River Cruises: The Perfect Trip for Solo Travelers

Morning on the cruise

The thought of traveling solo throughout Europe can be a bit daunting. Totally understandable! Here are a few reasons why river cruising might be the right fit for your next solo trip.

Solo time

While traveling alone, of course, you will want some time to yourself.

River cruises dock in great locations for exploring cities. It is totally possible to skip out on the group excursions and head out on your own. While in Budapest, I opted to skip the group tour and hike to Buda Castle on my own. I wanted to make sure I had time to take photographs and relax with the gorgeous views.

You will also have plenty of time in destinations to participate in group tours and then explore solo.

While in Bratislava, I participated in the group excursion and then branched out on my own to explore more of the city.

Every day is different. You can change your plans depending on your mood. On AmaWaterways, it was easy for me to modify my excursions the night before.

Sailing on Danube

Social time

River cruises offer the perfect blend of social time and solo time.

Whenever you feel like socializing, you can join the group! There are group excursions offered daily. There is also a daily cocktail hour, followed by dinner. On some nights, you will find entertainment after dinner. I connected with several different groups while traveling.

While I was out exploring solo in one city, I ended up running into a few fellow cruisers and we decided to go explore a local market together.

Excursions

River cruises offer a variety of different excursions that will allow you to explore each destination. You can choose what suits your interest. You may feel a bit nervous about being the solo traveler on excursions, but many travelers split up. You may connect with others who are solo for the day.

Dining

Breakfast is served in a traditional way. You can come and go as you please within set hours. It spans over a few hours, so it doesn’t feel as crowded.

Lunch is a seated meal, but feels a bit less crowded than dinner. You can opt to continue exploring the destination or head back for a meal onboard. There may be options to get a casual meal in the lounge.

Oktoberfest event

Dinner is a more formal event and most passengers join in. The idea of dinner solo might feel a bit scary, but just head in and grab a seat. You’ll likely end up chatting to passengers nearby. You may even make a few friends on the cruise who you end up dining with.

Vienna

Entertainment

On the day of embarkation, your ship may offer an event for solo travelers. AmaWaterways hosts a boat tour with the Captain. Amawaterways also hosts evening cocktail hours and frequent post dinner performances.

Relaxation

On board you may find amenities like a gym, pool, comfy corners for reading, chairs on the sundeck, etc. There are plenty of opportunities for peaceful solo time.

Safety

You have the opportunity to explore the towns in groups, which will provide you with a sense of safety and support in case you need anything. If you are traveling solo, but don’t want to be alone, river cruising might provide you with a nice sense of safety. There will also be someone working 24/7 on board in case you encounter any issues.

For more travel inspiration and insider recommendations, check out our Cruises page.