Cruising Solo on Princess

[Brneyznfl]

Has anyone cruised solo on Princess? What was your experience like? Any tips for meeting new friends who are also cruising by themselves? If you choose traditional dining, does Princess make an effort to seat you with other solo cruisers? Thanks for any information you can share. :)

[kkorman]

I sailed on the Coral Princess in June. THough I had sailed on the ship a month earlier, so I had made some friends with the crew members on board and they were much of my people interaction. I did PC dining, but ended up eating at the specialty restaurants many nights instead. WHo you meet is up to you. If you are outgoing, you will meet people, if you are not, you will not.

[doreen425]

Hi, I just returned 2 weeks ago from a solo cruise to Alaska on Princess. While the cruise was amazing socially the trip was not a success. The passengers were entirely families and couples. I don't care what anyone says but no matter how friendly if you are alone a couple or family are not going to invite you to join them. While the days were fine evenings were lonely. I asked to be seated with the other solo travelers and was snottily informed they have very few solo travelers. So I had dinner with two long married couples. The ships attempt to bring the "single" people together brought out two widows, a lone man from Australia and a woman traveling with 13 friends.

 

My travel agent told me that she books single people all the time. Either I picked a bad week or she lied. I don't mean to scare you off but I want to be honest in what to expect.

[snowbird1]

From my experience I would say an Alaska cruise may not be the best place for singles to meet. The reason for this is the crowd is generally a little older and the the atmopshere is geared towards the beautiuful sites Alaska has to offer and not so much on Fun/Games and partying.

[Brneyznfl]

Thanks for the replies. I'm not looking to hook up with anyone or to party hardy. I'm in my middle 40's and can take or leave that. But would just like the opportunity to meet others in my same situation who are cruising by themselves. On a big ship, sometimes it's hard to find each other.

 

Doreen425 I' had the same problem in the past when I've cruised solo. Daytime was fine, but at night was more difficult. This happened on the Explorer of the Seas. I was seated with a large family and it was just awkward for me and maybe for them too. I found myself roaming around at night and finding it difficult to strike up conversations. People just weren't very friendly or receptive. I'm guess I'm trying to get a sense of is if Princess goes out of their way for solo cruisers when it comes to the dining room. For me, dinner is the highlight of the cruise which I throughly enjoy. As we know, tablemates can break or make this experience. Carnival does a very good job of putting the singles together but I"m ready to experience another cruise line. With Royal Caribbean, they didn't make any effort at all and I asked while onboard. I guess I'm also trying to figure out if solo cruisers in my age range lean towards Princess because they have a good experience or if they navagate towards other lines like HAL or Celebrity. Thanks for the input. :)

[kitty9]

Princess is probably one of the least solo friendly cruise lines out there. RCCI is better but for the most part, I find that for the solo cruisers who are age 40 and older, the mass market lines just don't do a great job with us solo cruisers.

[Brneyznfl]

Kitty you are so right. Actually thinking about it, I get a little peeved. Solo cruisers on the main stream cruiser lines "on the average" ( I say that because I know there are single supplement deals during off season) are paying 200 percent to sail if they want more than a basic inside cabin. I love balconies so I will pay the price to have one. I would bet that solo cruisers tend to book shore excursions through the ship. I know I do when I'm sailing alone to a port I've never been to. We also use the casino and buy alcohol onboard. IN fact, I don't smuggle large amounts of alcohol on the ship because as a solo cruiser I just don't have room in my luggage plus it's a hassle! I know that there only a small percentage of us over 40 cruisers onboard, but my point is my money has just as much value as the next person or couple. My cruise experience is important also. So why can't most of the mass market cruiselines put forth a little effort, make us feel that we are an important paying passenger like everyone else and at least try to seat us all together at dinner!!

 

Ok off my soapbox now :D

[FlorenceItaly]

Jan - I took my first solo cruise in June on HAL, Maasdam, to Canada/New England. I enjoyed HAL and cruising solo so much that I came home and booked another solo cruise on HAL to Alaska. I leave on Sunday. I will let you know what that holds for me after I return.

 

In June, on HAL there were several solo travelers, in fact, I was seated with another lovely lady, and the rest were mother/daughters, and a grandmother/granddaughter. It was a fabulous table. In fact, I have been in touch with several since returning home. Also, I did attend one single's function/luncheon. It was nice. I am very happily married, but desired to meet other solo's and I did. It was nice to recognize others around the ship.

In the evening, I went to shows, or the lounges with some of my tablemates, or Jenny, the other solo traveler.

 

I have been corresponding with 2 other women on my roll call board for Alaska. They are traveling with their dh's. We plan to meet and have exchanged cabin info, as well as photos. It will be nice for me to "know" someone, but not necessary.

