Why More Solo Travelers Are Choosing River Cruises

Solo travel is having a moment. More people than ever are heading out on their own. They’re seeking independence, flexibility, and personal fulfillment that comes from moving through the world on your own terms. Many solo travelers want both the freedom of going solo and the pleasure of good company. River cruising offers both.

A friend of mine discovered this after losing her husband of 24 years. She booked an AmaWaterways cruise through Portugal’s Douro Valley. It was her first trip alone. She came home refreshed and energized with stories to tell. She had hiked through vineyards, had nice conversations with fellow passengers, and woke each morning in a new port city ready to explore. She’s booked several cruises since then.

Small ships, real connections with AmaWaterways

Large ocean cruises can feel anonymous. You’re one of many, and it’s not as easy to connect with fellow passengers.

River ships are different. Most AmaWaterways ships carry around 150 passengers, sometimes fewer, though the double-wide AmaMagna on the Danube accommodates 196 guests. At that scale, you can get to know people. Select dining tables are thoughtfully set for five, offering a comfortable space where conversation is easy without the pressure to join a larger group on your own.

By the second night, you’re swapping travel stories with someone you’d never otherwise have met. By the third day, you’re making plans to meet on the next day’s excursion. For solo travelers, those connections are often what they remember most.

Each evening, the Sip & Sail cocktail hour on AmaWaterways sailings brings guests together on deck to compare notes from the day's adventures. It's an easy, unscripted tradition, with good conversation, a glass of wine, and the sun setting over the river.The cruise manager and crew take care of the rest. They keep a close eye on solo travelers throughout the journey, never hovering but making sure you feel genuinely welcome and have what you need.

Explore together, wander alone

One of river cruising's strengths is how it blends independence with togetherness. AmaWaterways' small-group shore excursions give solo travelers a way to explore each destination alongside fellow guests, led by local guides who know the destination well and provide authentic local insight. You might spend a morning touring medieval castles along the Rhine Gorge in Germany or tasting wines in Austria’s Wachau Valley.

But you're never locked into a schedule. If you'd rather stop by an antique shop in Strasbourg, France; linger over a cappuccino at a café in Vienna, Austria; or simply sit by the river and watch the boats go by, that's entirely up to you. The excursions are there when you want company. When you don't, the time is all yours.

The ‘single supplement’ problem is getting solved

Ask any solo traveler what frustrates them most, and you’ll hear the same answer: the single supplement. That surcharge, which usually runs from 50 to 100 percent of the base fare, has long made solo travel expensive.

AmaWaterways has been working on this issue. Select sailings now offer reduced single supplements, and certain ships have dedicated single-occupancy staterooms designed specifically for solo guests.

AAA can help plan your journey

There are so many different itineraries and ships that it’s helpful to have some guidance before you book. A AAA Travel Advisor can help sort through all of it. They know which AmaWaterways itineraries work well for solo travelers and how to find the best value, and thet can handle all the details from start to finish. AAA members may also receive additional benefits when booking through AAA Travel.