When you talk of solo holidays, the picture that comes to mind is usually backpacking through the hills or a staycation on the outskirts of the city. Now, how about leveling it up? Next time, you’re planning a ‘Me’ time holiday, book yourself a solo cruise. Intrigued – many cruise lines now offer exclusive solo cruise packages.

Before we start exploring options, let’s dive into what you could get from a solo cruise.

A solo cruise is a great way to recharge your batteries. There are plenty of things to do onboard the ship – relax in the hot tub, catch a show, read a book on the deck, hit the gym, try a cocktail at the bar…  with the wide range of amenities on modern cruise ships, you’ll be spoilt for choice. In addition to entertainment, many cruise ships also host demonstrations, workshops and classes to broaden your horizons. It’s a great opportunity for personal growth. And, when the ship anchors at port, you can join a group to explore the city and make new friends.

But did we hear you say, “solo cruising is expensive” – maybe once, this was true. Today, it’s a myth. If you choose the right cruise, you’ll find it quite affordable. Traditionally, cruises base their packages on double occupancy for staterooms. So, even if you were travelling on your own, you would have ended up paying for 2 people. To eliminate this ‘solo supplement’ cost, cruises have started offering solo traveler packages with cabins designed for one person. They may be smaller in square footage but they’re just as comfortable.

Now that we’ve cleared that myth, let’s check out some the best solo cruise options for you.

The Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)
NCL offers solo cruise packages for voyages to Asia, Australia, Africa and New Zealand. It was one of the first cruise lines to design staterooms for single cruisers. Norwegian Cruise Line has studio staterooms on all its ships. These aren’t just interior staterooms, they offer solo oceanview and balcony staterooms too. Cruisers travelling on their own also get access to the Studio Lounge. Here you can sit back and watch a movie on the big-screen TV, enjoy a complimentary cup of coffee or mingle with fellow Studio cruisers.

Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises offers beautiful, spacious single staterooms for cruisers holidaying on their own. Some even have an infinite veranda where pushing back the doors lets you lounge in 184 square feet of private indoor-outdoor space. You’ll find single staterooms on the Celebrity Beyond, Celebrity Ascent, Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Silhouette. You could sail on these ships to enjoy a laid-back 3-nights cruise around Australia and New Zealand or an exhilarating 7-nights cruise in Alaskan waters.

P&O Cruises
P&O Cruises offers exciting cruise packages for solo cruisers. You can take a short 3-nights cruise to Belgium or enjoy a well-deserved break on a 14-nights Mediterranean cruise. Choose from inside, sea view, or balcony single cabins that are equipped with all the modern amenities you might need. P&O single cruise packages also include free in-cabin TV and daily steward service. There’s a community table where solo travelers can meet other cruisers over a meal as well as the option of room service.

Costa Cruises
Costa's exciting Cruising Solo program gives single cruisers the option of booking a cabin (that’s usually shared by 2 people) at special single occupancy rates. Availability is limited so you’ll need to keep an eye out for these offers. The price tag may be lower but it doesn’t limit your access to any of the onboard amenities. You can swim laps at the pool, take in a show at the theatre, indulge in delicious meals or just lie back on a lounge chair and lose yourself in a book. 

MSC Cruises
MSC cruises are a great choice for solo travelers who want to see the world in style. Some ships like the MSC Grandiosa, MSC Bellissima, MSC Meraviglia and MSC Virtuosa have interior and balcony studio cabins. Ask about solo packages for studios if you’re sailing on these ships. The cruise line also runs special offers for solo travelers - you could get 50% of the solo traveler supplement fee waived off your cruise package! This offer is available on select Northern Europe and Mediterranean cruises.

Booking your solo cruise
A solo cruise is exciting but it can also be daunting. It’s a good thing you don’t have to plan it on your own. We’re here for you. At Cruisebay, we’ll shortlist the best deals, help you pick a cabin, plan shore activities, navigate through the visa paperwork and more. Better still, we’ll stay just a phone call away throughout your holiday. So, where do you want to sail?