No partner? No problem.

Have you ever looked at a European river cruise and thought, “I’d love to do that, but I don’t have anyone to travel with?”

You’re not alone.

For many solo travellers, the biggest obstacle isn't travelling alone — it's the cost of travelling alone. River cruises are traditionally priced around two people sharing a cabin, which can make the single supplement a significant part of the cost.

That's why I pay particular attention to cruise lines and departures that offer a better solution for solo travellers.

One that I think deserves a particularly close look is Riviera Travel.

Why Riviera Is Interesting for Solo Travellers

Riviera has developed a dedicated solo travel program offering European river cruises for people travelling on their own. On selected departures (of which there are many), there is no single supplement, meaning solo travellers can enjoy their own cabin without paying the usual additional charge.

The specific departures, cabin availability and offers can change, so I always recommend checking the current options rather than relying on an old list or promotion.

And Riviera is taking its commitment to solo travellers even further, with a river cruise ship dedicated to solo travellers planned for 2027.

For someone who has been hesitant to take a river cruise alone, that's an exciting development.

I've Sailed With Riviera

One reason I'm comfortable recommending Riviera to my clients is that I've sailed with Riviera myself.

That means I'm not simply relying on a supplier brochure when I talk about the experience. I've experienced the ship, the service and the onboard atmosphere firsthand.

And one feature that particularly stands out to me is Riviera's included beverage package on its European river cruises.

The package is available from 10 a.m. to midnight and includes a selection of drinks, including wine, beer, soft drinks, cocktails, house spirits and mixers, as well as tea and coffee. There are some qualifications around arrival and departure days, so the specific terms should always be checked for your sailing.

For me, this is an important part of comparing river cruises.

It's easy to look at the advertised cruise price and assume two cruises offer roughly the same value. But once you start looking at what's actually included, the picture can be quite different.

I believe the best comparison isn't simply the price of the cruise — it's the overall value of the experience.

Solo Doesn't Mean You Have to Be Alone

One of the things I like about river cruising for solo travellers is the balance it provides.

You have your own cabin and your own space, but you also have plenty of opportunities to meet people. Every guest on the ship has their own solo cabin so you won't find 2 people sharing a cabin on these special sailings.

You can join the included excursions, enjoy meals onboard, spend time in the lounge or other public areas, and participate in activities when you feel like being social.

And when you want some time to yourself, you can simply retreat to your own cabin.

That's very different from travelling completely independently, where you may be responsible for organizing every hotel, transfer, excursion and meal yourself.

A river cruise provides structure without taking away your independence.

Where Can You Go?

Riviera's European river cruise program includes itineraries on some of Europe's best-known rivers and waterways.

Depending on the current season and available departures, solo travellers can find opportunities to explore destinations along rivers including the:

  • Danube
  • Rhine
  • Moselle
  • Seine
  • Douro

The appeal isn't just the river itself. It's the ability to unpack once and wake up in a different destination without repeatedly changing hotels or figuring out transportation between cities.

You might spend one day exploring a historic European city, the next enjoying a guided excursion through a smaller town, and then return to the ship and simply watch the scenery go by.

What About the Single Supplement?

This is an important distinction.

Not every river cruise departure is automatically free of a single supplement.

Cruise lines can offer different solo pricing depending on the ship, cabin category, itinerary and departure date.

Riviera currently offers no-single-supplement opportunities on selected departures, so the specific sailing matters.

That's why I don't recommend choosing a cruise based on a general statement that says “no single supplement.”

The actual departure and cabin availability need to be checked.

As your travel advisor, I can look at the current options and help you compare what is genuinely available rather than relying on an old promotion or headline price.

Is a Solo River Cruise Right for You?

A European river cruise may be a great fit if you:

  • Want to see Europe but don't have a travel partner.
  • Don't want to pay a large single supplement.
  • Like having the logistics organized for you.
  • Enjoy meeting other travellers but still want your own private space.
  • Appreciate guided sightseeing and included excursions.
  • Prefer a smaller, more intimate cruising environment.
  • Want to travel independently without having to organize every detail yourself.
  • Are ready to travel rather than waiting for someone else to be available.

And you don't have to consider yourself a “solo traveller” to enjoy a solo trip.

Sometimes your partner doesn't want to cruise.

Sometimes friends have different schedules.

Sometimes circumstances simply change.

And sometimes you reach the point where you realize that waiting for someone else to travel with you means missing out on the experiences you want to have.

That's one of the ideas behind what I call the Life Dividend — making the most of the time, freedom and opportunities you have today rather than continually putting the things you want to experience on hold.

Travel is a big part of that for me.

You don't need to wait for the perfect circumstances, the perfect travel companion or some distant point in the future before you start enjoying the world.

If there's somewhere you've always wanted to go, perhaps it's time to stop waiting for someone else to go with you.

That's when travelling solo can become incredibly freeing.

Why I Think Solo River Cruising Is Worth Considering

I've spent a lot of time looking at the solo travel market because I believe there are many travellers who want to see more of the world but don't necessarily have someone who can — or wants to — travel with them.

Cruising can be particularly well suited to those travellers.

You have your own accommodation, transportation between destinations, dining, sightseeing opportunities and onboard activities all brought together in one experience.

And with cruise lines increasingly recognizing the solo market, there are now more options worth considering.

Riviera is particularly interesting to me because I've sailed with them personally and because their approach to solo travel continues to evolve.

The fact that Riviera is introducing a ship dedicated entirely to solo travellers in 2027 shows just how seriously the industry is beginning to take this market.

A Few Things I'd Look At Before You Book

If you're comparing solo river cruises, don't look only at the advertised price.

I'd recommend looking at:

The single supplement: Is it genuinely waived on your specific departure and cabin?

What's included: Compare beverages, excursions, dining and other inclusions rather than comparing cruise fares alone.

The cabin: A solo traveller may have different priorities when choosing a cabin, including location and size.

The itinerary: Make sure the destinations and pace match what you actually want to experience.

The ship: Two river cruise lines can offer similar itineraries but very different onboard experiences.

The atmosphere: Think about whether you want a ship with a broad mix of travellers or one where solo travellers are particularly well represented.

These are the details where an experienced travel advisor can add value.

Ready to Explore a Solo River Cruise?

If you've been thinking about taking a European river cruise on your own, I'd be happy to help you explore the possibilities.

I can check the current solo-friendly departures, look at where single supplements are being waived, compare cabin options and help you determine which itinerary and cruise line best match the experience you're looking for.

You don't need to know exactly what you want before we talk.

That's part of what I'm here for.

Let's Talk

Book a complimentary conversation with me and let's explore whether a solo river cruise is right for you.

Schedule a Conversation with Danny

No pressure and no obligation — just a conversation about where you'd like to go and how you'd like to travel.

No partner? No problem.

You shouldn't have to put off seeing Europe simply because you're travelling on your own.

TravelOnly with Danny specializes in personalized cruise planning, including ocean and river cruise experiences for solo travellers.