First Solo Cruise- Norwegian Epic

Hi I am a 34 yo Irish lady about to embark on my first holiday as a solo on a Cruise. I'm a bit nervous and am just wondering if anyone has any tips for a first time solo cruiser. Any tips would be welcome.

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Welcome to Cruise Critic.

Keith

I did my first cruise on NCL Epic, I had a solo cabin.

I booked the cruise four days before it started :eek:

Do what I did, join the roll call! I ended up with several other solo cruises and had a wonderfull time. I even booked a cruise with two others from the Epic cruise the year after in the Caribbean.

Hi I am a 34 yo Irish lady about to embark on my first holiday as a solo on a Cruise. I'm a bit nervous and am just wondering if anyone has any tips for a first time solo cruiser. Any tips would be welcome.

Hi ThunderRoad81, my name is John and I'm also from Ireland, Cork to be more precise. First of all good luck with your trip you don't have long to wait now. I'm also a first time solo cruiser. Very nervous but also very excited. I'm not on your cruise I only booked a few days ago so I'm on the August 16 sailing. I have had it in mind with a long time to go outside my comfort zone and try this so finally bit the bull it and just booked it. There was a thing on the radio about solo holidays and one listener posted a message saying they were going on the epic August 2nd. I think this might have been you. If so thank you. It was just the inspiration I needed to help me book a cruise and I was delighted with the info about solo cruisers. Hope you have a great holiday.

John

Thanks. That is a great help. I'll join the Roll Call. Nervous and excited! :)))

Hi John

Sorry only getting back now. Flat out with work trying to get tidied up before I go. Yeah I did post into Today FM about going on a solo cruise but I never heard them read it out. Ha...didn't think they would as I'm still waiting on an early morning kickstart song being played ;). I head off on Sunday morning to Barcelona so I'm excited but also quite nervous. It takes me a while to come out of my shell. I'll be grand after a beverage or three :) I will post and let you know how I get on and sure we can exchange views after you have your cruise. Thanks for replying. :)

Hi John

Sorry only getting back now. Flat out with work trying to get tidied up before I go. Yeah I did post into Today FM about going on a solo cruise but I never heard them read it out. Ha...didn't think they would as I'm still waiting on an early morning kickstart song being played ;). I head off on Sunday morning to Barcelona so I'm excited but also quite nervous. It takes me a while to come out of my shell. I'll be grand after a beverage or three :) I will post and let you know how I get on and sure we can exchange views after you have your cruise. Thanks for replying. :)

Hi ThunderRoad81, You are lucky you only have a few days to wait. I read the comment on Today Fm Facebook page and that was when I looked up Norwegian cruises and the thing that appealed to me most was the solo lounge so at least you are not completely on your own. I'm sure with all the excitement it won't take you long to come out of your shell. Pity we are not on same cruise but I'm sure you will meet a few at the airport and defiantly a lot more on the boat. Who knows after this you might love the experience so much you will be mad for another cruise. I can't wait to here how you get on and look forward to comparing my trip with yours. This is my email if that is easier for you johnsr420@gmail.com don't work too hard this week you need to save some energy for holiday 😃

Thanks John. Yeah rushing about getting last minute essentials. I'll keep you posted on how I get on via e-mail :)

Thanks John. Yeah rushing about getting last minute essentials. I'll keep you posted on how I get on via e-mail :)

One quick question...... Did you buy a drink package? I'm not too sure what to do. It's about 60 dollar a day for the ultimate or there is one just for beer and wine that is cheaper I'm not sure of the price I think it's 44 dollar a day. I usually only drink beer and wine but seeing I'm on holiday I might chance a few cocktails too. Too many decisions to make 😁😃

I didn't get the drinks package John. My travel agent said its really not worth it. I'll only have a couple during the day and a few at night and prob not every day either. Couldn't be doing with hangovers in the heat and on a boat. I get a hangover smelling it these days ;)Also you can bring wine onto boat from port for a corkage fee of $6 so I'll be doing that a couple of nights. I don't really know as its my first time cruising but I know I can purchase the drinks package on board when I board the ship if I change my mind.

I didn't get the drinks package John. My travel agent said its really not worth it. I'll only have a couple during the day and a few at night and prob not every day either. Couldn't be doing with hangovers in the heat and on a boat. I get a hangover smelling it these days ;)Also you can bring wine onto boat from port for a corkage fee of $6 so I'll be doing that a couple of nights. I don't really know as its my first time cruising but I know I can purchase the drinks package on board when I board the ship if I change my mind.

I was thinking of doing the same. It sounds expensive when you add up the amount you would have to drink everyday. The last thing you want is to be dying in the heat having to do a lot of walking. As you said it can always be bought while onboard. I suppose if you meet people you get on well with you will socialise more but you can always have a quiet night in your cabin if you want or take a long walk around the ship to pass the time. I think I will ring Vodafone to make sure roaming is ok rather than buying the wifi package. Again I can always do this onboard if I have to. There is usually free wifi in restaurants when you are in port. It's hard to think of everything before you go.

Hi I am a 34 yo Irish lady about to embark on my first holiday as a solo on a Cruise. I'm a bit nervous and am just wondering if anyone has any tips for a first time solo cruiser. Any tips would be welcome.

Hi ThunderRoad81

Just a quick message to say I hope you have a great cruise. Only 1 more day you are probably very busy trying to pack and organise everything. I can't wait to hear how you get on.

John 😀

I didn't get the drinks package John. My travel agent said its really not worth it. I'll only have a couple during the day and a few at night and prob not every day either. Couldn't be doing with hangovers in the heat and on a boat. I get a hangover smelling it these days ;)Also you can bring wine onto boat from port for a corkage fee of $6 so I'll be doing that a couple of nights. I don't really know as its my first time cruising but I know I can purchase the drinks package on board when I board the ship if I change my mind.

Just remember every time you buy a drink you give 18% tip but on the BEFOREHAND the 18% is included on the whole package and never charged again. That's another reason it sounds dear. But remember it includes coke etc

Hi I am a 34 yo Irish lady about to embark on my first holiday as a solo on a Cruise. I'm a bit nervous and am just wondering if anyone has any tips for a first time solo cruiser. Any tips would be welcome.

Hi ThunderRoad81

Hope u had a great cruise. I bet you are wrecked today now after a long week. I can't wait to hear how you got on and what you thought of the experience and if you have and tips or if there is anything you would reccomend to me. Only one week left for me now, very excited don't think I was ever as nervous but still excited.

John

johnsr420@gmail.com

I know OP has sailed already but maybe my comments will help someone else.

I was a couple with my late DH for 47 years and we sailed over 90+ cruises together in addition to lots of other travel. I returned Friday morning from my first cruise without him and did well as a solo..... at least as well as I could have expected. I booked the category cabin I knew I needed to be comfortable, had and used by verandah and sailed with a couple we cruised with a number of times in the past. There were lonely times, of course, but it was good enough I likely will cruise again. :)

I sailed on NCL and found it very easy to meet people and chat and when I saw them out and about it was pleasant to know some 'new friends'.

Have fun. Let yourself enjoy. :)

Thanks John. Yeah rushing about getting last minute essentials. I'll keep you posted on how I get on via e-mail :)

Would be great to hear how your cruise was. I'm flying out in a few days