msdunn

6 hours ago, Gr8mom said:

Love reading all the positives on solo cruising.

I am going on my first SOLO cruise next month on HA. I am super scared!  

I married at the age of 18 and have never been by myself until 3 years ago that my husband passed away.

I have to learn how to fly, even if it’s only with one wing.

Having second thoughts about picking a 12 day cruise...can’t go back now everything is paid.

Any word of advice from you brave mariners?

 

I'm sure you will be fine.  First thing after boarding is to look for the newsletter in your cabin.  Find the solo gathering which is usually on the first evening, or 2nd day, and be sure to go along.  It is a good opportunity to meet others and have companions for dinner and/or activities aboard.  

Have you also joined the relevant roll call here on CC for your cruise?  That's a good way to organise tours with other travellers and save some money as private tours are often better and certainly cheaper than those offered by the ship.  I am doing just that for my HAL cruise on 2nd August ex Amsterdam.  Enjoy!!

I am 64 and divorced.  After a disastrous trip a few years ago with an old friend, I've since taken nine cruises by myself and never felt unsafe.  Since I'm in Australia and mostly take European cruises, that means crossing the world alone and I've never had a problem...even in Cairo.  (I only felt threatened by the stomach bug I picked up there within 12 hours of arriving.)  As a retiree, I travel on a tight budget and use airport buses when I arrive somewhere during the day (or early evening) to get into cities and book flights which avoid late night arrivals.  I would urge you to travel solo when/if necessary and stop worrying as - with a little bit of common sense - there is nothing to be concerned about.  Now I wouldn't do it any other way!!  

I'm from Sydney, Australia and have been cruising solo for over ten years (am 64).  Have never had a problem being lonely, apart from the times I've caught a respiratory bug on board and been sick for several days...but enough about that.

Always seek out the group for solo travellers on the ship, which you'll find via the daily newsletter.  In my experience, NCL looks after solos the best with a dedicated crew member, which most of the other cruise lines don't.  However, there's almost always a solo get together on the first or second day of a sailing and you'll usually find the group in one of the bars - but it might only be two or three, don't expect a big crowd and you won't be disappointed.  I've met some lovely people this way who make good dinner and clubbing companions. 

Plus you might meet some other solos on the organised excursions (I take private tours arranged in advance via CC roll calls).  However, I wouldn't count on this as I've found that there are not usually many solos on organised excursions - though it often makes getting a seat at the last minute much easier.  You'll probably get to talk to a lot of couples and families this way, but I find that it's usually me that has to start the conversations!! 

As a solo cruiser from Australia, I can safely say that we solo Aussies get NO benefits whatsoever, thanks to regional pricing...just to start with. And there are no advantages to booking early or late either. Meeting Americans on board, I have to shut my ears to the fantastic deals and prices available to them when we start talking. I've also found that the NCL studios are a rip off too, having just sailed with "Norwegian Breakaway" to the Baltic, where the fare saving was non-existent and the solo studio almost claustrophobic.

I am fortunate to be able to afford one moderately priced cruise a year, and that also includes a long haul flight (24+ hrs) in order to reach the departure port in Europe or the UK. After a couple of horrendous shared holidays with friends, it's not worth the risk to try doing that again, so I cruise alone and always have a ball, but must stick to the Main Dining Rooms and always book private tours via CC roll calls, in order to save money.

Am looking at a Celebrity cruise in May next year to Iceland and Ireland (my first with that line). Does anyone know if they have a solo group on board, as I've found with most other cruise lines? It's always nice to have company for dinner so this aspect is very important to me as a solo cruiser. Would appreciate any advice.

Many thanks

Fran in Sydney

I travel on HAL ships all the time by myself, and I’m an older woman. I managed to snag a single room for the next one - yay! I love sitting at large tables in the MDR and was disappointed only once - a formal night and I was the only one at the table that night. Just a wee bit awkward. I didn’t ask, but I’m surprised they didn’t offer to seat me with another group. Since I’ve travelled solo for business and military, I don’t have a problem eating by myself. Great way to people-watch.

I'm in my 60s and a fan of HAL as well, but didn't know they had single cabins. What ship were you on? My favourite is Nieuw Amsterdam and I'd sail with her tomorrow if i could. Meantime, I'm in a studio on NCL's Breakaway to Russia and Scandinavia, ex Copenhagen on 29th May. It looks claustrophobic to me so here's hoping it's OK!! Fran :D

My experience was different....I had one solo cruise and was very lonely. I had a horrible experience in the dining room and won't do it again. I'm glad some people enjoy solo cruising but it's not for everyone.

I get it. I was on a two week cruise last year (around the UK) and was very sick with bronchitis and cabin bound for the first week. All my plans fell apart and I knew no one else aboard, so it was very lonely indeed. However, it was the first time in seven cruises that I'd been unlucky and am hoping my next one in late May won't be a repeat...fingers crossed!! :D

NCL has a nightly pre-dinner get-together for all solo cruiser's, that is especially well attended on their newer ships that have a Studio Lounge. They have a member of their cruise activities staff host the event, make introduction's, conduct games, and arrange for group dinner's in specialty restaurants, as well as a sign up sheet for shore excursion's. They make an effort to draw shy or introverted attendee's into the activities. Solo's of all ages attend. It is posted on their daily...

At the end of the hour, all are invited to the main dining room to share large tables.

In my experience, no other line comes even close to matching this...:)

Thanks Bob, great to hear that. I'm about to go on my 8th cruise but first with NCL (Breakaway on 29th May out of Copenhagen) in a studio. Knowing in advance about the nightly get togethers and dinners make for really good news. Fran

How is Holland America for solos?

I have cruised twice with HAL in recent years as a solo, and had a ball both times. They had regular solo gatherings and we became a good little group for dinners etc. Plus, if you are booked on tours, especially through CC roll calls, you are bound to meet people, so it's all good. Enjoy!!

Hi everyone

I'm Fran from Sydney, Australia. Have done several cruises as a solo traveller and with the company of my CC contacts they have all been wonderful experiences.

My next trip is aboard "Ryndam" ex Rotterdam on 13th September, 2015 so do let me know if you'll be aboard via: msdunn2004@yahoo.com.au