I’ve been on more than 200 cruises – these are the best for solo travellers

Whether you’re single, have a non-cruising partner, or just fancy the freedom of going it alone, cruises are a fantastic holiday for solos. With every detail taken care of, so much included in the fare, exciting shore tours and onboard activities, it’s no surprise that more people are setting sail solo. The days of cabins the size of broom cupboards have long gone, and many lines are waiving or reducing single supplements. Specialist agency Cruise Nation reports a 32 per cent year-on-year rise in solo bookings – and a huge 406 per cent growth from 2020 to 2025 – with no-fly cruises out of Southampton and sailings in the eastern Mediterranean and Caribbean being most popular. Riviera Travel – the first line launching a dedicated solo ship (next year) – has seen a 66 per cent year-on-year increase in solo sales, with single travellers now accounting for almost 13 per cent of all bookings. I have been on more than 200 cruises – many by myself. Here are eight of the best for solo travellers. (Photo: Metropolitan Touring)

Best for tall ship thrills: Star Clippers

With 42 billowing sails, the magnificent five-masted Royal Clipper holds the Guinness World Record for the largest square-rigged ship in service. Recreating the golden age of clipper ships, Royal Clipper attracts modern-day adventurers looking for a casual cruise experience. It’s easy to strike up conversations in the Tropical Bar, the outdoor social hub, and independent travellers can join a table with other solos at mealtimes. There’s an open bridge policy, so you can drop by and chat to the captain and officers, and suitably swashbuckling activities include clambering into the bowsprit nets and climbing the mast to the crow’s nest. Beach stops include the golden sands on Îles Des Saintes, a volcanic archipelago off Guadeloupe, where the sports team will organise snorkelling, paddleboarding and other activities. There’s culture to be found in Antigua, where Nelson’s Dockyard is the world’s only continuously working Georgian dock. The colourful stalls are a great place to buy rum and fiery sauces made from local chillies. There are guaranteed single cabins for passengers booking this Caribbean cruise with Friendship Travel. Royal Clipper carries 227 passengers, sails under wind power whenever possible, and it’s always a thrilling sight when the riggers raise the sails. Seven-night Windward Islands round-trip, sailing from Barbados, from £3,610pp, departing 5 December 2026, including flights. (Photo: Getty)

Best for boutique yachts: Katarina Line

Get to know your fellow shipmates at One Traveller’s pre-holiday get-together. It’s among the free perks offered by the family-run company with each cruise. Alternatively, opt for a door-to-door private chauffeur service to the airport or regional connecting flights.

Best for wildlife: Metropolitan Touring

Lying 600 miles off Ecuador, the isolated Galapagos Islands are like nowhere else on the planet. Here, you can witness the living legacy of Charles Darwin’s groundbreaking 19th-century discoveries in evolution and natural history. Wildlife, including giant tortoises, marine iguanas, flightless cormorants and Galapagos penguins, are unique to these protected islands. With no fear of humans, they’ll provide unforgettable close-up encounters and the chance to capture once-in-a-lifetime photographs. Founded in 1973, Metropolitan Touring is a pioneer of sustainable tourism in the islands, and its 90-passenger Santa Cruz II and 40-passenger Isabela II and Santa Cruz have solo cabins; one on Isabela II and two on Santa Cruz II. Voyages on these sociable vessels are led by expedition leaders, and with so many extraordinary sights, there’s never a shortage of things to talk about. A sailing covering the north-western region features a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station and Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre, small-group daily landings on different islands, sea safaris and snorkelling in marine-rich waters. Four-night Discover the Wonders of the Galapagos round-trip, sailing from Baltra Island, from $4,321 (£3,218), departing 27 August, excluding flights. (Photo: Metropolitan Touring )

Best for big ship cruises: Norwegian Cruise Line

In 2010 Norwegian Cruise Line became the first big ocean cruise line to really take notice of single travellers when it introduced its studio rooms for solos on Norwegian Epic. In 2023 it doubled the number of single occupancy Studio cabins, and there are now more than 1,000 across the fleet. With multicoloured lighting and a contemporary feel, they’re the most stylish solo cabins at sea. Many ships, including Norwegian Epic, also have an exclusive Studio Lounge, exclusively for guests staying in the Studio cabins. The space for solos to meet and socialise has complimentary coffee, snacks and a bar. This sunny Mediterranean trip through Spain, France and Italy takes in seven contrasting ports in as many days. Relax on a beach in the French Riviera, soak up art and culture in Florence and then step back in time in the medieval villages of Taormina and Castelmola near Messina. Seven-night Mediterranean cruise via Nice, Florence and the Amalfi Coast, sailing from Barcelona to Salerno, from £1,085, departing 28 June, excluding flights. (Photo: Michele Verdure/Norwegian Epic)

