Solo Cruising Versus Cruising as a Couple
By Jackie Sheckler Finch
One evening on my recent cruise aboard American Cruise Lines’ 150-passenger American Heritage, I decided at the last minute to skip the shipboard entertainment and walk ashore in Natchez one final time.
I wanted to leisurely stroll along the Mississippi River and remember previous visits to Natchez with family who had passed away long ago. To watch the sunset slowly change colors in the night sky. To hear the music and happy voices coming from the more than 200-year-old Under the Hill Saloon. To wonder if Mark Twain actually sat on that saloon porch when he was a young riverman named Samuel Clemens.
Under the Hill Saloon. * Photo: Under the Hill Saloon FB page
Cruising solo, I had that luxury.
If I were traveling with someone else, I might not have wanted to rock the boat and disrupt my fellow traveler’s plans so I would have gone to the ship’s evening events. But I would have missed that treasured alone-time in Natchez.
More and more people are taking solo journeys for a whole host of reasons. Cruising, in particular, has become an excellent option for solo travelers. And cruise lines are noticing that increasing trend.
Nearly 70 percent of those surveyed for American Express Travel’s 2024 Global Travel Trends Report said they planned to take at least one solo trip this year. As a result, cruise lines are offering more perks for solo travelers, including less expensive solo staterooms.
Cruises often offer a wide range of itineraries, many shipboard activities, delicious cuisine and entertainment. It’s the vacation that more and more solo travelers are choosing.
“Solo cabins are the first ones that sell out,” said Casey White, hotel general manager for American Cruise Lines’ American Heritage, the ship I recently sailed on. “Because this is a small ship, you can make friends easily and we have plenty of activities and great shore excursions to keep anyone entertained so solo travelers enjoy cruising with us.”
Casey was so right. My solo cruise on the American Heritage definitely supported Casey’s statement. For those thinking of cruising alone, here are some thoughts I’ve gathered over my years of solo cruising versus cruising as a couple.
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Price Differences Cruising Solo Compared to Cruising with a Partner
It’s more affordable for a solo cruiser to book a dedicated single cabin, then to occupy a double cabin by themselves.
Solo Cruising:
Cruise fares have traditionally been based on double occupancy. If you wanted a cruise ship cabin by yourself, you often had to pay double the price. That started to change as cruise companies began to rethink that expensive cabin policy.
The lowest price for a solo cabin on my American Heritage cruise was $6,475 compared to lowest double occupancy cabin at $4,925 per person (or nearly $10,000 per cabin). Look for cruise sales and, if you want a solo cabin, book early. Search for small-ship companies like American Cruise Lines that cut down that expensive pay-for-two in a regular cabin.
Note, some small-ship lines offer discounted rates for solo cruisers occupying a double-occupancy cabin, so you may pay, for instance, the cost of one-and-a-half occupants instead of two occupants.
American Heritage has 18 solo cabins. Not bad for a ship that offers 84 staterooms total. And every solo stateroom on my cruise was booked.
Couple Cruising:
Two sisters, Margaret and Eleanor, on my American Heritage cruise told me they always plan cruises together and share a regular cabin. That way they get a price break by paying $4,925 each for a regular cabin rather than the $6,475 solo cabin rate. They obviously enjoy each other’s company. When our cruise ended, they had already booked another cruise together, sharing the same cabin.
Solo Cabins Pros and Cons
Double-occupancy cabins are usually larger than single cabins, and may have more amenities.
Solo Cruising:
My stateroom was larger than I thought it would be. The very small open closet with eight wire hangers was plenty for me. There were a bunch of drawers and storage places, and the suitcase fit under the bed.
My bed was also larger than I expected. I’ve been on ships where solo beds are exactly that — a twin bed. My American Heritage bed was full size. That said, I’m 5’5″ so the small circular shower with a plastic curtain worked for me but might be tiny for a taller person.
An American Heritage solo cabin with balcony. * Photo: American Cruise Lines
Only thing I missed was a mini-fridge. Regular staterooms have them on American Heritage. I had a Keurig coffeemaker but I don’t drink coffee. I would have liked to have a bottle of cold water and a can of cold Coke in my cabin fridge, though I was just three doors down from the Paddlewheel Lounge where there were complimentary drinks and snacks 24 hours a day. However, I wouldn’t want to walk there in my nightgown.
Couple Cruising:
Double cabins are larger, of course, and typically have more amenities like a mini-fridge, bigger closet and roomier shower. The balcony also may offer more space on a regular two-person cabin because the balcony is outside of a longer stateroom.
Safety Concerns When Cruising Solo Vs in a Couple
Cruising with a friend or spouse gives you a built-in partner when exploring a port independently; though if you sign up for a group shore excursion, you’ll have many companions.
Solo Cruising:
Cruising is the safest way to solo travel because you are never really alone. Once you board the ship, someone is always looking out for you. For example, when we got off the American Heritage, we had to have our name tag scanned. It was scanned again when we boarded to be sure everyone was safely on board before the ship departed.
On shore excursions, headcount was taken when we got on a motorcoach and was taken again every time we got off at a site and then got back on. Our “buddies” would notice if we were not there, as well. After all, we are traveling in a group with tour leaders.
