Make the most of your solo cruise adventure with my top tips for a smooth sailing.
Taking a solo cruise can be an incredibly rewarding experience. You can explore destinations at your own pace and set your own schedule on sea days. However, if it is your first cruise or your first time travelling alone it can be quite daunting.
While not having to worry about anyone else can make things slightly easier, planning a solo cruise does need a little bit of thought and preparation to make sure you have an enjoyable and stress-free cruise.
In this post, I share some tips I’ve learnt from my own solo cruises. From choosing the right cruise line to making the most of onboard activities, these insights are designed to help you plan, book, and enjoy a fabulous cruise.

At a Glance: Tips for the Solo Cruiser
- Carefully choose your cruise line
- Look for ships with solo cabins
- Select the right itinerary
- Book early (when you can)
- Keep an eye out for low or no solo supplement fares
- Tell a trusted contact where and when you are cruising
- Attend the solo meet-ups onboard
- Consider a shared table in the main dining room
- Join in the onboard activities
- Think about taking a cruise ship excursion
- Accept you may get lonely
- Don’t be surprised if you want to book more solo cruises.
Booking a Solo Cruise – Tips & Tricks
Choose your cruise line carefully
While more and more cruise lines are catering for solo cruisers it is still important to do your research before you book.
Every cruise company offers a different experience, some are geared more towards family-friendly holidays while others are going for a luxurious adult-only vibe. The age range onboard can vary too with some cruise lines popular with an older audience while others appeal to a younger crowd.
It is very much a personal choice so think about what you would like to get out of your cruise and what type of environment you will feel most comfortable in. Are you looking for a floating resort-type ship where you can find something to do every minute of the day or would you prefer a more refined and relaxed experience.
The great thing about cruises is both those options are available as well as everything in between.
Look for ships with solo cabins
New cruise ships often have solo cabins built into the original design and older ships are being retrofitted with single cabins. While these are still only a small percentage of the cabins available it is great that cruise lines are recognising those that cruise alone.
The slight downside to these cabins is that they can be tiny – Virgin Voyages, I’m looking at you! However, they are usually very well designed and have everything you need, just not much space.
Another downside is that as there are so few of them, these cabins can come at a premium. So, you need to keep your wits about you when booking. Surprisingly, it can be cheaper to book a standard cabin at solo occupancy. Not only it will cost you less, but you’ll also have more space. Before you part with your money, it is worth doing a bit of research and pricing up the different cabin options available.
If you do want to go down the solo cabin route regardless- and I did this on a recent cruise as it was the cabin that suited my requirements the most – then be aware they often sell out quickly.

Choose the right itinerary
One of the joys of solo cruising is that you can see and do exactly what you want without having to take anyone else’s opinion and thoughts into consideration. So, if there is a particular region or port you’d like to visit there is nothing (or no one) stopping you.
However, it is worth bearing in mind that some cruise destinations may appeal to families and large groups more than others, especially during the school holiday season.
You should also consider the number of sea days versus port days. Sea days are a great chance to switch off and relax or enjoy the ship’s amenities but too many of them and you can go stir crazy as a solo.
Book early
Once you’ve found the perfect itinerary then book it as soon as you can. Fares are often the cheapest the earlier you book and you’ll have your choice of cabins (if the fare allows), particularly if you are going for a solo cabin.
That said, I’m a bit of a late booker and have still managed to find some good deals. If there is an itinerary that you really want to do or a cruise ship that you want to experience then it can be a risk to wait.
But if you have the freedom and flexibility to travel at fairly short notice you may pick up a bargain. This happened to me when I unexpectedly found myself with some time off and managed to bag a late deal on P&O Cruise’s Iona just a few weeks before departure.
Look for fares with no or low Solo Supplement
The worst thing about being a solo cruiser (and traveller) is the increased cost in fares when compared to travelling with a partner or friend.
As the majority of cruise cabins are designed for double (or more) occupancy, fares are priced on this basis. If you are travelling as a solo, the cruise company will likely charge extra to make up for the loss of revenue it would have received if two people were in the cabin. While you can understand why they do this, it is more than a little annoying having to pay up to twice the standard fare for solo occupancy.
Sometimes cruise lines reduce or waive this supplement for selected cruises or for a short amount of time as a promotion. Keep your eyes peeled for these deals as they make cruising solo much more affordable.
I’ve managed to take two cruises so far, where the solo supplement was dropped completely and it made a huge difference in the cost of the cruise.
Tell a trusted contact where and when you are cruising
Just like travelling alone cruising solo is also not without its risks. Before you go let a trusted family member or friend know your cruise dates and itinerary. You will have to provide an emergency contact on your check in information so this can be the same person if appropriate.
I also like to have someone I can check in with at home every so often just as an extra bit of reassurance. These days it is super easy to keep in touch with people so it usually takes the form of sending a few updates and photos but it just means someone knows you are ok.

