Want to go to Alaska as a single traveler? An Alaska small ship cruise is an excellent way to go if you’re up for adventure and the most immersive experience.
Key Takeaways
- There are no dedicated Alaska “singles” cruise themed sailings aboard expedition ships.
- But you can expect to be aboard with a mix of couples, families & other solo travelers.
- If your idea of fun is more off the ship than on one, then you’ll find good company.
- Consider single supplements & dedicated solo cabins when making your ship choice.
- Getting expert help to navigate the total costs & available deals will save you time & money.
Solo Cruises to Alaska – What They’re Like
There are currently no dedicated Alaska singles cruise themed sailings aboard expedition ships (like you might find on a big ship). See Alaska Big Ship vs Small Ship for the comparison.
Instead, aboard a small expedition ship with AdventureSmith Explorations, it can be a lot like “a summer camp for adults,” as one of our past passengers described it. Depending on your ship and cruise itinerary, often different levels of adventure are offered, pairing you with different small groups of other travelers multiple times each day. Expect to be aboard with a mix of couples, families and other solo travelers instead of exclusively other singles. Read more FAQs about cruising solo in Alaska.
Each day’s adventure will be different. One day, for example, you might pair up with a guide or another traveler into a double kayak. You might take a shoreline walk, or opt for a longer hike into wilderness with a group of 8. Meals are casual affairs with open seating and various table configurations. Often, the guides join you for meals.
What Are Alaska Cruise Single Supplements?
Imagine booking a hotel room as a solo traveler: the rate is the same whether you have two people in the room or not. That’s the same with cabins aboard a ship.
But to help out single travelers, cruise operators will often offer a “single supplement.” This equates into a percentage that a person will pay in addition to the double-occupancy rate to book the cabin for solo occupancy.
For example, some single supplements are 50%. This means the solo traveler would have to pay the normal double-occupancy price, plus 50% of the cabin’s other listed (per-person) double-occupancy rate.
The same concept for Alaska single cruise supplements, listed another way by some operators, is noted as “1.5x the per-person rate.”
OUR EXPERTS WERE HERE
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How to Find No Single Supplement on Alaska Cruises & Other Deals
To avoid a single supplement, simply find a ship that offers dedicated single cabins. These may not always be priced as low as double-occupancy cabins, but some might be. Dedicated single cabins are often smaller in size, and have a single twin bed, versus two twin beds.
Ships with dedicated solo cabins in Alaska include, for example:
- 22-guest Safari Quest
- 36-guest Safari Explorer
- 74-guest Wilderness Explorer
- 60-guest Wilderness Adventurer
And some ships like the 12-guest Sea Star do not charge a single supplement at all for a few of their double-occupancy cabins.
Another way to skip single supplements is to browse our many Alaska cruise deals to find special offers for waived or reduced single supplements on Alaska cruises. Take a peek, or contact our team to search the best Alaska singles cruise deals for you.
We are experts at matching travelers to the cruise that fits their interests, ability and budget. We will help you find the best price and experience in Alaska. Let us assist you sorting through all the logistics, planning and booking your trip.
FIND THE BEST SOLO CRUISE
See the full list of our Alaska cruises,
or view all our deals & filter by the “solo traveler” topic.
Solo Alaska Cruise FAQs
Not on a small ship. Likeminded passengers who value nature and authentic explorations of Alaska will become fast friends as you bond over once-in-a-lifetime moments. With dining casual and seating mixed, there is ample opportunity to choose your own seat or join different groups of travelers each day.
Yes. Ships with dedicated solo cabins in Alaska include Safari Quest, Safari Explorer, Wilderness Explorer and Wilderness Adventurer, but talk to our experts for the most up-to-date list customized for your needs.
Not always. There are dedicated single cabins that will not have a supplement. But many cabins are priced per-person, for double-occupancy, and thus will have a charge to occupy it alone.
Yes, booking early is one strategy as some operators waive single supplements up to a certain capacity. Early-booking deals also typically include single supplement discounts or waivers.
Yes, aboard a small ship cruise in Alaska, you’ll always be accompanied by guides. These same guides sail with you the entire week, so they get to know your preferences, abilities and can help organize groups by ability levels.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: LIS LARSON
• AdventureSmith travel expert since 2012
• Cruised Alaska aboard 20- to 76-guest ships
• Solo travel experience in Alaska & globally
• Reached all 7 continents by age 37
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