Stop believing the myth that cruising solo means paying double or dining alone in awkward silence. The cruise industry’s dirty little secret? Singles actually spend more money onboard than couples, yet they’ve been penalised with outrageous supplements for decades.
I’ve sailed solo on dozens of ships across every major cruise line, and I’m here to cut through the marketing fluff and give you the real story about which cruise lines actually get it right for solo travellers.
What Makes Singles Cruises Different
The Studio Revolution Started a Movement
Norwegian Cruise Line completely changed the game when Norwegian Epic launched with 128 studio cabins in 2010. Norwegian Cruise Line now offers nearly 1,000 solo staterooms across the 19 ships in its fleet, including three new solo stateroom categories: Solo Inside, Solo Oceanview and Solo Balcony. They proved that designing cabins specifically for one person wasn’t just viable – it was brilliant business.
Celebrity’s Premium Solo Experience
Their Edge-class ships feature something unprecedented: solo cabins with infinite verandas. Celebrity Beyond has 32 solo staterooms with an Infinite Veranda, as does the new Celebrity Ascent. Celebrity Apex features 24, while Celebrity Edge is home to 16 solo staterooms.
Virgin Voyages Breaks All the Rules
Virgin Voyages offers solo travelers the opportunity to book cabins with reduced single supplements, making it more affordable for individuals traveling alone. Their adult-only environment eliminates the awkwardness of being the only unaccompanied adult among families.
Detailed Breakdown: Which Ships Actually Welcome Solo Cruisers
Norwegian Cruise Line: The Solo Pioneer
Ships with Studio Cabins:
- Norwegian Epic: 128 studios (industry leader)
- Norwegian Breakaway class: 59-83 studios per ship
- Norwegian Getaway class: 82 studios per ship
- Most Freestyle ships: 50+ studios each
Norwegian Cruise Line is the best cruise line for solo travelers. They now have more Solo Staterooms than ever, including Balcony and Oceanview’s.
The Studio Lounge Advantage: Access to the exclusive Studio Lounge is the secret weapon here. It’s a private space where solo cruisers gather for complimentary coffee, light snacks, and organised meetups. This is where lasting cruise friendships begin.
What They Won’t Tell You: Studio cabins book up fastest during school holidays when other solo travellers are avoiding family-heavy cruises.
Celebrity Cruises: Luxury Without the Penalty
Edge-Class Solo Cabins (The Gold Standard):
- Celebrity Edge: 16 solo infinite veranda cabins
- Celebrity Apex: 24 solo infinite veranda cabins
- Celebrity Beyond: 32 solo infinite veranda cabins
- Celebrity Ascent: 32 solo infinite veranda cabins
These single staterooms start at 131 square feet, giving you plenty of space to move around. 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.
The Infinite Veranda Genius The infinite veranda transforms your cabin into an outdoor space with the touch of a button. Glass walls drop down to merge your room with a private balcony area – it’s like having your own personal deck.
Royal Caribbean: Quietly Building Solo Options
Ships with Studio Cabins:
- Quantum Class: 28 solo cabins each (Quantum, Anthem, Ovation of the Seas)
- Oasis Class: Harmony of the Seas (15 cabins), Utopia of the Seas
- Voyager/Radiance Class: 2-5 solo cabins per ship
Virtual Balcony Innovation Their interior studios feature virtual balconies – real-time HD screens showing ocean views. Sounds gimmicky until you experience waking up to actual sunrise footage.
Virgin Voyages: The Adults-Only Advantage
All Ships Feature Solo Options: Virgin Voyages offers solo travelers the opportunity to book cabins with reduced single supplements. Each ship in their fleet has dedicated solo sea cabins designed specifically for single occupancy.
Why Adults-Only Works As an adults-only cruise line, all Virgin Voyages cruises are 18+, meaning adults of any age are welcome onboard. No awkward family dining situations or feeling out of place at the pool.
MSC Cruises: European Sophistication
Limited but Growing Options:
- MSC Grandiosa: Solo cabins
- MSC Virtuosa: Solo cabins
- MSC Euribia: Solo cabins
50% single supplement reduction: pay just 50% compared to the standard 100% single supplement on select cruises makes MSC an attractive option for budget-conscious solo travellers.
Holland America: Traditional with Modern Touches
Newest Ships Only:
- Koningsdam: 12 solo cabins (127-172 sq ft)
- Nieuw Statendam: 12 solo cabins
- Rotterdam: 12 solo cabins
The Single Partners Program Holland America’s genius roommate matching service pairs solo travellers who want to share costs. If no match is found, you get the cabin to yourself at no extra charge.
