Calling All Solo Travelers! Dreaming of an adventure but don’t have a travel partner? You’re in luck! With the rise of solo travel, many cruise lines now cater specifically to individuals. Whether you crave relaxation or adventure, Alaska cruises offer all that and more – perfect for singles and solo travelers!
While I take the majority of cruises with my husband, I’ve tried some lines as a solo guest.
Norwegian Cruise Line leads the way in solo travel with dedicated studio cabins and a private Studio Lounge where single travelers can connect and socialize. Gone are the days of just shoebox inside cabins. Some lines have solo balcony cabins, as I experienced on the Norwegian Bliss.
Overview of Alaska Cruises For Singles
Alaska cruises have become increasingly popular among singles, and the state is a safe destination to explore alone. Major cruise lines like Holland America Line and Cunard offer dedicated programs and events for singles.
Major cruise lines that have solo cabins provide comfort without the typical single supplement fees that can make solo travel expensive. They may also offer the following:
- Organized social events and solo meetups.
- Dedicated studio lounges.
- Dance partner program.
- Solo-friendly activities.
Solo meetups allow guests to organize dinner companions and arrange shore excursions together.
Now, solo cruises aren’t for everyone. While I cruise with my husband most of the time, I’ve taken four solo voyages in single and double-occupancy cabins. During my meet and greets, I met introverted solo guests who found socializing hard, creating a lonely experience.
Solo travelers who cruise in May benefit from lower pricing and fewer families. Peak season, from late June to mid-August, provides maximum daylight for activities and warmer temperatures. From September onwards, there’s a chance to see the northern lights.
Ships That Have Solo Staterooms
Several major cruise lines now offer dedicated cabins designed specifically for solo travelers cruising to Alaska. Some have added larger staterooms in the oceanview and balcony categories.
Norwegian Bliss
Norwegian Bliss, purpose-built for Alaska, features a 180-degree observation lounge and many solo cabins. Initially, the vessel was built with studio staterooms, compact spaces of 99 square feet, with access to a studio lounge.
Since these cabins sold out quickly, in January 2024, the cruise line expanded its solo categories by adding solo insides, oceanviews, and balconies.
Studios are located on decks 10, 11, and 12, with easy access to the lounge on deck 11. These spaces are compact with the shower and sink in the sleeping area.
While solo insides and oceanview cabins provide more space, they are located on deck 5, making access to the lounge less convenient. A factor to consider when booking is if you intend to use the studio lounge frequently.
Solo balconies are on decks 11 and 12, and the cabin space is the same size as a double occupancy stateroom. These cabins were repurchased into solo rooms. Although there is room for more than one, guests cannot add another person to the reservation after booking.
All studio, solo inside, solo oceanview, and solo balcony guests receive key card access to the exclusive studio lounge. This lounge is open 24 hours and features an espresso coffee machine, other refreshments, and complimentary snacks.
Norwegian Encore
Like its sister ship, the Bliss, the Norwegian Encore vessel has studios, insides, oceanviews, and balconies for solo guests. It’s the newest of the three ships with solo rooms. Again, all guests in dedicated solo category rooms have exclusive access to the studio lounge.
The big difference is the itinerary. For the 2025 Alaska cruise season, the Encore visits Glacier Bay National Park. It’s a preferred route for many guests.
Norwegian Bliss visited Dawes Glacier in Endicott Arm. However, its April and October departures go to Glacier Bay instead.
Norwegian Joy
Norwegian Joy, launched in 2017, is the oldest of the three vessels. Contrasting the Bliss and Encore, this ship has solo rooms in the inside, oceanview, and balcony categories.
However, it doesn’t have studios or an exclusive studio lounge. The Joy might not be your top choice if you want lounge access and prefer to mingle with other single travelers.
Guests considering an itinerary on the Joy can choose from extended itineraries of 9 to 10 days instead of the traditional 7-day voyage. Nine-day sailings visit Glacier Bay and six different ports. Ten-day itineraries cruise to Hubbard Glacier and include six ports of call.
Royal Caribbean Quantum Of The Seas
RCI Quantum of the Seas features 28 dedicated Studio staterooms in the interior and balcony categories. Since the vessel can hold almost 5,000 passengers, these rooms fill up fast.
Each room includes a full-size bed and private bathroom, but no dedicated studio lounge exists. The solo interiors feel less claustrophobic with their innovative virtual balcony screen, which live streams the view outside.
The studio balconies have a nice 55 square foot deck and are bigger than the insides – 119 sq. feet compared to the 101 sq, ft interiors.
Royal Caribbean Anthem Of The Seas
In 2025, Anthem of the Seas replaced the Ovation of the Seas for Alaska itineraries. Like the Quantum, she has interior and balcony solo cabins, although only 28 in total.
Both ships include Dawes Glacier in Endicott Arm on their glacier viewing day.
Celebrity Edge
Celebrity Cruises was late to the game when it comes to solo cruising. Only their edge-class vessels have solo staterooms, including the Celebrity Edge, which cruises to Alaska.
