Sailing Single
Solo cruising made simple — fair prices, the right cabin and good company when you want it.
Get Free Solo Cruise QuotesCruising Alone Is Not the Same as Being Alone
Solo cruising has gone mainstream. Widowed travelers, busy professionals, people whose partners hate the sea and travelers who simply like their own company all set sail by themselves. Sailing Single is a guide to doing it well: what the single supplement really is, which kinds of solo cabins exist, how to pay less, how to meet people on board and how to stay safe.
A cruise suits the solo traveler better than most holidays. You unpack once. Your meals are taken care of. There is a schedule of things to do every day, and a whole ship of potential dinner companions. On port days you can join a group tour or wander off on your own. And at night you return to a room that is exactly how you left it, with nobody else’s snoring.
Single Supplements Explained
Why a cabin for one can cost close to the price of two, and how the lines calculate it.
Solo Cabins & Studios
The dedicated single cabins on today’s ships, and what to check before you book one.
Paying Less as a Solo
Reduced-supplement sailings, timing, cabin choices and other ways to bring the price down.
Meeting People
Solo meet-ups, shared tables, activities and shore tours where friendships start.
Solo Safety
Common-sense habits on board and ashore when nobody is watching your back.
Solo Cruise FAQ
Quick answers to the questions solo cruisers ask us most.
The One Real Drawback: Price
Cruise fares are built around two people sharing a cabin. Book that same cabin for one and most lines charge a single supplement, which can bring your fare close to what a couple would pay together. Royal Caribbean, for example, says solo guests in a standard stateroom generally pay 200% of the per-person rate, and Cunard says its sole-occupancy supplement typically runs from 175% to 200%.
That is why the rise of purpose-built solo cabins matters. They are smaller, but they are priced for one person, so the supplement either disappears or shrinks. Our solo cabins page covers which lines have them, and paying less as a solo covers what to do when they are sold out.
Who Sails Single?
| Traveler | What usually matters most |
|---|---|
| First-time solo cruiser | A friendly ship with plenty of organized activities and a solo meet-up on the first night |
| Widowed or divorced traveler | Comfortable dining options, a gentle pace and easy ways to meet others |
| Busy professional | A short sailing, a quiet cabin and time to switch off — company optional |
| Experienced traveler | Interesting itineraries and enrichment lectures more than nightlife |
| Traveler with a non-cruising partner | Value for one, and an itinerary the partner would not enjoy anyway |
Whichever you are, the ship you pick changes the experience more than anything else. A big resort ship is full of energy and organized fun. A mid-size premium ship offers more conversation and quieter evenings. Small luxury ships tend to include more in the fare and some run promotions with reduced supplements. If you would rather travel with a group leader, hosted sailings are explained on our sister site Cruise With a Host.
Five Habits of Happy Solo Cruisers
- Go to the first meet-up, even if you are shy. Many solo cruisers say it set the tone for the whole trip.
- Ask for a shared table at dinner at least a few nights. It is the easiest conversation on the ship.
- Sign up for something — trivia, a cooking demonstration, a dance class, a fitness session.
- Book one group shore tour early in the cruise; you will see familiar faces on board afterward.
- Protect your quiet time. A balcony, a library or a forward lounge on a sea day is a pleasure of its own.
New to cruising altogether? Start with our sister site First Time Cruise, which walks through booking, boarding and life on board step by step.
Why Solo Travelers Call Us
Solo cabins are scarce, reduced-supplement offers come and go, and the cheapest-looking fare is not always the best value for one. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise compare solo cabins, standard cabins with a supplement and current promotions side by side, then hold the option that suits you. You get one person to ask, before and after you book.
Sailing Single is part of the Smart Traveler network, led by Mister Cruise. He has sold travel since 1972 and worked full-time in the industry since 1977. He has sold or originated more than $500 million in cruises and has trained more than 500 travel agents.
When you ask for a quote, our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise handle it personally — not a call center — and book everything for you. Meet Mister Cruise →
Solo Cruise Questions
Is cruising alone a good idea?
For many people it is the easiest way to travel solo. Your hotel, meals and entertainment move with you, there is always someone to talk to if you want company, and you never have to plan dinner for one in a strange city.
What is a single supplement?
Cruise fares are priced per person based on two people sharing a cabin. When one person books a standard cabin alone, the line usually charges extra to make up for the empty second berth. That extra is the single supplement.
Do any ships have cabins built for one person?
Yes. Several lines, including Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Holland America and Cunard, have dedicated solo or single cabins on some of their ships. They are limited in number and tend to book early.
Will I be lonely?
Only if you want to be. Shared dining tables, solo get-togethers, trivia, classes and group shore tours make it easy to meet people, and nobody will think twice if you prefer a quiet book on deck.
Find a Cruise Priced for One
Tell us where you would like to sail, when, and whether you would prefer a solo cabin or a larger room. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will compare the options and send free quotes.
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