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Purpose-built single rooms with no single supplement, so you pay one fair fare.
Home › Guides › Solo cruising & the single supplement, explained
GuideSolo cruising & the single supplement, explained
Cruising alone is one of the easiest ways to travel solo: safe, social if you want it, and everything is on one ship. The one thing to understand first is the single supplement, and how a growing number of ships now soften it.
☎Call now · +1-833-684-4250The short version
- Cruise fares are usually priced per person based on two people sharing a cabin, so a solo traveller pays a 'single supplement' to cover the empty second berth.
- A growing number of ships offer dedicated solo studio cabins with no supplement, plus solo lounges and meet-ups.
- Solo cabins are limited and book up fast, so flexibility on ship and date helps a lot.
- Cruising solo is genuinely social if you want it: shared tables, solo mixers, group excursions, and easy if you do not.
- Which lines and ships have solo cabins is specific data; a specialist can point you straight to them.
The single supplement, in plain terms
Single supplement: an extra charge a solo traveller pays because cruise fares are usually quoted per person assuming two people share the cabin. Sailing alone, you cover the 'missing' second person so the line does not lose that berth's revenue.
It is not a penalty aimed at solo travellers so much as a side effect of how cabins are priced. It varies by line, ship and sailing, and it is the single biggest factor in what a solo cruise costs. The good news is there are real ways around it.
Solo studio cabins and solo spaces
The best fix is a cabin designed for one. A growing number of ships include solo studio cabins, real staterooms built for a single guest and priced without the supplement, often clustered near a solo lounge with its own hosted get-togethers.
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Solo lounges & mixers
Dedicated spaces and hosted meet-ups make it easy to find company on day one.
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Group excursions & tables
Shared dining tables and group tours mean you are only ever as social as you want to be.
Solo studios are limited in number and popular, so they sell out early. If one is your goal, being flexible on ship and date, and booking ahead, makes all the difference.
Is cruising alone lonely? (No, unless you want it)
A ship is one of the friendliest places to travel solo. You are in a safe, self-contained environment where meeting people is easy but never forced. Join a shared dinner table, drop into a solo mixer, take a group shore excursion, or simply enjoy your own company on a quiet balcony. The choice is yours, every single day.
The bottom line
Solo cruising works beautifully once you understand the single supplement and how to sidestep it, usually with a purpose-built studio cabin on a ship set up for solo travellers. Be flexible, book ahead, and you get a safe, social trip on your own terms.
Want us to point you to the ships with solo cabins and solo lounges for your dates? Tell the cruise finder you are travelling solo, or just call and we will line them up.
Frequently asked questions
What is a single supplement on a cruise?
An extra charge a solo traveller pays because fares are usually quoted per person assuming two share the cabin. Sailing alone, you cover the empty second berth. It varies by line and sailing and is the biggest factor in a solo cruise's cost.
How do I avoid the single supplement?
Book a dedicated solo studio cabin, which is priced for one guest with no supplement. These exist on a growing number of ships but are limited, so flexibility on ship and date, plus booking ahead, helps a lot.
Which cruise lines have solo cabins?
Several lines now offer purpose-built studio cabins and solo lounges, and the list keeps growing. Which ships have them and when they sail your dates is exactly what a specialist can pin down for you.
Is cruising alone safe and social?
Yes. A ship is a safe, self-contained environment, and it is easy to be as social as you like, shared tables, solo mixers and group excursions, or to keep to yourself. You choose each day.
Is solo cruising more expensive?
It can be, because of the single supplement, but a solo studio cabin removes it, and being flexible on ship and date helps you find the best value. A specialist can find the options that work for a single traveller.
Keep reading
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Find a cruise that fits
Tell the finder you're solo and we'll surface the ships with studio cabins.
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Choosing a cabin
How studio and interior cabins compare for a single traveller.
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How to find an affordable cruise
Extra tips for keeping a solo trip good value.
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How to choose a cruise line
Which lines are set up best for solo travellers.
Ready to price a real sailing?
Call a specialist, they'll give you the all-in number for your dates.