Considering a cruise but not sure if it’s the best way to travel solo? I felt exactly the same until I took my first cruise on my own with P&O Cruises. Read on to find out why I think they’re such a great choice for solo travellers.
I’ve been travelling solo for over twenty years now, so you’d think I’d be well used to it. Most of the time I am, but every now and then there’s still a slight sense of apprehension before a trip, especially when it involves trying something new.
My first cruise was one of those moments. I found myself wondering whether cruises were really suited to solo travellers. Would there be enough to do? Would I end up spending the whole cruise alone? And what would I do if I didn’t enjoy it?
I think it took less than an hour of being on board P&O Cruises’ Britannia for those worries to disappear. Not long after that, I realised that cruising is actually a fantastic option for travelling solo.
Since that first sailing, I’ve taken several more solo cruises with different cruise lines. While I’ve enjoyed them all, when people ask me which cruise line I’d recommend most for solo travellers, my answer is always the same: P&O Cruises.
So, I thought it was about time I wrote a post to explain why I think they are such a good choice if you are considering a solo cruise yourself.
Why P&O Cruises are ideal for solo travellers
Based on my own solo cruise experiences, here are the main reasons I think P&O Cruises work so well for solo travellers.
They have well-designed solo cabins (including balconies)
As solo cruising becomes more popular, more cruise lines are upping their game, but P&O really stand out here.
Their newer ships, Iona and Arvia, have some of the nicest solo cabins I’ve seen at sea. They’re compact, yes, but they’re also cosy and thoughtfully designed. They’re not all hidden away with no view either, with both balcony and inside cabins available.
The solo cabins on Britannia are also well thought out. They’re all located along the same corridor, with a choice of inside or balcony cabins. Up on Deck 16, the Lido deck, they offer easy access to the pool area and the Horizon Restaurant. Very handy for taking a snack or drink back to your cabin.
I’ve stayed in both an inside solo cabin (pictured below) and a solo balcony cabin on Britannia, and found them both perfect. There was more than enough space for one person, plenty of storage, and the location was ideal. I really liked the balcony cabin. Being able to lie in bed with the curtains open while sailing along the Norwegian Fjords felt like living the dream.
They often offer solo occupancy rates for their standard cabins
While solo cabins are great, they’re not always the best value option. They often offer solo occupancy fares on standard cabins. Sometimes these can actually work out cheaper than booking a solo cabin.
That was exactly the case on my first cruise on Iona. I was keen to try a solo cabin, but the fare for a standard inside cabin was significantly less, so I ended up with more space for less money! Definitely worth keeping an eye out for.
They arrange meet-ups for solo travellers
One of the most nerve-wracking things about cruising on your own is whether you’ll meet people and have a bit of company or if you’ll spend the whole cruise alone and feel a bit isolated. While there’s absolutely nothing wrong with enjoying your own company, it’s nice to know you have the option of socialising.
On my first cruise, the meet-ups were hosted by a crew member and included tea and coffee, which made breaking the ice much easier. Like all of us though, the cost of living crisis is taking hold and on my last two cruises with P&O, the refreshments were no more and the meet-ups were unhosted. This does make them harder to find but they are still well worth attending.
They’re advertised in the daily newsletter and usually held in venues like the Crow’s Nest or the Atrium. These spaces can be busy, and it can feel a bit awkward trying to work out who’s there for the meet-up (especially if, like me, you don’t love wandering around asking strangers if they are the solo meet-up).
On my last cruise on Iona, there ended up being two solo meet-ups going on at the same time. Thankfully it didn’t take too long till we all twigged and merged the two groups. However, it is a good example of how difficult the meet-ups can be to find now they are no longer hosted and have no obvious meeting point.
That said, I really recommend popping along to the first solo meeting. There’s no obligation to keep attending, and no pressure to socialise for the rest of the cruise, but it’s an easy way to meet others in the same situation.
On Iona, I met a few other solo cruisers by chance on a shore excursion towards the end of the week. They admitted they’d been too nervous to come to the solo meet-ups, which was a real shame as it was a lovely group. We’d ended up arranging informal meet-ups each morning and evening for anyone who was around.
Read more | How to make friends on a cruise without feeling awkward
They give you the option of shared tables at dinner (if you want them)
If you’re someone who doesn’t enjoy eating alone, P&O often offer the option of sharing tables in the main dining rooms. This can be a really nice way to meet people over a meal, whether you’re travelling solo or not.
You can spend the evening (or lunch) getting to know your fellow cruisers over a lovely meal.
Read more | Find out more about the dining options in my guide to restaurants on Iona and Arvia.
They offer plenty of other ways to meet people
Beyond solo meet-ups, P&O Cruises offer loads of activities that naturally lend themselves to meeting others.
From quizzes and trivia to fitness classes and even silent discos, there’s usually something going on, and joining in makes it easy to strike up conversations with people.
On Britannia, I met Keith and Susan at a silent disco. We’ve stayed in touch ever since and are now great friends. Something that probably wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t made the effort to attend a few activities early on.
For more cruise content, why not give them a follow on Instagram at Cruising with Keithy Mcdonald and The Warrington Wanderer.
The last word
Travelling alone can sometimes feel daunting, especially if you’re trying something new.
However, cruising removes a lot of the stress and makes things a little easier on yourself. Accommodation, food, entertainment and transport are all taken care of, and everything you need is close at hand which can take away some of the anxiety you may feel around travelling solo.
For solo travellers, P&O Cruises strike a really good balance. They offer:
- Comfortable solo cabins
- Reasonably priced fares with occasional no single supplement deals
- Optional social opportunities without forced interaction
If you’re on the fence about booking your first solo cruise, P&O Cruises are one of the easiest and least intimidating ways to give it a try.
Their itineraries around Europe and the Caribbean are excellent, their ships are beautiful, with Iona and Arvia being particularly impressive, and they provide everything a solo traveller needs for a relaxed, enjoyable cruise.