While most of my clients are families, I've noticed that solo travel is a growing trend, especially among retired or semi-retired clients I have. Are cruises good for solo women? In many ways cruising is an ideal choice for single women who want plenty of company and lots of organised activities, but on their own terms. If you're interested in seeing lots of places but don't want the hassle of a multi-centre holiday with lots of transfers you need to navigate, a cruise could solve all your problems.
Do cruise lines cater to single women?
Cruise lines are increasingly catering to solo travellers, with many adding more single cabins or offering reduced or waived supplements for double cabins on select cruises. For instance, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) now offers over 1,000 single cabins across its fleet, while river cruise line Riviera has expanded its solo traveller offerings, planning 45 dedicated solo cruises in 2025, up from 27 this year.
Claire Hills, from Riviera said "solo cruising is growing more than ever before. It’s a fantastic product for a single traveller as every aspect of the trip is looked after, starting from a meet and greet at the airport or station."
I have clients who go on their first cruise solo and then next year return with friends they have met onboard, which is so lovely to see. Others just cruise again by themselves, choosing a different itinerary so they get to explore another part of the world.
Which cruise lines offer single cabins?
NCL pioneered the concept of dedicated solo cabins in 2010 with the launch of Norwegian Epic, and now offers them across all 19 of its ships. As a bonus, solo travellers with NCL enjoy exclusive key-card access to the Studio Lounge, where they can relax with beer, wine, and snacks served daily. Pictured above is a studio cabin on Norwegian Prima.
P&O Cruises also caters to solo travellers with single cabins available on all its ships, ranging from budget-friendly inside cabins to luxurious balcony cabins (pictured below). The newest ship, Arvia, boasts the most single cabins, with 28 available.
Celebrity Cruises has expanded its solo cabin offerings across all its Edge-class ships, starting with 16 on Celebrity Edge, 24 on Celebrity Apex, and 32 on both Celebrity Beyond and Celebrity Ascent.
Cunard offers solo travellers both inside and outside cabins across its fleet, while Marella and Fred. Olsen ships also feature single cabins, including 65 on Balmoral, with balcony options available (pictured below).
Virgin Voyages, exclusively for adults, provides 46 solo cabins on each of its three ships.
Among the latest ships, Princess Cruises has added four solo cabins on Sun Princess, and MSC's World Europa includes 22 solo cabins.
Royal Caribbean’s Quantum-class ships also cater to solo travellers, offering 28 studio cabins designed with single travellers in mind.
Be aware that single cabins are popular, so are among the first to book up. I can help you with bagging them before they go!
Are cruises expensive for solo travellers?
All people who travel alone know the annoyance of solo supplements on all types of holidays. Good news though, even when cruise lines don’t have single cabins, they will often offer discounts for single travellers occupying double cabins.
As an example, Ambassador Cruise Line has allocated 78 single occupancy cabins on Ambition and 89 on Ambience, and often offers them to solo travellers for a supplement of just 25%, instead of doubling the per person price.
I can usually find you nil or reduced supplements on selected river cruise sailings with lines including Scenic, Tauck and Uniworld as well as Riviera.
Small ship line Cruise Croatia has dedicated single occupancy cabins on every departure throughout 2024, with no extra charges, and Windstar Cruises offers no or a low solo supplement of 20%.
Expedition and specialist lines including Hurtigruten/HX and AE Expeditions waive solo supplements from time to time so I can look out for these departures for you too.
In the premium and luxury market Explora Journeys, Regent Seven Seas and Silversea offer a reduced supplement of 25% on selected sailings.
Tell me what you want, and I'll ferret out these different ways to save as a solo woman wanting to take a cruise.
What's it like on board a cruise ship as a solo woman?
Cruise lines offer a variety of social get-togethers for single passengers, including welcome drinks, dinners and group shore excursions.
Ambassador Cruise Line's Nicola Harper said, "when on board, our inclusive solos activities and events help guests to meet new people".
Traditional lines such as Fred. Olsen and Cunard have dance classes and team quizzes for guests to get to know one another. Regent Seven Seas also has afternoon meet ups for singles, along with quizzes and events where they can get to know one another.
Of course, if you don't want to meet new people, that's fine. With a cruise you can pick and choose what you want to do.
My top tip for solo cruisers? Pick a themed cruise from musicals to gardening to archaeology or astronomy. They are a great way for single women to strike up conversation with fellow guests with a common interest. Mainstream lines such as Ambassador, Cunard and Fred. Olsen offer a variety of special interest cruises, while tall-ship line Star Clippers has yoga sailings too, which I have had clients RAVE about.
Solo Cruise Q&A
Will I have to dine alone? Not if you don't want to. You're likely to be put on a table with other single travellers. If you book a set sitting for dinner, you will get to know the people on your table. Some cruise lines also have a solo travellers’ dinner, hosted by the onboard team.
What if I want to dine alone? That's no problem. You can sit alone at the buffet or request a table for one in the other dining options, the same as you would in a restaurant online.
Will I feel left out? Not if you don't want to be! Go to the solo traveller meet up and check the daily cruise newsletter for details of get-togethers with others, or join an activity such as dance classes, yoga or craft sessions. You never have to be alone if you don't want to be.
Do cruise ship excursions still work for solo travellers? Book excursions and you will be with a group of people. If you choose an activity such as wine-tasting or chocolate-making there will be some social interaction with your group, making it easy for you to find your tribe.
Will the cabin have one or two beds? It depends on the ship and cabin type. Purpose-built single cabins typically feature a small double or large single bed, while cabins designated for single occupancy usually come with twin or double beds.
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