Single Gay Cruisers

[dutchamerican]

I see a lot of gay couples cruising together, but I'll be going on a cruise in january by myself on a royal caribbean ship (yes, you heard right, by myself), anyone else out there has traveled alone or been the only gay/lesbian guy/gal in a group? Any great stories/advice?

[topguy]

I see a lot of gay couples cruising together, but I'll be going on a cruise in january by myself on a royal caribbean ship (yes, you heard right, by myself), anyone else out there has traveled alone or been the only gay/lesbian guy/gal in a group? Any great stories/advice?

 

I've cruised alone quite often. I ALWAYS end up meeting new people, both straight and gay that makes it a great cruise. Some of us now do cruises together on a regular basis. Make sure you sign up on the Roll Call on CC for that particular cruise. Sign up on the regular and the gay Roll Call. Also, attend the GLBT gatherings that the cruise line will set up each day. Don't be afraid to go up to new people and just say, Hi. They may be too shy to do so themselves.

[COMBOY]

I see a lot of gay couples cruising together, but I'll be going on a cruise in january by myself on a royal caribbean ship (yes, you heard right, by myself), anyone else out there has traveled alone or been the only gay/lesbian guy/gal in a group? Any great stories/advice?

 

Nothing wrong about cruising solo. I've done it many times. Definitely get involved in the regular RCI CC roll call as well as post a roll call for your sailing here in the GLBT section. RCI does not post a GLBT/FOD gatherings in the ship's newsletter, but there is usually a standard gathering posted on the ship's bulletin board near guest relations. You can add additional meetings if you so choice. The only problem is not every GLBT knows about the bulletin board so who show up is by luck that they check the board. My best advise is don't worry or think about traveling solo. Be positive and stay focus on what you want to do on board the ship and in port and plan, plan, plan. Learn everything you can about the ship and the ports you're are going to. Get out of your cabin and get involve with ship's group activities. Just by doing things with others; you will naturally connect with others whether gay or straight and make friends. Have a great cruise and come back and let us know how your cruise was.

Edited November 13, 2013 by COMBOY

[LDkool]

What RCCL Cruise are you going on in January? I'm traveling solo on the Serenade leaving New Orleans January 25th.

[Austcruiser84]

I see a lot of gay couples cruising together, but I'll be going on a cruise in january by myself on a royal caribbean ship (yes, you heard right, by myself), anyone else out there has traveled alone or been the only gay/lesbian guy/gal in a group? Any great stories/advice?

 

Why should travelling by yourself be so shocking? I prefer solo travel as I can do whatever I like whenever I like.

 

You get to meet people you probably wouldn't have if you'd been with someone.

 

My only advice is to not make it about being gay. You'll have a great time if you just take people are they are and explore the ship and the ports of call.

[dutchamerican]

Thanks so much to everyone for the great advice so far! I'll try looking at the bulletin boards when on the ship, as well as do some group activities (I'm ok with meeting gay or straight people ^_^), someone told me perhaps meeting people at the whirlpools was a good idea? (I have yet to find the LGBT roll calls :-x)

To respond to LDkool, I'll be traveling on January 4 on Oasis of the seas. Happy to see i'm not crazy for wanting to travel by myself heh, always thought there's nothing more relaxing than a trip by yourself where you get to choose your own schedule PLUS the greatness that is taking a cruise where everything is taken care of and you get to meet new great people :)

Still wondering if anyone has any cool stories of someone they met on a cruise (Best friend, love interest, etc)

[rj9699]

Happy to see i'm not crazy for wanting to travel by myself

 

Dunno if you're crazy (or if I am for that matter :confused:), but you're not alone. I've been hovering over the "book it" button for over a week now, too scared to commit to my first vacation ever, and also by myself. So far I'm leaning toward RCCL in January...looks like it could be the same one as you...if I ever get the courage to go through with it. :rolleyes:

[dutchamerican]

Dunno if you're crazy (or if I am for that matter :confused:), but you're not alone. I've been hovering over the "book it" button for over a week now, too scared to commit to my first vacation ever, and also by myself. So far I'm leaning toward RCCL in January...looks like it could be the same one as you...if I ever get the courage to go through with it. :rolleyes:

 

hehe, you're not crazy! Some of the best vacations I've been on were by myself (London, Las Vegas, Orlando, etc).

