I was on a recent twitter cruise chat and asked the cruise line representative “do you have any solo cabins or will you waive the single supplement on any sailings” and then crickets.  They go dark and no longer engage with me.  Ignoring a large part of the travel community – the solo traveler (not the single traveler because you can be a solo traveler and not be single) cruise lines continue to leave piles of money on the table in my opinion. I like to say “a cruise is a destination appetizer so you know if you want to return and explore deeper”.  Cruises have pros/cons but for the solo traveler it’s a wonderful way to travel around the world and see a good number of destinations in one trip.  Unpack once, have the safety to do as much or as little as you want.  Be social or be anti-social – there are no rules.  If you want to cruise solo, the big question is “Which Ships Have Solo Cabins”?  I’ve tried my best to put together a list of ships and current solo cabin allocations.  Note that the numbers can change but this is a starting point for your cruise research.

My Solo Cruise Vacations

While I’ve sailed solo on a few cruise lines (Princess, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Disney, Norwegian) and had to (begrudgingly)  pay the single supplement for the cabin  there has been a some progress (albeit slow) in the cruise industry to add single/solo cabins to a few new ships and retrofit a few older ships when in dry dock. I’ve written my review of the NCL Studio Cabin and Norwegian EPIC Solo Lounge based on my transatlantic sailing Miami to Barcelona, I thought it might be nice to know what other options are out there to sail in a solo cabin.  Norwegian started with the solo cabins on NCL Epic in 2010 and more than a decade later, I’m still talking about changes that are needed in the cruise industry to address the solo traveler.

When I sailed on the Princess Emerald (no solo cabins) to the Baltics from Copenhagen, there was a 50% deal that made the single supplement fit my budget for an interior cabin but solo travelers are charged anywhere from 150-200% of the advertised per person rate. I met a couple onboard that refused to spend any money on the cruise whereas I booked a few cruise tours, wine tasting, added wine to my meal, etc.  At the end of the day, the cruise made more money from me, the solo traveler, than the couple.

Solo Cruise Observations

• I applaud Cunard for recognizing the declining need for a photo gallery and casino and reusing the space to add single cabins on the Queen Mary 2. Fifteen ocean view cabins is a wonderful start.
• I’m excited for the Celebrity EDGE Single Verandah cabins but they are so many categories above the lowest interior room that it might be priced out for me.  It will be luxury – but luxury at a price.
• You can save money with guaranteed cabin which means the cruise line will assign your cabin. You can’t choose the cabin location. If you absolutely must be mid-ship, a guaranteed room is not for you.
• Repositioning (aka crossings, transatlantic, transpacific, etc. ) cruises can be a fantastic deal for solos – longer sea days and you go from point A to point B
• Don’t be surprised when the single solo cabins are the first to get sold out. On Norwegian Pride of America which sails the Hawaiian Islands year round, there are only 4 solo cabins.
• If this is your first time cruising solo, it might be best to connect with a cruise specialist to help match you with the right cruise line, ship and itinerary because there is so much choice it becomes paralyzing to pick
• Read my Travel Solo Tips and First Time Cruise Tips and Cruise Budget Planner

Note that the following is to the best of my knowledge and the cruise lines can change at any time.  Given the moving target of fares, promotions and such, I’ve not included pricing except for the Queen Mary 2 sailing in November since that is pretty much set.

The American Cruise Lines – Solo Cabins

Generally considered “American Cruise Lines” given the overall make up of the cruise ship passengers skews American guests except in the Asian market.  For those of us in the U.S., these are the major cruise players in advertisments, promotions and social media.

Note: The pandemic has upended cruising, ships and capacity so the solo/single cabins and ships may be on hiatus or no longer in service.  Best to check each cruise line website. 

Cunard Cruise Lines Single Cabins

The luxury Cunard ship line recently added 15 single cabins to the Queen Mary 2 when the ship was renovated in dry dock.  The category code is KB and KC and located mid-ship on deck 2 and deck 3 as the area used to be the Photo Gallery and part of a casino (both going out of favor in my opinion) so the cabins have windows! The cabins have a twin bed and are between 159-162 sq. ft.  Cunard recently added solo cabins, Britannia Single Staterooms to the other ships in their fleet.  Cunard do transatlantic sailings to/from New York and Southampton, England as well as intensive itineraries that are a month or longer.  The ships are luxury, skew older demographic and have a Canyon Ranch Spa onboard.

Recent pricing for a New York to Southampton, England crossing of 7 days were $1,586 in November vs. $699 per person for inside cabin (single supplement fare is $1,398) plus taxes/fees. So you are paying a bit more for less space but for a window view of the water. If you have points for a one way flight to New York or London, this is a nice, leisurely way to return home.

