You can enjoy a cruise without a plus-one—but here’s what you need to know.
The locomotion reality does n’t always favorsingle people . You might be asked to move your seat on a plane or train to make way for a couple . The ocean might be calling your name , but who will watch your belongings on the beach ? And sure , read alone while dining go romantic , but have you ever try holding a Good Book while equilibrate a crotch and knife ? It ’s nearly unimaginable .
When it hail to sail , those traveling alone are often punished with a dreaded tariff know as the exclusive supplementation , which can be 50 to 100 % more than the regular fare . Unlike hotel room rate , which are unrelated to whether one or two people will be apportion the bottom , cruise cabin call for to make up for the lost cost of an extra occupier , who would otherwise be spending money on the ship . But the humankind is transfer , and assolo travel continues to trend in 2024 , many cruise line are espouse cabin for one .
Norwegian Cruise Line , for model , announced last yearthat it would be introduce near 1,000 newfangled solo stateroom across its 19 ships . Oceania’snewest ship Vista debuted last year with six solo cabinscomplete with premium offerings , like balconies and concierge service . When it comes to luxury river cruise , AmaWaterwaysandAqua Expeditionsare both waiving single supplements on prize cruises this twelvemonth .
Design by Manali Doshi for Thrillist
Alicia Pacini , founding father and president ofUnleashed Luxury Travel Concierge , has helped a phonograph recording number of undivided travelers book cruises in the last few years . And the riposte charge per unit is high . “ My solo travelers almost always have another journeying booked before they ’re off the ship , ” she says , sum up that she ’s witnessed clients who , having never cruise or jaunt alone , give-up the ghost from booking a 54 - night grand voyage to a world cruise .
Pacini explains that there are two types of solo cruisers : those who simply do not have the same interests as their partner or friend , and those who are unmarried , seeking out adventurous travel experiences . “ Post - pandemic , I see that people are not hold back any longer , ” she allege . “ When they see something interesting , they ’re require the leap and book it . ”
Why book a solo cruise?
You might be marvel if it ’s worth it to set out to sea by your lonesome . But the truth is , on a cruise , you ’re never really alone . The biggest concern among clients hesitant to book a solo sail , Pacini explains , is the fearfulness that they will feel cut off from the rest of the couple on the ship . But she finds that it ’s often the diametric that happens ; the exclusive traveler assemble a community of same - minded person on the ship , who finally plan future cruises together .
And what ’s great about a sail , Pacini adds , is that it eases the pressure of decision - making , which might be present on a different kind of solo journeying . On an expedition - style misstep , for example , your path might let in eight to ten - hour solar day , depart little room for boredom . And a more leisurely cruise could be a unspoiled choice for solo traveller seeking contrivance . “It could be you require somewhere where there ’s three restaurants to go to , there are bars that are open till one in the morning , and you have to take the air 200 footstep maximum to get there . And you ’re secure . You do n’t have to take an Uber , ” Pacini says . “ So a lot of that guesswork is taken out . ” But it also does n’t have to be that recondite . “ It could just be that you require to go to the Caribbean and nobody wants to go with you , ” she suppose “ And you ’re extend to have a great clock time . ”
Tips for booking a solo cruise
To get the best promotions and rates , book as ahead of time as you could , Pacini advises . She also suggests working with a travel advisor when planning such a personal trip . “There ’s a ware for everyone , so the more we recognise about you , the respectable match we can make , because every line has their force , ” she pronounce . “ So it ’s significant for clients to characterize what ’s most important for them , and what they appraise most when it come to their locomotion dollars . ” This is especially true if you ’re not dissever price with a fellow traveler .
The best cruise lines for solo travelers
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line has been a pioneer in the solo sail space , offering individual suite since 2010 — i.e. before it was nerveless . Earlier this year , the sail line introduce three Modern solo stateroom family — Solo Inside , Solo Balcony , and Solo Oceanview — which now extend across the 19 - ship fleet , so single traveler now have more destinations to take from , spanning Asia , Africa , Australia , and New Zealand . If you ’re a single guest who ’s hold a Studio Stateroom , you ’ll have individual key card entree to the Studio Lounge , where you could meet other main traveller .
Explora
“ Explora has programs onboard for solos , which I guess is peachy for come across other traveller while you ’re on board , ” Pacini enjoin . The European lavishness sail line offer a exclusive appurtenance as low as 25 % . Over the summer , it unveilednew entertainment options , like a multi - solar day murder mystery story game design to promote guest fundamental interaction . But if you favour to keep to yourself , there are digital activities you’re able to download on your phone , like crosswords and trivia related to the destinations you ’re visiting . There ’s also an onboard graphics gallery , the talkative Galleria d’Arte , where you’re able to pass hours roaming around .
Ponant
“ I ’ve had very honorable luck with Ponant ’s expedition trip-up , especially because they offer quite a few no - single - supplement seafaring , ” Pacini says . “ When you ’re go to the Arctic or Antarctic , those are top - end , more expensive ware , and that has help me bring travelers to those place who might have otherwise think they would be limited by the pricing . ” The low - group pleasure trip — which range from exploring Mexico ’s Yucután Peninsula to trek over icebergs in Antarctica — are the unadulterated chance to socialize , but as this is a very relaxed , cozy sail lineage , you may also just wile your day away at the onboard luxury spa .
Silversea
A head trip on Silversea cruises add up with a hefty terms ticket , but it ’s worth it if you ’re seem for that extra attention . “ Silversea has been most welcoming to my solo guest , ” Pacini say . “ The stratum of serving being almost one - to - one , guest - to - crew , really helps masses feel as though they ’re not alone . ” Single supplements initiate at 25 % , and each ocean trip start with a champagne reception , to make it easier for node to mingle with one another before the trip even start . grant to passenger review , Silversea ocean trip are often very intimate , so you ’re tie down to make some friends .
Virgin Voyages
You ’re less potential to draw into families — and their screaming babies — on a Virgin Cruise , as it ’s adults - only . The line ’s three ships — Scarlett Lady , Valiant Lady , and Resilient Lady — each have 40 solo interior cabins and six sea - facing one . The activity on the stumble are designed for solo traveller , whether that ’s a consecrated meetup for unity , or a meal at Gumbae , the communal Korean barbecue restaurant onboard . Virgin often offerspromotionson double tenancy rooms with no single supplement .
