Thank You

[zqvol]

It is nice to have a forum for solo cruisers as opposed to "single cruisers". Lots of solo cruisers are happily married but both parties cannot travel at the same time so one of them gets some R&R while the other takes care of other commitments.

 

This will be a nice new forum.

[Everydaymatters]

I also am happy to have this forum. Being married to a hubby who doesn't like to travel puts me in a catagory of a solo traveler, but not a single traveler. I have a question for other solo travelers who have cruised before: is dining a problem? I mean, do you feel uncomfortable being solo at your table of 6 or 8. Also, what about the buffet. Do they seat you with others or do you sit at a table by yourself? For me, dining is the only area for which I feel a bit aprehensive.

[fllcruiser]

I have sailed solo once, loved my table mates. Even when I am cruising with my family or friends I often go to the dining room for breakfast or lunch on my own were they seat me with others.

[INCHARGE]

I am a solo cruiser also. My SO has gone on one cruise, but he is just not that thrilled with cruising to go again. I, on the other hand, look forward to the next cruise by the time I am stepping off of the last ship. :)

I have no trouble dining with others,because I love to hear about other cruisers' adventures each day. The only problem I ever had was on my very first solo cruise. I was paired up at a table with 7 wonderful folks that knew NO ENGLISH! :eek: I asked to be moved by the 2nd night, but always stopped at that table to say hello to them all. I was put at a table with people that I am still in contact with. On days when I would have lunch on the Lido deck, I always make it a point to take a good book. If there is no conversation around me, I will start reading my book as I eat.

[cliffdweller]

This is a great forum - I am a recent wideow, so technically single, but don't "feel" single and travel solo.

 

My first solo trip was three weeks last year - Manaus to Rome. I had a perfect time and met wonderful people. I was also apprehensive about meal time, but my tablemates were so welcoming and we are still in touch. I had corresponded with several on the CC roll call and that helped calm my fears.

 

My difficult time was 6-8 in the evening when couples were dancing, having pre-dinner cocktails, etc. so I scheduled that time to go to the gym or read out by the pool before dressing for dinner.

 

My next adventure solo is 6-06 sailing to Southeast Asia. I can't wait.

[momoforthodoc]

i too am a solo cruiser. i've been a widow for almost three years. i'm still young, in my 50's and i've found that cruising solo really isn't difficult at all. i feel very safe and the people who cruise are wonderful. had my first solo experience last may on the star princess repo/transatlantic. met some wonderful people on cc and it was nice meeting them during the cruise itself. my tablemates were all single and older so it was a good group of like minded people. everyone was very friendly.

 

cliffdweller, know what you mean about certain times of the day. think we just have to adjust to certain experiences and remember all the good memories.

 

my next cruise is with another widow that i met while touring new zealand. the following cruise i'm booked on to south america will be solo.

[NewCruiseFan]

I'd also like to toss in an appreciative note. Travelling solo has been my m.o. for years now, in general I find I enjoy going solo and being open to all the possibilities more than travelling with a group. Friends and family are great but when you have 4 folks each with different desires - it can be tough.

 

So, thank you!

[kryos]

I'd also like to toss in an appreciative note. Travelling solo has been my m.o. for years now, in general I find I enjoy going solo and being open to all the possibilities more than travelling with a group. Friends and family are great but when you have 4 folks each with different desires - it can be tough.

 

So, thank you!

I so can relate to what you say! And, I, too, thank this board's administrators for adding a solo forum.

 

I "discovered" cruising in 2004 quite by accident. I wanted to attend a writer's conference that was being held on HAL's ms Rotterdam on a ten-day cruise to the Panama Canal. Of course, the prices were very high because the writer's conference added their own charges ... so I really couldn't afford my own cabin, and I had no one to go with. So, I hooked up with another writer on the bulletin board for the conference and we agreed to share an inside cabin.

 

Don't get me wrong ... it wasn't like we were pulling each other's hair out or anything ... but it was definitely stressful to share a cabin with another person ... especially one who was not at all compatible with me. I am a smoker, she was not. She knew I was a smoker and since her roommate had cancelled and she was desperate for another, she agreed that my smoking was okay ... until we got onboard. She was also young enough to be my daughter, and thus we had very little in common.

