A major drawback to traveling alone is are the single-supplements that cruise lines typically charge.
These are the extra fees paid by one person who plans to stay in a cabin built for two.
Almost every cruise ship on every cruise line in the world is priced based on double occupancy.
This means that even if you are going alone, you pay the same price that a room for two people would minus the government fees for a second passenger.
A solo or single cruiser creates “spoilage” in cruise-speak. In other words, not only does it leave an empty bed that doesn’t add booking revenue, but it also means a missing body to add revenue from drink sales, casino use, shore excursions and spa treatments.
This is the principal hurdle for solo cruisers. Since most lines do not offer cabins for singles, or because the ships that do have them sell out rather quickly, the cruise line will charge an extra fee to a solo traveler wanting to reserve a double-occupancy stateroom unescorted.
HOWEVER, there is recent good news for solo cruisers!!
Certain cruise lines have noticed the need for solo cabins and have started introducing them on their newer ships.