A woman has shared her story of losing $10,000 on her Carnival cruise booking after sharing her booking details online.
Tiffany Banks and her partner had booked a luxury cruise in a Presidential Excel Suite onboard Carnival Celebration, one of the biggest ships in the fleet, for a total cost of around $13,000.
But she was confused when she received emails telling her that two of her booked shore excursions had been cancelled, without any reason provided.
She called the cruise line to ask what had happened and was told that the excursions were cancelled because the suite had been cancelled by someone logging into the online portal.
The cruise line was unable to rebook the couple in the suite, and their best offer was for two Interior cabins.
Banks and her partner later realised what likely happened – that they shared their vacation countdown email on social media, accidentally revealing their booking number.
All you need to log into a booking and make changes is that booking number and the lead passenger’s surname – meaning it’s probable someone saw the information and decided to log in, cancelling the cruise.
Originally Carnival refused to refund Banks, as the error was not on the cruise line’s side. However, following Banks sharing her story online, the cruise line has offered a $10,000 Future Cruise Credit as compensation.
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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.
Carnival Cruise Line keeps teasing us with reveals of what the Celebration Key will be like. Now children of all ages, and their parents, have the first glance of their own tropical playground in paradise with today’s announcement of plans for Starfish Lagoon, offering families endless ways to have fun in the sun at the new exclusive destination on Grand Bahama opening in July 2025.
Family Fun At Celebration Key
Centered around one of the largest freshwater lagoons* in the Caribbean, Starfish Lagoon will feature a variety of activities for all ages and energy levels, including:
Named after the national bird and national fish of The Bahamas, the pink Flash Flamingo and blue Mach III Marlin water slides, each over 350 feet long, invite guests to friendly competition as they weave through and around the iconic 10-story high Suncastle in a speedy race with exciting turns and flashes of light and color culminating in an exhilarating splashing photo finish.
Located right at the entrance to Starfish Lagoon, for toddlers and small children, the Guppy Grotto splash pad is a colorful, coral-reef themed children’s water play area, featuring a refreshing two-foot-deep wading pool, fun water toys, an exciting dump bucket and interactive features, as well as plenty of shaded seating for parents with a nearby ice cream shop;
The Game Pavilion features a variety of table games such as foosball, ping pong and corn hole, along with comfortable seating areas for socializing and meeting new friends;
The Sports Court includes volleyball, basketball and pickleball courts adjacent to the Game Pavilion.
Floating AquaBanas are comfortable and sturdy floating cabanas that are fun for the whole family. Guests can relax with their feet in the water under the shady canopy as they sip on a refreshing beverage. Available for rental, AquaBanas come with seating space for eight, a solid table for drinks and other essentials, non-slip surfaces and steps for easy access into the lagoon. These 12 floating “private islands” are grouped around a peninsula with a dedicated bar, so that refreshments are just a few steps or swims away. A variety of more traditional cabanas and daybeds will also be available.
For the adults, there’s a Swim Up Bar where any variety of colorful drinks, including the bar’s specialty frozen rum cocktails, will be served, all without leaving the water;
Hanging out takes on new meaning with a number of hammocks, right next to the iconic Suncastle, that let guests kick back and relax as they swing over the water and take in the views of Starfish Lagoon.
There’s a stretch of gorgeous beach and crystal blue water with kayak and paddleboard rentals and plenty of space for games of frisbee or sandcastle building, along with sun loungers, umbrellas and beachside cabanas.
A variety of dining venues provide many options for guests including restaurants, snack and bar shacks, along with Bahamian food trucks.
Sports Court
“At Carnival, we carry the more children than any other cruise line, so we’ve designed Starfish Lagoon specifically for family fun,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “Toddlers, teens and adults alike will find their own piece of paradise whether it be racing down one of the waterslides, playing a round of pickleball or relaxing on our floating AquaBanas.”
Starfish Lagoon
Starfish Lagoon joins Paradise Plaza, the welcome area, Calypso Lagoon, the adult-friendly area and Lokono Cove, the shopping village, as four of the five portals. Carnival will share details soon on the adults-only private retreat. Celebration Key is scheduled to welcome its first guests in July 2025, and more than 500 itineraries currently open for sale feature visits to the new destination on 18 ships sailing from 10 U.S. homeports.
For additional information on Carnival Cruise Line and to book a cruise vacation, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, visit www.carnival.com, or contact your favorite travel advisor or online travel site.
*Based on publicly available data of surface area measurements as of 01/22/24.
Getting married on a cruise is a fantastic way to celebrate your love for your partner, especially if you’re both cruise fans!
Not only that, but your wedding and honeymoon get combined into one convenient package – and you’ll get some amazing, unique photo opportunities on the ship too.
But how much is a wedding on a cruise ship? What’s included in cruise wedding packages and what do you need to pay extra for?
It varies by cruise line, but I’ve researched all the major lines to put this guide together for you.
Cruise Line Wedding Packages And Prices
Cruise Line
Price for 10 guests
Carnival
From $1,799
Celebrity Cruises
From $1,495
Disney Cruise Line
From $3,500 (16 guests)
NCL
From $2,059
P&O Cruises
From $3,300 (£2,700)
Princess Cruises
From $3,995
Royal Caribbean
From $1,950
What’s Included in a Cruise Wedding Package
While the exact inclusions for cruise ship wedding packages will vary, there are some features that are almost always included.
