Hard time on an NCL cruise... what can I do differently next time?

[SantaAna,CA]

They are more expensive, but you will be fussed over from day one to the day you leave. I sailed on Holland America's Amsterdam to Alaska. Very pretty ship, nice stateroom, 1800 passengers, I was lost in the shuffle. I had always heard about Seabourn's smaller ships (only a maximum of 208 guests) and superlative service. I've now been on two cruises with them, and I'm going back for my third in November. There are several selling points for me on Seabourn (1) no crowds, ever, anywhere (2) as a solo lady traveler, I receive invitations to "hosted" tables in the dining room every single night (there is no set dining time, or set dining assignments on the ships) (3) the crew bends over backwards to make me feel welcome (4) the other passengers are friendly and approachable for chat.

 

Seaborn has become my cruise line of choice. Yes, they are expensive, but well worth it for the unmatched service and experience.

 

Jane

[1jazzylady]

I enjoyed Bermuda on Celebrity so I would not cross it off. There were lots of solo cruisers. A couple of tables of 10's were formed for dinner on cc. I still did my own thing in the town because I wanted to walk at my own pace, etc. The first time I had ever gone to Bermuda was about 15 years ago and I flew there. The hotel arranged a 8 hour taxi tour for me and another solo woman. I thought that was nice. I am going to Hawaii on RCCL 10/21/07 out of LA and can't find one solo cruiser who is online but I am very independent and will have a good time and see Hawaii and enjoy 15nights away from home.:)

 

 

You know its funny. I was just looking at NCL to book a cruise for 2009 (people at work have gone, but they are married, and loved the freestyle concept) but I thought I would come here and search the solo board for any comments before making a decision; and this post was right at the top. Thanks very much for posting honest comments on solo experiences on various lines.

 

Its tough when you travel solo to make sure the right cruise line and destination are chosen. I have now crossed off NCL and Bermuda as potential contenders.

 

I have only cruised RCCL solo and have had a nice time. I am comfortable alone, but also participate in the group activites and book excusions thru the ship which give me times to be with others and socialize. I have also had the dreaded "alone at the table for 10" experience one night, but the waiter was so nice and got me moved to a table where some folks had not shown up and I had a nice dinner with a new group who were very nice.

 

Happy Cruising and again thanks for posting!!!

[cjcruiser27]

I was wondering if you get any breaks for traveling solo or do you pay the 200%..always looking for something new! Thanks for any info...

They are more expensive, but you will be fussed over from day one to the day you leave. I sailed on Holland America's Amsterdam to Alaska. Very pretty ship, nice stateroom, 1800 passengers, I was lost in the shuffle. I had always heard about Seabourn's smaller ships (only a maximum of 208 guests) and superlative service. I've now been on two cruises with them, and I'm going back for my third in November. There are several selling points for me on Seabourn (1) no crowds, ever, anywhere (2) as a solo lady traveler, I receive invitations to "hosted" tables in the dining room every single night (there is no set dining time, or set dining assignments on the ships) (3) the crew bends over backwards to make me feel welcome (4) the other passengers are friendly and approachable for chat.

 

Seaborn has become my cruise line of choice. Yes, they are expensive, but well worth it for the unmatched service and experience.

 

Jane

[Tuneful]

cj, I can't quote the lines but keep looking around this site, there are articles and thread devoted to the best lines for single cruising (in part because of the supplement). If I recall, some charge as low as 25% or less and you might even get a "no supplement" promotion. A knowledgeable travel agent can also be helpful. The first time, the guy I used (with a discount service) was great and put me on a Celebrity. The second time, the agent was of no help on my Qs whatsoever about going solo on NCL vs. other options.

What I liked about Freestyle:

I didn’t have to build my late afternoon or evening around when I would have dinner (I could go anytime)

I could dress casually, which is my habit

Most of the time in the dining room I was seated with groups who didn’t mind sharing and having a solo as part of that. However, sometimes it got a little tiresome covering the same conversational ground over and over.

What I didn’t like:

- The one nasty “turndown” to share I received (as I mentioned above). LOL at the comment about wives who think solos are “after” their geezer husbands.

Lines could be very long.

Getting through dinner in the DR could be very long if you went later.

I just didn’t like the buffets at times, partly because that whole area of this ship (aft deck 10) was VERY crowded – a bar, two outside buffet stations, the inside buffet line, one of the pools, and two hot tubs are all crammed into one smallish area – ugh…

The cruise had many repeat passengers. It did seem to attract a lot of local people (to the port) who found it an easy trip, had been to Bermuda many times before, and had their minds on their favorite things there rather than on doing ship activities or meeting new people.

