Solo traveler dining arrangements

[Les_ldh]

First of all I would like to thank everyone who posts on this forum, I've gained a lot of knowledge from reading your posts.

 

I'm new to cruising and have just booked my first cruise on Ventura for June next year. I'll be traveling on my own and was wondering if P&O do anything special for solo travelers, in particular in the MDR. I have specified a table for ten, but I am a little concerned that I might be an odd one out amongst couples.

 

Les.

[FangedRose]

I too am a solo cruiser. Have cruised many times with P & O, and have always been allocated a table with other solo cruisers. Once or twice a couple had been slotted in, but predominantly solo travellers.

[Les_ldh]

That's good to hear, I've never been on holiday by myself and am quite nervous as I find it hard conversing with people I don't know. I thought that opting for a table of 10 would force me to get involved and it will be so much easier if my fellow diners are also solo travelers. Are any other events arranged for solo travelers?

Edited August 4, 2017 by Les_ldh
typo

[john watson]

Opting for a large table is the best option and also "Club Dining" so you get the same people each night! You can at the very least touch base each evening and discuss how the cruise is going and get ideas from the others as regards things to do. The cruise line also arranges a daily solo coffee morning at which a regular crowd attends. I have found these to be a mixed event, some cruises a number of passengers just chat and other cruises they might walk round town at some ports or do stuff in impromptu groups. If you like mixing, I find the casino has a friendly crowd and you can just watch roulette or Blackjack without playing although I sometimes do Blackjack and the Blackjack tournament is about £5 to enter with a cash jackpot to the winner £100, usually won by total novice as it's different from the game.

 

Regards John

[FangedRose]

There is a solo travellers tea/coffee meet up in the morning, usually hosted by a member of the entertainment team. Also on my last cruise they trialled a pre-dinner cocktail drinks party. That was the first time they had done that, and it was a long cruise (24 nights) with lots of sea days, so don't know if that will take place.

 

Don't worry about turning up for deck games etc., (shuffleboard, quoits) on your own. The entertainment staff always pair people up on a random basis and therefore does not matter if you are alone or not. The funniest thing I ever saw was a disagreement between a couple who refused to be split and the young lady running the event. Needless to say she won. Also you find the same people turning up every day so soon get to know people.

[peanut63]

I often cruise alone, I have always felt able to talk to people. I have never been to any solo traveller coffee meeting and prefer not to be on a table of solo travellers only. I know this might sound out of step with most, but I prefer a mix. The most important thing is, just have a fabulous time have the holiday you want. It will be amazing.