Sailing solo but not single.

[matondo]

I just booked a 5 night cruise on the Ecstasy and I am going alone!!! My husband has no vacation time and I really needed a vacation so I went for it. I now confess I am feeling a bit anxious but excited for this adventure.

 

I have posted on the roll call. I am looking for any tips for a solo traveler. This is my first time on Carnival. Wish me luck all.

[cruiserami]

Good for you for taking a vacation when you need one. Too many get so stressed that their health suffers, or they take it out on others! I'm getting ready to take my first solo cruise (As in I'm staying in a cabin alone). I just got divorced after 25 years of marriage and I'm going on vacation with my family. I'm in a 1A cabin with portholes. In a way we're in the same boat (so to speak). I went to D.C. in July by myself and had a great time. It sounds like you're looking for relaxation and I'm sure you'll be able to get that. If you want to mix with others for the ports or at night you can do that, too. I say, do what makes your vacation a good one! We don't need others to relax, have fun, or go on a fun ship (Now I'm showing my age)

[cruiserami]

Oh, that was my tip... check the cabin numbers. I booked cabin 2217 on the Freedom after researching on this board. This cabin has two portholes, a single bed and a couch which is great for one person for the lowest possible fare. This is probably your best bet for a Conquest class ship.

[tiggerman101]

Enjoy and have fun. I have done a few solo cruises and love them. The freedom you have is great. You can meet people if you want or simply be alone. I have found that Carnival is usually pretty good at seating solo cruisers together if you do an assingned dining time.

 

I usually look at these trips as a way to get away from everything. I also like to do stuff that I know is really only in my interest and not others that I travel with. Find something you are interested in that your husband would never want to do and go for it!

 

I recently decided to do a big solo cruise and flew to London for a Norwegian Fjords cruise. It was amazing and one of my favorite trips ever. I was nervous flying over there. Then I realized that the entire trip was wide open for me. I honestloy had no idea how it was going to play out, but the possibilities were endless. As I said, I had a wonderful trip, saw way more then I would have with other people, met some great friends and completely relaxed.

[BlancaNoir]

You will have a great time!

 

I did a solo but not single cruise on carnival a few years ago. I never felt "alone" (unless I wanted to). People are very friendly on Carnival ships. I suggest that that you ask for a dinner table (late seating maybe?) with other solos. I loved seeing fellow solos at dinner. During the day it was never hard to strike up a conversation with people. Everyone is so relaxed. If you want to be alone you can, but all it takes is a smile and people easily chat with you and invite you into their experience.

[Brenda62]

I will be on the 11/7 Victory alone, as my husband also must work. Really looking forward to it!

[MIZZ_K]

Enjoy your cruise, I have my 5th and 6th solo cruise coming up, I'm not single either, I have also done 5 land trips solo, I love traveling solo, I can do what I want when I want, and I've always met a lot of nice people.

[Almost Packed]

I recently took my first solo cruise. I too am not single. I left the DH & kids behind. It was very nice to not be on wife & mom duty at all. It was all about me. I went to bed when I wanted, I woke up when I wanted. I took a nap. I ate when I wanted except I had assigned dining which I prefer. I meet other solos this way.

 

I met a "cruise buddy" that I hung out with. We would meet at trivia time and be on a team together. I booked a ship's excursion for the first port-Key West pub crawl so I could meet other people. In Cozumel, I stayed on the ship and enjoyed an entire ship almost to myself.

 

I never felt unsafe. The scariest part was my alone cab ride to the port from the airport-even that was uneventful. On the way back to the airport, I found some people to share a cab with.

 

Go. Relax. Enjoy your alone time. Refill your cup!

[matondo]

You have no idea how encouraging your posts are. I have planned a solo cruise on paper for years and now it is finally happening.

[Tapi]

I did a solo cruise back in my single days (before getting married and having kids). It was a quick 4 day from Miami in a porthole cabin and it was a lot of fun.

 

I remember arriving at the port all by myself and thinking "What am I doing here??!!" I was worried about even showing up at the MDR and being the "odd one". My fears were quickly put to rest. As others have said, Carnival is good about pairing singles (my table consisted of 10 passengers traveling solo). All of us had an instant connection.

 

It's been over 10 years since that cruise and some of us are still connected via Facebook.

 

Have an awesome time. I'm sure you will.

[lumberbutcher]

I am going on my 5th cruise but my 1st solo cruise. My divorce was final this past April. This is my 1st trip by myself for pleasure in 31 years. I am also disable and can't walk very far. I will be traveling on my scooter and so looking forward to the time to relax and hopefully be stress free for 5 days. I am on the Triumph on 10-21-13. I had no second thoughts about cruising alone.

[maxandmolly]

I was terrified before my first solo (2nd cruise) last year. Unlike others, my table was not all solos, but 3 solos and 2 couples. It worked out perfectly though, it was a very unusual mix and highly entertaining. I enjoyed sitting in Serenity with my Kindle and found various people to chat with when I felt like it. I did what I felt like doing in port, on my own, no placating someone else.

It was FABULOUS! I'm headed out on another solo (mostly, long, wild, unexpected story) next Saturday.

