Sailing solo - the good and the somewhat lonely

[mringenoldus]

I was offered the opportunity to sail on Harmony a week prior to sailing. As my husband was already going to be out of town, I hoped a friend could join me. Unfortunately, she wasn’t able but I decided to go anyway.

 

I am a veteran cruiser and had been on the Harmony in October but hadn’t been able to enjoy the trip due to an injury prior to the cruise.

 

The thought of having seven full days on my own to do (or not do) anything I liked sounded pretty heavenly.....and it was for the first few days. The ship was filled to capacity with many families and large groups on their final chance for a summer vacation. Ironically, I found that a ship this size didn’t provide as many opportunities to meet new friends as I had imagined. (Perhaps when the family sailing season is over that may be different?)

 

The good......

I didn’t have to share the closet hangers! I had room galore to store my things.

 

I found that I was easily able to get into all the shows because there was always one spare seat. I could even find the random pool chair on the very crowded decks.

 

On a few occasions, I was able to blowoff a planned activity without a shred of guilt.

 

I won a very nice casino jackpot and didn’t have to share it with my husband!

 

The not so much fun........

My loneliest times were in the dining rooms. In retrospect, my experience may have been better had I scheduled traditional dining - However, that seemed a bit counterintuitive to my sense of “freedom”. On a recent HAL voyage, we were always asked if we would like to share a table. This group of passengers already had preset groups and the dining staff didn’t offer an open seat with others. I did finally ask to join a sharing table and had a very nice evening with great table mates.

 

In the end, the people make the crew made the difference......

My room steward was absolutely wonderful and took the time to chat each morning and evening. The Solarium Bistro was a really great alternative for my breakfast and dinner. I was also very happy to see the Suite staff who amazingly remembered me from my previous cruise.

 

My recommendation is to definitely consider a solo sail, but give consideration to the ship and passengers onboard so that during those times you would like a bit of company the opportunity is there.

 

 

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[PhoenixCruiser]

Thanks for your review, enjoyed reading about your solo experience.

[newcruzer2]

Thank you for your review.

clear and concise.

excellent insights.

[cindivan]

Interesting review. Thanks for your insights. I have sailed without DH once when the kids were younger and by the end I was wishing i had more adult interaction.

 

I can imagine taking a cruise and thinking the same thing you did starting out and wishing towards the end I had more opportunities where I wouldn’t feel so awkward trying to meet other adults.

 

 

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[cb at sea]

It is a bit difficult when everyone is in their own "group" of family/friends. I have no problem being by myself, but on vacation, I think it's more fun to share the fun with people/person you know!

[Desert Cruizers]

Enjoyed reading you view point on cruising solo. I have only sailed one time without my husband but did join friends of ours. While I had the room to myself and during the day was pretty much on my own except for dinner, I was able to meet people. The biggest change was not having my husband around during the day. I will be sailing more by myself now he has passed except when our daughter can join me. I have always felt the enjoyment of cruising comes from the people you meet and places you see.

[dacsmom]

Thank you for your thoughts. I love sailing solo, I do what I want when I want. I do wish that RCI had something like NCL does with the solo lounge, it is a great way to meet people and share dining and excursions.

[ONECRUISER]

Last Fall had a 2Bd/2Ba Suite all to myself for 12n. Sail alone all the time but that time wish my kids could have gone...

[ONECRUISER]

Thank you for your thoughts. I love sailing solo, I do what I want when I want. I do wish that RCI had something like NCL does with the solo lounge, it is a great way to meet people and share dining and excursions.

Royal has single get togethers multiple times during cruise. Times and locations listed in Cruise Compass

[Cotswold Eagle]

Royal has single get togethers multiple times during cruise. Times and locations listed in Cruise Compass

 

 

 

Solo and single are not the same thing [emoji6]

 

 

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[DISFANS3]

Cool trip report..

[A&L_Ont]

Solo and single are not the same thing [emoji6]

 

 

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Indeed. Acting single while solo, might make you single. Unless that’s how they roll.;p

[squadron]

Royal has single get togethers multiple times during cruise. Times and locations listed in Cruise Compass[/quote

 

The get togethers attract very few people I have found.

[squadron]

Thank you for your thoughts. I love sailing solo, I do what I want when I want. I do wish that RCI had something like NCL does with the solo lounge, it is a great way to meet people and share dining and excursions.

 

Have sailed solo quite a few times and have found traditional dining much better for me than my time. Book early - demand is high. Sometimes an active roll call will plan activities or excursions. I just accept that I am solo most of the time. Have learned to enjoy it. Most cruisers are friendly.

[MrFunInTheSun]

Royal has single get togethers multiple times during cruise. Times and locations listed in Cruise Compass[/quote

 

 

 

The get togethers attract very few people I have found.

 

 

 

They probably should change the name. As other posters said single and solo are not the same.

 

My guess is most solo cruisers are not single, hence never going to these gatherings. I'm sure there's more solo travelers on each cruise than many realize, it's just a matter of being in the right places at the right time. I love solo cruises, those have been some of my best cruises. I've met many wonderful people from them that I'm still friends with today. Some of them I've cruised with many times after and others hope to cruise with again in the future.

 

Those first couple days can pave the way for the rest of the cruise but it really depends how much you put yourself out there to meet new people. The beauty of solo cruising you can do as much as you want or as little as you want each day and never have to feel like is everyone one else in group having a good time.

 

Many times it's best to just cruise solo than to find someone to cruise with for the sake of not going alone unless the other person is an every day cruise person. A regular land person whose never cruised before or doesn't really understand cruising could be your worst nightmare to cruise with, hence making going solo the best option. Just like cruising with your everyday cruise friends may be more fun to cruise with because they really understand all aspects of cruising than sailing with land friends and family. [emoji3]

 

 

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[mringenoldus]

Thank you for the thoughtful replies. Since I am typically the “organizer of all things”, this trip was a rather drastic departure for me. I am sure that having dinner companions would have greatly added to the experience.

 

As I sit at the airport heading home, I have decided that as nice as the complete freedom was I wouldn’t ever trade the fun times with my husband, kids and grandkids for it in the future.

 

 

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