Solo Cruising Under 35?

[Pnkgirl25]

I am 32 years old and have made 2014 the year I travel more. I have added a cruise to my to do list. I have a boyfriend but he has an INSANE schedule and do to being on call 80% of the time traveling is hard for him. For my friends traveling is just not a priority for them. I don't really mind doing alone but I feel like most solo cruisers are going to be 50+. Is this the case? I though about doing a singles cruise but I'm not "single" and to me single cruises are for the 25 year old drunk crowd which I am not.

 

I plan on going regardless but I just want to know what to expect.

[suncityjim]

If you don't mind doing things alone why should you care what the ages of the other passengers is?

 

And you do enjoy meeting and being with others so just go for it.

 

Your money is as good as the other folks money.

 

I travel solo all of the time and the reason I travel is for me, not to please others, and I enjoy meeting and being with others.

 

You only go around once.

[angelofsin]

Not all solo travelers will be over 50. I myself am 31 years of age and I took booked a solo cruise last year on the celebrity summit. And I am currentlly booked for another solo adventure this year on the Explorer of the Seas (EOS). Being as though I don't have that much cruise experience I cannot say who chooses to cruise solo versus those who do not. All I can tell you, from one solo traveler to another is that cruises are what you make of them. If you want to spend most of your time alone you very well can. If you want to mix it up and mingle with the passengers, there will be plenty opportunities to do that as well. I say go for it!!

[waney]

think a coach tour, but on a big boat with alot more things to do if you like or do nothing at all if that is your wish

 

a cruise is what you make of it... the only awkward times will be at dinner time or when on excursions/tours when you as a single traveller has to mingle.

 

but its nothing major, think of eating at a wagamamas or similar. and sitting on the rush hour bus/train

[wichitastatecruiser]

I am 32 years old and have made 2014 the year I travel more. I have added a cruise to my to do list. I have a boyfriend but he has an INSANE schedule and do to being on call 80% of the time traveling is hard for him. For my friends traveling is just not a priority for them. I don't really mind doing alone but I feel like most solo cruisers are going to be 50+. Is this the case? I though about doing a singles cruise but I'm not "single" and to me single cruises are for the 25 year old drunk crowd which I am not.

 

I plan on going regardless but I just want to know what to expect.

 

There are now 3 TA companies that do singles cruises. One of them does do age specific cruises (they have a 20's to 30's and a 30's to 40's cruise). Unfortunately I cannot name any of these companies on the forum but you should be able to find two of them easily online, the third one just started up. You mentioned that you have a boyfriend but these Single TA's aren't for hooking up, their for the social aspect. I have done two so far. On my second one I traveled with my then girlfriend and we bumped into another couple that was traveling together with the same TA. Look into those, that way you aren't traveling alone, and often times you can get a better rate as they have a reduced group rates even with the solo supplement!

[LandlockedCruiser01]

I don't really mind doing alone but I feel like most solo cruisers are going to be 50+. Is this the case? I though about doing a singles cruise but I'm not "single" and to me single cruises are for the 25 year old drunk crowd which I am not.

You're right that most solos are on the older side. That's been the case for me when I cruised solo. But not all solos are 50+, and the people I had the most fun hanging out with were not solos. They were pre-existing groups of friends who "adopted" me. Most were close to me in age (29 at the time), and I was the only solo in the group. Not all of them were single, either.

 

Basically, you don't need to go on a singles' cruise or be single yourself to meet new people. Take the plunge, and go have fun. Just decide what your boundaries are going to be, and stick to them.

[zoncom]

I would really consider a hosted singles cruise. You do not have to participate in any of the activities.I did not find that much fraternizing between sexes at events. They do have a group area in MDR for dinner which is fun. Pricing is probably a bit lower with shared cabin than almost double rate you will pay cruising by yourself. You may find yourself on a ship of 3K cruisers with maybe a dozen singles when cruising alone.

[monctonguy]

Traveling solo isn't too bad at all. You can never predict what the crowd will be like, but I am sure there will be others in your situation.

Last time I met a group of people around my age, and while they were travelling together, they were still "Solo" in that some didn't bring thier spouse and some didn't have a spouse to bring.....

Some ships have rooms and areas just for solo travellers which may make it alittle easier to meet and hang out with others in your situation.

That being said, I think it depends more on your personality. I have travelled solo to AI's many times and have meet singles as well as couples and have made life long friends that I still travel with.....you just never know!

