How to Make the Best Experience as a Solo Traveler

[hallux]

Everyone has their own opinion of how their trip will be enjoyable.  I sailed on Norwegian, on the Bliss in late April.  I went to all of the solo gatherings (which were generally uneventful).  On the first night there was a group of 3 looking for a 4th, 5th and 6th for their 6-person reservation in a specialty, I ended up dining with them 3 of the 6 nights and hanging with a couple of them in one of the ports.  The other 3 nights I did the MDR with the solo group and found the conversation to flow well.

 

Aside from the solo gatherings (which are optional) there's really no different "treatment" of a solo traveler compared to people traveling with someone else.  I actually thought the "solo enclave" (on the NCL Breakaway and Breakaway+ calss ships, except Joy) was a fantastic idea.  Yes, you can argue that the entire "enclave" idea is different treatment, but you can argue that it's just another section of (smaller) state rooms.  However, it was kinda cool when you consider there are only 2 passenger sections of the ship that are only accessible to those staying in them (unless invited in) - the studio area and The Haven.

 

I do plan to travel with NCL again, and plan on doing so in a Studio if possible.

[MiddleAgedBroad]

I have only been on one cruise, and that was with my husband in 2010.  He died six years ago and I am consdering my first solo cruise (on a theme cruise -- the "The Nation" cruise in December).  I am 64 years old.

 

It seems to me that "solo" is kind of an all-encompassing term and is more of a logistical thing than a "things in common" thing.  What people might be looking for in meeting other solos in one's 20s (friends and/or shipboard romance and/or True Love(TM)) vs. what one might be looking for in one's 60s (nice people to hang out with, especially other solo women).  It's hard for me to imagine a catch-all "solo" event where all age groups would be comfortable.

 

I'm finding it very hard to get out of my head that a cruise ship is going to be like a high school, where I'll be judged because I'm quite overweight, or thought weird for any of a number of reasons.  That's one of the reasons I'm considering this theme cruise, because I know we'll all have at least political leanings and a certain amount of interests in common.  

 

I'm interested in how other people get past that "No one is going to like me and I will be lonely but surrounded by camaraderie" thing.  I'm pretty well able to chit-chat with people, and I'm friendly if I'm comfortable, but if I feel judged I tend to crumple like a cheap car.

[NSnJW]

MAB,

I am a 69 year old widower and have only been on 3 or 4 solos depending on how you count B2B.  I think you will  find more people in our age group in the solo groups on most cruises.  The trivia and some of the other events seem to collect all ages.

On my last cruise our solo group had a few younger folks but most were 50 to 75.  We had married folks, overweight folks, handicapped folks and widowed folks.  We had great meals together and some great trivia games.  I truly enjoyed all of my solos.  If you are friendly, participate in the solo meets, the Meet and Greet and your roll call, I predict you will find several fascinating people on your cruise.  A very few people formed a clique on one of my solos but they were so outnumbered it was easy to ignore them.  Even they interacted with the rest of us at times. 

Try soloing once and I bet you will be hooked.  Just don't hole up in your room and I bet you can find something to entertain you.

[cruising46]

2 hours ago, NSnJW said:

MAB,

I am a 69 year old widower and have only been on 3 or 4 solos depending on how you count B2B.  I think you will  find more people in our age group in the solo groups on most cruises.  The trivia and some of the other events seem to collect all ages.

On my last cruise our solo group had a few younger folks but most were 50 to 75.  We had married folks, overweight folks, handicapped folks and widowed folks.  We had great meals together and some great trivia games.  I truly enjoyed all of my solos.  If you are friendly, participate in the solo meets, the Meet and Greet and your roll call, I predict you will find several fascinating people on your cruise.  A very few people formed a clique on one of my solos but they were so outnumbered it was easy to ignore them.  Even they interacted with the rest of us at times. 

Try soloing once and I bet you will be hooked.  Just don't hole up in your room and I bet you can find something to entertain you.

