First solo cruise - no roll call

[paradiseisaprincessaway]

I have finally booked a solo cruise..........had some extra vacation time so I am going on a 5 night cruise to western Caribbean ocho rios and grand caymen on the carnival victory before I go to newfoundland to meet up with my family for the family portion of the vacation.

 

I am struggling, but I know I shouldn't be. I am pretty outgoing and have no trouble meeting people.

 

but im weirded out by going solo. am I going to look like a freak show loner, will it only last for the first day? for dinners how does it work on anytime dining? should I pick a dining time? is that better?

 

should I bother ordering booze to the room? is it necessary???

 

there is no roll call? I posted but no bites, and this is the first time since ive been cruising that there isn't anyone on the roll call?!?!?!?! I find this weird.

 

help please

[CoffeeGoddess]

They didn't have a roll call for my cruise coming up either so I started one as well and it took quite a bit before I got any bites. Sometimes a roll call isn't popular for whatever reason but just keep checking back and also check to see if someone missed yours and created their own.

 

If you don't want to order booze for your room then don't.

 

As for looking like a freak show loner, do you think that about people you see solo? I'm guessing not and that most people won't even be thinking about you on their vacation. I've found that most people are friendly and quite a few will ask you to join them once they find out you are solo.

 

Let your host or hostess know when you go to the dining room if you would like to sit by yourself or if they could seat you with a group. check out this thread for additional thoughts from other solo crusiers: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2027127

[Lois R]

I have finally booked a solo cruise..........had some extra vacation time so I am going on a 5 night cruise to western Caribbean ocho rios and grand caymen on the carnival victory before I go to newfoundland to meet up with my family for the family portion of the vacation.

 

I am struggling, but I know I shouldn't be. I am pretty outgoing and have no trouble meeting people.

 

but im weirded out by going solo. am I going to look like a freak show loner, will it only last for the first day? for dinners how does it work on anytime dining? should I pick a dining time? is that better?

 

should I bother ordering booze to the room? is it necessary???

 

there is no roll call? I posted but no bites, and this is the first time since ive been cruising that there isn't anyone on the roll call?!?!?!?! I find this weird.

 

help please

 

Hi,:) when is your cruise? Is it far away into the future? Sometimes

roll calls don't become active when it is far out.

 

Are you going to look like a freak? I doubt it very much. I have been

cruising solo for 11 years and have learned most people are much

more interested in themsevles and their cruise than if someone else

is cruising solo. I always sail solo and I love it that way:D

 

As for drinking? If you feel like you want to stay and drink in your

cabin? They order some...otherwise, I find it more fun having a drink

or 2 in one of bars/lounges. It is a nice way to meet other people:)

 

From what I understand Carnival puts singles together at dinner quite

often. If you booked directly through the cruiseline, let them know you

would like to sit with others......or if you booked throught a TA, have

them do it.

 

Hope you have a great time and try not to worry so much. Once you

get on board everything should be awesome.....going to the Caribbean,

on a cruiseship? Not much stuff is better than that:D

[kylenyc]

Cruises shorter than 7-Days tend to have less active roll calls. So I only go on shorties when I desperately need a quick getaway. I prefer 7-day cruises and always meet nice folks on those roll calls. I wouldn't care what other people think about sailing. Solo cruising is the best. I wouldn't have visited so many new places and had so many new experiences had I waited until family or friends match up vacation time and budgets.

Edited May 26, 2014 by kylenyc

[paradiseisaprincessaway]

im not much worried about what people think, as ive met many people on solo trips and befriended them shortly into the cruise.

 

i managed to find one other person going with a group of 17 for a family reunion, that could be fun

 

i decided to treat myself yesterday to a bouquet of fresh flowers and a fruit and wine basket. i definately like to have a drink at the casino bar more so than in my room, more social that way.

 

im looking forward to trying this because if i like solo i will finally book my europe cruise! i cant wait to try that !

 

cruising in 61 days@ woop cant wait

[tncap]

Many of the roll calls these days are on other social media websites that cannot be discussed on these boards.

[jp2001]

I love to cruise solo; for the ME time

 

Since it s your first solo cruise, I would choose a fixed dinning time since you ll be dining with the same people every night and get to know them. You will feel less lonely (however I never feel lonely even with anytime dinning but I suggest it just in case you would prefer to make some cruise-long connections)

 

You can still choose to dine in a specialty restaurant if one night you want to dine at another time or prefer to enjoy a quiet dinner by yourself (if you are tired from an excursion for example)

 

If you want to bring the wine you ordered in the dining room, there is no problem doing so and then they can store your bottle if you don t drink it all.