• Cunard Queen Mary 2 – 15 Ocean view (twin bed) solo single cabins
• Cunard Queen Elizabeth – 8 outside / 1 interior solo cabin
• Cunard Queen Victoria – 8 outside / 1 interior solo cabin

Royal Caribbean Solo Cabins

The newest ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet, Ovation of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas offer interior (with virtual view) and ocean view options for solo cabins with space of 101-119 sq. ft. and full size beds while others offer twin bed in the smaller space on their other ships. The balcony category is the most interesting to me since the other ships are all inside cabins.  A new feature is the virtual balcony view on the interior rooms of some ships.

• Anthem of the Seas – Interior (full bed) 14 solo cabins / Ocean view 12 solo Cabins
• Adventure of the Seas – Interior (twin bed) 5 solo cabins
• Brilliance of the Seas – Interior (twin bed) 3 solo cabins
• Harmony of the Seas – Interior (full bed) 3 solo cabins / Ocean view 12 solo cabins (average 96 sq. ft.)
• Jewel of the Seas – Interior (twin bed) 3 solo cabins
• Mariner of the Seas – Interior (twin bed) 2 solo cabins
• Ovation of the Seas – Interior (full bed) 16 solo cabins / Ocean view 12 solo cabins
• Quantum of the Seas – Interior (full bed) 16 solo cabins / Ocean view 12 solo cabins
• Radiance of the Seas – Interior (twin bed) 3 solo cabins
• Serenade of the Seas – Interior (twin bed) 3 solo cabins

There are no suites for solo passengers so you would need to book that at the 200% single supplement as you would with other cabin categories of interest that provide more space.  Honestly, you need to sleep and shower in your cabin in my experience so the space doesn’t need to be that much for an added cost.  Note that single supplement payments will give you 2x Crown & Anchor loyalty points whereas booking a solo cabin will only give you 1x so if you are keen to move up in the elite levels this might be a consideration for which cabin to book.  Also, sometimes given the deals at hand, the regular room with single supplement might often cost less.  So do your research and if needed reach out to a cruise specialist if you can’t find the solo cabins online to book.  They do sell out quickly.

Celebrity Cruises Edge Solo Cabin

If there is one addition I’m excited for it’s the Celebrity Edge ship with 16 Edge Verandah solo cabins.  The category code is much higher than the normal inside cabin be warned as they are verandah (balcony) level.  Located on forward deck 6, there are 16 solo cabins that mirror the regular infinite verandah cabins but without the couch (do you ever use the couch when traveling solo?  I don’t). With approximately 142 sq. ft. which includes balcony, these will be an indulgence for the luxury solo traveler.

Celebrity is a favorite line because of the wellness spa menus, entertainment and self-service wine kiosks – sadly they don’t offer solo cabins on their other ships.  I first sailed solo with Celebrity on Constellation “Connie” from Istanbul to visit Turkey and the Greek Islands.  My recent solo cruise on Celebrity Edge sailing was awesome and with the cruise bid upgrade to Aqua Class, it was fabulous!

• Celebrity Edge Single Cabin– Edge Single Verandah 16 swoon worthy single cabins

Norwegian Cruise Lines – NCL Solo Studio Cabins

Norwegian Solo Studio Cabin wins the award for innovation in the solo traveler space.  The studio cabins are inside rooms of 100 sq. ft. with a double bed! Not a twin bed.  The cabins are generally over two decks and connected with an inside stairway and solo lounge with a bar, vending machines, coffee area, televisions and living room to work or relax in.  There’s a reason these studio cabins sell out so quickly – they are really nice and provide a pleasant journey.  For the single traveler, the group traveling that each want their own cabin or for the multi-generation family that has grand mom, aunt or uncle traveling that don’t want to share a cabin (my mom snores so we each get our own cabin).

 

 

• Norwegian Epic – 128 solo studio cabins
• Norwegian Breakaway – 59 solo studio cabins
• Norwegian Getaway – 59 solo studio cabins
• Norwegian Escape – 82 solo studio cabins
• Norwegian Bliss – 82 solo studio cabins
• Norwegian Pride of America – 4 solo cabins

The category is Studio. Norwegian has even added solo cabins to their Hawaiian cruise, Pride of America, which sails year round. There are only four cabins but if you are keen to visit Hawaii and the Hawaiian islands now you can.  Note that depending on the specials and deals, the studio option might cost more than the single supplement in an interior room category.  Studio Lounge access is included in the Studio booking and those not in the Studios can visit the lounge during Solo Happy Hours.

Holland America Line Solo Cabins

The Nieuw Statendam solo cabins will be ocean view and artfully inspired. With only twelve single cabins, it will probably be the first to sell out.  Holland America has an older demographic sailing so it will be interesting to see how these solo cabins do with older or younger travelers especially on a cruise to Alaska. The average space is larger than most at 127-172 sq. ft. but have a twin bed. I liked that on Holland America each cabin gets a plush robe to use as well as a daily fruit basket (you can choose your fruit from the list or ask the room attendant for a fruit not on the list).

