solo on christmas cruise

[windrose]

I just booked a cruise for Dec 23 - Jan 13. I didn't think twice about it, but I was a bit surprised by the reaction from some friends who seem to feel bad for me. I imagine myself enjoying a blissful sea day in the Caribbean on Christmas Day and can't imagine what there is to feel bad about!

 

Have you, or would you ever cruise solo during the holidays?

[erbngrl]

Thanks for the positive thoughts windrose...I am contemplating booking a cruise w/a singles travel co. since none of my friends can either afford to spend such a large amount of money or afford the vacation time at work...the only thing holding me back right now is the fact that the cruise will be during my birthday week and I'm a little uncertain about spending my birthday "alone"...But I was on a cruise for my birthday last year and it was the best birthday ever, waking up at sea, headed for a foreign port! You're nudging me in the direction of booking the trip! I hope you enjoy your holiday cruise!

[Faith77]

Hello Windrose,

 

I'll be cruising solo over Christmas this year--from right before Christmas to right after New Years. The timing was right via my vacation days during the holidays and my cruise leaves from a port close to home so no airplane flights & shuttle buses.

I'm excited about this longer cruise--I'll be cruising for 11 nights to Mexico. I usually just go with the flow. Some cruises I've met lots of folks and some cruises I've been more on my own. I love just being with the sea, walking the decks a few times a day, and just kicking back and relaxing.

I'm planning on having a great time. I'm sure that you will too.

Faith

[Roz]

A Christmas cruise has always appealed to me. What's kept me from booking one is the price, plus holidays attract a lot of families with kids. Although I'm guessing that anything over 7 days would have fewer wee ones.

 

Roz

[kryos]

A Christmas cruise has always appealed to me. What's kept me from booking one is the price, plus holidays attract a lot of families with kids. Although I'm guessing that anything over 7 days would have fewer wee ones.

Around the holidays, when school is out, most cruises will have lots of "wee ones." I seem to recall seeing a lot of kids disembarking HAL's Christmas cruise to Hawaii ... a 15-dayer ... when we were embarking for the 30-day Hawaii/South Pacific run on the same ship.

 

Not that a lot of kids is necessarily a bad thing ... it depends on your nature. But, just be aware that any holiday cruise will attract primarily families with kids. It's just the perfect time for a family cruise.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[Roz]

Rita,

 

Thanks for the insight and info on holiday cruises. It's hard for me to believe that families can afford to take children on cruises of that length. Our family vacations consisted of going to visit my grandmother 100 miles away. :D

 

Roz

[mikesteg]

I can see a good number of families on some longer holiday cruises, but this one extends a week or more into school doesn't it? I can't imagine a family that would let their kids miss the first week of the new semester, rather than just taking them out for a (cheaper) week a bit later.

 

I've also done 2 bdays at sea (with friends). By far the best bdays ever! Everybody can dress up, then quickly change and hit the hot tubs, split apart and meet up later for dancing, or whatever. Unlimited food and drink, in a wide variety. All with no worries about someone getting in an accident going home.

[windrose]

mikesteg, I've actually booked two back to backs - 10 days each. So really the Christmas cruise is from Dec 23 - Jan 2. I really am not wild about being on board a ship overrun with kids, but this one is on HAL - at 35 I'm usually among the youngest on board HAL. And a 10 day will cut down on the numbers too. All that aside, there will be more kids on board than usual, but it's Christmas and I'll be at sea - nothing can ruin that for me at all!

 

The one thing I'm most curious about is the reaction from other passengers. I haven't cruised solo yet, my first is coming up in July. I've heard that solos get all sorts of reactions, such as how brave we are and even "oh you poor thing" - I imagine those may be multiplied at Christmas.

[mikesteg]

I see. I thought the math was a little odd, but I was giving you a 21st day for free. :D

 

The thing is, people always view other people from inside their own little boxes. Can't do anything about that, but don't let it slow you down. The great thing about a cruise ship with 2000 pax is you can always just walk away. Of course, for your dinner mates you can always tell them how you usually climb Kilimanjaro in the fall but just didn't feel like it this year. :D

[windrose]

It's one of my favorite parts of travelling - meeting all different types of people. People are so funny. I know my 'independent nature' (as it's been rather diplomatically called) is perplexing to some of my parents' generation - but people on cruises are always so nice - I wish everyone was like that in every day life.

 

Round Rock - I was there a few years ago - my crazy sister almost married a guy from Hutto - there's a story. You guys have really great food out there!

[claud925]

All of my cruises (with the exception of one) have been solo - I usually go about twice a year, beginning with a transatlantic on the QE2 I took six years ago.:)

 

The only reason I don't cruise during the holidays is the "kid factor"; if not for that, I wouldn't hesitate to book.

 

I, too, windrose, have been described as having an "independent nature", and I'm very proud of that . . . I may be traveling alone, but rarely am I lonely.

 

Don't worry about what others think and what they say .... not all cruisers you encounter onboard are in blissful relationships or have wonderful travelmates, believe me - - I've been on plenty of ships where couples barely speak to each other. I've passed plenty of tables for two in the dining room where, night after night, a couple will just sit there eating without a single word spoken between them.

 

Given the choice of having someone along just so I won't be alone and actually being alone - well, I enjoy my own company just fine.:cool:

 

And lastly, I have yet to experience being ostrasized in any way - people have generously acknowledged, talked, and included me in their activities - - when I wanted to I join in I did, and when I didn't, I always had the option of retiring to my cabin - it's all about choice.

 

Go and enjoy yourself - you will discover that cruisers are some of the warmest, fun-loving people you will find!

