Trip Planning Cruises The 8 Best Cruises for Solo Travelers of 2023 By Amber Nolan Amber Nolan Amber is a restless travel writer with more than 10 years of experience. She covers travel products for TripSavvy. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 12/09/22 Share Pin Email We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Getty Images / CasarsaGuru The Rundown Best for Millennials: U River Cruises – See Rates "Sleek and stylish ships equipped with several modern cabins for solo travelers." Best for Over 50: Saga Cruises – See Rates "There’s a single’s mingle drink hour, single’s lunch, and single’s meet ups for cultural shore excursions." Best Spa Experience: Norwegian Cruise Line – See Rates at Expedia "When booking a solo stateroom, passengers get keycard access the Studio Lounge — shared only by other Studio guests." Best Alaskan Cruise: Royal Caribbean – See Rates at Expedia "Step inside the North Star, a rotating glass capsule for 360-degree views of the stunning Alaskan wilderness." Best River Cruise: American Cruise Lines – See Rates "The open-seating dining program and included cocktail hours make it easy for solo traveler to get to know fellow passengers." Best for Adventure: Cruise and Maritime Voyages – See Rates "The company caters to singles by offering dedicated cabins at a lower cost in both oceanview and interior." Best Transatlantic Crossing: Cunard – See Rates "The vessel is also known for outstanding cuisine." Best European Cruise: Fred Olsen's Cruises – See Rates "A U.K.-based company that caters to solo travelers with small ocean ships." Best for Millennials: U River Cruises Courtesy of U by Uniworld Buy on Ubyuniworld.com Sails from: Vienna, Austria Duration: 10 daysShip Name: River PrincessItinerary: Passes through many Austrian and German towns including Nuremberg before ending in Prague, Czech Republic Geared towards millennials, U River Cruises takes a hip approach to river cruising, with sleek and stylish ships equipped with several modern cabins for solo travelers. The company offers many cruises around the world, but with a focus on Europe. One option we have chosen to highlight goes from Vienna to Prague. The River Princess, a 128-passenger ship, features sophisticated ambiance and stylish public spaces. The rooms have Handcrafted Savoir Beds of England and marble bathrooms. The ship has three different lounges for meeting other travelers and enjoying some drinks which are included in your cruise. If you'd prefer to spend some time alone and read, there is also a library. Best for Over 50: Saga Cruises Courtesy of Saga Cruises Buy on Co.uk Sails from: DoverDuration: 15 daysShip Name: Spirit of DiscoveryItinerary: Dover, UK; Gothenburg, Sweden; Visby, Sweden; Stockholm, Sweden; Tallinn, Estonia; Kotka, Finland; Helsinki, Finland; Warnemünde, Germany; Copenhagen, Denmark; Skagen, Denmark; Dover, UK; The U.K.-based cruise line, Saga, offers ocean cruising on smaller ships for the over-50 crowd and its ship Spirit of Discovery has many cabins perfect for solo travelers. All single's cabins have balconies and at least 215 feet of space, and there’s even single's suites for more space. The company offers door-to-door pick-up service to transfer guests to the ship. The ship focuses on boutique luxury cruising, and the intimate atmosphere makes it easy to create comradery with other guests. Shore excursions as well as on board bars, dining, and entertainment provide great opportunities for singles to meet. Best Spa Experience: Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Cruise Line Buy on Expedia.com Sails from: New YorkDuration: 7 nightsShip Name: Norwegian EscapeItinerary: Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda; New York, NY While solo traveler staterooms were a bit more common on smaller expedition ships, NCL made waves in the industry when it introduced trendy solo staterooms on the Norwegian Epic. Now, several of the NCL ships have these coveted rooms, including the Norwegian Escape. When booking a solo stateroom, passengers also get keycard access to the Studio Lounge — shared only by other Studio guests. Escape also features a fabulous spa complete with a snow room and a salt room for unwinding, as well as “the Waterfront,” a quarter-mile oceanfront promenade lined with signature dining venues. On the Bermuda voyage, guests will spend three full days in port before returning to New York. Best Alaskan Cruise: Royal Caribbean Courtesy of Royal Caribbean Buy on Expedia.com Sails from: SeattleDuration: 7 nightsShip Name: Ovation of the SeasItinerary: Juneau, Skagway, Victoria, Vancouver