The best singles cruises for a hook-up

Words by Samantha Priestley

Solo travelling isn’t what it used to be. Gone are the days of awkwardly latching onto other couples or feeling the brunt of people’s pitying stares.

Now, single people travel all over the world by themselves and they have a great time doing it…but what if you’re single and ready to mingle? What if you love travelling solo, but want a bit of fun along the way?

A singles cruise is the perfect place to hook up with other unaccompanied globetrotters and meet like-minded folk while sailing the seas in style. We’re not talking about swingers cruises here; we’re talking about cruises where singles go to meet other people, and where you stand a higher chance of meeting someone you want to get to know better.

– READ MORE: How to sail as a solo traveller –

Sailawaze spoke to several avid cruisers who met their now-partner at sea. Rachel Wright, from London, met her beau on Celebrity Cruises. “I never thought I’d find my soulmate on a cruise ship, but Celebrity Apex played Cupid and I couldn’t be happier,” she told Sailawaze.

“We met in the exclusive suite space The Retreat, and I got him into Virgin pina coladas which we sipped at sunset in Santorini. The following evening we were sat next to one another in the theatre and ended up in the club where we talked for hours.

“In Palma we shared tapas and arranged to meet back in London for lunch. Our relationship is still going strong and we’re definitely planning to sail on our very own Love Boat again in the future.

Meanwhile P&O Cruises put the ‘P’ in passion for Andrea and John Gill from near Bedford. Both had jumped at the offer of cruise to the Baltic with no single supplement. “It was only a week before departure but we both made the decision to book the trip,” the Gills told Sailawaze. They found themselves on the same allocated singles table…and were engaged five weeks later! “People always comment how ‘lucky’ we are,” they said.

– READ MORE: The world’s most romantic cruises –

But how does one go about finding a paramour onboard? And if your cruise does encourage solo gatherings and offers a singles’ table, will it be awkward?

Andrea Gill had both good and bad news: “Most people on a cruise have sufficient social skills to avoid such a situation,” she explained. “However, I have previously experienced sitting with two men who were unable to even say, ‘Good evening’!”

It’s not rocket science – being sociable is key to sparking up a connection onboard, but luckily there are plenty of opportunities for mingling on a cruise.

Hunter Davies, the resident relationship expert for Saga Magazine, has enjoyed several cruises, noting you can “get very close to people onboard” with such a getaway. “Go to all the events, “ he urged anyone looking for love while solo cruising. “Don’t just sit in your cabin.”

You may also want to get jiggy with it – literally. “Take your dancing pumps,” advised Davies. “Dancing is brilliant!” If you’re not so clever with the moves, why not take a cooking class or sign up for a shore excursion with your cruise line? You won’t be short of conversation topics and it will be a great talking point at any events for solos on your return to the ship.

Feeling inspired to head out on a cruise for single people yourself? Let’s take a look at the best singles cruises 2024 for a hook-up.

– READ MORE: What really goes down on a swinger’s cruise… –

Oceana Cruises

Oceania Cruises is a longtime supporter of the single traveller, and aboard their newest ship, Vista, they have continued this trend with six concierge level solo veranda staterooms. That means, you know for sure there will be other solo travellers onboard.

As soon as you set sail a special single travellers is gathering, so you can get to know your fellow singles right away. These solo staterooms are designed specifically for solo travellers, offering an oversized private veranda, and a complimentary welcome bottle of Champagne, which you can share with a new friend, or keep for yourself!

Concierge level guests also enjoy free, unlimited access to the Aquamar Spa Terrace and exclusive keycard access to the private concierge lounge, where you can mingle with other singles.

Virgin Voyages

Like everything Virgin does, its cruise line is fun and a bit cheeky. Virgin Voyages cruises are adults only. So while there will be couples onboard, there won’t be any families and your chances of meeting someone who’s up for it are higher.

Many singles choose these lively cruises for the fun element, so there are plenty of singles wanting to let their hair down on Virgin Voyages. You’ll meet your fellow singles cruise at the interactive evening entertainment – the perfect way to get to know other solos – at the fitness classes, and at dinner.

Solo travellers can book insider cabins or sea view cabins, your perfect pad for hooking up with other single cruise passengers.

– READ MORE: What entertainment do you really get on an adults-only cruise? –

Norwegian Cruise Line

The best thing about travelling with Norwegian Cruise Line as a solo cruiser, is the cabin types. The solo staterooms on Norwegian Cruise Line are pretty much the same as a double. They have double beds, plenty of space, a balcony if you’ve booked one, and the décor is fresh and bright.

The only difference is, you’ll only pay for yourself. That’s right, these solo staterooms are charged for one person, so no single person supplements and no paying over the odds for your room.

As a single traveller you’ll also have access to the Studio Lounge, a private lounge that’s just for solos to hang out in. What better place to meet your next hook-up?

Celebrity Cruises  – 70s Rock & Romance Cruise

Love 70s rock and want to meet someone to hang out with, enjoy your favourite music with, and hook up with? On the Celebrity Cruises 70s rock-themed cruise  ’70s Rock & Romance Cruise’ – you’ll meet other solo guests who are into the same vibe as you, and with that connection already there, you stand a much higher chance of meeting someone to hook up with.

You don’t have to be into 70s rock to bond over music and hook up. You can also take a Groove Cruise, an Emo’s Not Dead Cruise or a Blues Cruise. Whatever scene you’re into, there’s a cruise for you, and with a cruise full of like-minded people onboard, you’re sure to bump into other solos who are up for it.

– READ MORE: Would you go naked on a cruise ship? –

Saga Cruises

If you thought hooking up on a cruise was just for young people, think again. The over-50s are some of the friskiest travellers out there and on Saga’s two ocean ships, Spirit of Discovery and Spirit of Adventure, travelling solo and looking to mingle is made easier.

Both Saga Cruises ships have designated singles cabins and for those singles who want to splash out, you can even book a singles suite – now that’s the kind of pad you want to take someone back to.

There’s no single occupancy charge for these either. The ships organise events perfect for solo sailors and gatherings strictly for singles, so you can get to know the other solos, and you can choose to ‘buddy up’ with another single guest for excursions. So, if someone takes your fancy, you can get to know them better. Last year the cruise line found that 11 percent of solo travellers formed a romantic relationship on their cruise holidays!

– READ MORE: How can cruising become more inclusive? –