Solo cruising is having a major moment, and it’s no longer just for retirees or ultra‑luxury travelers—today’s best cruise lines are finally designing cabins, pricing, and onboard experiences with solo guests in mind. From studio staterooms with no awkward “single supplement” to hosted meet‑ups, bar crawls, and shore excursions tailored to independent explorers, sailing alone has never felt more social or more seamless.
But with so many brands now advertising “solo saver” fares and “singles‑friendly” ships, figuring out which cruise lines actually deliver—versus who just slaps a label on standard cabins—can get confusing fast. Do you book a big‑ship line with tons of solo cabins and built‑in icebreakers, a chic adults‑only brand where you can party (or recharge) on your own terms, or a small luxury or river line that waives supplements and includes nearly everything in the fare?
In this guide to the best cruise lines for solo travelers, we break down the top options that consistently get high marks for single staterooms, fair pricing, and easy ways to meet people—so you can choose the right ship for your travel style, sail completely on your own schedule, and still never feel alone unless you want to.
Top Ocean Cruise Lines for Solo Travelers
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line pioneered solo cabins when it debuted 128 "studio" cabins on the Norwegian Epic in 2010, and this remains one of the best offerings in the industry. With nine ships featuring dedicated studio cabins—including Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Viva, Norwegian Aqua, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Encore, and Norwegian Bliss—solo travelers have more options than anywhere else. Studio cabins are approximately 100 square feet with double beds and are priced for one person with no single supplement. Additionally, Norwegian offers an exclusive Studio Lounge available only to studio cabin guests, complete with 24/7 coffee and snacks—a perfect space to meet fellow solo travelers. The line also hosts casual get-togethers and group dining experiences. Norwegian has been crowned "Best Cruise Line for Solo Travelers" by Porthole Magazine for seven consecutive years.
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean offers studio cabins on several ships without the typical single supplement. The ships with solo cabins include Brilliance of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, and Harmony of the Seas, with Utopia of the Seas being the only Oasis-class vessel with studio cabins. These studios range from 101 to 119 square feet and feature full-size beds, with some offering virtual balconies and others with actual 55-square-foot private terraces. Royal Caribbean provides a variety of onboard activities suitable for solo cruisers, from fitness classes and wine tastings to cooking demonstrations and scuba training.
Virgin Voyages
Virgin Voyages offers a unique adults-only environment perfect for solo travelers seeking a vibrant, social atmosphere. Each of its four ships—Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady, and Brilliant Lady—features 46 solo cabins designed specifically for solo travelers. With just 1,330 cabins overall, this represents a significant percentage of solo-friendly accommodations. The line's reduced single supplements make these cabins exceptionally affordable, especially when compared to other cruise lines. Virgin Voyages actively encourages socialization through group fitness classes, onboard bar crawls, solo meetups on the first day, and shared dining experiences like the Korean BBQ restaurant (Gunbae) where guests are seated with other travelers.
Holland America Line
Holland America Line has earned a strong reputation for welcoming solo travelers with thoughtfully designed onboard experiences. The line offers solo cabins, though the exact number varies by ship. What sets Holland America apart is its commitment to creating social opportunities through excellent culinary programs including hands-on cooking workshops and wine tastings, meet-and-mingle events, and the option for solo diners to request shared dining with other solo travelers.
Oceania Cruises
Oceania Cruises leads the luxury segment for solo travelers with nearly 100 dedicated solo cabins across its fleet. The line retrofitted older ships (Regatta, Nautica, Insignia, and Sirena) with 14 solo cabins each. The newest ship, Oceania Vista, features six "Concierge Level Solo Veranda" cabins—a new category specifically designed for solo travelers at 270 square feet with premium amenities including private balconies, free laundry service, priority embarkation, and exclusive access to the Concierge Lounge. Oceania also offers reduced single supplements on select sailings and hosts solo meet-and-greet events with mixed dining tables.
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises has introduced solo cabins on select ships, particularly the Edge-class vessels. Ships with solo accommodations include Celebrity Edge with 16 solo staterooms, Celebrity Apex with 24 solo staterooms (the highest in the fleet), and Celebrity Silhouette with four inside solo cabins. Solo cabins on Edge-class ships are 140 square feet with infinite verandas that seamlessly open and fold, creating an outdoor space from your cabin. These are the same size as standard Infinite Veranda cabins, just without the sofa bed.
Crystal Cruises
As a previous winner of Cruise Critic's "Best Luxury Cruise for Solo Travelers" award, Crystal regularly waives solo supplements on select voyages for its lavish double-occupancy cabins and Aquamarine suites. The line also offers redesigned Oceanview Single rooms (featuring large picture windows, walk-in showers, and living areas with sofas). Crystal distinguishes itself with Table for Eight dining events hosted by officers and Crystal Ambassador Hosts who serve as dancing partners and dinner companions for solo guests.
Cunard
Cunard attracts solo cruisers with its traditional transatlantic experience and elegant onboard atmosphere. The line's ships feature single-occupancy cabins: Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria each have nine single cabins (eight ocean-view, one interior), while Queen Mary 2 has 15 ocean-view single cabins ranging from 178 square feet. The convivial atmosphere makes it easy for solo travelers to make friends, and the ships offer expert lectures, theatrical workshops, trivia competitions, and spa facilities.
