adjustment to sailing solo

No it certainly wasn't over the 24/7 entry/non-entry issue. I totally understand that rule and support it completely. The studio cabins do pay a premium to have use of that facility and from what I understand it gives them a quiet space to get away from the rat race. I already have that space (it's called my balcony lol).

 

Thanks so much for your experience of the gatherings. It helps a lot.

A WHOLE lot depends on the other passengers, and none are predictable. In the past on the Epic, the solo lounge is open for all solos at the evening posted solo greet time. The coordinator's only, offer options and will make dining reservations- again based on the particular group at the time. I cruise every month (actually 10 cruises already this year with another this weekend). Totally depends on the participants at the time.

Don't get so concerned over what you are reading about the - past. Wait and see what happens would be my suggestion.

I'd rather be myself. :) And enjoy the reflection and solitude. I do what I want which is simple for me to find ways to occupy my time. I never have a priority of any "joining", "meeting" etc. I don't care for the NCL solo m&g but have gone to them due to joining a traveling solo friend. I find them VERY artificial.

 

It works perfectly for me. Hope you find a good solution for your travels.

Happy to hear your solo experiences have been everything you've wanted them to be.

Hi Skubi,I lost my hubby (who was my soul mate) 10 months ago. We always did everything together, so even after 10 months I find it difficult to do things by myself. Like most people in this thread, I have come to realize that if I want to continue cruising I have to do it alone. So I thought I start with a 7-day cruise and see how it goes. I'm booked on the NCL Escape on October 21. Just like you, I'm not very outgoing and it also takes me a while to warm up to people. I'm also not a big fan of mingling situations as I always feel awkward trying to make small talk. I know that the closer the departure date gets, the more anxious I will be. I haven't decided if I should attend the solo meetings or just do things on my own. Maybe I'll attend the first one and see how it goes. Solo cruising will most definitely be a big adjustment for all of us who haven't travelled alone, but hopefully, it'll be a positive experience for everybody.

Hi Skubi,I lost my hubby (who was my soul mate) 10 months ago. We always did everything together, so even after 10 months I find it difficult to do things by myself. Like most people in this thread, I have come to realize that if I want to continue cruising I have to do it alone. So I thought I start with a 7-day cruise and see how it goes. I'm booked on the NCL Escape on October 21. Just like you, I'm not very outgoing and it also takes me a while to warm up to people. I'm also not a big fan of mingling situations as I always feel awkward trying to make small talk. I know that the closer the departure date gets, the more anxious I will be. I haven't decided if I should attend the solo meetings or just do things on my own. Maybe I'll attend the first one and see how it goes. Solo cruising will most definitely be a big adjustment for all of us who haven't travelled alone, but hopefully, it'll be a positive experience for everybody.

If you attend the first night solo gathering, there is nothing stopping you from leaving at any time you feel uncomfortable, thats why I will kind of be forcing myself to attend that one. So I would encourage you to at least try. You should also join your roll call, then at least you will feel like you have chatted with some people before your cruise and maybe there will be another solo traveller on the roll call.

I wish you all the best and please come back after your cruise to let us know how it went.

Yes, I agree that I should force myself to attend the first solo gathering ... it might not even be so bad ... and like you said, I can just leave when I had enough. With respect to the roll call for the cruise, I already checked and so far there is only one other person who is travelling solo, so I don't think I will join that.

I might just decide to do things on my own. Like one lady said in this thread, then you can do what and when you want to and don't have to worry about scheduling things with others. I know it's going to be difficult and emotional for me, but I have to keep telling myself that I can do this - this is the new reality. And who knows, I might meet some other women travelling by themselves or I might have a good time by myself.

Sailor4664,

I encourage you to join your cruise's Roll Call. Even though solo cruisers on your Roll Call may be few, you may be pleased at how welcoming and pleasant meeting other Roll Call members can be. By them recognizing you and you recognizing them during the cruise, the Roll Call provides an additional way of makng comfortable social contact with your shipmates.

Sailor4664,

 

I encourage you to join your cruise's Roll Call. Even though solo cruisers on your Roll Call may be few, you may be pleased at how welcoming and pleasant meeting other Roll Call members can be. By them recognizing you and you recognizing them during the cruise, the Roll Call provides an additional way of makng comfortable social contact with your shipmates.

