mcwilcr

looks like a lot of the solo crowd leans towards NCL. I'll be looking further. Are the studios worth the access to the lounge or are is a larger stateroom going to be significantly more comfortable? or can you get access as a solo traveler regardless of the room you are in?

lots of great info here, thank you all for the help!

NCL was my first instinct as well but the others were given to me as possibilities. sounds like I should maybe stick with my instincts.

As for thanksgiving time frame, it is the 23rd this year so I'll be sure to avoid the week leading up but isnt school usually back in session the monday after?

lots to think about

good point, thanksgiving is the 23rd this year so the week after should have the kiddos back in school right? seems like there is a lot going for the NCL offerings. Solo cabins and lounge are the main reasons I was looking at them in the first place but a newer ship with more to do sounds nice too. lots to think about

As a male / solo cruiser, I would strongly suggest either the NCL Escape or Getaway out of Miami... NCL has a great solo program whether you decide to cruise in their solo cabins or a balcony. There is so much more to do on either of these ships than the two you mentioned. With NCL you will receive a beverage package as a promo when booking. (You will be required to pony up $99 for the gratuities on said package, but at $12-$15 for one drink, it's easy to come out ahead)

Thank you, this is incredibly helpful information! NCL Escape is one of the ships I was looking at to begin with and NCL in general because of their solo cabins and lounge. Do you have personal experience with either of these or even the ones I have listed? good/bad experiences?

:') Single staight male in his mid-30's that can afford to cruise solo ... can I introduce you to my daughter LOL

 

Whatever you do, I'm sure that you'll have a great time. 7 day cruises tend to attract a very mixed demographic and if you choose to cruise while school is in session, there will be fewer families with children on board.

lol, Thanks. I've just never been on a cruise before and I don't feel like waiting for someone to go with me. besides, I enjoy solo adventures; I get to do anything I want to do. Seems like general consensus is that the 7-8 day cruises are going to be more the demographic I'm looking for.

Choosing cruises longer than 7 days and during times of the year when the kiddos tend to be in school gets around the ship being overrun with families and children. Looks like the cruises you're considering do that. On a 10-day cruise on any line you're going to tend to run into an older passenger mix. I love the Southern Caribbean, but either Eastern or Southern will be good.

 

Roz

Thanks, Roz. By older do you mean generally older than myself? a wide age demographic is fine with me but I would like to hopefully have a large number of passengers around my age. Sounds like for what I want maybe I should stick with more than 7 less than 10?

I was told in the new cruisers forum that you guys might be able to give me some better advice for planning my trip over here. Hope I'm not breaking any rules posting in multiple places. I'll be traveling solo and am a single straight male in my mid 30s with a fairly active lifestyle. I've done a bit of research trying to find my best options and am working with an agent as well and she has given me a few options and has promised a few more to come today. here is what she has found for me so far

Carnival Conquest

11/25/17 for 8 days Eastern Caribbean leaving from Ft Lauderdale, FL

1/6/18 for 8 days Southern Caribbean leaving from Ft Lauderdale, FL

Royal Caribbean Serenade of the Seas

11/24/17 for 10 days Southern Caribbean leaving from Ft Lauderdale, FL

1/26/18 for 10 days Southern Caribbean leaving from Ft Lauderdale, FL

A few of my requirements as I see them:

1) not necessarily looking for a singles cruise but would be nice if there is a higher likelihood of single travelers around my age

2) would prefer not to be overrun by families and kids

3) want a fun Itinerary with lots of opportunity for exploring (hiking, snorkling, kayaking, etc) in port as well as fun activities on board

4) best bang for my buck? drink packages, food packages, etc.

5) Would prefer to leave from florida because it looks like leaving from other places has half of the itinerary stopping at ports in the US...

I have also been looking at other cruise lines like NCL. No concrete dates in mind but I want to do something this fall/winter if possible.

now that Ive laid out some background, here are my questions:

Of what I have listed in the first 4 options, which will I likely have more fun on and have more of my so called requirements met?

Other things I should be looking for?

alternate recommendations for cruise line, month, itinerary?

Thank you all very much in advance! these boards have been of tremendous help researching for this trip.

Was told you buys might be able to provide me some more specific advice in this forum so here goes. I'll be traveling solo and am a single straight male in my mid 30s with a fairly active lifestyle. I've done a bit of research trying to find my best options and am working with an agent as well and she has given me a few options and has promised a few more to come today. here is what she has found for me so far

Carnival Conquest

11/25/17 for 8 days Eastern Caribbean leaving from Ft Lauderdale, FL

1/6/18 for 8 days Southern Caribbean leaving from Ft Lauderdale, FL

Royal Caribbean Serenade of the Seas

11/24/17 for 10 days Southern Caribbean leaving from Ft Lauderdale, FL

1/26/18 for 10 days Southern Caribbean leaving from Ft Lauderdale, FL

A few of my requirements as I see them:

1) not necessarily looking for a singles cruise but would be nice if there is a higher likelihood of single travelers around my age

2) would prefer not to be overrun by families and kids

3) want a fun Itinerary with lots of opportunity for exploring (hiking, snorkling, kayaking, etc) in port as well as fun activities on board

4) best bang for my buck? drink packages, food packages, etc.

5) Would prefer to leave from florida because it looks like leaving from other places has half of the itinerary stopping at ports in the US...

I have also been looking at other cruise lines like NCL. No concrete dates in mind but I want to do something this fall/winter if possible.

now that Ive laid out some background, here are my questions:

Of what I have listed in the first 4 options, which will I likely have more fun on and have more of my so called requirements met?

Other things I should be looking for?

alternate recommendations for cruise line, month, itinerary?

Thank you all very much in advance! these boards have been of tremendous help researching for this trip.

Ok, thanks for the advice. is it considered appropriate to post the same thread on multiple boards in here? some places really hate that and others don't care or encourage it.

Hello Everyone, I had some other vacation plans go bust for this winter and decided Ive never taken a cruise so lets change that. I'll be traveling solo and am a single straight male in my mid 30s with a fairly active lifestyle. I've done a bit of research trying to find my best options and am working with an agent as well and she has given me a few options and has promised a few more to come today. here is what she has found for me so far

Carnival Conquest

11/25/17 for 8 days Eastern Caribbean leaving from Ft Lauderdale, FL

1/6/18 for 8 days Southern Caribbean leaving from Ft Lauderdale, FL

Royal Caribbean Serenade of the Seas

11/24/17 for 10 days Southern Caribbean leaving from Ft Lauderdale, FL

1/26/18 for 10 days Southern Caribbean leaving from Ft Lauderdale, FL

A few of my requirements as I see them:

1) not necessarily looking for a singles cruise but would be nice if there is a higher likelihood of single travelers around my age

2) would prefer not to be overrun by families and kids

3) want a fun Itinerary with lots of opportunity for exploring (hiking, snorkling, kayaking, etc) in port as well as fun activities on board

4) best bang for my buck? drink packages, food packages, etc.

5) Would prefer to leave from florida because it looks like leaving from other places has half of the itinerary stopping at ports in the US...

I have also been looking at other cruise lines like NCL. No concrete dates in mind but I want to do something this fall/winter if possible.

now that Ive laid out some background, here are my questions:

Of what I have listed in the first 4 options, which will I likely have more fun on and have more of my so called requirements met?

Other things I should be looking for?

alternate recommendations for cruise line, month, itinerary?

Thank you all very much in advance! these boards have been of tremendous help researching for this trip.