BJs mom

We're staying at the Element Hotel in Brickell before our January cruise.

1 hour ago, DanielLL said:

I'm interested in this as well as a late-20s male considering his first solo cruise

 

From the replies I've gotten, on 7 day or longer there's mostly middle age and older but on 3 to 5 days definitely younger crowd.  But on all cruises  you will find a  mix.

Not that it matters but just curious what ages most solo cruisers are. 

Pat

Lois, happy to hear your results were such good news!!  Have a wonderful cruise.  God Bless!

Pat

56 minutes ago, skipperanne said:

I too will be on my first MSC cruise in a few days.    I am nervous as reviews seem evenly split between splendid and horrible.   We shall see what the sea holds for this trip.   Good luck,  I'm sure you will have a fantastic time.

Please let me know how your cruise went and if you liked MSC.  I'm doing my first solo on February 1st but on Carnival.  Hope both of you have a great time.

5 minutes ago, Judyrem said:

I can not begin to tell you all how very comforting your "stories" and advice are to me.  I wish I could cruise with you all,  you sound wonderful and it is a pleasure to hear your opinions and wisdom!🙂

 

I am going!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!😁

So happy we both decided to go!!  I keep telling myself.....get out there girl, it's a cruise not triple bypass.  Have a great cruise and maybe one day we'll be on the same ship!!

1 hour ago, Judyrem said:

I have an eight day solo for the first time on Feb 1, and I am having second thoughts!  I was actually willing to lose money and not go!😲

I am not shy or reserved but I am still quite anxious about the whole thing!  I am going to the Meet and Mingle and doing a pub crawl and a room crawl.

I booked this cruise because it is to the ABC islands and I am an avid snorkeler.

 

I am seriously doubting my decision,  I keep saying to myself I  must have  been crazy!

 

Wow, I feel like I wrote this myself.  I'm doing my first solo on February 1st as well and as the time gets closer I think I must be crazy to do this by myself and at least twice a day I think ok I'm cancelling this and then I think of being on the ship and how much I love cruising. So far there's only a few solo cruisers on my sailing and most of them are more like single cruisers. I understand Carnival is not a good choice for solo cruisers but it is the ship I've been on most of the time and I thought I would be more comfortable on a ship I'm familiar with. Oh well, today I'm in the mindset to just do it and make my own decision if this is for me or not.  They do have meet and mingles, slot pulls etc but it seems to be mostly geared for couples and families. 

We'll have to compare notes when we get back and report the good bad and ugly for other first time solo cruises.  Hopefully we'll have such a good time we can't wait to do it again.  Happy sailing.

6 hours ago, jrcruisealong said:

Just booked my first solo cruise on Grand Princess for Oct 2020, California coast return from Vancouver. Both looking forward to it and a bit apprehensive but mainly the former.

I totally get it, I'm doing my first solo on February 1st after doing over 30 cruises.  Not going to go into details but life changes and since I've always loved to cruise off I go to a new adventure.  Sure I'm a little nervous but excited as well.  Bet we end up having a wonderful time!!

3 hours ago, Judyrem said:

I am so happy for you, have the best time ever!😁

Thanks, I'm so looking forward to the cruise but admit I'm still a little nervous but I still get nervous going to the dentist and I've been there many time. I want to go and experience what life has to offer and not sit back someday and regret the things I didn't do. 

2 hours ago, TiogaCruiser said:

Having been at my job well over 35 years I have a ton of vacation which my DH cannot match due to a more recent job change. So I cruise solo. ( just booked my 5th.) When people now ask If I’m going alone (with the shocked look) I say “no, with 1200 (Or whatever the ships capacity is) others”. 

I love that and will use it the next time I get the "you're going alone" look!!

Happy Cruising!!

3 hours ago, GTVCRUISER said:

My solo cruise to Mexico last week........  https://youtu.be/EzyfYpMuthI

 

Great photos, can tell you had fun.  Thanks for sharing!!

9 minutes ago, shellgirl61 said:

Enjoy!! I am sure you will have a wonderful tome. My first solo is coming up October 31 on the Princess Sapphire, sailing from Southampton to Rome. Wish me luck!

