Cruise fares are quoted per person, based on two people sharing a cabin. Sail alone and the cruise line charges a "single supplement" — effectively, you're paying for the empty berth. It's the single most confusing line item in cruising, and it surprises almost every first-time solo traveler.
The supplement varies wildly — and that's the opportunity. On some sailings it's modest; on others it's steep enough to make you question the trip. It changes by ship, by sailing date, and by how full the ship already is. A sailing that's selling slowly might carry a low supplement; the same ship at peak season might not. There is no standard rate, which means there's no point memorizing one — the question is always "what's the supplement on this sailing?"
Some ships are built for solos; most are not. A handful of newer ships carry purpose-built solo staterooms — smaller, priced for one, sometimes with a shared solo lounge. They're excellent value when available, and they sell out fast. On ships without them, the supplement applies to a standard stateroom. Knowing which ships have solo cabins — and which sailings still have them open — is genuinely useful intelligence.
Repositioning and shoulder-season sailings are your friend. Transatlantic crossings and early- or late-season sailings often carry the gentlest supplements, and they suit solo travel beautifully: long sea days, a relaxed social pace, and ports where exploring alone feels natural rather than lonely.
The honest summary: never accept the first fare you see as the solo fare. Supplements are negotiable in the sense that the sailing choice changes them — and choosing the right sailing is exactly what an advisor does. Bring us your dates and we'll show you the real solo number on two or three options, side by side.