CRUISING SOLO? 12 Things All Solo Cruisers Need to Know

Solo cruising is gaining popularity! In fact, you might be wondering if taking a solo cruise is for you. Before you decide, here are some solo cruise tips you must know, as well as some watch outs to ensure you are cruising safely as a solo traveler.

In this video I share cruise tips and advice for solo cruising, from dining solo to traveling on your own before, during and after your cruise vacation.

We also look at solo cruise rates and singles cruise prices, and how to get the best deal as a solo cruise passenger. Whether you're thinking about a solo studio cabin for a single passenger, or any other type of cruise ship cabin, these cruise tips and tricks will help!

Solo cruise travel is a trend that isn't going away, and many cruise lines are trying to accommodate this growing trend of cruisers.

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🛳 THE ULTIMATE CRUISE PLANNER 🛳

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CRUISE ESSENTIALS

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Please note that I am unable to give personal cruise and travel advice. If you leave a comment I try my best to answer.

ABOUT ME
Hi! I'm Ilana! I live in Montreal, Canada with my husband Frank. We can often be found dreaming about and planning future cruises, ideally to hot and sunny destinations! I believe in having fun, being kind and that you are never too old, or too young, to live the life of your dreams!

Please note that I do not sell cruises on Life Well Cruised. This and all other videos are for entertainment purposes only. I share my own opinions, personal experiences and information with other cruise travellers, which I hope can be helpful. Please contact your travel agent or the cruise line directly for advice and any information specific to your booking.
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Some of the video footage courtesy of Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Princess Cruises.
Music Credit: Surf Time by Lux-InspiraMusicMusic Credit: Surf Time by Lux-InspiraMusic

[carljackson]

I've Done A Solo Cruise 8 Days. IT WAS AMAZING !!!! The Freedom, The Peace Of Mind. I've Met So Many New Friends That Are Lifelong Friends Now.

[ninjakris]

I see a growing trend, especially amongst us baby boomers as spouses pass. We’re getting out and enjoying whatever time we still have left while we’re still physically capable.

[Jazzykatt]

Twenty-four years ago I was supposed to cruise with a friend as a college graduation trip. She backed out of the trip and I couldn’t find anyone to come with me. I was in my mid 20s but decided to go alone. I was petrified. However, I met a girl my age on the shuttle from the airport to the ship. We connected right away. That same day, I met my now husband. It was the best trip of my life.

[herminacarmona]

My husband passed away many years ago and I have been cruising solo several times a year. I still occasionally cruise with a friend or relative, but enjoy the adventure and independence of being alone. It’s absolutely necessary to be more aware of choices onboard and how you handle shore side activities. Safety is paramount! I always book ship excursions especially in unfamiliar ports.

[incognito]

Cruise story: So on my first cruise (I was cruising with my husband) I started chatting it up with a girl (I will call her M) and her friend at the bar before sail away. They were doing a girls' getaway cruise...M was married, her friend was not. The next day, we ran into M at the same bar and she was upset. Turns out her single friend she was cruising with met a guy the first day and completely ditched her. So she hung out with my husband and I the rest of the cruise. We kept in touch post-cruise and she ended up inviting us on another cruise with her husband (she said she will never cruise without him again lol). We went and had a great time...the husbands get along great. Since then, we have been on 3 more cruises with them and met up with them in Vegas. They are now are "vacation buddies". Just wanted to share.

[stacythomas]

I'm 56, single wth no kids. Doing a ten-day Western Europe cruise in September and a 16day Transatlantic cruise to the Mediterranean in April '24. Both are NCL and I've book the studio staterooms. I don't mind cozy areas and prefer my own company. I plan on treating myself to several spa treatments and catching up on some books.

[donotcallme]

Hi Ilana! One recent update to solo cruising single supplement pricing is to now avoid Celebrity! They've recently changed their price structure and are now charging up to 3x MORE for a solo cruiser in a cabin versus two people in the same cabin. I saw several recent videos and news articles about it and tested it myself. I priced out the same cruise and the same cabin for three different cruise itineraries (two Caribbean and one Alaska) and in all cases, the solo price was much higher than if two people were in the same cabin. In the Alaska case, the cabin price was $3, 484 for two people (just the room price - not including gratuities, travel protection, etc....just the basic room price) and the same cabin charge for a solo cruiser was $5, 385! So if you're a solo cruiser and you're trying to save money, avoid Celebrity now at all costs!

[lindajackson]

I have done over 20 plus cruises solo. I am glad to see so many people have decided to enjoy the Solo cruise Life.

[HueNguyen-cfok]

I just cruised solo last month, October 2023, but not by choice. My partner passed away a few months before the cruise which we had booked at the beginning of the year. Since it was already fully paid, I have to go. Although I cried a lot during the cruise because I miss my partner, but I found it's not bad to cruise solo. The incident just recently happened, so I'm still feeling lost; therefore, I did not participate in any cruise activities. However, I felt relaxed. I'm looking forward to cruise again solo, but hopefully I won't be depressed as I am this time.

