Solo Cruisers

[BAGLADY.45]

Hello,

 

I have been on many cruises, but never solo.  My travel buddy cancelled this morning, but I am still going!  I'm a bit nervous, just trying to think of all the positives of being by myself.  

 

My question is, if you cruise solo, what do you enjoy most?  

 

Thank you for your input!!

 

Lindy

[hawki80]

For me, it’s the ability to do what I want when I want. No compromising! I enjoy having a travel companion but when I don’t it’s equally fine. And most people on ships are very friendly so I always find someone to talk to throughout the day.

 

You might enjoy reviewing the threads under Solo Cruising. It will build your confidence that solo cruising has many positives.

 

[BAGLADY.45]

9 minutes ago, hawki80 said:

For me, it’s the ability to do what I want when I want. No compromising! I enjoy having a travel companion but when I don’t it’s equally fine. And most people on ships are very friendly so I always find someone to talk to throughout the day.

 

You might enjoy reviewing the threads under Solo Cruising. It will build your confidence that solo cruising has many positives.

 

Thank you!  I am thinking the same thing.  Having a large bed to myself, not sharing the bathroom, doing what I want when I want. I appreciate your response!

[john watson]

You can do what you want when you want and if you want to mix there are activities.

 

Regards John

[BAGLADY.45]

Just now, john watson said:

You can do what you want when you want and if you want to mix there are activities.

 

Regards John

Thank you John!

[Labber 2]

I did my first Solo cruise in November. My Husband is not a fan of cruising and so I decided I would go alone. Absolutely loved it! Was on my own schedule the whole week, completely relaxed and loved it. Initially I was nervous about going to the dining room alone and if it would feel weird, but not at all! I won't think twice about doing another solo cruise, it was wonderful. Go for it!!

Edited January 14, 2022 by Labber 2

[jimdee3636]

@BAGLADY.45

If you scroll down on the Cruise Critic "Boards" home page, you'll come to "Special Interest Cruising" and then "Solo Cruising." There are lots of useful threads there.

[geoherb]

I've been on five solo cruises. DH isn't cruising right now because of his 95-year-old mother. I've had a great time on them. The two since the restart were just as fun as the ones before. I still made friends with people by going to the meetings on the first night and teaming up with others at trivia. People were still willing to share tables in the dining room.

 

The best part of going solo is being able to set your own schedule--do as much or as little as you want to do. But that was also the best part of taking a cruise when DH would go with me. We could do what we wanted to do independently if one activity appealed more to me and another one to him.

 

 

[BAGLADY.45]

4 hours ago, Labber 2 said:

I did my first Solo cruise in November. My Husband is not a fan of cruising and so I decided I would go alone. Absolutely loved it! Was on my own schedule the whole week, completely relaxed and loved it. Initially I was nervous about going to the dining room alone and if it would feel weird, but not at all! I won't think twice about doing another solo cruise, it was wonderful. Go for it!!

Thank you! I think I will! 🙂

[BAGLADY.45]

4 hours ago, jimdee3636 said:

@BAGLADY.45

If you scroll down on the Cruise Critic "Boards" home page, you'll come to "Special Interest Cruising" and then "Solo Cruising." There are lots of useful threads there.

Thank you!!

[BAGLADY.45]

2 hours ago, geoherb said:

I've been on five solo cruises. DH isn't cruising right now because of his 95-year-old mother. I've had a great time on them. The two since the restart were just as fun as the ones before. I still made friends with people by going to the meetings on the first night and teaming up with others at trivia. People were still willing to share tables in the dining room.

 

The best part of going solo is being able to set your own schedule--do as much or as little as you want to do. But that was also the best part of taking a cruise when DH would go with me. We could do what we wanted to do independently if one activity appealed more to me and another one to him.

 

 

Thank you!!

[trbarton]

6 hours ago, BAGLADY.45 said:

Hello,

 

I have been on many cruises, but never solo.  My travel buddy cancelled this morning, but I am still going!  I'm a bit nervous, just trying to think of all the positives of being by myself.  

 

My question is, if you cruise solo, what do you enjoy most?  

 

Thank you for your input!!

 

Lindy

I’ve traveled solo a lot & I guess because I’m outgoing I meet many people. 
 

But traveling alone & having a love for dancing & it’s challenging to find a dancing partner. 
 

My schedule is my own. 
 

I would prefer to travel with someone but by yourself you just make the best you can do. 
 

Tom😀

[BAGLADY.45]

9 minutes ago, trbarton said:

I’ve traveled solo a lot & I guess because I’m outgoing I meet many people. 
 

But traveling alone & having a love for dancing & it’s challenging to find a dancing partner. 
 