1. Guests
You’ll typically be allowed to have a small number of guests present for your wedding – often basic packages will start with 10, and you can upgrade if you want more.
If those guests aren’t booked onto the cruise, then it means your wedding will take place on embarkation day – they’ll be allowed to board the ship, enjoy the ceremony with you, and then leave before the ship sets sail.
2. Pre-cruise planner
Typically you’ll be given the services of a wedding planner for your cruise wedding, who’ll be available over email or phone so that you can arrange the minor details such as the music, the decorations etc.
3. A private venue
Basic cruise wedding packages will always include a private venue. You don’t need to worry about random guests wandering around behind you as you exchange your vows. Upgraded packages will be available for guests who want to get married ashore.
4. A local officiant
While some cruise ship captains will marry guests, that may be a service only offered for upgraded packages. At the very least, you’ll have an officiant for your wedding who will lead the service and ensure all the proper legal documents are signed.
5. Wedding certificate keepsake
You’ll normally be given a keepsake version of your wedding certificate so you have a nice memento to remind you of the day, along with the legal documents that you need to prove you are married too.
6. Wedding cake
The cake is normally included in your cruise wedding package, but it may be a relatively simple one. It’s normal to expect a two-tier cake on basic packages, with the option to upgrade to a three-tier one if you pay more.
7. A toast
Normally you’ll get a glass of sparkling wine for your guests to toast you as a newly married couple, with the option to upgrade to Champagne if you choose a higher-tier package.
8. Photography services
You need to be careful with this one – cruise weddings will usually give you the services of a photographer, but not the actual photos.
The idea is that you’ll get some amazing photos that you can then buy. You might get one free photo with your wedding package, but you’d then need to pay for the digital copies or any prints of the rest.
9. Decorations
Basic decorations will be included in a cruise wedding package, including an aisle runner and chair decorations.
Other Things You’ll Need to Budget For
1. The actual cruise
The cost of a cruise wedding does not include the cost of your cruise fare, so you’ll need to budget for that separately. If you’re booking a shorter cruise then the wedding package might be a lot more than the cruise fare, but you still need to pay for it.
2. Wedding licensing
This one’s super-important – not all cruise line wedding packages include the legal and regulatory fees for your ceremony, and you may need to pay extra for these. A license for a wedding at sea will typically cost between $500 and $750.
3. Upgraded ceremonies
You need to look at the different wedding package options for your cruise line, because basic ones might not have everything you want. You’ll need to budget for things like extra guests, a longer ceremony if you want to have readings included, or the extra cost for a destination wedding if that’s what you’d prefer.
4. Reception (food and drinks)
A cruise wedding only tends to include the ceremony as standard. You can normally arrange a reception too, but that will cost extra. It’ll include continued use of a private venue, along with food and drink options for you and your guests.
5. Photography
Again, you’ll normally have a photographer’s services included in your cruise wedding, but the actual photos will cost extra.
There are usually different bundles you can choose from when planning your cruise, offering photo albums, digital copies or special prints.
6. Videography services
Videography services are extra too for a cruise wedding – if you want a professional wedding video to be arranged by the cruise line, you’ll need to pay extra for that. It might be better to just ask a guest to film it for you – phones these days will do a perfectly fine job, unless you want that really professionally edited final product.
7. Spa services
Cruise ships have spas onboard, which are ideal for some pre-wedding hair and beauty treatments. These will cost extra, but they do mean you don’t need to worry about arriving at a bustling cruise port looking immaculate already.
8. Romance packages
Cruise lines will often have extra packages available for the happy couple just to make the whole day feel that bit more special.
They’ll vary by cruise line but may include breakfast in bed the next day, flower petal decorations for the stateroom, a bottle of chilled bubbly waiting for you, a couple’s massage… Anything the cruise line can offer that feels romantic.
9. Live music
Cruise weddings will include the use of pre-recorded music for the ceremony, and for the reception if you book one. But if you want to upgrade that to include live musicians, that’s usually an option but you’ll be looking at an increase of at least $200, likely more depending on how long you want them to play.
10. Clothing and flowers
You’ll need to remember to budget for your outfits, and for any flowers you want to use in the ceremony. The outfits are on you to arrange, but the cruise line may be able to help with bouquets and boutonnieres for the gents.
Bear in mind you aren’t allowed to bring fresh flowers onboard, so you may need to make do with fake ones.
Here’s What Each Cruise Line Offers
Carnival Weddings
Carnival offers three main types of wedding package:
Signature Ceremony – Ceremony-only packages
It’s a Celebration – Packages that include a reception
Love Ashore – Destination weddings
The cheapest of the Carnival cruise wedding packages is the Signature Ceremony which starts at $1,799 for a wedding with 10 guests (including the couple). You can add additional guests for $29 plus tax, and there are all kinds of extras you can add onto the package as well.
There are lots of different options to tailor your wedding, including choosing the cake flavours, the decorations to be used and more. Reception packages include a mix of hot and cold food served tapas style, rather than a sit-down dinner.