[paradiseisaprincessaway]

Who doesnt finish a bottle of wine :p:p

[Lois R]

Who doesnt finish a bottle of wine :p:p

 

In one sitting? By yourself?....I love good wine and have purchased

bottles for dinner. But no way would I drink the entire bottle at one

time.:eek: A couple of glasses for dinner and will have them bring it back

the next evening for me.:)....I finish it, but not at one time.

[AmoMondo]

Who doesnt finish a bottle of wine :p:p

 

Me! Usually lasts me 3 nights if I'm not sharing it. I do like a drink before dinner and an after dinner drink or 2 - couldn't do that and a full bottle of wine at dinner without having a very sore head the next day!

[goduckies05]

I have finally booked a solo cruise..........had some extra vacation time so I am going on a 5 night cruise to western Caribbean ocho rios and grand caymen on the carnival victory before I go to newfoundland to meet up with my family for the family portion of the vacation.

 

I am struggling, but I know I shouldn't be. I am pretty outgoing and have no trouble meeting people.

 

but im weirded out by going solo. am I going to look like a freak show loner, will it only last for the first day? for dinners how does it work on anytime dining? should I pick a dining time? is that better?

 

should I bother ordering booze to the room? is it necessary???

 

there is no roll call? I posted but no bites, and this is the first time since ive been cruising that there isn't anyone on the roll call?!?!?!?! I find this weird.

 

help please

 

My first one barely had a roll call and I didn't miss it. I was able to do what I wanted. Go do Karaoke and go to one of the places where a guitarist is playing and strike up a conversion and you will ve fine. Have fun and relax!

 

Sent from my SM-G900P using Forums mobile app

[paradiseisaprincessaway]

hehe ive found myself two bottles deep before realizing it some times, chatting and having a time before you know it two bottles gone!

 

thanks for the tip on fixed dining, im going to do that (first time ever) i usually have any time dining.

 

was wondering has anyone hired a driver in grand cayman? I was thinking of doing my own pub crawl etc lol. would like to see as much as i can. to do this without issues i was thinking of hiring a driver for the whole day, and have a list of stops id like to take..... ive been to grand cayman before and am familiar with it but i missed alot last time i was there. i would assume hiring a driver would be pretty safe.

 

thoughts.???

[Stallion]

Don't worry you don't need to tell your whole life story. Just explain how excited you are. Or ask about excursions or ports. You will be the leader of the Pack. Then everybody will be responding to you. I've traveled married, single, solo Dad, with girlfriend and did a bunch of cruises single cruises with my wingman Host Randy from the Carnival board-had great time whether solo or with someone.

 

Suggestion: You like wine, and plan to do a little gamblin' in the Casino. On many cruise ships there is a bar right off the casino. On Carnival especially it is a Promenade gathering spot especially after dinner but before the shows start and the clubs get going. Just sit yourself down and strike up a conversation with the Bartender. Someone on here could suggest a similar gathering spot on whatever cruise ship you are on. Everybody is usually friendly in these informal gathering spots after unwinding during dinner. Every ship has those kinds of informal gathering spots. But definitely go out-and get out of your cabin. Give the poor single guys a shot.

Edited May 31, 2014 by Stallion
Everything is so much BETTER after the SECOND Bottle of Wine!!!!!!!!!!!!

[paradiseisaprincessaway]

Lol I've never seen single guys on a ship. But I like the idea of the piano bar and pre dinner drinks at many if the venues.

I'm getting more and more pumped woooot

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[Stallion]

Biggest problem is trying to figure out which women are single and which are married. The old reliable method is to check the photo booths and look for pictures of girls cruising with their girl-friends, brothers or families. I'm really not much for Karaoke/Piano bar, but that's another good place to meet others in a group setting where you are encouraged to join along. The singers will sooner or later "target" you, but once you take the punishment then your part of the club. Seems like there is more group interaction there than in most any other part of the ship-and usually those passengers are pretty loyal if the Piano guy is good or funny. Again I would more likely go to the Club but its sometimes harder to strike up a conversation when the music is loud