The cruises with room for singles who want to mingle as well as solo independent travellers.
Gone are the days when solo travel was contrary to the norm. These days, the solo traveller can be found in all corners of the world and cruise liners have caught onto this trend. Many offer services, experiences and accommodation perfect for a party of one without making you feel like you’re on an island of isolation.
If you’re looking for your next adventure, becoming a single traveller on one of these liners could be where it starts. So take the plunge and start cruising solo.
1. Norwegian Cruise Lines via CruiseAway
Norwegian is the forerunner for single accommodation on the seas and offers one-bed studios for singles, which don’t require a single supplement.
Seasoned single travellers will be well-versed with the “single supplement” fee. It’s a charge placed on singles who want their own room instead of purchasing twin share. Norwegian doesn’t charge this on ships with single studio cabins.
- Best cruise for: Young singles in their 20s and 30s.
- Social single activities: Bar crawls, singles meetups and deck parties.
- Best cabin for singles: Studio.
- Single supplements? No.
Go to Norwegian Cruise Lines via CruiseAway website View coupon codes for Norwegian Cruise Lines via CruiseAway
2. P&O Cruises
Many of P&O’s cabins are configured with twin beds that can be converted into a queen bed, making them ideal for solo travellers and single parents.
Whether you want to relax in the adults-only Oasis retreat with a cocktail in hand or bump into strangers at one of its nine bars and nightclubs, P&O can make your ideal trip happen.
- Best cruise for: Young singles and single parents.
- Solo activities: Bars, nightclubs, comedy club, sailaway, bianco and nero parties.
- Best cabin for singles: Interior, oceanview and suites have twin beds that convert to queens
- Single supplements? Yes. Details of this are given upon booking.
3. Holland America Line via CruiseAway
Holland America offers sophisticated cruising to destinations worldwide and a Single Partners Program for like-minded singles to meet.
Not long after the cruise departs, each Holland America ship facilitates a gathering for its solo passengers. It’s an opportunity to meet, make friends and organise events to participate in together.
- Best cruise for: Senior singles and over 40s.
- Solo activities: Cooking classes, computer instruction classes and dance parties for single ladies on certain sailings.
- Best cabin: Singles who agree to share a stateroom with another single of the same sex can avoid paying the double occupancy rate. Holland America can search for the partner for you.
- Single supplements? No. However, Holland America will try and facilitate a shared room if you agree.
Go to Holland America Line via CruiseAway website View coupon codes for Holland America Line via CruiseAway
4. Cunard
This luxury line boasts premium and personalised services whether you’re a party of one or a group of 20.
Fuel your thirst for knowledge and adventure with Cunard’s wide range of activities and enrichment programs. This line goes above and beyond to make your onboard experience a fruitful one by offering musical event cruises, literary and culinary speakers.
- Best cruise for: Senior singles and over 50s.
- Solo activities: Guest speakers, musical productions, Shakespearean plays and night dancing.
- Best cabin: All three Cunard ships have at least nine single-occupancy cabins. The Queen Mary 2 has 15 ocean-view cabins for solo travellers.
- Single supplements? Yes, single travellers who wish to stay in a double occupancy room can pay a sole occupancy supplement. Fares vary.
5. Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Solo seniors reap the benefits of no single supplements on select twin rooms with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.
Fred. Olsen draws a select crowd of more mature types seeking an intimate cruise journey. For singles, it provides a warm, social atmosphere and charges no single supplement fees on select sailings.
- Best cruise for: Senior singles.
- Solo activities: Shopping, live performances, spa, fitness centre, gaming tables, library and golf nets.
- Best cabin: Twin room with no single supplement. Ask when you book.
- Single supplements? No. Fred. Olsen doesn’t charge for single supplements on select cruises and room grades.
Go to Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines website View coupon codes for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
6. Contiki
Live with no regrets, take that solo sailing trip with Contiki.
Although not a cruise line, Contiki does offer sailings to many destinations through the Mediterranean, Great Barrier Reef and more. Its tours are geared toward youths 18-35 years old and include many social activities for you to get to make new friends.
- Best cruise for: Young singles in their 20s and 30s.
- Solo activities: Diving, swimming and onshore exploration.
- Best cabin: Cabins vary per ship and are comparable to one another.
- Single supplements? Available on some trips at an added cost or you can be paired up with another solo traveller on select tours.
7. G Adventures
You only live once, so live that life with a G Adventures solo adventure.
