Who says cruises are only for families?
Whether you’re looking to unwind and chill out or fancy an activity-packed trip, a solo cruise could be right for you.
Our guide has some handy tips and advice on how to make the most of your trip.
Solo vs singles cruises
Solo cruises are when someone heads off on a cruise on their own – whether that’s to relax, explore or just do something different without friends or family.
But don’t get it confused with a singles cruise! These are cruises that are specifically set up for single people who want to meet someone and hopefully find a partner. They can either be for specific age ranges – for instance, for over 50s – or for people of all ages.
Unlike a typical cruise, singles tours will have activities for you to meet people, like speed dating and cocktail parties.
It’s up to you what you’re looking for!
Should I go on a cruise alone?
If you’d like some time to yourself away from daily life, taking a solo cruise can be a great way to unwind.
If you’re looking to socialise, there’s plenty of opportunities to meet new people – but you can just as easily take the time to reconnect with yourself.
They can span from a couple of days to a couple of weeks, so you don’t need to commit to a long trip if it’s your first time going it alone.
If you’re worried about safety, we’ve got some useful safety tips and advice below. If you are too worried, you may want to consider bringing someone with you.
What can I do on a solo cruise?
You may think that a solo cruise runs the risk of being boring. But cruises usually offer lots of fun things for you to do, like:
- water sports
- spa treatments
- on-land tours
- dinner or cocktail parties
- discos
- cooking classes
- dance classes
You can check out a cruise’s activities online before booking to see if they suit you.
How do I dine when I’m cruising solo?
There are lots of options! They’ll typically have both reserved seating and open seating.
If you’d rather eat alone, you can book a table for one in a restaurant. Just ask a member of staff or get in touch ahead of time to see what’s available.
Or, you can choose to eat at an open table with other people if you’d like to mingle.
Cruises also often have more casual dining options like buffets if you’re not looking for anything fancy. Some even have food courts with different kinds of cuisines on offer.
You can check the cruise’s restaurant list and dining events ahead of time.
Which cruise should I choose?
There are lots of things to think about when deciding what’s best for you. If you want to stop off regularly, consider an island or river cruise – European river cruises and Caribbean Island cruises are both very popular.
On the other hand, you might want to fully immerse yourself in the cruise environment. In that case, a transatlantic cruise might be right for you, so you have enough time to enjoy all the perks onboard.
Which specific cruise you choose depends on where you want to go and when, as well as how long for.
It’s best to do a little research around the highest rated cruises for solo travellers before committing to anything.
Also, check that the one you choose is ATOL or ABTA protected. This can give you financial support if the cruise is cancelled before or during your trip.
Solo cruise safety
Cruises are obviously a lot of fun – but it’s also important to make safety a priority, especially if you’re by yourself.
Check out our tips and advice to keep yourself safe and secure on your solo cruise.
Tell people where you’re going
Before you head off on your trip, give someone you trust your travel information, including:
- where the cruise ship is leaving from and arriving to
- any stops the cruise ship is making along the way
- when any stops are scheduled to happen
It’s also a good idea to give them any important phone numbers, like the cruise’s customer services line.
Be aware of the risks
There are a few things that could put you in danger on a solo cruise, including:
- walking alone at night
- going back to a stranger’s cabin
- drinking too much alcohol
If you’re unsure whether you want to do something and you think it could be dangerous, it’s best to not do it.
Get familiar with the layout
Whether you’re cruising alone or with others, it’s always important to know where the main parts of the ship are and how to get there. That includes:
- muster stations – this is where you need to go if there’s an alarm or drill
- the medical bay
- your own cabin
If you can’t find any maps of the ship, ask a member of staff to either give you one or direct you to one.
Take a picture of it with your phone so you have it to hand all the time.
Solo safety on land
Some cruises make stops at different spots during the trip. If you’re planning on getting off and exploring these new places, here are a few of our tips for exploring solo:
- Be back onboard well before departure time: follow the cruise line’s return time and set an alarm for half an hour before this. Make sure you’re not travelling too far from the ship, either, so you’re back with time to spare.
- Stay in busier, well-known areas: it’s a good idea to avoid any particularly quiet or suspicious areas.
- Don’t go anywhere with strangers: even if you feel like you can trust them, remember that you don’t know them!
- Keep your bag close to you and zipped up: don’t leave it anywhere unattended and keep it close when you’re walking around.
Other safety tips
Some other important things to keep in mind on a cruise include:
- Stand back from the edge: don’t hang over or climb the ship’s railing and especially keep away from it when it’s night time.
- Keep your things safe: keep valuables stored in your safety deposit box in your cabin (or well-hidden if one isn't available) and and don’t leave your bag unattended when you’re out on deck.
- Say something if you feel unsafe: tell a member of staff or security officer if someone onboard is making you feel unsafe.
Check out our water safety tips if you plan on swimming in the sea during your trip.
Can I get travel insurance for my solo cruise?
Yes. A lot of travel insurers offer cruise cover, but it’s often an add-on to a travel policy.
You’ll need to have our cruise cover add-on for travel insurance if you’re going on a cruise.
Adding this means you'll have standard travel cover and cover for things like:
- missed cruise departures
- being confined to your cabin for medical reasons
- if your cruise is interrupted for medical reasons
Don’t forget that policy limits and exclusions apply.
Boats only sailing through canals or rivers don't need cruise cover, but please check with us if you're unsure.
