1jazzylady

I've done a number of TA's. If you're on a budget, it's risky. Holland America, I was so bored I was seriously considering getting off in Funchal. Crystal was a little better but still not worth the money. QM2, I'm unhappy with for a number of reasons, not all concerning TA's, but as a rule, Cunard does have the best singles program. Costa, even at 200% was still the cheapest, and the only one I felt the value was equal to other places I could be spending the money, but Costa is too foreign for many Americans.

I was wondering why you were unhappy with Cunard? Also, you said they had a good singles program, what does it entail?

"I love Cunard transatlantic cruises, but have to admit that Cunard is NOT SOLO friendly. Supplement is too high, Social hostess is not interested in arranging solo meets, (on my last cruise, she looked in for less then 10 mins on first day and we never saw her again ) Even on a cruise with ports, solos are "on their own".

"On one cruise, as a senior solo I found myself at a table with 3 NON English speaking couples (Japanese) when I asked MD for a move, he gave me a speech re the difficulty of placing a solo!!!!!. On another trip, at lunch I stated "willing to share" and was shown to a table set for one !!!!!"

I kind of figured this would be the situation sailing on a Cunard Vessel. I will be on The Queen Mary 2 in October as a solo. I requested a table for 2, so I don't have to deal with the large table situation and stuffy people. And I won't be expecting the social hostess to put herself out for the solo traveler.:)

I love Cunard transatlantic cruises, but have to admit that Cunard is NOT SOLO friendly. Supplement is too high, Social hostess is not interested in arranging solo meets, (on my last cruise, she looked in for less then 10 mins on first day and we never saw her again ) Even on a cruise with ports, solos are "on their own".

On one cruise, as a senior solo I found myself at a table with 3 NON English speaking couples (Japanese) when I asked MD for a move, he gave me a speech re the difficulty of placing a solo!!!!!. On another trip, at lunch I stated "willing to share" and was shown to a table set for one !!!!!

I kind of figured this would be the situation sailing on a Cunard Vessel. I will be on The Queen Mary 2 in October as a solo. I requested a table for 2, so I don't have to deal with the large table situation and stuffy people. And I won't be expecting the social hostess to put herself out for the solo traveler.:)

Thanks for the heads up.

My b-day is this weekend and the only thing I got myself was a (pretty) big piece of Sea Salt Carmel Cheesecake. I like your 'me' gift ALOT better.

 

Happy Birthday to you and have a great cruise!! :D

My Birthday present to myself this year is a solo 12night cruise on Queen Mary 2, New England/Canada.:p

I think treating yourself is important.

Norwegian has an AMAZING deal for the October 4, 2014 Getaway sailing! There's no single supplement on all of their cabins from interior ($509) up the mini suites ($979). If you put in for one person it comes up double that price until you click on which room type you want in the second step. Studios are $240 more than an interior!

 

I booked last night, hoping others can jump on this great deal. :)

Great information and it is still available. I can't book it yet because I have to check the vacation schedule at work on Monday.:confused:

I would have sat down at the table and said to the host. "If these people cannot be polite, I would appreciate you seating them elsewhere. I would prefer they not be at my table." Make THEM move.

 

 

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awesome!!!!!:p

I take one or two solo cruises each year. I always go in late April/early May. I have a flexible work schedule which allows significant time off. I enjoy long cruises (14+) days and recently have been taking transatlantic cruises.

 

Funniest solo story is where I was put at a table in the MDR for 8 people. First night was myself and a H&W. Next night they didn't show (hope it wasn't me), I was alone and remained alone for the balance of the cruise. I was given the option of switching but I liked my waiter and decided to stay. The looks I got from people was priceless and I got the best service.

I have been is your situation, when I ended up the only one left at the table on day 3 I just gave up and ate at the pub and buffet. Now I am requesting my own table. Don't want to have to make small talk. i am not a small talk kind of person and don't want to hear about dogs and cats and grand kids. I am surprised they did not take the large table away from you.

Just FYI, I normally cruise on NCL and never have a problem getting a table by myself (which is my preference).

I have always tried to get seating at the 8 top tables or requested seating with other solo travelers. They keep putting me at tables with couples who may or may not show up. One night it was me and 2 couples, the next night me and 1 couple who didn't speak much english. After that i found a table of women traveling together and hung out with them for a night or two. After that I did not go to to the main dining room for dinner.

I will be on Queen Mary 2 and signed up for a table for 2, my first time. I think it will be good. I have been reading online that a lot of solos like the tables for 2. :o

...then very likely they'll seat you at your own table. I usually book the early wonderfully calm and quiet time slots so that I can sit at a nice table by the window, read my book, enjoy the sunset, take in the ambience of a small restaurant, and consume a delectable meal.

 

If it's the company of other solos you're after, you could attend a solo gathering (check the dailies), and put the word out there. You could ask the maitre d about this, in advance, or you can put in a request when you make the reservation.

 

I've met some wonderful people while dining solo at specialty restaurants. The tables, while small and intimate, are close to one another, so at a minimum you'll have eye contact with your neighbors.

 

You can always test the waters with a greeting, and if you like the people at the table next to yours, super; you'll have company while dining, even if the tables are apart. If not, you can always go back to scrolling through your tablet.

 

Cheers!

 

HS2U :)

I will have a solo table for 2 on the Queen Mary2. I think I will also sign up for a meal in Todd English's speciality restaurant. I have heard that this is a very stuffy ship so you have to be confident and brazen to get through certain experiences. Older people can be extremely rude. But, i will enjoy myself!!!

Anyone cruised solo on this ocean liner? Any helpful information about the ship or your experiences/;)

I have done solo cruising which I usually enjoy. The solo resort not good experiences. I went to Club Med solo in Martinique and also Jamaica resort each was a week. The Canadians who went to club med were rude and the staff were also. They have communal dining but they made it unpleasant. Jamaica was also all inclusive and I had a good time and the staff was friendly. The couples were into themselves and the naked beach. I read and did a couple of tours and enjoyed the night club and music at night. Dining was solo.

I did the 2 week cruise from Florida to Hawaii to California. The large cruise ship was not a good way to see Hawaii for the first time. You finally get off the ship and have 8-10 hours to see an island so you have to choose which side of the island to see. Because of the size of the ships we couldn't stop in 2 of our ports due to the swells and not being able to use the tenders, so we went back to a port we had already been to. People were upset because they had golf, tours and rental cars set up. Also when you have 2200 people who are all trying to board and are lined up in the hot sun and there are like 4 tenders taking 100 people at a time and all bags have to be searched before you could get on the tender and then before you got on the ship they are put through a scanner, it was awful. They did come along every couple of hours and got the elderly. I can truly say I saw the ship that is underwater and the tourist areas around port for shopping and a city tour but I did not see Hawaii. Go to the islands and spend a day or 2 at each island,get a nice hotel, see both sides of the island:cool:. i will go back some day.

I will be traveling solo on Cunard's Queen Mary 2 New England & Canada October 16, 2014. Got a great rate and I hope it will be an exciting trip. I will have to figure out dining. I may avoid the dining room altogether.:)

11/29/08 sailing.:) Celebrity ship 15nights TA Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale. Solo rate under $600.

The cruise line is RCCL not Celebrity.

11/29/08 sailing.:) Celebrity ship 15nights TA Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale. Solo rate under $600.