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SOLO CRUISES FOR SINGLES & SOLO TRAVELLERS

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CRUISES FOR SINGLES & SOLO CRUISING

Best for solo travellers - cruise critic's 2023 editors' picks awards.

The best experiences last a lifetime - solo travel is one of them. The ability to explore, take chances, meet new people and do what you want when you want. To trade stories, and cocktails, with like-minded travellers from around the world. Or to sail with a group, on your own terms. Now when you cruise solo with Norwegian, you'll enjoy more freedom and choice than ever. We've doubled the number of Solo Staterooms across our fleet by adding Solo Balcony and Oceanview rooms, in addition to Inside rooms and Studios. The best part? The savings! Traditional double occupancy rates do not apply. So come aboard with friends or family - or take time to meet new people, then watch the sunset from your private balcony. After all, you're pretty good company.

Exclusively for one STUDIO STATEROOMS

Studio Stateroom for Singles Cruises

Norwegian Cruise Line was the first cruise line to build staterooms and common areas specifically for the single cruiser. Our Studios are the perfect sized room for solo cruising and the Studio Lounge is a great way to meet other single cruisers.

The choice is yours ADDITIONAL STATEROOMS

Prefer a room with a view or with additional space to unwind? We offer Balconies, Oceanview and Inside Staterooms for solo travellers. All Solo Staterooms include exclusive access to the Studio Lounge* where you can unwind and meet other solo cruisers. And save money when you book - these rooms are priced exclusively for solo travelers!

Exclusively for one

Studio staterooms.

The choice is yours

Additional staterooms.

Prefer a room with a view or with additional space to unwind? We offer Balconies, Oceanview and Inside Staterooms for solo travelers. All Solo Staterooms include exclusive access to the Studio Lounge* where you can unwind and meet other solo cruisers. And save money when you book — these rooms are priced exclusively for solo travelers!

* Studio Lounge and accessibility varies by ship.

Things to Know:

Why cruise with ncl solo.

BEST CRUISES FOR SINGLES

WHAT TO PACK FOR YOUR CRUISE

WHY CRUISE NORWEGIAN SOLO

The 5 best cruise lines for solo travelers

Editor's Note

Thinking of taking a cruise as a solo traveler? Here's the bad news: With many lines, you could end up paying twice as much as someone traveling with a companion.

Most cruise ship cabins are designed for two, and the cruise rates you see advertised for these cabins are per person, based on double occupancy . That means the rates are only available to customers who will be sharing the cabin with a second paying passenger.

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's new cruise newsletter .

If you want to occupy one of these cabins alone, you'll pay a premium that, in cruise world lingo, is known as the "single supplement." Often, that premium is 100%. In other words, even if you don't have a second person in your cabin, you'll be paying an extra fare as if you did.

Still, all is not lost if you're a singleton wanting to experience life at sea. Spurred by increasing demand, a growing number of cruise lines are adding cabins designed specifically for solo travelers (with pricing that, by definition, is based on single occupancy). Some lines routinely offer lower single supplement charges than others, or they reduce or waive single supplements during promotions.

Of course, it's not just a low price that makes for a good solo cruise. Just as important for many people traveling alone is the opportunity to meet other like-minded solo travelers through meet-and-greet receptions and organized group dining for solo cruisers. Some cruise lines do a better job with this than others.

Looking at all these criteria — price, cabin options and a welcoming environment — I've identified five lines going the extra mile for cruisers traveling alone. Here are my top picks for the best cruise lines for solo travelers.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Credit Norwegian for kicking off the trend of more solo cabins on cruise ships. In 2010, the big-ship line debuted an entire zone of small "studio" cabins for one — 128 in all — on its then-new, 4,100-passenger Norwegian Epic. It was such a hit that other lines began to follow.

Just 100 square feet but superbly designed to maximize storage space, the solo rooms on Norwegian Epic are clustered around an exclusive Studio Lounge. It has a bar and television area where solo travelers can mingle at daily hosted happy hour gatherings.

Norwegian has since added similar solo cabin areas with exclusive lounges to seven more new ships, including its two newest vessels, Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima . Both ships have a 73-cabin solo complex that spreads across two decks.

The bigger Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Bliss all have an 82-cabin solo complex, while two older ships — Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway — have solo areas with 59 cabins.

Norwegian also offers four solo cabins on its Hawaii-based Pride of America.

