adjustment to sailing solo

[jabrown40]

I'm sorry you have experienced a loss, and hope you had support during the holidays. It's quite an adjustment being alone, but I find that family helps.  I'm headed to Disney with family in October, but planned Venice to Greece solo on Crystal for 2020.  I think I'll feel better on  a smaller, more intimate quiet ship for my first solo compared to say a party type Caribbean cruise.  When I was on Viking with my husband I spent a good deal of time on my own, and felt very comfortable. I found it to be an older age group (I'm currently 59), and there was never any difficulty chatting with those around me. Hoping for the same on Crystal.

[MHF]

Well, I booked it.  Found a Silversea Wind cruise with "only" 125% single supplement price, free air/transfers, past client discount, and extra Wave season discount.  It's the Caribbean and we had been to 2 of the islands but not the others.  I think I will feel better the first solo time on a ship I know.  Amazing how I've changed my mind...again...but I just didn't like any of the river cruises.

[Skubi]

Hi everyone

For all those who have recently lost their spouses, my heart goes out to you.

After reading through all the posts, I’m glad that I started this thread that was able to help others that are struggling with similar circumstances and this decision.

Sorry it took so long for me to come back to the thread to share. 

So to start, I did take my cruise solo and yes I enjoyed it.  Not the same way I would have enjoyed it with my late husband but in a different way.

This was my experiences for those wondering how it all turned out. 

Dining:  I joined the solo group and  I went to the solo dinners in the main diningroom.  I took in one speciality restaurant with another solo that wanted to do that one, and one speciality alone.  I can't say I felt awkward dining alone in the speciality as I doubt anyone at other tables paid any attention to me.  But since I'm still struggling with eating out alone and what to do while sitting there without food to concentrate on, that part was not enjoyable, The food was great but it definitely was not a “dining experience”, it was lonely with no one to chat with in between courses.  I was happy the service was quick and didn’t leave a lot of time between courses to dwell on it. 

Shows:  I went to one show with the solo group and the other I went alone.  Since a theatre is meant to be enjoyed quietly and not a social event, being alone was not a big deal.

Excursions:  I went on one group excursion coordinated by people on my roll call and one NCL excursion.  They were both fantastic.  The other port I just went shopping near the ship. 

Socializing:  I met a wonderful couple from my roll call, that were travelling with a couple of solo friends who took me under their wing and made me feel welcome into their circle when we met up on the pool deck.  I chatted and had a few laughs with others I had met up by the pools.  I’m an early riser and normally DH and I would have our coffee on our balcony watching the waves and chatting.  So I chose to go for a walk on the few spaces the epic has open to the ocean and then go to the smoking area of the pool deck where people were friendly and enjoyed chatting.  My experience was people seemed to be friendliest and open to conversing with others in the pool areas.

My closing thoughts:  Evenings were the most difficult.  I wondered to a few bars/lounges, stayed for a bit to listen to the music and although the rooms were very crowded I felt very alone.  So I ended up spending a couple of hours in the casino and then going back to my cabin and going to bed.

I totally understand those that say they love being able to choose what they wish to do without worrying about pleasing others and loving the solitude and quiet to rest, ponder or read, if they don’t have that in their regular life.  Unfortunately, my entire life now is solitude and doing everything alone, I’m really not looking for that on vacation.  So it would really be nice to find a likeminded friend to travel with.  The other big difference I found travelling alone was after the cruise, I had no one to enjoy shared memories with.

So in summary, would I do it again?  Yes when my finances allow me to. 

[pf778c]

10 hours ago, MHF said:

Well, I booked it.  Found a Silversea Wind cruise with "only" 125% single supplement price, free air/transfers, past client discount, and extra Wave season discount.  It's the Caribbean and we had been to 2 of the islands but not the others.  I think I will feel better the first solo time on a ship I know.  Amazing how I've changed my mind...again...but I just didn't like any of the river cruises.

 

Congratulations MHF!  I'm sure you'll have a fabulous time and the Wind is not only the first ship I cruised on, but my favorite as well.  I cruise solo most of the time and since you've cruised with Silversea before, you'll know that it's very easy to meet people on these small ships and socialize when you're in the mood.  I usually make a few reservations for the specialty restaurants ahead of time for just myself, or for four or six.  I also attend the solo gathering the first night.  One of the international hostesses or gentlemen hosts (depending on the cruise) will usually arrange for a table in the restaurant for any solos wishing to dine together.  Sometimes I will join them, sometimes not, and if I've made a reservation in one of the restaurants, I'll invite anyone who wishes to, to join me.  You will also receive invitations to dinner from various officers, entertainers, etc.  If you miss the solo gathering and are in the mood for company, you can also just let the maitre'd in the Restaurant know that you'd like to join others for dinner and you'll be seated with a group looking to socialize, which I'm sure you already know.  Likewise, I'm sure you also already know that as you meet people at trivia, on excursions, etc., you'll make plans to meet for drinks or dinner later on.  Wishing you a fantastic time!

 

Bechi

[Lois R]

12 hours ago, MHF said:

Well, I booked it.  Found a Silversea Wind cruise with "only" 125% single supplement price, free air/transfers, past client discount, and extra Wave season discount.  It's the Caribbean and we had been to 2 of the islands but not the others.  I think I will feel better the first solo time on a ship I know.  Amazing how I've changed my mind...again...but I just didn't like any of the river cruises.

AWESOME congrats on the booking and sounds like you got a great deal too!  I have cruised with SIlversea twice and recommend them highly.  Food and service are fantastic. The entire ambiance is lovely.  I hope you have a wonderful cruise.

[Lois R]

I just re-read your post...…...you have sailed with Silversea before? Then you know you are going to have a great cruise

[NSnJW]

Skubi,

On the subject of what to do while waiting for food alone.  I always had my Kindle with me.  If someone came near, it only takes a second to put away if they seemed to want to talk but it prevents just staring around waiting on food or other people.

I'm glad you took your solo trip.  I enjoyed mine even more than I thought I would and hope to do another soon.

[MHF]

On 1/12/2019 at 10:24 AM, Lois R said:

I just re-read your post...…...you have sailed with Silversea before? Then you know you are going to have a great cruise

Yes, we were on the Shadow, Whisper, and Wind before.   Booked on the Spirit last year but that had to be canceled.  A reason to buy travel insurance (we did not buy it through SS but through an outside agency recommended by our TA that covered pre-existing conditions)!

Am hoping Rex or Oliver will be tending bar but I know that's a long shot.  Looking forward to getting away, good food, and warm weather.  Will try HotRocks and an evening show for the first time.

 

Melissa

[pf778c]

MHF,

 

The last time I saw Oliver, he was on the Wind, but has probably moved on since then.  I think that may have been last Spring.  I agree it's always a treat to have him behind the bar.  A very talented guy!

[mchell810]

On 1/12/2019 at 6:31 AM, Skubi said:

Hi everyone

For all those who have recently lost their spouses, my heart goes out to you.

After reading through all the posts, I’m glad that I started this thread that was able to help others that are struggling with similar circumstances and this decision.

Sorry it took so long for me to come back to the thread to share. 

 

Thanks for coming back to let us know how it went.  It's been 5 years since I lost my husband and traveling alone is still a hurdle for me.  I have booked a cruise for this Spring with my (adult) niece as a start.  I am hoping to find the courage to sail solo someday so having your report adds to all my considerations.