The Best Cruises For Singles Looking For Love (Or More)

Cruises can be surprisingly good places to meet someone, whether you’re looking for romance, a holiday fling or just some fun with other singles. But the cruise you choose can make a huge difference.

You could try a dedicated singles sailing, pick a cruise line known for its nightlife or go much further with a clothing-optional lifestyle cruise, where pineapples and flamingos can have a rather different meaning.

So, if meeting other singles is high on your holiday wish list, here are the cruise options worth considering.

Option One: Sexy Themed Cruises

Most ‘sexy cruises’ are actually lifestyle or swingers events, so it’s important to check exactly who can book before assuming they’re designed for singles.

Some are primarily aimed at couples and single women, which means they won’t necessarily be a good fit if you’re a single man or a woman hoping to meet single men. You can find out more in my guide to swingers cruises.

One of the better-known alternatives is Temptation Cruises, which offers adults-only party cruises with a much more playful atmosphere than you’d find on a regular sailing.

What to expect on a Temptation cruise:

• Topless-optional areas
• Pool parties
• DJs and entertainment
• Theme nights
• Adults-only atmosphere
• All-inclusive drinks

Read more: The Spicy Secrets Of Temptation Cruises, Revealed!

Public sexual activity isn’t permitted, so don’t mistake Temptation for an anything-goes sex cruise. But it certainly offers a more flirtatious, adults-only atmosphere than a typical sailing. You can read more about sex on cruise ship balconies here.

And Temptation isn’t the only option. Killing Kittens also runs luxury lifestyle cruises with an emphasis on freedom, connection and a femme-led atmosphere.

What to expect on a Killing Kittens cruise:

• Femme-led, inclusive atmosphere
• Dedicated play spaces
• Dancing and bars
• Social events
• No set agenda or pressure
• All-inclusive food and drinks

Killing Kittens is designed so that guests can socialise, explore or simply enjoy the cruise without any pressure to participate in anything they don’t want to.

So, if you’re looking for something considerably more adventurous than a conventional singles cruise, these lifestyle sailings are worth considering.

Option Two: Singles Cruises

Another option to consider if you want to meet other unattached people who are up for a good time is a singles cruise.

Not everyone on these ships will necessarily be part of the singles cruise. Many are organised by travel agents or specialist companies, with hosted events like cocktail parties, breakfast meet-ups, games and other activities to help solo travellers get to know each other.

However, if you’re looking to hook up with no strings attached, these might not be ideal. Some people will be looking for love, and others will just want to make friends.

So, while you should never assume that everyone on a singles cruise is up for it, you’ll stand a better chance of meeting someone who wants to get down.

Some singles cruises are only open to certain age groups, like 20s and 30s, over-40s or over-50s. If you prefer to meet people your age, it would be wise to choose one of these options.

Some of these sailings will be singles-only cruises, but others will be singles events on a cruise that also has other passengers. Be careful not to chat up someone who has their partner on board!

For more information about singles cruises, check out my guide: Single Cruises: How They Work & Best Options.

Option Three: Music-Themed Cruises

If the idea of a dedicated singles cruise sounds a bit too much, there are some other themed cruises that might suit you. These can give you a good chance of meeting someone you like, but with no pressure.

There’s a whole host of music-themed cruises to choose from, covering every genre you can think of, including rock, pop, reggae and heavy metal. These cruises are like floating festivals – one key difference being that everyone’s had a shower (you would hope!).

On a music-themed cruise, you’ll be able to dance the night away to songs from some of your favourite artists. And while you’re doing that, you’re bound to meet other people with similar musical tastes, including plenty of singles. Find out more by reading my list of music cruises.

Option Four: Regular Cruises

Sometimes the best cruises for singles are just regular cruises. And there are some cruise ships which are much better for meeting fellow single travellers than others.

The 10 Best Cruise Lines for Singles

Firstly, you’ll want to choose a cruise line that has other passengers in your age group. If you’re single and under 30 or 40, consider the following cruise lines which attract a younger crowd:

• Carnival
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Virgin Voyages
• Royal Caribbean
• Celebrity Cruises

If you’re single and over 50, then these cruise lines are more suited to single seniors:

• Cunard
• Fred. Olsen
• Holland America Line
• P&O Cruises
• Saga

If you’re looking for a fun adults-only cruise, I highly recommend Virgin Voyages. This cruise line is unlike any other and offers the ideal place for younger singles to meet and have fun.

Carnival cruises also tend to attract a younger crowd, particularly on short weekend cruises and during the spring break season. You can read more about Carnival singles cruises here.

Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line both offer singles mixers events. These can be a great place for single parents to get together at set times while their children are in the care of the kids’ club.

Read more: The Best Party Cruises For Fun & Nightlife

The Best Destinations for Singles

The next thing to think about is the destination. You’ll probably want to pick somewhere warm, as the combination of sunshine and swimwear will set you off on the right path.

If you’re in the US, then a cruise from Florida to the Bahamas is a great option. These short cruises tend to include a day at a private island, where you can spend the day at the beach with people from the ship.

If you live in the UK, then a short cruise with an overnight stop in Amsterdam would be a great option for people who like to have a good time. Consider booking an excursion with the cruise line as a way to get to know your fellow passengers better.

Shorter sailings, particularly weekend cruises, tend to attract more groups of friends and solo travellers. On a longer cruise, you’re likely to find more couples and families.

Try a Cruise Dating App

If you want to find people to hook up with on your cruise, it’s worth downloading the Cruise Ship Mingle app. This dating app has been specially developed for cruisers, so that you can message or chat with like-minded people before and during your cruise.

It’s Not Weird to Cruise Alone…

Solo cruising is much more common than it once was, and a growing number of cruise ships now have dedicated cabins for solo passengers. These can help you avoid paying a hefty single supplement for a cabin designed for two.

However, it tends to be more single women who travel alone, since it’s a safer option. Cruise ship staff are always on hand to provide assistance, and passengers are generally looking for a friendly atmosphere. Organised excursions are great for women who are worried about going ashore alone.

Most people make friends on cruise ships. Sitting at a large table for meals is a good way to get to know others over dinner. Some people find friends that they cruise with again many times in the future.

Suggested read: Here’s What Each Cruise Line Offers For Solos

Cruises and Sex

Cruise ships used to have a reputation for being a little wild for one-night stands. But they are now much more relaxed, with most ships welcoming families.

It’s certainly possible to get laid on a cruise ship. You can boost your chances by booking a fun party cruise or a speciality singles cruise, rather than a cruise ship that has a lot of couples and families on board.

Many, but not all, cruise ships sell condoms in the onboard shops. A few even offer the morning-after pill. But it’s always best to plan ahead and pack condoms or the pill to take with you, rather than rely on the onboard stores.

Romantic or sexual relationships between crew members and passengers are generally prohibited under crew rules, and a crew member could lose their job as a result. It’s best to stick to meeting fellow passengers.

To Sum Up

There’s no single best cruise for meeting someone new. It really depends on whether you’re looking for romance, a holiday fling or simply the chance to have fun with other singles.

A dedicated singles or lifestyle cruise gives you the best chance of meeting like-minded people, but a regular cruise can work just as well if you choose a lively ship and a shorter itinerary.

And even if romance doesn’t happen, you could still come home with a few new friends and some very good stories.

Related Posts:

• 13 Best Nude & Clothing-Optional Cruises
• How To Get Laid On A Carnival Cruise
• The 12 Best Adults-Only All-Inclusive Cruises
• The Hidden Cost Of Solo Cruising – And How To Beat It