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As a solo traveller, I’ve long found cruising offers freedom without the loneliness that can sometimes otherwise arise.
Without the logistical friction of hotels, transfers or constant decision-making, a cruise allows me to focus on the experience itself – whether that’s exploring a historical port, joining a guided excursion or simply watching the coastline glide by.
In recent years, cruise lines have become far more attuned to solo travellers, introducing purpose-designed cabins, sociable spaces and hosted dining, while at the same time reducing (or even removing) any single supplement.
Demand now outstrips supply, particularly for dedicated solo cabins, which tend to sell out first. Booking early is essential, though flexible travellers can still find value in off-peak sailings.
Find by cruise type:
- Best for winter sun
- Best for luxury
- Best for an adults-only sailing
Best for culture
The Blue Danube River Cruise for Solo Travellers
Riviera Travel
Key stops: Esztergom (Hungary), Bratislava (Slovakia), Dürnstein, Melk, Linz and Vienna (Austria)
Departure port: Budapest (Hungary)
Duration: 7 nights
Ship: MS George Eliot
Launching in 2027 as the world’s first solo-only river ship, Riviera Travel’s MS George Eliot is designed for independent travellers, with no single supplement for any of the cabins. Your journey begins in Budapest, passing Esztergom’s soaring basilica and Bratislava’s charming old town before reaching Austria’s picturesque Wachau Valley and capital Vienna. Guided excursions immerse you in medieval castles, Melk Abbey’s Baroque splendour and Vienna’s classical music heritage.
On board, you can watch the Danube’s ever-changing landscapes drift by from stylish suites and sociable spaces that encourage conversation without pressure – think panoramic lounges, an intimate restaurant, splash pool and even a putting green.
Included experiences, from a live classical recital to a traditional Hungarian folklore show, add memorable cultural touches throughout the voyage. For the best views, book a middle or upper deck cabin, where floor-to-ceiling windows and a private balcony make the passing scenery even more spectacular.
How to do it
Riviera Travel’s seven-night Blue Danube River Cruise for Solo Travellers, departing June 30, 2027, costs from £3,749 for a sole occupancy double suite. Includes flights, excursions, local drinks, airport transfers, Wi-Fi, checked luggage and meet-and-greet services.
Best for mature travellers
The Canary Islands in Spring
Saga Cruises
Key stops: Santa Cruz (La Palma), Santa Cruz (Tenerife), Las Palmas (Gran Canaria), Arrecife (Lanzarote)
Departure port: Portsmouth
Duration: 14 nights
Ship: Spirit of Discovery
No-fly departures from Portsmouth, all-inclusive fares and luxury touches such as chauffeur transfers have long made Saga Cruises a stand-out choice for travellers over 50. Better still, selected cruises feature no single supplement, making them particularly good value for independent explorers.
This spring sailing combines Madeira’s lush gardens with the Canary Islands’ volcanic landscapes before returning via Lisbon. An included excursion in every port makes exploring straightforward, whether Gran Canaria’s historical Vegueta quarter or Lanzarote’s extraordinary lava fields are high on your must-visit list.
Sea days are just as rewarding, with spacious lounges, four included restaurants, a spa, theatre and live music offering plenty of opportunities to relax or socialise at your own pace. French brasserie La Vie en Rose at The Club is a highlight; TV chef Phil Vickery has created a delicious menu of favourites such as French onion soup, escargots and flambéed crêpes suzette.
How to do it
A 14-night Canary Islands in Spring cruise, departing March 24, 2027, costs from £8,723 for a standard single. The price is inclusive of all drinks (including a selection of premium spirits), speciality dining, chauffeur service, unlimited Wi-Fi, one excursion in every port, and travel insurance or a price reduction if not required. Excludes optional excursions.
Best for winter sun
Caribbean: St. Thomas & Tortola from San Juan, Puerto Rico
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)
Key stops: St Thomas (US Virgin Islands), Tortola (British Virgin Islands), St John’s (Antigua), Bridgetown (Barbados)
Departure port: San Juan (Puerto Rico)
Duration: 7 nights
Ship: Norwegian Prima
If you’re looking for variety rather than box-ticking, this Caribbean voyage will be right up your street. The departure from Puerto Rico’s capital offers a colourful start to the itinerary, which goes on to balance well-known Caribbean ports with quieter, less frenetic stops.
In St John’s in Antigua, shoppers will enjoy dipping in and out of the duty-free stores in vibrant Heritage Quay, while Bridgetown in Barbados has historical sights, rum tours and serene botanical gardens. Tortola, by contrast, is more low-key, with calm bays and uncrowded shores.
