8 Best Cruises for Singles Looking for Romance

Arguably, one of the best parts of solo travel is that it opens you up to meeting new people. And if you're single and looking to mingle, cruises can be one of the best ways to see the world while making new connections. From time chatting by the pool with your fellow passengers to sitting down to dinner with new friends, cruising can make for an affordable (and social!) solo trip. They can also lead to romance if that's your aim. Ready to hit the high seas and potentially find someone special? Read on for the best cruises for singles looking for romance, according to travel experts and advisors.

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If the idea of alone time sounds appealing but you're worried about staying safe, consider a dedicated space ensuring an extra dose of privacy. "Norwegian Bliss has a specific area that houses multiple solo cabins called Studios," says travel advisor Robert Marcoux. "They even have their very own lounge area stocked with snacks and beverages, and acts as a private area providing a little extra security as only Studio passengers can access this area."ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb

The Studio Lounge is also a great space for mingling with fellow singles if desired. Additional social opportunities aboard Bliss include racing others on the Bliss Speedway, joining a thrilling battle of laser tag, or adding yourself to a team during a trivia challenge. For the more leisurely passenger, group wine tastings at the Michael Mondavi Family Wine Bar or mixology classes around the ship are sure to entertain and connect cruisers with one another.

Of course, its itinerary is one of the most important aspects of any cruise. Bliss offers an appealing variety of itineraries ranging from Alaska to the Panama Canal, so solo cruisers can explore natural and manmade wonders of the world equally. And no matter where the port schedule takes you, Bliss offers a fun-filled assortment of nightlife options for those who want to dance the night away or take in a Broadway show.

Set sail on the newest ship in Princess Cruise Lines' fleet and enjoy a dazzling dose of luxury aboard Discovery Princess. Food enthusiasts can sample world cuisine from Michelin-star chefs or take advantage of 24-hour bites and specialty coffees at the International Café located in the European-style Piazza (an around-the-clock social hub with rotating musicians and street performers).

Discovery Princess is also an art-lover's paradise with live auctions and a stunning gallery to peruse in addition to ship-wide public art displays. There are dance lessons, nightclubs, and a piano bar in a lively social space, so the choice is yours whether to mix and mingle or keep your own company during an immersive and educational cocktail storytelling experience. With wine country itineraries along the California Coast, immersive Cabo San Lucas sailings, and Love Boat-themed sailings in Mexico, there's a nice variety of offerings for refined solo travelers.

For a deluxe pampering experience, Lotus Spa offers an unbeatable hot stone massage, among a myriad of other body treatments. Yet, one of the best deals on board is The Enclave at Lotus Spa, an adults-only thermal suite with an indoor hydrotherapy pool with cascading rain shower and therapeutic air jets. The space includes a Turkish-style steam room, an aromatic steam chamber, and a heated dry chamber with detoxification properties.

If you're looking for something that can be as high-energy as it is relaxing, Virgin Voyages may be the best option for you. The recently launched line accommodates single travelers by waiving the supplements and additional fees that typically come for being just one to a room.

"Though relatively new to the industry, Virgin is courting solo travelers with a whopping 46 single cabins onboard each ship, with six lucky guests snagging forward-facing ocean views," says Don Bucolo, editor and co-founder of EatSleepCruise.com. "And Virgin's inclusive and welcoming atmosphere breaks the ice a bit better than most cruise lines when it comes to making new sailing friends."

He adds that the onboard vibe on Virgin Voyages is diverse, inclusive, and inviting. "From the cruise line's take on game shows, nighttime entertainment, and events like Scarlet Night, everyone is welcome to have a good time."

According to Kayla Smith, travel advisor with Sojourney Travel, the fact that the sails are adults-only also give them a different vibe than regular, family-friendly cruises and may make singles feel more at ease.

"Aside from the standard singles meetup, they also have several activities that give you the opportunity to meet new people," she says. "Whether it is trivia or a basketball game or being paired with strangers and playing drinking games at their onboard Korean BBQ restaurant, Gunbae, you're sure to meet new people that you will recognize for the duration of your cruise. This cruise line does a great job at creating a welcoming, lively atmosphere, and although you may be boarding as a solo sailor, you're sure to meet wonderful people onboard!"

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Carnival Panorama offers an incredible value for single cruisers, and the vibe on board is all about fun in the sun. The dominant demographic tends to be travelers in their 20s and 30s, so making friends and socializing with others is easy. That's especially true thanks to a grand variety of social mixers in multiple venues. From deck dance parties with crowd choreography to trivia competitions, and from single cruiser meetups to social club soirees, there's always a space for meeting others.

