When it comes to cruising, there’s good news for solo travellers

Solo travel is on the rise, with many travellers turning to cruising for its organisation and safety, indulgences, and chance to socialise with like-minded travellers, yet still have me-space.

The major downside has long been solo supplements, which are often 100 per cent or only marginally better for cabins priced on double occupancy.

Cruising can offer the perfect solo holiday.

Consider sharing a cabin and its cost with a friend or family member if you get on well enough to share intimate cabin space – although, beyond the accommodation, cruising gives you great flexibility to do things together or apart.

The good news is that single supplements are increasingly being reduced or waived. Among the lowest supplements sometimes available are those from Seabourn and Silversea (starting from 10 per cent) and Explora Journeys (15 per cent).

Some lines such as Ponant waive solo supplements entirely on certain itineraries. Aurora Expeditions has announced it will set aside 10 cabins without supplements on all its voyages from 2026.

River cruises also offer various specials for solo travellers, the leaders being AmaWaterways, Riviera Travel and Tauck.

Generally, waivers are available either well in advance of departure, or at the last minute as cruise lines seek to fill their remaining cabins. Last-minute deals work best if cruising from an Australian port, since otherwise more expensive airfares might swallow any savings.

In other good news, the number of solo cabins has been increasing. Be aware, though, that this doesn’t necessarily equate to a better deal. Sometimes special offers on double cabins will be cheaper than regular prices on solo cabins on certain cruises.

Norwegian Epic was the first ocean ship to offer solo cabins in 2010. Norwegian Cruise Line now has almost 1000 solo cabins across its fleet in three categories, although all are inside cabins which have either a virtual porthole, or window onto a corridor.

Solo travellers have exclusive access to Studio Lounge, and benefit from organised get-togethers and happy hours.

Solo cabins have now proliferated, especially on larger vessels from cruise lines such as Cunard and Holland America. You’ll find them on the latest ships of Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Oceania Cruises and Virgin Voyages too.

The latter, which is for 18+ passengers only, has a party atmosphere and plenty of lively bars if you’re the kind of solo traveller looking for a good time.

Many cruise lines now arrange get-togethers and activities for solo travellers. Some luxury lines such as Regent Seven Seas and Silversea have gentlemen hosts that will invite solo female travellers for cocktails, dinner or dancing.

Counterintuitively, smaller, more luxury and particularly river and expedition ships are often more conducive to easier socialising than big ships because they carry fewer passengers, and have a limited number of lounges and restaurants, so passengers tend to get thrown together more often.

If you don’t care to strike up new friendships, bigger ships have far more amenities and entertainment to keep you occupied, yet space to get away when socialising palls.