Carnival Singles activities/meetups NOT

[uncleg]

Reading another post, I wanted to hear from other Singles about Carnival and their experiences. I travel solo/single the majority of time so I pay for double occupancy.

 

I have gone to a at least 2 of the so called singles meet and greets on during each of my cruises, only to find no one in charge...I'm not even sure other singles were there, I think CC needs to put some effort into it other than printing it in the Funtimes they are doing nothing. JMO

 

Any thoughts?

Edited November 10, 2015 by uncleg

[AdrenalineRush]

It's been that way for well over a decade of my solo cruises.

 

John Heald recently mentioned that they were working on something, but he didn't elaborate.

[KevInPitt]

What would you suggest they do... force singles to show up? Offer some inducement?

 

In my experience any "special interest" gathering is sparcely attended if at all. Therefore, I've stopped attending after finding myself the only one to show up.

 

Most people aren't cruising to mingle, they are cruising to vacation.

[frugalKansan]

I'd suggest doing some random dating game stuff. Why wouldn't it benefit them to have at least one person from activities staff to do something fun.

[AdrenalineRush]

Have one free drink and they will have a packed house lol..sadly non solo/singles would show up just to get the liquor.

[dioxide45]

I am not a single, but on our most recent cruises I did see the "Singles Meet & Greet" listed in the Fun Times. It was always prefaced with "Your Time:". I took this to mean you were on your own. Similar preface existed for the LGBT Meet, Veterans Meet, Friends of Bill W and Friends of Jimmy K. I don't see how they could provide a staff member for all of these things. It would be good for those that do attend if they could tell others that are there for the same gathering since in most cases these are held in public areas and may not always be reserved especially for the gathering.

[ooomwizard]

The whole dang cruise is a single meet-n-greet to me!

[Shipbound]

What would you suggest they do... force singles to show up? Offer some inducement?

 

In my experience any "special interest" gathering is sparcely attended if at all. Therefore, I've stopped attending after finding myself the only one to show up.

 

Most people aren't cruising to mingle, they are cruising to vacation.

 

I just got from the Glory I cruised solo so I hung around the lido deck and usually sat at the Red frog pub. The first day was fun but all the other days I could have sat on the same stool all day and not one person who have said a word to me I had to converse first. People just don't care they are stuck in their own little world but I DO LIKE TO CRUISE for me it is the best vacation and I'm not a shy person so I do meet a lot of people.

 

Gary

[uncleg]

What would you suggest they do... force singles to show up? Offer some inducement?

 

In my experience any "special interest" gathering is sparcely attended if at all. Therefore, I've stopped attending after finding myself the only one to show up.

 

Most people aren't cruising to mingle, they are cruising to vacation.

 

No nothing like that but an organized meet up might be nice, my last cruise I ended up at atrium bar on one of nights of meetup...an older lady walked up to me and asked if this was meetup....to bad she was older than my mother...however i think this is why these "events" are not well attended and i am not saying have one every night....maybe one or two with just the slightest bit of effort put into it.

 

Heck I mingle everywhere I go :cool:

[crusinpsychRN]

Solos aren't looking for dates usually, just like sailing alone. The dating game would have little appeal to me. Trivia would work.

 

Every time I've gone to see who was at those no one was there. Only a few times have I been seated with other solos in the MDR. Many solos seem to be more solitaire!

[koss78b2]

Yes I also cruise solo just back from 2 cruises with CC, and did the Glory and Victory. I did see the Your Time meet thing in the Fun times, i checked one out and no one was there. Yes i agree i go on cruise to vacation and not mingle, and i agree with one post. how everyone is on own world almost

 

i did meet others on the tours, as well i found the Dining room ( i dined the Your time) i found others at table around would want to talk into conversation,

so in general an organized meet and greet not best

 

however I am not promoting other cruise lines but i did a NCL last year and they had a solo cruise meet and greet and it was well done, it was actually organized by a staff member and they had sign ups for people who wanted to do things together, e.g. bingo, dining, etc, even NCL the Getaway has a dedicated solo cruise lounge. so everyone is different

 

but ya then again i hope all you other solo cruisers like me enjoy your last cruise.

