What are singles cruises?
Singles cruises are designed for solo travellers who want to cruise without sharing a cabin. They typically include hosted social events, group dining, and reduced or waived single supplements. Many UK departures are available year-round with cruise lines including Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, P&O Cruises, Cunard, Saga, and Ambassador Cruise Line.
This guide covers solo cabin options, single supplement policies, and onboard social programmes across the major cruise lines popular with solo travellers, with honest assessments of which lines genuinely suit solo passengers and which ones fall short.
On this page:
Singles Cruise vs Solo Cruise: What’s the Difference?
The two terms get used interchangeably but they mean different things, and booking the wrong one is a genuine mistake people make.
A solo cruise is simply any cruise taken alone. You book a cabin on a regular sailing — ideally one with a studio cabin or reduced supplement — and travel independently. The vast majority of what this guide covers falls into this category. It is by far the most common way solo passengers cruise.
A singles cruise in the strictest sense refers to a dedicated sailing organised specifically for single people, often run by a third-party operator rather than the cruise line itself. Companies like Singles Travel International and Tempo Holidays charter cabins or entire ships for groups of unattached passengers, with structured social events and a guarantee that everyone onboard is single. These exist, they work well for some people, and they carry a premium for the dedicated format.
In practice, most people searching for “singles cruises” are actually looking for the first option — a regular cruise with good solo infrastructure, no punishing supplement, and a reasonable chance of meeting other people travelling alone. That is what this guide focuses on. If you specifically want a dedicated singles-only sailing, the third-party operators above are worth researching directly.
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- UK-focused cruise specialist
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- Years analysing no-fly cruise options
What Is a Single Supplement?
Definition: Single Supplement
A single supplement is an additional charge applied when one person occupies a cabin designed for two guests. It compensates the cruise line for the revenue lost from carrying one passenger instead of two. Calculated as a percentage of the second passenger’s fare, it typically ranges from 10% to 100% — though some lines charge considerably more.
The supplement exists because cruise lines price cabins assuming two people will share. The economics are straightforward: one passenger means one set of drink sales, one spa spend, one casino budget. Yet solo travellers consistently outspend couples on a per-head basis — a fact the industry has been slow to reward.
The good news: the supplement landscape has shifted significantly. Several cruise lines now offer purpose-built solo cabins with no supplement at all, while others regularly discount or waive the charge on selected sailings. Knowing where to look is the difference between paying full whack and getting a genuinely fair deal.
Benchmark Data — UK Departures
Average single supplement on UK departures: 25%–75% depending on cruise line and season. Some lines charge 100%+ on popular routes. Studio cabin options may eliminate the supplement entirely. Figures are indicative estimates based on published UK fares.
Best Cruise Lines for Solo Travellers: At a Glance
The table below covers the cruise lines most relevant to UK solo passengers. For full reviews, follow the cruise line links.
| Cruise Line | UK Dep. | Solo Supplement | Hosted Solo Events | Best For | Solo Ships / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norwegian Cruise Line | No | 0% on studio cabins | Studio Lounge events daily | Best range of solo cabins globally | Norwegian Epic (128 studios), Aqua (73), Viva (73), Prima (73), Bliss (82), Encore (82) |
| P&O Cruises | Yes | Low–moderate on selected sailings | Solo gatherings on most ships | UK departures, familiar environment | Iona, Arvia, Britannia |
| Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines | Yes | 0% on dedicated solo cabins; supplement on twin | Hosted gatherings; Dance Hosts; solo dining tables | Over-50s, no-fly, UK-focused | Bolette (40+ solo cabins), Borealis (40+), Balmoral (60+) |
| Cunard Line | Yes | Varies; solo cabins on QE and QM2 | Organised singles events on most voyages | Formal atmosphere, transatlantic crossings | Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2 |
| Saga Cruises | Yes | Dedicated solo cabins; low supplements | Regular hosted solo events; inclusive model | Over-50s, fully inclusive, unhurried pace | Spirit of Discovery, Spirit of Adventure |
| Ambassador Cruise Line | Yes | Competitive; solo cabin programme | Active solo events programme | Budget-conscious, over-50s, UK-focused | Ambience, Ambition |
| Celebrity Cruises | No | 0% on solo Infinite Veranda cabins | Limited; more independent atmosphere | Premium solo experience, stylish ships | Beyond (32), Ascent (32), Apex (24), Edge (16), Xcel (Edge class), Silhouette (4 inside singles) |
| Virgin Voyages | No | Reduced supplements on many sailings | Social events; adult-only environment | Adults only, social, younger demographic | Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady |
| Holland America | No | Solo cabins on newer ships; roommate matching | Mix and Mingle events | Classic cruising, longer voyages | Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Koningsdam |
| Royal Caribbean | No | 0% on studio cabins; supplement elsewhere | Solo meetups on select sailings | Active travellers, big-ship experience | Quantum of the Seas, Anthem, Radiance (virtual balcony studios) |
Who Are Singles Cruises Best For?
