Best For Unusual Itineraries: Ponant
The joy of cruising as a single traveller is the ease with whichyou can meet fellow guests, so travelling with the French flagcruise line Ponant mayat first seem like an unusual recommendation. However, with over100 cruises available with 0% single supplement it’s easy to be tempted by a stylish fleet of superb smallvessels, committed to operating bilingually for their growingEnglish speaking market, on itineraries that we believe are somethe best available.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line offers solo travelers the opportunity to purchase a solo cabin on many of their most popular ships. Almost half of Royal Caribbeans fleet now has solo cabins. The type of cabin varies by class of ship. Studio Interiors can be found on the Anthem, Adventure, Brilliance, Harmony, Jewel, Mariner, Ovation, Quantum, Radiance and Serenade of the Seas and offer 96 square feet. Studio Virtual Balcony cabins can be found on the Anthem, Harmony, Ovation and Quantum of the Seas are similar to Studio Interiors but feature a Virtual Balcony flat screen television which simulates a picture window. A Studio Ocean View can be found on the Harmony of the Seas with 96 square feet of space. While the Studio Ocean View Balcony on the Anthem, Quantum and Ovation with 119 square feet of cabin space plus an additional 55 square feet for the balcony.
On Royal Caribbean Oasis-class ships, solo cabins are located in Central Park and Boardwalk neighborhoods one is an inside stateroom while the other is an outside with obstructed views . Solo travelers have access to the Cruise Connections Lounges where they can relax and take advantage of Wi-Fi.
Which Cruise Lines Offer Solo Cabins
Once windowless broom cupboards tucked away in a corner of the ship, single cabins are no longer the poor relation of twins and doubles. Check out Celebrity Cruises, Cunard, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, P& O Cruises, Saga, Virgin Voyages and, for river cruising, Arena Travel, AmaWaterways, American Cruise Lines, American Queen Steamboat Company, CroisiEurope, Emerald Cruises, Scenic, Tauck and Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection.
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Best Overall Cruise For Solo Travelers
Norwegian Breakaway
Norwegian Cruise Line is consistently recognized as the leader in singles cruises, thanks to studio cabins sized and priced perfectly for one and a lounge area for single travelers to meet and mingle. For a memorable solo cruise, check out the port-heavy Caribbean itinerary on Norwegian Breakaway. Youll get plenty of shore time in Cozumel, Roatán, Harvest Caye, and Costa Maya, with extra fun available before and after the cruise in the departure port of New Orleans.
What to expect:
- Single pricing for studio cabins
- Singles activities like bar crawls, meetups, ropes courses, and climbing walls
- Free open bar and Wi-Fi
- First-class entertainment on board with the Broadway musical Six, a 21st-century girl-power remix of five hundred years of historical Henry VIII heartbreak
- Weekly sailings from November through the winter months for a solo escape from the cold
- Departure from New Orleans, the ultimate port city for singles
Tauck And Other River Lines
Solo travelers looking for an upscale river cruise often can find a deal from Tauck, a high-end tour company that has a European cruise division. It markets more than half a dozen river vessels.
Tauck often eliminates its single supplement completely on its least-expensive category of cabins and reduces single supplements for other cabin categories.
Other river lines that sometimes waive or significantly lower single supplement charges include Avalon Waterways and AmaWaterways.
Avalon waives its single supplement charge for a handful of cabins on every cruise departure in addition to occasionally offering larger solo traveler promotions. AmaWaterways currently has a promotion that drops the single supplement for cabins on hundreds of Europe and Asia sailings to just 25%. AmaWaterways also has four ships in Europe that each have two dedicated solo cabins that carry no single supplement. They are the France-based AmaDolce, AmaLyra and AmaCello, and the AmaDante, which sails on the Rhine and Moselle rivers.
For more cruise coverage, check out our 2022 Cruise Extravaganza.
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Cruising Solo: What The Cruise Lines Dont Want You To Know
Ive been a solo cruiser for a very long time and almost always by choice. If youre just about ready to commit to your first solo cruise or only have a couple solo adventures under your belt, here are some things to know that the cruise lines dont tell you.
Or they simply dont want you to know. Period.
And remember, cruising solo doesnt mean its a singles cruise!
How To Navigate In Port When Cruising Solo
Im firmly convinced that four eyes are better than two when exploring a new city. If mazeophobia, my made-up name for the fear of getting lost in unknown surroundings, is something of concern, youll need to be prepared.
What a solo cruiser should always do when going ashore in an unfamiliar port
- Make sure to write down the name of your ship, pier, port agent and departure time on a piece of paper. Sometimes the cruise line daily planner includes it in a corner of the paper. Tear it out and put in your pocket. Or simply take a screenshot.
- Once again, take a photo of the All Aboard time sign as you leave the ship. Guessing the departure time does not help. This will also help you remember where your hundreds of photos were taken on that day.
- If youre on a motor coach tour or public transportation, when you step off the bus take a photo of the bus with its surroundings. Make sure to include a notable or colorful building or some kind of identifier. Ive used this ploy a dozen times.
