Embarking on a solo cruise experience is a great introduction to solo travel and a great way to step outside of your comfort zone!
Sometimes, the best vacations are the ones you take alone. Imagine not being under any obligation to accomplish anything besides what you choose to do. Eat, drink, visit museums, enjoy some alone time relaxing on a beach…with a solo trip, the choice is completely yours, and yours alone!
Enjoy singles events around the ship, and be free to mingle and socialize with other solo cruisers. The best part? You can do everything at your own pace, when you feel like it.
Continue reading this blog to learn of our Travel Specialists’ top tips for taking a Solo Cruise!
Solo Traveler Cruise Tips
Here are some awesome tips to consider when taking a solo travel cruise, as recommended by our TierOne Travel Consultants:
Make Friends with The Crew Members
Onboard, it’s simple for a solo traveller to get to know the crew. Most crew members are of international descent who frequently share your passion for travel.
No matter what your interests are, they are specialists at suggesting the greatest things to do in the ports, which they’re very familiar with.
They are also knowledgeable about advising visitors on selecting excursions and using the ship’s amenities. For instance, an employee on a ship may point you to where the lounge chairs would most likely receive shade throughout the day.
Consider Traditional Assigned Seating During Dining
One of the biggest worries for solo travellers can be where and when to eat, especially if they don’t want to order room service every night!
Instead of dining at various times while on a solo cruise, you might gain a better experience from choosing a traditional assigned seating time in the main dining room. You’ll be seated at the same table every night with other cruise guests and the same crew, thanks to an assigned seating time. As your tablemates, server, and sommelier get to know you and your dining preferences, it will help you feel more at ease.
Join Group Shore Excursions
You’ll have the option of going on a shore excursion with other passengers once the ship docks, or can choose to go it alone!
It’s simple to meet new people by going on shore excursions with other solo travellers with whom you may arrange activities later at sea. In the aquarium-clear waters of Bonaire, blow bubbles and explore dive spots with a scuba diving companion. In Kyoto, engage your curiosity while taking a cultural tour. In Oahu, learn to surf. In Athens, see the Greek ruins. You will have a lot of shared memories to discuss with your shipmates when you return to the ship.
Explore Solo Exclusive Activities
Many cruise lines plan activities specifically for their solo travellers!
From group activities to break the ice, to relaxing in the solo lounge, going to cocktail parties and even speed dating, there are plenty of opportunities to be social while cruising on your own. Check out what your cruise ship offers, and take advantage! Your TierOne Travel Consultant can help you plan your solo cruise and make sure you board a ship with plenty of singles activities.
Take Advantage Of Everything Onboard
There’s so much to do on cruise ships; you might as well try to do everything you wish while on your solo adventure!
Try trivia or karaoke at the bar, gameshows, dance lessons, and some ships have theatres where you can watch a movie or a broadway style show, enjoy live music, relax on the pool deck, ride on bumper cars, go ziplining or rock climbing and much more.
While traveling solo you can do whatever you want, on your own timeline, so fill your boots!
Tips for Booking Your Solo Cruise
Don’t forget to contact your TierOne Travel Consultant to book your next solo adventure! They’ll make sure you are perfectly matched up with the ideal ship for you.
What Kind of Ship Experience Do You Want?
The appropriate ship selection is one of the most important parts of any trip, but it is especially crucial for single travellers.
Couples and families enjoy travelling on the enormous, modern mega-ships that can hold up to 5,000 passengers, but one drawback is that it is rare that you would run into the same individuals twice.
A smaller ship might be great if you wanted to make, and spend time with new friends.
River cruise ships, which have a passenger capacity of 100 to 200, are the smallest cruise liners. If you want a more personal ambiance on board, a river cruise is definitely something to think about.
Prebook Your Cruise Transfers
Best Ocean Cruise Lines For Solo Travelers
Norwegian Cruise Line
You have a wide variety of options when planning your solo cruise trip with the Norwegian Cruise Line. The first cruise operator to provide public spaces and staterooms, particularly for solo travellers was Norwegian Cruise Line. There are several opportunities to socialize with other guests on every Norwegian cruise. For those who are cruising solo, most sailings have singles meet-ups.
The Studio Lounge is a terrific place to meet other single cruisers, and the Studios are the ideal size for a solitary vacation. The Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Bliss, and Norwegian Epic are all equipped with solo cabins.
Royal Caribbean
Some Royal Caribbean ships have studio staterooms, so say goodbye to single supplement costs because these accommodations were created with solo visitors in mind. There’s nothing wrong with spending a little bit more and getting a bigger stateroom to yourself, if that’s what you prefer.
