Solo Sailing the Virgin Way

Solo Sailing with Virgin Voyages: The Ultimate Experience for Singles

Sailing solo can sometimes feel daunting—Will I feel lonely? Will I find people to connect with? Will I have enough to do? These were some of the questions I had before embarking on my recent Virgin Voyages cruise aboard the stunning Valiant Lady. But let me tell you—those concerns disappeared the moment I stepped onboard.

Virgin Voyages has curated an incredible experience for solo travelers, ensuring that every moment at sea is filled with excitement, connection, and adventure. From solo-friendly cabin options to social events designed for meeting fellow sailors, there’s no shortage of ways to engage (or disengage if you prefer) and have an unforgettable time.

What Virgin Voyages Offers to Solo Sailors

Virgin Voyages makes solo travel effortless and enjoyable. Unlike traditional cruise lines that often charge a high single supplement, Virgin offers Solo Insider and Solo Sea View cabins, perfect for those traveling alone and looking to maximize their vacay budget. These stylish, comfortable spaces allow for privacy while still keeping you immersed in the ship’s vibrant atmosphere.

But beyond accommodations, it’s the onboard experience that truly sets Virgin apart. They offer a variety of social events tailored for solo travelers, such as The Solo Sailor Meetup, where you can meet other like-minded adventurers. From there, opportunities to connect (or disconnect) are endless—whether it’s at a fitness class, a trivia night, or while sharing a meal at one of the ship’s many unique dining venues (with no forced assigned seating). You can participate in these solo events as much or as little as you'd like. I found that I made connections with a handful of fellow solo travelers and we met up for meals and ship board events as we each desired. There was no obligation to do everything together or to compromise on your solo itinerary, as we all gathered and dispersed as we pleased. Virgin fosters a "come as you are" experience that's designed to meet the needs of each individual sailor where they are. Gone are the days of stuffy formal dinners and shared tables where you feel judged if you aren't in sequins. I saw plenty of sequins...and plenty of yoga pants. No one really cared as long as you were having fun. The activities and events on Virgin ships are structured in a way that makes solo cruisers feel comfortable and accepted.

My Experience Sailing Solo on Valiant Lady

From day one, I found myself surrounded by friendly, talkative, and inviting people. I'm not sure if it's the adult-only atmosphere (you must be 18 to sail with Virgin) but I found that fellow sailors were more engaging, laid back and chatty than on traditional family-friendly cruise lines. I have to imagine that some of my fellow cruisers' bandwidth was freed up from pausing their parent mode and not having to monitor their littles' every move. Virgin Voyages attracts a fun, laid-back crowd with a nice mix of ages, and I quickly made connections. Whether grabbing a beverage while playing the slots, listening to music at The Manor, playing Bingo with the Diva, or sharing an exquisite meal at Extra Virgin, I was never alone unless I wanted to be.

One of the highlights of my trip was experiencing the Scarlet Night party, an electrifying, ship-wide celebration where everyone lets loose in an ocean of red-themed fun. Dancing the night away with my newfound friends was a memory I won’t soon forget. Another must-do is the PJ Party on the first night. Having the chance to wander the ship in your jammies, laugh, dance and grab a midnight snack at The Galley was an incredible way to spoil your inner child. At each event I attended, I found that the overriding themes were fun and acceptance. Cruisers were there to make memories, find their joy, and include everyone around them in the fun. There were also quiet spots and places of reflection around every corner when needed. I splurged on a pass to the thermal suite and found my daily visits to the spa's sauna, temperature pools, salt and mud rooms to be exquisite after a full day in port. If yoga or fitness classes are how you unwind, there are opportunities galore onboard as well.

Why I Fell in Love with Solo Sailing on Virgin Voyages

This trip showed me just how incredible solo cruising can be—especially with Virgin Voyages. The freedom to do what I wanted, when I wanted, combined with effortless social interactions, made it one of my best travel experiences yet. I never felt awkward or out of place, and there was always something exciting happening onboard. Always!

As a solo traveler, I was never made to feel like an afterthought. I had the option to dine alone if I wanted simply by making my own dining reservations or I could choose to join the scheduled meet-ups for solos where we were given different dining options with group seating. I chose to join these meet ups most evenings and found each experience to be unique and enjoyable. During ship-wide activities, most events are structured in a way that's very inclusive and accommodates singles as well as groups traveling together. Quite often, groups would even invite me to join in on their fun!

Now, I can confidently say that I’ve fallen in love with solo sailing on Virgin. Whether you’re an experienced solo traveler or considering your first solo cruise, Virgin Voyages is the perfect choice. With their thoughtfully designed solo experience and welcoming atmosphere, you might just find yourself booking your next solo adventure before you even disembark!

If you are interested in trying a cruise for one, I highly recommend giving Virgin a try. The cost-savings (eliminating the added fees for sailing alone), programing and atmosphere make it my cruise line of choice for solo getaways. With Virgin Voyages, you’ll never truly sail solo.