First time cruise for a solo 30 year old.

[beckyboo1986]

Hi all,

 

I've been lurking for a few weeks but thought I'd post.

 

I'm looking at going on my first cruise but I'll be on my own.

 

I'd like to go on the Southen Caribbean cruise on 24th June on Adventures of the sea.

 

I'm a very outgoing girl and I'm happy go on my own. But I'd like to know if the ship will cater for solo travellers? I'd like to chat to people in the evening but I'm worried it'll all be couples who don't want to socialise with a single lady

Any tips when booking as well please?

 

Thanks.

Becky.

[Ken at the beach]

Make sure you get assigned to traditional dining either early or late and ask to be seated at a table for 8 or 10.

 

E mail rcldining@rccl.com with your request

[geduffer]

RCI usually charges a single supplement for single cruisers. Make sure you're aware of what it is. Other than that, once booked get into the roll call so you have someone to meet up with occasionally.

 

 

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[cruzgryphon]

Ships don't really do anything for solo cruisers anymore. Some ships will post in the cruise compass that solo cruisers can meet at such and such bar, but there's no one from the ship there so you don't really know who the other solo cruisers are unless you ask (and in my experience not a lot of solo travellers actually show up).

 

That being said lots of activities are conducive to meeting people - trivia is a great one, just show up and see who needs/ wouldn't mind an extra team member (you get up to 6 people per team). I also find excursions to be a good way to meet people (either through the ship or private).

[Newbcruiser1]

I am about your age and started cruising solo about 7 years ago - and LOVE it! :)

 

As others have said, make sure you do traditional dining (I typically choose late seating - less families that way), and ask for a large table. Go to the dining room when you board to check where your table is and ensure it's a large one! If you're not happy, talk to the head waiter about getting moved! If you show up on the first night and don't like your table or tablemates, speak up and ask to be moved for the following night! :) I learned that lesson after my first solo cruise when I was seated at a table for 4 with a group of 3 friends who didn't show up again after night 1! I sat and sulked for the week hoping the servers would notice and move me - that didn't happen!

 

Another tip - see if anyone on your Roll Call board on here is interested in linking reservations for dining! I've had great luck doing that pre-cruise. In fact on my last cruise, we had 20 solos linked at 2 side by side tables and we had a blast! :) If you find anyone, you will each need to call Royal Caribbean to link your dining!

 

As someone said above, there are sometimes solo meet ups listed in the daily cruise compass but they're usually poorly attended and not actually run by a cruise line employee so it's difficult to know who (if anyone) is there for the solo event. I've often gone, sat silently people watching, didn't see anyone that looked to be solo, and left! Kind of a bust! :)

 

You can meet people by attending activities though like trivia and such and joining teams! :)

 

Good luck! Just take initiative to meet and talk to people and you will love it!

 

 

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[cloud_nine]

Also be sure to sign up to and attend your meet and mingle, you meet a lot of people that way. Make sure to keep an eye out for the notice board. Don't know if they have this on every ship but when I was on the Jewel for a Greek Islands cruise, I saw a notice board near the shops and happened to notice an advertisement for a solos get together.

[Bailey & Sophie]

I also find excursions to be a good way to meet people (either through the ship or private).

 

We haven't done any private excursions. However, from our experience on ship sponsored ones, our groups have really made solo travelers very welcome.

 

Some ships also have a bulletin board where you can post messages. Post an informal meeting in one of the bars and see what happens!!

[beckyboo1986]

Thanks so much for the tips!

 

I didn't think of the dining at all. It's good you get allocated a seat. I thought there were several restaurants you could eat at.

 

Could someone explain what's usually included in the price of the cruise please?

 

I looked at the 'What's included' on RCI website but it lists a lot but still didn't seem too clear. Are all meals included and available in the different restaurants please?

 

I'm a joiner so the team activities sound fun!!

 

 

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[Clarea]

Thanks so much for the tips!

 

I didn't think of the dining at all. It's good you get allocated a seat. I thought there were several restaurants you could eat at.

 

Could someone explain what's usually included in the price of the cruise please?

 

I looked at the 'What's included' on RCI website but it lists a lot but still didn't seem too clear. Are all meals included and available in the different restaurants please?

 

I'm a joiner so the team activities sound fun!!

 

Included in your cruise fare:

 

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the buffet (Windjammer) and Main Dining Room (lunch on sea days only).

 

Snacks at Cafe Promenade, 24 hours.

 

Drinks: tap water, coffee, hot tea, iced tea, lemonade, milk, juice at breakfast.

 

Nightly entertainment.

[Wellard]

Make sure you join the roll call for yr particular cruise.

I meet lots of people that way when I did a solo cruise a few years back.

 

 

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[cb at sea]

Most fellow cruisers are HAPPY to have conversations with anyone! So...don't be afraid to start a conversation!

 

I would suggest a LARGE table at traditional seating...they won't seat you with only couples, so that's a good place to find others you can get to know throughout the cruise. And yes..the roll call can also help.

[emeraldcity]

All suggestions are good ones. I would like to add that for repeated team events (like trivia), be sure to show up for the first one advertised in the Cruise Compass. Teams often form up at that time and they bond for the entire cruise so if you show up later in the cruise, you may find it challenging to get on a team.

 

Arranging a solo and friends table on the roll call is one of the best suggestions because meeting up with the same people every evening over dinner leads to some of the best socializing experiences on board. The solo and friends group from my cruise last year regularly keeps in touch and four of us will be meeting up next month to cruise together again on the Adventure.

[beckyboo1986]

Thanks again. You're all putting my mind at ease!