I enjoyed the two piano bars, although I’m not really a bar person. If it doesn’t bother you to hang out with people who are drinking quite a lot and to have constant music trivia contests, it’s not bad. This ship had a big TV area on one side of the main bar, which interfered with enjoyment of the music.

I wouldn’t write off Bermuda if I were a solo, but I think I would find it more relaxing to fly next time and stay in a hotel. The island was VERY busy, they don’t rent cars to tourists, and it was kind of nervewracking to even walk around because of the maniac drivers on motorbikes especially on the narrow roads… you can travel on buses but do your research beforehand and don’t get lost for 3 hours (rerouted into Hamilton) like I did.

[kitty9]

cjcruiser, for the most part, you do pay double if you cruise as a solo. Carnival has their 1A cabins that are less than the 200%, but for me, those cabins are not desirable. Some cruises on HAL charge 190% and I've heard that infrequently HAL does have a somewhat lower SS, but that's about it. Unless you go with one of the luxury lines, where they only charge 130%, you're pretty much stuck with the 200%.

[Tuneful]

thanks for your POV, kitty --

One online TA I have used (once) is *****.com -- they have a page on there targeted to solos with a link to upcoming cruises with the lowest SS markups (percentages given). (I hope this mention is OK within the TOS.)

[Sansouci]

thanks for your POV, kitty --

One online TA I have used (once) is *****.com -- they have a page on there targeted to solos with a link to upcoming cruises with the lowest SS markups (percentages given). (I hope this mention is OK within the TOS.)

 

Tuneful, I've used them too. However, I have found that their prices are not *always* the lowest that you can get. Just a head's up: By being creative with your searching on the internet, with frequent visits to the desired cruise line's sites to check for promotional rates, and e-mail alerts from travel services and TA's you can often beat their prices. I do use them for a starting off ballpark figure now.

 

I did post once using the name of the mentioned site and found later that it had been edited out. But over on another roll call board for an upcoming cruise, everyone mentions that site (because most of us are booked on a hosted singles' cruise through the online TA), and none of the posts are edited at all! Go figure.:p

[SantaAna,CA]

cj, it depends on when you book your Seabourn Cruise. Once upon a time, they had 110% rates for singles. No more. I have booked three trips to the Caribbean, and received the 125% rate twice. I think this is very generous, and don't see that low a supplement on many lines, especially a luxury line like Seabourn. If they do not have the 125% available, it might go up to 150% or even 175%.

 

They only have a few single supplements at that price, and you get what is called "run of ship", which means they can put you in any cabin, and you may board not knowing which one. Not really much of a problem, since Seabourn's suites are all outside with huge picture windows (I'm not speaking of the mini balcony cabins, or the owners' suites, just the regular Seabourn suites, the kind you'll probably get if you go run of ship). My last trip, I was upgraded, with the now-gone-110% supplement, to a suite balcony cabin (these particular balconies, you can't sit out there, they are only about 18" wide). Talk about striking gold!

 

Seabourn is not only thoughtful of singles on the cruise itself, in my opinion they make the price right, too.

 

Jane

[kek123]

I just booked my second cruise and first one by myself. I too am at a point in life where people have children/spouses/signifcant others and vacations with friends are just not in the picture anymore. I have had generally good experiences with solo "resort" type vacations in the past and wanted to try something different. Any service related matters were in most cases quickly resolved.

I am amazed at how negative friend's/family reactions have been when they hear I will be on a cruise. The general consensus is that I will be miserable, viewed as a problem and treated shabbily by both the crew and passengers. I don't get it. This will be the 8th solo vacation I will be taking and while on some trips I have met great, friendly people and others not so much I don't recall ever getting this kind of negative reactions from people. It's almost as if as a previous poster stated people view me as a threat? To what I am not sure. I am so happy to hear that in most cases the people on this board have had a great experience! Keep the tips and suggestions coming. Anything specific to the Carribean Princess - Eastern Carribean espcially appreciated.

[Roz]

Kek123,

 

Do you think it's because people have watched one too many episodes of The Love Boat? :D Although that show popularized cruising among the general public, it presented an unrealistic portrait of shipboard life, from the standpoint that romance doesn't lurk around every corner.

 

Maybe your family thinks you're embarking on Noah's Ark and you'll be alone and miserable.

 

Roz

[Tuneful]

kek, that is unfortunate that some people can’t be happy for you. Why, I don’t know...

Envy? Perhaps they wish they, too, could get away (or had the guts to) for a break by themselves. Or, they think cruises are an indulgent luxury.

Cruises used to have a rep as being strictly for honeymooners or old people, so maybe they are worried you’ll be out of your element. Not anymore! Although, I’m hearing some lines are better than others for solos, it is also what you make of it.

Unfortunately, some people have a retro point of view that any woman “of age” who is on her own must be “on the make.”

