Here’s Why You Should Go Solo on a Cruise

The best cruise lines for solo travelers

Norwegian Cruise Line has been a pioneer in the solo cruise space, offering private rooms since 2010—i.e. before it was cool. Earlier this year, the cruise line introduced three new solo stateroom categories—Solo Inside, Solo Balcony, and Solo Oceanview—which now extend across the 19-ship fleet, so single travelers now have more destinations to choose from, spanning Asia, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. If you’re a single guest who’s booked a Studio Stateroom, you’ll have private key card access to the Studio Lounge, where you can meet other independent travelers.

“Explora has programs onboard for solos, which I think is great for meeting other travelers while you’re on board,” Pacini says. The European luxury cruise line offers a single supplement as low as 25%. Over the summer, it unveiled new entertainment options, like a multi-day murder mystery game designed to encourage guest interaction. But if you prefer to keep to yourself, there are digital activities you can download on your phone, like crosswords and trivia related to the destinations you’re visiting. There’s also an onboard art gallery, the expansive Galleria d’Arte, where you can spend hours roaming around.

“I’ve had very good luck with Ponant’s expedition trips, especially because they offer quite a few no-single-supplement sailings,” Pacini says. “When you’re going to the Arctic or Antarctic, those are top-end, more expensive products, and that has helped me bring travelers to those places who might have otherwise thought they would be limited by the pricing.” The small-group excursions—which range from exploring Mexico’s Yucután Peninsula to trekking over icebergs in Antarctica—are the perfect chance to socialize, but as this is a very relaxed, informal cruise line, you can also just wile your days away at the onboard luxury spa.

A trip on Silversea cruises comes with a hefty price tag, but it’s worth it if you’re looking for that extra attention. “Silversea has been most welcoming to my solo guests,” Pacini says. “The level of service being almost one-to-one, guest-to-crew, really helps people feel as though they’re not alone.” Single supplements start at 25%, and each voyage begins with a champagne reception, to make it easier for guests to mingle with one another before the trip even begins. According to passenger reviews, Silversea voyages are often very intimate, so you’re bound to make some friends.

You’re less likely to run 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 ones. The activities on the trip are designed for solo travelers, whether that’s a dedicated meetup for singles, or a meal at Gumbae, the communal Korean barbecue restaurant onboard. Virgin often offers promotions on double occupancy rooms with no single supplement.