[SoloAndLovingLife]

I always travel solo!! Typically Carnival caters to a younger crowd, I'm 33 but the groups that gravitated to me were younger (23-30) as I'm extremely outgoing and a lil

crazy, lol!! Deff check out the late night comedy club, always hilarious! The night life is your typical club atmosphere, I normally didn't get back to my room till 6am :0 Take advantage of the room service...yummy, fast, and perfect for late night snacks or breakfast. If your a drinker, pay for the 'cheers' program, 15 drinks a day for

$50.00/day...I never used all 15 but it was way cheaper than paying by the drink. The food is normally great....and I'm a food snob, lol!! A lot of ppl don't know you can switch

seating/dining room locations to dine w/ the new ppl you meet. The spa services are wonderful, great massages and facials! I don't gamble but have been told the casino is great! Deff take advantage of the excursions, however some are cheaper to book once in port. I'm normally solo at the port of call as I hire a private guide and helicopter to show me around which is costly. If your not an introvert, you will have a blast!!!

[LandlockedCruiser01]

I have travelled solo to AI's many times and have meet singles as well as couples and have made life long friends that I still travel with.....you just never know!

Your comment is interesting. I was solo at an AI too, only by experience was the complete opposite of yours. The AI was in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. To avoid getting too wordy, I'll just say my experience was bad enough that it came to this: when I was walking from the club at night, a security guard walked up to me and said he saw people following me, so he walked me to my room through an off-limits area. Needless to say, making lifelong friends wasn't a priority; I was just happy to get on a plane and fly home.

 

Obviously, I didn't go there to make enemies on purpose, but perhaps my age had something to do with it; I was 19 at the time. How old were you when you went to the AI's, and where were they?

[Sparkles87]

I am 26 and am doing my 2nd Solo cruise this year on NCL Epic.

My first Solo was with a brittish comnpany and there weren't many solo cruisers...... that being said I had an amazing time and made some lovely friends anyway.

If you want a good view of a solo cruisers experience here's a link to a great review of Epic (this review is the reason i picked Epic for my next cruise). The poster met people of all ages and had a blast.

 

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1667128

 

Hope this helps :)

[recjus85]

Im 28, and im going on solo cruise for ny first cruise.

 

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[Virtopia]

I went on my first solo cruise when I was 28 and at 31, will be embarking on my 4th in March. I don't even look at the age range anymore. As long as it's a good price, I will go and enjoy myself and so should you! It would be nice to have more people around my age to hang out with but I find a way to enjoy myself either way.

 

 

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[gapearl]

I'm 33 and have been on 5 solo cruises with 1 more booked. :)

 

I have a few solo cruise reviews posted in my signature, most recently the Imagination and Valor from 2013. If you're somewhat a social person, you'll have no problem meeting people. I'm not sure which cruise line you're considering, but Carnival will sometimes seat the solo cruisers together at dinner. It's too bad your boyfriend won't be able to come along. Book it anyways and have a great time!

[JetSet2B]

I'm 33 and going on my 4th solo in a couple weeks!!!

[AmoMondo]

Starting travelling solo at 23 although was42 before I tried my first solo cruise (when I was young, cruises were very expensive and really mainly for wealthy retires).

 

There are more and more younger solo cruisers now. It depends a bit on the line as some Ttract a younger lassenger base than others but also on the cruise itself. I've tended to find fewer younger people on 3 week repositioning cruises as you would on some of the shorter ones. Ports of call are also a factor. I did a med cruise that stopped at 2 Islands famous for their club scenes that also had the ship not leaving until the wee hours, so no surprise there were a lot of younger people onboard.

[COMBOY]

I am 32 years old and have made 2014 the year I travel more. I have added a cruise to my to do list. I have a boyfriend but he has an INSANE schedule and do to being on call 80% of the time traveling is hard for him. For my friends traveling is just not a priority for them. I don't really mind doing alone but I feel like most solo cruisers are going to be 50+. Is this the case? I though about doing a singles cruise but I'm not "single" and to me single cruises are for the 25 year old drunk crowd which I am not.

 

I plan on going regardless but I just want to know what to expect.

 

Cruising is for the very young to the very old and everything in between; however, you need to pick your cruise line, ship and sailing date very carefully depending upon the type of atmosphere you desire. The longer, more expensive & exotic the cruise; the older the crowd. Carnival, RCI, NCL are pretty safe bets for singles under 40, but I would avoid holiday and summer sailings as they tend to get a lot of families and kids. So you really need to do your homework and/or work with a TA that can steer into the right cruise. Yes, several travel agencies do specialize in group singles cruises so you are guaranteed other solo cruisers to socialized and dine with. I've only read good things about them. No, they are just for the the 25 and drunk crowd. Most 25 years old can't afford a cruise and those that can make I think make up a rather small number. Yes, some on the singles cruises go looking for love, but many go just for friendship/companion ship whether they are in a relationship or not. If you have any concerns just talk to the agencies that book these type of cruise and see what they say about their clientele and what to expect. There is also a host on board to help facilitate activities and deal with any issues you may have. Also, these are "single's groups" and not everyone on the ship will be a part of the group. These groups can range from 50 to several hundreds depending the sailing date. You can do as much or as little with the group as you so choice. At lease you have the safety net of the group and host if the rest of the passengers turn out to be a bore.

