First time cruising solo...

[Lyncoya]

This will be my 13th Carnival Cruise, but my first time cruising solo. I divorced about 2 years ago, and it's hard finding cruising buddies.

 

My questions are related to dining. I've made a reservation for the Chef's Table. Will I be out of place being a solo cruiser? Has anyone who's cruised solo done the Chef's Table? How was the experience?

 

Also, I selected Anytime Dining for dinner. I'd like to be seated with other people so that I am not dining alone. Will I have a better chance of NOT eating by myself if I select either early or late dining? Are the majority of people who choose anytime dining people who would rather eat with just their cruising companions?

 

Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks! ;p

[kingston13]

You will love it. I have been cruising solo for about 3 years and really love it. I usually do fixed dining and they do a good job with matching people on age, etc. Always had a good experience. Anytime will be fine. You will not feel out of place at Chef's Table at all.

[riclop]

Just go and enjoy.

[sunsetme]

no worries if you don't like your seating you can always change it. chef's table is perfect for a singleton

[Lyncoya]

How about Anytime Dining? Should I change it to a fixed time so that I'll have a better chance of sitting with other people?

[Lyncoya]

You will love it. I have been cruising solo for about 3 years and really love it. I usually do fixed dining and they do a good job with matching people on age, etc. Always had a good experience. Anytime will be fine. You will not feel out of place at Chef's Table at all.

 

 

Thanks!!! :D

[easyboy]

You have will have a choice of being seated with others.

 

 

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[Lyncoya]

You have will have a choice of being seated with others.

 

 

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Thank you! :)

[bury me at sea]

Cruising solo is on my bucket list. I hope you'll post your thoughts afterwards,

 

Happy sailing.

[crusinpsychRN]

I did Chef's Table solo. They put me at the head of the table next to the world's most boring woman. She talked about her Paris river boat rental and went on and on. Her husband didn't pay any attention to her. Food was great, just too much of it.

 

Fixed dining is probably easier to be seated with others. They do seat YTD with others also.

 

First time I went solo I was anxious for all of 5 seconds once I hit the atrium. Have a great time.

[sc4125]

I've cruised solo on 3 cruises and I've enjoyed them though it did take some getting use to - I'm normally with family members on cruises.

 

In reference to dining - it depends on what you're looking for. If you'd like to get to know some people close in age and circumstances (like other solo's), you'd be better off with a fixed dining time. CCL is pretty good at matching people up and you will have the time to really get to know some people instead of being seated with different people every night as you would with Anytime Dining.

 

For me, the times I went solo was because I just wanted to relax and get away so I never ate in the MDR though I did choose Late Seating so that if I felt the need for company I could always go meet my tablemates. I'm normally very social but I never felt lonely and was enjoying my "me time" so I just never went to the MDR, though I was open to it. I would still choose set dining if I cruise solo again, because I may decide I want some company.

 

You'll have a great time!!

[tbone77]

I divorced about 5 years ago and have cruised solo 3 time. It is different when you are alone but you don't have to make plans around anyone else, do your own thing. Chefs table was a very fun experience even though every one else were couples. Just talk to the ones around you. I have done fixed seating and have generally been seated with other singles and had a great time. I'm not sure what to expect from your time dining. Don't expect to have the same experience you did when you were with your spouse. I did on my first cruise after the divorce and was a bit overwhelmed. I'm not very outgoing so it was a little more difficult for me to meet new people. But it will be what you make of it. Enjoy your cruise.

[louanne93]

This is on my bucket list as well! I think this might be my year!!

I would choose set dining because I have heard that people that want to sit with others during ATD sometimes are sitting there waiting and end up alone anyways.

Congrats to your new adventure!

[cocoaloco]

:) You will have a great time ! You will get to do what ya wanna do when ya wanna do if ya wanna do. It will be one of your best experiences ever.

 

Some of the best dining is your time - and ask for a 2 top table - you will be seated a small table between two other small tables - inches apart and it makes it easier to have conversations with 4 others than at one of the bigger tables...and the people are so FUN.....

 

As to Captain's Table - you will have a great time and there will likely be 2 or 3 other solos...the ones who are not solo may be envious...

