With the popularity of solo cruising on the rise, there's no better time than the present to plan your first-ever solo adventure at sea.
From flexibility to making new connections, traveling by yourself offers an unparalleled opportunity for personal growth and exploration. You can relax on white sand beaches in The Bahamas or learn about ancient European history in cities like Rome without coordinating with others.
Though you won't be sharing a cabin with another guest, you may be surprised that the overall cost for one traveler versus two isn't all that different. Since cruise lines base their projected revenue on the assumption of at least two guests staying in each stateroom, they charge single supplement fees to passengers traveling alone, meaning that solo guests staying in standard cabins will likely pay the cost of two guests.
To save money on your solo fare, you should book a cabin for two, even if the second guest has no intention of showing up on embarkation day. When they're deemed a no-show, you will be refunded their gratuities, port fees, and other applicable taxes, making the overall cost for your solo cruise cheaper than if you were to book a cabin for one from the beginning.
First, however, you should see if there are any solo cabins available
Cruise lines have begun to acknowledge the prominence of solo travelers onboard ships. According to the Cruise Lines International Association's (CLIA) 2024 State of the Industry Report, 8-13% of cruise travelers are traveling solo.
To cater to this unique demographic, many lines have added solo cabins to provide single guests with a comfortable and private space without having to pay the single supplement fee, as the staterooms were specifically designed for single occupancy.
Norweigan Cruise Line is the leader of this trend. In addition to dedicated solo staterooms, guests traveling alone can access the Studio Lounge, a private area only available to those staying in studio cabins where guests will find complimentary coffee, espresso, and snacks throughout the day.
NCL is the only mainstream cruise line with solo cabins available fleetwide; however, other lines— including MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Holland America Line, and Celebrity Cruises — have begun introducing cabins on select ships in their fleet.
Celebrity Ascent, Celebrity Crusies' newest ship within their innovative Edge Class, has 16 Edge Single Staterooms with Infinite Veranda. Rather than confined to a small and windowless abode, solo travelers sailing aboard Celebrity Ascent can enjoy a spacious cabin with a floor-to-ceiling window that opens up to turn the entire stateroom into a private verandah.
With a limited number of solo cabins on many ships, those interested will want to reserve their cruise as far in advance as possible. Celebrity Silhouette, for instance, only has four staterooms for single guests. Once they're gone, they're gone, and you will have to be open to the idea of paying for a standard cabin.
Read more: Here are the 8 best solo cruise cabins
If there aren't any solo cabins available, book a stateroom for two guests
As someone who travels frequently, sometimes on short notice, I'm not always able to find a companion. I've sailed alone on cruises as long as 7 nights to destinations like The Caribbean and Mediterranean. Though I prefer traveling with friends and family, I'm never going to turn down an opportunity to explore new ports of call!
When I secured a last-minute cabin onboard the brand-new Celebrity Ascent, I added my finacée as the second passenger in my ocean-view stateroom, knowing she'd be unable to get time off work.
When I arrived at the terminal, I let the port agents know she wouldn't be sailing with me, and they handled removing her from the reservation! There wasn't any delay in the boarding process, and I was refunded her pre-paid gratuities, taxes, and port fees.
By booking the cruise this way, I saved over $1,100! The fare for a solo guest was $4,072; however, the price for two in the same cabin dropped to $2,926.
Similarly, when I cruised onboard Symphony of the Seas in January 2023, I booked an interior guarantee rate for two passengers for $1,544.36. The rate for a single passenger in a connecting interior room was $1,473.18; however, once the taxes and fees were refunded, I paid $1,384.18, saving about $90!
Is booking a stateroom for two actually cheaper?
In my solo experiences, booking a cabin for two has saved me, quite literally, hundreds of dollars. Of course, everyone's booking process will look different. Sometimes, certain cruise lines will have deals to reduce the single supplement fare for solo travelers, while others, namely MSC Cruises, are known to charge a fee if you cancel the second guest in a stateroom.
