Solo on Carnival...

[Savlamara]

I've been trying to go on a solo cruise for years, but the anxiety of being alone on board always scares me out of it. I see so many awesome cruise reviews from solo cruisers on CC and it helps but some of them seem to be really outgoing, and I'm an extreme introvert. Even on the "fun ship" I tend to stick with the people I came with. But I won't have that comfort zone going solo. How do you get the nerve to go on your first solo?

 

And more importantly who do you hang out with onboard? Or do you just wander alone? What about going into port? Isn't it dangerous to be by yourself? I'm not a tour person, I usually stay near port and shop but doing that alone almost seems depressing, which kind of defeats the point of going on a "relaxing" vacation. I'm looking at a 7-8 day cruise if that changes anything.

[dacsmom]

I love to sail solo, I can do what I want when I want. I like to sit at a large table for dinner most of the time, although my last cruise I enjoyed a table by myself with a good book. I do tend to book excursions through the ship when I am by myself, I feel a bit safer. I am also an introvert, but I meet so many nice people on the ship. My husband hates to cruise, so I go by myself or with one of my adult children. My best advice is to jump in and do it. There are sometimes solo cruisers get togethers but I have never attended one. The only drawback is that single supplement on many cruises. I have booked a studio cabin on NCL to avoid paying double and I am looking forward to that. Many of the cruise lines are realizing that solo cruisers are growing and they seem to be building ships with more solo cabins. Another thing I have done is join the roll calls, I have booked group excursions with people I had been talking to for several months. I went on a turtle snorkel in Barbados with a cruise critic group and it was amazing.

[Elaine5715]

I always cruise solo. I find it relaxing and amazing. In ports, I tend to be cautious. I don't take taxis, stay in the main areas within sight of other cruisers. Walking into town at St Maarten and St Thomas is safe and easy since other cruisers and crew are doing the same. Striking up a conversation is easy, if you choose.

[LaCal]

What Dacsmom said about rollcalls is perfect....you can already get to know people and see if there's any groups doing excursions and join in.....then you'll be ahead of the game and already make friends

 

Plus if you drink or gamble you'll meet plenty of fun and great people at the bars or casino as well

 

Another thing about the roll call is if they have a meet n greet you can see what Interests people have that might be similar to yours

[Theodorable]

Once a year I do a Solo cruise. I go at the end of busy season at work. It helps you to clear your head...relax and do absolutely anything you want without thinking of anyone else. I love going on cruises with my husband and we have a 2 week TA booked in October. But....it is fabulous on your own for a few days.

 

I make sure that my kindle is full of good books. At dinner if I am feeling sociable then I ask to share a table, if not, then I have one on my own, have a lovely glass of wine and read my book.

 

I can be as social as I want. My next cruise is on NCL and I was lucky by not having to pay 200%...for some reason my cruise price was 150%. This is for an ocean view cabin. I have the beds separated do that I can stand at the window and watch the sea.

 

I also make sure that my phone is full of great music and walk around the promenade deck singing away to myself.

 

Go for it...you will have a blast. When you go to the shows, sit in an isle seat do that you can make a quick exit if you don't like something.

 

Have a great time

[evandbob]

There's several threads on this very subject in the Special Interests section of cruise critic. Good reading.

[MrFunInTheSun]

Solo cruises are the best!

[AngAndBoys]

I've gone solo on NCL and Carnival. NCL is easier for your first time because they have solo cabins and activities. But only on Epic, Getaway, Breakaway, Escape. They set up dinners and stuff. Have happy hour every evening, easy to meet people.

 

On CCL, when I go by myself, I do set time dining and have always been seated with other solos/singles. I meet tons of people through roll call. Don't just look at roll calls here. Other places have them and they are sometimes busier elsewhere.

 

Like others, I meet tons of people at the casino, bars, etc. I bring my books and music and do whatever I want at all times. It's fabulous!! Seriously liberating!