Having sailed in one of Norwegian's cabins for one, I can confidently declare them among the coolest solo digs at sea. I particularly love the futuristic "Jetsons"-like design and the multicolored mood lighting.

One big caveat: They're all inside cabins without an ocean view, although most have a window that looks out onto a corridor. On Norwegian Bliss, the solo cabins have a virtual porthole that offers a live view of the outside world via an LED screen.

Related: Why a windowless inside cabin isn't so bad

A bigger caveat, perhaps, is that these solo cabins have become so popular they often sell out far in advance, and at prices that aren't much better than booking a cabin for two.

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean has taken a page from Norwegian's playbook in recent years by adding solo cabins to both new and older ship classes . The line's Quantum-class vessels, which began debuting in 2014, offer up to 28 of these dedicated studio cabins, which measure from 101 to 119 square feet.

Unlike Norwegian's solo digs, some cabins are ocean-view rooms with balconies. Others have a virtual balcony that, at first glance, looks like a veranda but is really just a digital screen projecting a real-time view of the outside. (It sounds corny, but it works.)

Other Royal Caribbean ships with solo cabins include some of the line's giant Oasis-class vessels, including Symphony of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas . Several of Royal Caribbean's older Voyager-class and Radiance-class vessels also have solo cabins. But some of these ships have just two or three.

While the solo cabins on Royal Caribbean ships don't come with a dedicated solo lounge, solo travelers will find Royal Caribbean-hosted meetups for solo travelers on the vessels, which is a great way for single travelers to find others in the same boat, so to speak. There's also quite a bar scene on Royal Caribbean ships, with rows of bar seats in many bars that are a great place to find other solo travelers.

Additionally, Royal Caribbean ships are particularly known for their wide range of onboard activities, from big-production shows to rock-climbing walls and surfing pools, that you can enjoy just fine as a solo traveler.

Silversea Cruises

Unlike Norwegian and Royal Caribbean, Silversea hasn't created a specific cabin category for solo travelers. But the luxury line is known for catering to them with single supplements of just 10% to 25% on select sailings. Occasionally, during short-term promotions, the line even will waive the single supplement entirely.

Silversea also hosts welcome receptions for solo travelers at the start of every voyage to kick off the mingling process.

Operating relatively small, intimate vessels that carry just a few hundred passengers, Silversea is known for drawing a social crowd that likes to mix and mingle, particularly at dinnertime — a boon for people like me who don't like to eat alone.

Head to the main lounge just before dinner on a Silversea ship, and there's a good chance you'll be pulled into a conversation with a group of complete strangers who will extend a dinner invitation. This has happened to me so many times on Silversea ships that I almost count on it.

Related: 6 reasons you'll want to book a balcony cabin on your next cruise

On Silversea's expedition sailings, you can also share meals with ship naturalists and expedition guides who join passengers in public dining venues. From my experience, they are always amenable to a friendly dining companion and some good conversation.

Virgin Voyages

Of course, there's always the rebellious startup line Virgin Voyages , backed by Richard Branson's Virgin Group, which draws fun-loving folks (but not just millennials ). It's shaping up to be a leader in the solo cruise market, judging from my experience when I sailed on its first ship, Scarlet Lady .

The vessel boasts 46 cabins specifically designed for lone travelers — as do its newer sisters, Valiant Lady and Resilient Lady . That's a big number for a ship with just 1,330 cabins overall. We haven't yet sailed in one of their solo rooms, but based on what we saw when we toured Scarlet Lady, they might just become the coolest digs-for-one around.

The solo accommodations on Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady and Resilient Lady include 40 windowless, 105-square-foot Solo Insider rooms on each vessel that are sleek and stylish with full-size beds, large flat-screen televisions, curvy vanities and high-design bathrooms. Six similar-looking Solo Sea View cabins on each vessel measure about 130 square feet and offer windows.

Note that the solo cabins with windows are at the front of the ships, facing forward. While that's a spectacular location for sightseeing, seasoned cruisers know that cabins in this location can be bumpy in rough seas. I love a little movement when I cruise (how else do you know you're at sea?), but if you don't, consider yourself warned.

Meanwhile, for solos, you'll find that Virgin's hopping bar scene — and adult-focused atmosphere — is perfect for solos looking to meet up with other single travelers. With a ban on children under 18, you won't find families with kids on this line. It's all about solo travelers, couples and friend groups looking to have a good time and engage with their shipmates on board.