Silversea Cruises
Silversea stands out in the luxury segment with exceptional pricing for solo travelers. The line offers single supplements as low as 10–25% on select sailings, with some voyages featuring zero single supplements. All suites include spacious ocean-view accommodations and personalized butler service. Silversea actively welcomes solo guests with champagne Welcome Receptions on every voyage, and select sailings feature Gentlemen Hosts to greet and assist solo travelers. The line's intimate ships and sophisticated passenger mix make meeting fellow travelers easy.
Seabourn Cruises
Seabourn offers reduced single supplements on expedition voyages to premier destinations like Antarctica, the Arctic, and the South Pacific. The line's newer expedition ships—Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit—combine authentic service with intimate, yacht-like environments perfect for solo travelers. Suites are all-inclusive, featuring fine dining, complimentary wines and spirits, and included enrichment programs.
Ponant
Ponant offers some of the best single supplement discounts among luxury cruise lines, with rates as low as 100% (essentially no supplement). The fleet features cutting-edge ocean and expedition vessels visiting unique destinations worldwide, providing luxurious accommodations without the financial strain many solo travelers face.
River and Small Ship Cruise Lines
American Cruise Lines
American Cruise Lines welcomes solo travelers across its entire U.S. river and coastal cruise fleet. Every ship features dedicated single-occupancy cabins with low or no additional single supplements (typically 150–175% for double-occupancy cabins). Ships like American Jazz feature eight single staterooms at 250 square feet—only slightly smaller than standard double cabins—complete with floor-to-ceiling glass doors and private balconies. The line offers an inclusive, laidback atmosphere with a well-attended daily Happy Hour where solo travelers easily connect with fellow guests.
Avalon Waterways
Avalon Waterways waives single supplements on select European and Mekong voyages with dedicated single cabins, including Panorama Suites that are 30% larger than industry-standard rooms. With 10% of passengers traveling solo, there are excellent opportunities to meet fellow solo cruisers at dedicated events and hosted dining.
Riviera River Cruises
Riviera is among the most solo-friendly river cruise lines, setting aside four to six cabins with waived single supplements on every departure. The line also offers exclusive solo-only itineraries with no supplements on any cabin, including suites normally booked by couples. Solo cabins average 161 square feet—the same size as standard staterooms.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Fred. Olsen's three smaller ships—Balmoral, Bolette, and Borealis—feature a generous number of single cabins across all levels, from interior to suites. The welcoming atmosphere makes these vessels ideal for first-time solo cruisers. The line offers dedicated welcome drinks parties, social dining tables, solo traveler meet-ups, Dance Hosts, and reduced single supplements on select cruises.
Saga Cruises
Saga caters to travelers aged 50 and older and recently launched two new-build ships—Spirit of Adventure and Spirit of Discovery—each featuring 109 single cabins (more than 20% of total accommodation). These spacious single cabins are 85% the size of double cabins and include private balconies. The line offers Standard, Superior, Deluxe, and Suite categories for solo guests.
P&O Cruises
P&O Cruises features solo cabins across its fleet. Britannia leads with 27 single cabins, while Iona and Arvia have 22 each. Other ships in the fleet—Ventura, Azura, Aurora, and Arcadia—have between 6 and 18 single cabins with options for inside or balcony staterooms ranging from 118 to 206 square feet.
Oceania Allura
Oceania Cruises' newest ship, Oceania Allura, debuting in July 2025, features six "Concierge Level Solo Veranda" staterooms designed specifically for single travelers.
Ambassador Cruise Line
A newcomer to the market, Ambassador Cruise Line emphasizes solo traveler accommodations across its two ships, Ambition and Ambience. The line offers up to 89 staterooms in five solo categories, with inside cabins at 118 square feet and balcony cabins averaging 210 square feet.
Scenic and Emerald Cruises
Both Scenic and sister company Emerald Cruises offer dedicated single cabins on multiple riverboats. Emerald Dawn, Emerald Destiny, Emerald Liberte, and several others feature two Emerald Single Staterooms each. Scenic offers single amenities on numerous vessels with no supplements.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
While Uniworld doesn't have dedicated solo cabins, the luxury line waives single supplements on various itineraries designed to appeal to solo travelers.
AmaWaterways
Four AmaWaterways ships—AmaCello, AmaDante, AmaDolce, and AmaLyra—feature two solo cabins each at 140 square feet with French balconies and identical amenities to standard cabins.
Specialized Cruise Lines
Star Clippers
Star Clippers offers sailing experiences on tall ships with reduced single supplements of 25% on selected cabin grades for solo travelers on select sailings. These ships provide an intimate sailing experience for independent travelers, with rates starting from $1,970 per person.
Windstar Cruises
Windstar specializes in small ships carrying between 148–342 passengers, perfect for solo travelers seeking an intimate atmosphere. The line offers reduced 20% single supplements (compared to typical 75% elsewhere), special solo dinners onboard, and personalized service. The smaller ship size makes it easy to meet fellow passengers or enjoy solitude as preferred.
MSC Cruises
MSC offers reasonable solo supplements (typically 120% rather than the standard 200%), making it more affordable than many competitors. The line provides occasional solo traveler meet-ups and shared dining tables specifically for solos. However, solo availability can sometimes be limited when booking online.
Costa Cruises
About half of Costa's fleet features single cabins in both inside and oceanview categories. The line promotes its "Cruising Solo" program with discounts on select sailings.