• Holland America Koningsdam – 12 Ocean view (twin bed) solo cabins
• Holland America Nieuw Statendam – 12 Ocean view (twin bed) solo cabins
• Holland America Prinsendam – 2 Ocean view / 1 interior solo cabins

The European Cruise Lines – Single Cabins

Generally these European Cruise Lines focus their itineraries on the majority of their resident passengers hailing from local European countries. That isn’t to say there aren’t Americans on board but not many as the advertising, deals and social are targeted to the EU countries.

Costa Cruises Single Cabins

Costa Cruises, the Italian ship line, owned by Carnival Cruise lines, offers roomy solo cabins of 130-160 sq. ft. on eight of its fourteen ships – the number ranges from 6 to 21 solo cabins (interior and oceanview with twin bed) depending on the ship.  The Costa Diadema has single cabins with extra perks available to guests.  I’m not that familiar with Costa as I’ve not sailed them yet but as an Italian ship, I have to think that the food onboard is amazing.

• Costa Diadema – 21 solo cabins
• Costa Fascinosa – 17 solo cabins
• Costa Favolosa – 17 solo cabins
• Costa Pacifica – 17 solo cabins
• Costa Serena – 17 solo cabins
• Costa Magica -14 solo cabins
• Costa Fortuna -14 solo cabins
• Costa neoRomantica – 6 solo cabins

P&O Cruise Line Single Cabins

P&O ships, owned by Carnival Cruise lines, of which there are about seven currently, three are adults only, are British based ships offering modern British cruises.  They offer P&O single cabins on their ships and the passengers are generally European.  Their itineraries are often longer to accommodate the holiday schedules of their guests (sadly American’s have fewer vacation days hence our 3-5-7 day sailings).

• P&O Azura – 12 outside solo cabins / 6 solo inside
• P&O Arcadia – 2 outside solo cabins / 4 inside solo
• P&O Aurora – 4 outside solo cabins
• P&O Britannia – 15 solo balcony cabins / 12 solo interior
• P&O Oriana – 2 inside solo cabins
• P&O Ventura – 12 outside solo cabins / 6 solo interior

Fred Olsen Cruise Line Single Cabins

Fred Olsen Cruise is a UK based company that has offered solo cabins since their founding in 1988. With only four ships in their fleet, they have nearly 200 solo cabins across the four ships each offering a twin bed.

• Fred Olsen Braemar 40 single-occupancy cabins
• Fred Olsen Balmoral 64 single solo cabins
• Fred Olsen Black Watch – 43 single solo cabins
• Fred Olsen Boudicca – 43 single solo cabins

Luxury and Small Ships – No Solo Cabins

Luxury & Small Ships – Single Supplements Vary

While the ships do not offer single solo cabins, they may offer lower single supplement or possibly waive the single supplement depending on the itinerary and promotion in place. These small ships are quite luxurious in the amenities offered and included features in the price.  Unlike the mass market ships, they may offer drinks, sightseeing or private restaurants included in the promotion.

• Seabourn  – generally 175%
• Crystal – varies 130-200%, offer single parties and still have gentlemen hosts (gives you an idea of the age group onboard)
• Silverseas – generally 125-175%
• Oceania (varies)
• Ponant (varies and does waive single supplement on some sailings)
• Windstar (varies)
• Azarmara (varies)

River Cruises – No Solo Cabins

River cruises are a bit of a mixed bag of ships and configurations.  A few lines will waive the single supplement on certain sailings and provide you the same size room as the basic cabin. Research accordingly depending on the itinerary, ship size and your budget.

• Regent Seven Seas
• Emerald Waterways
• Tauck River Cruises
• Uniworld
• U by Uniworld
• Avalon

No Solo Cabins  – Charging Single Supplements up to 200%

• Carnival Cruise Line – the fun cruise is no fun paying 200% solo
• Princess Cruise Lines – great itineraries, wonderful food, beverage and entertainment yet no solo cabins
• Disney Cruise Lines – its a shame that Disney doesn’t have solo cabins to recognize the multi-generational families that are sailing with them.  Solo Aunts, Uncles and Grandparents pay 200% for a cabin unless you can split the family up to save money.
• Paul Gaugin – French Polynesia in luxury

Cruise Solo Around the World

So hopefully if you were considering traveling solo on a cruise, this is a helpful list. While the cruise lines are slowing (very slowly) adding solo cabins or a bit of attention to this long neglected group, don’t expect the onboard to have more than the one or two “single meetups” which is, in my experience, a free drink with ship crew and a few other solo travelers.  Only NCL does the Solo Lounge meetups right for now. If you are keen to meet people onboard, I suggest using Cruise Critic roll call boards and cruise sailing Facebook Groups to meet ahead of time, sign up for group tours and enjoy drinks at sailaway.  On board, rather than a set dining table each night, I like to do “anytime dining” and be seated at the communal table.  Every night, you can meet a new group of people to share stories with and if lucky, like me, make new cruise friends that you’ll sail with in the future.

Let me know if you have sailed in a solo cabin with any of the above cruise lines and how it was.  Would you pay the single supplement if the cabin was larger and additional amenities (or points) were included? What is your dream sailing itinerary?

Originally posted in 2018 and updated as needed