Solo cruising is one of those things that sounds intimidating until you actually do it. People often say, “You’re so brave for cruising on your own,” but solo cruising is not really about being brave. It is about freedom.
You can eat when you want, explore the ship at your own pace, go to the shows you want to see, and spend time ashore without having to compromise with anyone else.
That is one of the main reasons cruising works so well for solo travellers. Unlike a hotel stay or a city break, a cruise gives you structure. Your accommodation, food, entertainment, transport between destinations and daily activities are all in one place. You can be as social or as quiet as you want.
But solo cruising does come with a few things to think about. Cabin prices can be higher because of single supplements. Dining alone can feel awkward at first. Shore excursions need a bit more planning. And if you don’t look at the daily schedule, you can end up wandering around the ship in the evening not knowing what to do next.
This guide walks through the solo cruising tips I wish I had known before my first solo cruise, so you can feel more confident before you step onboard.
Watch: Solo Cruising Tips for First-Time Solo Travellers
If you’re thinking about cruising alone, watch my full video guide below. It covers cabins, dining, meeting people, shore excursions and the one mistake I made on my first solo cruise.
Solo Cruising Tips: Choose the Right Cabin and Watch the Single Supplement
One of the biggest things to understand before booking a solo cruise is the single supplement. Most cruise fares are based on two people sharing a cabin. If you book that same cabin on your own, the cruise line may charge extra because they are only receiving one passenger fare instead of two.
This is why solo cruising can sometimes feel expensive. The mistake is only looking at the headline price and not checking the total cost for one person.
Some cruise lines and ships have dedicated solo cabins, which can make a big difference. These are designed for one passenger and may not have the same single supplement as a standard cabin. They are often smaller, but for many solo travellers they work well because you are not paying for space you don’t need.
Cruise lines such as Norwegian Cruise Line, Virgin Voyages and P&O Cruises have solo cabin options on some ships, although availability varies. These cabins can sell quickly, especially on popular itineraries.
If a solo cabin is available and the price works, it can be one of the easiest ways to keep the cost down.
But solo cabins are not always the cheapest option. Sometimes a discounted inside cabin, a guarantee fare, or a late offer on a standard cabin can work out better. A guarantee cabin means you choose the cabin grade but not the exact cabin number. The cruise line allocates your cabin later. That can be a good way to save money, but it does mean you lose control over the exact location.
If you are flexible, it is worth comparing different dates, ships and itineraries rather than assuming one sailing is the only option. Prices can vary a lot depending on the time of year, how full the ship is, and whether the cruise line is trying to sell remaining cabins.
Wave season, usually between January and March, can also be a good time to look for cruise deals, but the best value depends on the ship and itinerary.
The key is to compare the real solo price, not just the advertised per-person fare.
Solo Cruising Tips: Start With a Short Cruise If You Feel Nervous
If the idea of solo cruising feels overwhelming, you do not have to start with a long cruise. A shorter sailing can be a good way to test whether solo cruising suits you.
Two, three, four or five-night cruises give you the chance to experience embarkation, dining alone, entertainment, shore days and ship life without committing to a full week or longer. It’s similar to testing a weekend city break before booking a longer solo holiday.
On a short cruise, you can work out what feels comfortable. You might discover that dining alone is easier than you expected, or that going to shows on your own does not feel strange at all. You might also find that you enjoy having complete control over your time.
That said, not all short cruises have the same atmosphere. Some weekend cruises can feel more party-focused, especially if they attract big groups. That may be exactly what you want, but if you are hoping for a calmer first solo cruise, a midweek sailing or slightly longer itinerary may feel more relaxed.
The point is not that your first solo cruise has to be short. It’s simply that a shorter cruise can make the first step feel easier.
Think About Dining Before You Board
Dining alone is one of the things that puts people off solo cruising, but in practice it is usually much easier than expected.
The important thing is to know what style of dining suits you. If you like meeting people, ask for a shared table in the main dining room. This can be one of the easiest ways to chat to other passengers, especially on a longer cruise where you may see the same people again.
If you prefer your own company, ask for a table for one. There is nothing wrong with eating alone on a cruise. Plenty of people do it, and the staff are used to solo travellers. Once you have done it a couple of times, it usually feels completely normal.
Speciality restaurants can also work well for solo cruisers. The atmosphere is often calmer, service tends to be more structured, and you are there for the experience rather than just a quick meal.
Casual dining venues, buffets and poolside options are also useful if you want something easy without sitting through a long meal.
The only part of solo dining that can feel slightly awkward is the wait between courses. That is where it helps to have something with you. Bring a book, check your photos from the day, look through the next day’s schedule, or just enjoy people-watching.
