The single supplement on cruises, explained honestly, with hosted sailings

Yes, there is a single supplement on cruises, and on every Spice Escapes sailing too, because a cabin to yourself costs more than half of a shared one. What Spice Escapes does is tell you the figure up front, put a host on board with a small group to eat and explore with, and make sure the extra you pay buys a cabin of your own and not an evening on your own.

Why cabins cost more for one

A ship is priced by the cabin, and almost every cabin is built for two. When one person takes it, the cruise line loses the second fare, so it charges part of it back as a supplement. That is why solo cruises with no single supplement usually mean a few small studio cabins that sell out early, or a waived supplement on a sailing struggling to fill.

We would rather you knew the real cost before you fall for a holiday. Every Spice Escapes cruise carries a room-to-yourself cost, and our single supplement page explains how it works across all our holidays. Most people on our groups book alone, so you will not be the only one paying it.

What the supplement buys on a hosted sailing

On an ordinary cruise, the supplement buys you a cabin and nothing else. On ours it comes with a host who travels with the group, a table to join at dinner and around fifteen people, sometimes twenty, who are glad of the company. Here are four sailings and what each includes.

Norway from the Thames, with no flights

Summertime Fjordland Cruise sails from London Tilbury and back, so there are no airports and no flight costs to add on top. It is 8 nights, calling at Eidfjord, Austefjorden for Bergen, Måløy and Geiranger, with full board, the spa, pool and hot tubs all in the fare. Your host is Pam Harte. Prices start £1,129, sailing 21 Aug 2027 – 29 Aug 2027, and places left: 6 places left. More on holidays in Norway.

Venice with every meal and drink on board

All Inclusive Treasures of Venice is 4 nights on a ship moored close to St Mark's Square. All meals, drinks at the bar and a gala dinner are included, so once the supplement is paid there is little else to budget for. It runs 19 Nov 2026 – 23 Nov 2026 from £929, hosted by Samantha Pike. Availability: Waitlist only.

Italy at sea, drinks and gratuities included

Mediterranean Cruising Italian Style with WingsItaly flies you to Rome a day early, so a delay cannot cost you the ship. Andrea and Claire host throughout, and drinks and gratuities are included on board, two costs that often catch out people paying for a cabin alone. It is 8 nights from £1,679, departing 6 May 2027 – 14 May 2027. See more of Italy.

A river boat with eighteen staterooms

India: Kolkata and The Lower Ganges River Cruise is a charter on a boat with just eighteen staterooms, so the group is most of the people on board. There is a rickshaw ride at Kalna and a private visit to Raj Bhavan for Spice Escapes guests only. It is 10 nights from £3,485, hosted by Claire Dymond, departing 10 Oct 2026 – 20 Oct 2026. Places: 1 place left. Read about India.

All our sailings are on the cruise holidays page. For how the group works on board, read cruises for solo travellers over 50.

Questions people ask

Can I find a cruise with no single supplement?

Some lines have a few solo cabins or waive the supplement on slow sailings, but they are scarce and go quickly. Every Spice Escapes holiday carries a single supplement or room-to-yourself cost, and we tell you the figure before you book.

How much is the single supplement on a cruise?

It varies by ship, cabin and date, so there is no single answer. Ask us about the holiday and date you want and we will give you the exact figure.

Can I share a cabin to avoid paying it?

Ask the team about the holiday you have in mind, as it depends on the sailing. Most people on our groups choose a cabin of their own.

Will I eat on my own if I am paying for a single cabin?

No, your host gathers the group for meals and outings, and you can join in as much or as little as you like. The cabin is yours to retreat to when you want some quiet.

I have never travelled alone. Is a hosted cruise a sensible first trip?

Plenty of people take their first trip alone with us. Our guide for first-time solo travellers explains what the first day and first dinner are like.

Ask us for the real figure

Call or message the Spice Escapes team, or ask Rosie on any holiday page what the single supplement is on that sailing, and we will give you the full price with nothing left out. If you are new to travelling on your own, start with our over 50s solo holidays, then get in touch and we will help you choose the sailing that suits you.