Unfortunately, I don’t always find support or enlightened views about my being single/solo traveler. So, my solution is to try to be independent of the opinions of others. Give myself a pat on the back. And look for the support among adventurous others who are in a similar situation.

[traveler111]

One should remember that a single's money is just as good as a couple's. :)

[kek123]

I appreciate everybody's thoughts. It is sad (but good to know) that others have experinced the same thing I have recently about solo travel. I have received the raised eyebrows many times on solo land travel but never as much to the cruise. I say if we can afford it, are physically able and want to take the journey, why should anyone care! I can't wait to go!

[wrp96]

The first time I went on a solo cruise my friends and family questioned it a little bit. But I had such a great time (and have gone on more since then) that it has encouraged several of them to start traveling solo. My aunt even got up the courage to go to Australia by herself last year - and wouldn't even have thought of doing it by herself previously. With a lot of people it's just an unknown idea that anyone would want to willingly travel by themselves because it's engrained in them that vacation is family time. Until they've tried it, they just can't comprehend it.

[franl24fan]

I have gone solo twice, and going in Dec on Navigator. I've found RCI to be the most solo friendly from pricing to table assignment. A month or so ago I found this website and then found out about roll calls for the specific cruise you're going on. What a blessing. By exchanging emails with folks who will be fellow travelers, even though they may be couples or in families, I already feel as if I am meeting friends when I go onboard. I travel extensively on my own, even traveled full time in an RV for 18 months as a solo female in her late fifties, and I am not shy. So I just start up conversations, if someone is unfriendly so be it, there's another 2000 folks to talk to. But this roll call chat board is so incredible. Please try it.

 

If anyone is going on the Navigator on 12/8-13, please join our roll call. We have the best group of funny, caring, informative folks ever.

[LuvBNatC]

I appreciate everybody's thoughts. It is sad (but good to know) that others have experinced the same thing I have recently about solo travel. I have received the raised eyebrows many times on solo land travel but never as much to the cruise. I say if we can afford it, are physically able and want to take the journey, why should anyone care! I can't wait to go!

 

I've had a few people (all men) give me the raised eyebrow about going on a cruise alone. Obviously, they thought I was up to no good. One even said that only "loose women" cruise alone.

 

My response was, "So what would you like me to do? Sit home until someone comes along and invites me to take a vacation? Because I'm alone I'm not allowed to go anywhere or do anything without an escort?"

 

And then I follow it up by muttering a couple of words too bad to print here. That shuts them up. :D

[gxchan]

I've had a few people (all men) give me the raised eyebrow about going on a cruise alone. Obviously, they thought I was up to no good. One even said that only "loose women" cruise alone.

 

My response was, "So what would you like me to do? Sit home until someone comes along and invites me to take a vacation? Because I'm alone I'm not allowed to go anywhere or do anything without an escort?"

 

And then I follow it up by muttering a couple of words too bad to print here. That shuts them up. :D

 

OMG, I thought I was in a time warp, 30 or so years back when I saw that someone said "only loose women" travel alone!! LMAO!! When I started traveling solo, as a wee lass 35 years ago, anything a woman did on her own was considered "loose." Travel, dining, having a drink in a bar before dinner--OMG, you were really loose! LOL. When on planes, trains or whatever by myself I was always asked if I was going to visit family. When I said no, I was going on vacation the shocked looks, stuttering, etc. was too much, but laughing out loud would have made it worse. I understand people being concerned when a loved one travels solo but just can't believe there is still someone out there saying things like that! Good for you for giving him the what for. You go girl!

[Host Kewlguy]

I've had a few people (all men) give me the raised eyebrow about going on a cruise alone. Obviously, they thought I was up to no good. One even said that only "loose women" cruise alone.

 

My response was, "So what would you like me to do? Sit home until someone comes along and invites me to take a vacation? Because I'm alone I'm not allowed to go anywhere or do anything without an escort?"

 

And then I follow it up by muttering a couple of words too bad to print here. That shuts them up. :D

 

I know many women who cruise alone and I've never once had a negative thought about it. Sounds to me like you're hanging around the wrong type of men.

[LuvBNatC]

I know many women who cruise alone and I've never once had a negative thought about it. Sounds to me like you're hanging around the wrong type of men.

 

Kewlguy, you are right. The one man who went on and on about "loose women" happened to be a real geezer I had the misfortune to meet through a personal ad.

 

He said I was a shameless hussy for cruising alone, but feigned back trouble during our first meeting so I'd ask him to spend the night at my place. He lived pretty far away and it would be "too painful to drive."

