Solo cruises have become one of the most popular ways to travel alone, and it is easy to see why. You unpack once, your meals and entertainment are taken care of, and there are people to chat to whenever you want company, with your own cabin to retreat to when you do not. Plenty of our customers cruise on their own, some for the first time and others who would not travel any other way.
If you are thinking about a solo cruise, this guide covers everything you need to know: which cruise lines have dedicated solo cabins, how single supplements work, how to meet people onboard, and the easiest solo cruises from the UK.
Why solo cruises work so well
Travelling alone can mean a lot of planning and a lot of meals for one. A cruise takes most of that away. The big advantages of a solo cruise are:
- Safety and reassurance, with a familiar ship to come back to every evening
- Several destinations in one trip without having to organise transport between them
- Built-in company, from shared dining tables to quizzes, dance classes and shore excursions
- Freedom to do exactly what you like, whether that is a full day of activities or a book on your balcony
- No-fly options from Southampton and other UK ports, so there is no airport to navigate alone
Which cruise lines have solo cabins?
Dedicated solo cabins are designed and priced for one person, so you avoid paying for a second guest who is not there. The number of solo cabins on each ship is limited and they tend to sell out early, so it pays to book well ahead. Lines popular with UK solo travellers include:
- P&O Cruises: single cabins on its ships, including single inside, sea view and balcony options on the newer ships Iona and Arvia, all sailing from Southampton
- Cunard: single cabins across its Queens, which are some of the most generously sized solo cabins at sea
- Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines: a long-standing favourite with solo travellers, with single cabins on its smaller ships and sailings from several UK ports
- Ambassador Cruise Line: adult-focused, no-fly cruising from UK ports, with single cabins available
- Norwegian Cruise Line: Studio cabins on many of its ships, with access to a private Studio Lounge where solo guests can meet
- Celebrity Cruises: single staterooms on its Edge Series ships, including Celebrity Beyond and Celebrity Apex
- Royal Caribbean: studio cabins on a number of ships, including the Quantum class
Solo cabins are usually smaller than a standard double, but they are designed to make good use of the space. If you would rather have a full-size balcony cabin to yourself, that is always an option too, which brings us to single supplements.
How single supplements work on a solo cruise
Cruise fares are based on two people sharing a cabin. If you book a standard cabin on your own, most cruise lines add a single supplement to cover the empty space. This is charged as a percentage of the shared fare, and it varies a lot between cruise lines, ships, cabin grades and sailings.
The good news is that single supplements are not fixed. Cruise lines regularly reduce or waive them on selected sailings, particularly where they want to fill cabins. Ways to keep the cost of a solo cruise down include:
- Booking a dedicated solo cabin, where the fare is set for one person
- Looking out for reduced or no single supplement promotions
- Being flexible on dates, as quieter sailings often carry lower supplements
- Choosing a line known for solo-friendly pricing, such as Fred. Olsen or Ambassador
- Asking a specialist, as we can compare the solo price across several lines at once
Meeting people on a solo cruise
One of the most common worries about cruising alone is whether you will feel lonely. In practice, a cruise ship is one of the easiest places in the world to strike up a conversation. A few ways solo travellers meet people onboard:
- Solo traveller get-togethers: many lines host a meet-up early in the cruise, often on the first or second evening, and the daily programme will list them
- Shared dining tables: on lines such as P&O Cruises and Cunard, you can ask to join a larger table in the main restaurant rather than dining alone
- Activities: quizzes, dance classes, talks, wine tastings and deck games are natural ways to meet people
- Shore excursions: a group tour gives you company ashore and someone to compare notes with at dinner
- Online groups: lots of sailings have a Facebook group where guests say hello before departure
Just as important, nobody will mind if you want your own space. Plenty of solo cruisers enjoy a quiet breakfast with a view, an afternoon in the spa and a show in the evening, with as much or as little company as they like.
Choosing the right cruise line for a solo cruise
The best line for a solo cruise depends on the atmosphere you are after:
- For a traditional British feel, with lots of fellow UK guests: P&O Cruises, Fred. Olsen or Ambassador
- For elegance, ballroom dancing and afternoon tea: Cunard
- For a lively, social atmosphere and a dedicated solo lounge: Norwegian Cruise Line
- For modern, stylish ships: Celebrity Cruises
- For an adults-only, relaxed vibe: Virgin Voyages or Ambassador
- For an all-inclusive treat where everything is taken care of: a luxury line such as Explora Journeys or Silversea
Ship size makes a difference too. Smaller ships tend to feel friendlier, as you see the same faces around the ship each day. Larger ships offer more choice, which suits solo travellers who like to keep busy. Our guide to which cruise line is right for you goes into more detail.
Solo cruises from the UK with no flights
For many solo travellers, the easiest option is a no-fly cruise from a UK port. You drive or take the train to the ship, hand over your luggage and the holiday starts there and then. Southampton has the widest choice, with sailings to the Norwegian fjords, the Canary Islands, the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, while lines such as Fred. Olsen and Ambassador also sail from regional ports including Newcastle, Liverpool and Tilbury.
Take a look at our guide to no-fly cruises from the UK, our cruises from Southampton page, and our Southampton cruise parking guide if you are driving down. If it is your first time at sea, our first-time cruiser guide is a great place to start.
Tips for your first solo cruise
- Book early if you want a solo cabin, as there are only a handful on each ship
- Check the daily programme on the first evening for the solo travellers’ meet-up
- Ask for a shared table at dinner, even for a night or two, if your line offers it
- Consider a drinks or dining package, so you are not signing for every coffee
- Pick a shorter cruise first if you are unsure, such as a 7 Night fjords or a short European break
Solo cruises FAQs
Are solo cruises a good idea for first-timers?
Yes. A cruise is one of the easiest ways to travel alone for the first time, because your meals, entertainment and transport between destinations are all taken care of. A short no-fly cruise from the UK is a great way to try it.
Which cruise lines have single cabins?
Lines with dedicated single or studio cabins include P&O Cruises, Cunard, Fred. Olsen, Ambassador, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean. Availability varies by ship, so it is worth checking each sailing.
What is a single supplement on a cruise?
A single supplement is an extra charge for booking a cabin designed for two on your own. It is worked out as a percentage of the shared fare, and cruise lines often reduce or waive it on selected sailings.
Will I feel lonely on a solo cruise?
Most solo cruisers find it easy to meet people. Solo get-togethers, shared dining tables, activities and excursions all make it simple to find company, while your own cabin gives you space whenever you want it.
Can I do a solo cruise from Southampton?
Yes. Southampton has the widest choice of no-fly solo cruises in the UK, with lines such as P&O Cruises, Cunard, MSC Cruises and Celebrity Cruises sailing from the port.
Do solo cabins sell out quickly?
Often, yes. Each ship only has a limited number of solo cabins, so the most popular sailings can sell out well in advance. Booking early gives you the best choice.
Let us find your perfect solo cruise
The trick with solo cruises is knowing where the solo cabins and lower supplements are hiding, and that changes from one sailing to the next. Our team can compare the options across the cruise lines for you and find a solo cruise that suits the way you like to travel. Call us on 01724 808800, contact us here, or use our live chat to message the team directly.
