Solo Travel Cruises Around the World
Where to cruise alone, and what each region means when there is only one of you.
Get Free Solo Cruise QuotesSolo Travel Cruises: Pick the Region First
Most advice for people who cruise alone starts with the single supplement. We start with the map. Solo travel cruises feel very different in Alaska, in Europe, in the Caribbean or at the bottom of the world, and the region you choose decides how social the trip is, how much you will explore on your own and which ships with cabins for one are even available.
Single World Cruises takes the destinations one at a time. For each region we look at the things that change when there is only one of you: how the days ashore work for a single traveler, which kinds of ships sail there, whether any of them carry solo cabins, how long the trip runs and what it takes to get there. The mechanics that apply everywhere, such as how supplements are calculated, how solo staterooms are laid out and how to meet people on board, are covered in depth on our sister site Sailing Single, so we do not repeat them here.
Alaska Alone
Glaciers, wildlife and long days on deck, plus how cruisetours work for one.
Solo cruise Alaska →
Europe Alone
Busy port days, cities to wander and the ships with single cabins that summer there.
Solo cruise Europe →
From Florida
Short Bahamas and Caribbean trips from home ports you can drive or fly to in a day.
Solo cruises from Florida →
Antarctica Alone
Expedition ships, shared cabins and the no-supplement offers polar lines run.
Solo Antarctica cruise →How the Regions Compare for One Traveler
| Region | Social feel on board | Days ashore | Typical length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | Friendly; everyone is on deck for glaciers and whales | Small towns, easy to walk alone; tours for wildlife | About a week, longer with a land tour |
| Europe (Mediterranean and north) | Varies by ship; many guests are out all day | Big cities and old towns, ideal for solo wandering | Seven to fourteen nights is common |
| Caribbean and Bahamas from Florida | Lively; the most organized activities | Beaches and short stops | Three to seven nights |
| Antarctica and the polar regions | Very social; shared landings and lectures | Zodiac landings with a group | Ten days to three weeks |
| World cruises and long segments | A close community forms over weeks | A different country every few days | A few weeks to several months |
No region is wrong for a solo traveler, but each asks something different of you. Europe suits people who are happy exploring a city by themselves and swapping stories at dinner. Alaska and the polar regions suit people who would rather share a view than a nightclub. The Caribbean suits anyone who wants a short, easy first try at sailing solo. A world cruise suits the traveler who wants to settle into one ship and let friendships build slowly.
What Changes When You Choose by Destination
Choosing the region first has a practical payoff. Solo staterooms are scarce, and the ships that carry them follow the seasons: north to Alaska and Europe for summer, south to the Caribbean for winter, and in a few cases to Asia or Australia. If you fix your heart on a destination and a month, the shortlist of ships with cabins for one becomes short indeed, and you know early whether you are hunting for a solo cabin or comparing supplements on a standard room.
Region also decides the shape of your day. On a port-heavy Mediterranean itinerary you may spend eight or nine hours ashore most days, so the ship becomes a hotel and the city becomes your companion. On an Alaska or Antarctica voyage the scenery comes to the ship, and the people beside you at the rail become your company. Knowing which of those you prefer is the most useful thing a solo cruiser can decide.
Where Our Advisors Come In
Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise keep track of which ships with solo cabins are sailing where, which lines are running reduced-supplement offers in a given season, and which itineraries suit someone traveling alone. Tell us the region and the month, and we will compare a solo cabin, a standard cabin with a supplement and any current offer side by side, then hold the one you choose. For sale-season timing, keep an eye on Wave Season, and for regular deal alerts the Mister Cruise cruise newsletter is free.
The Single World Cruises guide is part of a wider network: the Official Cruise Directory lists every kind of cruise, the Official River Cruise Directory covers river sailings (including solo river departures), the Official Travel Directory handles land travel and tours, Best of the USA covers the best of home, and Be a Travel Agent is the place to start if you would like to sell travel yourself.
Single World Cruises is part of the Smart Traveler network, led by Mister Cruise. He has sold travel since 1972 and worked full-time in the industry since 1977. He has sold or originated more than $500 million in cruises and has trained more than 500 travel agents.
When you ask for a quote, our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise handle it personally — not a call center — and book everything for you. Meet Mister Cruise →
Choosing Where to Cruise Solo
Which region is easiest for a first solo cruise?
A short Bahamas or Caribbean sailing from a Florida port is the gentlest start: no long flight, a big choice of ships, and a few days to find out whether cruising alone suits you before committing to a long voyage.
Where does a solo traveler feel most at home on board?
Expedition voyages and long ocean crossings tend to be the most social, because everyone shares the same lectures, landings and sea days. Big resort ships in the Caribbean offer the most organized activities, while Europe rewards travelers who enjoy exploring a city by themselves.
Do solo cabins exist in every region?
No. Purpose-built solo cabins are found only on certain ships, and those ships move between regions with the seasons. The trick is to match the region you want with a ship that has them on your dates, which is exactly what our cruise advisors check.
Do you organize singles groups?
This site is about choosing where to cruise as a solo traveler. If you would rather sail with a hosted singles group, our sister site Singles Group Cruises explains how those sailings work.
Tell Us Where You Want to Sail Solo
Name the region and roughly when you can go. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will look for ships with solo cabins on those dates, compare reduced-supplement offers and send free quotes.
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