Despite Celebrity Cruises being a premium cruise line, their wedding packages are still relatively affordable. And even the most basic packages will be led by the ship’s captain, should they be available – although if not, another officiant will take their place.
Shoreside weddings are also available with Celebrity Cruises, if you’d like to get married in a venue adjacent to the embarkation port before then embarking on your cruise honeymoon, and destination weddings can be arranged too.
Celebrity offers special Deck Weddings, where your ceremony will take place on the deck with a beautiful canopy, if you’d like this option though it will of course cost extra.
I’m sure you will be shocked to hear that the Disney cruise wedding cost is one of the highest of the major cruise lines, with prices starting at $3,500 for a Fairy Tale package. This does get you an increased number of guests though – 16 as standard.
The packages also include more than you would get with other cruise lines’ basic packages. You’ll automatically get a solo musician for your ceremony, usually a pianist, and you’ll get Champagne for the wedding toast rather than sparkling wine.
The happy couple will get a commemorative Disney wedding cake topper to keep and they’ll get onboard credit to use for a special celebration dinner in Palo onboard the ship. Also, dress steaming is included as standard in the price, so your dress will be perfect for the ceremony.
Upgrade options include the chance to have a very special destination wedding on Castaway Cay, the cruise line’s private island – though this will increase your costs significantly.
NCL is another cruise line to offer a range of different wedding packages, including the option for a Symbolic Ceremony at Sea, a Harborside Ceremony, or a Destination Ceremony. The Symbolic Ceremony at Sea is the cheapest from $2,059 but this can only take place on a sea day when the ship is cruising.
So, if you want to be able to invite guests to your wedding who aren’t cruising with you, you’re looking at the more expensive Harborside Ceremony for £3,099.
There are loads of extras you can add onto the standard package, including fresh flowers as decorations, entertainment, spa treatments and more. But just a note – if you host a larger wedding, you’ll be charged for extra wedding co-ordinators for every 25 guests.
P&O Cruises’ entry-level wedding packages are designed just for the happy couple, so you need to pay a little more to get up to 10 guests included.
You do get some nice perks for the price though – the captain or deputy will conduct the ceremony, and you’ll have use of a pre-cruise wedding planner and one onboard the ship to finalise details as well.
Couples will also enjoy breakfast in bed for the morning after the wedding, as well as complimentary pressing of the wedding outfits, hair and makeup before the wedding, dinner at a speciality restaurant and a special certificate signed by the captain.
Princess Cruises’ wedding packages are on the pricier side, but this is the cruise line famous for The Love Boat – so a lot of people want to get married on a Princess ship.
Standard packages are for the couple only so you’re looking at $3,995 for a wedding with guests, which includes your choice of indoor or outdoor ceremony led by the ship’s captain.
You’ll also get a solo musician for the ceremony, and a range of gifts in your stateroom to make your wedding more special, including a romantic breakfast the morning after.
The price also includes a range of digital and print photos as standard.
In the past, Princess has had a unique feature for wedding ceremonies, being able to stream them live to your friends and family back home. It’s not clear whether this is still available, but one to ask about.
Royal Caribbean offers a range of wedding package options, including affordable packages for getting married in port – up to 10 guests can join you for a total cost of $1,950, which includes a bottle of Moet and Chandon Champagne to enjoy, dinner at a speciality restaurant for the couple, and some little extra touches like stateroom decorations and a Mimosa breakfast-in-bed.
If you want to get married at sea you’re looking at a price close to $4,000 but that automatically comes with an allowance of up to 50 guests, with destination weddings available from $4,650. There are some amazing destination options available, including getting married on an Alaskan glacier!
You can also add on a range of reception packages, photography services, entertainment and more. Just be aware that a lot of the additional extras have high charges, so a complete package may be more expensive.
Budgeting Tips For Cruise Weddings
1. Book your cruise early
Remember that, as the couple getting married, you need to budget for two separate costs – the wedding, but also the cruise.
So try to book your cruise as early as possible – look for when the dates are going to go on sale, and get in there as soon as you can. This can help you get the best deal on the actual cruise element, and save money overall.
2. Reach out to the cruise line early with your requirements
Once you have the cruise booked, contact the cruise line to begin arranging the wedding as early as possible too.
If you set out your requirements as soon as possible, the cruise line can provide a full breakdown of costs. This can help you save for it in advance, or you might realise that there are adjustments you’re comfortable with that won’t spoil the ceremony but will bring the price down.
3. Ask guests to contribute in lieu of gifts
This one splits opinion, but if you’re inviting guests to your cruise wedding, it’s reasonable to ask them to contribute to the cost, instead of buying you a wedding gift. It’s just the same as asking for contributions to a honeymoon, after all.
An alternative idea is to set up a registry for your cruise, so that guests can buy elements of it as your wedding gift. A lot of cruise lines can facilitate this for you. So you might list speciality dinners, or excursions, or even just some drinks.
Having your guests pay for these as your wedding gifts means they’re essentially paying for parts of the cruise you’d otherwise have to budget for.
Final Word
While cruise weddings are hardly cheap, they aren’t actually too expensive when compared like-for-like with land weddings.
There are logistics to consider, like making sure your guests can join you, and working out whether they’re also going to cruise with you.