Edited January 16, 2014 by COMBOY

[dreamr]

I'm 35 and will be going on my second solo cruise in about 6 days! Both cruises on the Epic. I love their studio concept and the solo gatherings. I had a blast last time and met lots of friends that I still keep in touch with.

 

Of course, I have no idea what kind of group will be there this year, but the group we had in November 2012 was awesome. Most of us were in our 30s, with a few older people in the mix.

 

If you haven't checked out the Norwegian Epic yet, I'd encourage you to do so. I loved it so much that I booked it a second time within a month of being home. From what I've seen, they do more to cater to solo travelers than other lines (and they don't confuse 'solo' with 'single').

 

No matter what you decide, hope you have a great time! :)

[monctonguy]

Your comment is interesting. I was solo at an AI too, only by experience was the complete opposite of yours. The AI was in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. To avoid getting too wordy, I'll just say my experience was bad enough that it came to this: when I was walking from the club at night, a security guard walked up to me and said he saw people following me, so he walked me to my room through an off-limits area. Needless to say, making lifelong friends wasn't a priority; I was just happy to get on a plane and fly home.

 

Obviously, I didn't go there to make enemies on purpose, but perhaps my age had something to do with it; I was 19 at the time. How old were you when you went to the AI's, and where were they?

 

 

I generally travel to Cuba when going to AI's solo. It's way cheaper than Mexico or Punta Cana, and much more laid back and safer imho. I won't get into details, but lets just say there are some nites I don't even know how I got back to the resort or room and I was all good. And have been travelling there for many years.

 

I have yet to spend a nite at the bar or club by myself on either of the cruises I did. Always someone to chat with, have a few drinks with and party.....

[jayjay94]

I am 31 and definitely plan on doing a solo cruise before 35... :D

[NJ Mr. E]

I went on my first solo cruise last year and I had an amazing time. I have my second trip booked for April of this year. I will be turning 32yo on the first sea day. I am real excited to stay in a studio cabin. This cruise is a gift to myself.

 

What motivates me more and more is when I tell people I cruise solo. I get a kick out of "You're nuts. I could never do that.". I am surprised how negative people can be about it too. But, I really don't care because it just shows how non-social they really are. I am one of the last single guys in my group since everyone is now married. So finding a friend to go was tough last year, but I am glad I couldn't or I never would have found the gem of solo cruising.

[mpb0005]

26 yo F looking to possibly cruise solo but a little apprehensive due to the age gaps as well, all of your stories are nice to read

Edited January 30, 2014 by mpb0005

[mpb0005]

I always travel solo!! Typically Carnival caters to a younger crowd, I'm 33 but the groups that gravitated to me were younger (23-30) as I'm extremely outgoing and a lil

crazy, lol!! Deff check out the late night comedy club, always hilarious! The night life is your typical club atmosphere, I normally didn't get back to my room till 6am :0 Take advantage of the room service...yummy, fast, and perfect for late night snacks or breakfast. If your a drinker, pay for the 'cheers' program, 15 drinks a day for

$50.00/day...I never used all 15 but it was way cheaper than paying by the drink. The food is normally great....and I'm a food snob, lol!! A lot of ppl don't know you can switch

seating/dining room locations to dine w/ the new ppl you meet. The spa services are wonderful, great massages and facials! I don't gamble but have been told the casino is great! Deff take advantage of the excursions, however some are cheaper to book once in port. I'm normally solo at the port of call as I hire a private guide and helicopter to show me around which is costly. If your not an introvert, you will have a blast!!!

 

Hey solo,

 

Read your reply and I can tell your personality is close to mine. I'm actually contemplating traveling solo but worried about finding people to hang out to have a good time. Since you have traveled cruises solo I'm wondering if you have any advice on which cruise line is the best for solo travel? I have been looking into RCL due to their studio cabins and solo travelers lounge but have heard that carnival is more of a fun cruise line, due you have any opinions on the 2?

[MeconUltra]

I went on my first cruise solo last year and celebrated a birthday while at sea. Found great people to socialize with, each cruise is what you make of it at least that is my take.

[SophieZ]

Hi,

 

I am a 31 years old woman from İstanbul and I traveled nearly all around the world solo for study and leisure. I went to my first cruise last November from Tampa. I had great time and enjoyed each moment. I already booked my solo B2B for April. It's a good experience to travel solo as soon as you be careful and smart.