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- Best Cruises For Solo Travelers
Conventionally, cruising was more prevalent among newlyweds, budget-conscious families, and retirees. Today, there has been a dramatic paradigm shift in the cruising industry. It is now being embraced as a form of travel for single cruisers of all ages. It offers an opportunity for singles to meet other singles and have a great time with people they meet.
After all, who doesn’t yearn for a trip offering onboard dining, floating resort accommodations, and entertainment on some of the best adventure cruises money can buy? And who knows, this could be the time to meet someone special and leave the single life behind. What is the best cruise for singles in 2023? Are there certain cruise lines that cater better to those traveling solo? It's time to check out the best singles cruise options for lone travelers.
UPDATE: 2023/07/14 10:40 EST BY NICHOLAS MAYAMBA
Best Cruises For Solo Travelers
Lady luck might finally smile on single cruisers! Cruise ship operators are tailoring their services to solo travelers looking for love at sea. From luxury amenities to keep passengers entertained throughout the trip to exciting programs encouraging mingling, this refreshed list adds two more exciting options to the best cruises for singles worth checking out.
18 Norwegian Bliss
Norwegian Bliss offers comfort and privacy in equal doses. It has elegant studio staterooms that accommodate multiple solo cabins. A designated lounge for such travelers is stocked with beverages and snacks. This lounge offers extra privacy since only studio passengers can access this area. It also has numerous venues for active singles interested in mingling and keeping the party going.
Singles can indulge in group-oriented activities like racing others on the Bliss Speedway. Other activities include wine tastings at the Michael Mondavi Family Wine Bar or cocktails while engaging in great conversations at O’Sheehan’s Pub.
17 Virgin Voyages
Virgin Voyage offers the perfect cruises for singles. The company typically accommodates travelers hoping to ditch the baby boomer’s way of cruising. From spectacular private beach bonfire parties to organic food choices and deluxe interior design, what else could solo travelers want from such a cruise? Virgin Voyages is famed for small-scale eateries, inventive modern performances, and a hundred percent complimentary Wi-Fi, unlike other cruises that offer buffets and Broadway-style musicals.
16 Discovery Princess
Whoever coined the term ‘paradise’ must have been in Discovery Princess. It features live auctions, a picturesque gallery to read through, and ship-wide public art displays. From attending dancing lessons to having epic nightlife and educational cocktail storytelling experiences, Discovery Princess will offer solo travelers endless activities to keep them making memories to last a lifetime.
Travelers will not have genuinely experienced Discovery Princess without sampling world cuisine from Michelin-star chefs and specialty coffees at the International Café in the European–style Piazza.
15 Holland American Line
This is a fantastic option for those embarking on solo travel around the world. But Holland is best suited for slightly older singles. These ships are the ultimate cruise for travelers hoping to mingle with mature and eligible solo travelers heading for a luxurious getaway. Here, the majority are divorcees or widowers.
Although it is a bit pricier than its counterparts, the quality is top-notch, and the services are out of this world. For instance, Holland American provides a restrained number of solo cabins on their most recent ships, which are more spacious than the Norwegian’s staterooms. They are also equipped with ocean-view windows.
Take advantage of Holland America's Club Orange amenities program to enjoy perks like a dedicated concierge line, complimentary stateroom upgrades, and an in-room breakfast menu.
14 Cunard Line
Cunard Cruise Line offers amazing singles-only cruises. However, it is a bit different from other cruises. Cunard ships, particularly the Queen Mary 11, are usually involved in more extended travel plans. Since the cruise entails numerous ocean crossings, more senior and refined travelers get attracted to the Cunard line. There is a considerable probability of singles finding each other on the Cunard Line since travelers have more sea days than port days.
13 Carnival Panorama
Carnival Panorama provides remarkable value for single cruisers. It has an exceptional variety for solo travelers in their 20s and 30s, thus making mingling incredibly seamless. From incredible deck dance parties to trivia competitions and social club parties, its general vibe is upbeat.
Solo travelers also tend to have incredible fun in the sun. The adults-only Serenity Deck is the ultimate escape from the frenzy of public venues. The lounge is only accessible to travelers above 21 years old and features sea-view hot tubs, luxurious loungers, and shaded cabanas for relaxation.
12 MSC Cruises
MSC is loved by the millennials, including lots of singles. Solo travelers will have more time to interact with a bigger mix of individuals as passengers keep boarding at different ports during a seven-night cruise in Europe. The singles will love the European vibe that incorporates late-night discos.
11 Nieuw Statendam
Solo travelers who love nature will have unforgettable moments aboard Holland America’s Nieuw Statendam. The luxurious cruises through the Southern Caribbean are magical. Sunseekers will have incredible experiences at Amber Cove, a new port outside Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic. The aquatic attraction offers breathtaking views and unique experiences. Cruisers can enjoy the swim-up bar and picturesque seaside cabanas at zero charge.
There are also seasonal cruises to check out; travelers can get the most out from cruise trips for the holiday season, for example. Alternatively, if they prefer to go solo backpacking around the world, globe-trotters can check out Hostelworld's new Roamies app designed for solo backpackers.
