Report on Solo Transatlantic

[flag fan]

After wanting to go on a cruise for most of my life, but not being able to convince anyone to go along, I finally took the plunge and went on a solo cruise--actually, a crossing of the Transatlantic on the Queen Mary 2. For those of you (like I was) who have been hesitant to take the plunge, my advice is: Do it! It was a great experience; one of my best vacations ever.

 

I did find going on a cruise ship as a single initially much more uncomfortable than other trips I have taken. Traveling as a single is not unusual because of all the business travelers. However, on a cruise ship virtually everyone is a vacationer. No one travels by ship for business reasons. (Actually, that's not really true, 2 of the 4 people at my table were not vacationers--one was relocating from the U.S. to the U.K., the other was leading a tour.) So standing in line for embarkation, surrounded by couples and families was uncomfortable.

 

Once on the ship, however, this discomfort ended. Although solos are not common, I later noted in the embarkation photos many single travelers. Also my ship had assigned seating and I was put with 3 other solos. I am sure this was intentional and would be the case on most cruise ships with assigned dinner seatings. I found this worked out very well. Everyone there was in the same boat (figuratively as well as literally), so everyone made an effort to be friendly and welcoming. I was initially disappointed that it was a small table; I wanted a larger one so there would be more people to talk to, but actually it worked out really well. Tables for 8 (I sat at one for lunch one day) are so large that it is somewhat impractical to talk to people across the table, so you are left talking to the person to your immediate right or left. At a table for 4, it is easy to converse with everyone at the table. I suppose a table for 6 would be ideal, particularly if some people drop out. At my table one of the 3 persons switched to a different seating time leaving only 3 of us. It still worked out fine, but I felt guilty "abandoning" my tablemates, so I did not try all the specialty restaurants, as I had planned to do. But, dinner became a highlight of the day and I did not miss the culinary experimentation.

 

Which brings up another point. If you find yourself at a table with uncongenial people (or no people at all), most ships now have a number of dining alternatives, so you will not be stuck sitting with the same group the entire cruise, even if you don't want (or are unable) to change seating times or tables for dining in the main restaurant. Plus, there's always room service.

 

For lunch on different days I ate by myself, at a large table with others, and with others I had met during the cruise. I found people to be friendly and open to conversation during meals, in lounges and bars, at the casino, and basically everywhere. However, I also had no problem keeping to myself when I wanted.

 

For a solo travel, I found cruising to be a particularly pleasant way to vacation and plan to do it again soon.

 

Again, if you are considering a cruise, I urge you to try it. I wish I had done so years ago.

[Lois R]

Hi, welcome back and I am glad to see you had such a

good time:)

I started cruising just over 3 years ago (wish I had started

years ago too).

Anyway, all my cruises have been solo except 2. I am going

again next month:D (solo).

 

I love going on my own.....can do what I want, when I want

and I have always been outgoing so it is very easy for me

to meet others.

And cruising solo is really piece of cake.

 

Again, happy to read you had a great cruise:)

[PaulfromPA]

Hey flagfan:

 

Thanks for posting your comments. I am doing a solo transatlantic in April, and I am looking forward to it. I hope I find congenial dining partners like you did. Of course, on a transatlantic cruise there are lots of sea days, so I think it pays to be especially outgoing.

 

Best wishes,

 

Paul

[gxchan]

Flag Fan,

 

I'm so pleased you enjoyed your first cruise! Your observations about cruising solo are dead on. Thanks for sharing.

 

Happy Cruising!

[molaurie]

Thanks for sharing your experience, because I am considering a solo transatlantic myself. I'm taking my first cruise ever, solo, on the Dawn Princess to the Mexican Riviera next week! I know already I'm going to love it, and why didn't I start doing this a long time ago-a cruise seems like the perfect way to travel solo!

 

I'm considering the April transatlantic from Miami to Barcelona. I'm actually kind of shy, and can be very happy just entertaining myself with books, sunbathing, etc. and I don't think I'd mind eating alone in the buffet. But it sounds like it will be very easy to meet others and there certainly won't be a shortage of things to do!

 

Thanks again for the encouraging info.

[dmk446]

Thanks for your notes Flag Fan, I was just on NCL's Dawn last month as a Solo, loved it! Now I'm looking to book a couple of more solos this coming year out of various east coast ports. Happy sails to all~:)

[flag fan]

I am so glad I came across this board and realized that solo cruising was an option. I've got two more lined up next year!

[dmk446]

Way to go Flag Fan!

[mitaxi]

I am going on my first solo cruise in February..and every time I get a case of "nerves"..I find another post like this one and I am really excited again...thank you

[flag fan]

Enjoy your first cruise! Congratulations on taking the plunge into cruising.

[SomeBeach]

I've been doing solo cruising for about 6 years now. My most recent was a b2b Baltics and TransAtlantic in Sept. In 8 cruises, I've had only one uncomfortable dinner experience but even now I look back and laugh about it. This was a mom, dad, daughter, and son-in-law all in one room. By the middle of the week they were not speaking to each other. By the 5th night I was ready to bale and had requested a change. They caught me and begged me to stay as I was all that was keeping them from hurting each other. :p I did stay and the last few nights were much better.

About the only advice I tell solo gals is to never leave a drink on a bar or table if you must excuse yourself. Try to take care of business between drinks. :D

[yellowbird23]

I want to go on the transatlantic cruise from Miami in April so, so bad I can taste it. Although I'm married, I love cruising solo and I am so addicted that I am ready to start collecting cans along the roadway to be able to go. Thank you to all for your information in these threads. I guess if I didn't set my hopes so high and want an oceanview room, I could afford to go on an inside room, but am afraid to try it because I'm afraid I will get seasick. Guess I'll keep on dreaming. I ain't dead yet!!!

[PSP]

I have taken 16 cruises and I have travelled single on 11 of them. Although I was a little uncomfortable on my first solo cruise, I have come to thoroughly enjoy travelling single. It is a great way for a single female to travel. Safe and always great accommodations and service. I am now more outgoing than I was in the beginning. You have to make the effort to meet people. I have met so many interesting people, both single and couples, in my travels.

 

Hopefully, you will continue.

 

Valerie

[Dee1161]

Hi all

 

I am going on my 1st solo cruise as well - a transatlantic on Century this April.

I am so excited I can't stand it!

I am sure there will be a few anxious moments but I am really looking forward to some quality 'ME" time :)

[flag fan]

I'm sure you'll have a great time! A transatlantic crossing is a fantastic experience.

[PINEVIEW01]

I want to go on the transatlantic cruise from Miami in April so, so bad I can taste it. Although I'm married, I love cruising solo and I am so addicted that I am ready to start collecting cans along the roadway to be able to go. Thank you to all for your information in these threads. I guess if I didn't set my hopes so high and want an oceanview room, I could afford to go on an inside room, but am afraid to try it because I'm afraid I will get seasick. Guess I'll keep on dreaming. I ain't dead yet!!!

Hi Patty! I too am in your shoes. MY DH is wounderful and says go, go if you want to. I have done one cruise with a friend I met on a cruise and have another planed with her. I have hooked up with two other ladies from TN and we are flying to London and doing a TA in September.

 

But, I found some really cheap cruises and I want to go and he wants to stay home. I can't find anyone to go with me, the draw back of retiering to young:) So, I figured if I booked 1A I could aford two.

 

Thats why I came to this board. To get the backbone to take the plung and the great advise here to do solo. :D