Singles cruise 2026: the best lines for solo travelers and singles

How we picked

We ranked lines on what matters most when you sail alone: whether there are cabins priced for one, how many, what they’re like, and whether the ship gives solo guests an easy way to meet. Each line is scored on the criteria in how we rate cruises, weighted toward solo cabin supply and the real cost for one person. From-prices come from our monthly snapshot and show the date they were checked.

Singles cruises vs solo cruises

The two searches mean different things, and it’s worth knowing which one you want.

A solo cruise is an ordinary sailing you take on your own. The questions are price and company: can you avoid paying for an empty second berth, and is there somewhere to meet people when you want to?

A singles cruise is usually a group of single travelers booked together, arranged by a specialist travel company, either as a block of cabins on a regular sailing or, less often, a full-ship charter. You get organized mixers, shared dinners and group shore trips. The rest of the ship is regular passengers. Age-banded groups (singles cruises over 50, or for single seniors over 60) are common. Read what the group fee covers and whether it’s run by the organizer or the cruise line; the cruise line is not responsible for the group program.

The single supplement, explained

Cruise fares are quoted per person, based on two people sharing a cabin. Book a standard cabin alone and most lines charge a single supplement, which typically brings your fare close to double the per-person rate. Royal Caribbean, for example, says a solo guest in a standard cabin pays 200% of the category rate unless the pricing shows otherwise. Some lines cut the supplement on selected sailings, so it’s worth checking the solo price before ruling a ship out.

A solo cabin avoids most of that. It’s priced for one, though usually still more per person than half a double cabin. The catch is supply: Holland America’s Pinnacle-class ships have 12 solo cabins each, Oceania’s Vista has six, and Celebrity Silhouette has four, on ships that carry well over a thousand guests.

The best cruise lines for singles and solo travelers

1. 1

   Best for solo cabins overall

   Norwegian Cruise Line, Norwegian Epic (the most studios in the fleet)

   Why: Norwegian introduced the studio cabin and still has the most of them, with a keycard-only Studio Lounge, with coffee and snacks, that makes an easy place to meet other solo guests.

   Watch out: Studios are small inside cabins with no window. Drinks, specialty dining and Wi-Fi can add a lot unless a promotion bundles them.

   From $79 per personChecked September 2026
2. 2

   Best for meeting people

   Virgin Voyages, Scarlet Lady

   Why: Adults only, a social and late-running ship, and two solo cabin types (Solo Insider and Solo Sea View). All the restaurants, Wi-Fi and basic drinks are included in the fare, so the price is closer to what you'll actually pay.

   Watch out: Very few solo cabins per ship and a party-leaning crowd. If you want an early night and a quiet deck, look elsewhere.

   From $350 per personChecked September 2026
3. 3

   Best solo balcony

   Celebrity Cruises, Celebrity Edge, Apex, Beyond or Ascent (Edge class)

   Why: Celebrity Edge, Apex, Beyond and Ascent have single staterooms with an Infinite Veranda (184 sq ft plus a 42 sq ft veranda), which is rare: most solo cabins elsewhere are inside rooms.

   Watch out: Only a handful per ship, and the bundled fares look expensive next to cruise-only prices on mainstream lines.

   From $184 per personChecked September 2026
4. 4

   Best for solo travelers over 50

   Holland America Line, Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam or Rotterdam (Pinnacle class)

   Why: A dozen solo ocean-view staterooms on each of its three Pinnacle-class ships, with no single supplement, a calmer pace, and longer itineraries that suit retirees and cruisers over 60 traveling alone.

   Watch out: Fewer late-night options and an older crowd. A solo traveler in their 30s may find it quiet.

   From $264 per personChecked September 2026
5. 5

   Best upscale solo cruise

   Oceania Cruises, Vista

   Why: Vista has six Concierge Level Veranda staterooms for one, the line's first solo cabins, and specialty dining is in the fare, so eating alone in a good restaurant is easy.

   Watch out: The highest fares on this list, and modest evening entertainment.

   From $3,120 per personChecked September 2026
6. 6

   Best on a big resort ship

   Royal Caribbean, Quantum of the Seas (Quantum class)

   Why: Quantum of the Seas has 28 studio cabins for one, 12 of them with a balcony, on ships with enough going on to keep you busy alone.

   Watch out: Royal Caribbean says its single-occupancy studios are on Quantum- and Oasis-class ships only, and there's no dedicated solo lounge. Check the deck plan before you book.

   From $67 per personChecked September 2026

Which ships have solo cabins

This is the list to check before you book. Deployments and refits change it, so confirm on the deck plan for your ship.

