Solo dining on Regent?

[BlueRiband]

Hello, Cunard passenger here. I was looking at a Regent itinerary for Alaska because Cunard doesn't go there. However I see that Regent has open seating - "dine when you want with whom you want". As a solo traveler I've appreciated Cunard's fixed seating in their Grills restaurant. I always request a large table so as to be assured of having dining company. If there is open seating however, I would be on my own to connect with other passengers.

 

Can anybody here give me their experience of sailing solo on Regent? I love dining conversation but my personality is not especially outgoing and gregarious. Some couples could be hesitant to dine with a solo if they had past problems with a "clinger".

 

Could Regent be for me? Or would I find frustration with open seating and be better off looking elsewhere?

[poss]

We've been sailing with Regent for a number of years and have loved every cruise. The Mariner will be in Alaska next year, and it's a great ship to see Alaska with.

 

I think you'd be very pleased with the way seating works at dinner. Sometimes my husband and I like to dine alone (more these days than in the past: he doesn't hear well now and is less interested in conversation with strangers); sometimes we enjoy having a table for four or even six. When one enters the main dining room, the maitre d always asks what would be the preference for the evening. If we say four, sometimes he leads us to a table where there are already two people (who had also requested a table for four); and sometimes we are led to a table, and two more table companions will be brought--usually in not more than 5 minutes or so. It's a lovely arrangement, especially as we've found most people on Regent to be interesting, fun, well-educated and well-travelled.

 

You will also meet numerous friendly folks on excursions or around the ship, so that's another way to "find" dinner companions.

[Linda VH]

Also, in Sette Marie (sp?), they will seat you with other people. There are a limited number of tables for 2 so they ask if you would sit with others. We always say yes and have met some lovely people that way. We travel with a group but most nights they like to dine together for a loooong 3 hours or more. We prefer to eat and go to the casino :D

[ChocolatePirate]

Another way to meet fellow passengers is to go to the afternoon tea. There is a "trivia" game and you can either ask to join a group or someone may ask to join you. We've met some wonderful people and great dining partners this way. On our last trip we met two women traveling alone (separately) and we became fast friends.

When you go to the cocktail party on your deck on the first night (I forget what it is called), you will meet almost everyone staying on your deck.

Also, don't forget to sign up for (or start) a Roll Call for your cruise on this site.

Edited October 12, 2015 by ChocolatePirate

[JMARINER]

I believe that is always a hosted singles table in the main dining room.

 

 

j

[Anchorbuoy]

I believe that is always a hosted singles table in the main dining room.

j

 

Yes. Except for the Navigator, each ship has a Social Hostess. Solo travelers can opt to join the hosted table with other singles on any evening if you wish. Plus the Social Hostess will arrange group events such as cocktails in the evening.

 

Likewise, if you don't care for the Social Travelers group, the Maitre D' will arrange to seat you with a suitable and willing group. No need to find your own companions.

[xrvlcruiser]

I was just on the Navigator and most nights, the solo travelers met for drinks with the ACD - who also functioned as Social Hostess - before dinner.

 

I don't know about dinner - I never asked.

 

Peggy

[BlueRiband]

Thank you for all the responses. If open seating means I can show up alone but "will share" then it can work out. I might however miss some of the Cunard formality - which I enjoy immensely. Regent is a bit more relaxed and it would be a port intensive sailing.

 

As a solo I walk a fine line between being friendly but not being "clingy".

[poss]

Yes, Regent is not formal. But it is elegant, both the ship and most of its passengers. But no one will be wearing tux (especially in Alaska), few will wear tie, and some not even jacket in restaurant. Imo, though, most of the people on Regent look grand.

 

Enjoy whatever you choose!

[wishIweretravelling]

I sailed Regent solo for many years, and the dining system was perfect for me. I'd simply turn up and ask the maitre d' to put me at a table with some fun people. And, somehow, he almost always managed to do just that. (It may just be that most Regent passengers are fun, so the odds were with me.) After a few days, I'd start making arrangements to dine with people I'd met. Even now that I travel with a friend most of the time (who, btw, I met on a RSSC cruise), we enjoy taking "people pot luck."

 

There is the singles table, but for reasons I can't quite put my finger on, I've found the dynamics at those tables to be a little "off." Others love it, so it may just be me.

[BlueRiband]

Thank you for all of the helpful responses. With the lack of any formal nights and relaxed dressing for dinner it appears that Regent is not for me.

 

Feedback like this makes these boards so helpful. It allows valuable input for determining if a cruise line is the right fit for one's preferred vacation style.

[nfcu]

Thank you for all of the helpful responses. With the lack of any formal nights and relaxed dressing for dinner it appears that Regent is not for me.

 

Feedback like this makes these boards so helpful. It allows valuable input for determining if a cruise line is the right fit for one's preferred vacation style.

 

 

Look into Silversea's Shadow to Alaska. They still have formal nights and go out of their way on board to cater to single sailors.