Alone on board

[Ghengis Klown]

I end up spending quite a bit of time by myself on ships. Not that I have any problem with this, just how it goes. I have been on cruises with family and with friends, and still I end up alone a bunch. Not really a "bar guy" anymore, but that's not to say I don't drink. Just have no interest in being wasted all day anymore. Reading, watching a movie or two, people watching, and the casino can only do so much. Just wondering what others do when their by them selves. Anything fun? Out of the ordinary?

 

I'm going to Alaska this time, so I'm hoping for lots of nature.

[shof515]

depending on the light pollution. If you sit on the lounge chairs on upper deck, you can look at the stars at night

[kcdancerkc]

For alaska I would take picts of wildlife --- not the wildlife on the boat LOL

 

I find solitude in snorkeling and parasailing - but those won't do you much in alaska!

[Coastalbreezes]

90% of my cruises I have sailed solo. I participate in many of the OSA's such as trivia, putting contests, etc. This helps me meet and get to know other passengers as well as the cruise staff.

 

Also I participate in excursions and also eat at the specialty restaurants alone and enjoy a great meal. Sometimes I take a book and other times not, depends on my mood.

 

I have found with NCL that there is so much offered on board (that doesn't always involve drinking) that I have a wonderful cruise every time!

 

Tracy

[redpatti]

I have my first cruise booked for August and while I will be traveling with my two kids (20 & 15), I have a feeling there will be alone time for me as well. What teenager (and almost adult) wants to spend all their time with their Mom!? LOL!

 

Looking forward to meeting new folks and having a great time!! :)

[www3traveler]

Join the Roll Call for your cruise now. I would bet that you are not the only one on your cruise traveling solo. I travel solo all the time. Sometimes, I take part in all the activities. Alaska is wonderful. Spinneker Lounge (all the way forward Deck 12), is a great place to be to watch for wildlife. You will have a wonderful time. The Jewel is a great ship.

[Cmdr Cody]

I end up spending quite a bit of time by myself on ships. Not that I have any problem with this, just how it goes. I have been on cruises with family and with friends, and still I end up alone a bunch. Not really a "bar guy" anymore, but that's not to say I don't drink. Just have no interest in being wasted all day anymore. Reading, watching a movie or two, people watching, and the casino can only do so much. Just wondering what others do when their by them selves. Anything fun? Out of the ordinary?

 

I'm going to Alaska this time, so I'm hoping for lots of nature.

 

I depends on your age and likes/dislikes. You can do trivia, or use the gym. Shoot basketball etc. use the library or game room to see whats going on. I have books on my Nook for iPad so I can read as I relax. I'm on vacation, it just happens to be a cruise. Once I'm retired it may change but thats about five years away. Check the freestyle daily for what activities are scheduled. Keep and open mind and try as many as you can, you may find you like some of them. If you don't like an activity, cross it of the list of things to do.

 

Top thing is go to your roll call and post to others on your cruise. You may find people of similar interest and spend time with them.

 

Remember, the big thing about enjoying a cruise is it is what YOU make it, not what others make it for you. :)

[gra2172]

I end up spending quite a bit of time by myself on ships. Not that I have any problem with this, just how it goes. I have been on cruises with family and with friends, and still I end up alone a bunch. Not really a "bar guy" anymore, but that's not to say I don't drink. Just have no interest in being wasted all day anymore. Reading, watching a movie or two, people watching, and the casino can only do so much. Just wondering what others do when their by them selves. Anything fun? Out of the ordinary?

 

I'm going to Alaska this time, so I'm hoping for lots of nature.

 

 

My very first cruise was by myself. Until I met my wife, that was my last cruise. Now were addicted to it! :p

 

Anyway, I couldnt do a cruise by myself again. However, for those times Ive found myself alone when shes taking a nap, I usually find myself just exploring the ship or exploring the buffet :p

 

Ill check out the art gallery or the library or if I hit it right, Ill do a planned event.

 

Im also going to Alaska, so I would also be looking to photograph some nature.

[fabby50]

I try and go on a solo vacation every year or so - great way to ditch any familiy responsibilities and just concentrate on me :)

 

I hit the SPA - just about every day for whatever special they're having and join in all the group fitness classes (bootcamp, yoga, cycling, etc.).

I feel perfectly safe going on shore excursions if I book them through the cruise line and go with a group. I try to pick active excursions - hiking, snorkeling, etc.

 

I think of cruising as a spa vacation week - a heck of a lot cheaper than most spas I've priced.

[travelinggrands]

Check out the cooking demonstrations. Might be something different for you & you just might learn something:)

[Ghengis Klown]

Great ideas.. Very excited to be going

[BobbyGoren]

I frequently travel with other adults and no kids and we like to take breaks from each other (especially family members).

I like to go to the Atrium area on the Gem or Jewel for several reasons. You usually can find a nice chair grouping and sit with your Kindle. You can observe people if you like, read a little, have free so so coffee (there is an urn set up) or splurge on a good LaVazza latte. You can hear all the announcements clearly there from captain or cruise director. And at least on those 2 ships there are musical acts that perform there and they are fantastic.

