Doing my first river cruise alone was one of the most fulfilling travel experiences of my life. There is something about traveling solo that makes me feel fiercely independent and unstoppable. The only downside to traveling solo, however, is the cost. Well … sometimes.
Cruises are usually based on a per-person fare, so a cabin costs double that price. Solo passengers often have to pay single supplements, meaning that they must tack on an additional percentage to their per person cruise fare. Though single supplements can run high, some companies waive these fees. Some river cruise operators also have solo cabins, which might have a reduced single supplement, or a waived single supplement for a certain number of solo travelers on each departure. But more on that in a minute.
Singles Often Pay More, But Not Always
Single supplements are not the only important thing to factor in to your cruise when traveling by yourself. They are also important when looking at traveling in groups. Some groups choose to bunk together, however if you want your own room while traveling with a group of friends, you should look to the reduced or waived single supplement programs that some cruise lines offer.
First, we will talk about Riviera, which is the most friendly solo river cruise line. Riviera offers a select number of waived single supplements on every sailing. On every departure, Riviera offers between four and six cabins with no single supplement.
That is not the only solution that Riviera provides for solo travelers, though. The line also offers solo traveler cruises. On each of these sailings, all single supplements are waived. Not only are these sailings nice because of the ability to get many different solo travelers together, but they are also great for groups of travelers. If you are planning on taking a river cruise with a group of friends, everyone could book a cabin to themselves without having to pay anything extra.
Avalon and Tauck are other cruise lines that offers a select number of waived single supplements on every departure. Just keep in mind that there are a limited number of these category one cabins, so it is important to check availability.
Avalon, Tauck and Riviera are the only cruise lines that waive single supplements on each sailing offered. However, that doesn’t mean that other cruise lines charge single supplements on every sailing. Many cruise lines offer incentives for solo travelers on select itineraries.
Single Supplements
| Company | Single Supplement |
|---|---|
| AmaWaterways | 0-25 percent single supplement on select sailings if booked by June 30, 2024; 25 percent single supplement on all fixed window staterooms in 2024; Single occupancy cabins with no single supplement. |
| Avalon Waterways | Single Supplement waived on cruise portion of select 2024 sailings; plus, single supplement waived on select number of cabins on every departure. |
| American Cruise Lines | Single occupancy cabins; 50-75 percent single supplement for double occupancy cabins. |
| CroisiEurope | No single supplement on select 2024 departures. |
| Emerald Cruises | Designated single cabins on certain ships; 0-45 percent single supplement on select sailings. |
| Riviera | Between 4 and 6 cabins with no single supplement on every sailing, plus solo only itineraries. |
| Scenic | No single supplement on select sailings when paid in full; 45 percent single supplement on select 2024 sailings. |
| Tauck | No single supplement in all category one cabins. |
| Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection | Waived single supplement on select 2024 sailings. |
| Viking River Cruises | 150-200% single supplement fee. |
| updated 2/11/23 |
Read more about single supplements in the following articles:
20 Responses
Hi, I could help you plan your trip.
With more solo travellers cruis operators should begin to offer single rooms.
Prefer companies with tours I la d and are fares to solo travellers
I would like prices and choices of river cruise plus air fare for the Rhine River 10-15 days
What is the best cruise for a senior traveling alone specifically to Rome, Florence, and Venice and other ports in Italy?
I WANT TO AVOID SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS. I ALSO AM A SENIOR TRAVELING ALONE. I WOULD LIKE A CRUISE FOR SENIORS.
Yes
Want to avoid single supplements
Is there a Nile River cruise that waives the single supplement?
Do you sell wholesale to travel agents or are you just retail?
James-Did you enjoy your Vantage River Cruise? Which one did you take?
Thank you. Sandra
We agree. I don’t think the cruise companies discriminate against those who are hard of haaring.
For me, so far, river cruising has been the only way to go. I have traveled solo on most of my 24 river cruises. I now am hard of hearing and wonder if I would be accepted by these cruise lines because of that disability.
thanks for this solo traveler information. it is the first time i have had this information in front of me. i will use it in the future to plan solo trips. i have cruised solo on american cruise lines and vantage.
Most cruise fares are based on double occupancy. This means that if a single supplement is 150 percent, it is 150 percent of the per person fare based on double occupancy.
How can a single supplement be greater than 100%? That would mean paying more than the fare for 2 people in a double occupancy cabin.
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Be sure to check where the boat will be docking. Often I found that it is not close
to the city so you will need to call a taxi if wanting night life.
Hi MarE,
I have been on three river cruises and with each, there was at least one port where the ship docked in the evening to allow passengers to explore at night. I’ve experienced Vienna, Phnom Penh, and Libourne, France–whomever sets the itinerary gets it, they make sure the passengers know how late at night they can stay out (Phenom Penh was 11 p.m. as I recall).
Have not had the pleasure of going on a river cruise yet, just want to know what kind of sleeping arrangement are there on a “river cruise”. Have heard that the boat stays on the river port so the passenger can enjoy the night life where they are at while on a cruise.