Top Tips for Solo Travel on Global Oceans & Rivers

Note to Readers: This is the first in a series of upcoming blogs focused on solo travel.

More travelers are heading out “solo” on the high seas or global rivers. So, The Meandering Traveler asked two top cruise industry executives for their perspective and tips.

How can “soloists” handle dining aboard a ship? What’s the best way to mix and mingle, if desired, with other like-minded travelers? Simply put, how can solo travelers craft the best vacation experience?

We’re happy to share both helpful tips and advice from Kristin Karst, executive vice president and co-founder, AmaWaterways, and Katina Athanasiou, senior vice president of sales, Celebrity Cruises.

(Shown in the photo above, Celebrity Beyond’s Solarium is a great spot for solo adult travelers to relax, read a book, chat with fellow guests, and make new friends. Photo by Celebrity Cruises.)

Different Strokes for Solo Folks

First, let’s look at who’s traveling solo. Cruise lines tell us that increasingly, it’s a wide demographic — spanning all adult generations. Solo travelers might be twenty-something travel “newbies.” Alternatively, they might be 40-something experienced travelers.

Some soloists are corporate executives desiring a getaway or entrepreneurs working remotely. Other soloists include mature travelers who’ve may have loved cruising with a friend, partner or spouse in the past, but now are on their own for vacation.

Another “emerging trend”? Pavlus Travel is now seeing more people who like to travel together but also desire separate solo accommodations. 

Solo Travel: Global Rivers

Are You a First Timer?

“For first-time solo travelers, embarking on a journey alone can be a little intimidating,” Karst acknowledges. She suggests choosing a seven-night river cruise “to get comfortable with the solo travel experience.”

How so? “River cruises offer an ideal environment for solo travelers to explore new destinations in a safe and social setting,” she emphasizes. Citing structured itineraries, guided excursions and a supportive environment, Karst believes that “it’s the perfect mix of independence and community.”

Solo Travel: Mix and Mingle

Once aboard a river vessel, “we make it easy for solo travelers to meet others,” she stresses. “For example, our captains do a special ship tour on arrival day for solo travelers to get to know other solos!”

It’s also helpful to chat with the restaurant host or maitre d’ about dinner preferences. Yes, soloists can dine alone, if desired. But if instead they prefer to mix and mingle, that’s quite doable too.

For instance, AmaWaterways offers some dining tables set for five or seven guests. Karst says those “create the perfect setup for natural conversations and a relaxed atmosphere where you can connect with others and share travel stories over a meal.”

In fact, that happened in late 2023 to The Meandering Traveler during an AmaWaterways’ holiday season cruise in France. We opted for a table in the main dining room with multiple guests we didn’t know.

Then, when we spotted the same guests the next day or two around the ship, we felt a sense of kinship. In particular, we struck up a friendship with two ladies from New Jersey — friends traveling together. So, later in the cruise, we met up to dine at the Chef’s Table specialty restaurant!

Solo Travel: Going Ashore

Certainly, participating in activities on board a river vessel or heading out on unique shore excursions that dovetail with your personal passions is a recipe for solo travel satisfaction.

Karst puts it this way: “When ashore, our small group excursions offer a great opportunity to meet people and connect over shared experiences such as a hike, cooking class or wine tasting.”

Another good option is a themed river cruise. For instance, AmaWaterways offers many wine-themed cruises each year.

The beauty of a themed cruise is that guests know prior to arrival at the ship that their fellow guests have a similar interest.

Solo Travel Tip

Another tip to create “journey flow” from the outset? “We recommend that solo travelers reserve their air and pre-cruise land package with us, so all transfers are included,” says Karst.

That way, river cruise soloists can meet fellow cruisers and begin building a circle of friends, if they so desire. And that comes “even before arriving on board,” she stresses.

Solo Travel: Top River Takeaway

Solo travelers on a river cruise may be exploring the world alone, but Karst emphasizes that the scenario “doesn’t mean lonely.” In contrast, “they’ll have plenty of chances to socialize and meet others, and also the freedom to enjoy quiet moments when needed.”

Karst’s perspective? “Our river cruise experience is designed to help solo travelers feel comfortable, welcomed, and connected throughout their journey.”

Solo Travel: Chat about Opportunities

Increasingly, AmaWaterways and other travel suppliers are doing more to welcome solo travelers onboard their ships. So, be sure to ask your personal travel planner about this year’s new solo travel options — Wave Season deals, new developments for solo travelers, new single accommodations on ships, waived or reduced single supplements and more.