[kryos]

Rita,

 

Thanks for the insight and info on holiday cruises. It's hard for me to believe that families can afford to take children on cruises of that length. Our family vacations consisted of going to visit my grandmother 100 miles away. :D

Same here. Our family vacations consisted of a cheap bungelow at the Jersey shore for two weeks ... and I do mean cheap. My parents went down there on Easter Sunday every year to find a "deal." We were generally three to four blocks from the beach.

 

I think the reason a lot of families can afford it is because in many cases they add the kids as third and fourth passengers in their stateroom. True, it's tight, but it's doable. They probably also scrimp on Christmas gifts. The cruise is the kids' present.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[kryos]

Don't worry about what others think and what they say .... not all cruisers you encounter onboard are in blissful relationships or have wonderful travelmates, believe me - - I've been on plenty of ships where couples barely speak to each other. I've passed plenty of tables for two in the dining room where, night after night, a couple will just sit there eating without a single word spoken between them.

Exactly. In fact, I doubt anyone will say anything. There will be a lot of folks onboard who are not necessarily happy. They may be onboard with their spouse and kids, but will be spending a lot of time alone. Just because people travel together doesn't mean they are joined at the hip for the entire cruise. The kids may be in Club HAL, and maybe the husband is sitting in one of the lounges, or perhaps in the casino. Wife is the only one sitting around the pool. She'll be looking for conversation.

 

The only reason I don't sail around the holidays is the same as your's. The kid factor turns me off. I am a single woman, just turned 50, and I don't necessarily feel comfortable around a high energy, noisy environment ... such as you will get when there are a lot of kids onboard. That's the reason you'll never find me aboard a Royal Caribbean ship ... too much activity. I want to relax when I'm on vacation. I also don't sail around the holidays because it's very difficult to get off during those time periods at my job.

 

But if the kids don't bother you, I say go and have a blast. You'll find plenty of people to talk and socialize with.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[SantaAna,CA]

Actually the Seabourn Legend has fantastic sailings to the Caribbean over Christmas and New Years, and it sounds like fun (Seabourn is now my favorite cruise line)...but...zounds, they increase the prices of the cruise a WHOLE lot. That being said, I think it would be a great cruise...and not only do I admire anyone who does any traveling solo, I think doing it at the holidays would be especially fun.

 

Jane :)

[kitty9]

I've done 18 cruises as a solo, but never over Christmas. I try and avoid those times when there's so many kids/families on board.

[BARBARA J.W.]

I just booked a cruise for Dec 23 - Jan 13. I didn't think twice about it, but I was a bit surprised by the reaction from some friends who seem to feel bad for me. I imagine myself enjoying a blissful sea day in the Caribbean on Christmas Day and can't imagine what there is to feel bad about!

 

Have you, or would you ever cruise solo during the holidays?

 

 

WINDROSE,,,,,,,,

I HAVE cruised at CHRISTMAS...........MERRY CHRISTMAS TO MEEEEEE.

I have had people to say,,,,What about your family........

My parents are both gone.........I have sisters,,,,,,But my holidays

was spent with Mom and Dad..........

So I enjoy cruising.................Makes me happy............

Yes there is families cruising too..........

But the ship is BIG and you can find a place without them...........

I love children,I work with them everyday.............

I do'nt mind being around them on a cruise as long as they

are being gooood! ! ! !

It's when they are acting out,,,,,,,,,like crying and maybe screaming......

I just find me somewhere to go to get away............

This year I am doing a BIRTHDAY CRUISE........

And a NEW YEAR'S CRUISE...............

Looking at a 2007 CHRISTMAS CRUISE................

HAPPY CRUISING..........AND MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU..........

[kryos]

Rita,

 

Thanks for the insight and info on holiday cruises. It's hard for me to believe that families can afford to take children on cruises of that length. Our family vacations consisted of going to visit my grandmother 100 miles away. :D

I seem to recall reading either on these boards or another one that there were even a handful of kids of Radisson's World Cruise this year. I heard there were three families ... two of which brought tutors along for the kids, and a third of which had a parent who was a certified teacher.

 

So, yes ... some people can afford it ... and I sure wish I was one of them. :)

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[kryos]

Actually the Seabourn Legend has fantastic sailings to the Caribbean over Christmas and New Years, and it sounds like fun (Seabourn is now my favorite cruise line)...but...zounds, they increase the prices of the cruise a WHOLE lot.

I think most of the lines increase the prices significantly for holiday sailings. Simple effect of the law of supply and demand. There is an awful lot of demand for those sailings as the holidays are one of the few times that a whole family may be able to get away together. So, of course, the prices go up to whatever the market will bear.

 

That's why I too avoid holiday sailings ... that and not wanting to sail with a lot of kids. I'm not paying twice the price for the same cruise just because it happens to take place over the holidays ... and not just pay that high price, but be on a very crowded ship. I'd sooner wait until the kiddies are back in school, and I can pay a lower rate, plus have what, for me, will be a much more peaceful cruise experience.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[Roz]

I agree with Rita on the holiday pricing thing. When I look at what I pay for a shoulder season cruise between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and the price of the same cruise a few weeks later over the holidays, it's not worth it to me.

 

I'd rather take the money and put it towards 2 cruises.

 

Roz

[Faith77]

I work at a university library and I usually take vacation time in June and over the Christmas/New Years holidays.

 

Usually I don't consider cruising over the holidays for all the reasons discussed here. But since I could cruise from a port close to home and cruise over both Christmas and New Years I decided to just go for it.

 

I thought that Barbara made a good point--these ships are big. So if there is noise in one area of the ship one can just hang out in another. Happy cruising to all.

 

Faith