 

This is from someone who has done 35 Carnival solos...:cool:

[sid_9169]

I've cruise solo 10 times now, with 4 more booked. Yes, it's perfectly acceptable to do the Chef's Table solo. I usually do "fixed" dining on Carnival, and you will be at a table with others every night...

[evandbob]

I've cruised solo many times. I usually pick late dining, and get seated at an 8 or 10 top with other solos or singles. On one cruise, I was the only male at a 10 top, but usually it was a pretty even split between genders.

[JohnSpo]

I cruise solo. I choose YTD because it gives me the flexibility to eat anytime I want and I can eat with others or eat solo if I want. I find when I have my own table, the meal service is quicker and I can get out of the dining room faster and on to the shows and the casino. There might be nights when I want to dine with other passengers so that works well also. The flexibility of YTD is great.

 

Throughout the entire cruise, as a solo traveler, I have always met really nice passengers and crew and I never felt alone or out of place. Enjoy your solo cruise.:)

[shaner2148]

I am glad I found this question, I just booked my first solo cruise and I was nervous about eating alone.

 

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[Froufie]

No problem with Chef's table - even as a solo!

 

I would however switch to traditional/set dining - they will typically seat you at a table with other solos and it is fun to make new friendships and chat and depending on how 'social' you want to be you can go to shows/excursions with others if you wish?

[PattBenatar]

I did my very first cruise on the Victory solo, not only one but did B2B. I picked early dining and sat with the same people on the first one then the 2nd one another group. Never did I feel alone. The staff was so amazing. I was also in a mobility scooter so my experience was quite unusual. I Had a great time.

[Lyncoya]

Cruising solo is on my bucket list. I hope you'll post your thoughts afterwards,

 

Happy sailing.

 

I will! I've always though that I would NEVER cruise solo, but I am so excited! I will be sure to post a review (with pics) when I get back. :)

[Lyncoya]

I did Chef's Table solo. They put me at the head of the table next to the world's most boring woman. She talked about her Paris river boat rental and went on and on. Her husband didn't pay any attention to her. Food was great, just too much of it.

 

Fixed dining is probably easier to be seated with others. They do seat YTD with others also.

 

First time I went solo I was anxious for all of 5 seconds once I hit the atrium. Have a great time.

 

Oh Lord no!!! I pray I have some interesting tablemates. And thanks!

[Lyncoya]

I've cruised solo on 3 cruises and I've enjoyed them though it did take some getting use to - I'm normally with family members on cruises.

 

In reference to dining - it depends on what you're looking for. If you'd like to get to know some people close in age and circumstances (like other solo's), you'd be better off with a fixed dining time. CCL is pretty good at matching people up and you will have the time to really get to know some people instead of being seated with different people every night as you would with Anytime Dining.

 

For me, the times I went solo was because I just wanted to relax and get away so I never ate in the MDR though I did choose Late Seating so that if I felt the need for company I could always go meet my tablemates. I'm normally very social but I never felt lonely and was enjoying my "me time" so I just never went to the MDR, though I was open to it. I would still choose set dining if I cruise solo again, because I may decide I want some company.

 

You'll have a great time!!

 

I think I may change to a set dining time. I'd like to meet some other solo cruisers around my age on the cruise as well. Right now, there's a waitlist for early dining though.

 

I'm actually looking forward to just some ME time. I took my 19 year old daughter on my last cruise and although she's good company...she's 19. ;p I'm looking forward to laying out of the beach and doing what I wanna do when I wanna do it. I'm excited.

[Lyncoya]

Thank you everyone for your replies! I think I'm going to switch to late dining.

 

I was so worried about this solo cruising thing, but after reading your replies I'm feeling a little better. I was a bit worried about looking like an oddball, but I'll be OK. The dining alone thing had me a little shook, but it sounds like I'll be fine. I wish I had the balls to eat at the steakhouse alone, but I don't think I could. lol

 

I'm not usually really outgoing, I don't talk a lot unless I'm familiar with the folks I'm chatting with, but maybe this will make me come out of my shell a little.

 

Cruising with the ex...we usually did what HE wanted to do, so I am SO looking forward to doing things on my time!!