10 Royal Caribbean Ovation Of The Seas
Solo travelers using Royal Caribbean will be pleasantly surprised with the fun presented on this ship. The most notable feature of this Royal Caribbean singles cruise is the virtual window in the interior’s studio staterooms. The windows make it easy for travelers to experience everything outside that window while cruising. The solo studio option also entails an ocean-view stateroom with a balcony.
Royal Caribbean is also filled with intricate and unique surprises. Travelers can live a day unlike any other with a cruise to CocoCay, a private island destination in the Bahamas. Here, solo travelers can mingle as they indulge in fun activities such as ziplining, snorkeling, helium balloon riding, etc.
Remember to step into the North Star while cruising on the Ovation of The Seas. This unique rotating capsule offers stunning 360-degree views of the surroundings.
9 Uncruise Adventures
Uncruise Adventures is one of the best cruise ship options to leave adventurers with unforgettable memories. Their small size makes it seamless for singles to connect. The line provides travel plans to some incredible and remote places that have been nerve-wracking to even the major cruise lines. With Uncruise Adventures, solo travelers aren’t expected to pay for double occupancy.
8 Halong Bay Party Cruise
Take one's cruise to a new level with a dedicated cruise for young adults. The Halong Bay Party Cruise provides booze and music with plenty of activities. Enjoy being in the company of other fun-loving young people on a party cruise. Halong Bay is located in northeast Vietnam and is famous for its emerald waters and thousands of towering limestone islands with tropical rainforests. Activities include sightseeing, kayaking, swimming, rock climbing, beach volleyball, and more. The cost is around $160 for two days and one night.
7 Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line is famous for attracting one of the youngest demographics in the industry. They have over two dozen "Fun Ships" that are jam-packed with party-related attractions. They have plenty of bars, open-air poolside deck parties, live music, and on the ships, Carnival Vista and Carnival Horizon breweries. Imagine enjoying beer brewed onboard the cruise ship. They also boast some of the best nightclubs out at sea.
6 Disney Cruise Line
Disney's ships are known for their younger crowds - some are even dedicated to teens. Some of their boats, like Disney Fantasy, have clubs for teens and tweens. They can have karaoke, dance floors, and other activities. That being said, Disney's ships are better tailored to families with children - but some of their ships may be just what fun-loving solo travelers may be looking for.
5 Fiesta Party Cruise
Not all cruises need to be overnight. If one is going to Miami, consider marking on a nighttime Fiesta Party Cruise. Enjoy seeing Miami at night and dance to one's heart's content to the sound of the DJs while enjoying drinks from the onboard bar. They have multiple trips on Fridays and Saturdays. The cruises last from 9.30 pm to midnight; they also take more weeknight trips during the summer.
4 Celebrity Cruises
Another fantastic cruise line for singles is Celebrity Cruises. Generally, these ships offer a fun atmosphere, plenty of clubs and bars, and opportunities to meet new friends and singles onboard. It's also worth noting that various Celebrity Cruises ships offer single staterooms:
- Celebrity Edge
- Celebrity Apex
- Celebrity Beyond
- Celebrity Ascent
With these four cruise ships, single passengers can opt for their own little space, away from all the hustle and bustle of the main party decks and other suites. However, if a single person still wants to book a suite, all Celebrity ships have great options with solo queen or king beds. The destinations, including the Bahamas, Mexico, Europe, and even Alaska, are also quite fun.
There are plenty of things to do onboard a Celebrity Cruise and people to encounter! The brand recently unveiled its "Celebrity Beyond" ship, which may be the perfect next-stop for single vacationers.
3 Viking River Cruises
Another cruise line to consider for singles looking to mingle on the open waters is Viking. Generally, Viking River Cruises are smaller ships with fewer people, giving them a more intimate vibe. Many solo travelers recommend using Viking Cruises for vacationing, as the boat feels more like a community.
One thing to remember, however, is that Viking Cruises often run deals for two people, so it might be a fun idea to bring another single friend along for the ride. These boats usually have fewer spots to hang out beside the pool, restaurants, or bars, meaning everyone has to be together. Depending on someone's strategy for meeting new people onboard their cruise ship, this could mean better chances at a connection. It can't hurt to say hello and see where that takes everyone!
2 U River Cruises
Crown Princess in Rotterdam Cruise City
Tailored towards millennials, this incredible cruise adopts a hip approach guaranteed to impress singles on an unforgettable 10-day river expedition. The sleek vessels offer exotic cruises around the world with a focus on Europe. And The River Princess is perfectly suited for solo travelers with romantic ambitions.
Its 128-passenger capacity offers a sense of privacy, sophisticated ambiance, and delightful public spaces to mingle with other singles. Passengers can check out the different lounges on the ship with a chance to meet other travelers over a glass of cocktail.
For cruisers who enjoy their own company, there is a library with interesting books to read.
1 Ruby Princess
Boasting unique amenities like movie screenings under the stars and soothing massages at the adult-themed Sanctuary, the Ruby Princess cruise sounds like the perfect cruise for couples. Still, solo travelers can get in on the fun. There's plenty of entertainment onboard, including duty-free shopping stores, a 9-hole putting course, and a fantastic Discovery at SEA program.
The exterior cabins offer dramatic balcony views, and the culinary options are as diverse as they are sumptuous. When darkness sets in, travelers get the opportunity to mingle at the casino or top-deck nightclub as they dance to the wee hours.