Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

Solo cruise to Alaska, or wait for romantic partner (I'm currently single)?

Webb Pierce

By Webb Pierce,
in Solo Cruisers

 Share

Recommended Posts

Webb Pierce

Webb Pierce

Posted
Posted

I've never been on a cruise, but always wanted to cruise to Alaska. Not even really to see the ports, but more for scenic cruising on the balcony through Glacier Bay and past glaciers and through fjords. I just imagine it would be incredibly tranquil and beautiful. Now there are some good deals out there, including a Princess sailing that has all the scenic cruising I'm looking for. But I'm single, and always thought it would be best with a partner. But maybe that's not going to happen, and maybe if I ever do find myself again in a LTR (I'm 55) my partner won't be so much into it. So that's the question--would you go now, or wait for something that my not happen, but might be awesome if it did? I have traveled alone before, and enjoy the solitude, but definitely prefer having a romantic partner alongside. Thank you!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Lois R Great Review Rare

Lois R

Posted
Posted

I have been sailing solo for almost 20 years. I live on my own so having any kind of partner is not part of any equation for me. I love sailing on my own........(it is the only way I cruise).  I don't care about any type of partner (but that is just me).  I am a bit older than you, (64) and romance has not been part of my life for years......we all have different lives and cruising is fabulous solo👍

  • Like 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites
jcl410

jcl410

Posted
Posted

Before I was in a relationship/married I would go on a cruise by myself, no problem. But then, i did everything by myself; go out to a restaurant, go to a movie, etc. I'm perfectly fine doing things by myself. 

 

 I had a balcony on an Alaska cruise. I'll always remember putting on my tie while watching hump back whales close to the ship!

 

Aloha,

 

John

 

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites
coastcat

coastcat

Posted
Posted

Go now!

 

When you find romance again, you can return to Alaska. It's worth a return visit.

 

The problem with cruising solo to Alaska is the cost of the cabin; balconies are at a price premium and it's more challenging to find a discounted single supplement. Not impossible, though. And heck, even at full price... worth it.

 

My first Princess sailing was this September, to Alaska, in a balcony. I didn't love the vibe of the ship - I felt like a little child intruding on an adult party, and I'm 56 for cryin' out loud - but Princess does Alaska very well. They'll have a naturalist on board for the whole journey and a ranger will board in Glacier Bay to talk about, well, glaciers. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
wdw1972

wdw1972

Posted
Posted

You've already stated the obvious - assuming you find a romantic partner, he/she may not be interested in cruising.  Then what?  Are you ok with wasting years of your life hoping some romantic partner will come along and want to cruise?  That sounds incredibly stupid to me.  Book your cruise, and enjoy yourself!  If a romantic partner comes along in the future and wants to cruise, you can always do Alaska again - or go elsewhere.  You can never get back time wasted by waiting.

 

Sue/WDW1972  

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Webb Pierce

Webb Pierce

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Wow, it's unanimous! Thanks everyone for the perspective experience. I'm glad to hear that solo can be so satisfying, and there really is no point in waiting. Princess has low single supplements on some cruises right now, so I'll get myself a balcony and see what all the fuss is about. I'm really looking forward to it now. 

  • Like 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites
NSnJW

NSnJW

Posted
Posted

I wasn't looking for a romantic partner and I didn't find one on my solo Alaskan cruise.  But I did find a female cruise buddy.  We have been on 5 cruises together.  We have dinner together on the ship and sometimes breakfast and/or lunch.  We generally go on excursions together but other than that we stay out of each others hair.  

I enjoy solo cruising but also enjoy cruising with my friend.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Ombud

Ombud

Posted
Posted (edited)

Good you're GOING!! If I've learned anything through 3/2020 -> now it's that life can be short. Why wait? Book a balcony on Princess. If if a Royal Class ship then E420 - E425 are not obstructed but sold as such. They are over a store or restaurant but neither are busy when cruising past the glaciers

Edited by Ombud
  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites
coastcat

coastcat

Posted
Posted
22 hours ago, Ombud said:

Good you're GOING!! If I've learned anything through 3/2020 -> now it's that life can be short. Why wait? Book a balcony on Princess. If if a Royal Class ship then E420 - E425 are not obstructed but sold as such. They are over a store or restaurant but neither are busy when cruising past the glaciers

 

Yes, I will second this recommendation on Royal class! I was in E425 on Majestic Princess and it was splendid. The promenade deck is below so you might get a little noise from that but otherwise, the view was perfect and the location was convenient. And since those cabins are sold as obstructed view balconies, the price is right for a solo!

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Webb Pierce

Webb Pierce

Posted
  • Author
Posted
On 1/3/2022 at 11:52 PM, RaeYoung said:

Since you are going, book Aug 6 on Royal Princess.  We will meet you on deck.

