- A new dedicated solo cruise ship is launching soon.
- Cruise lines are catering more specifically for solo guests by reducing or removing solo supplements.
- Female solo travellers are the fastest growing demographic of people travelling alone.
Solo travellers and singles are dominating the trends when it comes to river cruising, with major cruise lines jumping on board to cater for the demographic by adding more capacity and offering supplements. Travelling alone is no longer seen as a niche market but rather a strategic growth market. It’s great news for retirees, professionals and “personal growth” travellers.
Latest research and findings from the annual CLIA RiverView Conference reveals that once again, the fastest growing trend for the river cruise industry is with solo travellers. And they’re being drawn to smaller river ships where they feel most at home. It’s a bonus for cruise lines who have chosen to cater for the solo demographic with smaller sized ships, more intimate ship designs and more interactive itineraries.
The small size and close-knit nature of river cruising already lends itself to single and solo travellers, with many choosing to combine shore excursions, social activities and even dining experiences both onboard and ashore. At the same time, there’s a demand for connection, without commitment.
The latest solo trend explained
River cruising is riding a much larger macro trend, with huge potential for further growth in the near future. Solo travellers now represent around 18 per cent of all global tourism bookings. CLIA RiverView Conference found that the global solo travel market hit $670 billion in 2024 and is forecast to triple by 2033. It’s no longer the rare few who choose to travel alone, with 43 per cent of all travellers taking a solo trip in the past year, with strong repeat intent.
Within the cruising industry specifically, around eight to 13 per cent of cruise passengers travel solo and that figure is rising fast, with 12 per cent in 2024, roughly double the previous year.
Who is behind the solo travel trend?
The solo traveller demographic is more complex than one broad group. Within the solo trend, there are key growth areas for women, mature travellers, experience-seekers, and people who want to feel independent.
Women dominate the field, with up to 84 per cent of solo travellers being female. There’s a particularly strong growth among women aged 45 plus, seeking independence and flexibility. Many are over 50 and highly educated and tend to take longer trips of more than 2 weeks and multiple trips per year.
Solo travellers are mostly motivated by a desire for freedom and flexibility, as well as personal growth and confidence-building. At the same time, they’re seeking a hybrid experience that offers independence and simultaneous social connection.
New dedicated solo cruise ship set to launch
Interestingly, one of the latest key findings shows that solo travel has been at a minimum because of the disadvantages travellers face when booking and travelling alone. From being penalised with a single supplement fare, to a lack of availability of single cabins onboard, or even the fear of having to sit solo in communal spaces – these were some of the many reasons why solo travel has taken its time to thrive. Now, with demand increasing, cruise lines aren’t just amending their itineraries and booking systems, as well as ship designs and supplement fares to match, there is now a clear trajectory for solo cruise travel with a dedicated solo cruise ship set to launch in 2027. Here’s what we know so far.
Riviera Travel will launch the new ship MS George Eliot in June 2027, with a positioning for 100 per cent solo travellers only. The entire ship isn’t just designed to make solo guests feel welcome — it will strictly feature a “no couples” onboard policy. The ship will carry less than half the normal ship capacity for its size, with around 68 passengers.
All cabins onboard are double size cabins, but used for single occupancy, meaning solo travellers aren’t penalised for space by travelling alone. The cruise itinerary will sail on the Rhine, Danube and Moselle rivers. In a world first, this particular ship is not just “solo-friendly” it’s structurally designed around solo travel.
From 2027, MS George Eliot will become the world’s first river cruise ship dedicated exclusively to solo travellers. Every departure will be solo-only, with no single supplements and a full season of thoughtfully curated itineraries designed for independent explorers. This pioneering move means more choice, more space, and the freedom to enjoy a double cabin while sharing the journey with like-minded guests.
How the top cruise lines are catering for solos
Top river cruise lines like Avalon Waterways, AmaWaterways and APT Travel Group have all embraced the solo travel trend, yet with distinct approaches. Here’s what they each have to offer the growing market.
Avalon Waterways
Avalon Waterways says solo travel continues to be a strong and consistent segment as they see steady demand from solo travellers who are drawn to the ease, security, and social nature of river cruising. The solo guest’s itinerary preferences closely align with couples and groups, with Romantic Rhine and Magnificent Europe ranking as the most popular choices across all traveller types within the Avalon bookings.
Avalon is catering to them with a small ship approach, which supports their broader philosophy of personalised cruising. There are many excursion options with multiple daily choices, smaller touring groups, and flexibility when it comes to exploration.