It's always a bit scary, but after the first 2 hours of panic, you realize it's the best decision you've ever made :) Also you have to get over the fear of leaving your hotel/cruise room (or not being there the whole time). Only thing is that I've never been sure of is that cruises usually seem a bit more of a social vacation

and hey, if you decide to take a cruise on the Oasis in january, you'll at least know 1 person :P (and you can escape the cold for a week)

[COMBOY]

Thanks so much to everyone for the great advice so far! I'll try looking at the bulletin boards when on the ship, as well as do some group activities (I'm ok with meeting gay or straight people ^_^), someone told me perhaps meeting people at the whirlpools was a good idea? (I have yet to find the LGBT roll calls :-x)

To respond to LDkool, I'll be traveling on January 4 on Oasis of the seas. Happy to see i'm not crazy for wanting to travel by myself heh, always thought there's nothing more relaxing than a trip by yourself where you get to choose your own schedule PLUS the greatness that is taking a cruise where everything is taken care of and you get to meet new great people :)

Still wondering if anyone has any cool stories of someone they met on a cruise (Best friend, love interest, etc)

 

Here is the link to the G&L Roll calls. It at the very tippy top of the G&L cruiser home page. I scolled through several pages and didn't see one for your sailing so you might start one and hopefully someone might be on your sailing.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=686

 

Yes, I do have a good story about cruising solo. I was support to go on the old Royal Princess from Acapulco to San Juan with my parents 1990. My mother got ill and Dad didn't want to leave her, but they encourage me to go ahead since I was so looking forward to it. On previous cruises we all had been on summer cruises on RCI so the passengers were pretty mixed (young/old/couples/singles, etc). OK, so I flew to Acapulco and boarded the ship and to my horror found most passengers were coupled and over 60+. I was 29!!!! OMG. I felt like a fish out of water. I even thought about getting off the ship at the next port and flying home. I was devastated, but I was pretty lucky because I got seated in the dining room at a table of six with some very nice folks. An older British couple from California; a young single travel agent lady hosting a tour group on board and two older widows from Florida who were simply fabulous and so very funny. They kept us laughing all throughout dinner. They all sort of took me under their wing and were very kind to me. It wasn't all so bad after all plus in the casino one night I met a nice young gay couple from my home town so I hung around them during the cruises. We went to port together. But the interesting story was there was a nice looking couple from Scotland who played music in the atrium outside the dining room each evening. He, the keyboard and she sang. He was very handsome and I was attracted to him. He kept given me weird stares when I came in. I later found out they weren't a couple, but brother and sister. Ahhhhh...The plot thickens. I come out of the bathroom one evening we bump into each other and he starts to chat with moi. Next he inviting me for cocktails in one of the ship's lounges and then later he ends up in my cabin. Use your imagination on this one. ;) Yep...he was a member of the our club. To this day - it was the best cruises ever out of 30+ sailings. So you never really know how things can turn out.

[EdmPair]

Both in The Gay communities and beyond, I believe the price structure of paying almost double to cruise solo is what limited the number of solo cruisers. I have never thought it a poor choice for a person to travel as such, but I know I could not afford as many trips if I had to drop that extra coin.

 

My 3 cents Canadian.

[rj9699]

Both in The Gay communities and beyond, I believe the price structure of paying almost double to cruise solo is what limited the number of solo cruisers. I have never thought it a poor choice for a person to travel as such, but I know I could not afford as many trips if I had to drop that extra coin.

 

My 3 cents Canadian.

 

That's pretty much the boat I'm in (pun intended). Since I'm looking at a solo vacation, I guess my 3 cents CDN is really only worth 1.5 :(

[dutchamerican]

Here is the link to the G&L Roll calls. It at the very tippy top of the G&L cruiser home page. I scolled through several pages and didn't see one for your sailing so you might start one and hopefully someone might be on your sailing.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=686

 