The solo cruise market is not the monolith the industry used to treat it as. It breaks into several distinct audiences, and the right ship for one is genuinely wrong for another.
Independent Travellers
Full control over your schedule. Eat when you want, explore what interests you, go to bed without negotiating. Cruise ships are one of the few holidays where being alone is socially invisible.
Over-50s & Retirees
The majority of UK solo cruise passengers. Fred. Olsen, Saga and Ambassador have built their entire offering around this group — dedicated solo cabins, hosted events, unhurried itineraries.
Social Travellers
Cruise ships are genuinely one of the best environments to meet people. Norwegian’s Studio Lounges, P&O’s hosted gatherings and Cunard’s singles events create structured opportunities without pressure.
Budget-Aware Passengers
The right ship makes solo cruising surprisingly competitive. Studio cabins eliminate the supplement entirely. No-fly cruises from UK ports remove the cost of flights altogether.
Think Carefully: Romance Seekers
Cruises aren’t singles holidays in the dating-show sense. Demographics skew 55+, and many solo passengers are divorced parents taking a break — not actively looking for a relationship.
Think Carefully: Tight Budgets
Even with studio cabins, cruising solo often costs more than splitting accommodation with a travel companion. Run the numbers carefully before booking, especially for longer voyages.
How Much Do Single Supplements Cost?
The range is enormous. Here is what the UK and international market actually looks like across the main cruise lines:
| Cruise Line | Typical Supplement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Norwegian Cruise Line | 0% (studio cabins) | Studio cabins purpose-built for one. No supplement applies. Standard supplement applies on regular double-occupancy cabins. |
| Celebrity Cruises | 0% (Infinite Veranda solos) | Solo cabins on Edge, Apex, Beyond, Ascent, Xcel. No supplement on these categories. Full supplement on standard cabins. |
| Fred. Olsen | 0% on dedicated solo cabins | 40–60+ solo cabins per ship, priced for one. Twin cabins carry a supplement unless specific promotional deals apply. Voted Best Cruise Line for Solo Travellers by Cruise Critic for two consecutive years. |
| Saga Cruises | Low; dedicated solo cabins | Inclusive pricing model means supplements are rarely punishing. Strong solo support programme. |
| Ambassador Cruise Line | Competitive; varies by sailing | Actively courts the solo market with dedicated cabins and events. Good value for UK-departure solo passengers. |
| P&O Cruises | 25%–75% on selected sailings | Supplement varies considerably by ship and time of year. Studio options exist on Iona and Arvia. |
| Cunard | Varies; solo cabins available | Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary 2 have dedicated solo cabins. Supplement applies to other categories. |
| Holland America | 0% if roommate matched | Roommate matching on selected sailings. Studio cabins on Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Koningsdam. If no match found, you get the cabin solo at no extra charge. |
| Royal Caribbean | 0% (studio cabins) / 75%–200% elsewhere | Studio cabins with virtual balconies on Quantum and Anthem of the Seas. High supplements on standard cabins. |
| Princess Cruises | 75%–175% | Supplements are high and exceptions rare. Not a solo-first cruise line. Some “Solo Guarantee” promotions available on select sailings. |
| Carnival / MSC | 100%–200% | Family-focused lines. Solo cruising is expensive without specific supplement deals. MSC does run solo promotions periodically. |
For a detailed strategy on avoiding these charges, read our guide to how to avoid single supplement fees.
Are There Cruises With No Single Supplement?