I agree! Often on cruises when I'm solo I have dinner or go on excursions with couples. I love meeting people and hearing their stories and it doesn't matter to me if they're also sailing solo. On active roll calls, there can be a bit of bond that develops and it's fun to see folks around the ship whom you met at the Meet and Greet.

Sailor4664,

 

I encourage you to join your cruise's Roll Call. Even though solo cruisers on your Roll Call may be few, you may be pleased at how welcoming and pleasant meeting other Roll Call members can be. By them recognizing you and you recognizing them during the cruise, the Roll Call provides an additional way of makng comfortable social contact with your shipmates.

I agree! Often on cruises when I'm solo I have dinner or go on excursions with couples. I love meeting people and hearing their stories and it doesn't matter to me if they're also sailing solo. On active roll calls, there can be a bit of bond that develops and it's fun to see folks around the ship whom you met at the Meet and Greet.

I agree completely with both of these posters. We have met some wonderful people at the meet and greets on past cruises regardless of their status (married single widowed etc etc). And even if you don't click to make a forever friendship with all of them or pal around with, you see familiar faces throughout your cruise that you don't have that feeling of 'you don't know a sole onboard'. It allows you to nod, wave, have a passing conversation because you have met them at the meet and greet.

My shyness actually comes from not wanting to intrude on others. But the way I look at the roll calls and meet and greets. If those people just wanted to be left alone, they would not join the roll call or go to the meet & greet. I'm assuming they join and go because they like to meet new people. Now that doesn't mean they want me to interupt them at other times on the ship when they may want some alone time, but a friendly hi or pleasant greeting IMO is totally acceptable.

And I may be travelling solo and am now widowed but I still feel I probably have lots in common with all status'. I love to cruise (big common denominator since we will be on a cruise lol) I had a mother, I had a father, I had a spouse, I have children, I have grandchildren, I have a dog, I've had a cat, I've lived in cities, I've lived in the country. I work, I've been a stay at home mom, I've travelled to many other countries along with many other interests in life. There are lots of areas that I could find something in common with others. I'm not defined only by being solo, so going to dinner, excursions, having a great conversation or a few laughs or whatever with couples is not an issue for me.

 

And I may be travelling solo and am now widowed but I still feel I probably have lots in common with all status'. I love to cruise (big common denominator since we will be on a cruise lol) I had a mother, I had a father, I had a spouse, I have children, I have grandchildren, I have a dog, I've had a cat, I've lived in cities, I've lived in the country. I work, I've been a stay at home mom, I've travelled to many other countries along with many other interests in life. There are lots of areas that I could find something in common with others. I'm not defined only by being solo, so going to dinner, excursions, having a great conversation or a few laughs or whatever with couples is not an issue for me.

You're going to do just fine. :D

Skubi,

I also agree with Quilting_Cruiser: you will do just fine. It's usually easy to find common interests with those whom one meets during a cruise. If one enjoys a bit of the "fruit of the vine" or whatever, sitting at the bar in a Lounge has allowed me to meet some very interesting people (of all ages, not just my age) and have very pleasant conversations with them. Sometimes, these conversations extended over many days when everyone returned to the same Lounge close to the same time.

And, don't forget to strike up conversations with crew members! Often, when not real busy, bartenders are fascinating people to get to know!

Adding my name to the recently widowed club, very recent as in 2 months ago. We were hoping to cruise the Mediterranean for his 50th birthday (in 2019) and I am hoping to follow through with those plans. I'm not sure how I will feel a year and a half from now, but at this point I am very anxious and unsure about cruising alone.

I applaud you for taking that step! I look forward to reading more about your solo cruise experience, please come back with an update.

Adding my name to the recently widowed club, very recent as in 2 months ago. We were hoping to cruise the Mediterranean for his 50th birthday (in 2019) and I am hoping to follow through with those plans. I'm not sure how I will feel a year and a half from now, but at this point I am very anxious and unsure about cruising alone.

 

I applaud you for taking that step! I look forward to reading more about your solo cruise experience, please come back with an update.

So sorry for your loss. Tomorrow will be 4 months for me.

My cruise isn't until February but I will come back and share my experience.

Today is 6 months for me. Still doesn't seem real. We had planned a cruise last year for our 30th anniversary but couldn't take it due to his illness. I'm taking it this year; it will be bittersweet but I can't think of a better way to celebrate our marriage and life together.

Croozelyfe, I'm so sorry for your loss.