 

I may look to go on a cruise in September now but I'll definitely do the tips you've suggested.

 

 

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[Roce48]

I did a solo cruise to Bermuda a year or two ago. I usually cruise with my wife, but she had other plans for the date, and they were offering a no added supplement deal.

 

I found it interesting that I could almost always find a sole seat in the theater.

 

Most of the time I showed up at dinner using the Select Dining plan asking for a single table, and only had to wait for at the most 15 minutes.

 

If you want to make acquaintances, just hop in a busy whirlpool tub. People were always curious about someone traveling alone. One women told her husband he should be more of an adventurist like me.:D

 

I would also suggest not doing a long southern Caribbean cruise, but instead a short 5 night week-end cruise out of Miami or Fort Lauderdale that has more singles.:)

[riclop]

Hi all,

 

I've been lurking for a few weeks but thought I'd post.

 

I'm looking at going on my first cruise but I'll be on my own.

 

I'd like to go on the Southen Caribbean cruise on 24th June on Adventures of the sea.

 

I'm a very outgoing girl and I'm happy go on my own. But I'd like to know if the ship will cater for solo travellers? I'd like to chat to people in the evening but I'm worried it'll all be couples who don't want to socialise with a single lady

Any tips when booking as well please?

 

Thanks.

Becky.

 

You will have fun, it's better then going with lots of people.

[Johnamac123]

Nothing like having a cabin to yourself. I prefer my own company, so going solo was great for me. The Southern route is amazing. I hope you have a great cruise!!!

[cynt]

You are going to love cruising solo. To me it's a great vacation for a solo. Here are a few things I learned.

 

Find your roll call and get active on it.

 

Request late traditional dining. Less families and more large tables with solos and friends cruising.

 

Whether you enjoy trivia, art auction, karaoke or bingo make sure to attend the first session and definitely the 2nd session. You will meet people and can talk to throughout your cruise.

 

Be the conversation starter. I start most conversations with a compliment or is whatever they're drinking a good drink.

 

Go to the solo cruiser forum on this website to gain more confidence from fellow solo cruisers.

 

Search maureen for her Allure solo cruise, msc divina solo cruise and she did another solo on Silversea star I believe. They're linked on her signature.

 

Sit back and enjoy your solo cruise.

 

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[Rala]

Someone may have already mentioned this: if so please pardon the repeat. Check your Compass(daily activities sheet) because I have seen "solo travelers get-togethers" listed.

 

Also, FYI, and contrary to info posted above, If you choose traditional dining, you might be seated at a table with all couples. This was the case with us on two cruises that I remember It should not deter you, however, from having a great dining experience. Hope your cruise is wonderful!:)

[George C]

You should love it, I am sure ship will have all ages and lots of singles also, I loved cruising by myself in my younger days, roll call is a great idea , also join trivia etc.

[COMBOY]

Hi all,

 

I've been lurking for a few weeks but thought I'd post.

 

I'm looking at going on my first cruise but I'll be on my own.

 

I'd like to go on the Southen Caribbean cruise on 24th June on Adventures of the sea.

 

I'm a very outgoing girl and I'm happy go on my own. But I'd like to know if the ship will cater for solo travellers? I'd like to chat to people in the evening but I'm worried it'll all be couples who don't want to socialise with a single lady

Any tips when booking as well please?

 

Thanks.

Becky.

 

Becky....not only a cruises great vacations they are perfect for solo travelers. I've been on many cruises solo and always had a great time. RCI tends to get a very diverse crowd..families, couples, groups, solo from young to old. Don't worry about going "solo" part. That is just a given and you will have the opportunity to meet some new people; but you will have some "alone" me time. That is perfectly fine. Brings some things you like to do...books, Ipod, magazines, etc. to keep you entertained. I would also advise to you make sure you are on "fixed" traditional dining at a large table 6-8. This way you have fixed dining companions every night. Most times is works just fine and you have nice people to socialize over diner. However, if your tables mates are a bore or not compatible then ask the Maitre'd to move you sometime after your first meal. Sometimes they will try to put solo traveler together; but that's not always guaranteed. Just see the Maitre'd first thing once you board your ship to confirm your dining table. They will usually have a solo or singles get together sometime in the evening on your first night....that can me a hit or miss, but do go. You never know how you might meet. Whatever the case cruises tend to be very social and even couples can be very nice and sociable. Learn everything you can about your ship and study the deck plan and learn everything about the ports of call you are going to and plan, plan, plan. Make a lot notes, etc. The ship's organized tours are good option for solo since you tend to travel in a groups and there is safely in numbers with a local guide. Lastly, my best advise is to go with a positive attitude and a big smile on your face...other people want to be around other happy folks especially on vacation. It always works for me. Happy cruising. Jim

[Smithster]

I am a frequent cruiser well over 150 cruises. I am going to have to disagree with having fixed dining. That is well and good if your at a table with all singles and male and female and you are having the time of your life. But nothing worse than being put at a table every night will the same sex in my opinion. Which has happened to me. Also being put a couples table. You would think a host would know those things, but it happens. Also being at fixed dining you may not care to go at that time. Stick to My Time Dining and make a reservation. Even if you do not go at expected time , they have your name on a list and you can go in the Reservation Line which is usually shorter. Then ask host to sit you with singles in table for 6-8. If your at fixed dining you would be a bad cruiser if you did a no show.

 

Go to the Mix and Mingle and all single activities and join in. Might want to sign on Roll Call and attend just to meet fellow cruisers. Be sure to keep the daily planner at your side to not miss a singles event or any event you might be interested in.

 

I think you will have a wonderful time, it is all what you make it.