 

Also, HAL is very single occupancy rate friendly...at least in 2004. I have noticed that so far their 2005 prices are high! For my June cruise, I paid less than some double occupancy rates, and for Alaska I am paying about 110% or maybe alittle more.

 

I will say, there isn't much "nightlife" on HAL, sorta speak, but for a solo cruise this is fine. It is a more refined experience. For my party cruises, I will continue to sail RCI and Carnival.

 

Marie

[FlorenceItaly]

Adding to say, to all you solo cruisers...There are some of us solos, and some couples going on the Oct 31 - Nov 12 Celebrity, Horizon-12 NIGHTS. The solo price is incredibly inexpensive(a little over $800 for inside cabin). We are in on a group rate. So far there are about 20 of us on the roll call board. This will be my first time on Celebrity. Yes, it is a smaller, older ship, but it still gets pretty good reviews. The price of this solo cruise, along with other solo cruisers really attracted me to this cruise.

It is a repositioning from Norfolk to Tampa, with ports in between :)...Check out the itinerary on the Celebrity site, or other on-line sites. We have a special group pricing, if you are interested. BTW, I thought airfare would be high with the open jaw, but I got airfare for $260 RT which is very good considering there are usually no deals out of OKC.

 

Marie

ExaltingHim@cox.net

[Brneyznfl]

Marie, thank you so much for the information!

 

When I'm sailing solo, I'm not looking for the party cruise. I"m more interested in relaxing on the balcony, treating myself at the spa and lounging around by the adult pool. Like I said, the dining experience is important to me because at some point , I would like some socialization. I've never really considered HAL but maybe it's time I should. At this point, I wouldn't rule out any cruiseline. I need to look outward with an open mind. I've been a little hesitant to jump out of my comfort zone (RCCL and Carnival) but now I feel I've come to a point that I need to look at other possibliites because I've kinda of lost that lovin' feeling for cruising at that moment. I think it's because I'm tired of the same experiences and itineraries on the same lines Also, I want to "up the notch" a bit and experience a cruiseline that can offer an even better cruise experience.

 

I need a change..so now that's where I'm at. Trying to figure out what cruiseline would be a good fit for me as an over 40 solo cruiser.

 

Marie, I wish I could join your group. It sounds like it will be a wonderful cruise! :) Keep me in the loop if you find something in 2005 that sounds interesting. For the first in a long time, I'm in between cruises and I don't have one booked! :D

[FlorenceItaly]

Jan - You are very welcome. Btw, I am 41 :). I'll let you know how Alaska works out for me. I know you are contemplating a trip there. I got a very good last minute deal. Sure wish you could go with us in Oct/Nov.

 

I will stay in touch for 2005. Currently I have 3 booked for 2005...a family one, one with my sister, and a family/friends one. I have cruised so much this year, it is ridiculous...planning on not doing much in 2005...by the end of this year, I will be at 5 and 4 of those since June!

 

Marie

[Brneyznfl]

Marie, you're just a youngster, I'm 44 LOL :D ;) So much for not planning to cruise much next year huh LOL :D I really can't believe I don't have one booked. :eek:

 

I was seriously considering Host Carolines Alaska cruise on Princess but it ended up being scheduled for a date that didn't work with my job schedule. I also would have cruised with the CC group on Caribbean Princess next fall, but again I can't get off work at that time. Being that I've never been on Princess, that would have been a new experience especially to Alaska. I really do enjoy group cruising. It's ideal for the solo cruiser. You can hang out with the group as little or as much as you want. Plus you already "know" people before you even get on the ship. :)

[Lois R]

Hi girls:) Hey Marie!!

 

Just to poke my nose in here too;) .....I have never sailed solo on Princess before...3 times on Celebrity and once on Royal.....and I will going on HAL for the first time next month....Marie keeps telling me I should love it:D

 

I am older than both of you LOL....46 here.

 

All of my cruises have been solo and Brneyznfl you are soooo correct....whenever I want to do an excursion I usually book with the ship (great way to meet people)! I also don't bring booze with me...drink theirs!

Now, I have never been shy...so its easy for me to meet people, but I do participate in activities as well........I LOVE TRIVIA! They always have it on sea days! Great way to meet others too!

 

Anyway......have a good time everyone......cruising is awesome!

[FlorenceItaly]

Hey, Lois :)....always good to see ya!

 

About excursions...in June, I booked all ship's excursions...this one next week, to Alaska, I booked all independent excursions...I'll let you know how it goes. I think I am going to attend some trivia events this time, and more ship activities. The piano bar is another fun place to meet people. I love kareoke, but no kareoke on HAL's smaller ships...I think the Z offers it Lois.

