Want to get best out of a trip when you’re travelling alone? There are more people than ever taking holidays as singles – so you won’t be alone for long.

Cruise director – your new bestie

First up, if you see the cruise director floating around the ship, flag them down and let them know you’d love to meet other singles onboard; they’ll be able to keep a keen eye out. Get involved with activities – there are plenty that will be listed in the daily newsletter!

Choose the right cruise

A very quick way to get off on the right foot is to pick a theme cruise – at least you know what everyone will be talking about, right? It’s also way less intimating to start a conversation around the theme of the cruise. And there are plenty to choose from – dance, music, wellness or food and wine.

Eat at the right time

Just because you’re sleeping alone doesn’t mean you want to eat alone. At restaurants with set seatings, families with children usually opt for the earlier seating, so book the latter if you want to liaise with like-minded passengers. You could even ask the maître d’ if you could be seated with other singles; if it’s possible, they’ll make it happen.

Avoid extra costs

The biggest hurdle for solo travellers is the dreaded single supplement. Some cruise lines are now jumping on the ‘single membership’ bandwagon, with perks such as a discounted or even non-existent supplement. Members of Evergreen’s Solo Explorer Club membership, for example, will be charged no single supplement and will be entitled to free flights on select voyages. Here are a few other tempting solo offers…

Magnificent Mekong

Book a Signature or Prestige suite on this deluxe Mekong River cruise from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap in 2016 or 2017 and pay no single surcharge*.

Complete New England Tour & Cruise

Book this popular 20-day tour, including a seven-night cruise from Boston to Montreal, and save $1950 – plus receive $700* credit towards your airfare.

Tasmanian Spectacular

Explore the Apple Isle and pay a reduced single supplement of $500* – a saving of $595!

Europe river cruising and touring

Fly free* and miss out on the single surcharge when you book an Emerald stateroom on the following 2016 European river cruise itineraries: Splendours of Europe (15 days), Nuremberg to Bucharest (17 days), Prague to London & Splendours of Europe (21 days), Paris to Prague & Splendours of Europe (21 days).

*Conditions apply. Click here for details.