 

I did my first solo last fall (I am in my 70s) and throughly enjoyed it.   I joined large tables at dinner and met fellow travellers. solo, friends and couples.    They would often see me and ask if I wanted to join them or could they join me (mostly at breakfast and lunch).   It was fun and going to book another solo.    Relax and enjoy.   

[mef_57]

5 hours ago, MiddleAgedBroad said:

I have only been on one cruise, and that was with my husband in 2010.  He died six years ago and I am consdering my first solo cruise (on a theme cruise -- the "The Nation" cruise in December).  I am 64 years old.

 

It seems to me that "solo" is kind of an all-encompassing term and is more of a logistical thing than a "things in common" thing.  What people might be looking for in meeting other solos in one's 20s (friends and/or shipboard romance and/or True Love(TM)) vs. what one might be looking for in one's 60s (nice people to hang out with, especially other solo women).  It's hard for me to imagine a catch-all "solo" event where all age groups would be comfortable.

 

I'm finding it very hard to get out of my head that a cruise ship is going to be like a high school, where I'll be judged because I'm quite overweight, or thought weird for any of a number of reasons.  That's one of the reasons I'm considering this theme cruise, because I know we'll all have at least political leanings and a certain amount of interests in common.  

 

I'm interested in how other people get past that "No one is going to like me and I will be lonely but surrounded by camaraderie" thing.  I'm pretty well able to chit-chat with people, and I'm friendly if I'm comfortable, but if I feel judged I tend to crumple like a cheap car.

It's not a bad idea to join a themed cruise.  I did a solo cruise at 19 then 2 ballroom dance cruises 30 years later. Now I cruise solo non themed, but I do land travel that was as well. I do sometimes seek out local quilt shows, bird watching groups or garden events while traveling in order to find people with a common interest. When I travel, I am only interested in short social interactions wjen traveling, somit suits me, but at the time I was doing tjem, the ballroom cruises were fun....just exhausting. If port heavy cruises, adding organized meetings or talks, and any regular ship events may be stimulating, but also tiring. Be sure to give yourself some personal time too, to assess whether you may enjoy future cruises outside a theme.

[Megalyn]

For NCL, there isn't a dedicated solo traveler coordinator.  It's a task that is rotated among various employees for each cruise.  On my cruise, the coordinator did not seem to want the job.  He barely even spoke with us - he stayed focused on his phone.  About 15 minutes after the solo traveler's get together was scheduled each evening he'd walk us to the main dining room.  That was his total involvement.  Another traveler was doing back to back cruises and said there was a huge difference.  The coordinator on his previous cruise was ambitious and focused on becoming a cruise director one day.  He was engaged with the group, found out various interests, made recommendations and planned other events for the solo travelers during the week.

 

Although I wish the coordinator on my cruise would have been more active - it was still okay that he was not.  The fact that the solo travelers gathered was sufficient.  These are people traveling alone that are looking to interact with others, so it's easy to strike up conversations.  We just kind of divided ourselves by interest and coordinated on our own.  

[NSnJW]

I have only had 4 solo coordinators on NCL but one was great, two were very good and one was probably good but with around 80 or so solos showing up for the first meet, he was kinda stretched.  Even if the coordinator is lax, there is a printed schedule of meets for food and shows so you can get along without much help but it is easier if the host is fun.  Three of the four I dealt with were fun and did their best to enhance our cruise. 

[PelicanBill]

I am going on my first solo cruise in 2 weeks after crusing on Norwegian 4 times with many solos because of the solo cabins on the ship.  Many of them are sailing without spouses because their spouse doesn't like to cruise. But the number of solos on these ships creates a natural social situation that is easier than everyone being a couple or family.

 

However, my wife and I are different vacationers.  I love to sit at the bar and talk to people and find lots of people doing the same while their spouses are in lounge chairs.  Crusing make me a social vacationer.  And so I do not have any discomfort with my first solo cruise.  The only thing I did differently is I did not make any dining reservations.  I do not mind dining along, but I dislike slow service and all the cruise ships suffer this issue and I do not want to sit 2--3 hours alone at dinner.  If I meet other solos looking to have dinner together in a place I want to eat then I will go then.

