Cruising solo can be one of the easiest ways to see multiple destinations. There’s no complicated schedules, room sharing, or budgeting for meals.
But not every cruise line makes the experience appealing, or affordable, for solo travelers.
I’ve been traveling alone for years, including on cruises, and I’ve learned through experience that it’s crucial to review things like onboard activities, organized excursions, the ship’s size, and dining setup before booking. And, perhaps most importantly, whether I’ll be hit with a hefty single supplement.
A single supplement is an additional fee that some cruise lines charge solo travelers for occupying a cabin alone, to make up for potential lost revenue had there been two passengers onboard. It can range from around 25 percent to 100 percent or more of the fare.
However, some lines, including Norwegian and Virgin Voyages, offer solo cabins or select sailings without the extra charge. And they’re not the only ones going out of their way to attract solo sailors.
Some lines boast small ships that make it easier to meet and connect with fellow passengers, while others promote port excursions or dining reservations designed to encourage social mingling. Here are the best options for a party of one.
In this article
Havila Voyages
Havila Voyages specializes in sailings around Norway, and after cruising with them myself, I think they’re a particularly good fit for solo travelers. Their smaller ships allow for a more intimate, social experience than you might find on traditional mega cruises.
I sailed with the line on a four-day cruise along Norway’s coast from Tromsø to Trondheim, and experienced plenty of opportunities to meet fellow passengers while exploring a string of ports along the way. My ship was quite intimate (it had a maximum capacity of 640). One evening, I was at the bar and began talking to other solo travelers, the next I was on an excursion meeting more.
And on that note, the variety of activities on offer gave me options to fill my time without feeling isolated. I did everything from a sea eagle safari in the Lofoten Islands to visiting museums, hiking Norway’s infamous Torghatten, and enjoying a celebratory onboard toast when passing across the Arctic Circle.
And unlike some traditional cruise lines where solo travelers can face a hefty single supplement, Havila has dedicated solo rates that eliminate that pesky fee on select sailings.
Riviera Travel River Cruises
Offering intimate European river cruises, Riviera offers select solo departures with smaller ships, included excursions, and shared dining that make it easy to meet fellow travelers. Riviera also hosts a welcome dinner and has tour managers who help solo guests connect, taking some of the awkwardness out of traveling alone.
Itineraries span European rivers like the Danube, Rhine, Moselle, Seine, Rhône, and Douro, with destinations ranging from Paris and Normandy to Portugal’s Douro Valley and the cities of Vienna and Budapest.
The big win? Riviera's solo-exclusive sailings have no single supplement, meaning you can have your own cabin without paying the dreaded “traveling alone” tax.
And, they’re taking solo offerings even further in 2027 when the MS George Eliot will become a dedicated solo-only river cruise ship. Every cabin will be for one guest only, with no supplements.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line curates sailings with solo travelers in mind, evidenced by their studio cabins specifically for solo travelers. Each one is a private space designed for one, so you’ll never have to pay a tax to stay in a room meant for two.
While compact, these cabins still include everything you need for a comfortable stay, and come with access to an exclusive shared lounge, accessible only to fellow solo cruisers.
Inside this private space, find complimentary coffee, espresso, and snacks, plus a natural place to meet other people traveling alone.
Apart from the lounge, Norwegian also offers an array of activities to take the stress out of socializing. Think fitness classes, tastings, and night life.
Aurora Expeditions
The first thing I usually do when traveling solo is book a walking tour, adventure activity, or day trip to meet new people. The same logic can apply to cruises.
Often, the easiest way to connect with others is through a shared experience, and that’s where Aurora Expeditions really shines.
These small-ship expeditions take travelers to remote places like Antarctica, the Arctic, and Iceland. For solo travelers, the daily activities make it easy to meet others. Guided hikes, Zodiac excursions, wildlife landings, and kayaking are all common, and done in small groups.
And even back onboard, communal dining and relaxed spaces give travelers a chance to continue the conversation.
Aurora also offers 10 dedicated solo cabins on every 2026–27 sailing, with no single supplement on these bookings. That’s significant, as the cruise line otherwise charges its usual single supplement of 50%, meaning a $10,000-per-person cruise could otherwise cost a solo traveler around $15,000.
If the solo cabin isn’t available, the line also offers a cabin-share program that matches solo travelers with another of the same gender, offering a way to save money while making a new travel buddy.
Virgin Voyages
Virgin Voyages' adults-only cruises can be a natural fit for solo travelers thanks to their social atmosphere and overall convivial vibe.
With a more mature mindset (i.e., not devoted to families with young kids) there are often dedicated solo meetups, plus group fitness classes, trivia, mixology workshops, and communal dining that lend well to mingling. Virgin’s slate of excursions also present plenty of natural ways to meet others without being forced into a singles program.
Better yet, the cruise line has dedicated solo cabins, including Solo Insider cabins designed and priced specifically for one without any single supplement.
These are admittedly small, but still thoughtfully designed with Virgin’s signature Seabed. On select sailings, solo travelers can also book standard Sea Terrace cabins with Virgin’s “Reduced Single Supplement” offer, which can cut the second-sailor fare by up to 70 percent.
The Shortcut
Cruise lines are increasingly designing experiences around solo travelers, rather than treating them as an afterthought. Lines like Norwegian, Riviera, and others are removing or reducing single supplement fees and offering dedicated solo cabins.
The best lines cater to different types of solo travelers, from scenic adventures with Havila to expedition travel with Aurora. They also create social spaces and group activities with solo travelers in mind.
Purpose-built solo cabins are becoming more common, with Norwegian and Virgin Voyages offering rooms designed specifically for one traveler.
