Paying Less as a Solo Cruiser
Practical ways to shrink the single supplement.
Get Free Solo Cruise QuotesWhen solo cabins are sold out or do not suit you, there are still several ways to bring a single supplement down. None of them is guaranteed — but together they make a real difference.
Ways to Lower the Price for One
Watch for reduced-supplement offers
Lines sometimes cut the supplement on selected sailings to fill cabins. These appear and disappear without much warning.
Be flexible on dates
Shoulder seasons and weeks outside school holidays usually see less demand and better solo pricing.
Choose a smaller cabin
A supplement on an inside or ocean-view room costs less in dollars than one on a balcony or suite.
Consider older or less in-demand ships
Ships that are not the newest in the fleet often have more room for promotions.
Look at longer sailings
Repositioning cruises and longer voyages sometimes carry softer solo pricing than short peak-season trips.
Ask about every discount
Past-guest, age, residency or military rates may apply to solo guests too; rules vary by line.
When the Promotions Run
The first months of the year bring the cruise industry’s biggest sales period, and lines frequently include perks or reduced deposits that also benefit solo travelers. Our sister site Wave Season collects those offers while they are live. For current low fares and every discount you might qualify for, see Cruising for Less.
Closer to sailing, unsold cabins sometimes get cheaper — but solo cabins rarely last that long, and last-minute bargains are less likely on holiday weeks. Weigh the gamble against how much you want a particular ship.
Should You Share a Cabin With a Stranger?
Some group organizers and hosted cruises offer roommate-matching, pairing solo travelers of the same gender to share a cabin at the double-occupancy rate. It can halve the cost, and some lifelong friendships have started that way. It also means sharing a small space with someone you have never met. If you consider it, ask how matching works, what happens if no roommate is found, and whether you can switch if it does not work out.
Traveling with a friend who has a different budget? You can each book your own cabin near one another, or share and split the cost — whichever keeps the friendship intact.
Compare the Whole Trip, Not Just the Fare
- Included drinks, Wi-Fi or gratuities can make a higher solo fare the better deal.
- Small luxury lines that include more in the fare may be closer in total cost than they look.
- Flights and a pre-cruise hotel are not shared either, so a homeport near you saves twice.
- Travel insurance is priced per traveler; it is worth having when you are covering a cabin alone.
Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise run these comparisons as a matter of routine for solo clients.
Let Us Hunt for Lower Solo Fares
Give us a region and a range of months. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will look for reduced-supplement sailings, solo cabins and the best total price for one.
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