[ericmills]

I’ve only cruised solo. I didn’t think I would like it. It’s the perfect solo trip.

[glennletts]

I travel solo because my wife is in a memory care unit, some days she knows who I am. I do need to be around other people in order to keep my outlook high. Our son takes over taking care of his mom. I do travel with the full blessing of family and friends as caring for someone who need 24/7 care as very draining. I do table shareing and have a cell phone plan that gives me data in most contries that I go to. Going solo is a great way to recharge my batteries and get ready for round of visting my wife and watch her go futher down in the need for care.

[smba]

I don't like eating in main dining room at dinner on my own especially on formal nights. I like traditional dining with same wait staff and tablemates every night. I don't mind eating in the buffet on my own.

[tammyreynoldson]

I’m leaving LAX for Mexican Riviera Cruise this March 26-April 2. I’m 65 and cruising solo. I found out three years ago that I have both leukemia cancer and stage four kidney failure. I don’t have a lot of money but I decided then and there to save as much as possible and try to go on a nice vacation every two years or sooner if possible. I started the travel bug fresh out of high school as foreign exchange student traveling abroad for several weeks. I put the bug in my two sons by taking them on a Caribbean Vacation down as far as Belize. They both travel the world now whenever possible. I make friends everywhere so I will have a blast with my new friends on the Norwegian Bliss (I always cruise NCL great service and product for great prices, no hype or hidden games! So be brave and if you don’t have a travel partner no worries. By the way, Ilana I’m the lady that mentioned buying yourself flowers and party extras for your stateroom to decorate then be sure to give your flowers to someone on the ship. My name is Tammy Reynoldson and I learned so much from your videos, thanks

[KBin]

I am married but cruise solo all the time and I'm getting ready to do my second solo transAtlantic! I'm even building my own YouTube channel about cruising solo. Your videos have been so helpful! Cruising solo is a wonderful way to see the world in an all inclusive way and have a vacation entirely centered around your own likes and dislikes, your own energy level, your own preferences. I highly recommend!

[DancEncounters]

I love cruising solo. I also love cruising with my husband, but he doesn't like to cruise. So after a few fun times together, we settled on our current pattern. I cruise alone, he enjoys time alone. And sometimes my daughter comes with me.

I enjoy eating on my own at restaurants on land, and the same on the ship. I always bring a book.

[ruffs]

I am 53, single with no children, and live in another hemisphere from my family. As such, I do alot of things solo. I have cruised 7 times, 3 times solo. Have an Asain solo cruise booked in October 2023 and a family cruise to Alaska booked in June 2024. People on cruises often reach out to me when they see me at dinner or on excursions as a solo cruiser, much more so than cruising with my family. On my first solo cruise (3rd overall), the crew made me feel welcome before I got on the ship. When trying to keep families together going through security, they boisterously thanked me for cruising solo. Each type of cruise is amazing and I hope to continue both solo and with family.

[matthewferrick]

I've been divorced since 2016 and retired since 2020 so instead of sitting around doing nothing I started solo cruising to see new places and meet new people. I like NCL because they have the solo studios and solo get togethers. The solo advisor gets us reservations at specialty restaurants and shows. We would meet up for drinks or go dancing. I've made friends that I've exchanged numbers with and we talk on the phone every week and still take cruises together to this day.

[carolynlewis]

I have cruised solo several times and I love it. I do what I want to when I want to. Hope that doesn't sound selfish but I just want to be able to relax and chill. I never have to worry about meeting other cruisers. I usually meet 25 to 30 people, both couples and and other solo cruisers. Sometimes I am at a table for dinner with others and some times I eat alone. I usually take excursions through the ship. There is an opportunity to meet even more people. The only down side is paying for double occupancy. If there are solo cabins it hard to get one, they go fast. I say if you are thinking about solo cruising try it, you will probably be pleasantly surprised.

[Nothing]

I’m planning to take a solo cruise and this really helps boost my confidence! I’ve never traveled alone or gone on a cruise, but I don’t want to let life pass me by just because I have no one to go with!!!! I’m nervous and excited. Now I just need to figure out length, when, and where 😂

[georgieboy]

I'm taking my first solo cruise in April. After mulling it over and doing the research I'm taking the plunge. The diffrence with me is I also have a disability. However I have spoken to other disabled solo travelers and to the access dept of my cruise line. I've traveled on land on my own numerous times and I don't think it will be that much different on a cruise ship. After all, they are like floating hotels. The shore excursions may be a little tricky to manage but all I want to book is a few beach days. I think this is doable. I'm blind so sight seeing, sunsets and sunrises etc aren't an issue for me. I also like interior cabins so it is quite affordable. I've taken two previous cruises with my sighted partner but now he just wants to stay home. Life is too short I say so I'm off.