[living at the beach]

In the past three years I have had to cruise solo as my DH is no longer interested in travel-too much hassle for him. So although I have enjoyed many Carnival cruises in the past, I have gone more for Norwegian; especially for their ships with the studio. I agree with previous posters that solo cruisers often are not looking for romantic meetings, but appreciate the chance to have others to do things together occasionally either on the ship or on shore excursions and Norwegian does that very well. However, I have booked a cruise on the Glory in December- great price and itinerary. I would love it if Carnival provided a better way of helping solos to get together, but I will have a wonderful cruise no matter what, with so many activities to enjoy and beautiful ports to explore. I hear that the cruise director, Mike Pack is wonderful and does a lot to get everyone involved in fun activities, and I am also fine with more solitary activities like reading in a lounge chair with the view of the ocean all around.

Sharon

[17andacruiseaddict]

The whole dang cruise is a single meet-n-greet to me!

 

I agree. I have always met people on the first night or even before the first night (thanks cruisecritic). You just have to be willing to be approachable and to be outgoing yourself.

 

I hear NCL does this single cruisers party like event. I also hear that it's a big hit.

[carolinaviking71208]

Solos aren't looking for dates usually, just like sailing alone. The dating game would have little appeal to me. Trivia would work.

 

 

 

Every time I've gone to see who was at those no one was there. Only a few times have I been seated with other solos in the MDR. Many solos seem to be more solitaire!

 

 

True. I sail solo because I enjoy it. A singles "dating" meet & greet has absolutely no appeal to me.

 

That being said, while I'm not actively seeking a relationship, if it happens that I meet someone, it happens. If it doesn't then no biggie because my only expectation on my cruises is a relaxing, fun vacation. I've made some great friends on my cruises so far.

[ldlewis45]

I'd suggest doing some random dating game stuff. Why wouldn't it benefit them to have at least one person from activities staff to do something fun.

 

This would guarantee that I wouldn't attend. Someone cruising by themselves does not mean that they're interested in hooking up with someone on the cruise. I would be interested in going to an event to meet other people that are cruising by themselves, but I have zero interest in playing stupid games or trying to find a "date."

[Nisky18]

I just got from the Glory I cruised solo so I hung around the lido deck and usually sat at the Red frog pub. The first day was fun but all the other days I could have sat on the same stool all day and not one person who have said a word to me I had to converse first. People just don't care they are stuck in their own little world but I DO LIKE TO CRUISE for me it is the best vacation and I'm not a shy person so I do meet a lot of people.

 

Gary

 

I'm like you, Gary. I'm sociable and often converse with people I'm sitting near. I haven't yet cruised solo but have cruised with my then 18 yr old daughter and her friend so I was virtually solo all times but dinner. I still enjoyed myself and thanks to Cruise Critic met lots of people inluding a married man whose wife doesnt cruise but doesn't mind him dancing with other women when he cruises. It was purely social.It's a big world and those of us who are social animals who happen to enjoy cruising and traveling in general, can always find good conversation.

 

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[Nisky18]

No nothing like that but an organized meet up might be nice, my last cruise I ended up at atrium bar on one of nights of meetup...an older lady walked up to me and asked if this was meetup....to bad she was older than my mother...however i think this is why these "events" are not well attended and i am not saying have one every night....maybe one or two with just the slightest bit of effort put into it.

 

Heck I mingle everywhere I go :cool:

Hey uncleg, I may have been that older woman....I'm in my 60s. I'm actually a member of several real world Meetups from Meetup.com and many are multi generational. Because I'm a sociable person when I cruise I chat with many people of all ages and genders. I enjoy conversation related to a variety of subjects but also respect those individuals who prefer solitude.

 

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[meatloafsfan]

I think that some engagement activities for single/solo cruises would be beneficial - not necessarily dating type stuff but maybe some team games like Apples to Apples or Pictionary or Who Am I? Something that gets people talking and interacting and having fun.

 

Truthfully, I'd like to see more of that stuff for all cruisers.

