The 5 Best Cruises for Solo Travelers

Traveling alone can be tricky. I love the total independence, but even after decades of solo globe-trotting, I still occasionally get that wistful “I wish I had someone to share this with” feeling.

Group tours, which many solo travelers opt for, ensure that you always have company. But it’s not always the company you’d choose, and the itineraries can seem a bit rigid at times. I often feel like I don’t have enough time to wander on my own when I’m traveling with a tour group.

That’s why I’ve fallen in love with small-ship cruising, which, in my opinion, offers the best of all worlds. In fact (don’t tell my husband), I prefer traveling alone on small ships. Why? Because unlike on ships with thousands of passengers—many of whom you may never even encounter, let alone get friendly with—it’s really easy to find like-minded travelers to socialize with. I have yet to travel on a small ship without forging new and lasting friendships with fellow solo travelers, couples, and families alike.

Best of all, on cruises, the only schedule you have to follow is making sure you are back on board by sailing time, so you can explore the destinations the way you want to—alone or on a group excursion.

The downside, of course, is that dreaded solo supplement (prices are based on double occupancy, so you basically have to pay for two to get a private room). But with demand for solo cruising, particularly among women, on the rise, many cruise lines are responding with special sailings that either eliminate or reduce the upcharge for having your own cabin.

Here are five of our top picks for cruises for solo travelers.

Explore the Azores on Sea Cloud’s private yacht-style cruises

Suggested itinerary: “The Azores: Europe’s Westernmost Point,” July 26 to August 2, 2026, from $6,295 per person

Ever dream of traveling the world on a sailboat? Sailing aboard Sea Cloud’s three tall ships feels as if a friend with their own private yacht has invited you aboard. This year, Sea Cloud is waiving the single supplement on all bookings made before October 31. Get off the traditional cruise ship path on Sea Cloud Spirit’s seven-night sailing through the Azores, which has unique volcanic landscapes, forests, historic sites, and whale watching. The trip begins and ends in the historic Ponta Delgada, with stops at Horta, known for its colorful quay walls and bustling marina that hosts virtually every yacht that crosses the Atlantic; and the UNESCO town of Angra do Heroísmo. In Graciosa, the second smallest island in the Azores, peek into the underworld at Furna do Enxofre, a huge sulphurous cave. On board, the intimate atmosphere of this small ship encourages passengers and crew to get to know each other. Most meals are served on the upper deck, with open seating for easy mingling.

An active river cruise through French wine country with Avalon

Suggested itinerary: Avalon Waterways’ eight-day “Bonjour Bordeaux: Chateaux, Wineries and Charming Villages,” April through November 2026, starting at $4,330 per person

My first small-ship experience was a European river cruise, and I was immediately hooked. While river cruises may conjure images of retired couples on cookie-cutter boats, that is changing, thanks in part to river cruise lines like Avalon Waterways, known for its onboard wellness hosts and variety of active excursions. On every sailing, Avalon has a select few cabins (including a few Panorama suites) reserved for solo travelers—with no single supplement. Last year, Avalon launched its first ship in Bordeaux, the renovated Avalon Artistry II, offering eight-day wine-filled sailings along France’s Garonne, Dordogne, and Gironde rivers. Best of all, these sailings offer overnights on each end in Bordeaux, allowing ample time to explore the city, take biking and walking tours of surrounding villages and vineyards, and visit Port Arcachon, one of locals’ favorite retreats on the Atlantic coast.

A Danube River sailing on a ship dedicated to solo travelers

Suggested itinerary: The seven-night “Blue Danube River Cruise for Solo Travelers” on Riviera Travel’s George Eliot, starting at $3,749 per person

Riviera Travel has long been a leader in solo-friendly river cruising, offering generous solo fares and more than 20 sailings a year for single travelers. Beginning in 2027, it will take its solo-friendly sailings to a new level by making one of its ships the first in the world dedicated to single travelers for an entire season, according to the cruise line. Among the itineraries, the George Eliot will sail round-trip from Budapest, through Slovakia and Austria. Each guest will have their own double cabin—83 percent of which feature a French balcony. The prices include all excursions, meals, and drinks. Originally designed to carry 140 guests, the ship will accommodate 68 solo travelers, with one crew member for every two guests. Riviera’s current solo sailings take place mostly during the spring and the fall. By adding a dedicated solo-traveler ship to its fleet, single travelers will have more options during peak river cruise season.

Explore the Croatian coast in style

Suggested itinerary: Cruise Croatia’s seven-night “Dubrovnik to Split” sailing, from $2,920 per person

If you want to go really small, Cruise Croatia operates a fleet of yachts that is increasingly attracting solo travelers, particularly women aged 45 and up, according to the cruise line. Perhaps that’s because there are not many places more beautiful to sail than along the coast of Croatia. On a Cruise Croatia sailing from Dubrovnik to Split, guests can wander the country’s historic towns and take a plunge off the side of the deluxe yacht-style ship into the teal-blue, crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic Sea. The brand offers 8 to 10 supplement-free cabins for single guests on dedicated sailings. It occasionally offers solo-only sailings.

Suggested itinerary: The nine-night “Exploring Galápagos” aboard National Geographic Endeavour II, starting at $5,556 per person

Expedition cruises by their nature tend to attract younger—or at least younger-minded—and more active cruisers. But they can also be pricey. For solo travelers willing to take a bit of a gamble, National Geographic–Lindblad Expeditions will pair guests of the same gender together in a cabin. If a roommate isn’t found, you’ll get the double-occupancy cabin at the single rate. The line’s culture is based on the belief that just because a guest is traveling solo doesn’t mean they are traveling alone. The voyages are designed to make traveling alone easy, with open seating in the dining room and small exploration groups. On a classic 10-day Galápagos sailing, learn how to capture the best photos of giant turtles, blue-footed boobies, and sea lions from National Geographic photography expert Rich Reid. National Geographic Endeavour II has 52 outside cabins and suites, all with ocean views.

This story was originally published in March 2024, and was updated on October 2, 2025, to include current information.