But combining a cruise and honeymoon into one escape, and getting married either at sea or in a beautiful location with the cruise ship behind you, is extremely special. Especially if you both already love cruises – then it’s a perfect celebration of each other and the happiest times you spend together.
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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.
In collaboration with the Cleaner Seas Group and the University of Surrey, Marella Cruises is addressing the critical issue of microplastic pollution in our oceans.
Microplastics are minuscule plastic particles, less than 5 millimetres in diameter, originating from various sources such as the degradation of larger plastic debris, microbeads in personal care products, and synthetic fibres from textiles.
Once these particles infiltrate the ocean, they become persistent pollutants, challenging to remove and capable of causing extensive harm.
The presence of microplastics in the ocean also raises significant human health concerns. Research indicates that these particles can enter the human food chain through seafood consumption, posing potential health risks such as inflammation, toxicity, and exposure to harmful chemicals.
To combat this issue, Marella Cruises has introduced innovative INDIKON filters. These filters are designed to capture microfibres from laundry wastewater before it is discharged into the ocean.
The advanced technology behind INDIKON filters ensures the capture of even the smallest particles, providing a more effective solution compared to traditional methods.
The trial of the INDIKON filters is currently underway on the Marella Explorer. The trial aims to evaluate the efficiency of the filters in real-world conditions, with the ultimate goal of reducing the amount of microplastics released into the ocean.
Expected outcomes include a significant decrease in microplastic pollution and valuable data to support further implementation.
Marella Cruises plans to roll out the INDIKON filter technology across its entire fleet, if the trial is successful. By extending this technology to all ships, the cruise line aims to maximise the environmental benefits and solidify its commitment to ocean conservation.
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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.
Carnival Cruise Line further solidified its position as the market leader in Galveston, Tex., becoming the first cruise operator to embark 10 million guests from the port recently. Marsha Taulton of Houston was recognized on Carnival Breeze as the 10 millionth Carnival guest cruising from Galveston.
Taulton and her husband, Paul, were welcomed aboard by Capt. Isidoro Renda and Galveston Wharves Port Director and CEO Rodger Rees, and the ship’s team led an impromptu celebration of the landmark embarkation.
Carnival Breeze
“This is an achievement that speaks to the success of our longstanding partnership with the port and the greater Galveston community,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “We are grateful to our guests who have sailed with us from Galveston over the past two decades, continually driving the popularity of this homeport forward. The future is certainly bright, as we’re delighted to welcome more guests aboard than ever before from this great city – next stop, 20 million!”
Carnival launched the first year-round cruise program from Galveston in 2000 and continues to be the leading cruise operator sailing year-round from the port. Carnival ships offer a variety of itineraries from Galveston, with dozens of options available into the spring of 2026, visiting popular destinations across the Caribbean and The Bahamas.
For additional information on Carnival Cruise Line and to book a cruise vacation, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, visit www.carnival.com, or contact your favorite travel advisor or online travel site.
Pearl Seas Cruises has announced its biggest season ever on The Great Lakes, operating four different itineraries that visit 16 ports of call, and introducing a brand new 14-Night Great Lakes Explorer cruise between Duluth, Minnesota, and Toronto, Canada–delivering the opportunity tosail all five Great Lakes in a single journey.
2024 Great Lakes Season
Pearl Mist
Opening May 24th, Pearl’s 2024 Great Lakes season operates through late September offering, an 11-Night Great Lakes & Georgian Bayitinerary and a 7-Night Great Lakes itinerary, both sailing between Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Toronto, Canada; the new 14-Night Great Lakes Explorer cruise between Duluth, WI, and Toronto, Canada; and a 15-Night St. Lawrence Seaway & Great Lakes cruise between Milwaukee, WI, and Québec, Canada. Each of Pearl’s unique itineraries explores bucket-list American and Canadian destinations from Mackinac Island and Niagara Falls to Thunder Bay and Parry Sound.
Cruising the region since 2014, Pearl Seas has perfected small ship exploration on The Great Lakes aboard their 210-passenger ship, Pearl Mist, featuring 100% private balcony accommodations and elegant new interior design.
Great Lakes itineraries in 2024, visit 16 ports of call, from Milwaukee to Montréal, while exploring the world’s largest freshwater ecosystem and cruising all five lakes: Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, as well as Georgian Bay, a UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserve. Each day, guests will enjoy shoreside excursions and onboard enrichment, illuminating the region’s unique cultural tapestry woven together by the early explorers, traders, European settlers, and Native American tribes who have lived there for centuries.
Pearl’s 2024 cruises offer diverse experiences including memorable visits to Niagara Falls with boat tours of Horseshoe Falls; scenic explorations of Muskegon, MI, known as the “Riviera of the Midwest;” and leisurely strolls through quaint Holland, MI, home to the only authentic working Dutch Windmill in America. In Detroit, MI, guests can learn about the history of the automobile at The Henry Ford Museum and enjoy a tuneful visit to The Motown Museum. Musical fun continues in Cleveland, OH, where guests can visit the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. On Mackinac Island, MI, guests can step back in time, exploring the island by horse drawn carriage and enjoying lunch on the veranda of The Grand Hotel. In Parry Sound, ON, guests can experience a Birdseye view of the South Channel and Killbear Provincial Park on an exhilarating Seaplane ride, and discover the world’s largest freshwater archipelago, cruising the 30,000 Islands. In Georgian Bay, ON, guests can kayak on serene waters while spotting local wildlife; and in Montréal, the second largest French-speaking city in the world, guests can sightsee in a UNESCO “City of Design,” taking in its renowned milieu of exciting modern and beautiful old-world architecture.
