Don't worry, there are more and more cruises for singles and solo travellers without the huge extra cost
Today, more and more people are travelling alone. Cost might be a concern if you’re considering cruising by yourself, as rooms on most ships are sold as doubles. However, in recent years, some cruise lines have started providing cabins specifically designed for single cruise passengers.
A cruise holiday actually offers you more opportunities to meet new people and even create a circle of friends for the long term. Travelling alone doesn’t have to be an intimidating experience; you have the freedom to spread your wings and enjoy the journey.
Even a well-known or popular cruise line may not be the best choice for solo cruises over 50 or cruises for singles over 60! Let us do all the hard work and find the right singles cruise for you, just fill in our form and well get right back to you.
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Perks of Singles Cruises
More Perks when Travelling Solo on a Cruise
The kinds of passengers you will meet on board will depend in part on the cruise theme and the time of year. Cruise lines are often are geared towards a certain demographic of travellers.
A cruise holiday during the school term should attract more adults and single passengers.
One of the best things about solo cruising is that it has a nice sense of community, friendship and openness about it. This is a great way to get to know other people and enjoy fun and educational activities. Learn Japanese, gourmet cooking or how the planets evolved amongst other interests with other like minded passengers.
Theme cruises are yet another way for solo travellers to submerge themselves in a favoured interest and have an experience that is uniquely their own to uncover.
Even if you’re looking for cruises for singles over 70, there is a cruise for you!
10 best solo or singles cruises to check out:
1. Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is a great option for those travelling alone, offering a friendly and sociable atmosphere on their smaller ships. Here’s what makes them special for solo travellers:
Recognised for Excellence
Fred. Olsen has been awarded “Best for Solo Travellers” by Cruise Critic in 2022, highlighting their dedication to providing a welcoming experience for those travelling solo.
Friendly Features for Solo Guests
- Gentleman Hosts: If you love to dance, Fred. Olsen has gentleman hosts who will be happy to accompany you on the dance floor.
- Dining and Social Events: You won’t dine alone unless you want to. Fred. Olsen pairs solo guests at dinner and organises exclusive gatherings, making it easy to meet other people. There are mixed group tables during meals and special meet-ups for solo guests.
- Single Cabins: Their ships have plenty of single cabins designed for solo passengers, ensuring you have a comfortable and private space to relax.
Onboard Activities
Fred. Olsen offers a range of activities that are perfect for solo travellers. From arts and crafts sessions and quizzes to lectures and dance classes, there’s always something to do. The smaller ships create a cozy and friendly environment, making it easy to connect with others.
Solo Supplement:
- Fred. Olsen often charges a solo supplement, which can range from 50% to 100% of the standard fare.
2. P&O Cruises
P&O Cruises is dedicated to meeting the needs of solo travellers across its fleet, with the latest and most innovative options available on Arvia.
Azura
Launched in 2010, Azura was the first P&O ship with single cabins, featuring 18 single cabins designed just for you.
Britannia
Britannia, launched in 2015, offers 27 single cabins, ensuring you have a comfortable and private space to enjoy your cruise.
Arvia
Arvia, the newest ship launched in 2022, boasts 28 single cabins. It provides a modern and diverse experience, perfect for solo cruisers like you.
Solo Supplement:
- P&O Cruises often charges a solo supplement, which can be up to 100% of the fare. However, the exact percentage can vary based on the cruise, cabin type, and booking time.
3. Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line offers modern and stylish single cabins, known as studios, specifically designed for solo travellers like you. These cabins are available on several ships in their fleet, including the Norwegian Epic, Breakaway, Getaway, Escape, Bliss, and Pride of America.
Although compact at 100 square feet, the studios are cleverly designed to maximise space and comfort, featuring a full-size bed, a separate bathroom area, and ample storage. This could be one of the best singles crises to hook up on!
Exclusive Studio Lounge
One of the unique perks of booking a studio cabin is access to the exclusive Studio Lounge. This private lounge is available only to solo cruisers and provides a space for you to relax, enjoy complimentary coffee, espresso, and snacks, and socialise with other solo travellers.
Overall, Norwegian’s studio cabins and the associated lounge make cruising solo a more enjoyable and sociable experience, distinguishing Norwegian Cruise Line as a leader in catering to solo travellers.
Solo Supplement Cost for Norwegian Cruise Line
Standard Cabins:
- For standard cabins (inside, oceanview, balcony, and suite cabins), Norwegian Cruise Line often charges a solo supplement. This can range from 50% to 100% of the standard fare.
Studio Cabins:
- NCL is known for its studio cabins designed specifically for solo travellers.
- Studio cabins do not incur a solo supplement and are priced for single occupancy. They often come with access to a shared Studio Lounge, providing a social space for solo travellers.