One of the best things about solo cruising is that you can eat exactly how you want. You do not have to compromise on restaurant choice, meal time, dress code, or whether you want a long dinner or something quick.
Go to the Solo Meet-Up Early in the Cruise
One of the biggest misconceptions about solo cruising is that you will be alone the whole time. Most cruise lines make it easier than people expect to meet other solo travellers.
Many ships have solo traveller meet-ups listed in the daily schedule, often on embarkation day or the first sea day. These can be informal gatherings in a bar or lounge where solo passengers can meet each other.
It’s worth going early in the cruise, even if you are not sure whether you want to make plans with anyone. The benefit is that you start to recognise familiar faces around the ship. You might see the same people at breakfast, in the theatre, at trivia, or on excursions. That alone can make the ship feel friendlier.
You do not have to become best friends with anyone. You might simply meet someone to have a drink with, join for a quiz, or say hello to when you pass them onboard.
Some ships with dedicated solo cabins also have solo lounges or spaces where passengers can meet more naturally. Norwegian Cruise Line is particularly known for this on some ships. But even without a dedicated solo area, there are usually plenty of opportunities to meet people if you want to.
The key is not to wait until the end of the cruise. Go to something early, see what the atmosphere is like, and then decide how social you want to be.
Use Entertainment to Plan Your Evenings
Evenings are one of the easiest parts of a solo cruise to get wrong. When you are travelling with someone else, there is usually another person saying, “Shall we go to the show?” or “Do you want to get a drink?” When you are cruising solo, you need to make those decisions yourself. That is not a bad thing, but it does help to plan ahead.
Cruise ships are full of evening entertainment. There may be theatre shows, live music, comedy, quizzes, game shows, karaoke, silent discos, films, talks and late-night events. The mistake is not looking at the daily schedule until you are already wandering around the ship. A better approach is to check the schedule each evening and choose one or two things for the next day.
Shows are particularly good for solo cruisers because they do not require social interaction. You can simply turn up, sit where you like, and enjoy the performance.
Live music is also good because you can stay for one drink or spend the whole evening there.
For more interactive activities, such as trivia or quizzes, you can often join a team when you arrive. Cruise passengers are usually friendly, and these activities make conversation much easier because there is something to focus on.
You do not need to fill every evening. But having a loose plan stops that awkward feeling of not knowing where to go.
Be Open to Activities Even If You Are Introverted
You do not have to be outgoing to enjoy a solo cruise. That is one of the reasons cruising works so well. You can join in when you want to, then step away when you need quiet time. There is no pressure to be social all day.
Activities are useful because they give you easy ways to be around people without having to force conversation. Trivia, craft sessions, dance classes, talks, cookery demonstrations, fitness classes and quizzes all give your day structure.
You might only exchange a few words with someone, but that can still make the cruise feel more connected.
If you are naturally introverted, it can help to pick activities where the focus is on something else. A quiz, a class or a talk is often easier than walking into a bar and trying to start a conversation.
The good thing about a cruise is that everything is optional. You can do a busy sea day full of activities, then spend the next day quietly reading on deck. Both count as making the most of your cruise.
Solo Cruising Tips: Plan Shore Days Carefully
Exploring ports on your own can be one of the best parts of solo cruising. You can decide exactly what you want to see, how long you want to stay, and whether you want a full sightseeing day or a slow wander near the port. But shore days do need a bit more planning when you are travelling alone.
Cruise line excursions are often the simplest option. They are usually more expensive, but they give you structure and reassurance. If the official excursion is delayed, the ship will normally wait for the group. That can be useful if you are going a long distance from the port or visiting somewhere where transport is more complicated.
Third-party tours through companies such as GetYourGuide can also work well, especially if you want a smaller group or more flexibility. The important thing is to check timings carefully and leave plenty of buffer before the ship is due to sail.
Independent exploring can be a great option too, especially in ports where the town or city is close to the cruise terminal. In those cases, you may not need a tour at all.
Before you go ashore, research the port properly. Know how far the main sights are from the ship, how you will get there, how you will get back, and what your backup plan is if transport goes wrong.
It is also sensible to carry a digital copy of your passport, keep the ship’s port agent details with you, and share your location with someone you trust.
Solo cruising should feel freeing, not stressful. A little planning makes shore days much easier.
Know When to Book a Tour and When to Explore Alone
Not every port needs an excursion. This is especially important for solo cruisers because excursions can quickly add to the cost of a cruise.
Some ports are easy to explore independently. If the ship docks close to the town centre, or there is a simple shuttle, metro, tram or walking route, you may be able to have a brilliant day without booking anything.
Other ports are more complicated. If the main attraction is far from the cruise port, transport is limited, or the timings are tight, a tour may be worth the extra cost. That is especially true if missing the ship would be expensive or difficult.