Other Notable Options
Oceania Cruises (Premium Experience):
- Regatta, Insignia, Nautica, Sirena: 14 solo oceanview staterooms each
Cunard (Traditional Luxury):
- Queen Mary 2: 15 single cabins (converted from former casino space)
- Queen Elizabeth: 8 outside + 1 inside single cabin
P&O Cruises (British Favourite):
- Azura: 18 single cabins
- Britannia: 27 single cabins
- Arvia: 28 single cabins
Honest Assessment: The Solo Cruise Reality Check
Who Solo Cruising Works For
Independent Travellers Who Want Options You can be as social or antisocial as you choose. Join the group activities or spend the day reading on your cabin balcony. The beauty is having complete control over your schedule.
Social Butterflies Looking for Connections Cruise ships are floating small towns where striking up conversations is not just acceptable but expected. The solo traveller community onboard creates instant bonds.
Budget-Conscious Adventurers (On the Right Ships) Studio cabins and reduced supplements can make solo cruising more affordable than a comparable hotel and dining package on land.
Who Should Think Twice
Romance Seekers Despite the marketing, cruises aren’t dating services. The demographics skew older, and many “singles” are divorced parents getting away from the kids, not looking for love.
Introverts Who Hate Group Activities Shore excursions can feel isolating when you’re surrounded by couples and families. Consider booking independent tours or exploring ports solo.
Travellers on Strict Budgets Even with studio cabins, cruising solo often costs more than splitting accommodation with travel companions.
Practical Wisdom: Insider Tips from 20+ Solo Cruises
Booking Strategy
Book Studio Cabins at Opening Solo cabins sell out fastest. Set calendar reminders for when bookings open (typically 18-24 months in advance for most lines).
Wave Season is Your Friend January through March offers the best deals for solo travellers, including waived or reduced single supplements.
Consider Repositioning Cruises These longer voyages attract more solo travellers and often waive single supplements to fill cabins.
Onboard Tactics
Embrace the Formal Dining Room Request communal seating at cruise dining venues. The maitre d’ typically has a “solo table” where you’ll meet other single travellers.
Pack Smart for Solo Success My essential solo cruise packing list includes business cards (yes, really), phone chargers with extra length, and quality luggage that won’t embarrass you when meeting new people. I recommend Level8 luggage for its durability and sophisticated appearance.
Master the Meet-and-Greet Circuit Most ships host solo traveller gatherings on the first sea day. Attend them all – even if they feel forced. That’s where you’ll find your cruise crew.
Shore Excursion Wisdom
Book Small Group Tours Avoid the massive bus tours that highlight how alone you are. Look for adventure excursions or food tours with 12-person maximums.
Connect with Fellow Solo Travellers Create informal shore touring groups with people you meet onboard. Split taxi costs and explore together without paying group tour premiums.
Common Questions About Singles Cruises
Do solo travellers really spend more onboard than couples? Absolutely. Couples often split costs and stick to included dining. Solo travellers tend to book specialty restaurants, upgrade to beverage packages, and book more shore excursions. Cruise lines are finally recognising this spending power.
Which cruise lines have the worst single supplements? Princess and Carnival typically charge 175-200% supplements with few exceptions. Disney is notoriously solo-unfriendly with supplements often exceeding 200%. These lines remain focused on the family market.
Is it awkward being the only single person at dinner? Only if you make it awkward. Request communal seating in the main dining room, and you’ll typically be placed with other solo travellers or welcoming couples. Many cruise regulars prefer meeting new people over dining with the same companions nightly.
Are there specific itineraries better for solo travellers? Transatlantic repositioning cruises attract more solo travellers and mature passengers. Educational themes like history or wine cruises draw independent-minded travellers. Avoid school holiday sailings if you prefer adult conversation.
What’s the real difference between a studio cabin and paying the supplement for a regular cabin? Studio cabins are designed for one person with single beds, efficient storage, and access to solo lounges. Regular cabins with supplements give you more space, double beds, and sometimes balconies, but cost significantly more. Choose based on your budget and space needs.
How do I meet people if I’m naturally shy? Start with structured activities like cooking classes, trivia contests, or shore excursion meet-ups. The Studio Lounges on Norwegian ships are perfect for quiet conversations. Many cruise lines also organise solo traveller social events specifically designed for easy mingling.
The truth about singles cruises? They’re not charity cases or desperate singles events. They’re vacations designed for independent adults who refuse to let relationship status dictate their travel dreams. Choose the right ship, pack smart, and prepare for conversations that last long after you disembark.
