Editor’s note: Just today, a Twitter follower tweeted this to us: “..love cruising but I don’t like going solo”.  I think there is a negative perception about cruising or traveling solo. In today’s guest post, Aaron Saunders, explains why solo cruising may not be as scary as you may think..and breaks down everything you need to know before you sail solo.  This article originally ran on Aaron’s blog, From the Deck Chair, on Feb 13th, 2011 and has been republished here with his permission. Enjoy!

Will that be champagne for one or two? Photo © Aaron Saunders

Chances are, it’s going to happen to all of us at some point in our cruising “career” – the one voyage where a significant other, family member, or friend isn’t available to cruise with you.  What’s a cruiseaholic to do?

Keep going – solo, that is.

Cruising alone isn’t as scary as it might sound.  After all, you’re on a cruise ship with a few hundred or thousand other guests, some of whom are undoubtedly sailing solo as well.  Even then, most people aboard any ship are there to meet new friends and enjoy themselves, and with cruise lines like NCL, P&O, and Royal Caribbean building solo-occupancy staterooms again, there has never been a better time to set off on your own.

I have taken five solo cruises: four with Holland America Line, and one with Royal Caribbean.  I can’t say one really does it better than the other; it just depends on your personal tastes.  Do I miss my fiancee?  Of course!  But there are certain voyages she has no desire to go on, and I respect that.  Trust me, you never want to force your significant other or friend into a voyage they don’t want – it’s a recipe for trouble.

But before you do sail solo, here’s some things to keep in mind.

Solo and Single are Two Different Things
Contrary to what you might think, people sailing solo aren’t necessarily all single.  This isn’t The Love Boat, after all!  But regardless of relationship status, solo cruisers are looking to mingle and meet new friends, and cruises provide a unique opportunity to do so.  The best way to do this is to involve yourself in activities that encourage team participation.  Trivia, scavenger hunts, lectures, Name that Tune – all good activities to meet people on a regular basis, since many cruises include these events daily.  There are also usually solo cruiser “mixers” in the evening (Holland America in particular does a great job of these.)

Beware the Single Occupancy Rate
Because – very technically – you’re depriving the cruise line of the additional revenue by occupying a stateroom meant for two people, most lines will charge a single supplement.  This can range anywhere from 110% of the per-person cruise fare all the way to 200% – the same amount as you would have paid had you sailed with someone else.  But don’t despair!  Many lines usually offer discounted single supplements on select sailings.  Supplements also tend to be higher for Veranda and Suite categories than inside or outside staterooms.

Some single-supplement-friendly lines?  Carnival, Holland America, and Silversea all offer decent single supplement rates, and in some cases waive them entirely for select sailings.  Historically, Celebrity and Royal Caribbean have consistently charged 200% of the per-person fare, though this is beginning to change.  I sailed aboard Grandeur of the Seas in 2009 for only 10% more than the per-person fare – making the quick five-day voyage more than affordable.

Socialize – Pre-Cruise
In this digital age, why wait until you’re onboard to meet new friends?  The internet offers several great resources to “meet” additional cruisers on your sailing long before you first step aboard.

One of the best sites for this is MeetOnCruise. You can create a profile, find your sailing, and see who else will be traveleing with you.  If your sailing is a long way off, be patient as new cruisers add themselves in advance of your departure date.  Sometimes groups organize get-togethers while onboard, while other times it can just be nice to share information about your ports, shore excursions, and ship.

CruiseCritic‘s Roll Call forums also provide an excellent way to meet people on your sailing before you even leave the house.

Have Fun
The bottom line: everyone is on a cruise to have a good time.  Regardless of which line or ship you’re sailing on, this one fact holds true. Embrace it.  Get out, mingle, interact, and do everything you would if you were traveling with another person.

Enjoy yourself, and you’re certain to enjoy your cruise – whether you’re sailing by yourself or not.