Tips for Life Onboard as a Solo Cruiser
Pop along to the solo meet up
Most cruise lines will offer a meet-up for solo cruisers. Usually advertised in the daily planner onboard you will find these are a great opportunity to meet other passengers cruising by themselves.
They are usually held in one of the bars onboard and depending on the cruise line will be hosted by a member of the entertainment crew or unhosted. These meet-ups can be difficult to find when they are unhosted. I’ve had a few awkward situations where I’ve had to go around asking groups of people if they are the solo meet up but it is worth preserving if this happens to you.
While you are obviously under no obligation to hang out for the whole cruise with anyone you meet at one of these events, it is a great way to break the ice with fellow cruisers. It can also be reassuring to know there is a time and place you can go to if you wish to have some company.
Considering joining a shared table in the main dining room
If you are not to keen too eat on your own in the main dining room (or want to avoid the easy option of going to the buffet every night!) then think about joining a shared table. This is where you will be seated on a large table with other cruise passengers.
You will usually be asked at the reception of the dining room if you would like a shared table or not. Some cruise lines have tables just for solo’s while others have shared tables for anyone so you may be seated with couples or family groups.
This is a great way to have some company over dinner. I must confess it took me a good few cruises before I gave this a go and I’m now wondering why it took me so long. I’ve met some great people, even if only for a couple of hours, and it was nice to have people to chat do over dinner and breakfast.
Get involved with the onboard activities
Assuming you don’t want to spend long days alone onboard, a great way to meet people is to get involved in some of the activities on offer.
Cruise ships run a full programme most days, especially on sea days, so you will find plenty of things to do. Join quizzes, sporting challenges, cookery classes and even a bar crawl on one cruise line. I’ve often found people will ask you to join their team or have a chat.
None of these are compulsory so if you are happy with your own company you don’t need to join in but it is a nice way to break up the day with a bit of company.

Think about taking some excursions
While many cruise ports are easily explorable independently, as a solo traveller it is worth taking a look at the excursions your cruise line offers.
Being with a group will alleviate some of the safety issues of travelling alone plus it will give you some company – and perhaps someone to take some photos of you in whatever amazing destination you are in.
A cruise line excursion also comes with the added reassurance that the ship won’t leave without you should be delayed getting back.
Accept you may get lonely at times
This won’t apply to everyone but don’t be surprised if you get the odd pang of loneliness. Cruising solo is an amazing way to travel. You have all the freedom and flexibility you need but spending long periods alone while it looks like the rest of the ship are all in happy families or big groups can get you down.
That feeling doesn’t usually last long (if at all) but if it does just remember it is just temporary. Tomorrow is another day. Try to get involved with any activities going on or head to a bar, grab a drink or cuppa and get talking to a fellow passenger or the bar staff. You’ll soon be feeling better.
The Last Word
Solo cruising is a great way to travel and there are many tips and tricks you’ll pick up along the way.
Whether that is booking early, avoiding solo supplements or sharing tables when dining, I hope some of the solo cruising tips and insights I have shared will help you plan your solo cruise whether it is your first or twentieth.
You May Also Like…
- How to plan a solo cruise (in 7 steps)
- What is a solo supplement and how can you avoid it when booking a cruise?
- The challenges of solo cruising