A lot of people tell me that they’re on the hunt for good solo cruise deals or options. But they rarely tell me what type of solo cruise they actually want.
Thing is, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all singles cruise. There are lots of different people who enjoy a cruise holiday, and even among the single passengers guests are looking for different things – friendships, casual sex, or long-term relationships and potentially love.
Personally, when I travel solo I just love having some time to myself!
There’s some good news – there are different cruise options to fit the different types of traveller. Just make sure you don’t end up on the wrong one…
1. Sexy Cruises
If you’re looking to just get laid on a cruise, and you’re a confident person, then you might prefer cutting out the chase and just booking a place on a sex cruise.
Sex cruises aren’t officially run by cruise lines, but by specialist companies that then charter ships. So you won’t find an official Royal Caribbean sex cruise, but you might find a sex cruise that takes place on a Royal Caribbean ship.
There will be theme nights for partying and mingling, special rooms reserved for adult activities, and a host of other sexy themed events.
A good place to start is to look for swingers cruises, though many of these will be couples-only. Temptation Cruises is one company that welcomes single cruisers, and they have an annual cruise you can book.
Killing Kittens also runs a luxury lifestyle cruise with a femme-led, inclusive vibe. While it’s primarily aimed at couples and single women, the atmosphere is all about freedom, connection, and exploration in a high-end, respectful setting.
Be careful not to assume that all nude cruises are sex cruises, though. There are some cruises for nudists who just want to relax, and if you book one of those, you might find your advances rejected pretty sternly!
And be warned that sex cruises are aimed at guests only. The crew onboard will be the regular cruise ship crew and they won’t be getting involved in the adult activities. Generally, you should only try to hook up with passengers, as crew can be fired for sleeping with guests.
2. Party Cruises
If a sex cruise sounds a little too direct for you, but you want the chance to hook up with other passengers if the mood takes you, then consider a party cruise instead. A party cruise could be a special chartered cruise, or a themed event on a ship, or you could just interpret it as a cruise on a ship that is known as a wild party destination!
There are so many options for themed cruises and most of them will involve parties of some sort. From the 80s and 90s music cruises to hippie cruises, Latin dance cruises, and everything in between, there’s really something for everyone – and if you’re a solo traveller, you have the advantage of knowing you already share something in common with others on the ship.
And because these are party cruises, you know that everyone’s in the mood to have fun, relax and hopefully mingle – which can make those initial conversations a little less awkward as you get to know your shipmates.
If you aren’t too excited by a themed cruise, but like the idea of partying and meeting singles that way, you’ll want to try cruise lines known for their nightlife and onboard events.
Good options for party cruises include:
- Virgin Voyages
- Carnival
- Royal Caribbean
- NCL
Carnival, Royal Caribbean and NCL are family-friendly cruise lines but if you pick the right ship and date, you’ll get the right party crowd. Look at dates around Spring Break in the US, and avoid the ships that have the really obvious child-centric features.
Read more about the best party cruises.
3. Cruises for Under 30s
If you’re under 30 and you want to meet other singles on a cruise, you need to think carefully about the ship and itinerary you choose. While you will find people in their 20s on a cruise ship, they’re typically in the minority, even on some of the cruise lines I’m going to recommend here.
Still – the average age of cruising is coming down, and so there are still good opportunities for single cruises under 30 if you’re looking to meet others in the same age bracket.
Cruise lines like Carnival and Virgin Voyages are particularly popular with younger adults. Carnival’s cruises are ideal for short, fun-packed breaks, while Virgin Voyages sailings are a little more upmarket but with plenty of themed nights for partying, too.
If you aren’t a party animal and would rather meet singles in a more relaxed setting, or while enjoying varied activities onboard, then a cruise with Royal Caribbean or NCL may be better suited.
NCL ships have more solo cabins, too, so you can save money travelling as a single passenger – though if you do hook up with someone, be aware you’ll be limited to a single bed.
4. Cruises for Over 30s
If you’re in your 30s, then you need to think even more carefully about which is the right cruise line for you.
It’s at this age that there are single travellers interested in all different kinds of cruise, and so you want to try to avoid those less suited to your style and find a cruise that will have more likeminded solos in their 30s.
If you’re the kind of person who still burns the candle at both ends and loves to party, then the same cruise line recommendations would apply to when you’re in your 20s. There are plenty of 30+ singles travelling with Carnival and Virgin Voyages, after all.
If you’re looking for a relaxed poolside adventure, then Royal Caribbean and NCL remain good choices. MSC is another cruise line to consider too, particularly if you’re on a budget, since the fares tend to be cheaper.
If you’re a British single traveller, and you’re in your 30s, I’d definitely recommend P&O Cruises. While the average age onboard is still a little older than 30, P&O’s typical cruiser will be younger than other British cruise lines, and there are lots of P&O cruises with no single supplement if you want to keep costs down.
With P&O, you’ll be able to enjoy some late-night partying if you’re into that scene, but there are plenty of spaces to relax and enjoy culture onboard, too, so finding other solo passengers with similar interests is easy enough.
