If you’re new to cruising, you might not know that cabins on most ships are designed for a minimum of two people.This means the lines expect each room to bring in revenue in the form of at least two cruise fares. If you choose to sail by yourself in a stateroom meant for two or more, you’re almost always charged the double-occupancy rate (the fare for one person plus a “single supplement”), meaning you’ll pay two full cruise fares even though it’s just you in the room.With solo cruising on the rise, cruise lines are beginning to take notice by adding accommodations for one to their newest ships. Some have even outfitted older vessels to offer accommodations for solo travelers. Although they can be pricey, single cruise cabins usually represent some savings versus what you’d pay for a voyage in a cabin meant for two.These are the best types of cabins for solo cruisers to book across the major cruise lines.For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter.Some Royal Caribbean ships have studio cabins for solo travelers that are priced based on single occupancy. (Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean)Royal Caribbean’s studio stateroomsRoyal Caribbean boasts the most single cruise cabins of any line, with about half of the ships in its fleet housing at least two. However, the most impressive are Super Studio staterooms with balconies, found on Anthem of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas and Odyssey of the Seas.Reaching up to 199 square feet with 55-square-foot balconies, these cabins are outfitted with a mix of bedding types and plenty of space for one person.All cabins on Oceania Cruises’ Vista have balconies, including this Concierge Level Solo Veranda stateroom. (Photo courtesy of Oceania Cruises)Oceania’s Concierge Level Veranda stateroomsVista, Oceania Cruises‘ newest ship, offers six 270-square-foot solo cabins. Dubbed Concierge Level Veranda staterooms, they all have balconies and entitle cruisers staying in them to Concierge Level amenities. This includes free laundry service, room service from the dining room menu, exclusive keycard-only access to the dedicated Concierge Lounge, priority embarkation and a complimentary bottle of Champagne.The cabins also each include an ultraluxurious Tranquility memory foam bed, a seating area that overlooks a private balcony and ample storage space.Sign up for our daily newsletterEmail addressSign upI would like to subscribe to The Points Guy newsletters and special email promotions. The Points Guy will not share or sell your email. See privacy policy.Oceania plans to add solo cabins to four more ships in its fleet in late September 2022. Each of the four vessels — Regatta, Nautica, Insignia and Sirena — will have 14 solo oceanview cabins.Celebrity’s Infinite Veranda solo roomsCruisers looking for a little bit more space on a line that falls somewhere between Royal Caribbean and Oceania will have luck with Celebrity Cruises‘ Infinite Veranda solo cabins. Unlike traditional balconies, Infinite Verandas extend the overall square footage of the cabin, featuring a window that raises and lowers with the push of a button.Passengers can find 16 of these 131-square-foot staterooms on Celebrity Edge, 24 on Celebrity Apex and 32 on Celebrity Beyond.Several Norwegian Cruise Line ships offer small but stylish studio cabins for one. (Photo courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line)Norwegian Cruise Line’s studio cabinsNorwegian was a forerunner in the solo accommodation space, introducing its studio cabins on Norwegian Epic in 2010. The rooms are on the small side at just 100 square feet. They’re also insides (so there’s no view), but they’re great if you’re not planning to spend much time in your room.What’s unique about NCL’s studios is that they allow occupants access to the studio lounge, where they can meet other cruisers sailing alone and partake in daily snacks. Studio cabins are available on Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Bliss, Pride of America and Norwegian Prima (debuting in summer 2022).Cunard’s oceanview Britannia Single stateroomsThree ships in Cunard‘s fleet offer solo cabins, but only one — the iconic Queen Mary 2, which most often sails transatlantic voyages between London and New York — has 15 that feature ocean views. The line’s Britannia Single staterooms are anywhere from 178 to 183 square feet in size, and they include large windows and single beds.Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria each have nine single cruise cabins, but they’re a mix of oceanviews and insides with no view at all.Holland America’s oceanview single cabinsFrom its Alaska itineraries to the impressive music scene on its newest vessels, Holland America might be more up your alley. In its lineup of accommodations, HAL includes 127- to 172-square-foot solo cabins on Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam, Rotterdam and the new Ryndam.Each of the single rooms on these ships has an ocean view and a twin bed.Solo Sea View cabin on Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady cruise ship. (Photo courtesy of Virgin Voyages)Virgin Voyages’ Solo Insider and Solo Sea View CabinsVirgin Voyages is new to the cruise industry, but it knows what’s up. Positioning itself as a hip anti-cruise line, it has built its first vessels — Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady and soon-to-debut Resilient Lady — to include 46 cabins for single passengers, 40 of which are insides and six of which provide rare forward-facing views of the sea.They’re a bit small at just larger than 100 square feet, but these Solo Insider and Solo Sea View rooms are cleverly appointed with full-sized beds and sleek, stylish furniture, decor and bathrooms.MSC’s solo inside rooms for oneMSC Cruises has undertaken a shipbuilding boom, rapidly increasing the size of its fleet in a bid to make itself the largest cruise line (in terms of number of ships) by 2030. As the line’s ships grow in size and amenities, they have begun to add cabins for solos. Currently, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Virtuosa, MSC Grandiosa and MSC Bellissima are outfitted with rooms for one.However, they are all insides with a single bed and roughly 129 square feet of space.Bottom lineCruising solo may sound like a daunting feat, but many cruise lines are making it easier and more enjoyable. Here, I showed you my favorite solo cruise cabins. Each offers a unique experience for the solo cruiser that won’t break the bank.
