As someone who cruises frequently, I can't always find a travel companion to accompany me on my adventures, so I've begun to embrace the freedom of solo cruising as a way to see the world.
My solo travels have taken me everywhere from the Bahamas for short getaways to port-intensive European itineraries where I've explored renounced places like Rome, Italy; Valencia, Spain; and Aix-en-Provence, France.
I've enjoyed cruising by myself, but I've learned quite a bit along the way about how to make the most of my solo adventures, even if they can be a little lonely.
While I will continue to cruise alone, here are five things I would have done differently to make my past experiences even better.
Book a solo cabin in advance
I've been on five solo cruises; however, I have yet to stay in a cabin designed for single travelers. Though cruise lines are embracing the solo trend, there are only a handful of single staterooms onboard any given ship. Typically, the older the vessel, the fewer there are.
As such, I've always booked a cabin for two and had to pay the dreaded single supplement fee. Cruise lines calculate the bottom line of their revenue based on double occupancy, so single travelers in traditional staterooms have to pay for two guests.
I've spent quite a bit of money paying single supplement fees. Sometimes, it's made the cruise almost unjustifiably expensive. For instance, when I cruised aboard Celebrity Ascent, I spent nearly $2,900 for my ocean-view cabin. Had another person been traveling with me, the fare would have decreased to around $1,400 per person, which is much more reasonable for a 7-night cruise.
Similarly, I spent $1,900 on an interior stateroom on Carnival Celebration. The fare would have been around $950 if I shared the room with someone else.
While you might think cruising by yourself is more affordable, calculate how much you'll pay in single supplement fees. Sometimes, it makes sense to see if there's someone who wants to tag along!
On that note, some cruise lines will offer deals to make solo cruising more affordable. At the time of writing, Virgin Voyages had an ongoing promotion on select voyages that reduced the single supplement on eligible cabins.
Set fewer expectations
I'll be honest, cruising solo can be boring at times!
Traveling alone is different than traveling with friends. First, you have to adjust to being in your own company, even if you make friends onboard. And if you do make friends, you might join in on their planned activities, rather than embracing spontaneity.
If I wanted to do activities by myself on my own time, I had to become comfortable with being on my own. Sometimes, it was natural, such as when relaxing by the pool. However, it can be lonely showing up to activities when you are surrounded by other groups!
Additionally, when cruising on Royal Caribbean, I expected to be seated with other solo travelers. I was disappointed when I showed up to the Main Dining Room to find that I was at a table by myself. Things don't always work out like you'd expect!
Sail with an American cruise line abroad
When I took my solo European cruise, I sailed with MSC Cruises. While I enjoyed the cruise experience, I found it difficult to connect with other guests because it was primarily Europeans onboard.
I wish I would have selected a cruise line I was familiar with, such as Royal Caribbean. Because of the stark language barriers, it was the loneliest solo cruise I've taken. For example, the couple seated next to me at dinner each evening spoke very little English. The only time we talked was when they asked for a picture taken together. I ended up speaking more with my waiter than them!
With an American cruise line, I feel like I would have had an easier time meeting other guests. Even if not, the familiarity of the cruise line would have likely made the experience less lonely.
Read more: I took my first solo cruise on Carnival Cruise Line
Make more plans in advance
Because I was alone, I didn't want to make many definite plans for excursions or dining. One of the perks of being alone is doing things on your own time, so I didn't always feel the need to commit to plans in advance.
However, waiting until I was onboard turned out to be costly. When sailing alone on Symphony of the Seas, I reserved a pass to Thrill Waterpark the night before our arrival in Perfect Day at CocoCay and paid a whopping $149. Looking back, while I enjoyed the waterslides, the park wasn't worth the cost. I wish I would have bought a ticket during a pre-cruise sale!
Similarly, I secured a last-minute reservation at the exclusive Le Voyage specialty restaurant aboard Celebrity Ascent. Though I don't regret my $150 splurge, I would have enjoyed the meal even more if I paid less through Celebrity's Cruise Planner.
Regardless of whether you're traveling alone or with a group, it is better to make reservations in advance and cancel them during the cruise if you change your mind.
Read more: I went to CocoCay for the first time, and here's what I'd do differently
More research
When you are traveling alone, doing thorough research becomes even more important. If something goes wrong, you can't blame anyone but yourself!
During my European solo cruise, for example, I didn't do much research on my pre and post-cruise stays. Instead, I wandered Genoa, Italy, aimlessly. Looking back, it wasn't necessarily the safest thing. I also feel like I wasted an afternoon that could have been spent exploring the city's key sights because I would have known where to go, what to avoid, and what hidden gems to seek out.
Plus, when heading to Milan to return home, I waited too long to book my return train and was stuck with a connection. Though it wasn't the end of the world, I was frustrated because I had to haul my luggage by myself. I hadn't packed light for that trip, either!
On a similar note, had I done more research about the MSC experience in Europe, I likely would have chosen another line to explore the Mediterranean with. Most of my preconceptions about MSC Cruises were focused on dining and the nickel-and-diming other guests felt, rather than the clientele.
I've had more enjoyable solo experiences on lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity, though these cruises departed from North America.
Even if you've cruised before, take a moment to research what other cruise lines offer. You may find that what works best for your family is the opposite of how you want to vacation when you're alone.
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.