• Norwegian: studios with a Studio Lounge on Norwegian Epic, which introduced them and still has over 100, and on the Breakaway, Breakaway Plus and Prima-class ships. The older, smaller ships built before Epic have none.
• Virgin Voyages: two solo categories, the Solo Insider (an inside cabin) and the Solo Sea View (with a porthole). Availability varies by ship, so check the cabin list for your sailing.
• Celebrity: single staterooms with an Infinite Veranda on Celebrity Edge, Apex, Beyond and Ascent, and four inside single staterooms on Celebrity Silhouette.
• Holland America: 12 solo ocean-view staterooms each on Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam, with no single supplement. The line says Solo Verandahs arrive on Oosterdam from fall 2027.
• Oceania: six Concierge Level Veranda staterooms for one on Vista, the line’s first solo cabins. Check the deck plan if you’re looking at another ship.
• Royal Caribbean: single-occupancy studios on Quantum- and Oasis-class ships, according to the line. Quantum of the Seas has 28, 12 of them with a balcony.
• MSC: studio cabins on several newer ships, including MSC Meraviglia, MSC Bellissima and the World-class ships.
• Princess: a handful of solo cabins on Sun Princess and Star Princess only.
• Carnival and Disney: no dedicated solo cabins. You pay the supplement or wait for a solo promotion.

Category winners

• Solo cruise deals: look for single-supplement promotions on repositioning cruises and shoulder-season sailings, when lines have more cabins to fill. Our last-minute cruise guide explains when unsold cabins get cheaper.
• Short first solo trip: a 3- to 5-night sailing is a cheap way to find out whether you like cruising alone. See our short cruise picks.
• Adults only: Virgin Voyages is the only big-ship line here that bans children. Our adults-only cruise picks cover lines that draw few families.
• Solo cruises for seniors: Holland America and Oceania, for the pace, the longer itineraries and the dining.

Sample sailings

Sample Norwegian sailings, the line with the most studio cabins. From-prices per person, checked September 2026.

Departs	Line and ship	Nights	Itinerary	From	Link
Oct 16, 2026	Norwegian Cruise Line, Norwegian Getaway	3	3 Night Bahamas (from Miami, Florida)	$169	Check price
Nov 5, 2026	Norwegian Cruise Line, Norwegian Spirit	12	12 Night South Pacific (from Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii)	$820	Check price
Nov 8, 2026	Norwegian Cruise Line, Norwegian Breakaway	14	14 Night Southern Caribbean (from Boston, Massachusetts)	$979	Check price
Nov 23, 2026	Norwegian Cruise Line, Norwegian Jewel	5	5 Night Eastern Caribbean (from Miami, Florida)	$239	Check price
Nov 30, 2026	Norwegian Cruise Line, Norwegian Getaway	4	4 Night Bahamas (from Port Canaveral, Florida)	$139	Check price
Dec 4, 2026	Norwegian Cruise Line, Norwegian Star	16	16 Night Panama Canal (from Miami, Florida)	$689	Check price
Dec 5, 2026	Norwegian Cruise Line, Norwegian Dawn	5	5 Night Bahamas (from Jacksonville, Florida)	$129	Check price
Dec 5, 2026	Norwegian Cruise Line, Pride of America	7	7 Night Hawaii Hnl Inter Island (from Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii)	$836	Check price
Dec 9, 2026	Norwegian Cruise Line, Norwegian Getaway	5	5 Night Bahamas (from Port Canaveral, Florida)	$149	Check price
Dec 12, 2026	Norwegian Cruise Line, Pride of America	7	7 Night Hawaii Hnl Inter Island (from Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii)	$613	Check price
Dec 18, 2026	Norwegian Cruise Line, Norwegian Escape	5	5 Night Western Caribbean (from Port Canaveral, Florida)	$309	Check price
Dec 20, 2026	Norwegian Cruise Line, Norwegian Star	6	6 Night Mexican Riviera (from San Diego, California)	$329	Check price

Singles cruise FAQ

What is the best cruise line for singles?

For solo travelers, Norwegian, because it has the most solo cabins and a lounge for solo guests. For meeting other singles in an adults-only setting, Virgin Voyages. For a quieter trip over 50, Holland America, which also runs onboard meetups for solo travelers.

Do solo travelers pay double on a cruise?

In a standard cabin, often close to it, because fares assume two people. A solo cabin or a reduced-supplement promotion brings the price down. Always compare the solo price shown at booking, not the per-person price in the advert.

Are there singles cruises for over 50s and seniors over 60?

Yes. Specialist group organizers run age-banded singles groups on regular sailings, and lines such as Holland America and Oceania draw an older crowd anyway. Check what the group fee includes and who runs the events.

Does NCL have solo cruises?

Norwegian doesn’t sell separate solo-only sailings, but Norwegian Epic and its newer ships have studio cabins for one and a keycard-only Studio Lounge where solo guests can meet.

How do I meet people on a solo cruise?

Use the solo meetups if the ship has them, choose shared-table dining at least some nights, and book group shore excursions. Trivia, classes and bar events are easy ways in, and cruise ships are more sociable than most hotels.