Of course, youre going to have to turn on your inner radar for anything or anyone that gets too close to you. With only one set of eyes, youre on your own.
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Say Yes To Dining With New People
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.
People will likely be intrigued by you traveling on your own, want to get to know you better, and enhance their own dining experience. Even couples like to socialize and meet new people on vacation. Since youre all travelers who enjoy seeing the world, its easy to swap travel stories.
Best European Cruise: Fred Olsen’s Cruises
Fred Olsen’s Cruises
- Ship Name: Black Watch
- Itinerary: Lisbon, Portugal Portimao, Portugal Leixoes, Portugal Liverpool, England
A U.K.-based company, Fred Olsen caters to solo travelers with small ocean ships that have a maximum capacity of 1,300 passengers. Plus, they offer special rates on voyages for singles and solo staterooms on each of the four vessels. On Black Watch, the staterooms average around 150 square feet and are available in each category: interior, oceanview, balcony, and suite. Rooms have flat screen televisions, USB charge ports, tea and coffee making facilities and even mini refrigerators in some. On Exploring Portugals Highlights, the ship will spend an overnight in Lisbon as well as visits to smaller fishing villages.
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Look For A Line That Accommodates Singles
Robin Smith, a retired Texan who often travels by himself, prefers big-ship cruises, which can be less expensive.
Some of his favorite trips have involved Norwegian Cruise Line, which courts single travelers. Its 100-square-foot studio cabins are made for solos no single supplement is charged.
Norwegian really seems to embrace single travelers, Smith said. Some of the others make it clear they dont want solo passengers.
Besides its studio cabins, Norwegians newer ships have a hangout area for singles called the Studio Lounge, which has a bartender who serves cocktails during nightly mixers.
Theres also a coordinator who helps organize people who want to go to the shows or have dinner together, Smith said.
An insider tip for single cruisers: If you watch for special promotions, you can sometimes afford to upgrade yourself to a balcony cabin for not much money more than youd pay for a studio, he said.
There are plenty of Norwegian cruises to choose from if you want a studio room. Sailings for Norwegian Bliss, launching this spring, found a single traveler could sail from Los Angeles to the Mexican Riviera on a weeklong trip beginning Oct. 13, starting at $1,299.
Or head for Alaska from Seattle on June 30 and pay a rate starting at $2,499, for a weeklong trip. Those are single rates. No double occupancy charges.
The line also goes out of its way to make solos feel comfortable, scheduling more than 40 daily activities, mixers and get-togethers.
Best New Option: Oceania
Oceania Cruises have recently begun to attractthe attention of solo travellers with their new ship, the1200-guest Vista, including a new category of stateroom designedexclusively for solo occupancy. The Concierge Level Solo VerandaStateroom includes additional amenities, such as unlimited use ofthe expanded Aquamar Spa Terrace.
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Silversea Cruises Single Cruisers
Exclusively for Silversea’s’ solo guests, a welcoming champagne reception is hosted aboard every Silversea voyage, and select voyages are escorted by Gentlemen Hosts. These interesting, amiable and distinguished men are available as dance partners or dinner companions for single female guests, and will often participate in other shipboard activities as well as escort shore excursions.
Silversea offers low single supplements, making this the perfect time to treat yourself to a luxurious Silversea cruise, especially when combined with Silverseas All-Inclusive value!
Contact your All-Travel Solo/Single Cruise Expert today!
We are here for you Before, During and After Your Vacation
Does Celebrity Cruises Have Cruise Ships With Solo Cabins
We keep our finger on the pulse of travel trends here at Celebrity Cruises. It hasnt gone unnoticed that solo travel isand has beensteadily on the rise.
Weve added more staterooms to our fleet that are solo-traveler friendly. Dont miss out on a trip of a lifetime because you dont have a travel partner who can go with you.
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Best For Small Ship Cruising: Hebridean Island Cruises
Some people travelling alone prefer to avoid the very smallships, for fear of being surrounded by couples. On Hebridean Princess this will definitely not bethe case: this tiny Scottish country house hotel at sea embracesall its guests like old friends, and you will be welcomed as avalued guest at a very special house party.
Those travelling alone dine at a hosted table in the centre ofthe intimate dining room, having chosen one of the perfectlydesigned single cabins as their comfy home from home. By the end ofthe first day, you will be on first name terms with everyone.
Solo Cruises On Virgin’s Cruise Line Virgin Voyages
Virgin Voyages makes booking solo a breeze. All Insider and Sea View cabins are designed for 1 to 3 or 4 âsailors.â Virgin cruise line’s website allows solo cruisers to choose â1 sailorâ at the beginning of every search for voyages. All prices shown are then automatically converted to the cruise fare for a single, rather than the standard price per person, double-occupancy rate.
Ease of booking aside, the line is also readymade for solo cruisers. Virgin cruises, like Scarlet Lady, offer a wide array of edgy extras and are designed for socializing. From getting a tattoo at sea to the omnipresent DJ in the Roundabout, group yoga and Pilates classes, and racy evening entertainment, there are plenty of spaces and chances to socialize or indulge yourself by yourself.
