How to Save Money on Cruises as a Single Senior Traveler

Usually, when you book a cruise you pay a per-person, double occupancy price. So, lone travelers get charged a higher rate called a single supplement. This extra charge can be up to 50% of the trip cost, to make up for travel costs of a second traveler. Luckily, some tour operators now offer single-friendly trips. The following tour operators will save single seniors a bunch of money off their next cruise.  

What is a Single-Friendly Tour or Cruise?

Single-Friendly cruise lines offer zero or reduced costs single supplements or will provide a ‘guaranteed share’ option. Guaranteed share means that you’ll be sharing a cabin with a roommate, who will usually be matched to your gender and smoking preference. As you’ll be sharing the cabin, the single supplement won’t apply. Under the circumstance that the cruise line can’t find a roommate for you, you’ll pay a reduced single supplement or none at all.

Companies & Organizations That Provide Single Seniors Tour Information

Connecting: Solo Travel Network: is a Canadian non-profit organization that helps single senior travelers find information. Once you become a member, you’ll receive useful newsletters and three e-books; Single-Friendly Travel Directory, Going Solo Tales and Going Solo Tips.

CSTN is actually for single travelers of all ages. So, make sure you check with the cruise line that your trip is right for a senior.

Solo Traveler: This is a blog by Janice Waugh and Tracey Nesbitt, who share their solo travel stories, tips, and tricks. On Solo Traveler, you’ll find information on the best trips to take and how to avoid the single supplement. There’s also a Solo Traveler Deals page, where you can find discounted trips for solo travelers.

Tour Operators and Cruise Lines That Cater to Single Seniors

Singles Travel International: sells trips and cruises for all ages and offers cruises for singles who are 50+ several times per year. However, most of these singles cruise trips are open to people of all ages. There are also safari trips, city breaks, and trips to Italy where you can share a room or have your own private one.

Silversea Cruises: is a luxury cruise line that will offer reduced single supplements to seniors on some of its cruises. The cruise line has a Gentlemen Hosts program too, where single women can eat, dance and spend time with a polished gentleman. Silversea has been voted the “World’s Best Small Ship Cruise Line” by Conde Nast Traveller for more than five years.

Solo’s Holidays: has trips for singles of different ages: over 30s, over 40s, and over 50s. Solo’s Holidays is based in the U.K, so all trips depart from London and priced in British pounds. Most of their trips don’t charge a single supplement, and you can still get a single room or private facility.

Tauck World Discovery: is a luxury tour operator, that offers group tours, riverboat, and small ship cruises. On some trips, Tauck doesn’t charge a single supplement, either. Check out the Traveling Solo page, for a list of discounts on solo travel.