Onboard, there is a 3:1 guest-to-crew ratio, meaning solo guests can enjoy VIP service, with personalised attention, wherever they are on the ship. In the Panorama Dining Room, there are a range of seating options; with two, three, four, six and eight seater options, making it easier than ever for guests to mix and mingle at mealtimes, as they wish to. If they’re not wanting a formal setting to eat, FlexDining offers guests alternative options for mealtimes, such as lunch and dinner to be enjoyed in the Panorama Lounge instead, or picnic lunches can be prepared as requested.
Avalon reserves a set number of staterooms for each departure to accommodate solo travellers, including the award-winning Panorama Suites with unmatched views.
The newly launched and much-anticipated Avalon After Dark program offers a new lineup of social settings, from alfresco dining with Sky Grill dinners on the Sky Deck, complimentary drinks during happy hour, and extended nighttime docking to allow for evening exploration.
Avalon Waterways says there’s a rise in female solo travellers across the line, and that river cruising is particularly suited to solo female travellers, combining the freedom to travel independently with ample opportunities to mix with like-minded travellers met onboard or excursions.
When cruising with Avalon, solo guests can have all the space they need, with no extra cost – when on cruises with the solo supplement waived. Avalon ads there’s also the ease of unpacking once, stowing away their suitcase under the bed, and yet visiting so many bucket-list cities and countries in a short amount of time, logistically, river cruising makes solo trips that little less daunting, as so much is already taken care of.
Avalon cruise itineraries and onboard facilities are carefully thought out to cater for those going solo. Avalon says exploring passions are often at the forefront of itinerary planning and the Classic, Active and Discovery excursion options give solo travellers plenty of choice.
The Active & Discovery on the Danube with 1 night in Budapest means solo travellers could canoe along the Danube, harvest apricots at an orchard, or enjoy a guided tour visiting Burg Clam.
Special Interest cruises are also popular for solo travellers, as these types of itineraries provide the perfect opportunity to connect with like-minded enthusiasts – from wine lovers, enjoying lectures by sommelier’s to literary fans soaking up facts and fiction on one of the Storyteller Series cruises.
Onboard, Avalon has a dedicated Adventure Host who not only leads all Active excursions, but also hosts daily fitness and wellness classes, something that lends to the solo traveller wanting to stay active and feel part of the onboard community.
What about the solo supplement?
With Avalon Waterways, the solo supplement fee is currently waived across select 2026 and 2027 cruise departures in Europe plus select sailings on the Mekong in Southeast Asia.
To find out more, click here.
APT Travel Group
APT Travel Group CEO David Cox says the line is definitely seeing more solo travellers. “We are, and it’s a trend that’s been building steadily over the past few years. Solo travellers represent a growing segment across both APT and Travelmarvel, and we expect that to continue.” Cox adds “The reasons are varied. Some guests have always preferred to travel independently, others find their partner isn’t available or interested, and some simply want a new experience that’s entirely their own.”
A solo booking with APT Travel Group starts with the all-inclusive nature of APT’s experiences. This means solo travellers aren’t constantly making decisions or managing a budget and that starts well before they board. From the moment they book, everything is taken care of: the planning, the transfers, the details on the ground. On the trip itself, premium beverages, shore excursions and gratuities are all included. That removes a lot of the mental load that can make solo travel feel effortful. The same is true for Travelmarvel, striving for outstanding value with everything handled, so guests can simply focus on the experience.
Beyond inclusions, the onboard environment does a lot of the heavy lifting for APT. Cox says “Ships are intimate by design, which means connections form naturally. The crew-to-guest ratios are high and our crew are genuinely attentive. Solo travellers rarely feel alone unless … they want to be of course!”
APT also says it’s seeing a rise in female solo travellers. Cox says, “Yes, and it’s a cohort we know well. Female solo travellers tend to be experienced, discerning and very clear about what they want. The feedback we get from them is that they feel at ease on our ships in a way they don’t always elsewhere. The intimacy of the onboard environment, the quality of the experience, and the freedom to set their own pace add up to something that really resonates.”
APT believes river cruising is inherently social without being forced. Guests are on a small ship, docking in the heart of each destination, often within walking distance of the town centre. There’s no pressure to participate in everything, but the opportunity is always there. For solo travellers in particular, that balance matters. You can join a table for dinner, take the guided excursion, meet someone new in the lounge, or spend an afternoon entirely on your own.
