Advice on Solo Travel

[UNC FAN 80]

I am traveling solo for the first time in August on the RCCI Enchantment of the seas. I was wondering if anyone had traveled solo on any of the RCCI ships and if so was it an enjoyable time. Traveling solo to just relax and not looking for romance just a good relaxing time.

 

Mike

[Lard Greystoke]

Since someone else is feeding you, cleaning your room and chauffering you, relaxation would appear to be a viable option.

 

RCI ships have plenty of bells and whistles, so enjoyment should also be a viable option. I would say that the odds look favorable.

[yellowbird23]

I am traveling solo for the first time in August on the RCCI Enchantment of the seas. I was wondering if anyone had traveled solo on any of the RCCI ships and if so was it an enjoyable time. Traveling solo to just relax and not looking for romance just a good relaxing time.

 

Mike

Any cruise travelling solo is fantastic. I have done RCCL a few times and enjoyed each and every one of them. Solo travel leaves all options open as to what you truly want to do without having to please somebody else. Have a good time and enjoy YOURself!

[UNC FAN 80]

Any cruise travelling solo is fantastic. I have done RCCL a few times and enjoyed each and every one of them. Solo travel leaves all options open as to what you truly want to do without having to please somebody else. Have a good time and enjoy YOURself!

 

Thank you for the advice. I have been on 15 or so cruises but never one solo, thats why I was worried I would not have a good time. I usually take someone else and it would be nice to think about me having fun and not have to please someone else.

 

Mike

[KnitChick]

Just returned (2 hours ago) from a solo cruise on Royal's Serenade of the Seas. The ship seemed to have mostly couples, lots of families, and a huge quincenteria group. I saw very few singles or solo travelers. My dinner companions were a nice family: parents a little older than I am and their daughter who was fourth-year medical student.

 

I highly recommend joining the Meet & Mingle. Not everyone who had registered showed up for our party. And there was no actual mingling, and barely any meeting. Once the cruise director (nice guy, and I usually don't like them) stopped talking, almost everyone fled. Maybe they had early seating at dinner (it was formal night).

 

Met a fun couple at the Meet & Mingle and hung out with them a bit every day. I read, knit, watched people, eavesdropped on conversations, and spent time relaxing on my corner aft balcony (it was on sale, so I snapped it up).

 

I had a great time! Hope you do, too!

[UNC FAN 80]

Just returned (2 hours ago) from a solo cruise on Royal's Serenade of the Seas. The ship seemed to have mostly couples, lots of families, and a huge quincenteria group. I saw very few singles or solo travelers. My dinner companions were a nice family: parents a little older than I am and their daughter who was fourth-year medical student.

 

I highly recommend joining the Meet & Mingle. Not everyone who had registered showed up for our party. And there was no actual mingling, and barely any meeting. Once the cruise director (nice guy, and I usually don't like them) stopped talking, almost everyone fled. Maybe they had early seating at dinner (it was formal night).

 

Met a fun couple at the Meet & Mingle and hung out with them a bit every day. I read, knit, watched people, eavesdropped on conversations, and spent time relaxing on my corner aft balcony (it was on sale, so I snapped it up).

 

I had a great time! Hope you do, too!

 

Thanks for the advice, I had thought about taking a friend with me but ultimately decided to go on my own. I have never sailed solo but thought it might be fun just wanted to see what other solo travelers on Royal Caribbean thought.

 

Mike

[COMBOY]

Yes, I've traveled many times solo on RCCL and I have to agree with the other posters. You make the cruise what you want out of it. I've have found it's best not to worry too much into it. What others past cruiser experiences will not necessary be what you experience. It all depends upon the type of passengers, time of year, your table mates, etc. Traveling single does have it's challenges, but it also was it's rewards. You can do what you want; when you want. You will have some down time and some alone time so plan accordingly. If you go into it with a positive attitude, you'll have a positive cruise experience. I've had some great times cruising solo and some just "so so" experiences. My feelings are in this economy many folks can't even think about going on a vacation let alone a cruise...so be thankful you are so fortunate and have a great time.

[yellowbird23]

A few more questions you might consider>>Do I want to wait my turn in the shower? Do I want to eat at the buffet or the MDR? Do I want to go to a show or to the casino? Do I want to sleep in or stay out late? Do I want to go on an excursion or simply go shopping or browsing around? I think you know the answers. So DO IT! Your choices are many and only you have to make the decision of what you want or don't want to do as others have stated. Just be vigilant as to your surroundings. Be open to small talk and be ready to become addicted to solo cruising!

