Solo cruising has never been this good. Not only are more cruise lines adding solo cabins, but the single-traveler cabins aboard ships are also getting more spacious and luxurious.
And just because a cruise line doesn’t offer a solo cabin doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have to pay more to cruise alone, either. Some cruise lines waive or reduce single supplements that can double a solo traveler’s bill. These deals become especially frequent during the first quarter of the year, a discount period known as “wave season.”
River cruise lines are being especially savvy in courting solo travelers by “offering more attractive opportunities for those who like to travel in style by themselves,” says Joshua Harrell, chief marketing officer for the WorldVia Travel Group and the Travel Quest Network.
Whichever cruise line you choose, you’ll want to book early: The travel insurance search engine Squaremouth says its sales show a 64 percent increase in solo cruise travel this year from 2019.
Here's everything you need to know about single bookings aboard some of the best lines for solo cruisers.
All cruises featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you book something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian debuted a studio cabin in 2010 and was the first major cruise line to create accommodations for one. These cabins come in at just under 100 square feet—enough space for a full bed. They don’t offer sea views, but the cruise line does include access to a lounge where they can meet other solo travelers over snacks.
Norwegian's solo cabins are now on several ships, including the Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Breakaway, Pride of America, and Norwegian Prima, which is set to debut this summer.
Holland America
Holland America's solo cabins are larger than Norwegian's, but you'll have to settle for a twin bed. Still, solo cruisers on Holland America’s Koningsdam, Niewuw Statendam, Rotterdam, and Ryndam ships can expect between 127 and 172 square feet of space onboard.
Best of all, each of Holland America’s solo suites comes with an ocean view.
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean has more single cruise cabins than the average cruise line. Half of the ships in its fleet offer solo cabins, but if you’re looking for a private balcony, you’ll want to book the Anthem of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas or the line's newest ship, Odyssey of the Seas.