That's very kind of you. Although because of my schedule, I needed to book the week following. Enjoy your cruise, and keep the Royal Princess in good shape for my voyage!

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 4 weeks later...
ScoutDiver

ScoutDiver

Posted
Posted

 About 8 years ago, I went with a singles group on an Alaskan cruise. i had booked an inside cabin(solo) on the Statendam.   About a week before the trip, I got an upgrade offer to a Vista Suite (verandah) for $150 or so for the week.  

 

The cruise was awesome.  I could escape to this nice room.   One night there were some thunderstorms in the distance.  I spent an hour playing with neutral density gradient filters on a new nikon d800 from the balcony.  I use the picture today as the background for my phone and ipad.

 

9B9B3614-7A4A-4F65-A60F-14346902A706.jpeg

8D90B561-E5F5-47AF-B67E-F12538146AAF.jpeg

562B1BCE-E9A1-45B4-83E7-1B5CB71AC8FF.jpeg

  • Like 7
Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 2 weeks later...
kanadakid

kanadakid

Posted
Posted

And who knows - with the number of solo travellers hitting the Upper 49th by cruise ship you might get lucky and find someone to join you in a LTR At least you'll know that they share your love of travel, and at worst you might just get lucky and enjoy your cruise! 🙂

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 2 weeks later...
tonit964

tonit964

Posted
Posted

I just booked my first solo cruise for September. I was going to wait for my 60th but decided to go now because well, you never know. I go camping at the beach once a month with just my dog and it's an awesome time.

I'm super excited for this cruise.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
LandlockedCruiser01

LandlockedCruiser01

Posted
Posted (edited)

It's never a good idea to wait until you find a romantic partner to partake in an activity.  Or worse, get together with a romantic partner specifically to partake in that activity.  It smacks of a high school mentality, where people often scramble to find a boyfriend/girlfriend before the prom, in order to have a date for it like the alleged social norms dictate.

 

If you want to do something, you do it.  Otherwise, given the unpredictable life circumstances, you might never get to go at all.  Granted, a cruise solo will be different than a cruise with a boyfriend/girlfriend, but it will still be equally fun, lonely moments nonewithstanding. 

 

Granted, a prom is rife with peer pressure: that's where you gotta either give in to social norms or face the consequences for doing your own thing.  But a cruise is nothing like a prom.

Edited by LandlockedCruiser01
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
LandlockedCruiser01

LandlockedCruiser01

Posted
Posted (edited)
6 hours ago, oakridger said:

 

Thank goodness for that!  High school dances were stressful to me.......cruises are just the opposite!

 

You can say that again.  Social logistics are one thing.  But my school dances, both in the gym and offsite, had more uniformed cops on patrol than a county jail.  Presumably there to thwart drugs, alcohol, and fighting, they did NOT make for a relaxing atmosphere.  Dancing on a cruise, on the other hand, is incredibly fun.

Edited by LandlockedCruiser01
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Lois R Great Review Rare

Lois R

Posted
Posted

We must have all come from different backgrounds and ages...........I never went to a school dance and looking back? I hated high school anyway and was a loner. Dances were never in my wheelhouse.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites
pootsien2

pootsien2

Posted
Posted
On 2/17/2022 at 6:42 PM, kanadakid said:

And who knows - with the number of solo travellers hitting the Upper 49th by cruise ship you might get lucky and find someone to join you in a LTR At least you'll know that they share your love of travel, and at worst you might just get lucky and enjoy your cruise! 🙂

That IS how I met the"lucky" man I have been traveling with and dating for the past 7 years now! I signed up for a singles escorted cruise to Alaska and we hadn't met until we were cruising the glaciers. I was hanging out with some of the ladies from the group and he asked if we wanted him to take a photo of us. Then we found out we lived about 40 minutes from each other and began dating after that cruise! i think we have gone on 6 cruises together plus we did the Alaska trip that Princess offers (1 week land tour/1 week cruise). We have also done some land trips and were spending more time together pre-Covid. Don't put off traveling while you are healthy and can afford it, is my advice!

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 4 weeks later...
mains_dream

mains_dream

Posted
Posted

I’m heading on my first solo in 3 weeks.  I’m doing Alaska again.  I used to go with my late hubby.  Now, I just love to cruise and have decided to try on my own!  Since I live on Vancouver Island, it is easy and relaxing to head over to Vancouver and get on the ship!

I have done Alaska about 6 times.  So, it will be familiar to me.  

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • ANNOUNCEMENT: Set Sail Beyond the Ordinary with Oceania Cruises
      • ANNOUNCEMENT: The Widest View in the Whole Wide World
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Cruise Critic News & Features
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...