Summer Great Lakes cruises aboard the Pearl Mist feature all-inclusive fine dining, complimentary cocktails, beer & wine, award-winning enrichment programs, onboard entertainment, and guided shore excursions at every port. Cruises also include new Starlink Wi-Fi and private transportation to all excursions. Pearl Seas offers Pre-Cruise Hotel Packages for cruises departing from Milwaukee, WI; Duluth, MN; and Toronto, ON.
Pearl Seas Cruises has been awarded Cruise Critic’s Cruisers’ Choice Award for Best Small Ship Line in the U.S. & Canada, and Travel Weekly’s Magellan Awards for Best Small Ship Line in the U.S. & Canada, Best Great Lakes Itinerary, and Best Contemporary Small Ship. The company has been consistently recognized for delivering highly personalized service and culturally focused small ship cruises on the Great Lakes, the Canadian Maritimes & St. Lawrence Seaway, and New England.
Carnival Cruise Line expects Carnival Pride to resume sailing from the Port of Baltimore on May 26, continuing the cruise line’s year-round homeport schedule.
Carnival Pride is expected to arrive in Baltimore on May 26, following a week-long cruise that embarked in Norfolk, Va., where Carnival temporarily moved its Baltimore operations after the collapse of the Key Bridge on March 26. The ship’s next sailing, a 14-day Carnival Journeys cruise to Greenland, is expected to sail round-trip from Baltimore. The ship will then continue its previously planned sailings, currently scheduled into the spring of 2026.
“We are extremely grateful to the officials and incredible first responders in Baltimore, who’ve shown great leadership and resolve in this difficult time, as well as our supportive partners in Norfolk, whose rapid response allowed us to continue to deliver our scheduled sailings for our guests,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “It’s been our goal to resume operations in Baltimore as soon as possible, and after working closely with local, state and federal agencies, we look forward to a successful return.”
For additional information on Carnival Cruise Line and to book a cruise vacation, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, visit www.carnival.com, or contact your favorite travel advisor or online travel site.
The best solo cruise tips come down to three things: choose a ship that actively welcomes solo guests, plan a few ways to meet people before you board, and keep the same sensible habits you would use on any trip alone. Get those right and cruising solo is one of the easiest ways to travel by yourself, because your hotel, meals and entertainment all move with you.
This guide is written for first-time solo cruisers. It is a practical, numbered list of tips for cruising solo, from picking a line and cabin to dining, shore days, safety, budgeting and packing.
Solo cruise tips at a glance
Area
Quick tip
Choosing a ship
Pick a line with solo cabins, a solo lounge or daily solo meetups
Cabin
Compare a solo cabin against a standard cabin with a reduced supplement
Meeting people
Join your sailing’s online roll call and go to the first solo get-together
Dining
Ask for a shared table in the main dining room
Excursions
Book ship tours for unfamiliar or remote ports
Safety
Lock your cabin, watch your drink, and leave port margin before all-aboard
Before you book: choosing your first solo cruise
1. Choose a cruise line that plans for solo guests
Some lines simply tolerate solo travellers; others build the ship around them. Norwegian Cruise Line was the first big line to add dedicated solo Studio cabins, and on several ships (including Norwegian Prima, Viva, Bliss, Breakaway, Getaway, Escape, Encore and Epic) those cabins share a keycard-access Studio Lounge with its own bar and daily get-togethers. NCL has also rolled out Solo Inside, Solo Oceanview and Solo Balcony categories across its fleet.
Celebrity Cruises has single staterooms on its Edge-series ships, holds solo traveller gatherings (typically in Eden on Edge-class ships or the Sky Lounge on older ships) and runs a solos’ table at dinner. Holland America lists solo meetups in its Navigator app, and P&O Cruises includes a solo traveller coffee chat in its onboard programme. Virgin Voyages, which is adults-only, also advertises solo-friendly pricing and meetups. If you would rather avoid a ship full of families, our guide to the best adults-only cruise lines is a useful starting shortlist.
Programmes do change, so check the line’s own website or ask your travel agent whether solo meetups are running on your specific sailing.
2. Think about ship size and itinerary
A mid-sized ship of roughly 1,000 to 2,500 guests is often easiest for a first solo cruise: big enough for variety, small enough that you start recognising faces by day three. Itineraries with a few sea days give you time for trivia, classes and lectures, which are natural places to chat. Port-heavy itineraries suit independent explorers who are happy on their own ashore.
3. Sort out your cabin and the single supplement
Booking a standard cabin alone usually means paying a single supplement, because most fares are priced per person based on two sharing. Dedicated solo cabins can reduce or remove that cost, but they are not always the cheapest option, so compare the solo fare with a standard inside or oceanview cabin on the same sailing.