I took my first solo cruise on the ncl getaway 5 months after my husband of 50 years passed away .

i was afraid of the unknown.would people at the check in line look at me waiting for my partner to show up. would i eat alone,would i cry myself to sleep at night,did i look different to the world because i was a recent widow.would i stalk the halls as if i were lost?? would i be lonely and miserable? so many questions in my mind.

i booked a balcony cabin.had access to the solo lounge, where the female host whose name i do not remember made everyone feel welcome from the introductions and tell me something about yourself small talk to arranging dinners and events.

its ok to be alone and not feel alone. you are part of a group of solos and spend as little or as much time with them as you choose. you will see them around the ship and have someone to stop and chat or simply nod hello to a familiar face

dinner was never on my own it was wonderful to belong even with strangers. this was wonderful for me not to sit at home at my kitchen table all alone

i did not glue myself to anyone and went with the flow. see a show with another passenger or go on my own. it was just the comfort of being able to choose which to do.

i have been on 4 more solos since that cruise.have takes princess and NCL. i think NCL does a great job for solos.

I took my first solo cruise on the ncl getaway 5 months after my husband of 50 years passed away .

i was afraid of the unknown.would people at the check in line look at me waiting for my partner to show up. would i eat alone,would i cry myself to sleep at night,did i look different to the world because i was a recent widow.would i stalk the halls as if i were lost?? would i be lonely and miserable? so many questions in my mind.

i booked a balcony cabin.had access to the solo lounge, where the female host whose name i do not remember made everyone feel welcome from the introductions and tell me something about yourself small talk to arranging dinners and events.

its ok to be alone and not feel alone. you are part of a group of solos and spend as little or as much time with them as you choose. you will see them around the ship and have someone to stop and chat or simply nod hello to a familiar face

dinner was never on my own it was wonderful to belong even with strangers. this was wonderful for me not to sit at home at my kitchen table all alone

i did not glue myself to anyone and went with the flow. see a show with another passenger or go on my own. it was just the comfort of being able to choose which to do.

i have been on 4 more solos since that cruise.have takes princess and NCL. i think NCL does a great job for solos.

Thank you for your comments.

Wow...I just found this thread as I, too, am a widow and want to start cruising again. I applaud you ladies who have lost their spouse so recently! It' s been about 3.5 years for me, and I am having a hard time deciding to do a solo cruise. I've cruised with a group of friends and even took an escorted tour solo, but I'm hesitant about cruising. I know I just need to "yank the bandage off" and reading all your posts is helping me come to a decision.

NC's Epic sounds great. DH and I sailed Celebrity almost exclusively, and I think I need a change of venue.

Thank you all who have posted to help me get out there!

Wow...I just found this thread as I, too, am a widow and want to start cruising again. I applaud you ladies who have lost their spouse so recently! It' s been about 3.5 years for me, and I am having a hard time deciding to do a solo cruise. I've cruised with a group of friends and even took an escorted tour solo, but I'm hesitant about cruising. I know I just need to "yank the bandage off" and reading all your posts is helping me come to a decision.

 

NC's Epic sounds great. DH and I sailed Celebrity almost exclusively, and I think I need a change of venue.

 

Thank you all who have posted to help me get out there!

Well the way I looked at it NelleS was if I was going to have to learn to live like this, I might as well jump in with both feet and my DH would have really wanted me to continue to travel, which we both loved. He would be very proud of me.

I think changing cruise lines is worth thinking about. I purposely chose the NCL Epic. We had always cruised on the smaller ships. So when I take this cruise I won't have any Deja vu except sitting quiet on my balcony if i choose to have a moment, I'm alone. The rest of the ship and layout will be all new to me.

I hope you take the plunge and try it. If this is to be our new normal, we have to start at some point to move forward on our own, one step at a time.

I went on my first solo cruise in 2016. I am married and my husband enjoys cruising. Unfortunately, he was out of vacation time when I came across a great deal. I had some reservations about it at first but am so glad I went. I joined a roll call and went to the meet and greet. I met some very nice people who invited me to dinner. With the exception of dinner I spent most of my time alone. I loved it. Even when my husband and I cruise together we are sometimes separated. I will be in the casino and he will be on deck reading a book. There is no reason to feel awkward. People have no idea that you are there alone. Our cabin steward knew I was traveling alone and was wonderful. I loved coming and going as I pleased and felt perfectly safe at all times. A few days ago, I noticed a fantastic offer through Carnival's casino program. It was $25 plus $122 in taxes and fees for a 7 day cruise on the Magic. I was not going to pass that up. I paid double $50 and I am going alone. Hubby is out of vacation time. This time I won't have any apprehension about going. I did not join the roll call primarily because they seem to use Facebook. I don't want people to know that I will not be home that week. Go and enjoy yourselves!

