Ever had any regrets?

[urbanhawk]

Just curious if any one has ever had any regrets/felt anxious, taking a Trans Pacific cruise solo? For example, not meeting their expectations, not realizing how many days at sea might affect them-not seeing land, ever feeling bored, even with so many on board activities, etc.. Some people love sea days, while some might prefer port intensive cruises. Not trying to be negative-again, just curious. Thanks, and happy cruising! 

[Hlitner]

I cannot speak to the solo issue, but we have never regretted any transpacific or transatlantic cruise.  For DW and me there can never be too many sea days.  As to sea day activities, we primarily rely on ourselves since our two favorite activities are reading and just socializing.  But we have also enjoyed quite a few lecturers on HAL with our favorite being Dr. Alan Wright who gave an amazing series (9) of astronomy lectures on one of our Trans Pacific cruises.  Unfortunately, for HAL, he is now working on Viking.

 

Hank

[BAYA]

Not a regret regarding taking the cruise itself (I've done two transatlantics, not solo), but on the 2019 TA I wished I had bought the internet package. I ended up paying $25 for a single day when I needed to reach my family about an approaching hurricane (approaching them not me! 😊). I also had lots of problems trying to listen to my audiobooks from Libby and Hoopla because even though they were downloaded to my device the apps seemed to require the ability to ping their servers. I needed WiFi for them.

Coincidentally, I am questioning whether I will go ahead and do a solo transatlantic this fall because my travel companion has backed out. I've never cruised solo before. We had booked separate cabins so there isn't an issue with cabin cost for me. My friend always wants a private accommodation (hotel, cabin).

 

I'll be following this thread to see what others tell you.

Good luck!

[rkacruiser]

No regrets whatsoever!  The more sea days, the better.  No worries about weather, either.  On one trans-Pacific crossing in the North Pacific, the Volendam kept experiencing periodic storms and rough seas.  For most of one day, we were on the tail end of a typhoon that produced large sheets of water that went over the Crow's Nest when the bow would slam down into the trough of a wave.  I felt perfectly safe.  

[Cruise Kay]

I’ve cruised “normal“ cruises two times this year as a solo person, and I’m planning my first solo transatlantic in the fall. I’m following this thread and very interested in the answers. Like you, I’m a little bit concerned I will be bored or lonely just because that’s a very long time to be away from home and be by myself. I have no doubt the cruise will be interesting and entertainment will be plentiful, it’s still a long time to travel alone and be away from my husband. I also came away from my last cruise last week with Covid, so I am debating if it’s a good idea to travel so long solo… If I get sick on the ship, no one is there to help me out.

[RW75]

 Cruise Kay - hope you had a mild case and are over it now.  I always imagine contracting Covid onboard must be scary.  
 

I often feel a little apprehensive taking a cruise alone, especially a longer duration. Almost always have never had to be concerned and had a great time.  Did a trans Pacific on a large ship and even though there was plenty to occupy me I didn’t find my fellow passengers to be so friendly.

 

My last transatlantic had a large number of solos. Everyone was friendly, plenty to do onboard, eleven night duration with one port. Had good weather until the last day.

Booked another transatlantic and an Asia to Australia while onboard. 

Don’t discount starting or ending in the Caribbean. I often find single rates on ships sailing to/from one of the islands for the Europe repositioning very attractively priced. 

[Can I Cruise]

I went solo on a transatlantic in 2018 and was happy to have found a Roll Call and then, once on the ship, there was a dedicated group for solos, which had planned events.

Some cruise lines have better programs than others. I was on a NCL ship and they have solo cabins and even if you're not in one, you can participate in all of their events, which included sign-ups for dinner , shows. and other activities if you didn't want to go alone.

 

I tend to be a loner and I found myself having to set up a schedule because the sea days can run in to each other,- I love to relax and, at the same time, have something to look forward to. 

[urbanhawk]

Thanks for all the replies, and sharing experiences/thoughts. In hindsight, I think I should have said  in the title, had any 2nd thoughts, instead of any regrets. Traveling solo, is not so much a concern to me, but not seeing land for so many days in a row, could be (or not!-will keep open-minded).

[rkacruiser]

21 hours ago, urbanhawk said:

but not seeing land for so many days in a row, could be (or not!-will keep open-minded).

 

If one loves sea days, not seeing land is unimportant.  But, after a few days at sea, as the ship approaches land, it is a "exciting" moment.  My memorable "Land Ho!" moments include my first view of Asia as the ship approached Petropavlovsk, my first view of Hawaii as the Oahu came into sight and then Diamond Head, my first view of Europe (the Northern tip of Scotland) as the ship was sailing to Copenhagen, the view of my first port of call--Bermuda, and my first view of Australia as the ship approached the Heads of Sydney Harbor.  