“Just let one of our personal travel advisors know that you’re interested in traveling solo, and what type of vacation you enjoy,” says Shelby Steudle, president, Pavlus Travel.

“Then, we’ll keep you updated on the latest and greatest offers for both rivers and oceans,” she notes. For example, AmaWaterways offers a 10-to-25 percent solo supplement on select sailings.

In addition, at times on certain departures in Europe, river lines may offer a limited number of single occupancy staterooms with no additional single supplement. 

Solo Travel: Oceans of Opportunities

For solo travelers, upscale ocean cruise ships also offer myriad programs, razzle-dazzle facilities and public spaces that provide plenty of options to relax, socialize or engage in a wide range of activities.

Celebrity’s Athanasiou talked with The Meandering Traveler about her personal tips for onboard dining. She also revealed her perspective on the kinds of activities conducive for socializing with fellow guests. And she offered tips for novice “soloists.”

Solo Travel: Ocean Dining

“Dining onboard a Celebrity cruise is an enjoyable and memorable experience regardless of your party size,” she tells us. “You can choose to dine solo if you prefer some quiet time,” and “some of our best tables are two-tops next to an expansive ocean-front window!”

Alternatively, Athanasiou says it’s also easy to opt for a more social atmosphere by being seated with fellow travelers who are open to meeting new people. “You can easily request to share a table in the main dining rooms,” she explains. “Simply let the maître d’ know of your wishes when you arrive.”

And if the solo traveler is staying in The Retreat, just “share your request with your butler who will communicate directly with our service teams in specialty dining.”

Of course, there’s also room service if solo travelers would prefer a more private meal in their stateroom. Guests can also enjoy relaxed, come-and-go-as-you-please dining at the Ocean View Cafe.

Sharing the Humor

In addition, The Meandering Traveler found Le Petit Chef incredibly entertaining. It’s a hoot of an experience whether people dine alone (as we did) or with others.

After all, who can resist the humor and fun of Le Petit Chef’s visual show? We just couldn’t resist chuckling out loud and smiling with fellow diners doing the same as the little chef “climbed” onto our dinner plates!

When sailing the high seas, success on a solo travel cruise comes down to this: “Ultimately, it’s about what suits your mood—whether that’s socializing with others or having some peaceful downtime,” Athanasiou says.  

Customized Activities for Single Cruisers 

“Whether you’re lounging by the pool, playing a game of pickleball, participating in trivia, or attending an enrichment talk, these activities offer wonderful, unique opportunities to meet like-minded travelers and start conversations,” Athanasiou emphasizes.

And she provides this helpful tip: “You can always visit the entertainment and activities team and let them know you’re interested in meeting others. Our onboard teams really love making those connections. It brings them joy to see all of our guests really leaning into social events and group activities.”

To check out some of the line’s solo traveler accommodations, check out this Celebrity website page.

Tips for Novice Solo Travelers

“Cruising offers the perfect opportunity to ease into solo travel at your own pace,” believes Athanasiou. She stresses that guests can enjoy tranquil alone time with a luxurious spa treatment, sip a cocktail watching the sun set, or join in karaoke night.

Solo travel on an ocean cruise can be easily customized to the individual’s vacation style and personality. Most of all, “the key is to embrace the freedom to craft each day to deliver the vacation you want,” she says.

“Stay open to new experiences and connections,” Athanasiou also advocates. “Remember – the cruise is yours to enjoy, so take it day by day and have fun with it!”

More About Solo Travel

Many other cruise lines including Oceania Cruises, American Cruise Lines, Explora Journeys, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Tauck and others offer enticing activities, programming, excursions, accommodations, and, at times, pricing deals that may benefit solo travelers.

For example, Pavlus Travel’s clients will discover that Explora Journeys, is currently offering a waived single supplement for bookings of Ocean, Grand Terraces and Ocean Penthouses on select sailings.

The luxury line also has special solo supplements on select 2025 journeys. And the line is growing with two ships on the world’s oceans, and a third, the new Explora III, arriving in 2026.

Don’t be shy. Definitely, chat with your personal travel planner today about any solo travel promotions or incentives, designated solo cabins on certain sailings, or even a category of accommodations for single occupancy year-round.

It’s a great way to size up what’s out there that may be of interest for your solo vacation. For example, ultra-luxury Crystal will launch a new ship in 2028 that will offer a single occupancy category suite with veranda.

So, check back soon for more in our series of articles about solo travel, promotions, incentives and services to make your booking experience the best possible!

Important Information from Pavlus Travel