Do you enjoy cruises? Have you been on several cruises over the years or are you planning your first-ever cruise? Cruises are undeniably a great way to unwind and have fun, so I’ve pulled up a selection that looks really exciting.

Here are our top 5 new cruises for solo women over 50:

1. Most Affordable Cruise – Greek Islands: Santorini, Mykonos, and Croatia, 9-day/10-port cruise starting from Italy aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship the Norwegian Viva.
2. Most Adventurous and Fun Cruise – Eastern Caribbean Antilles cruise, 8 Nights of island hopping in the US Virgin Islands with adults-only Virgin Voyages.
3. Most Relaxing Cruise – 14-Day Britain, Scotland, and Ireland aboard Holland America Line’s newest ship, The Rotterdam.
4. Most Luxurious Cruise – Vancouver to Seward (Anchorage, Alaska)  aboard the soon-to-be splashed Silversea ship, Silver Nova.
5. Most Elegant Cruise – The Norway and Northern Lights Cruise, a once-in-a-lifetime experience to see the northern lights on Cunard Lines’ newest ship, The Queen Anne.

There are several factors to consider when choosing a cruise for solo women over 50, such as the itinerary, the ship’s size, and the cruise line’s amenities. Look for cruise lines that cater to solo travelers and that offer social events and activities that may appeal to women over 50.

It’s important to research and compare cruise lines and itineraries to find the best fit for your preferences, budget, and interests.

What Makes a Cruise Solo-Friendly

Are you planning on traveling solo? Cruise companies are now more accommodating to single cruisers. These are some of the things to look for to make sure that a cruise line is accommodating to solo travelers.

Solo Cabins/Staterooms

Many cruise lines now offer solo cabins or staterooms specifically designed for solo travelers. These cabins are typically smaller than standard cabins but provide all the necessary amenities and are priced for solo occupancy.

Reduced Single Supplements

To make cruising more affordable for solo travelers, many cruise lines have reduced or eliminated the single supplement fee, which is an additional charge that solo travelers typically have to pay to compensate for the cost of an empty bed in a double occupancy cabin.

Social Events and Activities

Many cruise lines offer social events and activities specifically for solo travelers, such as meetups, mixers, and group dinners. These events provide an opportunity for solo travelers to meet other like-minded passengers and make new friends.

Various Dining Options

Cruise lines are offering flexible dining options that allow solo travelers to dine when and where they want, with the option to dine alone or with other passengers.

Shore Excursions

Many cruise lines now offer shore excursions specifically designed for solo travelers, such as small group tours or activities that cater to solo travelers.

Cruise lines are recognizing the growing demand for solo travel and are adapting their offerings to accommodate solo passengers and are making it easier and more enjoyable for solo travelers to explore the world by sea.

New Cruises Perfect for Solo Women Over 50

Just to be clear, I am not referring to “singles cruises” that many cruise lines offer. The cruises referenced below are for everyone (or adults only) with no specific theme. They all are accommodating to solo travelers and offer some of the advantageous factors that I mentioned above.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line is a great option for single women over 50 for several reasons. The Cruise Line has studio staterooms that are specifically designed for solo travelers. These staterooms are smaller in size, but they come with a full-sized bed and a window or virtual balcony, providing a comfortable and affordable option for solo travelers.

They offer a variety of events and activities that are specifically designed for solo travelers, including meetups, happy hours, and group dinners. These events provide an opportunity for you to meet other solo travelers and make new friends.

They also offer a variety of dining options, including traditional dining, flexible dining, and specialty restaurants. This allows solo travelers to choose when and where they want to dine, and they can choose to dine alone or with others.

Norwegian Cruise Line offers a great combination of affordability, flexibility, and social opportunities, making it a great choice for single women over 50 who want to travel solo and have a fun and memorable cruise experience.

Their newest ship on the fleet is the Norwegian Viva and they offer several new itineraries like the 9-day/10-port Greek Islands: Santorini, Mykonos and Croatia starting from Venice (Trieste), Italy.

Virgin Voyages

Virgin Voyages is the shiny new kid on the block. The cruise line launched in 2020 and is aimed at adults aged 18 and over. They offer a unique experience that is different from traditional cruise lines, with a focus on “rebellious luxury” and a “no kids, no nickel and diming, and no stuffy cruises” policy.

The atmosphere on Virgin Voyages ships is very social, and there are plenty of opportunities to meet new people and make friends. The ships have multiple bars, lounges, and restaurants, as well as organized activities and events, all of which provide a great opportunity for solo travelers to mingle and socialize.

