Need a Break? Ditch Everyone and Book One of These Top Singles Cruises
There are lots of reasons to travel on your own, from wanting to meet new people to simply needing some alone time. Solo travel has become increasingly popular, and especially cruise travel, with many lines now offering dedicated single cabins (thereby eliminating the dreaded single supplement for a double room) or deeply discounted singles' sales on select voyages. Once on board, there are plenty of activities geared to singles, from cocktail mixers to game nights, so you can be as social as you choose to be. Here are some of the top cruise lines catering to single travelers.
Cruise Lines' Singles Offerings
Holland America's Koningsdam has a dozen cabins for single travelers. Additionally, if solo travelers would prefer a roommate, they can take advantage of the Single Partners Program, where they're matched with a same-sex single to share a double. The cruise line also organizes welcome parties, as well as cocktail mixers and game nights, so single travelers can connect with each other. Launching this December is the Nieuw Statendam, which will also offer 12 single cabins (Oprah Winfrey will serve as the ship's godmother).
The Norwegian Epic, which launched in 2009, was the first cruise line to offer cabins specifically geared to singles. It offers a whopping 128 studio cabins with extra-wide beds (sister ships Norwegian Dawn and Getaway followed suit, each with 59, as did the Escape and Bliss, each with 82). A fun amenity is the Studio Lounge, a common area near the cabins, so singles can get to know each other over a drink or cup of coffee.
Ships like Ovation of the Seas have not only a rock-climbing wall, an escape room, and a surfing simulator, but an observation pod that extends way out over the ocean as well, so you won't be lacking for things to do. It also offers 28 studio cabins - as do sister ships Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas - that either have balconies or LED screens (showing outside views that are known as "virtual" balconies), and singles tables during dinner.
This luxury line is known to be solo-traveler-friendly, especially when it comes to dining, as it offers solo nights where you can experience specialty restaurants, such as Prego, on ships like the Crystal Symphony. There are also plenty of on-board activities and shore excursions, where you can mix and mingle, as well as hosts/hostesses should you need a dance partner.
5. Cunard Line
Organized events for singles, such as coffee gatherings, along with activities for all passengers, like team trivia and expert-led lectures, are good ways to meet fellow cruisers. Lodging-wise, Cunard's ships offer single cabins, including the Queen Mary 2, whose 15 deco-style cabins are some of the industry's most elegant. Singles can dine together, and "gentleman hosts" are available if you don't have a dance partner.
6. P&O Cruises
England-based P&O Cruises, which has sailings all over the world, including the Caribbean, South America, and Scandinavia, offers single cabins on many of its ships, including Azura, Arcadia, and Ventura (some even come with a balcony). Its Britannia ship offers the most single rooms in its fleet - 12 inside cabins and 15 balcony cabins. The cruise line also offers traditional British offerings, such as afternoon tea in one of the ship's elegant restaurants, where solo cruisers can meet up with one another.
Costa Cruises' Costa Favolosa, Costa Fascinosa, and Costa Diadema ships each offer 17 solo cabins for travelers sailing on their own. The Italian-owned cruise line also offers singles' meet-and-greet parties, as well as numerous other on-board activities where you can get to know fellow travelers. Additionally, it's super easy to bond with people when you're on shore excursions to such dreamy places as Venice, Barcelona, and Mykonos.
Launching this December is Celebrity's newest and most dazzling ship, the Celebrity Edge. The ship will feature smart-room technology -passengers can adjust lights from an app - plus martini-glass hot tubs and a moveable deck, dubbed the Magic Carpet. The ship, which will cruise the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, will have 16 single staterooms - the first Celebrity ship to offer cabins for solo travelers.
Cruises Offered by Singles Travel Agencies
Cruise lines don't offer "singles cruises" where all the passengers are solo travelers. Rather, travel agencies catering to unattached adults will book a block of rooms for a large group on specific sailings. On board, there will be organized events and shore excursions, and typically, you'll be matched with a roommate. Companies like Adventures For Solo Travelers has an upcoming Galapagos Islands cruise, and Singles Travel International has upcoming sailings to the Caribbean on ships like the Norwegian Bliss.
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