On some days, independent exploring will be perfect. On others, a tour will make the day feel easier and safer.
Enjoy the Freedom Instead of Apologising for It
One of the best things about solo cruising is the freedom. You can wake up when you want. You can have breakfast where you want. You can spend three hours on deck watching the sea without anyone asking what the plan is.
You can go to the theatre, then live music, then a late-night snack. Or you can do none of those things and have an early night.
Solo cruising gives you choice. That is the part people often miss. It is not about being alone all the time. It is about having control over how social you want to be.
Some days, you might want to join in with everything. Other days, you might not want to speak to anyone beyond ordering a coffee. Both are fine.
When you are travelling with other people, every day involves compromise. With solo cruising, you can build the exact cruise you want. That is why so many people try it once and then keep doing it.
Don’t Overfill Every Day
There is a temptation on a solo cruise to keep busy all the time.
You might feel that if you are not doing something, you are wasting the trip. But one of the nicest parts of cruising solo is being able to slow down. You do not need to attend every activity or visit every venue.
A cruise can be just as enjoyable when you leave space in the day. Sit on the promenade deck. Have a coffee. Watch the sail away. Read a book. Go for a quiet walk around the ship.
These are the moments that often make solo cruising feel special. When you are not trying to keep up with someone else’s pace, you start noticing more. The sea, the ship, the ports, the little routines onboard — all of it becomes part of the experience.
Is Solo Cruising Lonely?
Solo cruising can be lonely, but it does not have to be. The difference usually comes down to expectations and planning.
If you board expecting to be entertained every minute without making any decisions, you may feel a bit lost at times. But if you use the daily schedule, go to a few activities, attend the solo meet-up, and plan your evenings, the cruise quickly starts to feel easier.
A cruise ship is one of the more social ways to travel alone. You are surrounded by other passengers, crew, activities, restaurants, bars and entertainment. You can have a conversation if you want one, but you can also have quiet time when you need it. That balance is what makes cruising such a good option for solo travel.
You are independent, but you are not isolated.
Is Solo Cruising Safe?
Solo cruising can feel very safe compared with other types of solo travel, but you still need to use common sense.
Onboard, you are in a controlled environment with staff, security, other passengers and clear routines. You do not have the same challenges as arriving alone in a city late at night and trying to find your hotel.
That is one of the reasons cruising appeals to solo travellers. The main thing is to be sensible, especially in ports.
Plan your route before you leave the ship. Keep an eye on the time. Avoid wandering too far without knowing how you will get back. Be aware of common scams in busy tourist areas. Keep valuables secure.
If you are exploring independently, it is also worth letting someone know your plans or sharing your location.
None of this should make solo cruising feel scary. It’s just about being prepared.
Is a Solo Cruise Worth It?
A solo cruise can absolutely be worth it, especially if you like the idea of travelling independently but still having structure around you.
The ship becomes your base. You unpack once, meals are taken care of, entertainment is available every day, and you wake up in different places without having to organise transport between them. For many solo travellers, that makes cruising easier than a land-based holiday.
It is not always the cheapest way to travel alone, especially if single supplements are high. But the overall experience can be very good value when you factor in accommodation, food, transport, entertainment and ports.
The key is choosing the right cruise. Look at the ship, the itinerary, the passenger mix, the cabin price and the style of cruise. A short party cruise will feel very different from a longer itinerary with lots of port days.
Solo cruising works best when the cruise matches what you actually want from the trip.
Useful Guides
Barcelona Cruise Port Guide (2026) A practical guide to getting around Barcelona on a cruise day, including what to expect from the port and how to plan your time ashore.
Civitavecchia to Rome Cruise Port Guide – Step-by-step advice for visiting Rome from a cruise ship, including transport options and how to avoid cutting it too fine.
Southampton Cruise Port Guide – Useful if your solo cruise starts or ends in Southampton, with practical tips on terminals, hotels, parking and embarkation.
Which P&O Cruises Ship Is Right For You? – A helpful guide if you are choosing between ships such as Iona, Arvia, Britannia, Ventura, Azura and Arcadia.
P&O Drinks Menu Guide – A useful guide to current P&O drinks menus, bar prices and what to expect when budgeting for drinks onboard.
Useful Cruise Items to Consider
These are a few simple items that can make your cruise on P&O Arvia more comfortable and help you stay organised onboard.
I personally use variations of these when cruising, and they’re all practical rather than essential.
Magnetic hooks Perfect for extra storage in your cabin
Packing cubes Keep your suitcase organised
Cruise luggage tags Protect your tags at the port
Travel Extension Lead UK For charging multiple phones, cameras, and laptops
Toiletry organiser Great for small bathrooms
You can also browse my full Cruise Essentials list for more useful items I use or recommend for cruise holidays.
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