Solo River Cruises with Riverside: No Single Supplement, Full Luxury
March 2026
Picture life on a river cruise, and it's easy to imagine images of a couple out on the open deck, or perhaps laughing and clinking glasses while dining. Maybe they're holding hands while walking on cobbled streets, or worse still, riding a tandem bicycle.
It's unfortunate, but river cruising has a reputation for being geared towards couples. This, in part, is down to the pricing structure, with supplements of up to 50% demanded for those travelling alone. For solo travellers, that rarely feels proportionate - or particularly fair.
Riverside Luxury Cruises takes a different approach. While still a relative newcomer to Europe's rivers, it waives the single supplement on select suite categories across every sailing. This gives independent travellers access to one of the most luxurious river-cruise experiences available, without paying a premium.
Equally important, the onboard experience lends itself naturally to travelling alone. The smaller ship size, attentive crew, and all-inclusive structure remove many common barriers, making it easy to settle in and enjoy the journey at your own pace.
If you're considering a river cruise and plan to travel independently, here's what you need to know about Riverside's solo offering.
The Single Supplement Waiver: What Is Actually Included
Each Riverside sailing includes a limited number of suites available with no single supplement. These are released when bookings open and, in our experience, tend to sell quickly, so leaving it late can mean missing out.
Riverside Mozart (Danube cruises)
Solo travellers can book Harmony Suites at 219 square feet. These fixed-window suites include a sofa, Nespresso machine, bathrobes and slippers, and a glass-enclosed rain shower. At that size, the cabin feels genuinely spacious for one person.
Riverside Debussy (Rhine, Main, Moselle, Danube) and Riverside Ravel (Rhone and Saone)
Solo travellers can access Melody Suites at 183 square feet. These feature Riverside’s signature panoramic balcony windows that lower at the touch of a button, bringing the riverscape into the room. You can read more about the Ravel in our Riverside’s Rapturous Ravel review.
You’ll notice these aren’t entry-level cabins offered as an afterthought. They’re well-appointed suites, with the same amenities, finishes and butler service you’d expect across the rest of the fleet.
Why Riverside works for solo travellers
The zero single supplement is one thing, but there are several elements of the Riverside cruise experience that suit those going solo particularly well:
Ship size and social dynamics
Riverside’s trio of ships offer capacity for between 110 and 162 guests, with Riverside Mozart the largest. These numbers matter because on vessels of this size, you’ll see the same faces at breakfast, on shore excursions, and at the bar before dinner. We like to think there’s a certain element of community on a cruise that fosters organic conversations and new friendships. On a Riverside cruise, this means you won’t ever feel lost in the crowd or conspicuously alone, while always giving the option for quieter moments should you want them.
You choose your inclusions
While some river cruise lines, such as Scenic and Tauck, offer a fully all-inclusive model, Riverside takes a more flexible approach, with four fare tiers that let you tailor what’s included based on how you prefer to travel.
The ‘Best Fare’ covers accommodation, all meals on board, WiFi, gratuities and transfers, with drinks and excursions added separately. For solo travellers who prefer to explore independently and don’t necessarily want a full drinks package, this can represent particularly good value.
If you’d rather have everything taken care of, the ‘Premium All-Inclusive’ tier includes wines, spirits, beer and Taittinger champagne throughout your sailing. Shore excursions can then be added at the time of booking, giving you control over how structured your time ashore feels.
Dining for solos on Riverside
On many river cruise lines, solo guests are routinely placed on large communal tables, which can feel forced rather than natural. From speaking with clients who regularly travel alone, this is one of the most common frustrations.
Riverside takes a more considered approach across its multiple dining venues. Tables are configured for couples and small groups, but staff are attentive to your dining preferences. If you’d like company, they’ll happily seat you at a larger table. If not, a table for one by the window works just as well.
This flexibility makes a noticeable difference. You’re not tied to the same setting each evening, and you can choose how social or private you want the experience to be.
Butler service for every suite
Riverside Luxury Cruises is the only river cruise operator that includes butler service in every suite category as standard. For couples, this might be a pleasant extra, but for those travelling alone, it can become far more valuable.
Your butler can assist with everything from laundry and spa reservations to arranging excursions and coordinating room service exactly when you want it. More than that, they provide a consistent point of contact throughout your sailing, so you’re never left navigating the experience alone. It’s a subtle but important detail, and one that makes the overall experience feel noticeably more seamless.
Itineraries that are great for solo travellers
I’ve already mentioned that Riverside is particularly adept at welcoming solo travellers – but where to go? With three ships sailing four rivers, there is plenty of choice, so here are a few of our favourites:
Danube Medley (visiting Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest)
Three capital cities, each highly walkable with excellent public transport. Budapest in particular suits solo exploration, with its thermal baths, ruin bars and café culture. The itinerary includes three days in the city, giving you time to explore properly rather than rushing through on a short stop.
Rhone Rhapsody (Lyon to Avignon)
A food and wine-focused sailing that works particularly well for solo travellers with an interest in culinary experiences. Lyon’s covered food market, Châteauneuf-du-Pape tastings and Avignon’s medieval streets all lend themselves to independent wandering. The pace feels relaxed rather than busy.
Romantic Rhine
Don’t let the name deter you. The Rhine Gorge between Koblenz and Rüdesheim offers some of Europe’s finest river scenery, best enjoyed from the sun deck with a glass of local Riesling. The route through Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands provides a good balance of landscape and culture.
For a broader look at how Riverside compares to other options, our Best River Cruise Lines 2026 guide is a good place to start.
Riverside for solos: Practical considerations
Book early: No single supplement suites are limited on each sailing, and popular departure dates can sell out quickly, sometimes within days of release. If you have a particular itinerary in mind, it’s worth checking availability with us as early as possible.
Consider shoulder seasons: November and March sailings often offer better availability for solo travellers and more favourable pricing. Christmas market cruises on the Rhine and Danube can also be particularly appealing for those travelling alone over the festive period. Browse our Christmas cruises for current availability.
Transfers are included: Riverside arranges ground transfers from major airports and train stations to the ship. This removes the logistics of navigating foreign transport systems alone with luggage.
Flexible excursion participation: Shore excursions typically operate in small groups, often 15 guests or fewer, making them social without feeling overwhelming. You can also borrow a bike for independent exploration, or simply explore each destination at your own pace.
Is Riverside right for you?
Shortly after Riverside Mozart launched in 2023, our Voyage Consultant, Kirsty, was invited on board. Travelling solo, she was able to fully immerse herself in the experience and returned with genuinely positive feedback, which has shaped many of the conversations we’ve had with clients since.
For those travelling independently, Riverside works particularly well if you’re looking for genuine luxury without the usual solo supplement. If you value fine dining, attentive service and the freedom to explore at your own pace, it’s a strong fit.
It’s worth noting that Riverside doesn’t run dedicated solo events or singles meet-ups. Instead, socialising tends to happen more naturally, whether in the lounge, over dinner or on shared excursions.
To learn more about Riverside Luxury Cruises, or to request a quotation for an upcoming voyage, call our Voyage Consultants on 0800 008 6677 or submit an online enquiry for your preferred sailing.
