Solo cruiser on Symphony

[grouchomarx]

I booked a cruise for about a year from now on Symphony. I will be traveling alone.  I was wondering what it is like to be a solo cruiser on this type of ship.  I have an upcoming NCL cruise this Sunday alone but I feel very comfortable with that knowing NCL attracts a lot of solo cruisers so it’s quite common to dine and do things alone.  How is it on Royal in this class of ships?  I worry I might feel out of place given the massiveness of this ship and the million activities to do.  I have cruised many times but never alone and the sheer size and complexity of this ship makes me wonder if it’s uncommon to see solo cruisers.  I want to do and see everything and I’m very into specialty dining. I’ve been on Anthem twice but this ship seems much more huge and with a lot more activities.  I have plenty of time to decide if it is right for me.  I’ve always dreamed of sailing on Oasis class.  TIA.

[Biker19]

8 minutes ago, grouchomarx said:

I’ve been on Anthem twice but this ship seems much more huge and with a lot more activities.

Not really, about the same though you might miss Ripcord and Northstar. 

[grouchomarx]

18 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

Not really, about the same though you might miss Ripcord and Northstar. 

Yes I loved both of those so much.  But Symphony has all kinds of stuff Anthem doesn’t that I am eager to try like the Aqua theater and ice skating and different restaurants.  And the Solarium has an actual pool which will be nice.  I don’t know it just seems really so much bigger than Anthem it’s a little intimidating to tackle on my own.

[Malamel]

I’m solo on this ship in September!  I’ve gone on large and smaller ships and while I met way more solo travelers on Norwegian, there’s been some on every cruise I’ve been on.  Make sure you join the role call and FB group before you go!

[Jasukkie]

I don't think it's uncommon to see solo cruisers on any ship, but reality is most people won't notice or care that you are solo. I once did a 14 night sailing with a man traveling solo at the next table. He never said one word, just came in and enjoyed his meal and I actually never saw him anywhere else around the ship. I have gone on a short cruise solo, wonderful to just getaway and do your own thing. It was easy to find conversation, though I preferred to just go to Windjammer for dinner by myself. 

[nelblu]

49 minutes ago, grouchomarx said:

I booked a cruise for about a year from now on Symphony. I will be traveling alone.  I was wondering what it is like to be a solo cruiser on this type of ship.  I have an upcoming NCL cruise this Sunday alone but I feel very comfortable with that knowing NCL attracts a lot of solo cruisers so it’s quite common to dine and do things alone.  How is it on Royal in this class of ships?  I worry I might feel out of place given the massiveness of this ship and the million activities to do.  I have cruised many times but never alone and the sheer size and complexity of this ship makes me wonder if it’s uncommon to see solo cruisers.  I want to do and see everything and I’m very into specialty dining. I’ve been on Anthem twice but this ship seems much more huge and with a lot more activities.  I have plenty of time to decide if it is right for me.  I’ve always dreamed of sailing on Oasis class.  TIA.

I sail solo and have no problem whatsoever.  The beauty of an Oasis class is that there’s so much to see and enjoy that I never feel alone.  Believe there are a lot of solos and you will meet people whether at dinner time, by the pool or Solarium, or programs for singles/solo to meet and greet. 
 

I tell people that question if I feel alone and I tell them that there’s 3 major activities where i  don’t. 
 

Casino slots:  it’s me and the one armed bandit,🤣

Golf; it’s me and the golf ball, 😜and

Cruising as there’s so many activities and never alone. 

[Cruise5life]

I travel solo all the time. Big or small ship I always seem to make friends.    I usually get to the venues early so I can mingle with people and that’s how I meet people.    
just did 15 days panama.  
and doing 15 to Japan transP.   
 

 

[molly361]

I've been sailing on Oasis class shops solo for  a couple of years now.  I'm currently on the Allure solo getting ready for dinner at Sabors. You'll be fine. Like someone else said join rollcalls for your sailing. 

Edited June 19 by molly361

[grouchomarx]

7 minutes ago, nelblu said:

I sail solo and have no problem whatsoever.  The beauty of an Oasis class is that there’s so much to see and enjoy that I never feel alone.  Believe there are a lot of solos and you will meet people whether at dinner time, by the pool or Solarium, or programs for singles/solo to meet and greet. 
 