Onboard activities ensure solo travellers are included and introduced to others to make them feel at ease. Solo travellers have access to the same program as everyone else. On APT, that means immersive, often exclusive Signature Experiences: private concerts, behind-the-scenes access, hosted dinners that naturally put guests alongside other guests in a genuinely engaging setting.
Cox says, “There are also optional experiences for guests who want to go deeper, such as exclusive garden tours, visits to sites of special historical significance, so those with particular interests can follow them. Travelmarvel guests enjoy a strong inclusions package with guided touring and onboard social events built into the program. Solo travellers consistently tell us these curated moments are where the best connections happen.
What about the solo supplement?
The solo supplement has historically been a real barrier with APT, according to Cox. “So where we can, we work to reduce or remove it. We do have options available for solo travellers and we’re committed to expanding those as demand grows. The goal is straightforward: deliver genuine value and make the decision to travel with us as easy as possible.”
For more info or to book with APT Travel Group, click here.
AmaWaterways
AmaWaterways is also experiencing a clear uptick in solo travellers, reflecting the broader growth of independent travel across the cruise sector. The line reports that demand has been building steadily, particularly among guests seeking culturally immersive itineraries without the complexity of planning a trip alone.
Interestingly, solo travellers are not gravitating toward niche itineraries — their preferences largely mirror the wider market, with flagship routes along the Rhine and Danube remaining the strongest performers.
Rather than redesigning ships specifically for solo travellers, AmaWaterways appears to be leveraging its existing small-ship model to meet demand. With fewer passengers onboard, the atmosphere is inherently more social and less intimidating for those travelling alone.
Dining is a key touchpoint: open seating and shared tables make it easy for solo guests to integrate, while crew are known to play an active role in introducing guests and fostering a sense of community. The line’s strong wellness focus — spanning fitness classes, active excursions and lighter dining options — also resonates with solo travellers seeking a more balanced, experience-led journey.
As with much of the river cruise sector, AmaWaterways is seeing strong growth among female solo travellers. The appeal lies in the combination of independence and reassurance — the ability to travel alone without sacrificing structure or support.
Many of these guests are seasoned travellers, comfortable navigating new destinations but increasingly drawn to the ease and predictability that river cruising offers.
The appeal for solo travellers is largely rooted in simplicity. River cruising removes many of the logistical barriers associated with independent travel — from transport to accommodation — while still delivering access to multiple destinations.
AmaWaterways’ smaller vessels contribute to a more intimate onboard environment, where guests can easily become familiar with both crew and fellow travellers. The presence of guided excursions, cruise managers and a clearly structured itinerary provides an added layer of confidence, particularly in less familiar regions.
The line’s excursion programme is a major drawcard, offering a mix of cultural touring and more active experiences. Solo travellers can join guided walks, cycling tours or hiking excursions, often in smaller groups, which naturally encourages interaction.
Onboard, the wellness offering plays a central role, with regular fitness classes and informal activities creating additional opportunities for connection. Evenings tend to be low-key but social, with entertainment and shared spaces designed to encourage conversation rather than formality.
What about the solo supplement?
AmaWaterways has taken a flexible approach to pricing, periodically offering reduced or waived single supplements on selected departures. While the line does not feature dedicated solo cabins, it allocates a limited number of staterooms for single occupancy on each sailing.
These offers are typically capacity-controlled and tend to be snapped up quickly, underscoring the strength of demand from the solo market.
AmaWaterways’ strategy highlights a broader industry pattern: rather than building ships specifically for solo travellers, many operators are adapting existing product through pricing, programming and onboard design to accommodate a rapidly expanding segment.
For more info or to make a booking, click here.
I agree about the single supplement. I get it that we are sleeping in a cabin designed for two and that the cruise companies need to make money to stay in business. However, many of those companies charge 100% supplement, particularly on European rivers. I would put it to them that solo travelers are not eating and drinking enough for two, so 100% is just greedy. And it makes travel too expensive for solos as they also only have one income; a double whammy. I know which companies they are, so I don’t even look at their websites anymore. Should they change their mind, they will need to engage in some marketing in order for me to notice and consider travelling with them. I, surely, am not alone in this.
TO ALL travel organizations the Single Supplement is a very big deterrent to travel on all types of tours . I have paid up to over 2000 dollars on a 5000 plus river cruise ( down the missippi river cruise . Was told it was because the ship only had limited rooms and could not make enough money from single drink sales ) .
Dale Powell