Virgin Voyages cabins are easily configured for both sleeping and entertaining, giving solo cruisers all the comfort they need and none of the âwelcome to my tiny spaceâ vibe.
Virgin Voyages Solo Cruise Pricing: Single supplements on Virgin Voyages range from 75 to 100 percent of double occupancy rates. Solo pricing is as low as 75% over the standard fare for Insider, Sea View and Sea Terrace cabins, and 100% higher for suites.
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Best River Cruises For Single Travelers
Solo travel is taking off in a big way and not just on the mega-ships. River cruises are quickly becoming a popular destination for those who travel by themselves. River cruises are a great choice for solo travelers, thanks to their convivial atmosphere and relatively small number of passengers. As a single traveler, it is easier to get to know a few hundred people rather than a few thousand.
If youre traveling as a single on a river cruise, the atmosphere is generally gracious and welcoming. Expect fellow passengers to go out of their way to be inclusive when it comes to dinners perhaps the only awkward moment on a river cruise as a single traveler, due to the open-seating nature of most onboard dinners. For those who are shy, try grabbing a seat at a large table and let your fellow cruisers make the introductions.
Traveling solo by river has never been easier. Many river cruise lines now offer solo traveler discounts on selected sailings throughout the year that can reduce or even eliminate the dreaded single supplement that a normal booking would entail.
And while there is no wrong itinerary for solo travelers, it might be a good idea to stay away from barge cruises through the canals of France, unless you are incredibly social and outgoing. Most barges only hold between six and 12 people per vessel, and a few families traveling together can make a solo passenger feel like a bit of an outsider.
The Solo Perk: Solo Savings, Single Occupancy Staterooms
Cruises For Singles In Their 50s
McDaniel says that a river cruise is a great option for someone in their 50s, with some lines waiving the single supplement fee and putting age restrictions on passengers . Some companies, she notes, do a great job of hosting single mixers, which adds to the social experience. A cruise along the Danube or Rhine rivers is always a great choice, and there are several lines to choose from.
Sail along the Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers on Viking’s Grand European Tour, which starts in Amsterdam and ends in Budapest. Along the way, the ship stops in charming towns and major European capitals for a well-rounded trip through continental Europe.
The twelve-day Cities of Light cruise, also from Viking River Cruises, carries passengers between Paris and Prague with several stops in Germany along the way. On board, sip a glass of wine and enjoy the sight of the cities slipping by. For both Viking Cruises, guests must be fully vaccinated and test negative for COVID-19 upon boarding.
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More Options For Single Cruisers
- The new ship Celebrity Edge by Celebrity Cruises features the new Edge Single Stateroom with an Infinite Veranda. This spacious stateroom provides solo travelers with all the benefits of a private veranda and all the perks of a traditional cabin at a price that makes sense.
- Named one of the Worlds Best River Cruise Lines by the readers of Travel + Leisure, Taucks river cruises are a great way for guests traveling solo to explore Europe. Youll be in the company of like-minded travelers with mutual interests that foster camaraderie and a crew that makes you feel welcome from the moment you step on board.
Insider Tip: Solo travelers on Tauck will enjoy savings of $1,000 per cabin on select river cruises and categories, plus CruiseInsiders InsiderExtras you cant get anywhere else.
- Luxurious, all-inclusive Uniworld Boutique River Cruises offer meticulously planned itineraries ideally suited for solo travelers with open seating at every meal, small group excursions, and kindred spirits who share your passion for fresh destinations and a safe, convenient, and rewarding travel experience. Plus, theyve waived or reduced the single supplement fees on many of their most popular itineraries.
- Whether youre experienced at solo travel or trying it for the first time, Lindblad Expeditions welcoming on-board community, many group activities, and even their exclusive roommate program make traveling on your own a comfortable and rewarding experience.
Tips For Traveling Alone And Why You Should Go On A Solo Cruise
At the age of 19, I purchased a plane ticket to Nicaragua and ventured on my first-ever solo trip to Central America. Ten years and 30 countries later, I still believe that traveling alone is one of the best ways to see the world. When you travel solo, you’re likely to make new friends, develop newfound confidence and experience the freedom of waking up in a destination and doing the activities you’re passionate about, all on your own timeline.
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Cruises For Singles In Their 40s
Upscale, bigger cruises on ships from Princess, Holland America, and Celebrity will likely appeal to cruisers in their 40s, McDaniel says. These cruises tend to be a bit more expensive, but “appeal because they have some really great excursions and might go off the beaten path. They’re destination-immersive experiences.”
The seven-night Galapagos Southern Loop on Celebrity Xpedition is one fantastic option. The Galapagos Islands are a great destination for solo travelers and this cruise is a solid way to see them. Search for sea turtles, sea lions, and blue-footed boobies during the day, and spend the evening in the ship’s hot tub or take in one of the nightly lectures by certified naturalists from the Galapagos National Park. All guests must be fully vaccinated and test negative for COVID-19 upon entry.
A seven-day Norwegian Fjords cruise aboard Princess Cruises’ Sky Princess is an additional option for travelers hoping to explore another part of the world best seen from a ship.