I tell people that question if I feel alone and I tell them that there’s 3 major activities where i  don’t. 
 

Casino slots:  it’s me and the one armed bandit,🤣

Golf; it’s me and the golf ball, 😜and

Cruising as there’s so many activities and never alone. 

Thank you so much!  This is what I was hoping to hear.

[grouchomarx]

Thanks so much for all the replies!  This is just what I wanted to hear to feel more confident about sailing solo on this ship.  I feel much better now with my decision.

[nelblu]

40 minutes ago, grouchomarx said:

Thanks so much for all the replies!  This is just what I wanted to hear to feel more confident about sailing solo on this ship.  I feel much better now with my decision.

While on board, look for the daily planner and take advantage of all that is being offered.  Good luck and good sail.🛳️

[ARandomTraveler]

I think going solo could work in your favor on this ship! You'll have a very easy time finding a good seat in theaters, even without a reservation.
 

Often when I'm traveling with other people, I end up wanting to wander around or grab a bite to eat while they're napping or showering or doing something else, so even though I'm not technically traveling solo, I'm doing things on the ship by myself. Nobody can tell whose solo vs who's just doing something on their own for a bit, so don't worry about standing out or not being able to find things to do that are enjoyable on your own.

 

I often find doing things on my own is easier because I don't have to check in with anyone else. I can come and go as I please, eat when I want, sleep when I want. I would like to try a cruise by myself but most of the time when I price out a solo cruise it costs more than paying for 2 people, and it seems like a waste to pay double the price without getting double the points, so I haven't done it yet. 

Edited June 19 by ARandomTraveler

[grouchomarx]

41 minutes ago, ARandomTraveler said:

I think going solo could work in your favor on this ship! You'll have a very easy time finding a good seat in theaters, even without a reservation.
 

Often when I'm traveling with other people, I end up wanting to wander around or grab a bite to eat while they're napping or showering or doing something else, so even though I'm not technically traveling solo, I'm doing things on the ship by myself. Nobody can tell whose solo vs who's just doing something on their own for a bit, so don't worry about standing out or not being able to find things to do that are enjoyable on your own.

 

I often find doing things on my own is easier because I don't have to check in with anyone else. I can come and go as I please, eat when I want, sleep when I want. I would like to try a cruise by myself but most of the time when I price out a solo cruise it costs more than paying for 2 people, and it seems like a waste to pay double the price without getting double the points, so I haven't done it yet. 

Thank you for your thoughts.  I know what you mean about pricing.  It’s insane sometimes what they want to charge a solo traveler!  I got spoiled by NCL, I have a solo cruise this Sunday and a Christmas solo cruise booked and the fares were what I would call fair (nowhere near a double fare).  I tried Royal a few times and sometimes they would charge even more than twice the fare for a solo!  But I got lucky on this booking and got an ocean view balcony for what I consider reasonable (but not cheap).  So I pounced on it kind of on a whim.  Sometimes these cabins are all sold out by the time you check.  I was looking at NCL Prima class ships next summer and all the ones I checked had all the solo balcony cabins already sold out.  That is the only reason I booked so far out.  I thought it was an opportunity I might miss out on.  I have until March to decide.

[Hooked.on.Royal]

4 hours ago, molly361 said:

I've been sailing on Oasis class shops solo for  a couple of years now.  I'm currently on the Allure solo getting ready for dinner at Sabors. You'll be fine. Like someone else said join rollcalls for your sailing. 

I love Sabor! I’m going to miss it when Allure leaves for Miami in a few weeks.

Edited June 20 by Hooked.on.Royal

[Cruise5life]

3 hours ago, ARandomTraveler said:

I would like to try a cruise by myself but most of the time when I price out a solo cruise it costs more than paying for 2 people, and it seems like a waste to pay double the price without getting double the points, so I haven't done it yet. 

I travel solo all the time.   And you do get double points.    FYI.   
 

im doing Quantum OTS in oct 15 days to Japan TransP.  1800.00.   Balcony.    Deals are out there you just have to find them.   

[molly361]

7 hours ago, Hooked.on.Royal said:

I love Sabor! I’m going to miss it when Allure leaves for Miami in a few weeks.