My schedule is my own. 
 

I would prefer to travel with someone but by yourself you just make the best you can do. 
 

Tom😀

Thank you Tom!  I'm going for it, can't wait!

[rj59]

I usually cruise solo, except for some family ones before Christmas. I like a lot of things that makes Princess solo-friendly:

--Minimal single supplement currently, until March, and frequent last-minute price drops that make solo cruising affordable for me. 

--No pressure to seat you with others in the MDR, as I always faced on HAL, and if you go at non-peak dining times they'll be happy to give you a distanced table. If you want to sit with others, you can request in the app.

--The inside cabins are comfortable and have nice locations--my favorite ones are on Lido deck.

--Captain's Circle is generous for solo cruisers, giving double credit for cruises and counting number of cruises instead of sea days, so I was able to get to Elite through affordable Pacific coastal cruises. 

--Crew is friendly and diverse, so on the Majestic I got to practice Russian, Serbian, Indonesian, Spanish, and Italian and meet a lot of interesting people. I had more random conversations with people on Princess than on other lines, in the hot tub, while watching football on the big screen, while dolphin/whale watching outside on deck 7, and at zumba classes. I feel least alone and least stressed on Princess than on other lines.

--Affordable, fast wifi allows me to keep in contact with friends, and my petsitter sets up a video chat with my cat. 

--Alfredo's makes a great alternative to avoid feeling somewhat awkward and stressed sitting alone in the MDR for lunch. I don't like sitting alone in bars, so the MUTS gives me a safe, comfortable, mask-free experience in the evenings, with nice cushions and blankets. I don't feel comfortable in crowded bars, so the piazza makes a nice place for a solo to hang out with coffee and people-watch and listen to music. 

 

 

[SargassoPirate]

One can be alone on a cruise, but not lonely.  It's freedom to do what you want and when you want.  Don't feel like seeing the same production show for the third time - then don't.  Don't feel like getting off the ship in a port where you've been before - then don't.

 

And, there's usually a singles and solos get together every day.

[BAGLADY.45]

9 hours ago, rj59 said:

I usually cruise solo, except for some family ones before Christmas. I like a lot of things that makes Princess solo-friendly:

--Minimal single supplement currently, until March, and frequent last-minute price drops that make solo cruising affordable for me. 

--No pressure to seat you with others in the MDR, as I always faced on HAL, and if you go at non-peak dining times they'll be happy to give you a distanced table. If you want to sit with others, you can request in the app.

--The inside cabins are comfortable and have nice locations--my favorite ones are on Lido deck.

--Captain's Circle is generous for solo cruisers, giving double credit for cruises and counting number of cruises instead of sea days, so I was able to get to Elite through affordable Pacific coastal cruises. 

--Crew is friendly and diverse, so on the Majestic I got to practice Russian, Serbian, Indonesian, Spanish, and Italian and meet a lot of interesting people. I had more random conversations with people on Princess than on other lines, in the hot tub, while watching football on the big screen, while dolphin/whale watching outside on deck 7, and at zumba classes. I feel least alone and least stressed on Princess than on other lines.

--Affordable, fast wifi allows me to keep in contact with friends, and my petsitter sets up a video chat with my cat. 

--Alfredo's makes a great alternative to avoid feeling somewhat awkward and stressed sitting alone in the MDR for lunch. I don't like sitting alone in bars, so the MUTS gives me a safe, comfortable, mask-free experience in the evenings, with nice cushions and blankets. I don't feel comfortable in crowded bars, so the piazza makes a nice place for a solo to hang out with coffee and people-watch and listen to music. 

 

 

Thank you rj59! This was a free cabin, and I thought I may get charged as a single, but no extra fees!!

[seeyouinthesun]

I’ve done 30+ solo cruises. Love working out, so not having to look at the clock and just enjoy the time at the fitness center is my favorite thing. On my last cruise on Princess, The Sanctuary was excellent as there was an attendant to watch my stuff, but most cruise lines have cabanas you can rent that have an attendant. 

[victory2020]

I made the best friends on a solo cruise, am thinking of doing another in a couple of months. I was apprehensive at first, but not now. The only thing now I have an issue with is sharing a table with strangers because of covid - I'm not afraid of it, just afraid of what can happen if you test positive on a cruise.

[BarbinMich]

I did my first solo cruise late last year, so this will be my second.  My late DH and I had done 50+ cruises, mostly on Princess and I had always made all the arrangements (bookings, etc), so I was well versed in doing that.  Probably is more difficult if one's late significant other was the "arranger."  [Note:  I used to play "travel agent" when I was a kid so it's in my blood <g>.] 