[Solo Cruiser]

Welcome to the wonderful world of solo cruising. I've never traveled on your cruise line but I can say that there is a definite difference in traveling alone and I have enjoyed it immensely. Please be sure to post your thoughts when you get back. Have a super cruise!

[libertylover]

I sailed Liberty of the Seas last month on my first solo. There were many times that someone would ask me who I was with and when I'd tell them I was travelling solo they'd look at me like I had some sort of virus. Other times, people would respond that it sounded wonderful to be travelling alone. I did often feel that I was the ONLY solo on the cruise.

 

You have to put yourself "out there". For instance, I went to Bolaros on the first night and it was PACKED, not a seat to be found. I wanted to stay so I stood there awhile and saw a table for two that only one person was at so I asked her if I could sit down. She was with her parents and kids on the cruise -- parents were in bed and kids were off doing something. We became immediate friends and hung out the rest of the cruise ... and continue to talk and e-mail even a month after the cruise.

 

I had another family sort of adopt me after we sat at the same table during the Mystery Dinner Theatre. They invited me to eat with them several times during the cruise. They were a great family and I had a wonderful time with them.

 

Just be open-minded and be ready to meet people (if that's what you want).

 

I will do it again.

[blondeinbigd]

I got back last night from my 1st solo cruise--5 nights on the Grandeur of the Seas. It was fabulous! Immediately upon arriving, I headed up to the poolside swimming pool and immediately met a lovely man (10 years my senior). We hit it off great, and he invited me to join he and his daughter to join them for dinner all week. I had a blast. Slept til I woke up each day. Laid by the pool and/or explored the ports at my own pace doing what I pleased when I pleased. Ate dinner with my new friends each night. Hit the shows and nightclub at night--with plenty of people watching and dancing to be had. I was so sad when it all ended, and cannot wait for my next solo cruise! I will NEVER put my desires for a trip on hold again for lack of a travel partner. I honestly think I may have been the only solo traveler on the ship (traveling without at least a friend or child in tow), but met plenty of really nice people who were single parents traveling with a child, and struck up several great shipboard friendships with couples and people of all walks of life. I hope you have half the fun I had! ENJOY! :)

 

I am traveling solo for the first time in August on the RCCI Enchantment of the seas. I was wondering if anyone had traveled solo on any of the RCCI ships and if so was it an enjoyable time. Traveling solo to just relax and not looking for romance just a good relaxing time.

 

Mike

[Atlanta_Cruiser]

Hi All,

 

I am thnking about going solo on my TA. I normally ask a friend to come along with me (at no charge) just to have someone to hang out with, as I think I might get bored hanging out with myself (not that I am so uninteresting...) But from reading this thread, I think I just might go for it. Any more good tips?

 

-Cory jo

[ILoveScotland]

Have only gone solo once, but it wasn't a planned solo as my husband got sick and couldn't go at the last minute--he was being well cared for at home. I went anyway and had a great time. It helped that I'd been on an active roll call and so "knew" people even though I hadn't met them in person.

 

Atlanta Cruiser, that solo trip was a TA from Barcelona to Miami.

 

Now DH is in a nursing home, but that will not stop me from traveling solo when I can, because I found it relaxing with no one but me to make decisions about what to do or when to do it and also to sleep as late as I could and have room service breakfast when I woke up.

[Jon61]

Taking my third cruise, first solo Oct 25. Nervous/excited about it. Would love to hear from more who have done it.

[kitty9]

I've cruised all over the world as a solo and for me, it's the best, and safest way to travel. There will be those who view us as pathetic, but I think that's jealousy talking. Get involved with your roll call and make friends before you leave. Take part in activities, go on tours, but most of all, have fun.

 

Those who say we should wait and cruise with someone so we can "share" the experience, don't have a clue. I would not have seen the things I have if I waited. A safari in Africa, holding a koala, walking the steps of the Taj Mahal are some of the many things I wouldn't give up for anything.

[Atlanta_Cruiser]

Kitty,

 

Thanks so much. I think you are correct on the jealous thing..sometimes I think it might have to do with the envy of other's personal independence, too. But I hope I don't get looked at as pathetic. It's never been to hard to find someone to join me, but I was thinking of trying something solo this time around. Okay. Guess I will be doing the TA solo. I love sea days and getting my nose into a good book. I have not sailed Celebrity before, so I am looking forward to a new flavor of ship. I am already hooked up in the roll call and I am sure I will be meeting some wonderful folks.