4. Royal Caribbean Ships that Cater to Solo Travellers
Royal Caribbean offers a variety of options for you as a solo traveller across several ships in their fleet. Here are the ships that feature solo cabins specifically designed for single passengers:
Quantum Class Ships
- Quantum of the Seas
- Anthem of the Seas
- Ovation of the Seas
These ships each feature 28 solo cabins, which include:
- 16 Interior Studios with Virtual Balconies: These cabins provide real-time views of the outside through high-definition screens.
- 12 Super Studio Ocean View Cabins with Private Balconies: These offer a more spacious and luxurious option for solo travelers.
Oasis Class Ships
Harmony of the Seas offers 15 solo staterooms, which include:
- Studio Interior Cabins
- Studio Ocean View Cabins.
Voyager and Radiance Class Ships
- Adventure of the Seas
- Brilliance of the Seas
- Radiance of the Seas
- Jewel of the Seas
- Mariner of the Seas
- Serenade of the Seas
These ships have a smaller number of solo cabins, ranging from two to five per ship, all of which are interior staterooms without balconies.
Features of Royal Caribbean’s Solo Cabins
- Interior Studios with Virtual Balconies: These innovative cabins feature large LED screens that display real-time views from outside the ship, giving the feel of a balcony cabin without the cost.
- Super Studio Ocean View with Balcony: These are larger cabins that include private balconies, providing a more luxurious option for solo travelers.
Benefits for Solo Travellers
- No Single Supplement Fee: Solo cabins are priced for single occupancy without the additional fees typically charged to solo cruises.
- Exclusive Access: Some solo cabins come with exclusive access to lounges and other amenities specifically designed for single passengers.
- Social Opportunities: Royal Caribbean offers various activities and events that are friendly to solo travellers, such as group excursions, cooking classes, and social mixers.
5. Costa Cruises
Costa Favolosa and Costa Fascinosa each offer solo cabins designed to cater to single travellers. Both ships provide a range of cabin types and amenities for solo passengers:
- Costa Favolosa: This ship features 17 solo cabins. The solo cabins are spread across different decks and include both inside and oceanview options.
- Costa Fascinosa: Similarly, Costa Fascinosa also offers 17 solo cabins. These include interior single cabins and some with ocean views.
Amenities and Activities
Costa Cruises have great social and fun activities for solo’s:
- Meet and Greet Parties: These events are organised to help solo travellers connect and socialise.
- Solo-Specific Activities: Costa offers a variety of activities geared towards singles, making sure solo’s have plenty of ways to mingle and participate in group events.
Costa Cruises continues to enhance the solo travel experience by providing dedicated spaces and events, making it a great option.
Solo Supplement on Costa Cruises
Standard Cabins:
- For standard cabins (inside, oceanview, balcony, and suites), Costa Cruises typically charges a solo supplement. This can range from 30% to 100% of the standard fare.
Promotions and Special Offers:
- Costa Cruises occasionally offers promotions where the solo supplement is reduced or waived entirely. These promotions are more common during off-peak seasons or for last-minute bookings.
6. Cunard Cruises
- Dining and Social Activities: If you’re cruising alone, you’ll be seated with other solo cruises at meal times, making it easy to meet new people. There are also special coffee meetups, cocktail receptions, and fun group activities like dance classes and quizzes designed to help solo travelers mingle and make friends.
Solo Supplement on Cunard Cruises
Cunard has single occupancy cabins, which don’t come with the extra solo supplement, making them a more budget-friendly option compared to regular cabins with the added fee, which can be more than double!
7. Holland America Cruises Solo Cruises
Single Partners Program: Holland America Line has a well-regarded Single Partners Program, which is still active. This program allows solo travellers to share a cabin with another solo traveller of the same sex, splitting the cost of a double-occupancy fare. If no partner is available, the solo traveller gets the cabin to themselves without any additional cost.
Solo Cabins: In addition to the Single Partners Program, Holland America’s newer ships, including the Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam, and Rotterdam, offer solo cabins. These cabins are specifically designed for single cruises and come without the single supplement fee typically charged for solo occupancy. The solo cabins are ocean view rooms and range from 127 to 172 square feet.
Activities and Social Events: Holland America Line offers a variety of activities designed for solo travelers, including singles parties, cocktail mixers, dance classes, and cooking demonstrations. These activities provide ample opportunities for solo travellers to meet and socialise with others.
Features of Solo Cabins
Solo Oceanview Staterooms:
- These rooms offer a twin bed, a writing desk, and an ensuite bathroom. They are just as luxurious as the double-occupancy rooms.