Yes, and this has become more common as cruise lines recognise the commercial value of solo passengers. There are three main routes to supplement-free solo cruising:
- Purpose-built studio cabins. Norwegian Cruise Line leads this category. Norwegian Aqua — launched in 2025 and now NCL’s newest ship — has 73 studio cabins priced for one person with zero supplement. Norwegian Epic has 128. Celebrity’s Edge-class ships offer solo Infinite Veranda cabins on the same basis. These cabins have no double-occupancy pricing; they are simply priced as single-occupancy accommodation.
- Roommate matching programmes. Holland America pairs two solo travellers in a shared cabin. If no match is found, you get the cabin to yourself at no extra charge. It requires flexibility — you’re sharing with a stranger — but the financial saving is real.
- Wave season and promotional deals. January through March is when cruise lines run their best solo deals, including waived supplements and reduced pricing. Repositioning cruises — ships moving between regions — frequently carry waived supplements to fill cabins.
The best times to book a singles cruise are covered in our dedicated guide, including which booking windows offer the most consistent supplement reductions.
What About River Cruises for Solo Travellers?
Ocean cruising gets most of the attention in solo travel guides, but river cruising deserves a serious look, particularly for UK passengers in the over-50s bracket. The format suits solo travel well: ships carry 100–200 passengers rather than thousands, which makes social connections form faster and feel more natural. You’re not anonymous on a river cruise the way you can be on a large ocean ship.
The supplement picture is also improving. AmaWaterways offers dedicated solo cabins with French balconies on selected ships (AmaCello, AmaDante, AmaDolce and AmaLyra) and regularly runs sailings with just a 10% single supplement, significantly below the ocean cruise average. Tauck waives the supplement entirely on category 1 cabins on selected European river cruises. Uniworld and Scenic both run solo supplement deals on selected sailings.
The practical trade-off is that river cruises are typically more expensive per night than ocean cruising, and the itineraries are shorter, usually 7–14 nights on European routes. But for a solo traveller who wants a genuinely intimate environment, interesting enrichment programming and manageable onboard spending, they are worth factoring into the comparison. See our river cruise guide for the full breakdown.
Best Singles Cruises from the UK
The UK departure market is one of the most developed solo cruising environments in the world. Departing from Southampton, Dover, Portsmouth or other UK ports eliminates international flight costs and makes cruising genuinely more affordable for solo passengers. The lines that dominate UK departures have also been the quickest to respond to solo demand.
Mediterranean itineraries are the most popular singles cruise destination from UK ports, Fred. Olsen, P&O and Celebrity all sail there, with routes typically taking in Spain, Portugal, Italy and the Canary Islands on round-trip sailings from Southampton, Liverpool and Tilbury.
Irish solo travellers typically join UK singles cruises via Dublin or Belfast connections, or pick up Fred. Olsen sailings directly from Liverpool, a straightforward crossing that avoids the cost and hassle of flying to a continental departure port.
Planning a Singles Cruise from North America or Australia?
This guide focuses on UK departures, but a significant number of visitors arrive here from North America and Australia looking for equivalent advice.
For North American solo travellers, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean are the strongest starting points, both operate extensive studio cabin programmes from Miami, Fort Lauderdale and New York, with NCL’s Norwegian Aqua currently the flagship solo ship sailing 7-night Caribbean itineraries from Miami.
For Australian solo travellers, P&O Australia and Princess Cruises both operate from Sydney with reasonable solo supplement policies. The cruise line assessments throughout this guide apply regardless of departure port — the onboard solo infrastructure is the same ship whether you board in Southampton or Miami.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
★ Cruise Critic: Best Solo Line
The most consistently solo-friendly UK-departure cruise line, voted Best Cruise Line for Solo Travellers by Cruise Critic for two consecutive years. Fred. Olsen now operates three ships: Bolette, Borealis and Balmoral, each carrying under 1,500 passengers.
There are over 40 dedicated solo cabins on Bolette and Borealis, and over 60 on Balmoral, solo cabins across all categories including balcony suites, ocean-view and interior. The smaller scale makes for a more natural social environment: you’ll see the same faces at breakfast, recognise people at shore excursion meetings, and build genuine connections over a two-week sailing.