[crusinpsychRN]

You'll love it! Visit the solo board for all kinds of answers to different questions. My first solo I remember feeling a bit awkward...until I set foot in the atrium! It was all great after that. No one else's schedule to have to keep to, only your own stuff to keep neat in the cabin.

 

Enjoy as much solitude as you want or as little. Have fun!

[Buffalofirsttimer4]

I haven't done a solo cruise yet but I travel for work from the East coast to the West Coast at least once a year-solo, leaving DH & kids at home and staying a few extra days after the work part to enjoy my alone time! It's good for the soul :D, and makes me a better wife & Mommy when I come home.

 

Enjoy yourself!!

[happyshelly]

I am also taking my first solo(not single) trip on 10/26 on the Jewel. Last minute the husband could not get off so i decided to go alone. I am meeting up with a group in San Juan before the cruise.

I am going to relax so well on this cruise because i dont have to worry about anybody but myself.

 

Michele

[imaboo]

I have sailed solo twice now and loved it. It's a wonderful carefree indulgence. I think everyone should try it at least once :)

 

If you are considering a repeat solo cruise, here is a good thread to keep an eye on. It's how I found out that Carnival dropped the solo premium on some cruises (which is still in effect btw). The thread has been around for a while, so you may want to skip to the end and work backwards.

 

--> http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=851324

[dadroy]

On our last cruise DW and I met 3 solos through the roll call here on Cruise Critic. My wife likes all the activities whereas I like to sit at a bar and read my books while drinking beer. So she connected with them and the four of them made plans throughout the day. Made her happy and made me inebriated:D

[Litewait]

was an accident~ Booked my son and I and he ended up in a big HS baseball tournament. I went alone. I had the best time!! My best advice(which you've done) get active in the roll call. I have done two planned ones since then. They are my "mental health" cruises LOL! I'm a single mom:p. I've cruised with my kids since they were 8 and 14 ( 19 & 25 now:eek:) Sometimes its just nice for it to be me time!

[wrigley80]

You will enjoy every minute of it....you can do what you want when you want to do it. Get involved in trivia games, piano bar, production shows.

 

Have a great time and Enjoy your cruise

[samiam0403]

I had wanted to sail solo for years (my ex didn't get it, so I never went) and finally last year, I did with the full support of my new husband. :) Due to 2012 just being really crappy, November rolled around and I hadn't cruised once. I decided there was no way 2012 was the year I got cancer AND didn't cruise. One quick conversation with DH who just said 'book it!', and I booked a 4-night solo cruise. It. Was. Fabulous. I got to recharge my batteries by doing only what I wanted to do and could still be social when I wanted to be. If I wanted to interact with folks, I would take my Kindle, get a drink and perch at the casino bar or lobby bar and half listen to music. Trust me - you won't be alone for long! I was quickly adopted by a few groups of people and had a blast chit chatting in the evenings. Met a few other casino addicts and really ended up having a fantastic cruise! Won enough money to pay off my S&S card and finished 2 books. Heaven. :) Now to find time for another solo cruise...

[mrsd912]

I would love to do a solo cruise, but DH has already told me he'd be really upset if I took one without him. Unless I went with my mom *shudder* then he'd understand.

 

Have a great cruise!

[sc4125]

I went on my first solo cruise last year - I normally cruise with family and was a little nervous, but I just really wanted to get away by myself.

 

I took a 4 day cruise and really enjoyed it. I actually never went to the MDR even though I planned to and had late seating (knew they would probably sit me with other solo cruisers). But, I just really wanted time to myself - so, would go to the Lido and bring my kindle or take the food back to the cabin - also did room service a few times

 

I did meet people on board and could hang out when I wanted to, but I also spent alot of time in the casino & just chilling by myself.

 

It was something I always wanted to do and I'm gald I did. Next time (and I'm sure there will be a next time) I'll probably hang out with people more - this time I just needed some time alone.

 

Have a great time!!

[tree.critter]

On my way to the port right now for my first solo cruise. I'm looking forward to this so much and the chance to simply relax. It's a beautiful drive and I am mindful of how blessed I feel to have this chance and the BEST hubby in the world wishing me a great time.

[hightownCO]

My first solo cruise was last November. Next is coming up in 8 days on Carnival Liberty.

 

Honestly, I did avoid the MDR and just hit the buffet or room service (Princess has slightly better RS choices and their buffet is pretty good). Just didn't like the thought of doing the MDR either alone or joining others. Other than that, everything was fine. Did spend lots of time in the casino and found people to talk to when I wanted. Thoroughly enjoyed the alone time which I never get.

 

I do want to get to the MDR on upcoming cruise. Don't know if I'll bring my trusty kindle and do a solo table or join others. I felt Carnival's buffet when I cruise with DD in May was poor and want to brave the MDR if only to get better food. But other than this issue, I know it will be a great time and really looking forward to it.

 

To the OP, be sure to find your Roll Call and post there. Its great to get to meet people virtually and then on the ship. That helps a lot!

[Barlee126]

Have a great time! I know you'll enjoy yourself!