On most cruise ships, cabins are priced for two people sharing.
If you are a solo traveller, you will either pay a single supplement for a standard cabin or look for purpose-built solo cabins.
Norwegian Breakaway offers both, and I recently stayed in a dedicated studio cabin onboard to see what it had to offer the solo traveller.
Studio Cabins on Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line first introduced solo cabins, called “Studios,” in 2010 with the launch of the Norwegian Epic. The ship itself was unpopular, but the studio cabins were a huge success.
These original Studio cabins provided dedicated, smaller accommodation and access to a private lounge for solo travellers.
This concept proved so popular that Norwegian expanded the idea to other ships and later introduced Solo Inside, Solo Oceanview, and Solo Balcony staterooms.
Studio cabins are priced for one person, not two. The price you see is the price you pay. There are no solo supplements.
These cabins are smaller than a regular inside cabin and windowless. They are purpose-built to maximise the space available.
If you book a studio (solo) cabin on a Norwegian ship, you have access to The Studio Lounge – a private space with free tea, coffee, snacks, and opportunities to meet other solo travellers.
Booking a Regular Cabin as a Solo Traveller
If you book as a solo, cruise lines apply a “single supplement.”
I have stayed in a standard inside cabin as a solo traveller and paid the extra “solo supplement” on a Marella cruise.
Have a look at that cabin here:
Marella Cruises Single/Solo Cabins – Photo Guide and Review
Inside, oceanview, and balcony cabins are available on many ships, but they are priced at the double occupancy rate, so basically, you could be paying double.
The supplement is often 100% (so you pay the price of two people), but can range from 125% to 150% depending on promotions and demand.
The advantages of booking a standard cabin:
- You get more space to yourself.
- There will be a better choice in cabin location.
- You will get a choice of cabin categories.
The disadvantages:
- You can pay hundreds more compared to a studio cabin.
- There will be no dedicated Studio Lounge to meet others travelling alone.
- (but if you are sailing with anyone other than Norwegian, there won’t be a dedicated studio lounge anyway.)
There is a limited supply of solo or studio cabins on all cruise lines. They sell out early, so plan ahead, and don’t expect to find a last-minute bargain!
Price Comparisons With Norwegian
- On some sailings, the Norwegian studio cabin is clearly the cheaper option.
- On other sailings, pricing quirks mean a regular inside cabin with a supplement can be cheaper or about the same as a studio.
- Balconies and higher categories become particularly expensive solo, as the supplement is added on top of the higher base fare.
Example: Fares for solo travellers on a Norwegian Prima
Example Cruise: 11-day Cruise on Norwegian Prima, June to September 2027
Itinerary: Northern Europe: Iceland, Norway & Belgium departing from Southampton, United Kingdom
Prices for a cabin with double occupancy on the same sailing.
Of course, if two people are sharing a cabin, the price is still far cheaper than for a solo traveller.
Norwegian Ships Without Dedicated Studio Cabins
Example: Fares for solo travellers on Norwegian Dawn
Example cruise: 7-day Cruise on Norwegian Dawn, June 2027. Spain & Portugal from Barcelona, Spain
Solo Prices in a standard cabin.
Double Occupancy Price on the same sailing.
Price Comparisons With Other Lines
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean have dedicated solo cabins on their newer ships, but they sell out fast.
Example: Eastern Caribbean from San Juan. Brilliance of the Seas. 19 Apr 2026 – 7 nights, Cruise Only. Philipsburg, St Maarten, Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas, Basseterre, St Kitts & Nevis, Nassau, Bahamas, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Royal Caribbean – Brilliance of the Seas – Studio Cabin Prices
Double Occupancy rates on the same sailing
Royal Caribbean Ship As A Solo In A Standard Cabin
Harmony of the Seas – Caribbean -7 nights depararting from Port Canaveral, Florida – 10 Apr 2027
Labadee, Haiti, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic,Nassau, Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas.
Solo Traveller
Double Occupancy on the same sailing
Royal Caribbean will charge double occupancy if you book a standard cabin as a solo traveller.
All rates posted on this website are based on double occupancy. A single guest who wishes to have a stateroom to themselves will be expected to pay 200% of the category rate, unless otherwise noted in the pricing. The standard single supplement rate is 200%.
Royal Caribbean
For single travelers, limited single occupancy staterooms are also available to book. These staterooms can be found on Quantum and Oasis Class ships only, in category 2W – Studio Interior.
P&O
P&O have a limited number of single cabins (in a variety of grades) on their newer ships.
These cabins sell out quickly, and it might only be possible to book a standard cabin with a supplement.
Example: Norwegian Fjords from Southampton, cruise only. 30th April 2027 -7 nights P&O Cruises -Britannia
Solo Cabin Price
Double occupancy on the same sailing
Marella
Marella have older ships in their fleet – so no dedicated solo cabins.
If you are a solo traveller, you will get a standard cabin – at a supplement. This supplement varies on dates, promotions and availability.
Example: Atlantic Islands from Tenerife (including flights and transfers from the UK)
20 April 2027 – 7 nights – Marella Explorer
Solo traveller price – interestingly, an oceanview cabin is cheaper than an inside on this sailing.
Double occupancy rate:
Why Studios Are Popular
They give solo cruisers a way to avoid feeling “penalised” with the single supplement.
The Studio Lounge is unique to Norwegian Cruise Line, offering a dedicated space where solo travellers can meet up and socialise. Other cruise lines may have solo/studio cabins, but without this extra amenity.
Studio cabins are smaller and often lack windows, but they make cruising more affordable for one person.
Why You Might Still Choose a Regular Cabin As A Solo
- Size & comfort:
- More square footage.
- A wider choice of cabin types.
- Location:
- More choice of decks and positions on the ship.
- Availability:
- If studios are sold out, regular cabins may be the only option.
Sometimes, quirks in pricing mean regular cabins with a solo suppliment aren’t as expensive as you’d expect. A good travel agent can help you find the best deals.
Have a look at the studio cabin I stayed in on Norwegian Breakaway here. It had everything I needed for a great cruise:
Solo Cabins With Other Cruise Lines
Norwegian started a trend when they offered studio solo cabins in 2010. Since then, other cruise lines have started to offer dedicated solo cabins on their newer ships, but none with the Studio Lounge’s additional amenities.
Dedicated solo cabins are available on other cruise lines, including:
- Costa Cruises
- Royal Caribbean
- Holland America Line
- Oceania
- Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
- P&O Cruises
- Saga Cruises
- Ambassador Cruise Line
Before You Go
Find out how to look for the best solo cruise deals here:
How to Find Cheap Cruises as a Solo Traveller (Without Paying a Fortune!)
My brother booked a standard oceanview cabin on Celebrity Infinity with a very small solo supplement. Have a look at that cabin here:
Celebrity Infinity Ocean View Cabins – Real Opinions and Review
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