Hosted solo gatherings, dedicated welcome drinks parties, social dining tables and Dance Hosts are a structured part of the onboard programme, not a token gesture. See our comparison of Ambassador vs Fred. Olsen if you’re deciding between these two lines.
The average age on board hovers around 67, making it the natural home for mature solo travellers who want genuine conversation over cocktails rather than a nightclub queue
From January 2026, all Fred. Olsen cruises became fully all-inclusive, fares now cover house drinks with meals, shuttle buses in port, gratuities, entertainment and fitness classes. For solo passengers who worry about onboard costs spiralling without a companion to split bills with, this removes most of the budget unpredictability at a stroke.
Saga Cruises
Saga is the only UK cruise line that restricts passengers to over-50s only, making it the purest senior singles cruise experience available from UK ports, where everyone onboard is in the same life stage by definition.
Saga’s inclusive pricing model, excursions, Wi-Fi, drinks and gratuities all included, takes a lot of the budget unpredictability out of solo cruising. Their solo cabin programme and hosted events are among the best in the UK market for mature travellers. Spirit of Discovery and Spirit of Adventure are modern, purpose-built ships with a loyal solo following.
Saga deserves its own deep-dive. No single supplement on 100 balcony solo cabins per ship, a chauffeur from your door to the port, and every passenger is 50 or over. The full Saga solo travel guide covers exactly what’s included, which cabin grade is worth upgrading to, and where the proposition has gaps.
P&O Cruises
The UK’s largest cruise line by passenger volume. Iona and Arvia both feature studio cabin options. P&O runs hosted solo gatherings on most sailings, and the sheer size of their ships means there is always a critical mass of solo travellers onboard. A strong entry point for first-time solo cruisers who want a familiar environment and convenient Southampton departures.
Cunard Line
A different proposition to the other UK-departure lines. Cunard’s formal atmosphere and structured social calendar, including regular organised singles events, work remarkably well for solo travellers who appreciate clear structure. Queen Elizabeth in particular has a loyal solo following. The transatlantic crossing on Queen Mary 2 is something of a rite of passage for UK solo travellers who want a classic voyage.
Ambassador Cruise Line
The newest entrant in the UK solo market. Ambassador cruises has built a competitive solo programme from scratch, with dedicated solo cabins on both Ambience and Ambition. Pricing is positioned below Fred. Olsen and Saga, making it worth considering for budget-conscious solo passengers. Read our Ambassador solo travel guide for the full picture, and our Ambassador vs Saga comparison.
Luxury and Small Ship Lines
Budget isn’t every solo traveller’s primary concern. At the luxury end, Silversea, Seabourn and Regent Seven Seas all regularly waive or heavily reduce single supplements on selected sailings, the economics work differently at the luxury tier, where filling a cabin at a reduced supplement is preferable to sailing with empty inventory.
The onboard experience is also inherently more solo-friendly: smaller ships, higher crew-to-passenger ratios and inclusive pricing mean the social environment forms naturally without needing structured solo events to engineer it.
Ponant, the French luxury line, has also waived supplements on selected European sailings. For something closer to home, Hebridean Island Cruises operates tiny ships of under 50 passengers around Scotland and Ireland, the format essentially guarantees you’ll know every passenger by day two. None of these lines depart exclusively from UK ports, but for the solo traveller with flexibility on budget and departure point, they are worth serious consideration.
For a full overview of all cruise lines sailing from Southampton, including solo deals, see our Southampton guide. For cruises from the UK broadly, including Dover, Portsmouth and other departure points, the options have expanded considerably.
Singles Cruises Over 50: What to Expect
The over-50s solo market is the engine of the UK singles cruise sector. If you’re in this bracket, you have more options, and better options, than any other solo passenger group.
| Cruise Line | UK Dep. | Over-50s Focus | Solo Supplement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saga Cruises | Yes | Exclusively 50+ passengers | Low; dedicated solo cabins | Fully inclusive; highest level of solo support |
| Fred. Olsen | Yes | Core demographic 55+ | 0% on dedicated solo cabins | Voted Best Solo Line by Cruise Critic; smaller ships; best UK solo value |
| Ambassador | Yes | Over-50s focused | Competitive; solo cabins available | Good pricing; growing and active solo programme |
| Cunard | Yes | Broad; many over-60s solo guests | Varies by ship and category | Formal atmosphere; organised singles events on all voyages |
| P&O Cruises | Yes | Mixed ages; significant 50+ solo cohort | 25%–75%; studio options lower | Large ships with established solo gatherings; familiar UK environment |
For the full breakdown including specific itineraries and booking tactics, read our dedicated singles cruises over 50 guide.
