If you’ve ever searched for a cruise as a solo traveller, you’ve probably encountered the joy of discovering a fare that looks reasonable, only to watch it nearly double when you realise you’re being charged for two people. The cruise industry calls this a single supplement, but let’s be honest: it’s a solo tax. The good news? There are legitimate ways to dodge it, and I’m going to show you exactly how.
The single supplement is the cruise lines’ way of recouping lost revenue when one person occupies a cabin designed for two. Most cabins are priced per person based on double occupancy, so when you sail alone, you’re often charged somewhere between 150% and 200% of the per-person rate. Some lines waive this fee on select sailings, and knowing where to look can save you hundreds.
This guide covers how to find cruises for single travellers without paying extra, which cruise lines offer the best solo deals, how to book strategically, and what to watch for in the fine print.
What Single Supplement Actually Means
When a cruise line advertises “no single supplement,” it means you’re paying either the standard per-person double-occupancy fare or a competitive single-occupancy rate that doesn’t punish you for travelling alone. In practice, these offers are almost always limited to specific sailings, cabin categories, or booking windows. They’re not a permanent feature of any cruise line’s pricing structure.
The terminology matters because you’ll also see “reduced single supplement” (you’re still paying extra, just less), “single-occupancy rate” (a set price for solo travellers that may or may not represent good value), and “studio cabins” (purpose-built single cabins with their own pricing structure). Only the first and last categories offer genuine relief from the solo tax.
Where to Find No Single Supplement Cruises
These deals exist, but they’re scattered across cruise lines, seasons, and itineraries. You won’t find a convenient master list, which is part of why they’re so easy to miss.
- Norwegian Cruise Line operates studio cabins on several ships, designed specifically for solo travellers. The pricing is structured to eliminate the supplement entirely, though availability is limited and they sell out early on popular sailings.
- Saga Cruises frequently runs no single supplement promotions on their adult-only ships, particularly on longer voyages and off-peak departures. They’re one of the most consistent operators for solo-friendly pricing.
- Fred Olsen Cruise Lines offers regular solo traveller deals across their fleet, often waiving the supplement entirely on select sailings. Their smaller ships and focus on cruises departing from UK ports make them particularly convenient.
- P&O Cruises occasionally releases solo-friendly fares, though less frequently than Fred Olsen or Saga. When they do, it’s typically on shorter cruises or repositioning voyages.
- Ambassador Cruise Line has made solo traveller cabins a feature of their offering, with competitive pricing that often undercuts the traditional supplement model.
River cruise lines also dabble in no-supplement offers, though they’re rarer than ocean cruises. When a river cruise waives the single supplement, it’s almost always on specific departures during shoulder season or as part of early booking incentives.
How to Book Strategically to Avoid Paying Extra
Finding a true no-supplement sailing requires flexibility and a bit of patience. Here’s how to stack the odds in your favour.
Book Early for Single Occupancy Allocations
Most cruise lines release a small number of cabins at reduced or zero supplement rates for early bookers. These allocations are tiny, sometimes just a handful of cabins per sailing, and they vanish quickly. Sign up for cruise line newsletters and follow their social channels to catch these offers the moment they’re released. The best booking windows for solo cruises are typically 12 to 18 months ahead for popular itineraries.
Choose Cabin Categories That Favour Solo Travellers
Interior cruise cabins and smaller balcony categories are more likely to appear in no-supplement promotions than suites or premium accommodation. Studio cabins on Norwegian or dedicated single cabins on Fred Olsen are purpose-built for solo travellers, with pricing that’s competitive with double-occupancy rates. If you’re willing to sacrifice space or a view, you’ll find more options.
Be Flexible With Dates and Itineraries
No-supplement deals cluster around off-peak seasons, repositioning cruises, and less popular itineraries. A Caribbean sailing in September or a transatlantic crossing in November is far more likely to offer solo-friendly pricing than a Mediterranean cruise in July. If you can travel outside school holidays and peak summer months, your options multiply.