You might be familiar with G Adventures as an outgoing tour company, but they also specialise in cruise expeditions, river cruises and sailings around the world. Most sailings are shared accommodation making them ideal for solo travellers.
- Best cruise for: Young singles in their 20s and 30s.
- Solo activities: Snorkelling, whale spotting and onshore exploration.
- Best cabin: Cabin bunks vary per ship and are usually comparable with one another.
- Single supplements? No. Most trips offer shared accommodation and you will be paired with another traveller of the same sex.
Go to G Adventures website View coupon codes for G Adventures
8. Topdeck
Specialising tours for 18 to 30 something and get that freedom to choose your own adventure as solo traveller.
Although Topdeck is not a cruise line but it also specialises in cruise expeditions, river cruises and sailings around the world with the value for money.
- Best cruise for: Young singles in their 20s and 30s.
- Solo activities: Snorkelling, whale spotting and onshore exploration.
- Best cabin: Cabins vary per ship and are comparable to one another.
- Single supplements? Available on some trips at an added cost or you can be paired up with another solo traveller on select tours.
Cruises for singles: Single supplements
| Cruise Line | Single Supplement? | Option to be paired with another solo cruiser? |
|---|---|---|
| Norwegian | No, single cabins available. | No. |
| P&O | Yes | N/A |
| Holland America | No | Yes |
| Cunard | Yes | N/A |
| Fred Olsen | No, it's free to stay in a room on your own | N/A |
| Contiki | Available on select trips | Yes |
| G Adventures | Not available. | Yes |
| Topdeck | Available on select trips | Yes |
Importance of cruise travel insurance
Cruises come with enough costs as is, with drinks and shore excursions quickly adding up - not to mention any single supplements you may be paying as a solo cruiser. You don't want any mishaps in your plan to add to all that.
And that's where a cruise travel insurance policy can help. On top of what regular travel insurance policies can offer, it can cover you if cruise-specific protection for things like lost or damaged formal wear, missed cruise ports and cabin confinement.
Top cruise deals and flights
G Adventures
Up to 30% off tours worldwide
Save on sailing trips and small-group adventures worldwide until July 2019 including India, Sri Lanka, China, USA, Cuba, Thailand, Vietnam, Caribbean, Peru, Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, Chile, South Africa, New Zealand, Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Iceland and more.
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AnyBoat
Sydney New Year's Eve cruises from just $400
Experience New Year's Eve on Sydney Harbour aboard a cruise that'll get you up close to the midnight fireworks display. Dinner, drinks and BYO options available.
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Gate1 Travel
Up to $1,100 off European river cruises
Valid on select dates from March 2019 - November 2019. Destinations include Budapest, Munich, Prague, Berlin, Krakow and more. Note: Deposit must be paid by 7 November 2018 to receive discount.
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Groupon
15% off Sydney New Year's Eve cruise
Valid on 31 December 2018. Includes full cocktail menu, beers, champagne and red and white wine. T&Cs apply.
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Gate1 Travel
Extra $700 off Christmas market river cruises in Europe
Available on a 9-day Christmas market cruise through Germany and the Netherlands in 2019.
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Let's Ferry
20% off early bookings
Valid for one way or round trip travel on the Adriatic line until 31 December 2019. T&Cs apply.
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Let's Ferry
Blue Star Ferries from just 20€
Valid on select dates for travel until 31 October 2019. Destinations include Cyclades routes, Dodecanese routes and Northern Aegean Routes. T&C's apply.
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Cudo
Up to 40% off 5-day Moreton Island cruise with P&O
Valid for cruise on 13-17 May 2019 from Sydney. Includes four nights interior cabin accommodation and an all-inclusive meals onboard. T&Cs apply.
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CruiseAway
Up to 20% off Norwegian sailings
Valid for cruise on select dates between January 2019 - April 2022. Destinations include Hawaii and Pacific. T&Cs apply.
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CruiseAway
$25 deposits for select cruises
Pay only $25 to secure 2020 fly, cruise and stay packages. Destinations include London, Hong Kong, Penang, Taipei, Tokyo, Singapore, Hawaii, Sydney, Greek Islands and more. T&Cs apply.
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Veltra
Up to 6% off Sydney Harbour New Year's Eve cruise
Valid on 31 December 2018. Includes unlimited drinks. T&Cs apply.
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Viator
Sydney New Year's Eve tickets from $299
Sydney Opera House Gala, New Yew Year's Eve fireworks cruises, Sydney Tower dinner with fireworks views and more.
