For singletons and those just wanting a little time away to themselves, cruising alone is fast becoming a popular holiday option. Increasingly, cruise companies are starting to embrace the solo traveller, with some ships housing a range of dedicated single cabins for those going it alone.
They’re not limited to solo travellers either. Single cabins are great for any friends in your party looking for a little private space, as well as multi-generational groups who don’t fancy bunking up together.
However, there’s sometimes a catch. As seasoned solo travellers are all too aware, cruise lines traditionally work on a ‘two per room’ basis, so those travelling alone usually end up paying the dreaded ‘single supplement’, a fee which can cost up to 100% of your ticket fare – so make sure you check at the time of booking.
Here, we’ll guide you through our favourite cruise lines that make it easy and go a step further when it comes to treating their solo guests right!
What Are the Best Cruise Lines for Single Cabins?
Not all cruise lines are born equal when it comes to single cabins, here we review the best.
P&O Cruises
Ships that offer single accommodation: Azura, Arcadia, Aurora, Britannia, Oriana and Ventura.
From Single Inside Cabins to Single Balcony Cabins, P&O Cruises cater to individual travellers well. Air-conditioned and comfortable, the room set ups vary by ship, but all of them come with larger-than-usual single beds and showers.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Ships that offer single accommodation: Escape, Bliss, Breakaway, Getaway, Epic, Pride of America.
Something of a pioneer when it comes to single cabins, which were pretty much unheard of until 2010, Norwegian Cruise Line offers the most solo cruise cabins across its fleet of ships. Rebranded as ‘Studio Cabins’, they’re compact but the savvy, smart design and a chic lounge that’s exclusive to all studio guests means there’s plenty of advantages to going solo.
Replete with a big-screen TV, it’s the perfect place to meet others and order some room service after a long day of relaxing. Your own cabin, meanwhile, features a full-sized bed, bathroom and shower, along with your own TV to boot.
Holland America Line
Ships that offer single accommodation: Prinsendam, Koningsdam
In addition to the Prinsendam’s three single cabins, which are between 150-269 square foot and equipped with everything from fragrant soaps and lotions to a flat-panel TV and DVD player, Holland America’s Koningsdam ship houses 12 solo cabins with stunning ocean views.
Onboard Koningsdam, your room will be furnished with all the amenities of a double room, although you’ll have a smaller bed. That means you’ll have a hair dryer, plenty of soaps and lotions, a flat panel TV and DVD Player – even a shoeshine service, to use as and when you wish.
Royal Caribbean
Ships that offer single accommodation: Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas.
Royal Caribbean’s single staterooms waive the dreaded single supplement fee, so solo cruisers don’t have to pay double the cost for what is essentially less. This is especially beneficial on their Quantum and Anthem ships, as these feature studio staterooms – which can sleep two – that you can have all to yourself.
Their Quantum Class ships feature two cabin categories for those going it alone. The first, studio interior stateroom, features an industry-first virtual balcony: an 80-inch-high LED screen that projects real-time views of oceans and ports from floor to ceiling. It’s a unique, immersive experience you simply don’t get from other cruise line’s single rooms.
The second, their studio balcony staterooms, feature a 55-square-foot, open-air veranda for you to relax on, watching the world go by with nary a distraction to be found.
Cunard Line
Ships that offer single accommodation: Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth.
Recently joining the single cabin venture in 2015, all three of Cunard’s ships have single cabins, with Elizabeth and Victoria hosting eight Oceanview rooms with huge windows that take in vast stretches of approaching paradise.
Situated near their respective ships’ most popular rooms, Cunard also hosts coffee mornings and dedicated daytime activities so you can meet other solo travellers. Plus, Queen Mary 2 is the only cruise ship that offers kennels at sea, so if your four-legged friend wants to come with you, they’re more than welcome!
| Cruise Line | Single Cabins | Single Supplement | Singles Events |
| P&O Cruises | Yes | Additional supplement to be paid for double occupancy. | Coffee mornings for single travellers to get to know each other. |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | Yes | Less than double fare on selected cruises. | Exclusive single guests lounge, plenty of meet and greet events, plus staff-hosted bar crawls. |
| Holland America Line | Yes | 150-200% of the double occupancy fare. | Over 40 activities for singles including mixers, cocktail parties, exercise classes, lectures, wine tasting, trivia contests, cooking demonstrations and more. |
| Royal Caribbean | Yes | N/A | Meet and mingle events for you to get to know like-minded travellers. |
| Cunard Line | Yes | Additional supplement to be paid for double occupancy. | Coffee mornings, and a variety of daytime activities including wine-tasting, dance classes and quizzes. |
Like the sound of solo cruising? Why not book yourself one of Cruise1st UK’s amazing deals? See the full selection of itineraries online or call our friendly sales team on 0808 2746 777.
Note: This post was updated in November 2017 for accuracy and timeliness.
