With plenty of ways to mingle with other passengers (or enjoy some quality alone time), going on a cruise alone is the perfect getaway for solo and single travelers.
However, you’ll need to do your research before booking since cruising solo can get expensive. Some cruise lines charge single supplements, which means you'll pay extra when traveling alone and staying in a room that's usually meant for two people.
Luckily, as solo cruising has become more popular, certain cruise lines have started to cater to the needs of guests traveling alone and even offer cabins specifically designed for solo cruisers.
Read on to discover the best cruise lines for solo travelers.
1. Holland America Cruise Line
Single cabins: Yes
Solo travel perks: Single Partners Program
AAA Member Benefit:
- $50 onboard spending credit per person
AAA Vacations® Benefit:
- $50 onboard spending credit per person
- 50 Denali Dollars per person on Alaska cruises for Verandah staterooms and above
Known for having some of the best customer service in the industry, it should come as no surprise that Holland America Line is dedicated to providing an exceptional experience to solo travelers onboard their fleet of ships.
The line’s newest ships—Rotterdam, Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam—have 12 single staterooms perfect for solo travelers. Each of these rooms is approximately 127-172 square feet and equipped with full-size and modern amenities. Plus, every single cabin boasts an ocean view, so you can enjoy the scenery during your voyage.
Holland America Line also does a great job at creating an atmosphere of camaraderie on their ships. The Single Partners Program, offered on most voyages, puts on activities, cocktail parties and mixers for singles and solo travelers to mingle during the cruise. Whether you enjoy exercise classes, wine tastings or trivia, you’re sure to meet other travelers with similar interests through this program.
2. Silversea Cruise Line
Single cabins: No
Solo travel perks: Low single supplements
AAA Member Benefit:
- Up to $300 per person in onboard credit on select voyages
Smaller cruise lines are great for solo travelers since you’ll see familiar faces throughout your journey, which can make it easier to strike up conversations and form connections with fellow travelers.
One of the best small cruise lines for solo travelers is Silversea Cruise Line. While they don’t offer single cabins, they have extremely low single supplements of just 25 percent on certain voyages. For reference, most cruise lines have single supplements that are 50 percent to 100 percent of the fare, so Silversea’s rate is very affordable in comparison.
At the beginning of your voyage, there will be a champagne Welcome Reception which serves as the perfect opportunity to mingle with other solo travelers. During certain journeys, Gentlemen Hosts will be available aboard to welcome solo guests.
3. Royal Caribbean
Single cabins: Yes
Solo travel perks: Solo traveler meet-ups
AAA Member Benefit:
- Free 8x10 photo per stateroom on 7+ night balcony or suite bookings
AAA Vacations® Benefit:
- Complimentary sparkling wine and chocolate-covered strawberries
- $25 onboard spending credit per stateroom for six nights or less voyages
- $50 onboard spending credit per stateroom for 7-10 night voyages
- $100 onboard spending credit per stateroom for 11+ night voyages
Royal Caribbean offers studio staterooms on certain ships that are perfect for solo travelers and adult cruisers. When you book one of these rooms, you can avoid paying the typical single supplement fee. These rooms range from 101 square feet to 199 square feet, and you can choose from an inside stateroom, a virtual balcony stateroom or an ocean-view stateroom with a balcony.
Studio staterooms are available on the following ships in their fleet:
- Anthem of the Seas
- Brilliance of the Seas
- Quantum of the Seas
- Harmony of the Seas
- Spectrum of the Seas
- Ovation of the Seas
Once onboard, Royal Caribbean offers a ton of on-board activities, shows and dining experiences that make it ideal for solo travelers. Plus, they often have meet-ups for solo travelers looking to make friends while onboard.
4. Azamara Cruise Line
Single cabins: No
Solo travel perks: Special rates as low as 25-50% off stateroom fares and gatherings for solo travelers
AAA Member Benefit:
- $150 per stateroom onboard credit on select Club Ocean View or above sailings.
AAA Vacations® Benefit:
- Onboard spending credit of $200 per stateroom
Azamara Cruise Line operates a fleet of mid-sized ships that journey to destinations all over the world. The cruise line is known for its Destination Immersion® experiences that feature intimate ships, access to smaller ports that other cruise ships can’t visit and longer stays at ports.
Azamara provides special rates for solo travelers as low as 25-50 percent off stateroom fares. Additionally, they offer thoughtfully created activities and gatherings for solo travelers to socialize with each other onboard.
