If you’re new to cruising, you might not know that cabins on most ships are designed for a minimum of two people.
That means the lines expect each room to bring in revenue in the form of at least two cruise fares. If you choose to sail by yourself in a cabin meant for two or more, you’re almost always charged the double-occupancy rate (the fare for one person plus a “single supplement”), meaning you’ll pay two full cruise fares even though it’s just you in the room.
With solo cruising on the rise, cruise lines are adding accommodations for one to their newest ships. Some have even outfitted older vessels to offer solo cruise cabins. Although they can be pricey, single cruise cabins usually represent some savings versus what you’d pay for a voyage in a cabin meant for two.
These are the best solo cruise cabins to book across the major cruise lines.
Royal Caribbean’s studio staterooms
Royal Caribbean boasts the most single cruise cabins of any line, with about half of the ships in its fleet housing at least two. However, the most impressive are Super Studio staterooms with balconies, found on Anthem of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas and Odyssey of the Seas.
These cabins, which can reach up to 199 square feet with 55-square-foot balconies, are outfitted with a mix of bedding types and plenty of space for one person.
Oceania’s Concierge Level Veranda staterooms
Oceania Cruises’ newest ship, Vista, offers six 270-square-foot solo cabins. Dubbed Concierge Level Veranda staterooms, they all have balconies and entitle cruisers staying in them to Concierge Level amenities. This includes free laundry service, room service from the dining room menu, exclusive keycard-only access to the dedicated Concierge Lounge, priority embarkation and a complimentary bottle of Champagne.
The cabins also each include an ultraluxurious Tranquility memory foam bed, a seating area that overlooks a private balcony and ample storage space.
Oceania has also outfitted four of its older vessels — Regatta, Nautica, Insignia and Sirena — with cabins for one. Each now has 14 solo ocean-view accommodations that offer 143 square feet of space.
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Celebrity’s Infinite Veranda solo rooms
Cruisers looking for a little bit more space on a line that falls somewhere between Royal Caribbean and Oceania will have luck with Celebrity Cruises‘ Infinite Veranda solo cabins. Unlike traditional balconies, Infinite Verandas extend the overall square footage of the cabin, featuring a window that raises and lowers with the push of a button.
Passengers can find 16 of these 131-square-foot staterooms on Celebrity Edge, 24 on Celebrity Apex and 32 each on Celebrity Beyond and Celebrity Ascent.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s studio cabins
Norwegian was a forerunner in the solo accommodation space, introducing its studio cabins on Norwegian Epic in 2010. The solo cruise cabins are on the small side at roughly 100 square feet. These inside cabins might have a window, but there’s no view to the outside. They’re great if you’re not planning to spend much time in your room.
What’s unique about NCL’s studios is that they allow occupants access to the studio lounge, where they can meet other cruisers sailing alone and partake in daily snacks. Studio cabins are available on Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Bliss, Pride of America, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva.
Cunard’s ocean-view Britannia Single staterooms
Three ships in Cunard‘s fleet offer solo cabins, but only one — the iconic Queen Mary 2, which most often sails transatlantic voyages between New York and Southampton, England — has 15 that feature ocean views. The line’s Britannia Single staterooms are anywhere from 178 to 183 square feet in size, and they include large windows and single beds.
Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria each have nine single cruise cabins, but they’re a mix of ocean-views and insides with no view. The line’s newest vessel, Queen Anne, has no solo cabins at all.
Holland America’s ocean-view single cabins
Holland America stands out for its Alaska itineraries and the impressive music scenes on its newest vessels. Solo travelers will be pleased to know that the cruise line offers 127- to 172-square-foot solo cabins on Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam.
Each of the single rooms on these ships has an ocean view and a twin bed.
Virgin Voyages’ Solo Insider and Solo Sea View Cabins
Virgin Voyages is relatively new to the cruise industry, but it knows what’s up. Positioning itself as a hip anticruise line, it has built its vessels — Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady and the soon-to-debut Brilliant Lady — to include 46 cabins for single passengers, 40 of which are insides and six of which provide rare forward-facing views of the sea.
These solo cruise cabins are a bit small at just larger than 100 square feet, but the Solo Insider and Solo Sea View rooms are cleverly appointed with full-sized beds and sleek, stylish furniture, decor and bathrooms.
MSC’s solo inside rooms for one
MSC Cruises has undertaken a shipbuilding boom, rapidly increasing the size of its fleet in a bid to make itself the largest cruise line (in terms of number of ships) by 2030. As the line’s ships grow in size and amenities, MSC has begun to add cabins for solos.
Currently, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Virtuosa, MSC Grandiosa and MSC Bellissima are outfitted with rooms for one. All of the solo rooms are inside cabins with a single bed and roughly 129 square feet of space.
Bottom line
Cruising solo might sound like a daunting feat, but many cruise lines are making it easier and more affordable by offering solo cruise cabins. If you want to snag accommodations for one, be sure to book early. The popular solo rooms sell out quickly, as many travelers wish to avoid being charged the single supplement.
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