 

As far as ports go. I either stay close to ship or take an excursion (another way to meet folks) or find someone on roll call or even in cab line going to same place and ask to share. Have never been turned down. Ha! Be prepared for people to be a little freaked that you're alone. I hope your skin's not too thin. :)

 

You also might consider a hosted singles cruise. They bring a host and plan activities onboard and ashore. They are usually a couple hundred more than if you booked same ship yourself, but they will match you a roommate if you want. I haven't tried it, but did meet a lady coming off one in Miami airport and she just loved it. Just Google singles cruises and 2 companies come up.

 

Last but not least, have you considered doing a shorter one just to get your feet wet? Either way, go for it! Life is short! Get your kicks while you're still young enough to get em!

Edited January 14, 2016 by AngAndBoys

[nanwel]

I have travelled on many cruise lines all over the world. Mostly as a solo. Find I enjoy those cruises more than the ones I take one person with me - I find myself entertaining them too much and not doing what I want.

I would be cautious about the singles cruises - there was one on a Celebrity cruise I did - all they seemed to do was get drunk - they were all in their late 20/30s younger than me, and I was asked if I wanted to join some of their activities, but said thanks, but no thanks, not for me - if you do join one of those groups to travel, you do not have to join all the activies they do - up to you - once onboard - do your own thing.

If you get an assigned table and the group does not work for you, ask early in the cruise to change, they sat me alone with a honeymoon couple once - they sure did not want to be stuck with me for the week.

Often in the buffet, I will ask if I can join people at a table for lunch and strike up a conversation or in the seated breakfasts.

If I see a trip I like in a port I take it - otherwise, I go for a long walk in public places. One thing I never do is swim in the ocean alone - who would know if you went missing until the ship left. But I have done snorkel trips - tell the guide I am alone - please keep an eye out for me.

I take a book with me and on day one go to the library and get out another one or two - then drop them back as soon as they are finished and see if another I might like is there. Seems the only time I really relax and enjoy a good book! Pick a bar you like and go at the same time each night - there are almost always that go everynight same time same place.

RELAX - ENJOY - NOBODY IS LOOKING AT YOU - BECAUSE YOU ARE ALONE

[sc4125]

I too was very nervous about going on a solo cruise. I have a large family & I've done family cruises with 6-8 others and my sister and I cruise quite a bit together.

 

BUT - I've now been on 3 cruises solo and I have to say I ended up really liking them. I started out on a 4 day to make sure - now I've done a 6 and 8 day.

 

I'm not one to eat with a table of strangers and I'm not real good at eating in a restaurant alone - however, I don't have a problem eating at the Lido buffet alone with my Kindle - at least for breakfast and lunch.

 

For dinner I almost always go to the Lido, get my dinner together & take it back to my cabin where I eat either watching TV, reading, or getting ready for the evening.

 

I also spend quite a bit of time in the casino - no issue with being alone there.

 

As for ports, since I've been on numerous cruises, I typically use port days to stay onboard - hang out by the almost empty pool and relax.

 

I love cruising with my family, but I have to say, there's nothing like getting away by myself for a week - doing what I want, when I want and not having to worry about anyone else.

[TrqoisWtrs]

I went on my first solo a few years back when I had had a bad health year. It was December, and I just wanted to get away. Nobody had any vacation time left and everyone was broke due to the holidays. :rolleyes: So I just decided to go myself. It was wonderful!

 

I usually stay near port and shop but doing that alone almost seems depressing, which kind of defeats the point of going on a "relaxing" vacation.

 

Why would it be depressing? You need to change your mind set that you need to be with other people to have fun. Its your vacation - do what you want! You can browse and take your time and shop all you want. :)

 

I have no problem taking my book and a glass of wine and hitting the Lido for dinner. Even grabbing a drink at the bar is fun - you end up chatting with other folks and the bartender. lol

 

The best part is having the cabin and the bathroom to yourself. Its fabulous. :D

 

I love to travel, and I've realized I'm not going to sit home just because other people cannot go due to their commitments. I have a job where I get 6 weeks of vacation and I can afford it, so I am not going to sit home and lose out. And the best part is its empowering; you get over your fear of traveling alone and realize you can do it - and it was fun - and why did I wait so long to do it?! :D

[SMSACE6]

I did my first solo cruise in 2000, and I was terrified! That feeling did not last long, especially when I met my wonderful tablemates in the dining room the first night. What an interesting and fun group we were! I have cruised sometimes with friends or family since, but also have done 4 more solo cruises since, with my 5th solo cruise scheduled for later this year.

