I used to think people who went on cruises by themselves were either incredibly brave or incredibly lonely. It felt like a weird thing to do. You’re stuck on a giant floating city with 3,000 strangers, mostly couples and families, and there you are, sitting at a table for one with a melting baked Alaska.
But then I actually did it.
Going on a cruise alone isn't about being "solo." It's about total, unfiltered control over your own time. No compromise. None. If you want to wake up at 11:00 AM and eat pizza for breakfast, you do it. If you want to spend four hours reading a thriller on Deck 12 without someone asking if you’re ready for the trivia contest, you can. It’s the ultimate introvert’s power move, yet weirdly, it’s also the easiest way to make friends if you’re an extrovert.
The money talk: Solo supplements and how they work
Let's be real. The biggest hurdle to going on a cruise alone has always been the "solo supplement." Cruise lines generally price their cabins based on double occupancy. If you’re one person in a room designed for two, they often charge you 200% of the fare. It’s a gut punch.
Honestly, it feels like a "singles tax."
However, the industry is shifting because they’ve realized how much money solo travelers spend on board. Lines like Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) were the pioneers here. They introduced "Studio" cabins specifically designed and priced for one person. These aren't just tiny closets, either. On ships like the Norwegian Epic or Norwegian Encore, these rooms give you access to a private Solo Lounge. It’s basically a clubhouse where you can find coffee, snacks, and other solo travelers without the pressure of a forced "mixer."
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Royal Caribbean followed suit. Their newer ships, like the Odyssey of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas, have dedicated solo staterooms. Some even have "virtual balconies," which are high-definition screens showing a real-time view of the ocean outside. It sounds gimmicky, but it helps with the claustrophobia of an interior cabin.
If you're looking at luxury, Virgin Voyages changed the game. They don't do "buffets" or "formal nights," and they have a significant number of "The Insider" and "Sea View" cabins specifically for solos. They’ve leaned hard into the vibe that being alone is a choice, not a tragedy.
Why the dining room isn't as scary as you think
The biggest fear I hear from people planning on going on a cruise alone is the Main Dining Room (MDR). The image of sitting at a massive circular table while three married couples talk about their grandkids is enough to make anyone want to order room service for seven days straight.
But you have options.
- Request a small table: You can literally just ask the maître d' for a table for one. They might tuck you in a corner, but hey, privacy.
- The "Sharing" option: Many lines will ask if you want to be seated with other solos. This is hit or miss. Sometimes you meet your new best friend; sometimes you spend two hours hearing about someone's gout.
- Specialty Dining: Places like the steakhouse or the sushi bar usually have a more relaxed pace.
- The Bar: This is the pro move. Eat at the bar in the Teppanyaki place or the casual pub. It’s way more social, and the bartenders are usually great at keeping a conversation going if you look like you want to talk.
Safety and the "Solo" vibe
Is it safe? Yeah. Mostly.
Cruising is one of the safest ways to travel alone because you’re in a controlled environment. There’s security everywhere, and you can’t exactly get lost in a dangerous neighborhood at 2:00 AM—you’re on a ship.
However, don't be reckless. The "vacation brain" is real. People get comfortable, they drink a little too much at the lido bar, and they forget basic common sense. Keep your cabin door locked. Don't tell every person you meet exactly which room number you're in.
One thing people get wrong about going on a cruise alone is the idea that they'll be bored. It’s actually the opposite. Between the Broadway-style shows, the thermal suites, the gin-tasting classes, and the shore excursions, your schedule is as packed as you want it to be.
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The "Solo Lounge" secret
If you’re on a ship that has a dedicated solo coordinator—usually NCL or some Holland America sailings—go to the first meeting. It’s usually held on the first night in a lounge somewhere. It’s awkward for the first five minutes. Everyone is standing around looking at their shoes.
Then, someone cracks a joke about the buffet. Suddenly, you have a group of people to go to dinner with or share a cab with at the next port. You don't have to stay with them all week, but it’s nice to have "ship friends" you recognize in the hallway.
Practical tips for your first solo sailing
Don't just wing it.
- Join the Facebook Group: Almost every single sailing has a "Roll Call" on Facebook or Cruise Critic. Search your ship name and sail date. There is almost always a sub-thread for solo travelers. You can "meet" people before you even step on the gangway.
- Book the Studio early: Solo cabins sell out fast. Because there are fewer of them, they often go months before the standard balcony rooms.
- The "Communal" trick: If you can't find a solo cabin, look for "guarantee" rates. Sometimes, if the ship isn't full, the solo supplement is drastically reduced or waived entirely as the sail date approaches. Use a site like Vacations To Go and look for their "Single Supplement" ticker. It’s a goldmine.
- Befriend the Crew: Not in a weird way, but the crew members are the best source of info. The bartenders know which nights the disco is actually fun and which nights it's a ghost town.
- Pack a Book/Kindle: This is your "leave me alone" signal. If you're at the bar and don't want to talk, open the book. People generally respect the book.
Which lines are actually best for solos?
Not all ships are created equal.
If you go on a Disney Cruise alone, you’re going to be surrounded by children. That might be your nightmare. If you go on Cunard, expect a very formal, traditional atmosphere where people might be a bit more reserved.
Norwegian Cruise Line is widely considered the king of solo travel. Their "Studio" concept changed everything. You get a keycard that only works for the Studio complex, creating a "ship within a ship" feel. It’s modern, it’s neon, and it’s very social.
Holland America is great for a slightly older, more "chill" solo experience. They have a "Single Partners Program" where they help match you with other solos for activities. They also have some of the best live music at sea (the Lincoln Center Stage is incredible).
Virgin Voyages is the "cool kid" option. No kids allowed. No buffets. No formal wear. It’s very much geared toward people who want to feel like they’re at a boutique hotel that happens to move. Their solo cabins are small but very smartly designed with mood lighting and great tech.
Dealing with the "Pity Look"
You will get it. At least once.
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Some well-meaning couple from Ohio will see you eating a burger by the pool and ask, "Oh, are you all by yourself?" with a look of genuine sorrow.
The best response? A big smile and a simple, "Yes, it's amazing. I'm doing exactly what I want today."
They’ll usually look at each other, realize they’ve been arguing about where to eat dinner for the last forty minutes, and then they’ll be the ones who are jealous of you. Going on a cruise alone is a flex. It shows you're comfortable in your own company, which is a literal superpower in 2026.
Actionable Next Steps
If you’re ready to stop thinking about it and actually book it, here is how you start:
- Check the "Solo Supplement" Ticker: Go to a cruise aggregator site and specifically filter for "No Solo Supplement" or "Solo Cabins." This will save you thousands of dollars right out of the gate.
- Pick a Short Itinerary First: If you’re nervous, book a 3 or 4-day cruise to the Bahamas or the Caribbean. It’s long enough to get the vibe, but short enough that if you hate it, you’re home in a few days.
- Research the Ship, Not Just the Destination: When you’re alone, the ship is the destination. Make sure it has the amenities you want—whether that’s a massive gym, a quiet library, or a world-class spa.
- Book Your Own Excursions: Don't feel forced to do the ship-sponsored tours where you're herded like cattle. Use Viator or Shore Excursions Group to find smaller, more niche tours that might be more interesting for a solo traveler.
- Join the "Solo Cruisers" Community: There are massive groups on Reddit (r/cruise) and Facebook specifically for this. Read the threads. See the photos. It makes the whole thing feel way less daunting.
The reality of going on a cruise alone is that you are never actually alone unless you want to be. The ocean is big, the ship is bigger, and your freedom is the biggest thing of all. Stop waiting for your friends to have the same vacation time or the same budget as you. Just go.