Solo on a river cruise?

[elycelynne]

I was curious if anyone has ever done a river cruise solo. I would imagine that the dynamic might be different than a cruise ship due to smaller ships and limited entertainment options. Would an unattached person feel like a fifth wheel? Any advice or experiences to share?

[rogerdawhip]

I have been on 10 river cruises (7 with GCT), all as a solo. Due to the small number of passangers, it is much easier to meet people. Most river cruises have open dining which again allows for meeting fellow passangers. I'm not sure what type of entertainment you are looking for but I was seldom bored. I have also been on 15+ large cruise ships and I find it much harder to meet people on these and did not enjoy them as much as the river cruises. Let me know if you have any specific questions.

--roger

[hcross888]

On our Danube cruise last year there was an older woman who was traveling alone. Because there is open seating, she sat with many different parties. She had a great time.

[paul929207]

On our river cruises, there were people traveling alone and also people with someone who was not a partner. They all mixed with everyone else.

[elycelynne]

I'm not sure what type of entertainment you are looking for but I was seldom bored.

--roger

 

I was under the impression that there isn't as much to do after dinner as there is on a regular cruise ship. Is evening entertainment less important on a river cruise since days are always spent touring? Or do river cruises usually feature some kind of cultural entertainment as opposed to a typical band, singer, piano player, etc.?

[rogerdawhip]

There is some type of entertainment most nights. It is usually someone from the area we are visiting. We have had dancers, singers, musicians, etc. The entertainment cannot be compared to large cruise ships. One of the best nights for entertainment (imo) is the crew show. Most nights only about half of the passangers go into the lounge for the shows. I am usually in the sack by 10:30 but get up early at 6 am.

[happy taveler]

I have taken 4 sole river cruises all with GCT and always found the people to be friendly. At meal times I would ask if if it was ok to sit at an empty chair at a table or was it being saved for somebody other times I would sit at an empty table and let it fill up around me. I also thought the crew show was one of the best enternaiment show in the evening but other times it was just nice to sit up on the top deck (weather permitting) if the ship was moving and watch the towns go by. With a small group it was easier to meet people.

[tobes]

I was under the impression that there isn't as much to do after dinner as there is on a regular cruise ship. Is evening entertainment less important on a river cruise since days are always spent touring? Or do river cruises usually feature some kind of cultural entertainment as opposed to a typical band, singer, piano player, etc.?

 

I was on the river from Paris to Normandy and the ship was docked at night so we got off after dinner and went into town. I don't remember any after dinner entertainment. I guess if it was there, I missed it, but I would'nt have missed the Eiffel Tower at midnight for anything! :)