Glammy Grammy

Just do it !!! I did my first solo cruise in May this year on QM, it was superb. Didn't know a soul when I got on but after a few days I'd met and got to know a lot of lovely people I'm still in contact with. I'm doing a solo cruise on QE in just over a weeks time and can't wait.

My tips - go to the solo travellers meetings, especially the first one. Request a large table for dinner, go to lunch in the restaurant and ask to join a large table there, participate in the line dancing etc classes, be seen about the ship and don't hide away, sit with a coffee/drink and you can bet you'll get chatting to someone. Bar stool at the bar for pre dinner drinks - people tend to frequent the same bar for this so you see the same faces. Lastly - go and have a fantastic time.

Oh they look lovely, I've booked one of the singles for December on QE, I'll post photos when I get back.

No it's not strange or inappropriate, I'm sure you'll have a great time. I've recently done my first solo cruise and met a cross section of other solo travellers, married, single and widowed like myself. All had one thing in common, to enjoy our cruise. I felt completely safe, it's a great way to travel.

Go and have a much deserved break and recharge your batteries.

Hi everyone, better late than never but here's my experience of my first solo cruise on the QM2.

My daughter dropped me off at the coach pick up point, she was in tears but i kept a stiff upper lip even though I was angst ridden!! As i got on the coach I could see people looking to see if I was alone, I got off at the service stop and got chatting to a couple of people who were very nice, then two ladies back on the coach who had travelled solo. I congratulated myself on doing so far so good.

Embarkation was a doddle, again got chatting to people and a guy who was also solo. With head held high, I ventured to my cabin - first time in an inside - which was in a great position on the ship and very comfortable. After unpacking I went out on deck and to look around, Yes I'd done it and took a very cheesy selfie to celebrate the fact.

I was late sitting in the MDR, had a sherry to steady the old nerves then went to my table. I was joined by a lady who had been widowed at the same age as me (51), a lady in a difficult marriage travelling solo and a lady journalist who was covering the cruise. We all hit it off from the first night, went for a drink and to the show together, and continued to enjoy our dinners and meeting up occasionally at night time.

At lunch time in the MDR I always asked to join a large table. Through this I met other solo travellers and some lovely couples. There was a solo travellers meet and greet on the first day which was great, and from there a few of us went to a line dancing class.

After about three days, I'd got to know and recognise a lot of people on the ship. I was never short of company if I wanted it, shared taxis with folk off the ship, met a solo guy on a hoho bus then we did a further two bus trips together at different ports.

I went with a very open mind on what to expect, what can I say except it was a fantastic and liberating experience and a huge confidence boost which i so needed. Would I do it again?, I'd been home a week and got an offer through from Cunard, I'm now booked on QE in December in one of their new single cabins.

Any solos reading this and debating, don't think about it - do it. If I did it you can too.:)

I wouldn't do it, those days are long gone!, plus I don't sunbathe anyhow, but for anyone else who wants to that's fine by me. Not got a problem with it.

Thanks so much for such an in depth review. I'm taking my daughter and granddaughter who is 7 on their first cruise in August on Eclipse, I've been wondering about the children's facilities having never used them before. It sounds great, and I'm sure she will have a fab time. Glad you all enjoyed your cruise.

I was fortunate enough to be on the QM2, it was the most fantastic, unforgettable experience. The atmosphere for the whole cruise was superb, it will certainly take some beating. To stand at the aft of QM2 and see the other 2 queens following so closely by is something I will always remember. Lots of people shed a few tears on that day.

Oh yes please, the sooner the better. There's room to build a terminal there, good transport links, ample hotel space, we can but hope.

I've just completed my first solo cruise on QM2, and I would have no hesitation cruising solo again. I met lots of lovely people on board, sat with 3 solo ladies for dinner who were wonderful and have arranged to meet up again. Join in the dance classes etc, join a large table for lunch - this worked very well for me, take pre dinner drinks in the commodore club, go to the singles meet up in the mornings. There is so much to do on board, try it, I'm sure you'll have a fab time.

Reading your posts has give me a much needed confidence boost. I'll be cruising solo for the first time on 17 May, by circumstances and not choice. My DH passed away last November, we loved cruising and always had a fantastic time. We particularly wanted to do the cruise I'm going on - the 3 Queens salute in Liverpool for the 175th centenary - then he took ill. After much deliberating I finally booked it last week, with a lot of coaxing from my daughter.

Yes, it's going to be very strange and totally different to my previous cruises but I want to try it to see if I still enjoy it as much. To be honest on sea days we always went our separate ways to different lectures, activities etc so I'm used to spending time on my own. I've always loved eating in the MDR on a large table and meeting people so that's what I'm going to do this time too. I'm very happy and comfortable with my own company but also enjoy meeting others too. My one concession has had to be lower heeled evening shoes as I won't have my darling man to hold on to if it's a little bumpy. I know he would be very happy and proud that I've decided to go on this cruise, and will be with me in spirit, no way would he miss the fun.

I understand you Liz, I live between Liverpool and Manchester, guess I'm classed as a woollyback !!! I'll be on the QM2, getting very excited now.:)

Thanks for the recommendations, it's appreciated.

We will be flying into Southampton airport the day before sailing, so are looking for a hotel to stay overnight. Anyone any recommendations? Thank you.

I am considering a cruise on QE next year. I've always had a balcony cabin on a higher deck but very sadly my husband has recently passed away so I will be travelling solo for the first time. There are some single cabins on deck 2, but they appear to be close to the casino and the theatre - anyone stayed in one? I'm concerned in case they will be too noisy. Next alternative is an oceanview with obstructed or unobstructed view on deck 4 I'd be grateful for any feedback.

I feel quite comfortable at the thought of a solo cruise, do they have any functions/get togethers specifically for solo travellers?

On our last cruise there was a couple who must have spent an absolute age preparing all their different costumes for the various balls. They looked amazing, but they must have taken an extra 2 cases each, on top of their usual cases, to fit everything in. We are talking full Elizabethan costumes here, just as an example. To be honest, very few people bothered apart from them, and I certainly don't need the extra hassle of even more wardrobe planning prior to a cruise!

On Solstice last year, there was a notice to advise that children would be allowed in the solarium at a specified time, think it was between 2.30 and 4.00pm. All other times it was adult only. The kids could have a swim and a play in a warm pool, then the adults could relax and chill out when they all got out. Everybody happy.

Last year on Solstice they did a scrapbooking class on sea days - it was great fun and well attended. They gave you a mini scrapbook to make and take away free of charge. Just one downside though - it was quite a choppy sea day and I found after an hour of looking down at close work I felt decidedly queasy so had to go and have a walk round the deck in the wind and rain for an hour and look at the far horizon (did the trick I might add).

We've just returned from Constellation in the Med where we purchased the Classic drinks package. To be honest we got everything we wanted with that including 'premium' water (Evian) speciality coffees, and many more items that were stated as only been available with a Premium package. The waiters seemed to be under the impression that as long as a drink was under $8 dollars you could have it, irrespective whether it was classed as Classic or Premium. Also my hubby was given premium brandies on a few occasions.

The package worked out fine for us and the savings were definitely on our side. It's amazing how a couple of coffees, bottles of water, pre-dinner drinks, cocktails, wine and liqueurs all add up, we will certainly do it again.

Plus, I ordered a couple of cocktails to try and when I found I didn't like them didn't feel bad at leaving them as I could re-order one I knew I would like instead.