Singles Cruises Over 60
If you’re past 60 and cruising solo, the calculus shifts, mobility, demographics and social infrastructure all matter differently. The singles cruises over 60 guide covers the ships, lines and tactics specific to that life stage.
Dancing and Evening Entertainment
If dancing matters to you, cruise lines are not equal and the difference is significant. Cunard is in a category of its own: the Queens Room on every ship hosts formal ballroom evenings with professional Dance Hosts available to partner solo guests, particularly valuable for solo women who love to dance but don’t have a partner.
- QM2 carries up to 10 Dance Hosts on longer voyages, and the sprung wooden floor is considered by serious ballroom dancers to be the best at sea.
- Fred. Olsen also runs Dance Hosts as a formal part of their solo programme on all three ships. Holland America has them on select sailings.
- For those who want something less structured, Virgin Voyages’ The Manor nightclub and Royal Caribbean’s Latin venues offer a livelier alternative.
What to Expect Onboard as a Solo Guest
Solo Cabin Types
The studio cabin market has matured significantly. Here is what the different categories actually offer:
| Cabin Type | Typical Size | Available On | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interior Studio | ~94–100 sq ft | Norwegian fleet (fleetwide) | Budget solo cruising; short voyages |
| Solo Ocean View | ~130–185 sq ft | Norwegian (fleetwide), Royal Caribbean Quantum class | Natural light without balcony premium |
| Solo Balcony | ~135–367 sq ft incl. balcony | Norwegian (fleetwide inc. Aqua, Prima, Bliss, Encore) | Longer voyages; outdoor space priority |
| Infinite Veranda Solo Premium | 184 sq ft total incl. veranda | Celebrity Edge, Apex, Beyond, Ascent, Xcel | Premium solo experience; best value per sq ft on an Edge-class ship |
| Solo Interior (UK lines) | Varies; compact | Fred. Olsen, Saga, Ambassador, P&O | UK-departure solo cruising; value focus |
For a full breakdown of cabin categories across all ships, read our guide to studio cabins on cruise ships and our cruise cabins overview.
The Studio Lounge Advantage
Norwegian’s Studio Lounge is the most consistently praised feature in solo cruising. It is a private, keycard-access social space exclusively for studio cabin guests, offering complimentary coffee, espresso and snacks throughout the day, plus organised meetups. The result is a built-in social network that forms naturally over the first two sea days. For passengers who feel uncertain about solo dining or introductions, it removes the effort entirely. The Studio Lounge is available on: Norwegian Encore, Bliss, Escape, Getaway, Breakaway, Epic, Pride of America, Prima, Viva, and now Aqua.
Dining as a Solo Guest
Request communal seating in the main dining room on embarkation day. Most ships’ maître d’ teams maintain a table for solo travellers and are accustomed to the request. On formal dining nights this works particularly well — a table of six solos tends to be genuinely better company than any alternative. Speciality restaurants are straightforward solo — bar seating avoids any awkwardness entirely.
Shore Excursions Solo
Book small-group excursions rather than the large coach tours. Groups of 12 or fewer create natural conversation and shared experiences. For port safety tips and independent exploration advice, we’ve covered both in detail. You can also read about booking cruise excursions as a solo passenger.
Social Events and Meeting People
Beyond ship-run events, the real connections happen organically. Making friends on a solo cruise is genuinely easier than it sounds: sea days, shared bar stools, group shore excursions and the enclosed geography of a ship do most of the social work for you. The passengers most likely to struggle are those who wait for others to approach them rather than making the first move.
Solo Female Cruising
Cruise ships are among the safest solo travel environments for women. The enclosed, monitored nature of a ship — combined with 24-hour staffing and CCTV throughout — creates a security profile most land-based holidays cannot match. Port calls require the same awareness you’d apply anywhere. Our dedicated solo female cruise safety guide covers both onboard dynamics and port safety in practical detail.