NCL was the first line to offer studio cabins and accompanying lounges for solo travellers and Norwegian Prima suits this style of cruising well. Its layout encourages you to spread out rather than funnel into one main atrium, and the studio cabins offer access to the ship’s studio lounge – reserved exclusively for solo travellers.
How to do it
A seven-night Caribbean: St. Thomas & Tortola from San Juan, Puerto Rico itinerary departing January 15, 2028, costs from £1,600 for a solo studio cabin. Includes access to the studio lounge, premium drinks, speciality dining and Wi-Fi package. Excludes flights, shore excursions and gratuities.
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Best for luxury
Exotic Coasts & Casco Viejo
Regent Seven Seas Cruises (RSSC)
Key stops: Costa Maya (Mexico), Harvest Caye (Belize), Roatan (Honduras), Ocho Rios (Jamaica)
Departure port: Miami, Florida
Duration: 14 nights
Ship: Seven Seas Grandeur
Sailing along the Pacific coast of Central America, this luxurious itinerary calls at destinations including Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala and Panama. Unlimited shore excursions are a highlight, ranging from exploring lush rainforests and wildlife-rich national parks to the Unesco-listed streets of Casco Viejo in Panama City.
On board, Seven Seas Grandeur delivers an ultra-luxury experience, with spacious all-balcony suites, fine dining, elegant lounges and an impressive multi-million-dollar art collection featuring notable pieces by Picasso and Faberge. You can spend days at sea unwinding in the spa, relaxing by the pool or enjoying lectures and evening entertainment.
Solo travellers benefit from Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ reduced single supplements across selected suite categories, making this otherwise indulgent voyage more attainable. Booking early is recommended to secure the widest choice of suites and included excursions.
How to do it
A 14-night Exotic Coasts & Casco Viejo cruise, departing February 23, 2027, costs from £10,409 for a veranda suite for a solo traveller. Includes excursions, all drinks, speciality restaurants, Wi-Fi, gratuities and valet laundry. Excludes flights.
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Best for exploring the Mediterranean
Eastern Mediterranean
MSC Cruises
Key stops: Kusadasi and Istanbul (Turkey), Corfu (Greece), Bari and Trieste (Italy), Split (Croatia)
Departure port: Piraeus (Athens)
Duration: 9 nights
Ship: MSC Splendida
This nine-night sailing from Athens hops between the Aegean’s headline destinations and Turkey’s ancient wonders, making it ideal for solo travellers seeking variety without the hassle of constantly packing and unpacking.
Days are port-heavy and immersive, with stand-out sights ashore. Enjoy excursions to Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia and Grand Bazaar, or Corfu’s Unesco-listed Old Town. Other days, you can sample the culinary traditions of Bari and Trieste or wander the cobbled streets of Split.
On board, days are relaxed and sociable rather than forced. Facilities include four pools, a well-regarded Aurea Spa – the Balinese Massage (from £100, cheaper if pre-booked) is perfect for easing travel-weary muscles – and plenty of calm corners for reading between ports. Open seating at dining venues and informal group activities make it easy to meet fellow passengers, with no pressure to participate during longer sea days.
How to do it
A nine-night Eastern Mediterranean cruise departing May 4, 2027, costs from £2,513 for a solo-use interior cabin. Includes gratuities. Excludes flights, excursions and drinks packages.
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Best for an adults-only sailing
Southern Caribbean Cruise
Virgin Voyages
Key stops: San Juan (Puerto Rico), Tortola (British Virgin Islands), Bridgetown (Barbados), Castries (St Lucia), St John’s (Antigua)
Departure port: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Duration: 7 nights
Ship: Valiant Lady
Every vessel in Virgin Voyages’ fleet has been designed with purpose‑built single cabins, making it an ideal choice for solo adults. These compact rooms come with a queen or pull-down bed and are priced for one, without an additional single supplement. Elsewhere on board, experiences range from themed socials to yoga, HIIT classes and mixology workshops. Meals, meanwhile, are served across more than 20 restaurants, with shared tables if you want to socialise.
This Caribbean itinerary delivers ports with plenty of personality: in San Juan, colourful Spanish colonial buildings have been carefully restored; Tortola is fringed with rainforests that can be explored by 4x4; and Castries in St Lucia is the gateway to restorative mud baths, dramatic waterfalls and hikes to the island’s instantly recognisable Pitons.
For the best experience, book a Sea Terrace cabin, where Virgin’s signature red hammock creates the perfect spot to watch the Caribbean drift by.
How to do it
A seven-night Caribbean voyage, departing January 2, 2027, costs from £2,133pp for a Limited View Sea Terrace cabin. Includes all dining, basic Wi-Fi, fitness classes and selected non-alcoholic drinks. Excludes flights and gratuities.
This article was first published in February 2026, and has been revised and updated.
