Solo Cruiser's Roll Call

[madcat444]

8 hours ago, Pat.D said:

 

Oh no don't miss it!!!  Specially if you're an avid snorkeler.  The ABC islands are a paradise for divers and snorkelers.  Heck, Bonaire is such an amazing snorkelling place that you can literally walk off the ship, walk 100ft and jump in the ocean and snorkel right there. (no I'm not kidding!  I did it!)

 

I attached a few underwater photos I took literally next to the ship when I was there last year hoping it encourages you to go!

 

I'm sailing the NCL Breakaway solo again next week and I'll be snorkeling and scuba diving in every port.  I am FAR from being a social guy, but I always meet people and make new friends on solo cruises.

 

Pat

 

Love the pictures Pat - heading off on Epic 6 Feb to Bonaire etc so here's hoping I get to see similar.
Also, on Bliss Panama Canal trip in April so that should see some good trips too 🙂 

 

Fiona

[littlebrownbook]

23 hours ago, squick64 said:

I don't normally want to eat in the buffet, anyway, so I don't fight it too hard. I was on a cruise once where we set our things down on a table and went to get in line, and a busperson had whisked it all away when we returned. The buffet line was like half an hour long, very badly managed, and he figured it'd been there so long, it'd been forgotten.

 

[littlebrownbook]

Perhaps it's not a good idea to  expect to hold up a table for 30 minutes. Other people who have already been through the line , and are walking around looking for a table might find that a bit selfish on your part.    Same as hogging a sunlounger, then going in for breakfast. Those folks are not called chairhogs for nothing.

[squick64]

We didn't know it was going to take that long.

[Go-Bucks!]

One thing I've experienced as a solo traveler is that the crew seems to give me extra special attention and takes such good care of me! I've gotten to know many of them personally and all about their families and their lives. ☺️

[barefoot cruiser]

I am 6 days away from my cruise.  My nerves are up, I think because it is a new cruiseline for me, so don't know what to expect in a few areas.  But hey it will be a cruise, if I don't like my dinner mates, I can go eat in the buffet or ask to switch tables. Not sure why this makes me nervous, I have never had an issue, I have always had great tablemates!

 

At least the snow threat for my flight looks minimal!

 

Melissa

[GTVCRUISER]

Back from my solo New Years Eve Cruise 2020 …….  https://youtu.be/0ZQzJcWB7Sg

 

[skipperanne]

6 hours ago, barefoot cruiser said:

I am 6 days away from my cruise.  My nerves are up, I think because it is a new cruiseline for me, so don't know what to expect in a few areas.  But hey it will be a cruise, if I don't like my dinner mates, I can go eat in the buffet or ask to switch tables. Not sure why this makes me nervous, I have never had an issue, I have always had great tablemates!

 

At least the snow threat for my flight looks minimal!

 

Melissa

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.

[BJs mom]

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.

[bottomfeeder]

I'm very excited to be going on my first Viking Oceans cruise--the Viking Sky's transatlantic on March 6 2020.  I will definitely let everyone know my experiences as a solo on Viking when I get back.  I've been trying to book a cruise on them for ages, but as they rarely have a solo price less than 200% it's taken a while to find a deal I thought was reasonable enough to pull the trigger.  Can't wait!  🙂

[Judyrem]

10 hours ago, bottomfeeder said:

I'm very excited to be going on my first Viking Oceans cruise--the Viking Sky's transatlantic on March 6 2020.  I will definitely let everyone know my experiences as a solo on Viking when I get back.  🙂

My friend loves Viking, but she goes with her husband.  I would love to know how it is as a solo cruiser!

[skleeb]

11 minutes ago, Judyrem said:

My friend loves Viking, but she goes with her husband.  I would love to know how it is as a solo cruiser!

Do they have solo only cabins like they do on their river boats? With those cabins, they can't charge double since there is only room for one person! What was the supplement percentage on this voyage?