5. Cunard Cruise Line
Single cabins: Yes
Solo travel perks: Group dining, coffee chats and cocktail parties for solo travelers
AAA Member Benefit:
- Onboard credit for all voyages that are 7 nights and longer
Cunard is among the best luxury cruise lines, and it’s a great option for solo travelers looking for upscale service, socialization opportunities and elegant staterooms. The cruise line offers single staterooms aboard their Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth ships. During your time aboard, you’ll enjoy 24-hour room service, luxury toiletries and a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine.
The cruise line is also known for its delicious culinary options and for going out of the way to ensure solo travelers have an enjoyable dining experience. While you can always choose to dine solo, they also provide the option to dine with fellow travelers at a shared table. Solo travelers can also attend coffee chats and cocktail parties to socialize with other guests.
6. Viking River Cruises
Single cabins: No
Solo travel perks: Special solo traveler fares
AAA Member Benefit:
- $100 per person shipboard credit for cruises 8-11 days
- $200 per person shipboard credit for cruises 12+ days
If you’re looking to embark on a solo river cruise in Europe, look no further than Viking River Cruises. The cruise line is known for its immersive journeys sailing through the world’s greatest rivers while offering world-class accommodation, incredible customer service and unique cultural events along the way.
While Viking doesn’t have single cabins, they will occasionally offer special solo traveler fares. Plus, you can check for other discounts available for the cruises you’re interested in to save money on your travels.
7. Seabourn Cruise Line
Single cabins: No
Solo travel perks: Special offers for solo travelers on select voyages
AAA Member Benefit:
- Singles receive $150 per suite onboarding spending credit on select sailings
AAA Vacations® Benefit:
- $200 per suite onboard spending credit on select sailings
Prefer to feel like you're on a private yacht instead of a cruise ship? The small-ship cruise line, Seabourn provides an intimate experience complete with personalized service, optional shore excursions and entertainment options.
The cruise line offers a discounted single supplement, beginning at just 10% more than current fares for certain voyages and suite categories. The discount is available for cruises to Alaska, Greece, Iceland, Greenland and more.
8. Oceania Cruise Line
Single cabins: Yes
Solo travel perks: Social events and group dining tables
AAA Member Benefit:
- $100 per person onboard spending credit on select sailings
AAA Vacations® Benefit:
- Complimentary pre-paid gratuities
- Free group wine tasting with a sommelier
From friendly crew members to social events, The Oceania Cruise Line goes above and beyond to make solo travelers feel at home on their ships. Solo cruises can attend cocktail parties or opt into group dining to meet other guests onboard. The small ships are also easy to navigate and provide a relaxing atmosphere.
With solo staterooms available aboard the Vista, Regatta, Insignia, Nautica and Sirena ships, you don’t have to worry about solo supplements driving the price up. The accommodations feature private verandas or ocean-view windows as well as many amenities to keep you comfortable during your voyage.
9. Celebrity Cruises
Single cabins: Yes
Solo travel perks: Hosted social events
AAA Member Benefit:
- Onboard credit based on the stateroom category booked
AAA Vacations® Benefit:
- Onboard credit based on the stateroom category booked
Celebrity Cruises is another popular cruise line for solo travelers, offering social events to help solo cruisers make new friends. Known for its inclusivity, Celebrity Cruises is also one of the most LGBTQ-friendly cruise lines in the industry. Their itineraries, such as their Bali, Malaysia and Thailand itineraries, are some of the best cruises for solo travelers looking for excitement and adventure.
Celebrity’s solo cruise cabins are available on the Celebrity Edge®, Celebrity Apex®, Celebrity Beyond℠ and Celebrity Ascent℠ ships. Solo travelers can choose between an ocean-view room with a veranda and an inside stateroom. All of the solo rooms come with the same products and services as the regular staterooms.
How To Avoid Single Supplements
The easiest way to avoid single supplements is to opt for a cruise line that offers solo cabins. However, if your heart is set on a cruise line or ship that doesn’t have this perk, consider looking out for specials that waive or discount single supplements. You can also try using a roommate matching program that some cruise lines offer, which pairs you in a room with another solo traveler.
Book Your Solo Cruise With AAA
Whether you're looking to book a quick getaway or an around-the-world cruise, embarking on a solo cruise is a rewarding experience offering adventure, relaxation and the freedom to cater your journey around your preferences. Not to mention, you can partake in the many things to do on a cruise and make life-long friends along the way.
Book your solo cruises with AAA Travel and ensure you’ll have peace of mind during your once-in-a-lifetime trip. With your AAA Membership, you'll receive exclusive deals, onboard spending credits and other perks.