New solo cabins are still arriving. Holland America says 30 new Solo Verandah cabins are coming to Oosterdam from late 2027 as part of its fleet refresh, with dynamic pricing that rises and falls with demand. On the rivers, Riviera Travel plans to run its ship George Eliot exclusively for solo guests from June 2027 on the Danube, Rhine and Moselle. For a full rundown of which ships have solo cabins and how to cut supplements, see our solo cruise guide to solo cabins and single supplements.
4. Book at the right time
Solo cabins are few in number and often sell first, so booking early gives you the most choice. Last-minute deals can work too, particularly for standard cabins with a reduced or waived supplement. Our guide to when to book cruise deals explains how early-booking offers and late sales usually play out.
Open deck lounges make it easy to strike up a conversation. Photo: Ulrick Trappschuh on Pexels
Meeting people on a solo cruise
5. Join your sailing’s roll call before you go
Most sailings have an online roll call on Cruise Critic or a Facebook group for that specific departure. Introducing yourself a few weeks before means you will already know a few names at the first meetup, and some groups arrange a sail-away drink or a shared excursion.
6. Go to the first solo meetup, even if you feel awkward
The first get-together, usually on embarkation day or the first evening, is where most solo cruisers find their crowd. Check the daily programme or the cruise line’s app for the time and venue. You do not have to commit to the group for the whole trip; it simply gives you friendly faces to wave at around the ship.
7. Use activities as conversation starters
Trivia teams, dance classes, cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, piano bars and enrichment talks all give you a ready-made reason to talk to strangers. Crew in these venues, especially bartenders and activity hosts, are usually happy to make introductions too.
Dining alone (or not) on a cruise
8. Ask for a shared table in the main dining room
Tell the maître d’ on day one that you are travelling solo and would like a shared table. A fixed dining time means the same tablemates each night, which is the quickest way to build easy company. If the table does not click, ask politely to be moved. Flexible dining works well if you prefer to choose each night, and the buffet is a relaxed spot to share a table at breakfast or lunch.
9. Make peace with eating alone sometimes
Dining alone at a speciality restaurant, a bar counter or a window table with a book is perfectly normal on a cruise. Many solo cruisers enjoy mixing sociable dinners with quieter evenings, and it is one of the freedoms of travelling by yourself.
Excursions and port days
10. Book ship excursions for unfamiliar ports
Cruise line tours cost more than going independently, but the ship will wait for its own tours if they run late, and group trips are an easy way to meet people. Save independent exploring for compact, walkable ports where you can stroll from the pier.
Walkable ports are ideal for exploring independently. Photo: Anna Lupa on Pexels
Staying safe when cruising solo
11. Keep simple safety habits on board
Close and lock your cabin door properly and use the in-room safe for passports, cash and valuables.
Do not share your cabin number with people you have only just met.
Watch your drink being made and never leave it unattended.
Report anything that worries you to guest services or security straight away.
12. Be strict about time in port
When you travel alone, nobody else is checking the clock. Set your watch or phone to ship time, note the all-aboard time and the port agent’s number from the daily programme, and plan to be back at least an hour early. Tell a crew member or a new friend on board where you are heading if you go off independently.
Budgeting and mindset for your first solo cruise
13. Budget for the extras
Beyond the fare and any supplement, add up gratuities or service charges, drinks, Wi-Fi, excursions and speciality dining. Because these costs are not split with anyone, a drinks or Wi-Fi package can be better value for some solo cruisers and poor value for others, so estimate what you would actually use.
14. Plan for some quiet moments
Even sociable solo cruisers have the odd evening where everyone seems to be in couples or groups. Plan a few things you enjoy alone, such as a spa session, a show or a deck walk at sunset, so those moments feel like a treat rather than a gap. Keeping in touch with home through the ship’s Wi-Fi also helps.
Packing tips for cruising solo
15. Pack for independence
A small crossbody bag or money belt for port days.
A printed copy of your passport and travel insurance details, kept separately from the originals.
A portable phone charger and a downloaded offline map of each port.
A door hook or magnetic hooks to keep the cabin tidy, as you have nobody to share the unpacking with.
One smart outfit for dressier evenings and a book or e-reader for solo meals and sea days.
If you have not settled on a brand yet, our guide on how to pick a cruise line walks through the main cruise styles and who each one suits.
Our guide to the first day of a cruise explains how to make embarkation day smooth, whether you are travelling alone or not.
No. Solo cruising is common, and many lines now run solo meetups and build solo cabins because demand keeps growing.
Which cruise line is best for a first solo cruise?
Norwegian Cruise Line is often recommended because of its Studio cabins and solo lounges on several ships, while Celebrity, Holland America and Virgin Voyages also offer solo cabins or regular solo gatherings.
How do you meet people on a solo cruise?
Join the online roll call for your sailing, attend the first solo meetup, request a shared dining table and take part in activities such as trivia, classes and group excursions.
Do solo cruisers have to pay double?
Not always. Standard cabins usually carry a single supplement, but solo cabins and promotions with reduced or waived supplements can bring the cost down considerably.
Is solo cruising safe?
Cruising is generally a secure way to travel alone, but use normal precautions: lock your cabin, guard your drink, keep valuables in the safe and get back to the ship well before all-aboard.
