So often I hear from folks who want to travel, but may not have anyone to share their adventures with and they feel like they can't go alone. That is absolutely not the case! If you want to do something, I feel you should go for it!
River cruises offer a wonderful way to explore for solo guests because they journey to several ports and even countries from the comfort of your home-away-from-home. Your floating hotel / restaurant transports you along beautiful rivers in Europe, Asia, Africa and beyond. You will go on excursions with other guests, get to know one another in the lounge and sit together at mealtimes. Make new friends. Explore new places. All in the comfort (and safety) of your river cruise ship and with the service of your Cruise Director. What could be better?
When you look at the fares on river cruise ships, you will see they are usually priced for two people in one cabin. It may appear as "per person, double occupancy." However, many lines also offer fares for just one guest in a cabin. There is a wide variety of solo fares offered. Here is an overview of some of the most popular cruise line solo offers available to my North American clients.
PRO TIP: Pricing and availability and special offers come and go. This article is a snapshot in time and is meant as an overview. A Travel Agent who is well-versed in river cruise lines will be able to assist you in finding the best itinerary and ship for you.
Amadeus River Cruises:
This river cruise line offers a 5 star experience at a 4 star price. I recently traveled on the Amadeus Cara and certainly did not feel like anything was missing at all. The cabins are spacious and comfortable, service was attentive and friendly and the food was delicious. Amadeus may not be a familiar name, but I think that they will become more popular as American travelers get to know them better. Amadeus offers a discounted solo supplement on every sailing. This is a fixed % starting at 15% for the lowest level (C) cabins.
AmaWaterways:
A limited number of sailings have the solo supplement waived. The 2024 offer just expired and included 6 sailings, mostly on the AmaMagna. The higher level cabins are excluded from the offer.
All Europe and Mekong sailings offer a fixed 25% solo supplement on the fixed window cabins (Cat C on Mekong).
They also offer a Waived Single Supplement on select ships in Europe (AmaCello, AmaDante, AmaDolce and AmaLyra) that offer a limited number of specially designed single occupancy staterooms with French balconies (140 sq. ft.). Simply pay the standard per person cruise fare, with no additional supplemental fee.
Avalon Waterways
Feel self-conscious traveling solo? No need! Fully ten percent of Avalon Waterways’ guests are solo travelers. Select sailings have the solo supplement waived. It’s important to book early for the best selection. of course. Your Travel Agent can help you search for the best itinerary and dates for you.
Currently, there are 199 cruises in 2024 included in this offer and 69 2025 cruises included.
I had the pleasure of staying aboard Avalon Passion recently and loved their cabins!
Viking
Viking will occasionally make solo fares available. The normal solo supplement ranges from 150% to 200%, depending on stateroom type.
Riviera River Cruises
If you want to travel with other solo guests, then Riviera is the cruise line for you!! Riviera offers carefully crafted river cruises to every single one of our travelers. So, whether you’re the kind of person who prefers traveling alone, or you just want your own cabin while traveling with friends, these Solo Traveler options bring your perfect European vacation within reach.
A wide selection of European river cruise departures for solo travelers, with no single supplements across the entire ship, so you can book that Diamond Deck Suite you’ve always imagined, without the roommate and the single price tag.
Select sailings, including Christmas Markets on the Rhine and Danube, sailings on the Rhône, Douro, Dutch Waterways and more! all designed for solo travelers.
Riverside Luxury
This newer cruise line currently has no solo traveler offers. Check back because this could change as the brand develops.
Scenic Luxury and Emerald River Cruises
Scenic Luxury offers and all inclusive experience and their sister company, Emerald, has a more wallet friendly price point. Both lines have a single supplement of 45% that can be reduced to 25% when paid in full. Plus, on select itinerary dates, receive FREE single supplement when paid in full.
Emerald offers very limited numbers of solo cabins. I toured one of these on Emerald Dawn. While not the most spacious, the room has what you need as a solo guest, if you will be spending most of your time either on the Sun Deck or in the Lounge, on excursions etc. And, the pricing may be more favorable for a single traveler.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
This luxury, all-inclusive brand features fantastic cuisine, unlimited premium drinks, fun onboard entertainment and more! Their solo supplement (normally 100%) is waived on select sailings in 2024. Sailings include all popular itineraries: Enchanting Danube, Paris & Normandy, Castles Along the Rhine and more!
All in all, I think river cruising offers an amazing experience whether you are traveling alone or with someone else. Unpack once and see a variety of ports, experience new cultures and see new sights. Best of all, make new memories!! I truly believe that Experiences are better than Things at enhancing our lives. I hope you make some new memories soon!!
LEARN MORE and START PLANNING
Send an email to mary@tripsbymary.com
or call 919-817-4081
or make an appointment using my Calendly: https://calendly.com/trips-by-mary/discoverymeeting
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