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Groupon
34% off Sydney New Year's Eve cruise
Valid on 31 December 2018 with Legend Cruises. T&Cs apply.
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Cudo
34% off all-inclusive Sydney New Year's Eve cruise
Valid on 31 December 2018. Includes open bar, canapes on arrival and standing buffet. T&Cs apply.
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CruiseAway
50% off second guest on Royal Caribbean Cruises
Valid on select sailings departing between January - March 2019. Includes up to $1,000 onboard credit. T&Cs apply.
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CruiseAway
50% off second guest + free internet
Valid on select 2019 cruises with Azamara. Destinations include Western Europe, Mediterranean Sea, Central America, Caribbean, Transatlantic and more. T&Cs apply.
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Cudo
59% off Sydney Boxing Day buffet dinner cruise
Valid on 26 December 2018 for three-hour cruise. T&Cs apply.
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Groupon
50% off Sydney harbour yacht stay
Valid until 30 April 2019. T&Cs apply.
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Groupon
32% off 3-night cruise from Sydney
Valid until 10 November 2019. Includes 3-night cruise with cabin accommodation, meals, onboard activities and more. T&Cs apply.
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Groupon
25% off overnight Sydney Harbour sailing
Valid from 14 December 2018 - 18 January 2019. Includes breakfast, dinner and drinks. T&Cs apply.
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P&O Cruises
Last-minute cruises from $313
Valid for cruise from 14 December 2018 - 9 February 2019. Destinations include Hamilton Island, Tasmania, Noumea, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and more. T&Cs apply.
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G Adventures
20% off select Thailand sailing tours
Valid for travel from 7 January - 1 April 2019. T&Cs apply.
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G Adventures
25% off select Mekong River cruises
Valid for travel on April 2019. T&Cs apply.
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CruiseAway
$1 deposits + up to $300 onboard credit
Available on select P&O Cruises departing on select dates from 15 February 2019. Destinations include Melbourne, Hamilton Island, Airlie Beach, Suva and more. T&Cs apply.
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Fred. Olsen
Up to 30% off Christmas and New Year's cruises
Valid for travel from November - December 2018. Destinations include South Pacific, Caribbean and Australia. T&Cs apply.
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Nexus Holidays
Up to $2,500 off Europe and Mediterranean cruise
Valid for travel between April - October 2019. Includes return economy flights with Etihad, 7-nights accommodation aboard MSC Seaview, roundtrip airport transfers, tours and more. T&Cs apply.
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P&O Cruises
$1 deposits + up to $300 onboard credit
Valid for cruises departing on select dates from 15 February 2019. Destinations include Melbourne, Hamilton Island, Airlie Beach, Suva and more. T&Cs apply.
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CruiseAway
Free unlimited drinks package + $150 OBC
Valid for travel from March 2019 - April 2010 on 7+ nights cruises with MSC. T&Cs apply.
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CruiseAway
Up to $600 free onboard credit with Carnival
Valid from 23 November 2018 - 30 December 2019 on select Australia and South Pacific destinations. T&Cs apply.
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P&O Cruises
Up to $200 on board credit on last-minute cruises
Valid from October - December 2018. Destinations include Moreton Island, Noumea, Hamilton Island, Vanuatu, Brisbane, Sydney and more. Cruises start from $315 per person for 3-night comedy cruises. T&Cs apply.
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Fred. Olsen
Fjords cruises from £679 + up to £100 tour credit
Valid for travel on select 2018-19 sailings. Choose from a complimentary all-inclusive drinks upgrade or up to £100 pp shore tour credit. T&C's apply.
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Fred. Olsen
No single supplement
Book select cruises as a solo traveller and pay no single supplement.
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Viator
Melbourne New Year's Eve party cruise from US$170
Valid on 31 December 2018. Includes dinner, wine, beer, spirits and soft drinks. T&Cs apply.
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Popular Cruises coupon codes
| Last checked | Code description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 12 Dec 2018 | Extra $700 off Christmas market river cruises in Europe | CNC**** |
| 13 Dec 2018 | Up to 30% off tours worldwide | ******** |
| 15 Nov 2018 | Sydney New Year's Eve cruises from just $400 | ******** |
| 7 Nov 2018 | Up to $1,100 off European river cruises | ******** |
| 12 Dec 2018 | 15% off Sydney New Year's Eve cruise | ******** |