I didn't mingle much on that last cruise, but had a great time even with the reduced theater shows.

[BAGLADY.45]

On 1/15/2022 at 10:16 AM, seeyouinthesun said:

I’ve done 30+ solo cruises. Love working out, so not having to look at the clock and just enjoy the time at the fitness center is my favorite thing. On my last cruise on Princess, The Sanctuary was excellent as there was an attendant to watch my stuff, but most cruise lines have cabanas you can rent that have an attendant. 

Thank you!

[seeyouinthesun]

On 1/15/2022 at 1:22 PM, victory2020 said:

I made the best friends on a solo cruise, am thinking of doing another in a couple of months. I was apprehensive at first, but not now. The only thing now I have an issue with is sharing a table with strangers because of covid - I'm not afraid of it, just afraid of what can happen if you test positive on a cruise.

On Princess you can ask for a private table. That’s what I do, I feel safer that way. 

[Starshine95123]

I just got off my first solo cruise, Ruby Princess, January 6-16. My hubby decided he didn’t want to go to Mexico again so a friend was going instead. Nine days before the cruise she attended an 80th birthday celebration, even after I suggested she be extra cautious. Everyone at the party was vaccinated and boostered, but not wearing masks. Birthday boy hugged everyone, felt fine, just a little sniffle. The next day the birthday boy and another guest tested positive for Covid. My friend and her hubby tested negative twice. But she couldn’t truthfully answer the question about “being exposed within the last 14 days to someone who tested positive” on the health questionnaire you fill out 24 hours before you board. Sure, she could have lied, but that isn’t the right thing to do. By the way, she and her hubby never got Covid. 
 

I decided I was still going but it was also a little scary for me. I had an absolutely wonderful time! I did share a table in the dining room several times, but I didn’t eat there most of the time. You have to decide for yourself what your comfort level is. I ate where I wanted, when I wanted. I even tried room service for the first time in 11 cruises. I went swimming, went to shows, listened to music, played games, read books, and people watched. I could do anything I wanted to do. Even though I didn’t have my cruise buddy with me, cruisers are usually a friendly bunch and like to talk to other cruisers. I never felt alone or left out. I just happened to be on a cruise by myself. I now know that I will have no problem going solo if the opportunity comes along again. Frankly, I’m looking forward to it lol. It was quite refreshing being on my own. 

 I hope you have a fabulous cruise!

 

Karen

[BAGLADY.45]

On 1/16/2022 at 7:57 PM, Starshine95123 said:

I just got off my first solo cruise, Ruby Princess, January 6-16. My hubby decided he didn’t want to go to Mexico again so a friend was going instead. Nine days before the cruise she attended an 80th birthday celebration, even after I suggested she be extra cautious. Everyone at the party was vaccinated and boostered, but not wearing masks. Birthday boy hugged everyone, felt fine, just a little sniffle. The next day the birthday boy and another guest tested positive for Covid. My friend and her hubby tested negative twice. But she couldn’t truthfully answer the question about “being exposed within the last 14 days to someone who tested positive” on the health questionnaire you fill out 24 hours before you board. Sure, she could have lied, but that isn’t the right thing to do. By the way, she and her hubby never got Covid. 
 

I decided I was still going but it was also a little scary for me. I had an absolutely wonderful time! I did share a table in the dining room several times, but I didn’t eat there most of the time. You have to decide for yourself what your comfort level is. I ate where I wanted, when I wanted. I even tried room service for the first time in 11 cruises. I went swimming, went to shows, listened to music, played games, read books, and people watched. I could do anything I wanted to do. Even though I didn’t have my cruise buddy with me, cruisers are usually a friendly bunch and like to talk to other cruisers. I never felt alone or left out. I just happened to be on a cruise by myself. I now know that I will have no problem going solo if the opportunity comes along again. Frankly, I’m looking forward to it lol. It was quite refreshing being on my own. 

 I hope you have a fabulous cruise!

 

Karen

Hi Karen,  Thank you so much!  I am definitely going and am so excited!!  Take care!

[BAGLADY.45]

On 1/16/2022 at 5:50 PM, seeyouinthesun said:

On Princess you can ask for a private table. That’s what I do, I feel safer that way. 

Thank you!  I will probably eat alone as well.  Happy travels and be well!

[cr8tiv1]

On 1/14/2022 at 6:33 PM, trbarton said:

I’ve traveled solo a lot & I guess because I’m outgoing I meet many people. 
 

But traveling alone & having a love for dancing & it’s challenging to find a dancing partner. 
 

My schedule is my own. 
 

I would prefer to travel with someone but by yourself you just make the best you can do. 
 

Tom😀

 

I feel the same way....any time you need a dance partner!