The short answer: cruise prices are usually calculated per person for two people sharing a cabin. If you are alone, you often pay a single supplement. Some ships have small single cabins, but there are few of them and they sell out early. On board, meeting people is easy — and nobody minds if you would rather be alone.
How the price works when you travel alone
- A standard cabin is priced for two. When one person books it, cruise lines usually add a single supplement. How large it is depends on the line, the ship and the date.
- Single cabins — sometimes called studios — exist on some ships. They are compact, sometimes come with a lounge for solo guests, and they are the first to sell out.
- Compare the total, not the headline. Look at what you would pay for the whole cabin on your own, for each option.
Meeting people — or not
| Where | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Solo meet-ups | Many ships list a get-together for solo travellers in the daily programme, often on the first evening |
| Dinner | You can ask for a shared table and meet new people every night, or eat alone at a time that suits you |
| Excursions | Group tours are an easy way to have company in port |
| Classes and quizzes | Dance lessons, trivia, fitness classes: conversations start by themselves |
| Time alone | A book on deck, the spa, a quiet bar — nothing on board is compulsory |
Which ship suits you
Large ships have more bars, shows and activities, so it is easier to find company. Smaller ships are quieter and more personal. If you want to meet people, look at sailings with several sea days: that is when guests spend the most time on board.
Safety
- The ship is a safe place, but use the same common sense as in any hotel: lock the cabin, keep the safe closed, watch your drink.
- In port, the ship does not wait for guests who explore on their own. On the ship's own excursions it does. Set an alarm for the return time.
- Tell someone at home the ship's name and your itinerary.
Common questions
Is it strange to cruise alone?
Not at all. Solo travellers are a large and growing group, and many ships organise meet-ups especially for them.
What is a single supplement?
An extra charge when one person books a cabin priced for two. Its size depends on the cruise line, the ship and the date. Single cabins avoid it, but there are few of them.
How do I meet people on board?
Go to the solo travellers' meet-up if there is one, ask for a shared table at dinner, and join group excursions and activities.
Is a solo cruise safe for women?
A cruise is one of the more comfortable ways for a woman to travel alone: a fixed itinerary, staff around the clock and a cabin you can lock. The usual common sense still applies, especially in port.
How the club fits in
The club's familiar ways of paying apply per booking: the member price (INsider Pricing), about 17% below the retail price, or your Reward Points, which can cover up to half of the price of qualifying bookings. They do not add up in one booking. Not every cruise line can be booked through the club: check the specific sailing in the club's search. More about booking with points.
General information; cabin types, supplements and on-board programmes differ by cruise line and ship, so check the details for your sailing. Percentages describe the club's rules and are indicative. Reislite is an independent information site run by partners, not a website of inCruises.