 

Marie

[doreen425]

wow I can't believe what has started on traveling solo after my response. As far as age I beat everyone (over 50) but young in looks, fit and attitude. I second that if Princess hadn't charges me almost double for the room I would have spent more on board. As it was I book almost $1,000 in excursions thru the ship. If I hadn't spent so much on the room more would have spent at the spa. I didn't eat for two. Why did I have to pay as such?

 

 

 

If anyone knows a good group of older singles cruising to the Panama Canal let me know. Unfortunately Princess is off my list now.

[LEtue]

Just wanted to add some info....

 

Princess has some deals for 2005 on the Sun and the Dawn. Single suppliment is 150% if I'm calculating right. I'm considering the Dawn 8/29 SB sailing and read all of your comments with interest. Maybe I should l should take another look at HAL.

 

Brneyznfl ~ I think you should start a new group cruise for Alaska 2005! I think a lot of CCers are still looking for another cruise for next year....

[FlorenceItaly]

LEtu - About HAL, their 2004 prices have been very solo friendly....I am not finding the same for 2005, BUT, that could change closer to sailing, perhaps?

 

Jan - you should consider heading up a Group Cruise!! You have learned from the experts :).

 

Marie

[Brneyznfl]

I appreciate your support and encouragment but I wouldn't be a good GL, I know absolutely nothing about Alaska! I"m from Florida! LOL! :D

 

I still would love to go there. August 13th next year would be perfect! What about you guys..? :D

[FlorenceItaly]

Jan - Everything you would need to know you could find out from the Ports of Call Alaska board. It is a wealth of info.

 

I leave for Alaska on Sunday, so won't be ready for another cruise there next year...well, I might be ready, but the pocketbook won't be :).

 

Marie

[snowbird1]

Ok,

 

:o Now lets not talk about us 40+ people being old just yet, right!! I think it is great that there are others beside myself that cruise single and are over 40 (43 for me). I always make the best of them all and of course some are better than others as we all know. Your tablemates are a very big part of it as well and you all have mentioned this.

 

Since you all seem to know all the singles deals. Has anyone seen any deals to the Med next year? I have some friends (married couple) that keep asking me to go on cruises with them and they always go on ones that are too expensive with no single breaks and then when I have a roomate the aren't interested in that cruise (we all know how it works).

 

That deal on the Horizon sounds good but I already have another cruise in Sept so I can't go on that. I sailed the Horizon before years ago and really liked it. I loved eating breakfast on the back deck.

[LEtue]

Marie ~ took your advise and checked out HAL to Alaska for next August. I am considering the Zaandam 8/27/05 sailing from Vancouver;) . I will be anxious to read your review of HAL in Alaska when you get back!

 

Brneyznfl ~ know you don't want to lead a group but maybe we can get enough singles interested in sailng next year. HAL looks like a good choice and you may want to check out the solo prices on the Zaandam. Lot's of inside passage time including Glacier Bay and Tracy Arm. It turned out to be only $175 more than a one way sailing on Princess and airfare and can be much less by utilizing Seattle ;)

 

Linda

[Faith77]

I found the big 'monster ships'--Carnival's Miracle and the Star Princess-- very similiar. I cruised with 6 email gal pals on Princess and cruised solo on Carnival.

 

I definately prefer traditional dining over the PC/freestyle set up for solo cruisers. I had a great table on my Carnival cruise from NY-Canada this past June. Great casino on the Miracle--the casino on Princess was mostly dead. Loved the piano bar on Princess--the piano bar on Carnival was dead. Felt the shows overall were better on my Princess cruise. Also loved catching a movie on Princess--great set up. Food and service were a tie.

 

I ran in to very few solo cruisers on my Princess cruise. I'd probably stick with Carnival when I cruise solo again for this reason. I enjoy connecting with other single/solo cruisers when I travel.

 

Faith

[Shipbound]

I am over 40 and I still like to go out partying , I always cruise solo and always on a CCL ship. Just being on a ship where I dont know anybody, it is so cool. When at home I'am low key but on vacation I have a good time.

[1jazzylady]

Hi Linda and Marie,

I am in my 40's and cruise single. I am on Celebrity Horizon Oct. 31 out of Norfolk. Have met some new people via roll-call for that cruise. I would be interested in HAL for Alaska or any other interesting places. Gwen

[Eddie4Paws]

Hello fellow solo cruisers! I am cruising solo on December 2, 10-night Sun Princess to the Exotic Caribbean. I'm not looking to "hook up" with anyone, or for romance, just looking to enjoy all that the ship has to offer. This is my first time vacationing alone and my feelings are somewhat ambiguous about it. I'm excited, but I also have reservations about being alone. Has anyone ever felt that they stood out as a solitary traveller? On a cruise, have you ever felt like you were on the outside, looking in? Have your tablemates welcomed you, or ignored you? I'm just curious and open to any suggestions.

Thanks!