Yes, I do have a good story about cruising solo. I was support to go on the old Royal Princess from Acapulco to San Juan with my parents 1990. My mother got ill and Dad didn't want to leave her, but they encourage me to go ahead since I was so looking forward to it. On previous cruises we all had been on summer cruises on RCI so the passengers were pretty mixed (young/old/couples/singles, etc). OK, so I flew to Acapulco and boarded the ship and to my horror found most passengers were coupled and over 60+. I was 29!!!! OMG. I felt like a fish out of water. I even thought about getting off the ship at the next port and flying home. I was devastated, but I was pretty lucky because I got seated in the dining room at a table of six with some very nice folks. An older British couple from California; a young single travel agent lady hosting a tour group on board and two older widows from Florida who were simply fabulous and so very funny. They kept us laughing all throughout dinner. They all sort of took me under their wing and were very kind to me. It wasn't all so bad after all plus in the casino one night I met a nice young gay couple from my home town so I hung around them during the cruises. We went to port together. But the interesting story was there was a nice looking couple from Scotland who played music in the atrium outside the dining room each evening. He, the keyboard and she sang. He was very handsome and I was attracted to him. He kept given me weird stares when I came in. I later found out they weren't a couple, but brother and sister. Ahhhhh...The plot thickens. I come out of the bathroom one evening we bump into each other and he starts to chat with moi. Next he inviting me for cocktails in one of the ship's lounges and then later he ends up in my cabin. Use your imagination on this one. ;) Yep...he was a member of the our club. To this day - it was the best cruises ever out of 30+ sailings. So you never really know how things can turn out.

 

Comboy, I have to say, your story totally made my day! :) Thanks so much for the link as well, I have started a new thread on there, hopefully some people will post on there. And well, your story makes a really good case for why traveling solo is so much more worth it than traveling in groups/with someone ^_^ You ever hear from the keyboard player again after the cruise? :P

[rj9699]

Comboy, I have to say, your story totally made my day! :) Thanks so much for the link as well, I have started a new thread on there, hopefully some people will post on there. And well, your story makes a really good case for why traveling solo is so much more worth it than traveling in groups/with someone ^_^ You ever hear from the keyboard player again after the cruise? :P

 

I did it! :D Not the same cruise, but my first solo cruise nonetheless. Thanks for the encouragement and advice!

[dutchamerican]

I did it! :D Not the same cruise, but my first solo cruise nonetheless. Thanks for the encouragement and advice!

 

NICE! Which cruise will you embarking in?

[LDkool]

RJ - congrats on taking the plunge, you will have a blast.. I've been on one solo cruise so far after friends backed out, but travel to Aruba each year and have been there alone. I too had no problem meeting people, I guess the sun allows me to overcome my shyness. Although I'm concerned as my upcoming cruise looks like an older crowd based on the Roll Call discussion. I've met many people on my cruises and stay in touch with several. I have also had drinks with an entertainer and even a couple staff members. just use caution as they have strict restrictions on interaction with passengers.

[COMBOY]

Comboy, I have to say, your story totally made my day! :) Thanks so much for the link as well, I have started a new thread on there, hopefully some people will post on there. And well, your story makes a really good case for why traveling solo is so much more worth it than traveling in groups/with someone ^_^ You ever hear from the keyboard player again after the cruise? :P

 

Unfortunately I did not. Of course I met him towards the end of the cruise and this was his final cruise before flying back to Scotland for a vacation so I never got to spend much time for him. :( You just never know who you are going to met while on vacation. As I've stated before do NOT focus on the going solo part. Just GO, keep a positive attitude, smile a lot and let the cards fall where they may. You'd have to work hard not to have a good time on any cruise. :)

[rj9699]

NICE! Which cruise will you embarking in?

 

Norwegian Epic, 7 day eastern Caribbean out of Miami. After holding it online I called them up and got several upgrades and extras that more than made up for any single supplement. Now to figure out what to do at all the ports. :)

[Cruiserguy609]

Im going on the new NCL Breakaway ship out of NY in Mar. It has single..solo..rooms in its own area that is for singles only. It has a 2 story lounge, with bar even our own bartender for a happy hour every evening. Its a good way to meet singles and you dont feel weird because eveyone there is single too. The cabins are for 0ne only and has everything a regular room has at 1/2 the price. So it will be a different experience for me to try this new concept.

[cruzbynite]

I have done two solo cruises and working on scheduling another. I am a very social and outgoing person and will have friends before the muster drill. No need to give the advice already given by others, but here's a tip. Apply face sunscreen in your stateroom before heading out and use the mirror. I made the mistake (this is how I learned) and applied the sun screen while at the beach. Upon returning to the room, I realized that I looked like a total dork. Also helps to keep a small mirror in your beach bag.

 

Here's another great story. I met most of the people through the roll call section of Cruise Critic. As you can see from my avatar picture, everyone thought they would be meeting this perky little white woman. Well once on the ship we all agreed to meet at a bar for a sailaway cocktail. When they realized I am not a white woman but a young, fit black guy, it was a total ice breaker and so many people laughed. The best part were the married dudes who said "they were looking forward to meeting this woman who belives in keeping a martini in her hand and daily excercise". I would then ask, "why were you thinking you were meeting a woman, that picture is Julie McCoy from the Love Boat". Again, total ice breaker and still chat with many of these people today.