P&O Cruises Australia recently came to the aid of stranded teenage volunteers from Australia, rescuing them and giving them a free ride home.
The Hive Rotary Club Australia organised a volunteer trip to the island nation of Vanuatu, 1,500 miles from their home. These young volunteers engaged in various activities, leaving a lasting impact on the island. However, the students were left in a precarious situation due to the collapse of Air Vanuatu.
The airline declared insolvency and immediately grounded all flights, meaning that the students were unable to get home. As the company had declared insolvency, it wasn’t able to offer alternative travel methods, meaning that 16 students and their chaperones had no way of flying back.
The group put out an appeal on social media to ask for help, and P&O Cruises Australia was happy to answer the call.
The cruise line extended an invitation for a free six-day cruise home aboard the Pacific Adventure. The ship was already sailing on a Sydney to Vanuatu cruise, and had space to bring aboard the group and give them safe passage back to Australia.
The guests were essentially given a free cruise, with permission to enjoy all of the facilities onboard. The students and chaperones have expressed their gratitude to the cruise line for the rescue and the way they were looked after.
However, while the cruise line was happy to accommodate the guests at no charge, the volunteer group did need to fundraise to help get the $10,000 needed to cover other expenses, including flights from Sydney back to their home in Albury.
The work carried out by the Hive Rotary Club included improving a local clinic and fundraising for healthcare efforts in Tanna. Thankfully they were able to continue to make a difference on the island nation and still make it home, albeit not as they originally intended.
P&O Cruises Australia is a separate company to the P&O Cruises operating out of the UK, but both brands are owned by the Carnival Corporation.
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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.
If you are working out how to pick a cruise line, start with three questions: who is travelling, how much you want to spend in total (not just the fare), and what kind of holiday you want onboard. Answer those and the field shrinks from 20-plus brands to two or three. Big mainstream lines such as Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian and MSC suit families and first-timers who want lots to do. Premium lines such as Celebrity, Princess and Holland America suit couples who want better food and a calmer pace. Luxury, expedition and river lines suit people who want small ships, more included in the fare and destinations over waterslides.
This guide goes through each of those choices in turn. It finishes with a quick-match table, a short decision checklist and an up-to-date look at the daily gratuities that most first-timers forget to budget for.
How to Pick a Cruise Line: Start With the Style of Cruise
Cruise lines fall into five broad styles, and knowing them is the quickest way to learn how to choose a cruise line that fits. Once you know which one fits you, comparing lines gets much easier, because lines within the same style tend to share the same price, pace and passenger mix.
Style
Typical lines
Ship size
Feel onboard
Mainstream
Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian (NCL), MSC, Disney
2,000 to 7,000+ guests
Resort-style, lively, lots of activities and kids’ clubs
A new town most days, excursions included, quiet evenings
Most people take their first cruise on a mainstream or premium line. That is not because those lines are “better”. They sail short, affordable itineraries from easy-to-reach ports, and they have enough going on onboard that you will not be bored on sea days. If you already know you would rather explore a different town every day than lounge by a pool, a river cruise can make a very good first cruise too. Our guide to choosing the best European river cruise covers that route.
Who Is Travelling? Families, Couples, Adults-Only and Solo
Families with children
Look for proper kids’ clubs split by age, family cabins that sleep four or five, and free activities like waterslides, splash zones and family shows. Royal Caribbean’s newest Icon-class ships, Disney, Carnival, NCL and MSC are the obvious choices. On MSC, children often sail free or at a reduced fare when sharing with adults on selected sailings, so it is worth checking. Disney usually costs the most per person but has the strongest character and children’s programming.
Couples and adults wanting a quieter trip
Premium lines such as Celebrity, Princess and Holland America attract more adults, have fewer flumes and loud pool parties, and put more effort into food, wine and evening entertainment. If you want children out of the picture altogether, look at adults-only lines and ships: Virgin Voyages (adults only), Viking’s ocean and river ships (18+), and from the UK, Marella Explorer 2 and P&O Cruises’ Arcadia, which both sail adults-only. If you are weighing two of the big premium names, our Holland America vs Celebrity comparison goes into detail.
Solo travellers
Most cruise fares are priced for two people sharing, so a single traveller often pays a “single supplement” of anywhere from a modest uplift to double the per-person fare. NCL has studio cabins built for one person with a shared lounge on many ships. Virgin Voyages and some Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and P&O ships also have solo cabins. Hosted solo meet-ups make it easy to find company. Read our practical tips for cruising solo before you book.
Ship size shapes everything from crowds to which ports you can reach. Photo: Marko Obrvan on Pexels
Big Ship or Small Ship? Why Size Matters
Ship size affects the whole experience more than most first-timers expect.
Mega-ships (5,000+ guests): the most to do onboard, including multiple pools, Broadway-style shows, dozens of restaurants and theme-park-style attractions. The trade-offs are busier pool decks, queues at peak times and tender ports that can feel crowded.
Mid-size ships (1,500 to 3,000 guests): a good balance of facilities and calm. Many premium ships sit here.
Small ships (under 1,000 guests): quick embarkation, crew who learn your name, and access to smaller harbours that big ships cannot use. There are fewer activities, so they suit people who want the destinations to be the main event.