 

I <3 Scotland, thank you for your feedback! I am sorry to hear about DH :(, but happy to hear you still made your cruise. You are right..now I can do all the excursions that I like and eat dinner when I want, etc...

 

Happy Saturday.

 

-Cory

[afcj1]

I went on my 1st solo in May aboard the Splendor. I met a mom and her daughters waiting outside to board...we just started talking. I saw them throughout the cruise and would stop and talk.

 

Initially our RC was really slow, but then got busy. There was another solo lady (she got a reprieve from her DH and kids:)) a couple of guy friends traveling together and a bunch of couples. We met at our M&G and I knew that it would be a fun time. The other solo lady and I ended up at the same table for dinner:) and until the end of the cruise we did a lot of "stuff" together. By no means were we attached at the hip, but it was nice to be able to buzz around the ship with someone, yet do what you wanted to do. We'd also hang out with the others we had met.

 

I was very apprehensive before leaving...but now I'm excited to travel alone. I have to admit that I'm very active in all of my RC's, because I love meeting people. I've got 2 solos coming up in Nov and a Med cruise in 2011.

 

Enjoy your cruise and your time alone and/or meeting new friends;)

[MrFunInTheSun]

I'm going on a cruise 8/13 that I had first booked as a solo trip until a friend said they wanted to go. Have been thinking time to time, I regretted A. Saying I was going on a cruise B. Being nice saying, you should go in jest. Haha. That will teach me. I'm going on another cruise in October with a group of us and a couple cabins but thought a short solo cruise would be awesome. I'm envious of you Mike. Have a great time, think all the other solo cruisers have said some great stuff. We should all just plan a solo CC cruise event.

[ebonniekins]

I too am looking forward to my first solo cruise which takes place on the Liberty Sept 4. I do know people on this cruise but for the most part, I am flying solo. I cruise with my "cruise" family every two years and even last year I was in a room by myself. It is very liberating and I am very friendly person and met alot of people, including alot of people that I will know on my Liberty cruise. The good thing about it is that I will be able to do things on my own pace and not worry about anyone else's schedule. I am looking forward to it big time. At first I was thinking that I would be a little nervous about dining solo since I have the mytime dining, but it gives me the chance to meet new people each night that I decide to dine in the dining room. So just take the leap of faith and know that no matter what, you will have great time!

[Atlanta_Cruiser]

At first I was thinking that I would be a little nervous about dining solo since I have the mytime dining, but it gives me the chance to meet new people each night that I decide to dine in the dining room. So just take the leap of faith and know that no matter what, you will have great time!

 

Thanks ebonnie. I am going to do just that. I hope you have fun on the Liberty in September! That will be fun. I take it your Liberty cruise "family" are previous Liberty cruisers that you know...so that will be fun for you. I will be doing MTD so I will just ask if I can sit at a table with people rather than by myself. Would feel a bit awkward. I do like the idea of my own room. I went TA this past April on Princess and invited my brother and although he was fun, I felt the room was so crammed that I remember sitting there and thinking, why didn't I just go solo! LOL.

 

Thanks for taking time to give me your thoughts :)

 

-Cory

[MrFunInTheSun]

So I've offically booked my first "solo" cruise for Nov 15th on the Carnival Imagination. Now I have to keep it to myself that I'm going to help ensure there isn't anyone that decides they want to go. :-) Now how selfish of me. :-)

[travelgip]

My first solo was on this ship - I loved it. Everyone was very friendly, the assigned table for dinner was good so you always had someone to talk to about your day but mostly every pub and lounge were very welcoming. This ship is also what makes me say that I don't like Carnival very much, RCCL is so much nicer, cleaner, better food, etc. Enjoy it:D

[Atlanta_Cruiser]

So I've offically booked my first "solo" cruise for Nov 15th on the Carnival Imagination. Now I have to keep it to myself that I'm going to help ensure there isn't anyone that decides they want to go. :-) Now how selfish of me. :-)

 

I'm telling!! :D

[MrFunInTheSun]

Nice! :-)

[AM2010]

Hi!

 

I am looking forward to my first solo cruise, unfortunately I have to wait until Nov. 2011.

 

To all those sailing shortly, have a great time.

 

I appreciate everyone sharing their experiences, it's great information and tips.

 

Annmarie