 

Have a blast and make memories.

Edited December 6, 2013 by cruzbynite

[BearlyRob]

I've only cruised solo, and it's always been a wonderful experience. People on board are usually incredibly friendly, so it's easy to make new friends, but you can also be by yourself when you want to. Best of both worlds! People should never be afraid to cruise solo, it's a fun adventure!

[ftl principal]

I have enjoyed reading these posts and feel much better. I, too, am going on my first solo cruise on December 21 (Norwegian Epic). I usually love RCL and Celebrity, but since NCL has the solo cabins (no single supplement), I decided to give it a try. As a recently single gay man, I have been fretting over this trip, but I now feel better and I am looking forward to a fun time and hope to meet new friends.:)

[Austcruiser84]

I have only cruised solo and love it. So many benefits:

 

1. More space

2. The freedom to do as I like, when I like

3. Opportunities to meet new people (which I find is stifled when travelling with others)

4. It's easy to find a single seat somewhere than a table for two or more

5. No waiting around for someone else

6. No compromising

 

Unfortunately, too many people how go are afraid of doing things alone perpetrate the notion that solo travel is lonely travel. Quite the contrary in my experience. I've met more people travelling alone and had more interesting experiences than when travelling with others.

 

When I picked up my travel documents from the travel agent (this wasn't the person I booked through, it was her male colleague) yesterday, I was unsurprised to experience the following conversation:

 

TA: Where are you going to?

Me: New Zealand

TA: On a cruise?

Me: Yes

TA: What, alone? Why?!

Me: I felt like it. Can't stand travelling with someone. Too much hassle. I always travel solo these days.

TA: That's odd

Me: Not really

TA: And you're flying back to Sydney? Alone?

Me: Yes, of course.

TA: Ok. I see you're flying First. Are you sure that is correct?

Me: Yes, it is.

TA: You're not that old.

Me: True, I'm 29. But the information is correct.

TA: Ok, I'll print everything off.

 

I was tempted to say stop being a judgemental so-and-so, but I held my tongue. He was quite rude to the woman before me too.

 

But this is typical of some people. The idea of travelling solo is so foreign to them.

 

In some ways I pity such people. They're missing out on a whole set of experiences one cannot have if travelling with another or others.

[recjus85]

Taking my first cruise on January 30th on Carnival Paradise! Going solo, and hoping to meet some new friends!

[TheBamBam]

Hi Everyone,

I have been on a total of 35 cruises and 33 of them I travelled solo. I have never regretted sailing solo. You meet a lot of people, but more importantly you get to do what you want to do and site see what you want to see. I have made so many new friends, that by the time the cruise ends, people were saying good-bye to me and I couldn't remember when I met them. Just have fun and enjoy the cruise.

[Mitchie872]

I have only cruised solo and love it. So many benefits:

 

1. More space

2. The freedom to do as I like, when I like

3. Opportunities to meet new people (which I find is stifled when travelling with others)

4. It's easy to find a single seat somewhere than a table for two or more

5. No waiting around for someone else

6. No compromising

 

Unfortunately, too many people how go are afraid of doing things alone perpetrate the notion that solo travel is lonely travel. Quite the contrary in my experience. I've met more people travelling alone and had more interesting experiences than when travelling with others.

 

When I picked up my travel documents from the travel agent (this wasn't the person I booked through, it was her male colleague) yesterday, I was unsurprised to experience the following conversation:

 

TA: Where are you going to?

Me: New Zealand

TA: On a cruise?

Me: Yes

TA: What, alone? Why?!

Me: I felt like it. Can't stand travelling with someone. Too much hassle. I always travel solo these days.

TA: That's odd

Me: Not really

TA: And you're flying back to Sydney? Alone?

Me: Yes, of course.

TA: Ok. I see you're flying First. Are you sure that is correct?

Me: Yes, it is.

TA: You're not that old.

Me: True, I'm 29. But the information is correct.

TA: Ok, I'll print everything off.

 

I was tempted to say stop being a judgemental so-and-so, but I held my tongue. He was quite rude to the woman before me too.

 

But this is typical of some people. The idea of travelling solo is so foreign to them.

 

In some ways I pity such people. They're missing out on a whole set of experiences one cannot have if travelling with another or others.

 

Wow, those were some odd questions coming for a TA but you handled it well :)