Concierge Level Veranda Cabins:
- These larger rooms include a private balcony, giving singles a great spot to enjoy the view. Guests in these rooms also get exclusive access to the Concierge Lounge and priority boarding, among other benefits.
Onboard Experience for Single Cruises
Welcome Cocktail Receptions:
- Oceania hosts welcome cocktail receptions for solo travellers, making it easy to meet new people right from the start of the cruise.
Group Dining Tables:
- Solo travellers can opt to dine at group tables, which is a great way to enjoy meals with others and make new friends during the cruise.
Fun Activities and Programs:
- Oceania offers lots of activities, from cooking demonstrations to art classes and talks by guest speakers. These are perfect for meeting other people and having a good time.
Solo Supplement on Oceania Cruises
The solo supplement on Oceania Cruises varies depending on several factors, such as the ship, itinerary, cabin type, and booking time.
Standard Cabins:
- For standard cabins (inside, oceanview, balcony, and suites), Oceania Cruises typically charges a solo supplement.
Promotions and Special Offers:
- Oceania Cruises occasionally offers promotions where the solo supplement is reduced or waived entirely. These promotions are more common during off-peak seasons or for last-minute bookings.
9. Silversea Cruises
Silversea Cruises is an excellent choice for those travelling alone, offering a luxurious and friendly atmosphere. Here’s what you can expect:
Features
Silver Solo Program
Single Cabins: Silversea has specially designed cabins for those traveling by themselves, ensuring you get all the comfort and luxury of their standard rooms without needing to share. These cabins are spacious and well-equipped, making you feel right at home.
Reduced Single Supplement: Silversea offers a reduced single supplement on select voyages, sometimes as low as 25%. This means solo cruises can enjoy luxury at a more affordable rate.
Onboard Experience
Welcome Receptions: When you board, you’ll be greeted with a champagne reception just for individuals travelling alone. It’s a great way to meet other people who are on their own and start making connections right away.
Social Activities: There are plenty of activities designed to bring solo passengers together, such as hosted dinners, cocktail parties, and group shore excursions. These activities make it easy to mingle and make new friends.
Personalized Service: Each solo passenger gets personalised attention from the crew, including a dedicated butler who’s there to help with anything you need, making your cruise truly relaxing and enjoyable.
10. Virgin Voyages
Ships: Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady, Brilliant Lady
Virgin Voyages is a great choice for singles, offering modern, stylish ships and plenty of opportunities to meet new people. Here’s a closer look at what you can expect:
Features
Solo Cabins
Insider and Sea View Cabins: Virgin Voyages has solo cabins that are perfect for those travelling alone. The Insider cabins are cozy inside rooms, while the Sea View cabins have a porthole window. Both types are designed to be comfortable and efficient, making sure you have everything you need.
Scarlet Lady: This ship has 46 solo cabins, so there are plenty of options. The cabins are chic and modern, fitting in with Virgin Voyages’ cool and contemporary style.
Onboard Experience
Adult-Only Cruises: All Virgin Voyages cruises are for adults only, perfect for cruises for singles over 50 from UK!
Social Events: There are loads of events and activities designed for singles and solo. From yoga in the morning to lively cabaret shows at night, there’s always something going on. Shared table dining also makes it easy to meet and chat with new people.
Solo Meet-Ups: The cruise line organises meet-ups and mixers specifically for solo travellers, making it easy to connect with others who are traveling alone.
Virgin Voyages is perfect for solo travellers, offering comfortable cabins, lots of social activities, and a laid-back, luxurious atmosphere.
Solo Supplement on Virgin Voyages
Solo Cabins:
- Virgin Voyages offers dedicated solo cabins, called “Solo Sea Cabins,” on their ships, including the Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady. These cabins are designed for single occupancy and do not incur a solo supplement, providing a more affordable option for solo travellers.
Standard Cabins:
- For standard cabins (inside, oceanview, balcony, and suites), if a solo traveller chooses to book one, Virgin Voyages typically charges a solo supplement. This can range from 125% to 200% of the regular fare.
Is it safe to travel alone on a cruise?
Absolutely! Cruises are generally very safe, and there are plenty of security measures in place. Just use your common sense like you would anywhere else – keep an eye on your stuff and be aware of your surroundings.
Is dining alone awkward on a cruise?
Not at all! You can join communal tables to meet new people, or if you prefer, enjoy a quiet meal alone. Many solo cruisers find dining a great way to connect with others.
What should I pack for a solo cruise for seniors?
Bring the essentials like your travel documents, comfy clothes, swimwear, formal outfits if needed, medications, and toiletries.
Let us wade through the 1000’s of cruises for you!
Jo, our cruise travel agent will personally search for the right cruise for you.
