who enjoy seeing the world, it’s easy to swap travel stories. On Edge-series ships, the larger single stateroom with infinite veranda is perfect for solo cruise guests, a generous 184 square feet including the veranda space. Dining is one of the most common conundrums for solo travelers, especially if you're not keen on ordering room service each evening. Fortunately, the maître d' often has a good eye for matching solo travelers at a dining table together as long as you simply let staff know in advance. If you'd like your solo vacation to double as a complete retreat, bring a book along and enjoy dining in your own company.
This includes eating on your own and enjoying many activities by yourself. Those with spouses or significant others might be surprised at the newfound independence when they are used to having someone else around. Larger mainstream ships have more single cabins that eliminate the supplement and are large enough to satisfy solos looking to get lost in the crowd of cruisers. Atlas' first solo suites hit the seas this year onboard its debut ship, World Navigator. Each suite clocks in at just over 180 square feet and comes equipped with a queen-size bed, a 42-inch TV, and a shower complete with L'Occitane bath products. Virgin Voyages cabins are easily configured (and rearranged mid-cruise) for both sleeping and entertaining, giving solo cruisers all the comfort they need and none of the “welcome to my tiny space” vibe.
The line's small ships, with their cozy and social atmosphere, mean that singles won't be overlooked. That's a bonus for solo cruisers looking to hop on any of the line's itineraries, including a Seabourn Mediterranean cruise. Cunard has long attracted solo cruisers to its traditional cruise ships and ocean liners. The convivial onboard atmosphere means that solos can easily make friends with their shipmates if they choose.
Only a portion of each ship’s staterooms are reserved for solo cruisers on each itinerary. The line's biggest and newest ships, Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam, offer 12 solo cabins. They are all ocean view rooms (perfect for that Holland America Alaska cruise you've been dreaming about) and range from 127 to 172 square feet. They feature all of the same amenities of a double-occupancy cabin, but with a twin bed.
All cruises featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you book something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Join in beverage and culinary programs on board and mingle with like-minded passengers who, like you, appreciate a glass of fine wine or an expertly prepared meal. Onboard classes and seminars give you the chance to see cooking demonstrations, learn about the art of wine tasting, and more. This gets people out of their element and provides easy conversation starters. Joining people for dinner is a great way to make friends and have a fun meal at the Main Restaurant or in a specialty restaurant.
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