I also am a solo traveler and will be on the Epic on Feb 17, 2018 for western Caribbean cruise. I have already signed up for the M&G and to do a day trip on Jamaica with a group from CC responses. This will be my third solo cruise, second on the Epic. The last trip I took on the Epic I did not go to the solo gathering the first evening, and this time I definitely will go the first evening. I believe you will have a great time and I have no hesitation in traveling solo.

I also am a solo traveler and will be on the Epic on Feb 17, 2018 for western Caribbean cruise. I have already signed up for the M&G and to do a day trip on Jamaica with a group from CC responses. This will be my third solo cruise, second on the Epic. The last trip I took on the Epic I did not go to the solo gathering the first evening, and this time I definitely will go the first evening. I believe you will have a great time and I have no hesitation in traveling solo.

I'm also planning on attending the M&G, the Roll call Jamaica excursion and the solo gathering. Look forward to meeting you.

Great, looking forwarding to meeting you!

Hello all, I am divorced (4 years) and will be taking my second solo cruise in 56 days (can you tell I can't wait?!?!?). I live with my daughter and her family, and with five people and one bathroom and two kids under 12, you can imagine how much I anticipate having the solitude of my small cabin and my own bathroom! I also love the fact that I can do what I want, when I want. I bring books on my iPad, lounge on my balcony, and take naps so I can stay up for the entertainment. On my last cruise, I enjoyed the company of several couples at dinner, but did not make any acquaintances with other solo cruisers, and that was fine. I am a sociable person, but didn't feel the need. I may ask to be seated with other solo cruisers this time. I'll be sailing on the Celebrity Equinox on Dec. 9, 2017. Oh, and I'm bringing my Mah Jongg set in case anyone wants to play!

Bon Voyage to all of us, and enjoy!

I'm going on the Epic in February

I did the Epic solo this past February and had an absolute blast. :D

So sorry for your loss as well.

 

 

 

Love the "taking the plunge" reference when talking about cruising :)

 

 

 

I started this thread, not only for people widowed and never did the 2 becomes 1 thing, but for anyone that found themselves in that position of having to cruise alone for the first time like Quilting_Cruiser above because they still wanted to travel but had no one to go with.

 

 

 

Up till now I have found lots of threads on those who choose to cruise alone for the freedom they have, the quiet vacation or whatever their reasons.

 

 

 

So I hope to get tips and tricks from those with experience or memories of their very first solo cruise and what hurdles that they found and how they over came them.

 

 

 

Which line have you chosen for your first solo adventure? Maybe if you listed some of the things that make you nervous, posters will have some ideas or tips to help alleviate those fears.

 

 

 

I know my 2 biggest fears are:

 

dining alone on a freestyle dining ship (I have the upgraded dining package for 3 nights but nobody to go to the restaurant with (this will be very strange for me to sit in a restaurant alone, I haven't even tried this on land yet, I feel very awkward). I could bring a book, but that seems very tacky in an upscale restaurant and people watching would be very rude. I see a piano in one of the main diningrooms. So if they play all through the meal times, I guess I could look in that direction and enjoy the music in between bites.

 

as well, although this sounds strange, I'm afraid of feeling very lonely on a 4100 passenger ship, because I have no one to do anything with.

I have dined alone quite often on the NCL ships. I don’t think it’s rude at all to bring something to read, if you’re sitting on your own. The waiters do stop by and try to start a conversation. I smile and nod, but most of the time I’m thinking, “please just go away.“ LOL!

But I do enjoy sitting with others and talking about our day, and what is their plan for the next day. I also enjoy trivia contests - I’ll look for two or three people and see if I can join their team. That’s a great way to meet new people.

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I have scanned these posts and didn't see where anyone recommended getting involved with the roll calls for cruises you're going solo on. I did my first solo TA Celebrity cruise last spring and a group of solo women cruisers met up onboard and agreed to meet at the select dining room entrance at 6p.m. every evening if we wished to dine with each other. This worked well and our group numbered from 2 to 12 each evening. Four of us will all be travelling solo on Eclipse next spring and plan to do the same thing. We are working on excursions together too.