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Best things to do as a solo cruiser


superduper123
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I am booked on my very first solo cruise in October and booked it specifically to be 100% selfish for an entire week. That was literally the purpose if this vacation. I have been walking around so excited telling everyone I know that I am going on vacation "by myself, for myself". Anyone that knows anything about me gets it and think it's fabulous. As a person who is always plugged in, always the fixer, always taking care of things or people or pets at work and at home, never able to really disconnect on vacation, had too many negative experiences on vacations because of feeling the need to keep everyone else happy... I am absolutely going to be 100% selfish.... for one week... and I am 100% ok with that. That does not mean I will be alone. This does not make me a bad person. It just means that not one of my decisions for an entire week will be about anyone but me. I am imagining it will be glorious. Then when it's all over, I will go back to work and family and be the giving, caring fixer that I am known to be because this girl needs to be recharged in order to keep giving. :)

Now, back to the topic... The only thing that is giving me a little bit of anxiety is dinner. I am not sure if I will eat alone, avoid the dining room completely, or join open tables. I figure I will make that a game-time decision based on my mood at the time. However, I am thinking about booking one night of specialty dining. I am not a fancy girl, but I sure do love good food. Just not sure I want to spend that long of a meal alone. We shall see... I am truly excited about my first solo adventure!!

 

I hope you have a wonderful time:D......I have dined Specialty on my own many, many times over the years......

the food and service and usually terrific:).....and you don't need to be a "fancy girl" to enjoy the experience:)

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I hope you have a wonderful time:D......I have dined Specialty on my own many, many times over the years......

the food and service and usually terrific:).....and you don't need to be a "fancy girl" to enjoy the experience:)

 

Thanks! I should give it a try at least once to see how I like it.

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Hello everyone except Bob. (Hahaha I am so sorry Bob. I just had to say that. Sorry!) I am leaving on my first solo cruise next weekend. It came about after someone very dear to me passed and the pieces just seemed to come together. The cruise is a means to get to the Celebration of Life, but it is also a time to reflect and try to unburden myself from a myriad of stresses and demands. When life is bombarding you from every angle you need to take time for yourself so you can once again enjoy how beautiful it really is. I don't think it's selfish to want what you need. Everyone needs an opportunity to recharge and regroup, and they shouldn't be made to feel bad about it. I don't have any expectations. I just want to breathe.

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< snip ... >

The only thing that is giving me a little bit of anxiety is dinner. I am not sure if I will eat alone, avoid the dining room completely, or join open tables. I figure I will make that a game-time decision based on my mood at the time. However, I am thinking about booking one night of specialty dining. I am not a fancy girl, but I sure do love good food. Just not sure I want to spend that long of a meal alone. We shall see... I am truly excited about my first solo adventure!!

 

I took my first (ever) cruise last September solo and I had similar anxiety but everything worked out great. I opted for "anytime dining" - no preset time. I just showed up at the main dining room and asked for a "shared" table. I was usually seated at a table for 6 with a combination of other singles and couples. I could also have asked for a table by myself, so your plan to make on-the-fly choices should work out just fine.

 

I also opted for two meals in one of the specialty dining venues (this was a 14-day cruise). It was great! I was seated at a table for 2 by myself, but near a window with a great view. The servers were wonderful and engaging, not just making "chit chat" but picking up on my mood/etc. to talk about the menu, food prep, etc. I'm a bit of a "foodie," and very much appreciate great food and wine.

 

The joys of traveling alone mean that YOU have control of every minute and how you choose to spend it. I'm now booked on several more cruises, including a 38-day trip this summer, all solo. I can't wait!

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I also opted for two meals in one of the specialty dining venues (this was a 14-day cruise). It was great! I was seated at a table for 2 by myself, but near a window with a great view. The servers were wonderful and engaging, not just making "chit chat" but picking up on my mood/etc. to talk about the menu, food prep, etc. I'm a bit of a "foodie," and very much appreciate great food and wine.

 

The joys of traveling alone mean that YOU have control of every minute and how you choose to spend it. I'm now booked on several more cruises, including a 38-day trip this summer, all solo. I can't wait!

 

Thank you for the encouragement! I think I am looking forward to this new adventure a little too much! ;)

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I love to cruise, but it's been several years since I have cruised solo. What are your favorite things to do onboard as a solo cruiser that doesn't feel /look awkward? I am bringing a couple of books to read poolside. I am not comfortable dining alone, so probably will not eat in the dining room. What else?:)

 

It seems like you have cruised solo before. What things did you do then?

 

A port heavy cruise should take care of any anxiety you might have. There isn't a lot of time to think about anything except where you need to be to disembark, get on bus or tender or whatever and go on your excursion(s).

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The joys of traveling alone mean that YOU have control of every minute and how you choose to spend it. I'm now booked on several more cruises, including a 38-day trip this summer, all solo. I can't wait!