For deeper reading on why so many people find solo cruising transforms their travel outlook, see our piece on the benefits of cruising for solo travellers.
Tips for Booking a Solo Cruise
Tip 1
Book early or very late
Studio cabins sell out fastest on popular sailings, book 9-12 months ahead to guarantee one. Alternatively, last-minute deals within 6-8 weeks of departure can yield significant discounts as lines fill unsold solo inventory. There’s rarely a middle-ground sweet spot. Norwegian Aqua studios in particular go fast.
Tip 2
Wave season is when deals happen
January through March is the primary promotional window for cruise lines globally. Supplements are waived, reduced or bundled with onboard credit on a wider range of itineraries than at any other time of year.
Tip 3
Repositioning cruises are underrated
Ships moving between regions — Mediterranean to Caribbean, Alaska to Florida — need passengers for a deadhead voyage. Supplements are frequently waived or heavily reduced. The demographic also skews more experienced and social.
Tip 4
Read the small print on ‘no supplement’ deals
Some promotional no-supplement fares apply only to inside cabins, or only to bookings made directly through the cruise line. Check whether the base fare is competitive before celebrating the zero supplement.
Tip 5
Pack right — everything you carry, you manage
Quality hard-shell luggage that moves easily through ports and gangways is worth the investment when you’re managing it alone. We recommend Level8 cases for their combination of durability, lightweight build and clean aesthetics. Our full solo cruise packing list covers everything else.
Tip 6
Connect with fellow passengers before you sail
Most major cruise lines have unofficial Facebook groups or forums where passengers on upcoming sailings connect before departure. Join two to three months out. You can arrange dining groups and informal meet-ups before you even board.
Tip 7
Get the right travel insurance
Standard travel insurance policies are priced for two people sharing costs. As a solo passenger you pay the full premium alone — and many off-the-shelf policies don’t cover cruise-specific scenarios like missed port departures, cabin confinement due to illness, or itinerary changes. Look specifically for cruise travel insurance rather than standard holiday cover. Compare UK cruise insurance quotes here.
Travel insurance deserves particular attention for solo passengers on longer voyages. Cabin confinement — where illness keeps you in your cabin for 24 hours or more — is covered by cruise-specific policies but typically excluded from standard travel insurance. On a 14-night sailing alone, that distinction matters considerably more than it would for a couple who can at least keep each other company.
For a comprehensive first-time framework, read our first solo cruise guide.
How to Find Cheap Singles Cruises
Budget-conscious solo travellers have more options than headline supplement rates suggest. Ambassador Cruise Line consistently comes in as the best-value UK option, solo rates from around £156 per day full board from UK ports, with supplements regularly reduced or waived. Fred. Olsen’s all-inclusive pricing (effective January 2026) removes most onboard spending surprises, making total cost more predictable than it first appears.
For last-minute deals, cruise consolidators like Cruise118, ROL Cruise and Iglu Cruise regularly list discounted solo cabins on sailings departing within 6-8 weeks — lines would rather fill a studio cabin at a reduced rate than sail with empty inventory.
Wave season (January to March) remains the single best window for supplement deals, with most UK lines running their most aggressive solo promotions during this period. Signing up directly to Fred. Olsen, Saga and Ambassador’s email lists means you’ll see solo-specific offers before they’re widely advertised.
Are Singles Cruises Just for Dating?
No, and this misconception stops people who would genuinely enjoy them from booking. The vast majority of solo cruise passengers are not looking for romantic connections. They are travelling alone by choice: divorced, widowed, or simply preferring their own company to waiting for a compatible travel partner. The social dimension of a singles cruise is about meeting interesting people, not finding a spouse.
Cruise ships are genuine social environments where connections of all kinds happen naturally. People form lasting friendships on cruises at a rate that surprises first-timers. The closed geography, shared experiences and enforced leisure time create conditions for real human connection that are genuinely rare in modern life. Some passengers do meet romantic partners at sea too, and certain ships make it more likely than others. Virgin Voyages skews younger and more social, with a nightclub atmosphere that facilitates exactly this.