[diadora]

On 5/26/2022 at 8:16 AM, BAYA said:

Not a regret regarding taking the cruise itself (I've done two transatlantics, not solo), but on the 2019 TA I wished I had bought the internet package. I ended up paying $25 for a single day when I needed to reach my family about an approaching hurricane (approaching them not me! 😊). I also had lots of problems trying to listen to my audiobooks from Libby and Hoopla because even though they were downloaded to my device the apps seemed to require the ability to ping their servers. I needed WiFi for them.

Coincidentally, I am questioning whether I will go ahead and do a solo transatlantic this fall because my travel companion has backed out. I've never cruised solo before. We had booked separate cabins so there isn't an issue with cabin cost for me. My friend always wants a private accommodation (hotel, cabin).

 

I'll be following this thread to see what others tell you.

Good luck!

I just booked first solo cruise for May 1st. I'm sure I will have fun. gone solo to casino junkets and always had a blast. I love to dance workout read and relax o and lets not forget eating.  Those things will surly fill my days. Hope you do choose to go.

 

[kochleffel]

I had a TPAC booked as a solo passenger for this spring, but it didn't take place. Last fall I had a cruise with more sea days than port days, not planned that way, but the weather prevented docking. In that case, we were in sight of land for two days, just sailing back and forth alongside Bermuda -- I started referring to it as a cruise to the Bermuda Triangle. Almost everyone had a beverage package, so it was a happy group of passengers nonetheless.

 

I like sea days at least as much as port days, although it depends partly on the activities and entertainment on the ship.

[Tmc1512]

I have never been solo on a transatlantic. But, my Mom and I do separate activities during the day. On sea days, I really don’t see her. She like the lectures and such. I walk the decks, take dance classes and read by the enclosed pool area. There is plenty to do or there is nothing to do. That is up to you! I will say that people are generally friendly and I have nice conversations with people that I do bump into daily. One transatlantic, we would set up times for lunch. I would always be late! I was having too much fun elsewhere, so lunchtime we do our own thing!🤣🤷🏼‍♀️

[urbanhawk]

Thanks for all the responses, and positive feedback. Today, I "would"have left on my T.P. cruise to Australia. I did have to cancel, for several reasons, BUT, I did rebook another T.P. cruise from Australia to the U.S. for next April-it's 22 days from Brisbane to Seattle on Carnival 's Luminosa. 

[Mary229]

I realize this is late but for future visitors to this thread:

I have done two with the DH.  He did not particularly like the cruise last year , nothing wrong with the cruise, he just tired of the sea days or so he says.  At the time it looked like he was having a pretty grand time.  I think perhaps the Covid things irritated him.
 

 Next year I may be sailing with my sis on the TA, her first TA. I had her sit down with DH to hear his point of view. She is still pondering it.   The issue is if you don’t like it you are really in a quandary , you can’t get off. DH didn’t dislike it that much but it is something to think about.  If you have never been on a cruise with a string of sea days maybe you should try that first before committing to a cruise with at least 6 sea days.  As much as I like the ocean crossing I am usually first in line to get off the ship 

Edited September 20, 2022 by Mary229

[Hlitner]

In terms of "regrets,"  DW said it best when she remarked that our only regret is the cruise not taken!  In more than 45 years of extensive cruising (and dozens of transatlantics and a few transpacifics we have never been on a cruise that we regretted.  And that even includes the one cruise (on Celebrity's Meridian) when we cruised through hurricane seas (excess of 40 foot).

 

Hank

[rkacruiser]

5 hours ago, Hlitner said:

In terms of "regrets,"  DW said it best when she remarked that our only regret is the cruise not taken! 

 

I agree with your entire post.  I regret that I did not sail on my 4th cruise during my last trip to Florida.  Had the time, the money, the desire, but, thought:  isn''t three in a row enough?  

 

The most disappointing cruise on which I have sailed was a trans-Atlantic on QE2 when labor issues on board caused service/food to be considerably less than what I (and others) expected.  But, I don't regret sailing on that voyage.  It was simply another experience and provided another yardstick for cruise comparisons.  

[spunks]

I dont understand the OP's concern. If not seeing land for so many days is  a daunting thought, what would it mater if solo or in a group?

 

We love the sea days. There is so much to do on the ship and everything is open. I say go and enjoy....

 

Doug

 

Edited October 6, 2022 by spunks