Cruises have long been hailed as the ideal vacation idea for couples and families. But they can be just as rewarding for solo travelers. They give them an opportunity to meet new, like-minded people, explore a new destination, head out on organized excursions, and enjoy a range of activities. When the night is over, they get to escape into their personal cabins, giving them the ideal balance between privacy and socializing.

1. Find a cruise line that’s solo-friendly

Unfortunately, not all cruise lines have similar rules regarding solo travelers. Some offer special arrangements for single travelers, while others may only be able to accommodate couples or families.

One of the best lines for solo travelers is Celebrity Cruises, which has several single staterooms. Some of these also have private verandas, so no one has to worry about sharing personal spaces. Moreover, their cruises have special singles-only events, offering individuals a great space to bond with others and make new friends. And that’s not all! Travelers can also enjoy onboard spa and fitness facilities and state-of-the-art shows to make the most of their trip.

2. Check the single supplement tariffs

Standard cruise fares are generally offered for double-occupancy rooms. Now, if a person chooses to stay alone in the cabin, they may be expected to pay the same rate, or an additional fee so the cruise line does not lose out on money. This is known as a single supplement surcharge. This rate can be anywhere from an additional 5% of the rate, going all the way up to 200%, making a significant dent in one’s pocket.

That being said, many cruise lines have curated special solutions to help travelers work around this surcharge. In more mainstream cruises, this is offered in the form of solo cabins that can be booked with no extra fees. Since it can be quite difficult to find cruises that offer these solo cabins, it may be a good idea to look for sales and promotions offered via cruise lines to book a cheap solo cruise vacation.

3. Book during the off-season

Just like on-land vacationing, cruising also has peaks and valleys. Travelers may be able to find better deals, bigger discounts, and cheaper rates during the off-season (generally between September and November). The demand tends to be low here since most children are back in school, making it difficult for families to get out for trips and excursions. Additionally, this is also known as hurricane season in the Caribbean, dropping demand significantly.

In some places, the months of January and February may also be a part of the off-season due to the cold weather.

4. Sail on an older ship

Major cruise lines are constantly investing in bigger and better ships with more amenities. Traveling on these could result in paying a higher premium. By comparison, older ships can be found at a cheaper, more affordable rate. While this may mean compromising on certain amenities, it could result in a cheaper holiday.

5. Go through a travel agent

Many people prefer booking their trips themselves to avoid paying additional fees to the booking agent. While this may work well for land trips, it could result in missed deals on cruise vacations! This is because cruise specialists often have access to special bulk fares, which may not be available to the general public. They do this by blocking out a large number of cabins on the ship early and then selling them over the next few months.

Hiring a cruise specialist to make one’s bookings could help solo travelers find cheaper rates or access to more amenities or credits on board. Additionally, their knowledge of these ships will also come in handy in helping travelers choose the right room for their needs.

6. Book early or late

This may sound confusing, but there can be major benefits to booking a solo cruise travel trip early or late in 2025.

Booking early

The early bird gets the worm, and the early bookings get the best rates. Cruise lines often open bookings at the lowest rates and have dynamic pricing policies in place for the rest of the bookings. This means that as more rooms fill up, the prices go higher for the remaining inventory.

The easiest way to get a cheap and affordable room as a solo traveler is to book as soon as the sales open. For some cruise ships, this could be as early as 2-3 years before the travel date. This way, not only does one get access to the best prices, but they are also ensured that they get the room of their choice.

Additionally, if a cruise drops its price later on, travelers often have the chance to have their fares reduced to match the current price. These offers may be available until the final payment window, so keep an eye out.

Booking late

In most cases, fares tend to go up as the sailing date approaches. But on some ships, there may be last-minute cancellations or changes, resulting in major price drops at the last minute. That being said, these last-minute deals may only be applicable for certain types of rooms or cabins. Flexible solo travelers can take advantage of these discounts and deals and book their vacations at a cheaper rate .