The Hidden Cost Of Solo Cruising – And How To Beat It

This is a sponsored post for Ambassador Cruise Line

Do you know what’s the most common question I get asked about cruising? “Where can you find good solo deals?”

Seriously, every email I send out – especially my weekly deals emails on a Thursday – has replies asking about good solo cruise options.

And it’s not because everyone that follows me or subscribes to me is single. It’s just because a good solo deal is so much harder to find than those for couples or families. I know, because I look every week to try and help out the single travellers!

And then there are the people who are worried about what solo cruising is even like!

So, here’s everything you need to know about solo cruising – how it works, what to look for, and how to find the best solo cruise deals.

The Real Cost Of Cruising Alone

The blunt reality of solo cruising is that pricing can be a shock.

Most cruise fares are built around double occupancy cabins, which means the price you see advertised is usually based on two people sharing.

When you try to book as a solo traveller, that number can increase dramatically because of the solo supplement. In practical terms, many cruise lines ask you to cover a large chunk of the second person’s fare, up to the entire cost, even though no second person is actually staying in the cabin.

This is where the frustration starts for a lot of people. A cruise that looks like a bargain at first glance can quietly become one of the most expensive ways to travel once the solo pricing is applied.

It is not unusual to see cruises jump by 50 percent or even close to 100 percent when booked for one person. For anyone trying to travel independently, this can make cruising feel unfairly out of reach compared with land-based trips or packages.

Why Cruise Lines Still Struggle with Solo Travellers

Cruise ships were designed decades ago for couples. Cabins, entertainment, dining rooms, and even marketing were created with pairs in mind. Then, families became the big target for a lot of cruise lines.

Solo cruising has grown rapidly, but not every cruise line has adapted fully.

Some cruise lines have introduced single cabins, but in very limited numbers. Others quietly price their single cabins higher than standard doubles to offset lost revenue. Even when a cruise line claims to be solo-friendly, the reality often involves compromises.

You might get a single cabin, but no social opportunities. Or you might find social events, but still be paying close to a double fare.

The result is that solo travellers often have to work harder to find cruises that feel both fairly priced and genuinely comfortable to travel on alone.

What A Good Solo Cruise Experience Actually Looks Like

Beyond price, there is the experience itself. Being on a ship alone should not feel awkward or isolating. The best solo cruise experiences are the ones where being alone feels normal, not notable.

That usually comes down to ship design and atmosphere. On calmer, adult-focused ships, it feels perfectly natural to sit with a book in a lounge, take a coffee out on deck, have a swim, or enjoy a quiet drink in the evening.

Dining should feel flexible, with neutral options for both solo tables and shared tables.

Social interaction should be available but not forced, with low-pressure ways to meet fellow travellers.

When these things are missing, solo cruising can feel uncomfortable very quickly. When they are done well, it becomes one of the easiest and most relaxing ways to travel independently.

Where Many Cruise Lines Fall Short

A common issue is that some cruise lines treat solo travellers as an afterthought. Solo deals appear only at the last minute. Single cabins sell out quickly. Information about solo pricing is buried deep in booking systems.

This creates a sense that solo guests are fitting into a product that was never really built for them. You can still have a great time, but the process of getting there can feel unnecessarily difficult and expensive. You just feel less welcomed, honestly.

That is why the choice of cruise line matters far more for solo travellers than it does for couples or families.

Why More Solo Travellers Are Turning to Ambassador

Having said all of that, and made it sound like solo cruising can be a bit of a nightmare, there are some cruise lines that stand out in a good way.

That’s because they treat solo cruising as a core part of their offering, rather than a bolt-on. This is where Ambassador has quietly built a strong reputation.

Instead of occasional solo deals, it regularly offers sailings with low or no solo supplements.

Single cabins are built into different cabin grades – there’s no cramped box room with a sofa bed (and yes, that’s a thing on some cruise lines…) You can actually get solo Ocean View and Balcony cabins on an Ambassador cruise!

 The overall style of the ships is calmer and more adult-focused, which naturally suits people travelling alone.

Another key difference is transparency. Solo deals are not hidden. They are easy to find and clearly flagged – a handy “No Solo Supplement” banner on each applicable deal. When you’re browsing their cruises, a toggle switch to flick between solo and two-sharing prices.

That simple approach removes a lot of the stress and scepticism that solo travellers often feel when searching for cruises.

It means less time second-guessing prices and more time focusing on where you actually want to go.

The Type of Traveller Solo Cruising Suits Best

Solo cruising tends to work especially well for travellers who value simplicity and structure.

You unpack once, sleep in the same bed every night, and let the ship handle the logistics. That makes it particularly appealing if you enjoy seeing multiple destinations without constantly moving hotels or navigating unfamiliar transport systems.

It also suits people who like having the choice to be social without the pressure to be social.

You can join a group excursion one day and spend the next quietly watching the sea from a deck chair. There are social get-togethers, and you can join them if you want.

Dining? It’s up to you whether you’re alone, or sat with other solo travellers.

That kind of flexibility is difficult to replicate in many other types of solo travel.

Why The Right Cruise Line Changes Everything

The difference between a bad solo cruise and a great one usually comes down to two things: pricing fairness and atmosphere.

If you feel overcharged before you even board, it is harder to relax. If the ship environment feels geared entirely towards couples, it can feel isolating even in a crowded space.

Cruise lines that actively design for solo travellers change that experience completely. When your cabin is appropriately sized, your fare feels reasonable, and the social environment feels natural rather than forced, solo cruising starts to feel luxurious rather than lonely.

This is the area where Ambassador does really well. It balances realistic pricing with a ship style that suits independent travellers far better than many larger, more chaotic ships in the market.

What Makes Ambassador Especially Strong for Solo Cruisers

Let’s summarise why Ambassador Cruise Line could be your perfect choice for solo travel:

• Dedicated single cabins available on selected cabin grades
• Regular no or low solo supplement offers
• Hosted solo socials on longer cruises

• Calm, adult-focused ships with a relaxed onboard feel
• Friendly, visible crew who make it easy to feel at home
• Flexible dining with solo and shared table options
• Fast and organised disembarkation in port for more time ashore
• Easy, no-fly travel from regional UK ports

The Bottom Line

Solo cruising is not always the cheapest way to travel, and it is not always the easiest. But when you choose a cruise line that genuinely understands solo travellers, it can become one of the most relaxed and rewarding ways to see the world.

The right cruise line makes all the difference. Fairer pricing, a welcoming atmosphere, and ships that feel comfortable when you are travelling alone change the experience completely.

That is where Ambassador really stands out. It feels built for real people, not just couples and families, and it makes solo travel feel natural rather than complicated.

For anyone who has struggled to find good solo cruise options in the past, it is one of the most consistent and reassuring choices out there.

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• Solo Cruising: What Each Cruise Line Provides for Single Travellers