[cruiserNC]

I've had singles friends cruise with us only to find that the singles meet ups to be disappointing. I think Carnival could do a lot more

 

 

 

 

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[tkportersat]

I was single between 2003-2007 and cruised many times, those solo/single gatherings were always a bust. I usually had better luck by making friends on the Roll Calls prior to sailing, met some great folks.

[ATL_Miami_Cruiser]

I was single between 2003-2007 and cruised many times, those solo/single gatherings were always a bust. I usually had better luck by making friends on the Roll Calls prior to sailing, met some great folks.

 

Same here. There's never anyone to coordinate the meet and greet. Every time I went it was held in front of the smoky casino and across from other sing-alongs so you don't know who's there for what. Very confusing.

Edited January 13, 2016 by ATL_Miami_Cruiser

[CruisinMaterial]

Oh no! This is disheartening. I'm cruising solo on the Ecstasy and there's no roll call for my sailing which I found odd. There's ones all around my sailing but not that sailing. I'm an admitted NCL brat and they do amazing gatherings for solos on their newer ships (Epic, Breakaway, Getaway and Escape). They have a dedicated studio lounge for the meet up and it's hosted by a member of the cruise staff. Their older ships have a meet up as well which is usually attended the first day by a member of the cruise staff. The rest of the cruise that staff member usually knows I'm solo and calls me out for the line dances in the nightclub and what not. It's fun and they usually introduce me to other passengers or other crew members depending on if they're out at the disco that late.

 

Now I wonder if this four day trip is going to be a quiet time and if I should just bring more books to read? :eek::cool:

[Nisky18]

Oh no! This is disheartening. I'm cruising solo on the Ecstasy and there's no roll call for my sailing which I found odd. There's ones all around my sailing but not that sailing. I'm an admitted NCL brat and they do amazing gatherings for solos on their newer ships (Epic, Breakaway, Getaway and Escape). They have a dedicated studio lounge for the meet up and it's hosted by a member of the cruise staff. Their older ships have a meet up as well which is usually attended the first day by a member of the cruise staff. The rest of the cruise that staff member usually knows I'm solo and calls me out for the line dances in the nightclub and what not. It's fun and they usually introduce me to other passengers or other crew members depending on if they're out at the disco that late.

 

Now I wonder if this four day trip is going to be a quiet time and if I should just bring more books to read? :eek::cool:

When is your cruise? Why not start a roll call for it?

 

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[evandbob]

If you are dissatisfied sailing Carnival as a solo or single, perhaps trying NCL might be rewarding. On some ships, NCL has solo cabins, and anyone solo or single in any cabin can get access to the solo studio lounge. The lounge has tables, chairs, TV, some refreshments, bulletin board for messages, and staff who organize community dinners for those who want to dine with other solos. You can make plans for excursions or activities with like minded folk you meet there.

[FlyingSoloTonight]

Oh no! This is disheartening. I'm cruising solo on the Ecstasy and there's no roll call for my sailing which I found odd. There's ones all around my sailing but not that sailing. I'm an admitted NCL brat and they do amazing gatherings for solos on their newer ships (Epic, Breakaway, Getaway and Escape). They have a dedicated studio lounge for the meet up and it's hosted by a member of the cruise staff. Their older ships have a meet up as well which is usually attended the first day by a member of the cruise staff. The rest of the cruise that staff member usually knows I'm solo and calls me out for the line dances in the nightclub and what not. It's fun and they usually introduce me to other passengers or other crew members depending on if they're out at the disco that late.

 

Now I wonder if this four day trip is going to be a quiet time and if I should just bring more books to read? :eek::cool:

 

 

I wouldn't worry. I cruised solo (and single) last August on Carnival. And, although there were no "meet n greets" all it takes is for you to find a nice group of people and introduce yourself to them. I made so many friends on my own - from single women, to couples, to actually making new friends who live in my neck of the woods.

 

I had so much fun, in fact, that I'm going on my next cruise in 3 weeks solo again. Just be sociable, and you'll have a great time. Of course, that requires me to have some liquid courage, because I'm not naturally sociable by nature!