 

It worked out okay ... we compromised on the smoking ... I would not smoke when she was in the cabin ... and since we were in different tracts of the conference, we really spent very little time together ... so the room sharing wasn't that big of a hardship. But, after that experience I vowed that I would get my own cabin in the future ... because there are just some things you cannot do when you have a roommate ... like if you wake up at 3:00 a.m. and want to watch tv or read for a while. That's not a very nice thing to do when someone else is sleeping in the bed right across from you.

 

Since that cruise, I've taken five others ... all in my own cabin. I've enjoyed every single one of them. I've met people on these boards so that I knew people onboard. Sometimes we would get together for a meal or an activity or a shore excursion ... other things I'd do on my own. It is very nice to not have to worry about keeping another person happy, or having to do something you don't enjoy because you promised that person you would do it with them ... because maybe they are just not comfortable doing things on their own.

 

So, just like you ... I find solo cruising to be great ... and this forum will let us meet others who feel the same.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[castroville cruiser]

:) I am glad to see this new forum. I have taken 8 cruises (total) with my huband and several with my husband and 2 sons. HOWEVER, my husband is not interested in cruising any longer, or at least in the immediate future. The boys are both in college now. I am seriously considering going solo. So, this is a great info. source for me. Thanks for all the great input...

 

Fantasy 1999

Norwegian Sea 2000

Celebration 2001

Enchantment of the Seas 2001

Inspiration 2002

Conquest 2003

Elation 2004

Caribbean Princess 2005

Rhapsody of the Seas June 2006 (1st Ever Sisters Cruise)

[claud925]

Wow - just stumbled onto this - fabulous!

 

I, too, am grateful to have this new forum.:)

 

I've been cruising solo now for about six years. Usually get around to about two a year. I never considered sharing a cabin - love my freedom (and privacy) too much!

 

I enjoy late dining at large tables, and for the most part have been blessed with wonderful tablemates. Twice I asked to be changed after the first night, and was put at a table which, thankfully, was great, too. Cruisers are a friendly, happy-go-lucky bunch.

 

Breakfast I eat-in (I'm lazy in the mornings); lunch is at the buffet alone, with a book (which is always with me, BTW).

 

I enjoy the cocktail hour at any of the bars before dinner (bartenders are ever-so friendly;) ), and I can usually be found in the casino after dinner.:D I even plan my excursions independently, although I will just as well stay onboard at ports (my destination is the ship, so I'm just fine having it all to myself while everyone else goes ashore.:cool: )

 

So that's my MO . . . Another thing - I love the friends I've made on these boards through the CC connections! It's so nice to get to "know" people before you even sail!

 

I'll be happy to answer any concerns that solo newbies may have ... but for now I'll just say: get out there and cruise!

[starshine]

Also happy to see this forum. I have never cruised solo but am still thinking about doing so if I can't work out a cruise with a family member or friend.

 

Although I am single and always open to possibilities of meeting someone, I'm not sure a "singles cruise" would be my thing right now. I have a very stressful job and really just want to relax on my vacations--don't want to have to worry so much about what I look like, what I'm wearing, whether I'm hooking up with someone, etc.

 

I have vacationed solo many times in the last couple years ranging from trips to Las Vegas, car trips up the California coast, trip to NYC, and two week car trip driving the New England states, but I've never cruised alone. Am very much a newbie cruiser because have only been on 1 three day cruise several years ago and have forgotten a lot of the details of cruising.

 

The only thing that gives me any trepidation about cruising solo is the whole dining room experience...facing a group of strangers who may or may not be thrilled to have a solo in their midst is the only thing that makes me nervous.

I know I can always change tables or just abandon the dining room for meals, but I figure I may still have to put up with one uncomfortable meal. I know this is an irrational fear and am trying to put it in perspective. (Act like Queen Latifah's character in "Last Holiday")

 

Also definitely want my own cabin (my own space) when I cruise solo. I like to stay up late and sleep in when I want. That's one of the best things about traveling solo is getting to set your own agenda.

 

Wish me luck in getting over the fear and booking that first solo cruise...:)

 

 

 

Thank you to everyone who is so generous with their time and expertise in answering questions on this site.

[Roz]

Starshine,

 

I've done 3 solo cruises on HAL, and had good to great experiences with my tablemates. I would not forgo the dining room experience just because someone may have negative feelings about a person traveling by themselves.

 

What line are you considering? I personally think that traditional dining works best for a solo. You may also ask your TA to put a notation on your dining time preference that you want to be seating with other solo cruisers.

