I’m writing this on day five of a Caribbean sailing aboard Virgin Voyages, currently at sea on the Valiant Lady. As someone who is sailing solo on this voyage, I can say with confidence that Virgin has put considerable thought into solo cruising and is arguably the best amongst any mainstream cruise line sailing today.

First, an important distinction that matters more than most marketing admits: solo travelers are not the same as single travelers. Many solo sailors are partnered, widowed, divorced, retired, or simply choosing to travel alone. Virgin clearly understands this difference, and the onboard experience reflects that awareness in practical, thoughtful ways.

That intention shows up immediately on embarkation day. Before the sail-away party even begins, Virgin hosts a dedicated meet-and-greet for solo sailors. I arrived in my cabin to find a letter inviting me to the event. It’s casual, unforced, and deliberately scheduled early, giving solo travelers a chance to recognize friendly faces before the ship ever leaves port. No awkward icebreakers, no labels—just a low-key opportunity to connect.

On the first night, Virgin builds on that momentum. A reserved dining table is set aside specifically for solo sailors in Razzle Dazzle who want to dine together. Participation is optional, which is key. You’re not locked into a group for the week, and no one bats an eye if you decide to dine alone or elsewhere. But for those who join, it works remarkably well. Conversations start easily, and by the end of the meal people are already comparing shore plans and swapping tips.

What impressed me most is that this isn’t a one-night gesture. On each successive evening, Virgin invites solo diners to rally at a set time and quietly holds restaurant space so solos can dine together again if they choose. Sometimes the group overlaps heavily, sometimes it evolves. There’s continuity without obligation—exactly what most solo travelers want. Using this system, I have enjoyed dinners in The Wake (steak and seafood) and Extra Virgin (Italian), bookings that were otherwise unavailable.

The food has been exceptional.

Beyond what the cruise line itself facilitates, an entirely organic social layer forms onboard. On this sailing, a very active WhatsApp group emerged quickly among solo cruisers. It’s being used to coordinate everything from morning walks and gym sessions to shared shore excursions and last-minute dinner plans. Nothing official, nothing managed—just travelers finding each other and deciding how social they want to be.

That’s what makes the experience work so well. Virgin provides structure without confinement. You can be as social—or as independent—as you want, day by day. There’s no stigma in doing your own thing, and no pressure to perform sociability. I have definitely found time to get my introversion on, too.

A brief word on pricing, because transparency matters.
Virgin Voyages does sometimes charge more for travelers sailing alone when the cabin is designed for two sailors. This is an industry-wide reality, often referred to as a solo supplement. Virgin doesn’t pretend otherwise.

What is different is the magnitude. In practice, Virgin’s solo pricing premiums are generally lower than those charged by many competitors, especially in comparable balcony and entry-luxury categories. The exact difference depends on the sailing, cabin type, and fare level, and it can shift as pricing changes. But across the board, Virgin makes a visible effort to keep solo cruising more accessible than the industry norm.

That balance matters. Virgin pairs relatively restrained solo pricing with one of the most intentionally designed solo onboard experiences at sea—something few lines manage to do simultaneously.

Add in Virgin’s adults-only environment, flexible dining, lack of forced formality, and longer port stays, and the result is something rare: a cruise where solo travelers are neither an afterthought nor quietly penalized.

From what I’m seeing onboard, Virgin Voyages offers the best of both worlds for solo travelers—independence when you want it, community when you want it, and no pressure either way.

If you’re curious whether solo cruising might suit you—or whether Virgin is the right fit for how you travel—I’m happy to talk it through. I’m living the experience right now, and sometimes that perspective makes all the difference.