What Is the Single Supplement? Explained Simply
The single supplement explained clearly — what it is, why cruise lines charge it, how much it typically costs, and the three ways to avoid or reduce it.
The Short Answer
The single supplement is an extra charge applied when one person occupies a cabin designed for two. Most cruise cabins are priced per person, based on two people sharing. If you travel alone, many cruise lines charge you a supplement to make up for the revenue from the absent second passenger.
At its worst — and this is still standard practice on many mainstream lines — the single supplement is 100%. That means one person pays the same total as two people sharing. You are, in effect, paying for an empty bed.
Why Do Cruise Lines Charge It?
Cruise economics are built around double occupancy. Every cabin is priced assuming two passengers contributing fare, eating in the restaurants, buying drinks packages, and booking excursions. A solo passenger generates roughly half that revenue per cabin.
The supplement is how the cruise line recovers the shortfall. It’s a pricing model, not a personal statement — but solo travellers are understandably frustrated by it. As one experienced solo cruiser put it: “If a business makes it clear they don’t want your money, believe them.”
The travel industry has historically treated solo travellers as an afterthought. That is slowly changing, but understanding the supplement is the first step to navigating around it.
How Much Does It Cost?
The supplement is calculated as a percentage of the per-person fare. Common rates:
| Supplement rate | What you pay (example: £1,500 per-person fare) |
|---|---|
| 0% (no supplement) | £1,500 |
| 25% | £1,875 |
| 50% | £2,250 |
| 75% | £2,625 |
| 100% | £3,000 |
At 100%, a solo traveller pays the same as a couple combined — £3,000 for one person versus £3,000 for two.
The supplement varies by cruise line, ship, cabin grade, sailing date, and how far in advance you book. It’s not fixed — which is why shopping around and watching for promotions makes a material difference.
Does Every Cruise Line Charge It?
No — and this is the most important thing to understand.
Several lines have moved away from the supplement entirely for certain cabin types or sailings:
- Saga Cruises — No supplement on the vast majority of sailings, including in standard double cabins
- Fred. Olsen — No-supplement cabins reserved on every sailing; 50–75% on cabins beyond that allocation
- NCL — Studio cabins (purpose-built solo cabins) are priced at a studio rate with no supplement
- P&O — Solo cabins on Iona and Arvia priced at a solo rate; standard double cabins vary
Lines that still typically charge 75–100% on standard double cabins: Cunard (without a promotion), most mainstream international lines.
The Three Ways to Avoid or Reduce It
1. Book a dedicated solo cabin. Purpose-built single-occupancy cabins are priced for one person. No supplement is applied because the cabin is designed and sold as a solo product. Available on Saga, Fred. Olsen, NCL, and others. Limited in number — book early.
2. Catch a no-supplement promotion. Cruise lines regularly run promotions where the supplement is waived on selected cabins or sailings. Fred. Olsen does this on every sailing. P&O, Cunard, and others run time-limited offers, particularly during wave season (January–March). Signing up to cruise line newsletters is the most reliable way to catch them.
3. Accept a reduced supplement. A 25–50% supplement instead of 100% is still a meaningful saving on a £2,000+ cruise. Many lines offer this as a standard solo rate outside of full no-supplement promotions.
One Important Caveat
“No single supplement” does not automatically mean the cabin is good value. Some cruise lines price solo cabins at a rate that effectively includes the supplement within the cabin fare — the supplement hasn’t been removed, it’s just been renamed. Always compare the solo cabin price against the standard per-person double occupancy price before assuming you’re getting a deal.
Related Guides
- Cruise lines with no single supplement UK — every line that offers no-supplement deals, compared
- How to avoid the single supplement — practical strategies in full
- Solo cabin guide — what dedicated solo cabins are actually like
- Best cruise lines for solo travellers UK — full comparison including supplement policies
- Saga Cruises for solo travellers — the best no-supplement deal in British cruising
- Fred. Olsen for solo travellers — no-supplement cabins on every sailing