 

I am going solo because I am used to solo travel for business, and my job is high stress and I need vacations twice a year badly.  My wife does not work and she actually suggested I go on a solo cruise when I was looking around for options.  And, I will make Platinum on Norwegian with this cruise so our next cruise together will enjoy a slightly new level of benefits,

[ESCARGO]

On 9/28/2019 at 9:37 AM, PelicanBill said:

I am going on my first solo cruise in 2 weeks after crusing on Norwegian 4 times with many solos because of the solo cabins on the ship.  Many of them are sailing without spouses because their spouse doesn't like to cruise. But the number of solos on these ships creates a natural social situation that is easier than everyone being a couple or family.

 

However, my wife and I are different vacationers.  I love to sit at the bar and talk to people and find lots of people doing the same while their spouses are in lounge chairs.  Crusing make me a social vacationer.  And so I do not have any discomfort with my first solo cruise.  The only thing I did differently is I did not make any dining reservations.  I do not mind dining along, but I dislike slow service and all the cruise ships suffer this issue and I do not want to sit 2--3 hours alone at dinner.  If I meet other solos looking to have dinner together in a place I want to eat then I will go then.

 

I am going solo because I am used to solo travel for business, and my job is high stress and I need vacations twice a year badly.  My wife does not work and she actually suggested I go on a solo cruise when I was looking around for options.  And, I will make Platinum on Norwegian with this cruise so our next cruise together will enjoy a slightly new level of benefits,

 

Hi Bill! You will have a great solo cruise! After meeting all of us crazy solos on last year's cruise, you will have a blast! You will also find you can do what you want or do nothing at all. We love your wife Diane, so please make sure you bring her for our re-union cruise next year. Don't forget to seek out our favorite bartender Reinan, I think he is at the Casino bar now. Have a great cruise! Ted.

[cruising46]

I have only been on one solo cruise on Azamara. It was great.  I joined tables at dinner which worked out.  Many of the cruisers invited me to join them or asked if they could join me.   

[PelicanBill]

12 hours ago, ESCARGO said:

 

Hi Bill! You will have a great solo cruise! After meeting all of us crazy solos on last year's cruise, you will have a blast! You will also find you can do what you want or do nothing at all. We love your wife Diane, so please make sure you bring her for our re-union cruise next year. Don't forget to seek out our favorite bartender Reinan, I think he is at the Casino bar now. Have a great cruise! Ted.

Hi Ted! Yes we will both be there next year!  Thanks for the tip on Reinan. I will be looking and might not have thought to look in the casino!

[Kidminder]

Loved my solo cruise.....met up on tables if I wanted company, able to potter back to the cabin for a catch up snooze without guilt.
Ship organised a solo meet up, so we had people to walk in with at the cocktail party. Hosts to dance with in the evening.

loved my cabin .....

so booked another next year without synchronising diaries with companions 😁

 

[SC LTC]

On 3/1/2019 at 7:27 PM, calliopecruiser said:

Well, it depends on what you want and what you like -- there is no "better" or "best" for everyone.  What I want traveling solo is to be treated exactly like every other passenger.  No solo meetings, no solo cabins, no solo activities.  What someone else wants to make their cruise "better" might be something different than what I want.   I don't know what bad experiences you're talking about from solo passengers, so I can't address it specifically; I've had both very bad and excellent experiences dining alone, and often when I sail solo I don't eat alone because I've met people on board to share meals with.  (My very bad experience was decades ago on Carnival, my very good experiences have been in the last 10 years on Crystal.)

The most important thing is to do whatever you want, when you want.  The only thing you absolutely must do on a cruise is the muster drill -- everything else is optional.  Whether you want to participate in games or relax in the shade and do needlework -- it's totally up to you.  Whether you want to eat in the main dining room, or order a room service sandwich and eat in your robe -- it's totally up to you.  Whether you want to go to the bar or show after dinner, or go lounge on the Lido deck under the stars and listen to your iTunes on earphones - it's totally up to you.