Use a Specialist Travel Agent
Agents who focus on solo travellers maintain relationships with cruise lines and often know about unadvertised allocations or upcoming promotions before they’re publicly released. They can also negotiate on your behalf or alert you to cabin upgrades that might offer better value than a standard no-supplement option.
| Booking Strategy | When It Works Best | Typical Savings |
|---|---|---|
| Early booking for single allocations | 12–18 months ahead, popular itineraries | Full supplement waived |
| Studio or single cabins | Norwegian, Fred Olsen, Ambassador | Full supplement waived |
| Off-peak or repositioning cruises | Shoulder season, unusual routes | 50–100% of supplement |
| Last-minute deals | Within 90 days of departure | Variable, sometimes full waiver |
| Interior cabin promotions | Shorter cruises, UK departures | 30–100% of supplement |
Last Minute Solo Cruise Deals
Cruise lines occasionally release last-minute solo inventory when a sailing isn’t filling as expected. These deals appear within 90 days of departure, sometimes as late as a few weeks before embarkation. The trade-off is obvious: you need maximum flexibility with dates, destinations, and cabin location.
Last-minute solo deals are most common on longer voyages, repositioning cruises, and sailings departing during less popular months. You’re unlikely to find them on seven-night Caribbean cruises in February, but a 14-night transatlantic in November? Much better odds. Cruise line websites rarely advertise these prominently, so you’ll need to either check frequently or work with an agent who monitors inventory levels.
The risk is that you’ll have limited time to arrange travel to the embarkation port, sort travel insurance, and prepare for the trip. If you can manage that, the savings can be substantial. Just confirm the cancellation policy before booking, as last-minute fares sometimes come with stricter terms.
What to Watch For in No Supplement Offers
Not all no-supplement deals are created equal, and some come with restrictions that can erode their value.
- Verify the fare structure. Some cruise lines advertise “no single supplement” but still charge port fees, gratuities, and service charges for two people. Others genuinely charge you only for one passenger. Read the booking terms carefully.
- Check cabin location. Solo-friendly cabins are often forward, aft, or on lower decks, areas that can be noisier or experience more motion. If you’re sensitive to either, confirm the cabin location before you book.
- Confirm what’s included. A no-supplement fare that doesn’t include drinks, Wi-Fi, or shore excursions may end up costing more than a solo-friendly fare on a more inclusive line. Add up the total trip cost before committing.
- Understand the cancellation policy. Promotional solo fares sometimes come with non-refundable deposits or stricter cancellation terms. Make sure you’re comfortable with the risk if your plans change.
- Look for blackout dates. Some lines exclude peak travel periods, holidays, or specific itineraries from solo promotions. If your dates fall into one of these windows, the advertised deal won’t apply.
Royal Caribbean Single Supplement Policy
Royal Caribbean doesn’t offer dedicated studio cabins or widespread no-supplement promotions, but they occasionally reduce the single-occupancy rate on select sailings. The standard single supplement on Royal Caribbean is 200% of the per-person fare, meaning you’re paying for two passengers even though you’re sailing alone.
When they do offer solo-friendly pricing, it’s usually on shorter cruises, repositioning voyages, or during wave season promotions. The best approach is to check their website regularly or ask a travel agent to monitor specific sailings for rate reductions. Royal Caribbean’s solo deals are less predictable than NCL’s studio cabin availability, but they do exist if you’re patient.
River Cruise Single Supplement Options
River cruises are notoriously expensive for solo travellers, with single supplements often reaching 200% or even higher on luxury lines. When a river cruise line waives the supplement, it’s a significant saving, but these offers are rare and highly seasonal.
European river cruises occasionally offer no-supplement deals during shoulder season, particularly April, May, or October. Lines like Saga occasionally extend their ocean cruise solo policies to their river offerings, and smaller operators sometimes release solo-friendly cabins during early booking windows. Availability is extremely limited, usually just one or two cabins per sailing, so if you spot a river cruise with no single supplement, book immediately.