 

I enjoy sharing dinner with interesting people, whether they're single, solo, married, families or couples.

 

Roz

[momoforthodoc]

starshine,

 

i took my first solo cruise last may, a two week transatlantic/repo on princess. i was a bit nervous but had met a number of fellow passengers on the cc boards. while i felt strange walking into our gathering alone i found that everyone was very friendly as are most people who cruise. i agree with roz about traditional dining when going solo. again, i felt a bit strange heading to the dining room alone but found some lovely single people waiting for me at my table. as the cruise continued on we added a few more people since the ship was fairly empty. reading your comments i have a feeling that you'll have a great experience on your own. you sound very confident and at ease with yourself. jump right in and i'm sure you'll have a great experience, i know i did.

 

jeralyn ;)

[BurBunny]

The only thing that gives me any trepidation about cruising solo is the whole dining room experience...facing a group of strangers who may or may not be thrilled to have a solo in their midst is the only thing that makes me nervous.

I know I can always change tables or just abandon the dining room for meals, but I figure I may still have to put up with one uncomfortable meal. I know this is an irrational fear and am trying to put it in perspective. (Act like Queen Latifah's character in "Last Holiday")

 

Wanted to reassure you regarding the dining experience. Never once on any ship have I felt that people were looking down on me being single or felt less than thrilled to have a single with them. Exactly the opposite in fact. They've gone out of their way to make me feel welcome, include me in their activities, and make sure I wasn't left our or made to feel unwanted. It's one of the easiest way for a single to travel and feel truly comfortable and welcome.

[Lois R]

Hi:) I have no mate, partner, whatever it is called these days...

and I love sailing solo.

Another way to meet folks is to check out the "ROLL CALL"

forum! You can meet people on your specific sailing and it is great!

I have found wonderful tablemates through that venue! We had

my or their TA link our reservations together so we would sit

together at dinner:D

 

I am 48 and don't cruise on "singles cruises"...if that is what they a

are called. I am quite outgoing and love meeting people from around

the world. Cruising (in my opinion) is by far the best vacation

around!:)

 

Hi Amber:)

[KAW]

Finally!

 

Now I don't feel like the loney wall flower or an outcase "lurking" on the "singles" site.

 

I cruise solo,... sometimes with a friend but never, ever share a cabin! I value my alone time when I run away from family,and I love them more when I return and have slept ( and partied) well. :p

 

Thank-you for a great new area to give encouragement, concerns, recommendations and meet up with others that travel solo.

 

Hey you solo passengers! Lets get the word out, I have been on this site for the past two weeks and just now noticed it as I have been only checking my "regular" lurking :o forums ( ok and the roll call I am on for next week)

 

K

[wrp96]

Just came off my 2nd solo cruise a couple of weeks ago (Brilliance Panama Canal) and have to say that it is quickly becoming my favorite way to vacation. No worrying about if I'm pleasing the other person, are we doing activities that he likes, etc? My only problem this past cruise is that none of my tablemates showed up ever. I like meeting new people on cruises so this was an issue for me, but the people at the next table over quickly became my new tablemates.

[starshine]

Thanks for the encouraging words, Roz, jeralyn, and Burbunny. I won't let a little anxiety get in the way of dinner in the dining room; I'll just go for it. :)

[momsoftwins]

Thanks For Getting A Solo Forum Going......well About Myself..30some Yr Old Mom Of Twins With A Dh That Wont Take A Cruise. I Have Taken 3 Other Cruises Since Jan Of 2005. (i Found My New Addiction) I Have Taken 2 With My Cruise Buddy (my Mom And Best Friend) But Right Now She Is Fighting (and Winning) Cancer. The 3rd This Past Feb I Took A Friend (she Had A Great Time And It Was Her 1st Cruise) I Felt Over Worked On The Cruise Because I Wanted It To Be Perfect For Her ( I Wanted Her To Love Cruises As Much As I Do) So Now I Am Ready To Do A Solo!! This Moma Needs A Break. I Am Taken One In Sept. I Have Found Some Really Great People On My Roll Call And 2 Other Gals That Are Also Solos. One Of Them And I Are Taking A Snorkeling Trip (thru The Ship) Together. And We Arranged It So We Could Have The Same Dning Table Too. I Am Not Really Worried About Eating Alone Or Even Being Alone. My Question Or Concern (for The Seasoned Solo Cruiser) Is Do You Will Safe? I Know ..trust Your Gut ..dont Get Into A Bad Situtaion Etc Etc. I Guess With My Past Cruises I Have Spent 75% Of My Time Alone. Mom Would Would Want To Do One Thing And I Would Go Do What I Wanted To. So I Guess It Would Be The Same.