Related: The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any ship

Solo travelers looking for an upscale river cruise can often find a deal from Tauck, a high-end tour company with 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 (Category 1) and reduces single supplements for other cabin categories (with savings up to $1,000 in select categories).

On board, Tauck directors and cruise directors take special care of solo travelers, and communal tables at mealtime make it easy to meet other travelers.

Cruisers traveling alone can seek out others at the bar (no worries about the bar tab — drinks are included) or escape to a quiet sun deck spot with a book when they're tired of socializing. Daily shore excursions and tours are included, so you'll always have a group ready to explore with you on land.

River cruising in general is ideal for solo travelers, and other river lines also waive or significantly lower single supplement charges. Avalon Waterways waives its single supplement charge for some cabins on every cruise departure in Europe, and AmaWaterways charges a single supplement of just 50% for solo travelers booking non-suite cabins. It also has four ships in Europe that each have two dedicated solo cabins that carry no single supplement.

Bottom line

As someone who often cruises alone when writing about ships, I've found that smaller ships often are better for mixing and mingling than bigger ships .

On small ships, you'll see the same people again and again — on tours, in lounges, around the pool and so forth; this increases the odds you'll strike up a conversation and soon become fast friends. On big ships with thousands of passengers, you might go days without seeing the same person twice.

The lines that operate small ships are also more prone to offering discounts for solo travelers, which results in a higher percentage of individual cruisers onboard. That said, for the most part, the lines operating bigger ships are offering the most dedicated solo cabins. They also offer more onboard activities, from Broadway shows to rock-climbing walls, that you don't need companions to enjoy.

Not that you should worry too much about making friends at sea. Cruisers, in general, are social people. In fact, many passengers cruise specifically to meet others. I can't tell you how many times I've been sitting alone in a corner of a cruise ship lounge, minding my own business, when another passenger (or two or five) stopped by and struck up a conversation.

Whether you choose one of our top cruise lines for solo travelers or another line that suits your fancy, you're bound to have a good time with as much or as little alone time as you desire.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginner's guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

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Tips for Traveling Alone and Why You Should Go on a Solo Cruise

By  Chantae Reden | Published on December 1, 2021

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.

Tips For Traveling Solo

When friends and family hear that I'm planning a solo trip to a far-flung destination, I'm usually met with one question:

 "Is it safe to travel alone?"

Understandably, safety is one of the biggest factors on people's minds when it comes to venturing on a solo vacation. On my first international trip traveling alone, I scheduled a driver to pick me up at the airport and drive me six hours away to my accommodations. However, my plane landed late in the evening and my driver was nowhere to be seen. I'd failed to write down the address of my destination, trusting the driver to have it. Then, because I'd failed to put a travel notice on my credit card, my debit card was declined at the airport's ATM. I only had the exact amount of cash on hand to pay my rogue driver.

With no plan B, I cried and walked from the airport to a nearby hotel in the dark. The hotel receptionist took pity on me and helped me call my bank and my family back home. We also arranged for a new driver to take me to my destination in Popoyo, Nicaragua the next morning.

Once I've arrived somewhere as a solo traveler, I take the same precautions that I take in any major city. I typically stick to main roads, avoid showing off any expensive objects and aim to be back in my hotel just after dinner. If a stranger seems too inquisitive, I'll mention that I'm planning to meet a friend. I also ask locals and hotel staff for safety advice and guidance on what scams I should be looking out for.

 Though most destinations are worth visiting as a solo traveler, there are some that are easier to navigate than others. One thing you can count on, however, is that you likely won't be the only one doing it. Solo travelers are one of the fastest-growing travel demographics, with more people traveling alone to new countries each year. In regions like Europe , the South Pacific and Southeast Asia, solo travelers can be found in just about every hostel.

Joining meetup groups, walking tours and day trips and taking cultural dance or cooking classes are all interesting ways to learn about the place you're visiting in a social environment. As a solo traveler in Hawaii , I went on an adventure tour of the North Shore where we could snorkel, hike to waterfalls and kayak. While I was nervous about feeling left out of the group at first, I met a fellow solo traveler on the tour bus who happened to feel the same. We kayaked through a sea turtle sanctuary together, nearly spilling into the water in excitement whenever a sea turtle bobbed its head above the surface. Later, we met up for a sugar-sweet scoop of shave ice and swapped contact information.