Another American Cruise Lines small-ship cruise comes to mind. I was taking a cab to the airport at the end of my cruise. Waiting on the dock with my luggage, the cruise director came over, asked if I needed help and called the cab company to be sure they would arrive on time. Then the cruise director waited on the dock with me. The cab did arrive on time.
The ship’s group tours are convenient and safe. Here, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri along the Mississippi River. * Photo: American Cruise Lines
Couple Cruising:
With a friend/relative/spouse in tow, you’ve got some built-in safety on shore, two sets of eyes and someone to watch your back. My brother Joe has a fine-tuned knack for seeing walking hazards like potholes, broken stones, sticks in the way and other possible impediments. An avid hiker, Joe is always aware of where he is treading and what might be a safety hazard. Good to be traveling with an expert who may see something I don’t.
Sad to say, but I was walking by myself down a popular street in a major city when night began to fall. A policeman saw me and said I shouldn’t be walking in that area alone after dark. He walked me back to my pre-cruise hotel and told me to stay safe. Doubt if that would have happened if I were walking with my brother Joe.
Dining When Solo Cruising Versus Cruising as a Couple
Solo cruisers can usually find other single cruisers to dine with.
Solo Cruising:
I’ve always been fortunate when traveling alone. Someone will invite me to sit at their table or I will see an empty chair and ask if I can join the diners. If I want to dine alone, however, that might be a problem. Small cruise ships are not set up for tables for one and there are very few tables for two in the dining room, especially if you want to sit by a window.
Couple Cruising:
You don’t have to worry if you’ll find a table/companions to eat with when you are cruising with someone. When I cruised on a small ship with my brother, he always made it a point to be at the dining room door when it opened so he could get one of the rare tables for two. Sometimes it’s nice to just enjoy a quiet dinner and not have to make small talk with strangers.
Activities — Cruising Solo Pros and Cons
Cruises have lots of opportunities to enjoy activities with other passengers and crew.
Solo Cruising:
Along with a wealth of games, programs and other activities, small cruise ships usually offer solo events. On our first day aboard American Heritage, solo cruisers were invited to a Solo Travelers Cocktail Hour where cruise director Jerry Martin asked solo travelers to introduce themselves and where they were from. Two women on my cruise were from the same town in Florida and immediately bonded over that coincidence.
Other activities were not labeled as being solo, but they certainly were welcoming to anyone traveling alone or traveling with someone who wanted to play cards, bingo, trivia or board games, or watch a movie – “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” on our cruise — or even indulge in a putting contest on the ship’s top-deck putting green, complete with prizes.
Couple Cruising:
Shipboard activities are great for cruising couples who might like to compete as partners or enjoy activities together. Cruise directors always seem creative at choosing programs, games and other activities to suit all participants.
The 150-passenger American Heritage. * Photo: Jackie Sheckler Finch
Friendships on a Solo Cruise Versus Cruising with a Partner
Cruising solo encourages you to make an effort to mingle, while cruising as a couple can make you a bit lazy to meet others.
Solo Cruising:
As a solo traveler, I think it’s easier to make new friends. If I am traveling with family such as my brother, I tend to keep company with him. We dine together, take shore excursions together, and sit at ship programs and nightly entertainment together.
When I’m cruising alone, I usually spend more time with other passengers. Sometimes that leads to long-time friendships. I still keep in touch via Facebook and email with two people from Australia who were on a solo cruise with me a decade ago.
Couple Cruising:
People cruising together will often sit with others who are cruising together and discover they enjoy each other’s company. On my American Heritage cruise, I heard some couples booking future cruises together with their new friends.
Cruising with a partner means often makes it easier to meet other couples. * Photo: American Cruise Lines
A Sense of Freedom as a Solo Cruiser Versus in a Couple
As a solo traveler, you’re the boss of your day!
Solo Cruising:
My solo stateroom was quiet. After all, I was the only person in there. I could turn on the TV or not turn it on. I could go to bed when I wanted and get up when I felt like it. If I had some work to do, I could turn on my computer, climb back in bed or sit at the desk or enjoy my balcony chair and write undisturbed. I love cruising with family but sometimes you have to compromise for the other person’s happiness.
As a solo traveler, the world is my oyster. In this often-hectic world, it is nice to stop and take silent reflection. A small-cruise ship like American Heritage is perfect for that.
Couple Cruising:
My brother Joe lives in Colorado. I live in Indiana. It’s often difficult for the two of us to find time to get together. For the last four years, we have been meeting at some destination and taking a cruise together. I love it. Joe and I are the last two siblings of seven and we know how quickly time can pass so we both look forward to those cruises.
My brother Joe on a shore excursion with me. * Photo: Jackie Sheckler Finch
I am quite happy when I am traveling with Joe or another family member. But I am also quite content when I am traveling alone as well. Each type of journey has its special joys and I’m glad more solo cruise travelers are venturing out to see the world on their own.
Hope my cruising solo pros and cons shed some light on the differences between the two kinds of travel.
RELATED: American Cruise Lines’ in the midst of a building spree. A news report by Anne Kalosh.
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HEIDI SARNA