5. Cruises for Over 40s
The average age of cruise passengers is in the mid-40s, so this is a great age to cruise with almost any cruise line and still likely find other single passengers.
It’s an age where you have the broadest choice of cruise line, since you’re having to worry less about finding people your age, and more about choosing a cruise that best reflects your interests.
Royal Caribbean and NCL remain good choices for singles cruises in your 40s if you like American-style cruises with lots to do onboard, though again both have modern spaces to relax by the pool if that’s what you prefer.
If you enjoy a more premium cruise experience, then Holland America Line or Celebrity may be a better fit. There’s less variety in the daytime leisure facilities, but you’ll still find some fantastic bars to unwind and socialise in, along with some good activities for 40+ singles including cookery classes and dancing events.
Or you can step up to an ultra-luxury cruise with Regent Seven Seas or Silversea. These are expensive, but the service onboard is unrivalled, and so it’s ideal if you’re used to the finer things in life and want to meet other solo travellers who share that passion.
6. Cruises for Over 50s
Once you’re in your 50s and looking to meet other solo travellers for friendships and perhaps more, there are some cruise lines that may become better suited.
Premium cruise lines such as Azamara and Holland America offer an upmarket experience, perfect if you like the idea of sipping fine wines or relaxing in a cosy cocktail bar to meet others.
For Brits, I’d recommend looking at P&O Cruises still, though you have other options such as Fred. Olsen and Saga. Cunard’s another fine option too, especially if you like the classic style of cruising with some tradition and formality to it – perfect if ballroom dancing, fine dining and beautiful eveningwear is your idea of heaven.
It’s also worth considering river cruise lines for singles cruises in your 50s. While river cruise ships will accept adults of any age, it’s still a type of cruise that is more popular with older adults, so again you’ll likely find single travellers closer to your own age with cruise lines such as AmaWaterways and Riviera Travel.
7. Cruises for Over 60s
If you’re in your 60s (or older), a cruise still remains one of the best ways to meet other single travellers for friendship or companionship. A lot of cruise lines are still favoured by seniors who have retired and have money to enjoy, or who’ve just loved cruising all their lives, and don’t want to give it up.
Some of the best single cruise options for guests in their 60s are on luxury cruise lines – Regent Seven Seas, Silversea and Seabourn are classical favourites, while Viking and Scenic now offer ocean cruises on some stunning brand-new small ships that are highly sophisticated and opulent.
British passengers might prefer a cruise with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines or with Saga. Both of these cruise lines are aimed at guests 50+ (for Saga, there’s actually an age limit of 50, or 40+ provided you’re sailing with someone over 50), though the average age on each is over 60.
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These cruise lines offer the British comforts of home blended with a relaxing cruise experience – so you’re more likely to meet other senior single Brits.
Again, river cruises remain a great option for solo seniors too. Scenic, AmaWaterways and Riviera are just some cruise lines where you’ll find adventurous souls who love fine dining, exploration and swapping stories.
Other Considerations For Single Cruises
Choosing the right cruise line, and deciding whether to book a themed singles cruise or not, will be the majority of your decision when choosing a cruise for singles.
But there are a couple of other things you should consider.
Cruise Duration
Typically, shorter cruises are better for anyone who wants to hook up. A lot of people looking for casual, no-strings-attached fun want a shorter cruise because they’re looking for a short burst of excitement – and they might not want to risk getting attached to someone over a longer period.
There’s also the cost factor of shorter cruises – someone who wants a fling is more likely to be booking a cheaper cruise.
However, if you’re looking for something more serious, or if you’re interested in making friends rather than finding a romantic partner, longer cruises tend to be better.
Longer cruises are also more popular with the older generation – they tend to have more free time as more people have retired – so bear that in mind when making your decision.
Destination & Time of Year
The itinerary – specifically the destination for your cruise and the dates that you sail – will also play a small part in the type of singles cruise you enjoy.
Cruises to the Caribbean in the winter months are more likely to be suited to sex or casual fun cruises. It’s all about beach parties, hot weather and skimpy bathing suits.
Meanwhile, if you’re cruising somewhere that’s less of a party destination, and is more about the scenery and the history of the ports of call, you are more likely to strike up more relaxed conversations with other guests, and the atmosphere will be a lot less boisterous – which lends itself well to forging friendships or deeper relationships.
Time of year will impact the weather too, and if you’re on a cruise where everyone’s wearing a jacket and exploring ports under an umbrella, it hardly sets the hot and steamy mood for a sex cruise – it’s much better for a more relaxed singles cruise instead.
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Final Word
So there you have it – many different options for singles cruises to suit all different tastes and intents.
If you’re someone young and looking to hook up with people, you might prefer a dedicated sex cruise, or something a little less intense like a party cruise.
Of course, there’s nothing to stop older cruise guests from booking themselves onto sex and party cruises either, if that’s what you’re looking for.
Different cruise lines definitely cater to different age groups, so consider which fits you best. And if you’re a single passenger who has an interest in adults of any age, rather than someone your own age group, you’ve got plenty of options to try!
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