 

I would just recommend that you go for fixed time dining early or late, and therefore you will be seated with other solos, and or couples, in or close to your same age group. You will then even maybe end up going to show with some of them, or on a tour in port. If you prefer solitude, that is ok too, then you can request your time dining, and get a small table by yourself, people will still talk to you from the nearby tables.

 

Try it once, and I bet you will love it:)

[nanwel]

I have never eaten my dinner in my cabin - defeats the reason to cruise - being waited on. I have taken a mag or book to read, but rare that I even get time to open it.

Have sat alone - boring and with others.

Most cruisers are very friendly and if you join a table, you do not need to become best friends !

If eating in your cabin makes you happy - then do so - not up to anyone else to say no.

What I like about cruising is the ability to do it alone.

But, must say, if you only stay on board - why not just go to an all inclusive - you pay to travel and then do not get off the ship??

I am too interested in the world I love to get out and see each port, even if I do not go on day trips, I always get off and walk around for a while. never found a port that I felt unsafe being alone.

Have bought some great stuff in some of the ports, others only have "port" junk for sale - same old stuff everywhere mass made in another place with a label attached - I was here.....I never buy that stuff!

[It's a Ship!!!]

I loved my solo cruise. I have lots of fun no matter who I sail with, but when I was on my own I was able to do everything when and how I wanted. I'm not super outgoing, but I can easily strike up a conversation, and I met plenty of nice people. I sat at a table with others, but one night everyone else at the table did the steakhouse or buffet, so I was by myself. My waitstaff were amazing, and they went out of their way to talk to me and keep me company, even though I was perfectly comfortable alone.

 

In the ports, I didn't do any excursions. I shopped, swam a little, sun bathed, and had a few drinks. I never felt unsafe. I really liked being able to do as much or as little as I wanted. There were a couple times where I would have enjoyed some company, but otherwise it was one of my favorite cruises.

[sc4125]

I have never eaten my dinner in my cabin - defeats the reason to cruise - being waited on. I have taken a mag or book to read, but rare that I even get time to open it.

Have sat alone - boring and with others.

Most cruisers are very friendly and if you join a table, you do not need to become best friends !

If eating in your cabin makes you happy - then do so - not up to anyone else to say no.

What I like about cruising is the ability to do it alone.

But, must say, if you only stay on board - why not just go to an all inclusive - you pay to travel and then do not get off the ship??

I am too interested in the world I love to get out and see each port, even if I do not go on day trips, I always get off and walk around for a while. never found a port that I felt unsafe being alone.

Have bought some great stuff in some of the ports, others only have "port" junk for sale - same old stuff everywhere mass made in another place with a label attached - I was here.....I never buy that stuff!

 

 

I think the reason some people (like me) tend to eat dinner in their cabin and stay onboard in ports (only if I've been to the port numerous times) is because I seldom get time to myself - I supervise over 50 people with my job and come from a large family. So, though I love cruising with my friends and family (we have a great time), I use the few solo cruises to just relax and totally concentrate on myself and my needs. I do typically get to know a few people during the cruise and have great conversations when we happen to run into each other.

 

Now, if it were my first few cruises - yes, I would want to experience everything - eating in the MDR, exploring in ports, going to all the shows, etc.

 

I love being outside, reading, and gambling - so for me solos are all about sitting out by the pool, having a few drinks, reading and hitting the slots without feeling guilty about the money I'm spending (lol).

[crusinpsychRN]

I've done about 15 cruises solo and I love it. The first time I was nervous until I set foot in the atrium. You meet people at trivia and other events. The piano bar is a good place to join in. I'm a smoker and smoker's are always friendly when sharing a coveted ashtray.

 

I've stayed on the ship in ports I've been to many times. Great way to enjoy Serenity, getting room service. I go on excursions I'm interested in and meet people.

 

The best part is not tripping over my son's size 13 shoes!