9 minutes ago, shellgirl61 said:

Enjoy!! I am sure you will have a wonderful tome. My first solo is coming up October 31 on the Princess Sapphire, sailing from Southampton to Rome. Wish me luck!

Have a wonderful time and please write when you get back and let me know how everything was.  Happy cruising💟

On 10/22/2019 at 9:17 AM, GTVCRUISER said:

You have your cabin by yourself , I go to the buffet for meals , the ship has something going on most of the time , you meet a lot of good friendly people , I never feel lonely on the ships 🙂 

Thanks for the advice,  all new to solo cruising but sure I will find lots of options to choose from and will find what works for me.  Happy Cruising!!

On 10/20/2019 at 1:14 PM, GTVCRUISER said:

Just got back from my Oosterdam solo cruise , I have 4 more solo cruises booked

Wow, you really sound like an experienced solo cruiser so maybe you can give a first time slightly nervous solo cruiser some practical advise.

2 hours ago, NSnJW said:

I lost my wife of 46 years just 3 years ago.  My whole life centered around her.  Now I have to make a new life.  Cruising, whether solo or with family, is one of the things we really enjoyed together.  Now I enjoy cruising and remembering the time we had together.  I also found I like cruising just for the sake of cruising and I hope to continue doing it in the future.

Eating alone is not the end of the world.   I have often eaten in the buffet alone just so I can get back to other things quicker.  I always find something to occupy me while I eat.  You can watch the sea or scenery go by or people watch.  Some of the ships had outdoor tables where you could eat and watch bands, dancing, or participation games.

In short, don't panic and just enjoy your cruise.

I hope you have great cruises ahead.

Thank you,  I'm getting excited a new adventure for me and I have a feeling this will not be my only solo cruise.  I'll still cruise with family and friends as well  but in between off I go.

33 minutes ago, Judyrem said:

I am going on Adventure of the Seas 8 night ABC cruise.  We used to dive but now I just snorkel.  I want to snorkel but none of my friends do and my family has to work and grandchild is in school and can't take off, so, I am alone.

 

We were married for 48 years and I miss him desperately.   He was my best friend too.

 

I am glad you are going too. 

 

Wish we could have been on the same cruise.

Me too but maybe someday we will.  Baby steps for me, going out to eat alone and now the biggest step of all, first solo cruise. Have to trust my journey, all new.

2 hours ago, Judyrem said:

I feel the same way!  My husband died 2 1/2 years ago and I decided to go Solo in Feb.  I just made the final payment.

Good for you, for me it's a year since my husband died.  What ship are you sailing on?  I'm doing the Conquest in February.  Have sailed Carnival many times so decided to stick to something I'm familiar with and always enjoyed  my cruises with them.

On 10/16/2019 at 5:14 PM, NSnJW said:

I have faith in you.  You can do this.  If you do a little pre-planning and networking on the Roll Call for your cruise, you should already have some acquaintances before you board.  I have only cruised the Conquest twice but I like the ship.  I think you will too. 

Thanks, think most of it is just nerves,  barely got home and now expecting a tropical storm and all the hype is probably just working what's left of my calm down and cope mode.

Back from a trip up north for a family reunion and now rethinking this cruise. One day I think I should cancel and the next no I really want to do this.  Maybe nerves but I think in the end I would be really disappointed if I cancel this trip.  Need to make a decision and get out of this funk.

We've had the premium cabin on the Miracle which is a sister ship to the Legend and loved it.  We also have had cabins on two other cruises near the elevators and again, loved them. On my next cruise on the Conquest I again, picked a cabin near the elevators.  So convenient.

Thank you, hoping to make a lot of memories and make this the start of many more solo cruises.

💕

Now this sounds like a plan I can live with.  A glass of wine will definitely help with the nerves.  I'm hoping this will become the first of many more solo cruises!💕

Thanks, sounds like just what I’m hoping for.  Still nervous but excited too.  All these messages and tips really help.  Right now planning a big family reunion up north and busy getting the menu together for the restaurant dinner.  Should be so much fun but a relaxing cruise after so much family time will be much needed.