8 things I learned when I sailed solo on my first cruise, from how to meet people to having to pay a ‘single supplement’

Because most cruise ship staterooms are meant to hold at least two people, booking a room by yourself often means still paying higher prices that are equivalent to two people. Some cruise ships offer solo cabins for one person, but mine didn’t. 

The listed rates for my ship were per person, not per room, when I booked my cruise. But when switching between one and two guests in my search, the cost per person doubled when I had just one person selected. This is known as the “single supplement,” as it helps the cruise line make up for the revenue that would have come from a second passenger.

For $2,000, I got an ocean-view room to myself. It would have cost about half the price per person if I had brought someone with me.

As part of the price of my cruise, all meals in the main dining room were included, as were many drinks and snacks.

When eating in the ship’s main dining room, I was asked if I’d like to sit alone or with other guests. I expected to be added to a group table, but I chose to dine alone in the main dining room. However, I was seated at a table next to another solo cruiser who chatted with me throughout the meal.

As someone who is typically shy around new people, I was surprised to find that it was really easy to talk to other travelers on the ship.

Couples, families, and other solo cruisers seemed open to chatting and sharing their experiences with me around the pool decks and at various eateries and common spaces.

From mini-golf tournaments to escape rooms, Wonder of the Seas was full of activities to help guests mingle. My personal favorite was laser tag.

If you’re cruising alone, check out activities that will help you meet other cruisers.

At each cruise port, passengers may disembark to spend their time as they wish. They might sightsee independently, take a taxi to a beach, link up with a local tour guide, or join an official cruise-line excursion.

I joined cruise-line excursions at every port and found it was the easiest way to meet people on the ship. With group activities like hiking and plenty of downtime on bus rides to and from the tour locations, I spent the most time socializing during these trips. 

Seasoned cruisers on the ship let me know that every cruise has a Facebook group. I joined on day two, and it made me feel like I was part of a community for the remainder of my trip.

You can find these groups by searching for your ship’s name and departure date in the Facebook app. 

This is especially helpful for solo cruisers because it’s an easy way to ask questions and plan meet-ups.

If you’re looking for quiet, relaxing time alone, you can find it on a cruise ship. When I wasn’t in the mood to socialize during my trip, I had no trouble finding spots on the outdoor decks to chill by myself. I could have spent the whole trip alone if I’d wanted to, just by staying on the ship.

My favorite podcasts were like my travel companions during this trip. If you’re taking a cruise solo, I highly recommend bringing a pair of headphones and downloading your favorite podcasts or a new audiobook. I found them especially comforting and enjoyable while taking lonely walks on the pool deck at sunrise.

Check out my article on how I packed for this cruise for more tips on what to bring — and what to leave at home.