Me too. I knew this was going to be my last chance to eat there 

[Another_Critic]

11 hours ago, Cruise5life said:

I travel solo all the time.   And you do get double points.    FYI.   

If you book a double occupancy cabin.  Solo occupancy cabins do not get the extra point.

 

And be aware that if you book a solo GTY on a ship that has solo cabins, you could be assigned a solo occupancy cabin and you will not get the extra point.

[Tatka]

17 hours ago, Biker19 said:

Not really, about the same though you might miss Ripcord and Northstar. 

 

    Just off of Symphony and sailed 11 times on Anthem (and we love Anthem). Symphony is and feels much larger and offers more.

 

 More musics in various venues

 

In addition to 2 great Production shows there are

 

2 amazing Ice shows!!!

Water show

 

Zipline, mini golf, great waterslides... we've seen even adults use it often.

 

 Jazz group is amazing and they perform everywhere for many hours - in Central Park, on Promenade in Dazzles.

 

 Central park is an attraction on its own... also bar that goes from Promenade to Central park.

 

 After 62 cruises (31 with RCI, 1 on Allure, 2 on Oasis) I thought it was difficult to impress me... well. I was.

 

 Food is also better than we experience on all RCI ships later.

Edited June 20 by Tatka

[ARandomTraveler]

12 hours ago, Cruise5life said:

I travel solo all the time.   And you do get double points.    FYI.   
 

im doing Quantum OTS in oct 15 days to Japan TransP.  1800.00.   Balcony.    Deals are out there you just have to find them.   

I know that you get double points when you book as a solo, but sometimes when you book as a solo they charge more than double the price. For example, I was looking at a cruise for this July and if I book it for 2 people it's $4400, but if I book it for 1 person it's $5900. So it would be better for me to book it for 2 people and have 1 person be a no-show, but if I do that, I don't get double points, and it seems like a waste of money to pay for 2 people and not at least get double points if someone else isn't gonna get to enjoy the cruise. That's what I meant by that. 

[nelblu]

27 minutes ago, ARandomTraveler said:

For example, I was looking at a cruise for this July and if I book it for 2 people it's $4400, but if I book it for 1 person it's $5900. 

Must be a glitch as the solo should be less by the T&F.  I'm lucky as I have 340+ points and eligible, ex of holidays, spring breaks and summer months, that I get the solo discount and save a bunch and earn 2X points.

[cruiseboy89130]

18 hours ago, grouchomarx said:

Solarium has an actual pool

No!

[Biker19]

1 hour ago, Tatka said:

Symphony is and feels much larger and offers more.

The poster seems to be worried about doing those extra things as a solo - not sure the larger number of things and bigger ship factor much into that fear.

[Cruise5life]

2 hours ago, Another_Critic said:

If you book a double occupancy cabin.  Solo occupancy cabins do not get the extra point.

 

And be aware that if you book a solo GTY on a ship that has solo cabins, you could be assigned a solo occupancy cabin and you will not get the extra point.

Correct.   But as the person said they didn’t want to pay the double price , so that would seem to not be a solo cabin.
  And I never pic GTY.  I always pick my cabins.   

[Tatka]

19 hours ago, grouchomarx said:

Yes I loved both of those so much.  But Symphony has all kinds of stuff Anthem doesn’t that I am eager to try like the Aqua theater and ice skating and different restaurants.  And the Solarium has an actual pool which will be nice.  I don’t know it just seems really so much bigger than Anthem it’s a little intimidating to tackle on my own.

 

Solarium has a pool which looks like one section of Anthem's pool ... also with sitting areas. I would say overall Anthem has a better Solarium... but it is also good.

[Cruise5life]

1 hour ago, nelblu said:

Must be a glitch as the solo should be less by the T&F.  I'm lucky as I have 340+ points and eligible, ex of holidays, spring breaks and summer months, that I get the solo discount and save a bunch and earn 2X points.

I have to agree. Somethings wrong with the math there.    
good deals are out there for solos you just have to keep an eye out.   
 

I have 2 cruises in the next 90 days.   One I’m paying almost 2 times the price for the other.    7 day greek isles I’m paying 3094.    Then I found a TP to Japan 15 days.   For 1809.      Total points 44 points.  I make diamond on the Greek isles cruise after 4 cruises.      1 triple points cruise and one mini suite triple points. Working my way to 340.    Lol.