 

Yup - the very essence of the word SOLO is the word YOU !! :D

 

38 days will be divine - my longest is 33 night expedition in Antarctica (and a couple of 30 night ones down there as well) but I am aiming for the "someday" when I reach retirement - of the half year round the world joining multiple long trips together - cruise ! And yep all 100% selfishly solo :evilsmile:

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38 days? 33 days? You folks are my hero's:D...........maybe one day I will be able to do that too. I still work full time so that many days off in a row is not possible:eek:

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Yup - the very essence of the word SOLO is the word YOU !! :D

 

38 days will be divine - my longest is 33 night expedition in Antarctica (and a couple of 30 night ones down there as well) but I am aiming for the "someday" when I reach retirement - of the half year round the world joining multiple long trips together - cruise ! And yep all 100% selfishly solo :evilsmile:

 

The 38-day trip this summer is a r/trip on Holland America from Boston across the North Atlantic (including Newfoundland/Labrador, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Scotland).

 

I also have a 29-day trip booked for this fall: Vancouver, BC to Miami via Alaska (!) and the Panama Canal on Regent Seven Seas.

 

Antarctica is definitely on my "bucket list" -- I'm looking at a few itineraries. Holland America has an 80-day Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage on the Prinsendam (their smallest ship -- 835 passengers) that hits a large number of "bucket-list" locations in addition to Antarctica, so that leads the list at the moment. The next date for this one is Jan 4, 2019, but I'm already booked on a 28-day South Pacific cruise starting in early March. So I'll keep an eye on it for 2020.

 

Lana in Bellingham, WA

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38 days? 33 days? You folks are my hero's:D...........maybe one day I will be able to do that too. I still work full time so that many days off in a row is not possible:eek:

 

I hear you, Lois. I retired in 2003 after 32 years in high tech, and spent the next 7 years in school, finishing my undergrad and graduate music degrees. I always had in the back of my mind that I wanted to travel after I retired, but other things took a higher priority.

 

After a series of fairly serious health issues, I decided to re-prioritize travel much higher. I won't be able to do this forever, so I'm trying to cram in as much travel as I can while I'll still physically and financially able to handle it.

 

Cruise travel suits my situation very well -- board the ship, unpack, relax and enjoy the journey. Socialize or not, join in onboard activities or not, do shore excursions or not, no pressure one way or the other, I can decide minute by minute how much energy I have and how I want to spend it. It's really ideal.

 

Lana in Bellingham, WA

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38 days? 33 days? You folks are my hero's:D...........maybe one day I will be able to do that too. I still work full time so that many days off in a row is not possible:eek:

 

I am a full time worker too - will be so for many years to come as Aus govt keeps moving away the female retirement age.

 

Aus employees get 4 weeks paid leave per year as a minimum which can be used in any volume - ie a day at a time or a week or the whole lot all at once - or roll over some to the next year. Also long service leave which accrues between 9 and 11 days per year depending on specific employers. Plus in the public service where I work we can purchase additional leave between 1 week and 8 weeks per year - paying a small amount out of our pay each fortnight. I buy 4 weeks extra per year.

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The 38-day trip this summer is a r/trip on Holland America from Boston across the North Atlantic (including Newfoundland/Labrador, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Scotland).

 

I also have a 29-day trip booked for this fall: Vancouver, BC to Miami via Alaska (!) and the Panama Canal on Regent Seven Seas.

 

Antarctica is definitely on my "bucket list" -- I'm looking at a few itineraries. Holland America has an 80-day Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage on the Prinsendam (their smallest ship -- 835 passengers) that hits a large number of "bucket-list" locations in addition to Antarctica, so that leads the list at the moment. The next date for this one is Jan 4, 2019, but I'm already booked on a 28-day South Pacific cruise starting in early March. So I'll keep an eye on it for 2020.

 

Lana in Bellingham, WA

 

Some great ones lined up. My mother and several of my friends have done the big North Atlantic HA one over the years.

 

Antarctica - don't waste time doing it on a cruise ship - you won't experience it at all - it will be like walking up to a restaurant and smelling all the divine food - then walking straight past. Go for a small vessel expedition - choose one with less that 100 passengers. Multiple shore landings per day. All ships pair people up in twin or triple cabins to save you the solo supplement. All the vessels and operators are listed in the Trip Advisor Antarctic Forum FAQs - in case you want to start planning and dreaming now :) https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g1-i12337-k8993183-Frequently_Asked_Questions_Top_Questions_on_Antarctic_Travel-Antarctic_Adventures.html

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I'm a huge reader so if I don't have a balcony cabin, I'm usually finding a good seat on the promenade deck with my book. I also will dine in the MDR or a speciality restaurant alone and I absolutely love it. I feel like I'm being catered to and everyone deserves a little pampering!