[GTVCRUISER]

Solo cruise on the Oosterdam to Mexico , in 1 day and a wake up

[bottomfeeder]

8 hours ago, skleeb said:

Do they have solo only cabins like they do on their river boats? With those cabins, they can't charge double since there is only room for one person! What was the supplement percentage on this voyage?

They do not have solo cabins--on any of their ocean liners as far as I know.  I believe the solo supplement was like 175% but it also included $99 airfare and an upgrade from V to DV class, so it was worth it to me since I've been wanting to try them for so long.

[skleeb]

5 hours ago, bottomfeeder said:

They do not have solo cabins--on any of their ocean liners as far as I know.  I believe the solo supplement was like 175% but it also included $99 airfare and an upgrade from V to DV class, so it was worth it to me since I've been wanting to try them for so long.

I understand! Safe travels! Let us know how it all worked out. 

[GTVCRUISER]

Back from my solo cruise on the Oosterdam

[Boatingmom]

Did u have fun??

[GTVCRUISER]

Yes , good weather saw a few whales and a lot of dolphins , had a great time 

[GTVCRUISER]

Cabo San Lucas Sunrise 1-16-2020 on the Oosterdam 

[Boatingmom]

Pictures are beautiful. Had you had fun

[GTVCRUISER]

Yes I had fun  always

[coastcat]

The internet is dangerous. For example, I went back to re-read two extensive reviews of NCL Encore... and found myself clicking the Book button for the September 3rd sailing of NCL Encore to Bermuda. I went for a Studio cabin which, at this time anyway, is far less expensive than even a GTY inside cabin. This sailing is pricier than others due to the date (Labor Day weekend) but I'll make it up with all those free lattes in the Studio lounge!

 

So for 2020, I've got three solo sailings booked, not including the one already completed a couple weeks ago:

• NCL Jewel, June 1-8, Seward to Vancouver, inside
• NCL Encore, September 3-8, NYC <-> Bermuda, Studio
• NCL Spirit, November 23-December 7, Tokyo <-> Tokyo (visiting Japan and currently scheduled for an overnight in Shanghai but we'll see), balcony

I should try to de-introvert myself a bit for the 14-day cruise because that's a long time to go without a conversation!

[Debbborra]

On 2/1/2020 at 10:42 AM, coastcat said:

 should try to de-introvert myself a bit for the 14-day cruise because that's a long time to go without a conversation!

I got the best advice on these boards. (You probably know this already, but in case) I had two go to ice breakers and they worked. "Where are you from?" "Are you having fun?"

This was big for me because I can feel very shy.

[NSnJW]

Coastcat,

When I was on the Jewel in Alaska last June, they had a great solo program.  I almost never initiate a conversation but I had no trouble making friends there.  As a matter of fact, I have been to solo meetings on 5 NCL ships and met people to talk to and eat with on all of them.  Just go to the solo meets, solo dinners and if they have it the Cruise Critic Meet & Mingle.  You would have to be aggressively non communicative to remain isolated.  

[coastcat]

7 minutes ago, Debbborra said:

I got the best advice on these boards. (You probably know this already, but in case) I had two go to ice breakers and they worked. "Where are you from?" "Are you having fun?"

This was big for me because I can feel very shy.

What works for me is chatting to people as part of an activity rather than it being the sole purpose of the activity. I am not great at making small talk at a party or gathering (in fact, I'm terrible at it) - but had some lovely chats during my last cruise while on excursions or browsing at a souvenir store.

 

Someone on the roll call for my extended cruise has already set up an activities sheet and I'm looking forward to playing games and tasting wines. I might even host a martini tasting.

 

Good grief, did I post that update only about a week ago? Because it's already been changed! NCL Spirit sailings have been cancelled through December, so now I've replaced it with two cruises because I'm crazy:  7-day NCL Epic from San Juan to the southern Caribbean in mid-December and the 15-day NCL Escape repositioning cruise next April (NYC to Southhampton). I might cancel the Bermuda trip and instead wait for Encore to start its Alaska sailings next year, we'll see.