We cruised on the Edge and loved her modern décor and innovative spaces. Its 16 solo rooms are all in the infinite veranda category. These innovative 131-square-foot cabins include a full-size bed, floor-to-ceiling windows, and an automated window system that transforms the space into an open-air balcony.
Solo travelers have access to exclusive social events and dedicated hosting staff.
Cunard Queen Elizabeth
Queen Elizabeth provides 9 dedicated single staterooms in both the inside and oceanview categories. These cabins are some of the biggest studio spaces, at 159 to 162 square feet, with elegant Art Deco styling. Single travelers enjoy Cunard’s traditional afternoon tea service and organized social gatherings.
Cunard Alaska itineraries vary from 7 to 12 days. I liked that their longer voyages include more than one glacier viewing day. Some visit Glacier Bay, Misty Fjords Monument, and Tracy Arm Fjord. On may sailing, the itinerary includes Hubbard Glacier and Glacier Bay.
Holland America Koningsdam
HAL Koningsdam features 12 purpose-built solo cabins, in the oceanview category. These rooms are at the bow and range from 127 to 172 square feet.
Single travelers can participate in Holland America’s solo program with hosted activities and dining arrangements. I cruised on the Koningsdam solo and enjoyed their solo meetups.
Virgin Brilliant Lady
Virgin Voyages will send its first vessel to Alaska in 2026. The Brilliant Lady offers more than 40 solo insider cabins across different decks. These rooms, sized at 130 square feet, feature a custom-designed full-size bed and mood lighting system.
Virgin Voyages is exclusive to guests 18 and older. Single travelers who prefer adult-only sailing might prefer this vessel. Their pricing includes select non-alcoholic beverages, unlimited Wi-Fi, and gratuities, making it an almost all-inclusive cruise.
Studio Vs. Double Occupancy Cabin
When booking an Alaska cruise as a solo traveler, choosing between a studio cabin and a double occupancy room can significantly impact both comfort and budget. If you’re loyal to one cruise line, you’ll have to pay the single supplement on lines like Princess and Carnival.
Having taken a few solo cruises, I weighed the pros and cons of cabin selection. Sometimes, studio staterooms are sold out, leaving only double occupancy rooms.
Most solo rooms that are on the larger size have the same bathroom as double occupancy cabins. The exception is the studios on Norwegian where the sink and shower are part of the stateroom. However, I booked a solo balcony on the Bliss, which was a double-occupancy stateroom designated as a single-occupany cabin.
When I’ve compared the price difference, sometimes the double occupancy cabin has a minimal price difference. In this case, I preferred to pay a bit more for a much larger room.
On Holland America Koningsdam, it was USD10 more to book a double occupancy balcony cabin over a solo oceanview. The large cabin with a balcony made sense.
Some major cruise lines give double loyalty points if single travelers book double occupancy cabins. It’s a way to reach a higher loyalty status quicker.
When booking a solo cabin, be cautious of an invitation to bid for an upgrade. Most of the time, as in my experience with Norwegian’s Upgrade Advantage, the cabins are double occupancy. If I chose to bid, I’d pay for two people and lose access to the studio lounge.
Cabin Selection Tips for Solo Travelers
Studio cabins offer a cost-effective solution designed specifically for single travelers. While they generally aren’t big at 100 square feet, they include a full-size bed and standard amenities without paying the single supplement.
Studio cabins on Norwegian Bliss and Enclore are strategically placed around the studio lounge. The solo balconies are located across the hallway. However, cabin selection for solo guests may depend on availability before factoring in cost.
The Importance Of Booking Early
Studio cabins sell out quickly due to limited availability and high demand from solo travelers. We recommend booking 8-12 months in advance for the best choice.
Early booking often comes with better pricing. When sold out, price the cost of a double occupancy room instead. Sometimes, cruise lines will give a discount on a single supplement, making the decision to book more attractive.
Onboard Experience for Singles
Singles-focused Alaska cruises provide dedicated spaces and activities designed specifically for solo travelers. There were lots of daily events and evening mettings for group dinners.
Events may include:
- Daily singles meet-and-greet.
- Group dining arrangements or designated sharing tables for solo guests.
- Evening single mingles or get together at cocktail hour.
Love to dance but cruising solo? Cunard offers dance partners in the Queens Room, so singles don’t have to sit out the next dance.
Conclusion
Cruising to Alaska offers breathtaking scenery with majestic glaciers, towering mountains, and abundant wildlife like whales and bears. While the destination often attracts older couples, there’s no reason why single travelers can’t enjoy it too.
With eight cruise ships currently offering solo cabins—and another set to debut in 2026—cruising to Alaska has never been more accessible or affordable for single travelers.
Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean are leading the way with solo-friendly accommodations, exclusive lounges, and organized meetups to help independent cruisers connect.
When selecting a cruise, ship size shapes the solo travel experience. Larger vessels offer a lively atmosphere with more activities, entertainment, and opportunities to meet fellow travelers.
Alternatively, smaller vessels provide a more intimate experience while enjoying unique, off-the-beaten-path itineraries.