Best for dedicated solo river cruises: Riviera Travel

Riviera Travel has long flown the flag for independent travellers. Zero-supplement cabins are set aside on every river cruise, and there are special sailings exclusively for singles with no extra charges throughout the ship, so you can spoil yourself with a roomy suite without forking out on a costly singles price tag. Next year, Riviera will launch a world first – a river cruise ship just for solos. The elegant George Eliot will sail on a range of seven-night to two-week itineraries on the Rhine and Danube, including an all-new solo itinerary from Budapest into the natural beauty of the Danube Delta where the river meets the Black Sea. With single occupancy in all 70 cabins, coupled with the same number of crew, there will be plenty of space to spread out and enjoy really personal service. Daily excursions are included, plus an all-inclusive drinks package, and the ship’s amenities include a splash pool and hair salon. Seven-night Rhine and Moselle River Cruise for Solo Travellers round-trip, sailing from Cologne, from £3,589, departing 15 September 2027, including flights. (Photo: Getty/ Riviera Travel)

Best for budget: Ambassador Cruise Line

Get ready to groove and relive the sounds of the 70s on this fun-themed cruise where it will be easy to strike up conversations with like-minded soulmates on the dance floor and around the ship. Ambassador prides itself on value-for-money holidays, and 89 cabins are always set aside for solos on the 1,200-passenger Ambition. The short hop to Zeebrugge still provides plenty of time to stock up on chocolates in Bruges in between soaking up the 70s vibe back onboard. The cruise will feature live music from British soul and disco bands The Real Thing and Odyssey, along with 70s-inspired lunch menus, fancy dress competitions, quiz nights and cabaret shows that will transport you back in time. Ambition is a friendly ship that’s easy to navigate, and singles have the option of joining hosted tables at mealtimes. Two-night Back to the 70s cruise, sailing from Tilbury to Portsmouth, from £469, departing 4 April, including coach travel to Tilbury or London Victoria. (Photo: Ambassador Cruise Line)

Best for first-timers: CroisiEurope

Choose a mini-break if you want to dip a proverbial toe in the water before taking the plunge with a longer voyage. Solos, which mainly caters to the over-40s, offers an easy-going introduction to river cruising with this short sailing on the Garonne and Dordogne rivers through one of France’s most celebrated wine regions. Boarding the Cyrano de Bergerac in Bordeaux, you’ll be introduced to the crew and new travelling companions over a welcome cocktail. It’s part of the fleet run by French-owned CroisiEurope, the largest river line in Europe, so you’ll be fully immersed into the French lifestyle, food and wine both aboard and ashore. The cruise meanders through the vineyard-clad landscapes of Blaye, Libourne and Saint-Émilion. Optional excursions, which are discounted if you book in advance, means you can do as much or as little as you like. There’s also a dedicated Solos tour leader to ensure you enjoy the trip to the full. Five-night Aquitaine River Cruise round-trip, sailing from Bordeaux, from £1,589, departing 12 August, including flights. (Photo: Getty)

Best for off the beaten track: Pandaw

Small-ship Asia specialist Pandaw has built up a strong following among single travellers looking for an authentic experience off the beaten track without having to rough it. Its atmospheric ships, based on the historic vessels that once sailed in Myanmar (Burma) for the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company, are decked out in gleaming teak and brass. While Kerala Backwater trips are traditionally two or three nights, Pandaw has week-long expeditions to delve deeper into remote areas of the 560-mile artery of waterways. Created by monsoon rains and sea currents, they’re an essential transport system for the locals who live along the banks. This sailing on the cosy 10-cabin Kochi Pandaw, launched in 2025, is one of several with no single supplements, with plenty of inclusions such as excursions, drinks and tips. Highlights include visits to the 14-acre Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, artisan villages producing brass and textiles and the landmark Munroe Lighthouse overlooking the Arabian Sea. The 10-night Kerala Backwaters round-trip, sailing from Kochi from £5,999, departing 20 September, including flights. All prices shown are per person for solo cabin occupancy with no single supplement. (Photo: Pandaw)