Cruising as a party of one is becoming more widely recognized as a choice and less as a circumstance. Of course, the decision to cruise solo is a personal one, but this vacation option isn’t just for widowers or people without a partner.
Many travel-loving folks are choosing to branch out into cruising on their own for the unhassled relaxation and the upbeat atmosphere. A cruise is essentially a built-in ship of companions. Some are likely to share similar interests.
Of course, as when planning any vacation, there are special considerations for flying (in this case cruising) solo. From jacked-up room rates to social gymnastics, there is a lot to consider before even booking your solo cruise.
Whether your concern is one of safety in port or simply who you might get seated with at dinner, this article will walk you through all the considerations of cruising solo.
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Choosing a Solo-Friendly Cruise Line
The first step in selecting your solo cruise is choosing a cruise line. Maybe you’ve been loyal to one line for a long time and know it well. But for first-time cruisers or first-time solo cruisers, it can be important to pick the right setting for your cruise vacation.
Ask about demographics
First, consider how old you’d like your fellow passengers to be on average. Premium and luxury cruise lines tend to have a more mature clientele due to the price point, but newcomers like Emerald Yacht Cruises attract affluent couples and cruisers in their 40s and 50s, as well.
On the same token, budget-friendly cruise lines like Carnival make cruises more accessible to a younger demographic. Are you looking to party with the 20-somethings or unwind with a more silver-haired contingency?
Demographics are also affected by time of year, itinerary, and length of the voyage. There are typically less kids and families during off-season times of year like fall when school starts or just before or after winter and spring breaks. Longer and more exotic itineraries will attract older or retired couples who have the time and money to travel at length.
Adults-only cruise lines include Viking Ocean Cruises and Virgin Voyages, which avoid young families all together. Viking is more likely to attract mature couples interested in destination and enrichment, while Virgin welcomes an 18-plus crowd who are looking for a good night out.
Consider talking to a travel advisor about fellow passengers before selecting a cruise line.
Consider crowd size
Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Not every solo cruiser is ready to jump right in and mingle with thousands of other guests. Choosing a ship style that suits your personal comfort level sets you up for success when cruising single.
If you would rather be among a small group that you can get to know over the course of the sailing, then consider a river cruise, an expedition, or a small ship.
If you don’t like the idea of everyone knowing your business or the possibility of traveling in a sea of couples and families, a mid-sized or large ship might be a better environment to thrive in as a solo cruiser. Mega ships might seem intimidating at first, but they allow you to get lost in the crowd or meet a different group of people every night.
Look for meetups
Another way to determine if your prospective cruise line is solo-friendly is if they offer meetups for single cruisers. These get-togethers can be as casual as a standing time and place on the daily program or more formally organized by a designated host. Ask a cruise line representative if they offer meetups or look for reviews online.
Select ships even offer a dedicated solo cruiser lounge. This lounge is a built-in social hub for cruisers sailing on their own and staying in a single room. Norwegian’s Studio Complex and Lounge is available on a handful of its ships that feature Studio or solo cabins.
Review activity offerings or theme sailings
Choose a cruise line that offers programming that actually interests you, and the connections should follow. Are you a home chef? Book a cruise with an onboard culinary kitchen, like Oceania Cruises. Then, get creative with fellow cruisers during a cooking class. Do you love to dance? Cunard Line offers free dance lessons in its formal ballroom.
Silversea offers “gentleman hosts” on select cruises for evening dancing or as shore excursions escorts. While this gendered idea might seem a tad antiquated, it is intended to make single women of a certain age feel more comfortable at social gatherings.
Another great way to ensure you’ll meet some other like-minded individuals is by booking a theme cruise. Cruise lines offer theme sailings for everything under the sun, from jazz cruises to Star Trek to Broadway. Get lost among fellow fans on a cruise celebrating your favorite cel ebrities or pastimes. A theme cruise provides a built-in ice breaker.