According to MSC's booking conditions, "In case of a partial Booking cancellation whereby one or more Passengers have cancelled their Cruise Package, leaving one Passenger to occupy the cabin after the cancellation of the other Passenger(s), the remaining Passenger occupying the cabin for single use will be assessed a 100% single surcharge."
When browsing available cabins for Symphony of the Seas' 7-night cruise to The Bahamas on October 12, 2025, the cheapest rate for two passengers in an interior cabin is $1,818,46, before gratuities. An interior room for a solo guest on the same sailing comes out to be $1,763.76.
Though the fare is less, if you booked based on double occupancy, you would receive a $187.73 refund, making the total cost for one passenger $1,630.73.
To ensure you're getting the best available rate, you should work with a trusted travel advisor
Rather than try to navigate the cruise line booking process by yourself, working with a travel agent will streamline the process and make sure you're getting the best experience tailored to your specific needs and preferences.
If you cannot decide on a cabin category, they'll price out different options for you, so you don't have to stress about making the wrong decision. If you're curious whether it's cheaper to book a stateroom for two versus one for your upcoming solo trip, they can give you the insight needed to make the most economical choice.
Moreover, travel agents can also advise you on shore excursions, specialty dining experiences, pre- and post-cruise transfers, and more, leaving you with little to worry about leading up to your vacation. Perhaps that's why younger cruise travelers are relying on travel advisors more and more! CLIA's 2024 State of the Industry Report revealed that Gen Z, Millennials, and Gen X passengers utilize travel agents 50% more than Traditionalists and Baby Boomers.
What are the advantages of cruising by yourself?
You have to force yourself out of your comfort zone
My solo adventures have forced me out of my shell. Though I wouldn't consider myself an introvert, before taking my first-ever solo cruise, I wasn't one to strike up a conversation with strangers, either. Now, I feel confident in my ability to make small talk with others, whether with passengers seated beside me at dinner or on an excursion.
If you spend your entire solo trip in your stateroom, you will miss out on the opportunity to connect with other guests from different walks of life. Embracing the social aspects of a cruise, as awkward as they may feel, can lead to some of your most cherished memories!
Cabins feel more spacious
When I sailed alone on Carnival Celebration, I had trouble believing that my inside cabin could fit three guests. By myself, however, I found it to be cozy with plenty of storage space. Measuring just 162 square feet, I presume groups of three staying in this tiny stateroom would spend half the cruise tripping over each other!
Even if you happen to be sailing in a cabin designed for single passengers, you will find that the space has been designed to maximize functionality, with clever storage solutions and creative layouts that ensure the stateroom feels more spacious than it actually is.
You can choose your own activities
When I sailed to Alaska with my dad, we skipped Izumi because he isn't a fan of sushi. Had I been alone, this would have been on my must-do list.
Instead, we compromised and enjoyed meals at three other specialty restaurants onboard: Chops Grille, Jamie's Italian, and Wonderland. Though all three meals were memorable, it's nice to be able to make decisions without having to consider someone else's preferences.
Additionally, I typically gamble more on solo cruises than when I'm with friends or family, too. Knowing my dad would not want to spend an excessive amount of time in Casino Royale, I gambled minimally, opting to listen to live music around the ship or watch game shows in the Music Hall.
It's a safe way to explore the world
As a young female in their mid-20s, I'm always cautious when I'm in unfamiliar places, especially by myself, and cruising allows me to explore new nooks and crannies of the world with peace of mind. From ship-sponsored excursions to onboard security, I can relax (within reason), rather than worrying about my every move.
Of course, it's important to take precautions both onboard and ashore. Cruisers traveling alone, for instance, should never invite other passengers back to their cabin. Moreover, it's wise to avoid excessive alcohol consumption and lock up valuables, including passports and wallets, in your in-cabin safe.
Read more: I took my first solo cruise on Carnival Cruise Line
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