A useful tip that many guides skip: compare the passenger-space ratio (gross tonnage divided by guest numbers) rather than headline tonnage. A figure above about 40 usually feels roomy. Below about 30 can feel tight on sea days. Luxury ships often score 50 or more, which is a large part of what you are paying for.
Where Do You Want to Go?
Your destination can decide the line for you, because not every brand sails everywhere at every time of year.
Caribbean and Bahamas: dominated by Royal Caribbean, Carnival, NCL, MSC, Celebrity, Princess, Virgin and Disney, many of which have their own private island or beach day.
Alaska: Princess and Holland America have the longest history there and run land-and-sea tours. Royal Caribbean, NCL and Celebrity also sail it.
Mediterranean and Northern Europe: MSC and Costa have a big presence. Premium and luxury lines are strong here too.
Ex-UK, no-fly cruises: P&O Cruises, Cunard, Fred. Olsen, Ambassador and MSC sail from Southampton and other UK ports. Marella mostly fly-cruises from UK airports.
Antarctica, Arctic and Galapagos: expedition lines only.
Budget: What Is Included and What Costs Extra
The cheapest fare is not always the cheapest holiday. On most mainstream and premium lines, the fare covers your cabin, main dining rooms, buffet, basic drinks such as water, tea, coffee and some juices, entertainment and kids’ clubs. Expect to pay extra for:
Daily gratuities (see the table below), charged per person, per day, including children on most lines
Alcohol, soda and speciality coffee, or a drinks package. Packages commonly cost upwards of $60 to $100+ per person per day, plus service charges
Wi-fi, now faster on many ships thanks to Starlink but usually still a paid add-on
Speciality restaurants, shore excursions, spa treatments and port parking
Some lines bundle these in. Celebrity sells “All Included” fares with drinks, wi-fi and tips. NCL runs bundled-perk promotions (currently called Free at Sea for new bookings) that can add a drinks package, speciality dining and wi-fi, although taxes and service charges on those perks normally still apply. Virgin Voyages includes all restaurants, basic wi-fi and soft drinks, but not tips. Marella’s UK fares include drinks and tips. Luxury lines such as Regent, Silversea and Seabourn include almost everything.
Daily gratuities by cruise line in 2026
These are the standard automatic gratuity (or “service charge”) rates per person, per day, as reported at the time of writing in late 2026. Several lines raised them during 2026, so check your line’s website before you sail.
Cruise line
Standard cabins
Suites
Royal Caribbean
$18.50
About $21
Carnival
$17 (from April 2026)
$19
Norwegian (NCL)
$20
$25 (The Haven)
Celebrity
$18
$19 to $23
Princess
$18 (from March 2026)
$19 to $20
MSC (US Caribbean and Alaska sailings)
$17 (from May 2026; varies by region)
$23 (Yacht Club)
For a family of four on a seven-night Royal Caribbean cruise, that is roughly $518 in gratuities alone, so add it to the fare when you compare prices. UK readers get a better deal here. P&O Cruises stopped adding an automatic service charge in 2019, Fred. Olsen includes tips in the fare, Marella’s fares include them, and MSC does not add automatic gratuities for UK and Ireland guests. For timing your booking well, see our guide to cruise deals for 2027 and when to book.
Onboard facilities are a big part of matching a line to your group. Photo: Erdem ÖZDEMİR on Pexels
Best Cruise Line for First Timers: Quick-Match Table
Use this as a starting shortlist, then compare two or three lines side by side for your dates.
If you want…
Consider
Maximum onboard thrills for kids and teens
Royal Caribbean (Icon and Oasis class), Carnival, NCL
The lowest fares and short 3 to 5 night tasters
Carnival, MSC, Royal Caribbean short Bahamas sailings
Characters and family magic
Disney Cruise Line
A relaxed, food-focused trip for couples
Celebrity, Princess, Holland America
Adults-only with a modern vibe
Virgin Voyages; Marella Explorer 2 (UK)
Flexible “eat when you like” dining and solo cabins
There is no single best line, but Royal Caribbean, Carnival and NCL suit most first-time families and groups thanks to short itineraries and lots of activities. Celebrity and Princess suit couples who want a calmer, more food-focused first cruise.
What’s included in a cruise fare?
On most mainstream lines the fare covers your cabin, main restaurants and buffet, basic drinks like water and tea, entertainment and kids’ clubs. Gratuities, alcohol, soda, wi-fi, speciality dining and excursions are usually extra. Luxury lines include far more.
How much are cruise gratuities per day in 2026?
Most big US lines charge about $17 to $20 per person per day for standard cabins in 2026, and more for suites. P&O Cruises, Fred. Olsen and Marella do not add them for UK guests, and luxury lines generally include tips.
Is it cheaper to book a cruise directly through the cruise line?
Not always. Cruise lines and travel agents usually sell at the same base fare, but agents may add onboard credit or other perks. It pays to compare both and to watch for sales periods such as wave season.
How do I choose between a big ship and a small ship?
Choose a big ship if you want variety, entertainment and activities for all ages. Choose a small ship if you value space, personal service and smaller ports, and you are happy with fewer onboard attractions.
