Solo But Never Alone

04 July, 2025

There’s something incredibly freeing about setting off on your own to explore the world—choosing your destination, following your own curiosity, and travelling at your own pace. For those who enjoy independent travel but still value a sense of connection and community, expedition cruising offers the ideal blend.

A Natural Fit for Solo Travellers

Expedition cruises are journeys designed for discovery. Whether it’s spotting wildlife in Antarctica, exploring the fjords of Norway, or snorkelling over coral reefs in the Pacific, these voyages attract curious, open-minded travellers—many of whom are travelling solo themselves.

The onboard atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming. From the moment you step aboard, you become part of a community of explorers, joined by a shared passion for nature, culture, and meaningful travel. There’s open seating at meals, so you can easily meet fellow guests, but you’ll also have the freedom to dine alone if you prefer a quiet evening taking in the views.

Flexible Adventures, Your Way

Expedition cruising offers a variety of daily activities, all designed to be inclusive and adaptable. Kayak solo or with a partner, join a guided hike, take a Zodiac ride to a remote beach—or simply stay on board and enjoy a peaceful afternoon on deck. There's no pressure to do everything; this is your journey, after all.

On many voyages, you can also add a pre- or post-cruise extension. These guided land-based experiences are a great way to delve deeper into the destination with a small group, without having to organise all the details yourself.

Seamless Travel, Start to Finish

One of the advantages of an expedition cruise is that much of the planning is taken care of for you. When you arrive at your starting point, you’ll be met and looked after—making the overall experience straightforward and stress-free.

Solo-Friendly Cabins and Offers

While cruise pricing is often based on double occupancy, many operators offer dedicated solo cabins or waive the single supplement on selected departures. With a bit of flexibility, you can take advantage of some excellent options tailored for solo travellers.

Travel on Your Terms

Travelling solo doesn’t mean compromising on experience. In fact, it often leads to deeper connections—with people, places, and yourself. Expedition cruising gives you the freedom to explore the world independently, supported by a thoughtful structure and an engaging onboard community.

So whether you’re drawn to icebergs and penguins, remote islands, or tropical coastlines, there’s an expedition waiting—with a warm welcome and plenty of like-minded travellers on board.

Below is the experience of one solo traveller, Rennie Craft (pictured), who sailed with National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions.

"After I retired, I wanted to chase my dream of traveling the world, but my availability and interests didn't always match up with my friends or family. I had traveled alone for business but never for pleasure and I had the usual trepidations. Would I have to eat meals alone? Would I be able to make friends easily? Would it be as much fun as sharing the experience with someone else? Questions like these all crossed my mind.

When I learned about the small-ship voyages offered by National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions, it sounded like the ideal way to travel to places out of my comfort zone, while still feeling safe. My first trip was a 28-day Atlantic Ocean crossing from Lisbon to Punta Arenas on National Geographic Orion. Not long after embarking, I discovered all my worries were unfounded.

To my delight, there were several other solo travelers and we soon formed a group, dining together, attending lectures, and enjoying drinks in the lounge. Some of them even started a knitting club to make hats for the crew who would be spending the next few months in Antarctica. We sailed over Halloween and I'll never forget what an incredible celebration the staff and crew created for us, right down to the pumpkin carvings and costume contest.

Because of that fantastic experience, I booked my next trip to Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falklands, bucket-list destinations that exceeded my expectations. Since then, I've taken four more voyages and have two more on the books, including a trip to Croatia that will take me back on National Geographic Orion where I look forward to reuniting with fellow travelers and the wonderfully hospitable staff and crew.

If you're hesitant to take that solo plunge, trust me when I say you aren't going to be solo for long. I've developed long-lasting relationships with some of the people I've met on board and now we often travel together. With so many elements that make it easy to mingle, from the intimate size of the group to the open seating policy in the dining room, you're guaranteed to feel welcomed every step of the way. And like me, you'll wonder why you didn't start traveling solo much sooner.

Maybe I'll meet you on board in the future!"