First time solo on the Epic

[dad son team]

I will be traveling on the Epic (should be interesting from what I read) as a solo in a studio for the first time.  These cabins are very popular with the solo crowd, but I was wondering how much do you really interact with the other solo's?   I know that a cruise is what you make it to be, and that no 2 are alike in the make-up of the passengers, but I was just wondering if things like finding someone to go to dinner with is usually not a problem.  What about going on shore?  Do they usually have some group option or is it all on your own?

[sid_9169]

The Studio complex on the Epic is the largest of all NCL ships, with a bar and large seating area... A great espresso machine and snacks are also available, and replenished several times per day. There will be a "solo" gathering daily, which will be advertised in the daily program left in your cabin, as well as group dinners and other activities...  You will be right in the middle of the action in the Studios, and can mingle as much or as little as you like.

[Happy2b@sea]

Yes, it really depends on how sociable the solos are on a particular cruise. The Solo Cruise Director is usually great on the Epic.  Definitely go to the first night's drinks and dinner to see what the group is like.  Also join your roll call for advice on private tours.

[SeaTheW0rld]

I'm just finishing up 10 days on Epic. If there was a solo director, they were incognito. 

 

I went to the solo gathering listed in the daily the 3rd day. It didn't happen. 

[AppletonKing]

I will be sailing March 23rd. This will be my first time on the Epic, and first time solo in a Studio. I hope to meet some people to hang out with and make the best of this cruise.

[auburn34]

 

I did a 7 day cruise on the Epic in Dec 2017 solo (got divorced a year before) in a studio cabin.  It was my first time cruising solo after many family cruises with my (ex) wife and daughter.  Here are some observations I can share from my experience.

 

1.  To me the best part of it was the coordinated activities you could join...especially dinners.  I'm pretty good in my own company but do prefer having dinner and going to shows with other people.  Make sure you attend the studio lounge meet and greet on the first night.  That is where you will meet some of the other solos (not necessarily singles...several travelers were either married and just enjoyed traveling solo or were two people who booked two studios so they could have two bathrooms), find out about signing up for group dinners, shows and/or excursions.

 

2.  The demographics of the solos is a wide range.  Pretty even male/female ratio and ages from 20's to 70's.  I'd say the average age was mid 40's (I was 52 at the time).  

 

3.  The bar (usually open around "happy hour") and snacks in the studio lounge area are nice perks.  It's good not having to walk all the way to the upper decks if you just want a cup of coffee or something at the bar. 

 

4.  The cabin is small, but fine for one person.  I had plenty of space for storing my clothes and moving around to shower and get ready for going out.

 

5.  As with any group of 120 strangers, there will be people you meet that you like and some that you will be glad you don't have to see again.  After dinner the first night, I would show up for dinner a little after most people were seated so I could pick my seat and avoid another dinner with some of the people I wasn't crazy about.

 

Overall I had a good time and would do it again if I saw a good deal and didn't have a travel companion at the time.  I tended to be by myself during the day (going to the gym, lounging by the pool, going to the beach is Stirrup Cay) and went with the group to dinners and shows at night.  If you are in to the Beatles at all, the Cavern Club is really cool and the Beatles tribute band is good.  Hope that helps.

Edited March 1, 2019 by auburn34

[dad son team]

Now that I am back I thought I would share some thoughts.  The Solo's meet and greet works OK as an ice breaker.  Ariel is the host and he is there every night, but that is about all he does.  The bar in the lounge is open from 5-7pm, but dinner each night is in either the Taste or Manhattan dining room and reservations are for 5:30pm so the group  leaves around 5:20pm.  Why not make dinner later and enjoy happy hour?  I asked and he said it was so they could get the group into the dining room before the crowds.  He escorts the group there but then leaves.  Some of us that didn't want to go that early, or wanted to go somewhere else would linger behind and go on our own.  Of the 100+ studio's on the ship, I don't think more than 30-40 people ever showed up at 5pm, and most nights it was more like 20.  The one night I did go to the group dinner there were 7 of us.  

He also makes reservations for the shows (Priscilla and Burn the Floor), but you do not go as a group.  You just go to the theater at the reserved show time.  If you see others you can sit with them, or sit on your own.  I thought it would be more of a meet in the lounge and go as a group.

There is also a solo breakfast at 8am on the schedule, but I was never up at that hour so I can't comment on it.

There are no other "group" outings or activities which was a bit disappointing.  It would be nice it they picked an excursion in each port that a group can go on.  Something generic that appeals to many.

[Mike_DeA]

Use the whiteboard to leave notes if you're looking for a shore buddy or anything else that you'd like to do with others.  Some solo hosts are better than others, but feel free to post notes if you're looking to join others for certain events.

[cdnsteelman]

I was solo on the Epic in December on a 10-day sailing. While I didn't stay in the studio cabins I did attend some of the solo gatherings. What made a HUGE difference for me was getting active on the roll call for the sailing both here and on other social media platforms in advance of the cruise. Before I'd ever stepped foot on the ship I had a group of "friends" and had arranged to either lead or participate in a number of private excursions in the various ports. It was actually through this approach that I became part of a great group of like-minded cruisers. I'm not sure if I had left it to the coordinated solo gatherings I would have had anywhere near the same experience.

[AppletonKing]

Thanks so much for all of the information and shared thoughts. It's much appreciated.

I can no figure out how to get on the ROLL CALL?

 

Can anyone help?

[JustAllie]

50 minutes ago, AppletonKing said:

Thanks so much for all of the information and shared thoughts. It's much appreciated.

I can no figure out how to get on the ROLL CALL?

 

Can anyone help?

 

Look for the date of your sailing here:

 

https://www.cruisecritic.com/rollcalls/?cruise_line_id=24&ship_id=481

 

Then read the thread and introduce yourself!   

Edited March 1, 2019 by JustAllie