Advice for widow

[traveled]

My husband and I took many cruises and I want to try it alone. I have read where people have had both good and bad experiences. I liked Holland America because it was a quieter ship on longer cruises. I do not want to be that lone person that they want to hide in the back of the dining room or do not give the same service. Please Help.

[lynelz1]

My last solo cruise (4th) was with HAL and I felt taken care of. I sat at a table for 4 with 2 other gentlemen for dinners. For the rest of the day, I had people to interact with and was alone when I wanted to be. Everyone was friendly and I would cruise with HAL again.

[jpg1747]

I've never been on HAL so I cannot comment on how solo's are treated. However, I do know that Princess has always treated me very well.

[Sue from Canada]

My last solo cruise (4th) was with HAL and I felt taken care of. I sat at a table for 4 with 2 other gentlemen for dinners. For the rest of the day, I had people to interact with and was alone when I wanted to be. Everyone was friendly and I would cruise with HAL again.

 

I'm doing my third solo cruise with HAL next month. HAL passengers are very friendly and inviting and I've been included in a lot of events. Just go out and mingle, join in activities, and have fun. I even lost my voice on my first solo cruise from talking and laughing so much.

[Dancer Bob]

HAL is a good choice if you want "very quiet", Florida-retirement-home ambiance with zero nightlife. If you prefer having something to do in the evening, Cunard provides male hosts, some of whom can actually dance. Cruises vary, but the main lounge (Queen's Room) has music til midnight, while I've seen people dancing in Hemispheres (Queen Victoria) or Yacht Club (Queen Mary 2) at 2 AM.

[travlin]

Last year I went on my first solo cruise with HAL. I went to the Mediterranean with them. I had a wonderful time! The crew made sure I was never alone unless I wanted to be. My dinner companions were a perfect match for me. I was at a 6 topper. There were two couples and another solo female. I still stay in contact with two of them. When I went on the tours, I was never alone. People invited me to sit with them every time. Initially, I was supposed to go with my dearest friend from high school, but she had to cancel. I was very reticent about going alone, but it was one of the best trips I have ever taken. I respectfully disagree with the above post about HAL being boring. The evenings were filled with nightlife. People were up quite late and the bars were rocking. Perhaps it varies from ship to ship. I have traveled HAL with my daughter over the years, and we both loved them. I would travel with them again in a minute.

[xxoocruiser]

Considering all the solo cruises I've taken, HAL has been my favorite. They really take care of the Solo traveler. Solo cruises in general have been my favorite.

[kek123]

I had an absolutely awful time solo on Princess, they could not have treated me worse as a solo.

On the other hand Celebrity was far and away wonderful. There was not a moment that I did not feel like a valued guest. Can't wait to take another voyage with them.

[AmoMondo]

My husband and I took many cruises and I want to try it alone. I have read where people have had both good and bad experiences. I liked Holland America because it was a quieter ship on longer cruises. I do not want to be that lone person that they want to hide in the back of the dining room or do not give the same service. Please Help.

I'm not a widow but do cruise and travel on my own a lot. Depending on the cruise/cruiseline, they may sit you with other singles, so you'll not be hidden away on your own. Even on the times that I had no tablemates (no other English speakers on my sitting), I was not stuck away in the corner. I can honestly say that I don't get the same service when I'm on my own compared to with a friend, but it is better not worse. the crew seem to go out of their way more to talk to you and make you feel special.

 

My advice would be go ahead and try it. It will be a different experience on your own but it can be very enjoyable.

[Solo Cruiser]

My experiences are with Princess and HAL and they were all great. I found the nightlife onboard the HAL Westerdam to be quite adequate for my needs (loved the casino and the piano bar) and while I would have loved to have danced....well there weren't any unaccompanied men around to dance with.

 

Both lines treated me very well. HAL was my first time in a fixed dinner seating and I was seated with other singles (both male and female.) Great people all and we had a wonderful time together each evening. With Princess I was usually seated with couples but there was always great conversation.

 

Take the chance, you will love the experience.

[SusanC67]

I was thinking about the original poster's question and it occurred to me that it might be possible to discuss this with Customer Service in advance.. but also, it might be a good idea to discuss it with the maitre'd in advance as well.

 

I plan on doing a solo cruise in November 2010. Some days I will go in the dining room, other days I might do specialty dining or maybe the buffet.

 

I suppose part of it is the attitude/mind set one has before embarking on such a wonderful adventure.

 

I commend you for your courage and desire to do your cruise. My best advice would be to embrace the adventure and enjoy every moment and realize it will be as much fun as you allow it to be.

 

I hope you truly enjoy yourself.

 

Regards,

SusanC

[chachi]

I have only traveled solo on Carnival, but I think they treated me better as a solo. Because I was alone, they talked to me a lot more I think.

[MSRussell]

My husband and I took many cruises and I want to try it alone. I have read where people have had both good and bad experiences. I liked Holland America because it was a quieter ship on longer cruises. I do not want to be that lone person that they want to hide in the back of the dining room or do not give the same service. Please Help.

I am a recent Widow...11 months ago, and returned from a cruise on the Sensation.

I had NO problems meeting people to talk with. As far as the dining, I was seated with 7 other people, just two married. I had a wonderful time.

[SemperFi_Cruiser]

My husband and I took many cruises and I want to try it alone. I have read where people have had both good and bad experiences. I liked Holland America because it was a quieter ship on longer cruises. I do not want to be that lone person that they want to hide in the back of the dining room or do not give the same service. Please Help.

 

I just returned from my first solo cruise on the Carnival Liberty. (Widowed 2 years ago) I checked in with the Maitre'd the first day and asked to be seated at a large table with other solo cruisers. It turned out to be a great decision and my tablemates were wonderful. I also went to the dining room for breakfast four times during the week, knowing I would be seated with other people. It became a great adventure, and I met so many wonderful new friends. Yet, there were times when I simply enjoyed a meal - lunch mostly, alone, with a book, sitting where I could see the ocean.

Everyone on the Carnival staff was helpful and friendly, and I struck up many conversations with them during the course of the cruise. There was never any attempt to "hide" me away, on the contrary, I felt like I was extended every possible courtesy.

So, don't worry - you will find your balance - you can be around people as much as you want, or you can be alone when you want to be. It's all about finding what's right for you.

[Lard Greystoke]

I could also recommend going on one of the smaller ships on a longer cruise. On my last 10-day I had companions for everything within a couple of days.

[Creeks]

I just returned from my fourth cruise as a widow, all on RCCL. Not the same as cruising with my dear husband, but better than sitting alone at home. You can be as active as you want. There is always someone to talk to if you want. I enjoy breakfast and lunch in the dining room as I meet more people. My dining companions have been interesting and enjoyable. Give it a try!