It's a common misconception that traveling alone is bound to be a lonely experience. I've found I actually make more friends on the road as a solo traveler. I'm more likely to strike up a conversation with a stranger and join group experiences and I'm often seen as more approachable by other travelers than when I travel with a friend. Because I'm not beholden to anyone else's schedule, I can easily join and leave travel groups as I please. I've made some of my best friends while traveling solo and we now often plan trips together. My spouse and I met because he was traveling alone through California, my home state, and I gave him an impromptu tour of Southern California .

If you're trying to decide where to stay, hostels foster a social environment that's ideal for making travel buddies. If you want to be able to take a break, some hostels have private rooms available, offering solo travelers a nice compromise of privacy and a social life. Standard hotels are ideal for those looking for solitude and a private escape, but it may be a challenge to make friends, especially if the hotel caters to romantic getaways or families with young children. And while relaxing at an overwater bungalow in the Maldives sounds idyllic, I'd probably save that seaside getaway for when I'm traveling with a partner.

Some guided multi-day tours cater to solo travelers, which is a bit of an oxymoron when you consider that you'll have travel partners from sunrise until sunset for the duration of your trip. This is a great option for those who are nervous about traveling on their own but don't want to let their fear get in the way of going on a journey to somewhere new.

Why A Cruise Is An Ideal Solo Vacation

A cruise offers a great balance of relaxation and adventure for solo travelers. It's a trip where you're bound to make interesting friends from all around the world while enjoying the freedom of movement that only solo travel brings. You can enjoy a multi-city trip with the freedom of not having to worry about the logistics of finding accommodation, transportation and delicious meals. Then you can recapture your solitude whenever it suits you and enjoy the destinations , activities and amenities that the cruise offers on your own schedule. Here are some of the best perks of a solo cruise.

Company (Only) When You Want It

Onboard a cruise, there are dozens of activities to keep you busy. Plus, you're bound to meet people as you try your hand at adventure activities like fencing, archery, ziplining, catching a wave on the FlowRider*, racing around on bumper cars, rock climbing and sliding down the best water attractions at sea.

When it's time to slow your heart rate, escape for a spa treatment or perch yourself at one of the many bars onboard and swap travel tales with the bartender. There are also cooking classes, theater performances, dance classes and karaoke nights, where you can get to know your fellow travelers by bonding over mutual affinities for and distastes of the songs being belted on stage.

Options For Outings

Once the ship pulls into port, you can venture on a shore excursion with other guests or strike out on your own. Fellow solo travelers tend to join shore excursion trips, so that's an easy way to make friends with whom you can plan future activities onboard. Blow bubbles and explore dive sites in the aquarium-clear waters of Bonaire with a scuba dive buddy, embrace your curiosity on a cultural tour of Kyoto, learn to surf in Oahu or explore the Greek ruins in Athens. Back on the ship, you'll have plenty of shared memories with your shipmates.

Your Own Team Of Experts

As a solo traveler onboard, it's often easy to get to know the staff. Crew members usually hail from all around the world and often share your love of travel. They're experts at recommending the best things to do no matter your interest and are also savvy when it comes to helping guests choose excursions and making the most of the ship's features. On one cruise, a staff member showed me which lounge chair area was bound to get the most shade throughout the day.

Dining is one of the most common conundrums for solo travelers, especially if you're not keen on ordering room service each evening. Fortunately, the maître d' often has a good eye for matching solo travelers at a dining table together as long as you simply let staff know in advance. If you'd like your solo vacation to double as a complete retreat, bring a book along and enjoy dining in your own company. Don't be afraid to enter the specialty dining restaurants, either.

It's A Good Value

Going solo on a cruise can offer a great deal for travelers. Solo cruise vacations are becoming increasingly popular and select Royal Caribbean ships have studio staterooms . These rooms are designed specifically with solo travelers in mind, and you can say goodbye to single supplement fees. If you'd rather go with another option, there's nothing wrong with paying a bit more and having a larger stateroom to yourself.

Ready To Travel Alone?

If you want to enjoy the freedom of a solo trip without the heavy planning logistics, a cruise is a great way to get your feet wet. You'll have the benefit of planned meals, activities and excursions whenever you want, along with plenty of ways to satisfy your wanderlust. A solo vacation is a great way to come to center; you'll return home feeling rejuvenated and filled with the confidence that all you need is yourself to have a wonderful time.

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