Booking a Single Cabin
Not all solo cabins are created equal and here is why: the single supplement. Cabins are priced at double occupancy, which means two people to a room.
Unfortunately for solo cruisers, they’re not getting a 50 percent discount for being the only one in the cabin. In fact, to make up for estimated lost revenue, cruise lines charge a supplement to most solo cruisers that is 100 percent of the fare…which seems unfair.
Be vigilant before booking your cruise cabin regarding what you’re getting for the price. Some single rooms don’t come cheaply but include a dedicated lounge and social space. Other cruise lines might waive these extra fees, especially on river cruise ships.
Decide on a dedicated solo cabin
Cruise lines including Cunard, Holland America, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean all offer cabins designed and sold to solo cruisers. Sometimes referred to as “studios,” these rooms are relatively small, on average, but are priced for a single cruiser.
Virgin Voyages shook up the cruise booking game when it introduced fares that automatically adjust based on the number of “sailors” to a room. Therefore, if you are one person booking a room, the rate will drop from a double-occupancy price to one for a single passenger.
Because there are only small blocks of solo cabins on any given cruise ship, they sometimes sell out in advance. If you want to be in with other cruising solo, nab one of these rooms early.
Watch for waived single supplements
Even cruise lines that typically charge single supplements will run promotions that waive them all together. Set up a Google alert or employ the help of a vigilant travel advisor to be on the lookout for these solo-friendly promotions. Vantage Travel and Tauck are cruise companies (who also offer land tours) that won’t charge a single supplement on most of their itineraries.
River cruise lines are notorious for waiving single supplements or greatly reducing them to 10 or 25 percent.
On any cruise, it never hurts to ask. Simply requesting to waive the single supplement could work in your favor. And if that tactic doesn’t work, booking early or last-minute could result in a better chance of getting a cheaper single fare.
Dining Solo
For Europeans, sitting alone at a café is nothing out of the ordinary. But for many of us, there is nothing more anxiety-inducing than having to brave an entire meal by ourselves. This can be especially true when the meals are three courses and in a grand dining room of hundreds of tables. No need to fret, there are some workarounds for dining on a solo voyage.
Speak to the maître d’ on your first day
This crew member oversees the main dining room and is a bit of a puppet master when it comes to seating arrangements and guest preferences. Befriend them early.
Sure, you can sometimes submit seating preferences online before you board, but nothing guarantees you’ll get the right fit like speaking directly to the maître d’. Scope out your assigned dining room (if you have one) on the first day and ask to see your table. Do you want a tiny nook for one or are you willing to bet on a larger table with other guests?
It’s never too late to speak up. If you get stuck at a table with some undesirables on night one, no one is blaming you if you ask to be moved for the remainder of the voyage — especially if you make friends during the sailing. After all, it’s your vacation, whether you’re sharing it with anyone over bread and butter or not.
Book tables for one at specialty dining
More and more cruise ships offer a range of specialty dining venues. Some have so many different restaurants that it’s impossible to eat at them all during a one-week cruise. This can work to your benefit as a solo cruiser if the idea of eating in the same dining room night after night doesn’t appeal to you.
Make some reservations at specialty dining venues. You’ll not only treat yourself to an elevated meal but give yourself the luxury of a night off from a sea of couples in the main dining room.
While most specialty dining venues charge an additional fee, some also come with a show (Teppanyaki on Norwegian; Le Petit Chef on Celebrity; or Cirque du Soleil shows on MSC Cruises). This distraction is enough to keep everyone entertained and most certainly not wondering why you’re there on your own.
Another bonus of specialty dining is the ability to sit at a bar or counter, where interaction with the chef or waitstaff is possible and your solo status is less conspicuous. Look for a sushi restaurant or pub onboard your cruise ship for some lively counter or bar seating.
Room service can hit the spot
We’re not encouraging solo cruisers to hide out in their cabin for every meal. Sometimes though, the social energy is lacking. In those cases, it’s nice to have a space to enjoy a meal in the privacy of your own room.