 

Well, I had to prove to him that I was a virtuous woman, so I sent him straight home, bad back and all. If I could have painted "Get lost, you jerk" all over his car, I would have done it! :D

 

The funny thing is that I've never met a man on a cruise ship who thought I was a floozy for being alone. In fact, I think in many cases it was a turn-on! :)

[Lois R]

Kewlguy, you are right. The one man who went on and on about "loose women" happened to be a real geezer I had the misfortune to meet through a personal ad.

 

He said I was a shameless hussy for cruising alone, but feigned back trouble during our first meeting so I'd ask him to spend the night at my place. He lived pretty far away and it would be "too painful to drive."

 

Well, I had to prove to him that I was a virtuous woman, so I sent him straight home, bad back and all. If I could have painted "Get lost, you jerk" all over his car, I would have done it! :D

 

The funny thing is that I've never met a man on a cruise ship who thought I was a floozy for being alone. In fact, I think in many cases it was a turn-on! :)

 

Hi, I was reading your post with interest. I must agree

with you......most of the males I have met on cruiseships

have all been extremely nice too:)

And I have done the personal's too so I know of what you speak.:rolleyes:

 

Anyway, I will continue to sail solo and I always have

a wonderful time~wishing you the best as well!

[kitty9]

If you ever get the chance to travel to more third world destinations, you will be surprised by the reactions to women who travel alone. When I was in Nepal, everyone I met asked where my husband was. They had no comprehension of a single woman traveling without a man. I probably would have gotten even worse looks if I had said I kicked him to the curb many years ago. LOL

 

And in Burma (Myanmar, a beautiful country ruined by a horrible government) I had some of the most interesting experiences. Crystal was the first cruise ship to visit that country and the media was on hand to film everything having to do with our visit. I took Crystal's transportation to Rangoon(Yangon) and decided to explore the city on my own. The traffic is insane, there are very few traffic lights and they drive like they're all on crack cocaine. I wanted to cross a road, six lanes, to get to the local crafts market. You take your life into your own hands trying to cross any street in Rangoon. After standing there for a good five minutes, all of a sudden two young men, wearing the traditional Burmese men's "skirt", took me by my elbows, stopped traffic, and walked me across the lanes. One man said, "next time, bring you husband to handle you". I laughed my behind off on that one.

[Host Kewlguy]

Kewlguy, you are right. The one man who went on and on about "loose women" happened to be a real geezer I had the misfortune to meet through a personal ad.

 

He said I was a shameless hussy for cruising alone, but feigned back trouble during our first meeting so I'd ask him to spend the night at my place. He lived pretty far away and it would be "too painful to drive."

 

Well, I had to prove to him that I was a virtuous woman, so I sent him straight home, bad back and all. If I could have painted "Get lost, you jerk" all over his car, I would have done it! :D

 

The funny thing is that I've never met a man on a cruise ship who thought I was a floozy for being alone. In fact, I think in many cases it was a turn-on! :)

 

Well just so you know there are still a few nice respectable men out here. :D

[Tuneful]

Thanks for all the chuckles! I am in a much better mood than when I started this thread.

I'm not terribly experienced in traveling alone but each time I have tended to get one of three reactions:

1. Pity. "What's wrong with her that she's alone."

2. Fear. (from women who are with a guy and are insecure)

3. A cheer, i.e., "Good on ya." They know that it's no fun to sit at home all the time, whether or not you are waiting for a Mr. Wonderful to come along. Sometimes this type will recommend places to see or stay, even contacts to look up in the destination, or, miracle of miracles, invite you to the show or bar with them!

Interesting that solo men don't seem to have gotten much into cruising... at least, I hardly ever see them... guys I've known from dating all said,"not my type of vacation"-- they hated to be "confined," were much more into adventure sports and being outdoors. Where's the happy medium? I can be active, but I don't want to whitewater kayak, hang-glide or backpack, that is the truth. One husband I sat next to in the auditorium on NCL, during a high-energy show that went from the 50's to the present, made a point of telling me afterwards (like saying "not that there's anything wrong with that") that he and his friends weren't into cruises and musicals... I saw him and his friend (also male -- there were two couples together) scrunched down in their seats and paralyzed during the whole thing.

[jp2001]

I'm sorry you didn't have a good experience on a NCL cruise but I loved my solo cruise on Norwegian Spirit, so many friendly people and everybody took good care of me. I even had to say no to a dinner invitation from a very nice couple since I already had dinner scheduled that night with other people. I must say that I am not shy though, I often engage conversation when it seems appropriate and most people were very friendly and interested by the fact I was travelling alone. (I must say that in the night club, I sometimes felt some men thought I was probably an ''easy one'' because I was a ''young'' (27) unaccompanied girl but that is also true if I go to any bar by myself - all these people were very courteous and very comprehensive when I told them I was there just to dance a little but nothing more, that my boyfriend just couldn't come with me on that cruise).