Solo cruise on Virgin Voyages (what to expect)

Looking for information on how a solo cruise works? Here’s our brief guide on a solo cruise on Virgin Voyages. We break down if it’s worth it, if there is a solo surcharge, and what to expect on a solo cruise. 

This post is part of our cruising series, to read more cruising content, here are a few articles we suggest: 

• Why book a Virgin Voyages Cruise
• Virgin Voyages Restaurants Guide – what restaurants are there and where to eat onboard
• The ultimate guide to Virgin Voyages activities on the ship/What to expect during Scarlet Night
• Port Guide and shore excursions in Costa Maya 
• Port guide and shore excursions in Bimini/What to expect at the Beach Club at Bimini
• Virgin Voyages Shopping Options
• Virgin Voyages Sailing Club (the perks of the Virgin Voyages loyalty program) 
• All Virgin Voyages Posts

Why cruise solo?  

There are many people who prefer or need to travel solo. It could be that one’s travel partner(s) have no other vacation days, someone just broke up with their partner, or have other extenuating circumstances where they have to change plans and go alone. It could also be by choice: some people prefer the freedom of traveling solo. There are many reasons why people do things alone, and we can’t possibly go through them all. 

Solo cruising gives you the freedom to do what you want when you want it. Virgin Voyages makes it really easy to book and cruise alone, with solo promotions that can entice you to upgrade to a bigger room without a solo surcharge. No promotion? No problem, Virgin Voyages has dedicated solo rooms that you can book, with no solo cruiser surcharge to pay!  

Booking a solo room on Virgin Voyages 

There are two types of solo rooms available on Virgin Voyages. The first one is an insider with no windows, and the second type is a sea view stateroom, where you can have a small window that looks outside. The indoor stateroom is generally cheaper than the sea view and is a bit smaller than an ocean view, but solo rooms have smaller beds fit for 1 person while regular rooms have queen-sized beds. 

If you choose to book your solo cruise on the website, all you need to do is select 1 cruiser when searching for cruises and compare the price per sailor to per cabin to get the best deal. Usually, I compare what it would cost if I cruised solo against booking with 2 people to ensure I am not paying a solo supplement and that I am not overpaying by traveling alone. 

After selecting the room you want at the price point you are comfortable with, just pay the deposit and/or full fare, depending on the date you booked and you are all set. All you’ll need to do is to download the app to reserve dining options and complete the pre-arrival requirements. After that, boarding will be a breeze and all you need to do while waiting for your cruise is research your shore excursions, pack, and budget how much you plan to spend while on the ship.  

What are the perks of solo cruising 

Do whatever you want whenever you want. This is the ultimate perk of solo cruising. Want to sleep in? Sure, why not? Don’t like sharing a bathroom with someone else? You won’t have to! These are all valid reasons to go solo. Your time, itinerary, and what you choose to do and spend is really of your own choosing. 

Want to do all the events in one day? Sure. Just load them up on the app if you want. Want to watch the same show more than once? Of course, you can. 

If you get lonely doing a lot of things alone, Virgin schedules meetups for solo travelers to mingle and meet other people. This will help if you need to join team activities like trivia. You may even bump into your fellow cruisers in a show or two and end up sitting with them. 

Virgin does make everything very inclusive and generally, everyone is happier and more friendly on a cruise anyway so it is very easy to meet other people while on the ship. 

What’s it like as a solo cruiser on board a Virgin Voyages cruise

If you’re a solo cruiser, you won’t be treated any different than those who travel with groups. You get your own table in the restaurants except for Gunbae, where they seat you with another group. 

It’s easy to look for seats if you’re watching a show except if you’re in the Manor, where some of the bar seats are few and far between and you may need to share a seat with another group of people. The Red Room has plenty of seats for everyone, and you won’t even need a seat for Untitled Dance Show Party Thing and the dance party for Scarlet Night. 

There are also plenty of spots in public areas where you can set up your computer and work without being interrupted. It’s a great way to change your scenery in case you get bored working in your room. 

Overall, you make your own rules being a solo cruiser on board. There’s nothing you can’t do! 

Where to meet other solo cruisers

On Day One of the cruise, there will be a social gathering for solo cruisers to mingle. It is headed by one of the cruise staff of Virgin and is a question-and-answer type format. You’ll get to know a few of the solo cruisers quickly and can make plans to go for dinner or watch shows together. The social event is sort of an ice breaker, where you can connect more to people who have the same interests as you.

Alternatively, you can also meet other solo cruisers by just talking to people. I met another cruiser by showing up to one talk and ended up sitting next to someone who was also cruising solo. She did not attend the social event and we just happened to randomly meet each other. I also met another solo cruiser who was sitting alone at Razzle Dazzle during breakfast. She was waiting for the restaurant to open (I was too), and we started talking and ended up having breakfast at the same table together.

You won’t need to join the solo cruiser activity organized by the cruise ship. By being open and friendly to other people, you won’t feel lonely and start meeting other folks. After all, you are all on one big ship that you’re sharing for a few days – it’s not like you have anywhere else to go!

Shore excursions as a solo cruiser on Virgin Voyages

If you’re the adventurous type and your friend or partner is not, or if you want to go on an active excursion but your friend or partner is not, why not do shore excursions solo? 

Since shore excursions are generally guided tours from a big group on a boat, even if you book for 1 person, there’s very little chance of the tour being canceled. Plus you can meet new friends along the way! Only downside is unless you bring your own tripod, there’s no one to take photos of you! 

I’ve met a few people on my shore excursion and their stories are so great. We went on an off-the-beaten-path tour – Mujil and Secret River, and it was one of the most unforgettable places I’ve ever been to. I have never been more welcomed by my group, even as a solo cruiser. 

Even without cruising, going on a group tour will satisfy your need for human contact. You’ll get to chat with different people from different parts of the world, and you’ll get welcomed into their group for a few hours and even more! Some people end up meeting other folks when traveling solo and end up being friends for life. It’s all up to you to keep in touch with these folks if you guys really jive. 

How to check for single supplements charges when sailing alone

Here is how I check if a cruise ship charges a single supplement fee or not:

• Go on the website to check the price for one cruiser vs two

As you can see, the insider room has a cheaper price for the cabin – $928.12 as compared to an insider room for two for $1,526.25. This is comparing the price to the second screenshot when booking for two people.

While the price is the same for the insider room whether it is for 1 or 2 people, there is a cheaper option that pops up for $928.12 for a solo insider room. It’s still slightly more than half of the $1526 fare ($165 more), but it is still less than paying for other cruise lines’ single supplement.

Other Cruise ships offering single rooms with no single supplement

Virgin has the most single rooms available but here is a list of other cruise lines that offer solo rooms without a supplement. 

I honestly have not tried any of these yet however, research shows that there are fewer solo cabins in these cruise lines. Another frustration is that there are only certain ships that offer them. 

Here’s a list of ships that offer solo rooms with no single supplement:

• Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) 
• Royal Caribbean (certain ships only) 

Try solo cruising and solo travel – it’s really fun

You’ll get to grow as a person, and you’ll get to know yourself and your needs more when you travel solo. It will put you in an uncomfortable position which will only be for the better and will force you to put yourself out there. 

Would you try going on a solo cruise on Virgin Voyages?