👍😊 well said 

[Lois R]

Well, I am on a River cruise right now, sailing in Venice.......on Uniworld's River Countess and loving it.  112 guests

and everyone is quite friendly. Crew/staff are awesome........food is fabulous, riverboat is lovely.

(sailing solo of course LOL)and loving it😃

[HowardK]

Best advice is to not care about anything as it is a vacation and just do whatever you want. Remember- you'll probably never see these people again (unless you want to) so who cares?

 

I did several solos on NCL and liked most of the solo gatherings and people. Last cruise I did more of my own thing- it was a quieter route (Canada/NE) so i often went to the studio gathering a few minutes and then did a quick solo dinner at a specialty which freed up my evenings more. One time I did something completely different and after too big a dinner took a nap from 7 to 11 and then went back out to the ship.

 

Anyone worried about what someone else is doing on a cruise is -likely not enjoying themselves and wasting their time in my opinion.

 

One time while waiting to get on the ship- saw a group of 4 that were already having problems and realized I was likely gonig to have a more relaxing time then them.

 

However, I would say the one thing I wouldn't do by myself would be to eat solo in the MDR for dinner- but thats just me- and maybe I need to relax about it

[donnajoedoc]

I'm taking my first solo cruise in a few weeks on Norwegian Escape.  I booked a studio room and look forward to doing my own thing.  I'm signed up for a Meet and Greet to get to know some of the other guests.  I've cruised with my wife in the past, but she could not make this trip, so I'll be perfectly happy keeping myself busy.  I'm interested to see what I get into since I've never travelled alone before.  But I'm very low maintenance, so I know I'm going to have a great time.

[skleeb]

2 hours ago, HowardK said:

Best advice is to not care about anything as it is a vacation and just do whatever you want. Remember- you'll probably never see these people again (unless you want to) so who cares?

 

I did several solos on NCL and liked most of the solo gatherings and people. Last cruise I did more of my own thing- it was a quieter route (Canada/NE) so i often went to the studio gathering a few minutes and then did a quick solo dinner at a specialty which freed up my evenings more. One time I did something completely different and after too big a dinner took a nap from 7 to 11 and then went back out to the ship.

 

Anyone worried about what someone else is doing on a cruise is -likely not enjoying themselves and wasting their time in my opinion.

 

One time while waiting to get on the ship- saw a group of 4 that were already having problems and realized I was likely gonig to have a more relaxing time then them.

 

However, I would say the one thing I wouldn't do by myself would be to eat solo in the MDR for dinner- but thats just me- and maybe I need to relax about it

Start with breakfast in the MDR. It's really not that weird. You got this!

[latebuyer]

I agree. I always ate breakfast by myself and didn't feel weird. I'm not a morning person and that worked well for me.

[cheezfrys]

I had breakfast alone in the MDR, but dinner seemed a bit chaotic while they were trying to seat people and I didn't want to eat dinner alone.  The hostess didn't seem to understand that I wanted to sit with others who were single/solo cruisers so I went elsewhere for dinner.

 

One interesting thing is that people watch you and after a while ask you if you are solo.  Almost everyone who asked said Oh I wish I could travel solo and I said well why can't you??

 

It was my first ever cruise and besides the uncertainty about the MDR, I had a great time.  Just relax and roll with it.

 

[SC LTC]

On 10/30/2019 at 5:55 PM, cheezfrys said:

I had breakfast alone in the MDR, but dinner seemed a bit chaotic while they were trying to seat people and I didn't want to eat dinner alone.  The hostess didn't seem to understand that I wanted to sit with others who were single/solo cruisers so I went elsewhere for dinner.

 

One interesting thing is that people watch you and after a while ask you if you are solo.  Almost everyone who asked said Oh I wish I could travel solo and I said well why can't you??

 

It was my first ever cruise and besides the uncertainty about the MDR, I had a great time.  Just relax and roll with it.

 

👍🙂