Best Cruises for Solo Travellers

Looking to experience life at sea and travel the world as a solo sailor? Our travel experts share their insider knowledge and tips on the best cruises for solo travellers, from special rates and staterooms to activities.

Travelling solo is a really rewarding experience but often times can become expensive due to single supplements, as the majority of tours are based on double occupancy; but also they might lack activities catering for single travellers.

“When considering a cruise holiday on your own, it is worth checking what offers are available from the different cruise lines as some wave single supplements completely, ” explains Caroline O’Toole, our head of luxury and cruise holidays at JWT Travel. She shares some useful tips and advice to keep in mind and her pick of best cruises for solo travellers:

Picture courtesy of: Norwegian Cruise Line

SINGLE CABINS

While not all cruise lines offer single or solo cabins, there is a number of cruise lines that do and they do it really well! These cabins are designed and priced specifically for solo travellers. It is also worth noting some cruise lines might have them available only in some of their ships and/or selected destinations.

Norwegian Cruise Line was the first cruise line to build staterooms and common areas designed with single cruisers in mind. Their ships have fabulous single staterooms and this year introduced three new stateroom categories to choose from: Solo Inside, Solo Oceanview and Solo Balcony. NCL’s award-winning Studio Staterooms are now available across Norwegian’s full 19-ship fleet.

“Single cabins are located in the same area and guests have access to a Studio Lounge just for solo travellers so it is lovely for them to meet up for dinner and for the evening shows. It is very social,” says Caroline.

Other cruise lines that feature single cabins in some of their fleet are Virgin Voyages, Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean and MSC.

Celebrity Cruises has beautiful single staterooms, many of them featuring a private veranda, and offers hosted social events for solo travelers.

If you are looking for luxury cruise experiences, check out Oceania‘s new solo staterooms. Across the Oceania’s fleet of smaller ships, solo travellers have a fantastic selection to choose from: Concierge Level Solo Veranda Staterooms with a private veranda aboard Vista and Solo Oceanview Staterooms aboard Regatta, Insignia, Nautica and Sirena.

ACTIVITIES

In addition to looking at the cabin options, it is important to consider what kind of activities are included in your cruise, whether you’d like to enjoy some peace and quiet or meet like-minded travellers. Travelling alone doesn’t mean being lonely!

Virgin Voyages adult-only cruises for instance, hosts social events and onboard entertainment designed to help single sailors socialise and meet other cruisers in a relaxed and fun environment.

SPECIALLY FOR SOLO TRAVELLERS

Riviera Travel has launched a collection of fantastic river cruises specially designed for Solo travellers.

They have exclusively reserved a selection of European river cruise departures for solo travelers, with no single supplements across the entire ship, so you can book that Diamond Deck Suite you’ve always imagined, without the roommate and the single price tag. The Rhine,  Danube, Provence, Douro Valley and even Egypt along the Nile River are some of the enchanting destinations you can explore.

SPECIAL FARES AND OFFERS

From time to time, cruise lines might run special fares and offers for solo travellers, offering reduced single supplements on specific departures or waving it completely.

Uniworld boutique river cruises generally wave their single supplement on their luxurious river cruise experiences and pride themselves in a welcoming atmosphere and programme of activities where you will never feel lonely; while AmaWaterways have a Solo Traveller programme with regular special offers for single cruisers.

Solo travellers looking to experience ultra luxury and expedition voyages with Silversea often enjoy special fares for single occupancy, ranging from only 10 to 25%; while ultra-luxury Scenic Cruises have no single-supplement on selected suites and sailings.

We hope you find inspiration from our blog post, don’t hesitate to contact our award-winning team to find out more about the best cruises for solo travellers and book your next escape.