Solo travelers can explore scenic Alaska on Ovation of the Seas, one of Royal Caribbean’s newest vessels. Step inside the North Star, a rotating glass capsule for 360-degree views of the stunning Alaskan wilderness, or, for even more thrills, try the sky diving or surf simulators. The Ovation of the Seas has two types of solo staterooms. One of them is interior rooms with a technologically generated virtual balcony and view. The has a real balcony. Either way, both come with full-sized beds. The cabins can also be difficult to book online – so plan in advance and try calling a travel agent or Royal Caribbean directly. See more reviews of the best Alaska cruises you can book today. Best River Cruise: American Cruise Lines Courtesy of American Cruise Lines Buy on Americancruiselines.com Sails from: New York CityDuration: 7 nights, 8 daysShip Name: American Constitution Itinerary: Catskill, Albany, Kingston, Hyde Park, West Point, Sleepy Hollow, New York City If you’d like to cruise in your own backyard, American Cruise Lines is a small-ship company that explores waterways in the U.S. like the Mississippi, Columbia and Snake Rivers, the East Coast’s Intracoastal Waterway, and more. Single cabins are found on every one of the company’s vessels and are some of the largest in the industry, including the American Constitution — a 170-passenger ship with both interior balcony staterooms ranging from 226 to 238 square feet. The open-seating dining program and included cocktail hours make it easy for solo travelers to get to know fellow passengers. In addition, the Hudson River fall foliage voyage sails round trip from New York City. Best for Adventure: Cruise and Maritime Voyages Cruise and Maritime Buy on Cruiseandmaritime.com Sails from: Portbury (Somerset, England)Duration: 12 nightsShip Name: Magellan Itinerary: Kollafjørður, Faroe Islands; Seyðisfjörður, Iceland; Akureyri, Iceland; Ísafjörður; Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland; Cobh, Ireland; Portbury, England If you’re a solo traveler seeking an adventurous experience, consider a ship from Cruise and Maritime Voyages. The company caters to singles by offering dedicated cabins at a lower cost in both oceanview and interior styles, as well as onboard events and get-togethers with your fellow passengers. The Magellan ship carries 1,250 guests and offers lively evening comedy shows and cabarets, along with educational guest speakers and arts and crafts. Passengers can also have some quiet time in the library, two outdoor swimming pools or three heated whirlpools, wellness center (for massage treatments), or in many comfortable lounges. Best Transatlantic Crossing: Cunard Cunard Buy on Cunard.com Sails from: SouthamptonDuration: 7 nightsShip Name: Queen Mary 2Itinerary: New York, NY Cunard specializes in luxury cruises across the Atlantic on the regal ocean liner, Queen Mary 2, a bucket list voyage for every cruise enthusiast. The 2,691-passenger ship has lovely single staterooms with large picture windows, a desk and vanity, and tasteful, modern décor. Like single cabins on other vessels, these rooms sell out quickly so book early. Queen Mary 2 has some unique activities like the planetarium at sea, lavish gala nights where guests don their finest evening attire, and the company’s signature white-glove afternoon tea. The vessel is also known for outstanding cuisine both in the Britannia main dining room and in specialty restaurants like the Verandah steakhouse or the King's Court – which features a different type of cuisine every evening. Best European Cruise: Fred Olsen's Cruises Fred Olsen's Cruises Buy on Fredolsencruises.com Sails from: PortsmouthDuration: 12 nightsShip Name: BalmoralItinerary: Lisbon, Portugal; Cadiz, Spain; Madeira, Portugal; Vigo, Spain; La Coruña, Spain; Portsmouth, UK A U.K.-based company, Fred Olsen caters to solo travelers with smaller ocean ships, such as the 710 cabin Balmoral. Plus, they offer special rates on voyages for singles and solo staterooms on each of its three vessels. Balmoral has every type of room you could imagine from small interior cabins of just 130 square feet to large suites of 601 square feet and everything in between. Rooms have flat screen televisions and USB charge ports. Some room types will have additional features such as mini fridges or coffee and tea makers. Being based in the UK, Fred Olsen's cruises tend to focus on the Atlantic and Europe. Their offerings include some great options to Spain and Portugal. Need more help planning your cruise? 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