[NMLady]

I end up spending quite a bit of time by myself on ships. Not that I have any problem with this, just how it goes. I have been on cruises with family and with friends, and still I end up alone a bunch. Not really a "bar guy" anymore, but that's not to say I don't drink. Just have no interest in being wasted all day anymore. Reading, watching a movie or two, people watching, and the casino can only do so much. Just wondering what others do when their by them selves. Anything fun? Out of the ordinary?

 

I'm going to Alaska this time, so I'm hoping for lots of nature.

 

My husband and I do not enjoy the same type of shipboard activities so unless we're in port and sightseeing, I'm alone from after breakfast until dinner. I spend most of that time reading, some casino, and some chatting with other passengers. I enjoy the alone time, just relaxing.

[Single Cruiser]

Having done all but one cruise alone I tend to split time onboard Inbetween

 

• Drinking at Bar
  
• Chatting with Crew / Passengers
  
• People Watching
  
• Blogging/taking pics
  
• Reading a good book
  
• Sun Bathing
  
• Roaming between entertainment venues
  
• Or often stood at the rail looking out to sea and daydreaming!! Lol
  
• Gym or walking laps of running track/open deck
  
• Oh and of course eating
  

 

I don't see how these non-single travellers get time to do all these whilst organising what to do, when to do it, looking after kids, trying to find two or more sun beds together or seats in the theatre...

 

:D:D

[mitsugirly]

While I cruise with my family (always husband and 3 year old and the last time with my 23 year old daughter and her boyfriend too) I find myself sometimes alone when they want to take a nap or whatever.

 

I some times enjoy the alone time. Like you said people watching and so on. Our last cruise the family was taking a nap after a little bit of sea sickness and I went exploring. I'm a photographer at heart and LOVE taking pictures (I take a few thousand every cruise). This is the time I get to walk around the ship exploring and taking my pictures. I managed to find a spot up on deck that hardly anyone seem to either a) know about or b) went up there. I sat there for probably about an hour just taking the scenery (we were still docked and was waiting for a medical evac for a passenger from that day in port) and ended up talking to a wonderful couple. :) Alone time is not always a bad thing. :D

[coka]

Walk the promenade

 

Dance by myself in the disco

 

Get up out of bed before everyone else and walk all the upper decks

 

Put things back in place or back in order if they are out of sorts...you know, you see a cup or glass left in some crazy spot so you bring it to the bar area

 

Stare out at the sea forever

 

Talk to people

 

Attend a show

 

Eat

 

Think

 

Reflect

 

Pray

 

Count my blessings

 

coka:D

[vivavegas]

I usually take several word find and suduku puzzle books along. My ipad 2 has several games that are ideal for wasting time.:)

[2Cruise4Ever]

DH and I cruise together, but we do spend some time apart as well. He likes to take long walks on the Promenade at night... I like to hang out on the balcony and listen to the ocean; He likes to sit in the Cigar Bar and make new friends... I like to sit at the Roullette table and make new money ;); He likes to hang out in the cabin and relax sometimes; I like to walk around the ship and watch people. But, we always get together for the things we like to do: eat, shows, eat, trivia, eat, pool, eat... you get the picture. :D

[Winters in NZ]

The gym is a great place to meet folks, although not everyone who goes to the gym may be interested in talking to you or getting to know you.....they may simply want to get on their machine, do their workout, and exit as quietly as they entered.

 

However, I have found that most gym adherents aboard cruise-ships are in a more relaxed mood than that of their land-based bretheren....so the chances are pretty good that you will indeed strike up a conversation.

 

I always end up having a few early morning cups of coffee and share a few meals with some of my new-found buddies aboard the ship.

 

And don't judge a book by its cover. I am always amazed at some of the truly interesting people that I have met on cruises, many of whom really enjoy the company of a new-found friend.

[weltek]

I always cruise with my husband, but there are some things he doesn't enjoy so I do them solo.

-work out in the gym

-take a fitness class

-wine tasting

-watch "game show" type activities and pool games

[Annieban50]

The scenery is fabulous in Alaska. I spent hours watching the waterfalls and icebergs. They also had someone giving lectures over the intercom. It was very interesting. We even saw pods of whales while we were in the dining room.

[Annieban50]

The scenery is fabulous in Alaska. I spent hours watching the waterfalls and icebergs. They also had someone giving lectures over the intercom. It was very interesting. We even saw pods of whales while we were in the dining room.

[Ghengis Klown]

really excited to see whales in the wild. My mother told me when she went, she saw several different types as well. pics pics pics...

[moonjelly]

Ghengis Klown,

are you looking for things to do when you are by yourself or things to do when cruising by yourself that would involve other people?

 

For meeting others, I have found that the pub crawl makes friends that last all cruise. Also a martini tasting was a fun way to break the ice with others.

 

One of the most fun things I did was take a Tango dance lesson with Simon on the Pearl. It was hilarious--a combination of excellent dance lesson and comedy show--also a great way to break the ice.

 

I always try to spend my time aboard ship doing things that I cannot do at home, so I commune with the ocean as much as possible, walking and jogging the promenade and track, attend many onboard activities, talk to many people that I probably wouldn't get to meet if we weren't "all in the same boat", etc.

 

I am thinking about taking the Jewel that same week. Maybe I will see you there!

[Ghengis Klown]

Maybe I'll see you on the ship.. there is a roll call as well..

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1587624

 

not to many people so far, but hopefully that'll change..