The adults-only Serenity Deck is a blissful escape from the party atmosphere thanks to the 21+ quiet zone featuring sea-view hot tubs, deluxe loungers, and shaded cabanas for afternoon naps. Singles can also pick up new culinary skills in the Carnival Kitchen, take up mixology at The Alchemy Bar, or relax within the ocean-view Cloud 9 Spa thermal suite. The Library is also a stunning venue with ocean views and ceiling-high bookcases with the latest bestsellers, so bookworms can find a quiet nook for slipping into a hot read.

With its itinerary focused on the Mexican Riviera, passengers can take advantage of onboard salsa dancing or introductory language lessons or hop on a local food tour in ports such as Puerto Vallarta. And, Panorama truly is a value-oriented cruise choice, with weeklong sailings starting at $294.

When Nieuw Statendam sails through the Southern Caribbean, solo cruisers are in for dreamy destinations in addition to a luxury cruise experience. Amber Cove, a new port outside Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, is ideal for sunseekers. Summers here are brilliantly hot, but even winter months reach into the mid to high 70s, meaning a dip in the portside resort-style pool is a welcome treat year-round.

This aquatic attraction, by the way, is complimentary for cruisers and features a lazy river, a swim-up bar, and gorgeous seaside cabanas. Add that to full days spent exploring Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, and Turks & Caicos, and solo sailors will find plenty of Insta-worthy moments for snapping selfies.

The best part? Nieuw Statendam is a sophisticated ship with an inviting musical atmosphere. Solos can shake it off in the Rolling Stone Rock Room, mingle in B.B. King's Blues Club, and soak up the sounds at the Lincoln Center Stage. Throughout the sailing, get to know others through social meetups for singles, teachers, military, and LGBTQ+ passengers, or simply enjoy your own company during a wine tasting or cooking demonstration.

There's no age limit to solo singles cruising, and that includes older travelers who may be looking to branch out and meet new people during their voyage.

"Cunard is a stellar option if you're looking for a luxury cruise experience as a single older person," says Dean Van Es, founder and CEO of Fast Cover Travel Insurance. "Grand ships like Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth, and Queen Mary 2 each offer Single Staterooms, with some suites featuring idyllic sheltered balconies that help foster a romantic atmosphere."

Although it has a reputation for being stately, that doesn't necessarily translate into a stuffy experience for those hitting the high seas. "The onboard activities are especially great for singles, where guests can choose to dine on shared tables with guests or explore ashore with others in small groups," Van Es says. "There are also regular cocktail parties and social events held in the Golden Lion Pub."

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Travel advisor Marcoux says Royal Caribbean's interior studio staterooms are ideal for singles as they come with "a virtual window that is designed to show the passenger what is actually going on outside that window while cruising." Want a wider view? Solo studio options also include an ocean view stateroom with balcony.

One of the most appealing aspects of a Royal Caribbean sailing is the Perfect Day at CocoCay, a private island destination in the Bahamas. The destination offers ziplining, a pristine beach with cabanas, water park, helium balloon ride, and snorkeling spots. Trips to CocoCay are so popular, cruisers can even take a short weekend cruise with this relaxing destination as the main feature.

Prefer to increase your adrenaline? Test your balance with a surf lesson onboard FlowRider, a wave simulator on the ship where guests can hang 10 with a 360-degree view of the ocean. After dark, meet fellow cruisers at a number of social nightclub venues with dancing, cocktails, and karaoke competitions aplenty.

The excitement created by all the possibilities that come with sailing solo is only made better if you've got swanky surroundings like those onboard some Celebrity ships. Their upscale yet approachable and lively ambiance makes them a fantastic option for those looking to cut loose and make some new connections.

"Celebrity's Edge-class ships are a top choice for singles, with these modern voyages offering upbeat experiences and sleek spaces perfect for meeting others," says Van Es. "There are a lot of swanky bars to hang out in onboard, but one conversation starter is the Magic Carpet, a cantilevered, floating platform where guests can enjoy open-air dining and live performances."

Many of the daily activities on Celebrity Edge cruises are also primed for singles, including early morning fitness classes, laid-back garden games on the roof deck, trivia, a casino, and escape room experiences, all making it easy to team up with people you meet onboard.

"And, of course, there's a host of cocktail bars and sun decks to explore, too," he adds.

This story has been updated to include additional entries, fact-checking, and copy-editing.