Celebrity Cruises attracts a similar independent, sociable demographic. If romance is part of what you’re hoping for, neither line will disappoint. Just don’t book a Fred. Olsen transatlantic expecting Tinder at sea, the demographic reality is rather different, and that’s not a criticism.
Common Questions About Singles Cruises
What are singles cruises actually like?
More normal than the name suggests. The vast majority of passengers on a solo-friendly sailing are simply people travelling alone, divorced, widowed, retired, or just preferring their own company to waiting for a compatible travel partner.
There are no awkward mixer events you’re obliged to attend, no name badges announcing your relationship status, and no pressure to socialise beyond what you choose. Days follow the same rhythm as any cruise: ports, meals, entertainment, sea days.
The difference is that the better solo-friendly lines build in enough natural social infrastructure — communal dining tables, studio lounges, hosted meet-ups — that conversation happens organically if you want it. Most first-time solo cruisers report being surprised by how quickly they meet people and how little they miss having a travel companion.
Can I get a solo cabin without paying any supplement?
Yes. Norwegian Cruise Line offers studio cabins priced at single occupancy with no supplement across their 20-ship fleet — the cabin is simply priced for one person. Celebrity’s Edge-class ships (Edge, Apex, Beyond, Ascent, Xcel) offer the same on their solo Infinite Veranda cabins. Fred. Olsen, Saga and Ambassador all have dedicated solo cabins with low or zero supplements on UK departures.
Which is NCL’s best ship for solo travellers right now?
Norwegian Aqua, launched in spring 2025, is currently NCL’s flagship solo offering. It has 73 studio cabins (94 sq ft), a dedicated Studio Lounge, and has introduced three additional solo cabin categories — Solo Inside, Solo Oceanview and Solo Balcony — all priced below standard double-occupancy rates. It is the most comprehensively solo-equipped ship in the NCL fleet.
Is it awkward eating alone on a cruise?
Communal seating in the main dining room is the standard solo move — request it on embarkation day. Most ships have a table specifically for solo passengers, and you’ll quickly develop a regular dining group. If you prefer privacy, all-day dining venues like buffet restaurants are inherently solo-friendly. Bar seating at speciality restaurants is another smooth option.
What are the best itineraries for solo travellers?
Transatlantic crossings attract a higher proportion of experienced, independent solo travellers. Educational theme cruises — history, wine, wildlife — draw like-minded passengers and natural conversation. Avoid school holiday sailings if you want an adult-focused environment. Longer voyages (14+ nights) give social connections more time to form naturally.
Are singles cruises more expensive than couple cruises?
On a per-person basis, often yes — unless you book a studio cabin or secure a supplement-waived deal. The comparison shifts considerably when you factor in that a solo cruise requires only one set of travel insurance, one excursion budget, and complete control over onboard spending. No-fly cruises from UK ports also remove international flight costs entirely.
Is solo cruising suitable for people with mobility requirements?
Cruise ships are among the most accessible travel formats available. Studio cabins are available in accessible configurations on most ships that carry them, and standard double-occupancy accessible cabins are extensive across all fleets. Contact the cruise line directly to confirm cabin specifications before booking — requirements vary and the detail matters.
Do cruise lines charge more for solo passengers than they used to?
The trend has moved in the opposite direction. Cruise lines have recognised that solo travellers book early, spend onboard and return frequently. The growth of dedicated solo cabin programmes since Norwegian’s Epic launched studios in 2010 has accelerated significantly — NCL has now retrofitted solo cabin categories across all 20 ships in its fleet.
Are singles cruises worth it?
For solo travellers who pick the right cruise line, yes, decisively. The key variable is whether you’re paying a single supplement or not. Book a studio cabin on Norwegian, a dedicated solo cabin on Fred. Olsen or Saga, or catch a Wave season deal with a waived supplement, and a singles cruise represents genuinely good value: accommodation, all meals, entertainment and transport to multiple destinations in a single booking.
The social infrastructure on the better solo-friendly lines means isolation is genuinely unlikely if you want company. The caveat is paying a full double supplement on a standard cabin — at that point the value case weakens considerably, and you’d be better waiting for a promotional sailing or choosing a line with dedicated solo cabins.