Nearly every cruise line (except for some river and expedition lines) offers room service and it can be an indulgent treat to watch a movie in bed while chowing down on a burger.
Watch for room service fees, but typically you’ll only be charged a few bucks per order (so order everything on the menu).
If you have the ability to splurge on a room with a balcony (keeping in mind that few to no single cabins come with a verandah), it can be a great place to wake up to breakfast or sip a glass of wine at sunset before heading out for the evening.
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Shore Excursions On Your Own
Getting out in each port and exploring the destinations is part of the thrill of a cruise. While this is 100 percent possible to achieve without a group, setting out in an unfamiliar place on your own can be daunting. There are options when it comes to booking shore excursions or sightseeing as a solo cruiser.
Join a cruise line tour
All cruise lines offer a brochure of shore tours in each port. While group size varies depending on the number of guests onboard and the type of tour, a cruise line-sponsored shore excursion includes other participants from your cruise ship. Befriend other cruisers during a day snorkeling or on a walking tour. Or you can peruse social media groups or message boards to find other people on your sailing looking to organize a group for a tour in port.
Signing up for shore excursions sold through the cruise line guarantees you won’t be left by your cruise ship. It also ensures you are spending the day with a vetted tour operator.
Be prepped for independent exploration
Traveling solo is a time-honored tradition and there’s nothing wrong with stepping out on your own in port. However, it never hurts to be savvy about your surroundings and your safety.
Before disembarking, get a sense of your whereabouts, including the name of the pier where the ship is docked. Bring a map or your daily program which includes important phone numbers and contact information in case of emergency.
Make sure your phone is fully charged and bring a wireless charger if possible. Also check your data settings to see if you are able to access GPS functions like Google Maps. This could be helpful to find your way around in a pinch.
While keeping your wits (and belongings) about you is recommended in any port, make sure you do a little homework or ask a Shore Ex representative about the place you’ll be exploring before you do. Some docks are located in remote, industrial areas and it’s recommended to secure transportation to the city center instead of walking alone or at all.
Finally, it might seem excessive, but consider letting a trusted friend or family member from home know about your plans and when you expect to be back. Or check in with the front desk and make sure they have your contact information.
Hire a private driver
If you’re nervous about seeing the sights alone but aren’t super into a crowded bus tour, look into hiring a private driver. Reputable private tours can be found in many places, but most cruise lines also offer this option through a service that they’ve vetted.
Any kind of car for hire, especially an all-day tour, doesn’t come cheaply. However, the luxury of your own private excursion might make this option worth it for some. Imagine the peace of mind that comes with not having to navigate your own transportation.
Socializing as a Solo Cruiser
If you’ve made it this far, chances are you’ve given serious thought to cruising single. But there are a few helpful pointers worth mentioning to any solo traveler.
Be smart on social media
Connecting on Facebook or on message boards prior to your cruise can be a great way to connect with other solo cruisers. But it’s worth remembering Internet 101, which is never giving out personal information to strangers, even if they seem like friends. Use a first name or handle only and keep your stateroom number private.
While tagging yourself to a location instantly via Instagram or TikTok might seem like a fun way to keep friends and family in the loop, it can also make you a target as a tourist. Consider waiting until you are back onboard and heading to the next port before giving away your whereabouts to the world.
Watch your alcohol intake
Know your limits with alcohol and stick to them. Beyond saying or doing something you might regret, being too intoxicated without a trusted companion around to intervene is dangerous.
Always watch your drink and never accept drinks that you didn’t see made or served at the bar. Unfortunately, being single on a cruise also means being responsible for yourself and keeping a certain level of wits about you at all times — especially in any port.
Put yourself out there
This might sound corny but remind yourself why you’re taking this trip. You won’t be able to make any new connections or meet any future cruise friends if you don’t step slightly outside your comfort zone.
Do what makes you happy, but remember that “nothing ventured, nothing gained” applies as much to your attitude onboard as it does to booking your solo cruise.
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