bluebelle2010

I am female/62 & decided last summer that I was tired of staying at home using up vacation time (since I was maxing out on saved time) just because no one else had the time or $$ to travel. So I renewed my expired passport & started looking for some place to go. I ended up booking a Nov. RCI cruise from Venice. I chose Venice because at least I'd been there a long time ago & the cruise was reasonably priced.

I took along an embroidery project thinking if I found myself alone a lot - at least I'd accomplish something. I didn't even pull the project out.

I really enjoyed myself, I'm an archeology geek, so the chance to see so many medievel towns & Roman/Greek etc. ruins was great. People were friendly, it was nice to not have to find a place to eat, schlep luggage around, etc..

Unlike others who've responded, I hadn't cruised recently (last time was w/ family 15 years ago) but I'm so glad that I did, the cruise offered a great balance of adventure w/ security for this solo. I'm now busy deciding whether I want to cruise from Rome or Barcelona this fall! I have leftover € that I need to spend :)

Hi ~

Thank you for sharing your experience. I see you are from California, too. That was a brave first solo outing with both flying all the way to Europe and cruising. It sounds like it was a very interesting trip. I loved that you brought your embroidery project and didn't even pull it out! I hear Royal Caribbean is a good line. Will you be cruising on RCI again or trying a different line? Enjoy your upcoming fall cruise!

Good morning,:) I have never sailed Princess but I can say I am 58 and

have been sailing solo for almost 14 years now. I love it. Doing what

I want, whenever I want. If I don't feel like doing anything but napping

on a lounger for 3 or 4 hours I can do that too...if I want to participate in

a specific activity.....I can do that too.....

I have lived on my own for almost my entire adult life and so my space is

important to me as well. Some may call it selfish but I just call it being

on my own.......I LOVE having all the cabin space to myself:)

 

I am sailing in 3 weeks again...Superbowl Sunday should be a lot fun

on the ship:D

Hi Lois ~

Thank you so much for your input. It made me reflect on my lifestyle ~ I definitely think I'd prefer having the cabin all to myself as well. It might just be meals that are bothering me but there are solutions to that. I enjoy anytime/freestyle dining, but wouldn't want to be the only single at a table full of married couples, and I think if I articulate that to the staff that is doing the seating, I should be fine. Time to start looking at cruise itineraries for my trial run!!

Have fun on your upcoming cruise and the Super Bowl Sunday fun!

That Hawaii cruise was an adventure. I didn't see anyone stressed out by the damage to the ship. Even the art auction guys, who hardly sold anything, were telling sinking ship jokes. Most of us were over 65 so I guess at that age there is little we haven't seen. As a solo traveler I find that I can make a bunch of friends with just a bit of energy. I do enjoy doing what I want to when I want to. You are a seasoned traveler so you know all there is to do on the ships. I am going to the MSC Davina 1/19. I have gotten a bit tired of Princess. It seems that the ships are all,of same , food included. Although, I have not been on the Royal or Regal yet.

 

 

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A few years back, I went on the Star Princess to Hawaii and really enjoyed it ~ the ship seemed to be in great condition and the spa was beautiful, but it could be old and tired by now, too! I have pondered going down to LA and take the Star to Hawaii. Or...I could really be bold and try a new ship altogether! But I think I might have to take baby steps and stick with the oh so familiar Princess for my first solo cruise! Baby steps for an old baby!! haha

Carla, this is Dianea from the most interesting Princess thanksgiving cruise to Hawaii. It was quite an adventure. I hope all is well with you.

I have traveled solo on Princess for about 7 cruises over the past two years. The only issue I have is dinner in the MDR. It is a crap shoot about your table mates. My TA always requests that I sit with other singles. Doesn't always work out. The best group was on the 15 day Hawaii cruise. I had been thinking about then anytime dining myself. During the Hawaii cruise I would go to the MDR for a few breakfasts and lunches and requested to sit with other people and it worked out really well.

Dianea

 

 

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Hi Dianea!!

I have been thinking about you and my other "almost" cruise mates!!! I couldn't believe when I heard they had to fly you all home. Thank goodness you had already had a chance to visit all the Hawaiian islands and only missed Ensenada ~ which most of us stay on the ship for anyway!! :) I could tell that the group on that sailing would be one of the best.

My mom ended up passing away on December 12th, so I am SOOOOO grateful we were not on that cruise. She did what she always said she would do, "I am going to live until I die". She had a fabulous life and we all got to say goodbye and be with her. It is truly a blessing as her health had been failing at an increasing speed.

SO...that being said, I am really ready to get away for awhile and figuring out when. I think I will have some good windows of opportunity in May and June, so maybe Alaska again. I never seem to get tired of it as there are so many excursions to do there. I always try to do a unique adventure on each trip there ~ I've zip lined, done the bike and brew to Mendenhall Glacier, helicopter flight to Norris Glacier, kayaking, snorkeling in Ketchikan, etc.

It's so good to hear from you! 7 cruises in two years is awesome! I hope you have more fun cruises lined up. Part of the fun is definitely the anticipation and the conversations leading up to it on the forum!

Happy travels to you and hopefully we will meet up on the seas somewhere!

Carla

Thank you all for your support ~ reading your experiences makes me feel like solo cruising is something that I could do and enjoy, given the right attitude and using the resources like cruise critic, meet and greets, organized activities, etc. I don't know that I would enjoy the same table every night, so I might do the anytime dining and ask to be seated with some people in similar circumstances as suggested. I don't know that I'd enjoy flying far alone, which is why I mentioned leaving from SF. AGGHHHH...I guess I've got to get out of my comfort zone to enjoy life more, though! I just saw a quote today by Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., that meant is for me, I think: "A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never to go back to it's old dimensions." :)

Thanks again!

I am a 57 year old female who loves to cruise. I am in the position of not having family/friends who are able to cruise with me right now for a variety of reasons. I am considering a solo cruise to test the waters. I would likely go on Princess as I have done almost all my traveling on Princess and have a sense of familiarity with the ships...plus I have the Elite perks now. As much as I'd love to do the 15 day cruise to Hawaii again, I'm thinking of doing a 10 day trip to Alaska or Mexico to see how comfortable this is for me. Any advice for a newbie would be appreciated. Just FYI: I do always attend the M&G's and have sometimes hosted them.

Thanks!