 

My next cruise will be my longest yet as it's my first TA so I'm looking foward to plenty of reading, naps and drinks :)

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I'm new to this forum, and have just read thru the thread. My first solo cruise was Jan 2017 out of Galveston, TX as a test run for a solo cruise in the Mediterranean. The passengers on the Galveston cruise were the friendliest I have ever experienced. I'm going again out of Galveston Sept.16th.

 

I love the casino and spend most of my time there. My Galveston cruise is a free cruise based on casino play. The casino is a great place for a solo cruiser. Like others have said, a kindle can be your best friend. I will be sure to take it with me to the main dining room in the event I end up dining alone.

 

I have requested a large table in the main dining room. If I'm not happy, I will request another table. Don't hesitate to ask for a different table. For me, dining is the biggest anxiety of traveling solo. I go to the buffet for breakfast and lunch, but want the dining room experience for dinner. I'm prepared this time with my kindle.

 

I have no problem going on excursions or walking around the ports alone. Just do your research in advance and be safe.

 

Sandy G.

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  • 2 weeks later...

I've read through the entire thread and peaked in because I'm doing a 49 day cruise around South America in February of 2019. This will be my second cruise the first was in Nov/Dec of 2017. I had my own inside cabin by myself but I was part of a group put together by one of my exercise instructors. Half of the group was annoying thus my going all the way solo on the S.A. cruise.

 

I love being by myself and I can jump in and join people and conversations when I want. Some of my greatest memories come from when I broke away from the crowd and did my own thing.

 

Ramona

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  • 6 months later...

As a confirmed solo cruiser I like to sit in one of the lounges, maybe even near a pool, find a nice spot to read, watch a movie in the theatre (if the ship has a theater) or participate in an activity around the ship (arts and crafts, rock climbing, etc).   As far a dining well I prefer to be alone and have no problems requesting my own table and sitting alone. At ports I typically go scuba diving but I’ve also done all sorts of other activities like bicycle riding, kayaking, hiking, and snorkeling to name a few.  However I’ve also just explored the ports on my own.

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  • 2 weeks later...

I have been cruising solo now, for a couple of years, but on each of the five or six, I have known some friends from previous cruises, so did not feel so 'solo'.   

Now, I am about to embark in January on a 180 day (six month) cruise around the world, and other than some 'roll call' conversation's, will not know anyone from before.   I really had to dig into my savings to afford this 'bucket list' cruise, and tried in vain to find anyone to share it with.   But it is my retirement gift to myself, so am really looking forward to it, as well as hopefully making some great new friends among my fellow 'worldie' shipmates....:classic_smile:

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12 hours ago, bob brown said:

[snip]

Now, I am about to embark in January on a 180 day (six month) cruise around the world, and other than some 'roll call' conversation's, will not know anyone from before.   I really had to dig into my savings to afford this 'bucket list' cruise, and tried in vain to find anyone to share it with.   But it is my retirement gift to myself, so am really looking forward to it, as well as hopefully making some great new friends among my fellow 'worldie' shipmates....:classic_smile:

 

Wow! You might be starting out not knowing anyone but I suspect by the end of the 180 days, you'll have plenty of new friends.

 

 

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On 11/21/2018 at 9:47 PM, bob brown said:

I have been cruising solo now, for a couple of years, but on each of the five or six, I have known some friends from previous cruises, so did not feel so 'solo'.   

Now, I am about to embark in January on a 180 day (six month) cruise around the world, and other than some 'roll call' conversation's, will not know anyone from before.   I really had to dig into my savings to afford this 'bucket list' cruise, and tried in vain to find anyone to share it with.   But it is my retirement gift to myself, so am really looking forward to it, as well as hopefully making some great new friends among my fellow 'worldie' shipmates....:classic_smile:

 

Wow!  A world cruise sounds marvelous, and as another poster has said, by the 180 days I'm sure you'll have found many friends.  

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On ‎11‎/‎21‎/‎2018 at 10:47 PM, bob brown said:

I have been cruising solo now, for a couple of years, but on each of the five or six, I have known some friends from previous cruises, so did not feel so 'solo'.   

Now, I am about to embark in January on a 180 day (six month) cruise around the world, and other than some 'roll call' conversation's, will not know anyone from before.   I really had to dig into my savings to afford this 'bucket list' cruise, and tried in vain to find anyone to share it with.   But it is my retirement gift to myself, so am really looking forward to it, as well as hopefully making some great new friends among my fellow 'worldie' shipmates....:classic_smile:

Sounds FANTASTIC:classic_biggrin: and I wish I could do this too...…..6 months on a ship...…..heaven!...……..hope you have a marvelous time and wishing you smooth sailing and fair seas.

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4 hours ago, Lois R said:

Sounds FANTASTIC:classic_biggrin: and I wish I could do this too...…..6 months on a ship...…..heaven!...……..hope you have a marvelous time and wishing you smooth sailing and fair seas.

Thanks!  I wish you could, too!  Would like to meet you some day on a cruise...:classic_smile:

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