Royal Caribbean does offer studio staterooms on a few of their ships, though they are not priced specifically for single occupancy. These studio staterooms have the benefit that a solo traveller can book one without paying the customary single supplement fee, which doubles the cost of the cruise trip.
They provide virtual balcony rooms, inside studio rooms, and super studio ocean view rooms with balconies. They are offered on Brilliance of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, and Spectrum of the Seas and are the ideal choice for someone who wishes to sail alone.
Princess Cruises
Cruising with Princess makes it simple to meet like-minded solo travelers. Cruisers who are alone can stay in shape while making new friends while working up a sweat on tennis courts and in yoga programs. Foodies should sign up for cocktail parties, a cooking lesson or a wine-tasting event. Singles can have a relaxed lunch at the Sanctuary, an adult-only escape and is a great place for meeting new people.
Note: Princess doesn’t currently have single cabins, so be prepared to pay a single supplement.
Oceania Cruises
Single-occupancy staterooms are perfect for travellers who want to enjoy travelling alone while still taking advantage of Oceania Cruises’ world-class amenities, food, and local knowledge.
On a few of its itineraries, Oceania Cruises provides single passengers with a discounted single supplement rate compared to the industry standard of 2x the cruise fare.
New ocean-view single suites will make their debut on Oceania’s new ships. Regatta, Nautica, Insignia and Sirena are the names of the new ships debuting in September and October 2022.
Holland America Line
The dedication of Holland America Line to solo cruisers is well known. There are many things to enjoy while on your own and ways to meet new people (from wine tastings to hands-on cooking lessons). Events for solo passengers like mixers and games are available through Holland America’s Single Partners Program, which is available on most voyages.
12 solo rooms are available on the Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam, and Rotterdam, the line’s largest and newest ships. All of the accommodations have ocean views!
Celebrity Cruises
There are more possibilities than ever for solo travellers thanks to Celebrity’s fleet-wide modernization initiative, the Celebrity Revolution. There are single staterooms on the Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Silhouette, Celebrity Beyond and Celebrity Ascent.
You have lots of room to move about in the single staterooms. These staterooms are not only roomy but also furnished with the same contemporary, streamlined style and luxurious facilities as all Celebrity staterooms.
Best River Cruise Lines For Solo Travelers
AmaWaterways
AmaWaterways is renowned for providing solo travellers with offers throughout the year that either lower or do away with the single extra for people who book in specific cabin categories and prefer to sail alone. Expect to see these discounts frequently, because this supplier is one of the biggest advocates of travelling alone!
A few of AmaWaterways’ European riverboats also have single-occupancy staterooms available. AmaVerde, AmaBella, AmaLyra, AmaDolce, AmaDante, and AmaCello are among the ships having solo travellers’ staterooms.
Uniworld
With its single supplement discounts, which are provided periodically throughout the year on particular sailings, departures, and cabin classifications, Uniworld has a reputation for being on the generous side when it comes to single travelers.
The S.S. Catherine is the only Uniworld river cruise ship with a single-occupancy stateroom, the Classic Single river-view room.
Tauck
On many of its all-inclusive river cruise tours, Tauck either lowers or eliminates the solo supplement at various points throughout the year. For all guests reserving Category 1 staterooms on any of Tauck’s river ships in 2019, the single supplement was completely eliminated. The single supplement for other categories was also lowered by $1,000 on 54 departures covering 17 different itineraries. Tauck’s river cruise trips are a fantastic option for cruisers wishing to travel independently due to their inclusive, fully guided nature.
Scenic
For solo travellers, Scenic offers discounts on single-occupancy staterooms. Scenic Amber, Crystal, Diamond, Jade, Jewel, Jasper, Opal, Pearl, Ruby, and Sapphire all have dedicated single-occupancy cabins that are complete with their own private balcony. Perks that provide no single supplement on a variety of sailings are available throughout the year. However, if you’re wanting a European river cruise adventure there are no designated single-occupancy accommodations on Scenic’s European ships.
Solo cruising is a terrific way to dip your feet into the independence of a single trip without having to deal with complicated planning logistics. There will be lots of opportunities to satiate your wanderlust as well as organized meals, activities, and trips available whenever you want them. A solo trip can help you find your core. You’ll come home feeling revitalized and with the knowledge that all you need is yourself to have a great time.
PLANNING ON A SOLO TRIP?
We’ve got your back! When you’re ready to book your next getaway, contact one of our TierOne Travel agents. They have extensive knowledge of all current events in the travel industry and will be able to craft something incredible that is suited to your unique needs and will get you to your destination as stress-free as possible.
One call; endless experiences!
“Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.” – Anonymous