While the brand may be marketed towards a younger demographic, women over 50 can still have a great time. In fact, the company’s mission is to create a fun and adventurous atmosphere where adults of all ages can come together to have a great time.

Some of the cabins on Virgin Voyages ships are designed with solo travelers in mind. Each ship has a number of “solo” cabins that are specifically designed for single occupancy, featuring a comfortable bed, a private bathroom, plenty of storage space, and modern amenities like smart TVs and mood lighting. The company also prides itself on its sustainability efforts, with a focus on reducing waste and minimizing the environmental impact of their cruises.

The Virgin Voyages cruise line offers a program called “sailor-made mates,” which pairs solo travelers up with a compatible roommate of the same gender, so they can split the cost of a double occupancy cabin.

The cruise line has a “no tipping” policy, which means that solo travelers don’t have to worry about being charged extra for traveling alone. This can be a significant benefit, as many traditional cruise lines charge a single supplement fee for solo travelers. Don’t worry, they pride themselves on paying their employees above-average wages and great benefits.

Virgin Voyages cruises are very solo-friendly with features and policies that cater to the needs of solo travelers.

The Eastern Caribbean Antilles cruise starts in Miami and island hops in the US Virgin Islands for 8 days and takes you back to Miami.

Holland America Line

Holland America Line is another great option for women over 50. The Line offers a Single Partners Program, which matches solo travelers with roommates of the same gender, and hosts meet-and-greet events for solo travelers.

Holland America Line has a reputation for providing a more relaxing and refined atmosphere onboard, with fewer crowds and a focus on relaxation and enrichment. This can be appealing to those of you who want to avoid the party atmosphere of some other cruise lines.

The Line has a fleet of smaller ships, which can provide a more intimate and personalized cruise experience. This can be especially appealing to you if you prefer a more low-key and intimate setting.

They also offer a variety of activities, including cooking classes, art classes, and cultural lectures. Also, the ships have spa and wellness programs, including yoga classes, fitness centers, and spa treatments.

Ever dreamed of seeing Great Britain in its entirety? The Holland America 14-Day Britain, Scotland, and Ireland aboard their newest ship, the Rotterdam, is a unique way to do it.

Silversea Cruises

Silversea Cruises offers single supplements as low as 25% for solo travelers. They also offer a program called “Silver Sailings” which is specifically designed for solo travelers.

Silversea Cruises is a luxury cruise line that offers a variety of amenities and services that can make it a great choice for women over 50.

Silversea Cruises offers small ships with a high staff-to-guest ratio, providing a more intimate and personalized cruise experience.

The cruise line offers spacious and well-appointed accommodations, including suites with private verandas, which can provide a comfortable and luxurious setting.

Silversea Cruises is known for its exceptional dining experiences, with multiple gourmet restaurants and a focus on high-quality ingredients. This can be appealing to those who enjoy fine dining and culinary exploration.

Onboard, they offer a wide range of activities like educational lectures, wine tastings, and culinary demonstrations. They also have a variety of wellness programs, including fitness classes, spa treatments, and health seminars.

Their newest ship on the fleet is set to launch in August 2023 and has a variety of itineraries available. The Vancouver to Seward (Anchorage, Alaska) sounds like a luxurious way to visit Alaska.

Cunard Line

Cunard line offers a Solo Travelers’ Welcome Reception and a Solo Travelers’ Lunch early in the voyage, as well as a dedicated host to arrange activities and facilitate socializing.

The Line is a traditional British cruise line that offers a variety of amenities and services that can make it a great choice for women over 50.

Cunard Line has a reputation for providing a more formal and elegant atmosphere onboard, with a dress code for certain areas of the ship. This can be appealing to you if you enjoy dressing up and appreciate a more refined atmosphere.

The cruise line has a rich history and heritage, dating back to the 19th century, which can provide a sense of tradition and nostalgia for those who appreciate the history of cruising.

Cunard Line offers a wide range of activities that include educational lectures, literary festivals, and art classes. They also offer a variety of spa and wellness programs that include fitness classes, spa treatments, and wellness lectures.

The Line is well known for its exceptional dining experiences, with multiple gourmet restaurants and a focus on high-quality ingredients.

Cunard Line offers a traditional and refined cruise experience, with a focus on enrichment, fine dining, and a sense of history and heritage.

The new ship scheduled to grace the seas is The Queen Anne, expected to splash in 2024. The Norway and Northern Lights Cruise sounds like a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Going on a cruise alone can be a great way to explore new destinations, meet new people, and have a unique and memorable experience.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Do you like cruises? Have you ever been on a cruise? What can you share about your experience? Are you planning on booking a cruise this year or next?