The alternative is to look for “solo share” programmes, where the cruise line pairs you with another solo traveller to split the cost. This isn’t the same as a true no-supplement offer, but it can reduce the financial burden if you’re comfortable sharing a cabin with a stranger.
If You Can’t Find a No Single Supplement Option
Sometimes the stars don’t align and you can’t find a no-supplement sailing that suits your dates or itinerary. Here’s what to consider instead.
- Look for reduced supplement deals. Paying 125% or 150% of the double-occupancy rate is still better than 200%. Fred Olsen and Saga regularly offer reduced supplements even when they’re not waiving them entirely.
- Compare total trip costs. A line that charges a modest supplement but includes drinks, Wi-Fi, and gratuities may represent better value than a no-supplement fare with à la carte pricing for everything.
- Consider a guarantee cabin. Some lines allow you to book a cabin category without specifying the exact cabin, which can sometimes result in a lower solo rate. The downside is you won’t know your cabin location until closer to departure, and it may not be ideal.
- Broaden your search to smaller ships. Expedition cruises, river cruises, and smaller ocean ships sometimes offer better solo deals than mega-ships, particularly during off-peak periods.
- Wait for last-minute deals. If you have maximum flexibility, monitoring last-minute inventory can occasionally produce no-supplement offers as the cruise line tries to fill empty cabins.
Your first solo cruise experience doesn’t have to break the bank if you’re strategic about when and where you book.
Common Questions
Do cruise lines ever waive single supplements completely?
Yes, but only on specific sailings and cabin categories. Norwegian’s studio cabins, Saga’s promotional offers, and Fred Olsen’s solo deals genuinely eliminate the supplement, but availability is limited and sells out quickly.
Are studio cabins worth booking?
Studio cabins on Norwegian are smaller than standard cabins but eliminate the solo tax entirely. If you’re comfortable with compact accommodation and don’t need a balcony, they’re excellent value. They also come with access to a private studio lounge.
Can I negotiate a lower single supplement?
Directly with the cruise line, no. Through a specialist travel agent, sometimes. Agents with strong relationships can occasionally secure better rates or alert you to unpublished solo allocations.
Do all cruise lines charge single supplements?
Nearly all major cruise lines charge a supplement when one person occupies a double-occupancy cabin. The percentage varies, but 175–200% of the per-person fare is standard. Only purpose-built solo cabins or specific promotions avoid this.
When are single supplement waivers most common?
Off-peak seasons, repositioning cruises, and early booking windows. Lines are more likely to waive supplements when they need to fill inventory, which means shoulder season and less popular itineraries offer the best opportunities. Having packing cubes that compress your belongings makes it easier to pack light for these spontaneous bookings.
Are river cruises ever available without single supplement?
Occasionally, but far less frequently than ocean cruises. River cruise lines occasionally waive supplements during early booking periods or on select shoulder-season departures, but availability is extremely limited.
What’s the difference between no single supplement and single occupancy rate?
No single supplement means you pay the same per-person rate as someone sharing a cabin. A single occupancy rate is a set price for solo travellers, which may or may not represent good value compared to double occupancy.
Can I book a cabin for two and travel alone?
Technically yes, but you’ll still pay for two passengers. Some lines allow you to request single occupancy at a reduced rate, but this isn’t automatic and must be arranged at the time of booking.
Do last-minute solo deals come with restrictions?
Often yes. Last-minute fares may have stricter cancellation policies, limited cabin choice, or non-refundable deposits. Always check the terms before booking, particularly if your travel plans aren’t completely set. A luggage scale helps you avoid excess baggage fees when packing quickly for these deals.
Why Trust About2Cruise
- I’m Jo, and I’ve spent the last six months tracking no-supplement offers across two dozen cruise lines to write this article.
- We update this guide whenever a major cruise line changes solo pricing policy or launches new studio cabin ships.
- We don’t take cruise line advertising, so if a solo deal is rubbish, we’ll tell you. Find out more about us.