Any Advice Would Be Great...thanks In Advance

[Lois R]

Thanks For Getting A Solo Forum Going......well About Myself..30some Yr Old Mom Of Twins With A Dh That Wont Take A Cruise. I Have Taken 3 Other Cruises Since Jan Of 2005. (i Found My New Addiction) I Have Taken 2 With My Cruise Buddy (my Mom And Best Friend) But Right Now She Is Fighting (and Winning) Cancer. The 3rd This Past Feb I Took A Friend (she Had A Great Time And It Was Her 1st Cruise) I Felt Over Worked On The Cruise Because I Wanted It To Be Perfect For Her ( I Wanted Her To Love Cruises As Much As I Do) So Now I Am Ready To Do A Solo!! This Moma Needs A Break. I Am Taken One In Sept. I Have Found Some Really Great People On My Roll Call And 2 Other Gals That Are Also Solos. One Of Them And I Are Taking A Snorkeling Trip (thru The Ship) Together. And We Arranged It So We Could Have The Same Dning Table Too. I Am Not Really Worried About Eating Alone Or Even Being Alone. My Question Or Concern (for The Seasoned Solo Cruiser) Is Do You Will Safe? I Know ..trust Your Gut ..dont Get Into A Bad Situtaion Etc Etc. I Guess With My Past Cruises I Have Spent 75% Of My Time Alone. Mom Would Would Want To Do One Thing And I Would Go Do What I Wanted To. So I Guess It Would Be The Same.

Any Advice Would Be Great...thanks In Advance

 

Hi, first, you sound like a wonderful person and all the best

to your Mom!

About safety......do you mean on the ship? Or on your excursions?

Or both?

I probably feel as safe if not safer on my cruises as compared

to anywhere!

I love getting to know the staff, crew, etc.....and have never

had any "compromising situations."

I have been cruising alot since 2003 (see my signature) and all

but 2 were solo......well, they were ALL solo though I shared

a cabin twice.

I am very independent and love doing things on my own.

You sound like you already know the ins and outs!

Enjoy yourself, it sounds to me like you deserve it:)

[LandOfBeaches]

meaning that single cruises are not for me either. Kind of like, happy where I am in my life and just going cruising is my way to relax and see different cultures in the islands. I enjoy talking with the bartenders, other passengers and enjoy the "down time" during the cruise. Since I am an early riser, if I was traveling with someone else, that probably would be intrusive for them. I am usually ready to go at 6am each morning no matter how late I am up the previous night.

 

I also thank Cruise Critic for this new forum.

[kathy32259]

I am fairly new to CC and was really glad to find this board. I have traveled with friends - but because there are three of us - I usually have my own cabin and I am spoiled. The problem for me is, I am able to cruise much more often than they are, but have been terrified of going solo. I have found by reading all of your postings that I have something in common with a lot of you - for instance, enjoy my privacy - I love to relax and read - and I head to the casino after dinner.:D

 

Maybe you all will give me the courage to try solo - totally some time. My DD and her DBF are going with me in May and the friends I mentioned earlier will be with me in Dec/Jan back to back on the Triumph. (We are known as the Golden Girls on that ship!:eek:

 

I have always cruised Carnival - usually for the price. Let me know if you have found better "deals" for solo's on other cruise lines.

 

Oh Yes - Lois R - I am from Jax too! Small world.

[Lois R]

Hi Kathy, nice to meet you:)

[Roz]

Welcome Kathy! One idea to kind of stick your toe in the pool of solo cruising is to book with a group cruise. Another is to book a cruise and then join the Cruise Critic roll call. That way you have the privacy of a solo cabin but you "know" some fellow passengers ahead of time.

 

Roz

[Brig273]

I love this forum! Thanks for starting it. I've only been on 2 cruises and both have been with friends. I am single, have a flexible schedule and am considering a solo cruise. I think this forum has made up my mind. I want to go in Dec because the prices are so low, even if I do have to pay double :mad: I think all of you solo cruises are so cool! Thanks for the tips.