While cruises conjure up images of crystal-clear waters, poolside lounging while drinking a cocktail and ports of interest to explore, they also bring to mind couples and families running around the ship. Rarely are cruises targeted toward singles; in fact, you often have to pay the double rate for a room on board a ship as a single.
But those times are slowly starting to change as cruise companies begin to see the value in offering deals to singles. If you are in the mood to take a cruise and possibly meet someone special on board, now is a better time than ever before to take that plunge.
Here are 5 cruises that will make you proud to be single:
1) Norwegian Epic
The big reason that Norwegian Epic is one of the best choices for a singles cruise is the freestyle options. This means no set dining with no assigned tables, so you can pick and choose to take a seat next to someone across the room who looks interesting.
There are staterooms for singles, which also give you access to the Studio Lounge, a place that is only shared by other Studio guests. Yes, that pretty much means a singles bar without all of the pressure.
Prices range from $449–$2,000 depending on the length of the trip or a last-minute deal.
You can meet interesting people at art gallery’s that are found on certain ships. Photo by Kabacchi.
2) Holland America Line
Along with providing lower single supplements, Holland America also provides roommate matching. The cool thing about this option is if for some reason they are unable to match you with another single, you still only pay the single rate based on double-occupancy.
Along with these perks, they provide a singles get-together during the first two days of the cruise so you can get to know your fellow singletons.
On some of the voyages, other singles-focused activities are available throughout the length of the cruise, and most ships provide team trivia contests, line dancing and exercise classes.
The World and Grand Voyages also provide gentleman hosts to be a dance partner in classes and in the lounges for post-dinner dancing.
Don’t forget the wine tastings and cooking demonstrations if you want to share your love of food with a new friend. Prices range from $549–$2,500.
Holland America provides nice spreads and a chance to bump into another singleton. Photo by havankevin.
3) Cruise West
Cruise West is an expedition cruise, so it’s not your normal kick-it-beside-the-pool-with-a-cocktail choice. But if you are into adventure, and particularly if you are interested in seeing Alaska, this is one of the best cruise choices if you are single.
On its American Safari Cruises, Cruise West offers kayaking, paddle boarding and snorkeling along with a wide variety of cultural activities in an upscale cruise setting.
The InnerSea Discoveries is more for the let’s get dirty crowd, as it focuses on getting off the ship and into the wilderness. There are also yoga classes, massages and healthy food, which is offered buffet style.
Both cruises have cocktail hours each night, so you can easily mingle with other travelers as compared to when you are snorkeling past them. Plus the cruises don’t charge extra for single rooms. Prices range from $4,000–$10,795.
Hit the water during the day and then have a cold one with a new friend in the evening on InnerSea Discoveries’ cruise. Photo by InnerSea Discoveries.
4) Silversea Cruises
If you want to take it up a notch, Silversea Cruises is your best option. Several of its voyages offer only a 10-percent singles supplement, as compared to the industry standard of 200 percent. Even better, all their staterooms are suites, so you’ll be sitting in the lap of luxury in between meeting other singles on board.
Silversea Cruises also offers all-inclusive wine as a part of the tour along with fine dining. The company also offers a ratio of almost 1-to-1 crew to guest, which means you get personalized service the whole time.
Don’t forget the champagne reception for singles when you first arrive on board, which is a good time to scout out possible friend or romantic connections.
Silversea only offers cruises to Alaska and the Caribbean from U.S. ports of call, but it does have other cruise options that leave from ports all over the world, and airfare to these places is often included in the price. Prices start at $2,999 with airfare.
Relax on Silversea Cruises’ upscale pool chairs and maybe sit down next to someone who looks interesting. Photo by Josh Friedman Luxury Travel.
5) Jam Cruise
Themed cruises are becoming more popular by the year and can be a fantastic option for singles. Music-themed cruises are particularly well-received, and they set a precedent for going it alone to enjoy tunes on the ocean.
Jam Cruise is one of these options, providing an eclectic mix of jazz, funk, hip-hop, jam and everything in between, while also providing yoga classes, hoop-making sessions to gift to kids in Jamaica, craft-beer tastings where you meet the brewer and many other events.
It’s like the New Orleans Jazz Fest and Burning Man mixed into one and taken to the seas.
Jam Cruise also takes the environment into consideration, allowing you to purchase carbon offsets at any point. In other words, you can enjoy meeting other singles who love music while doing your part to offset the pollution created by the ship. Prices start at $799.
The Jam Cruise is filled with fantastic music where singles can mingle. Photo by margaridoville.
Have you ever been on a singles cruise? Let me know in the comments below.
Main photo: There are plenty of things to do on the Norwegian Epic, including slides and conga lines by Seth Lemmons.
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