Solo travellers can take to the Rhone in France for a wonderful river cruise with no single supplement and extra savings with Tauck. The French Waterways trip includes stops in Paris and Lyon and takes you through one of the world’s first wine-producing regions. Perfect for foodies and those looking to immerse themselves in the French culture, this cruise gives you the chance to play a traditional game of pétanque with fellow passengers against the local pros and starts with two nights at the iconic hotel InterContinental Paris Le Grand for you to explore the French capital top sites. On all French Waterways departures, the single price in Category 1 is the same as the double price, starting at £3,185 for the 10-day trip. Solo travellers can also enjoy savings of £650 per cabin in Category 4 and 5 cabins on the 5 April and 22 June 2017 departures.
Royal Caribbean's singles-friendly ships allow cruisers to socialise and have just as much fun at sea as couples and groups. From scuba training in the pool and group fitness activities to wine tasting demonstrations and cooking classes, solo travellers can easily keep themselves well entertained and with the line's My Time Dining, those who wish to enjoy a meal with others can request to be seated at large table, so no need to eat alone. Some of the ships also have dedicated studio cabins just for solo cruisers. The seven-night Western Caribbean cruise holiday onboard Harmony of the Seas, departing 28 April 2018, is ideal for single travellers, with prices starting from £2,999.
- Independent travellers can have a fantastic experience with Saga on the Jewels of the Canary Islands trip, which takes in the sun-kissed Spanish islands on a memorable voyage. The small, yacht-like Saga Pearl II has a sociable atmosphere that will instantly put you at ease and with fewer people on board, you’ll never feel lost in a crowd of thousands either. The itinerary has an excellent outdoors theme and includes active excursions by foot and bike, plus captivating talks from thrill-seeking adventurers, which inspire you to get out and about in the Canaries, enjoying the varying landscapes. Back on board, there are adventurers lined up to enthral you with their tales, including Debra Searle MBE, who rowed across the Atlantic single-handed. Saga guests will also find a range of cabins for solo cruises and exclusive events and activities just for single travellers. The 18-night cruise sets sail on 20 November 2017 and costs from £4,339.
What better way to travel solo than with a round-the-world cruise to discover paradise islands, vibrant cities and natural wonders? Cruise & Maritime Voyages' 121-night Grand Circumnavigation of the Globe has 150 cabins allocated to single cruisers, offering a great opportunity to meet like-minded travellers, with frequent get-togethers organised for solos. The four-month escape, which departs the UK on 5 January 2018, takes in French Polynesia, New Zealand, Australia, China, India, Jordan and other bucket list destinations that independent travellers can tick off from just £11,359.
- Cultural holidays are ideal for solo travellers and with an explorative cruise itinerary, you can visit incredible sites, get fully immersed into other cultures on your own and educate yourself single-handedly. Fred. Olsen Cruises Lines' Mexico, Cuba and the Panama Canal holiday takes in seven countries over 24 nights. You'll cruise the legendary Panama Canal, admire ancient shrines in Mexico, discover the beauty of Havana and sail the incredible Panama Canal. Sailing from Southampton, you'll also stop in the Azores, allowing you to discover one of Europe's hidden gems. The cruise costs from £2,499 per person and departs in January 2018.
Whether you're a beach lover or culture vulture, Europe has an abundance of destinations to discover on a solo cruise. On Thomson Cruises' Highlights of the Mediterranean holiday on board TUI Discovery, you can visit the likes of Barcelona, Palma, St Tropez, Florence, Rome and Ajaccio. Get-togethers on board the ship are arranged for solo travellers, such as dinners and coffee mornings, and there is a wide range of cabins, including single outside and single inside cabins with queen-sized beds. The seven-night fly-cruise departs Palma on 14 October 2017 and costs from £1,205.
- Single travellers looking for a unique cruise experience or who can’t decide where to go next may want to add Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines' unmissable mystery cruise to their must-do list. Spending ten nights on board smaller-sized Black Watch, you'll place your trust in the captain as he takes you on a wonderful journey of his own choosing, using his extensive knowledge and years of experience to create an unforgettable cruise holiday. The itinerary will be a complete mystery throughout and you'll be kept guessing until you arrive in each destination. You may discover a destination you have always wanted to visit, or travel to an undiscovered gem that they have never heard of. The Captain’s Mystery Cruise departs from Harwich on 31 October 2017 and costs from £1,699.
Ice-class ship Silver Cloud will soon take 296 Silversea guests on an ultra-luxurious expedition to traverse Drake’s passage and wonder at the spectacular iceberg sculptures on a once-in-a-lifetime Antarctica cruise. Cruise guests will see magnificent glaciers and marvel at the many different species of bird and animal in the region. Solo travellers are invited to meet and mingle with other travellers at the champagne welcome reception. The ten-day roundtrip voyage from Ushuaia on 1 December 2017 costs from £9,550 per person, with a single occupancy supplement starting at just 25 per cent.
- Norwegian Cruise Line offers plenty for solo cruisers, from singles meet-ups to reduced single supplements. The studio staterooms were built specifically for solo travellers are the perfect size for cruising on your own, with access to the Studios Lounge as a great place to meet other singer cruisers. One of the best cruise holidays for singles is the seven-day Eastern Caribbean Fly-Cruise onboard Norwegian Escape which departs on 21 October 2017. It takes in the US Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands, the Bahamas and Florida. Prices start from £2,212 per person.
- Aqua Expeditions has launched a series of women-only luxury river cruises that offer unparalleled access to the world's greatest rivers in the utmost comfort. The cruise holidays aim to offer women a safe and inclusive environment to explore destinations which may otherwise feel too 'off the beaten track' for solo travellers. On the Amazon River cruise aboard Aria Amazon from 20 March 2017, you can meet new people who share the same excitement for adventure, discover Peru's hidden gems and kayak down the Amazon to spot fascinating wildlife - all while experiencing five-star luxury. From £3,891 per person for four nights.