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I remember my first solo vacation: a three-day weekend in upstate New York where I planned to sleep, relax and get comfortable being uncomfortable. I was nervous, but somehow, I felt called to go — and to go it alone — and although it wasn’t easy, it was oh-so-empowering. With one successful trip under my belt, I had unlocked a new source of luxury for myself. The world quickly became my delicious oyster, and it wasn’t long after that that I discovered the pearl: cruising solo!
I learned that I loved everything about cruising — the swaying of the boat, being surrounded by the ocean, the convenience of having my vacation fully paid for before it even began and of visiting several dream destinations in one easy-to-plan trip.
With a bit of research and a lot of daydreaming, I discovered some of the best ships for every solo traveler. And I assure you, Girlfriends, there is a perfect ship for everyone. If you’re brave enough to take yourself out on the high seas for the vacation of a lifetime, keep reading to meet your nautical match made in paradise.
Best Luxury Ship: Celebrity Beyond
Celebrity Beyond is part of Celebrity Cruises’ Edge Class, whose ships are known for pairing modern design and cutting-edge technology. The Beyond offers solo staterooms complete with infinite verandas and an activity team that will make you feel anything but alone while on board. They host solo travelers’ meet-ups each day and staff can assist you in reserving seats for shows and dinner.
Worried about dining alone on board? Book dinner at Le Petit Chef, a one-of-a-kind, interactive, 3D dining experience that literally brings your table to life. Using overhead projection technology, a tiny animated chef appears at your table and walks you through the preparation of your meal — so not only are you not dining alone, you’re also sure to be entertained like never before!
This ship will surely be a top pick for fitness fanatics because it offers F45 classes, Peloton on-demand workouts and even LIT Bungee Fit classes. While you're cruising solo, you might as well focus on your mental health, too, and sign up for guided meditation, yoga or breathing classes, which are offered on select Celebrity ships. Celebrity is known as a top pick for mature travelers and is also very accommodating of guests with disabilities or special travel needs. It’s a great option if you want a quieter, relaxed vibe for solo sailing. The Celebrity Beyond currently sails from Miami, Florida, with itineraries that include stops in the Caribbean, Bahamas and Mexico.
Best Large Ship: MSC World America
MSC’s World America is the hottest new ship to hit the cruise market, and she is both a beauty and a beast. Having debuted her first-ever sailing from Miami in April of 2025, the ship weighs in at over 216,000 tons, has 22 decks and can accommodate 6,762 passengers.
It’s a massive ship, which means you can get lost exploring every nook and cranny without bumping into the same people over and over again — and you’ll never feel overcrowded. A cozy comedy club is a comfortable place to grab a table for one and laugh the night away, or you can grab a seat in the theater for a performance of Dirty Dancing.
Grab a book and head to The Promenade, a central, open-air hub that is host to pop-up events, an authentic Emporium coffee bar and panoramic sea views that will make your problems disappear.
If thrill is what you’re after, then get yourself up to the top deck and take a ride on The Cliffhanger, the first giant, over-water swing ride at sea. Choose to ride it solo or grab a partner to sit next to you; either way, it will most definitely get your heart racing. And if you feel uncomfortable dining solo at a formal restaurant, fear not, Girlfriends — World America has you covered. With two buffets on board, both of which serve specialty, quality food at every meal, you will have plenty of options to satisfy all your cravings.
Dining options include casual picks such as a pizza and burger joint, sports bar, protein shake and smoothie bar and 24-hour room service. World America is currently sailing from Miami to ports in both the Eastern and Western Caribbean, including Cozumel, San Juan, Roatan and MSC’s private island, Ocean Cay in the Bahamas.
Best Overall: NCL Prima
Norwegian Cruise Line deserves special props for being the first to offer designated solo staterooms (without charging double occupancy rates) and solo traveler-only lounges, which they began in 2010.
In fact, Norwegian has consistently been named the best cruise line for solo travelers by Porthole Magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards. NCL’s Prima debuted in 2022 and is a mid-size ship that accommodates up to 3,099 passengers on its 20 decks.
Book yourself a solo studio and you’ll gain access to the Studio Lounge, a designated social space for solo travelers that offers an accessible venue for socializing whenever the desire strikes. And yes, complimentary refreshments are provided.
NCL provides a host for their daily solo meet-ups, and they even help organize sit-down dinners for solo passengers who prefer to dine in a group. If you are a little more introverted or simply want some downtime, be sure to treat yourself to a thermal spa pass and enjoy the peace and quiet of the adult-only spa. Get a massage, hit the sauna or take a dip in the saltwater pools.
A little something for everyone, NCL also allows you to purchase a pass to The Vibe Beach Club, an adults-only oasis on the top of the ship for a relaxing escape, or to join in the excitement of playing The Price is Right (this is on everyone’s bucket list, isn’t it?) and Deal or No Deal. The Prima departs from a variety of ports, including Orlando and New Orleans, and sails to a variety of Caribbean destinations. It also has European itineraries leaving from Denmark and Iceland.
Life is short — and vacations are even shorter. If you’re blessed with the time, money and opportunity to escape reality and seas (pun intended) the day, don’t let the lack of a companion stop you. I promise that you won’t regret it.
Have you ever been on a cruise alone? Would you go as a solo traveler? Let us know in the comments below.
