Booked my first solo

[HappyValley3]

Thanks ladies. I am also tempted to just ask a friend who can't afford to go and I'll pay the cabin/tax/port fees only since I will be paying for two people anyways.

 

But being solo would be an experience since I can spend my time doing what I want to do.

[Roz]

I am considering a solo cruise also. My only concern is safety being alone at the different ports. Example: Being in a taxi by myself in Cozumel going to Mr. Sanchos for the day. Any advice on this?

 

In ports I'm unfamiliar with, I usually take one of the ship's tours. After I'm familiar with the port, if I go there again, I use my judgement as to how/where to proceed. The only port where I didn't do this is Key West. I felt safe wandering on my own from the beginning.

 

Roz

[DramaQueen22]

Just got my cabin assignment and I am thrilled! I will be forward on Deck 8, cabins both above and below so there shouldn't be much noise. I was expecting a cabin on deck 1 or 2...this was a nice surprise for a guarantee booking.

 

I have booked a short excursion in Key West, and one for Miami on debark day as my flight isn't until later in the afternoon. In Cozumel, I will be heading to Paradise Beach for the day. I've been there before and have no concerns about a taxi to or from.

[DramaQueen22]

Love to cruise solo...

 

I've gotten deals on casino bounceback rates:

 

My best price was $317 for 7 days to Bermuda on Pride from Baltimore in April with a $200 OBC. (inside cabin)

 

Then I got: (from the April sailing)

 

Next up; September on Pride...7 day Bahamas from Baltimore...$127.00 port charges.....$200 OBC (premium balcony)

 

You never know...:D:D:D

 

Amazing deals! Hubby and I cruised on the Pride for New Year's this year and loved it. Only negative was it happened to also be a sub-zero week on the entire East Coast so it was hard to enjoy much on deck until we hit Nassau. Even there, it was colder than normal but we still loved it.

[sgttami]

Amazing deals! Hubby and I cruised on the Pride for New Year's this year and loved it. Only negative was it happened to also be a sub-zero week on the entire East Coast so it was hard to enjoy much on deck until we hit Nassau. Even there, it was colder than normal but we still loved it.

 

I was also on Pride in Feb. and Mar. (that's how I got the Apr. deal to Bermuda....LOL)

 

Nassau was cold also both times and it was only 58 degrees in Bermuda but the deals were too good to pass up, especially since the price for sailing solo can be outrageous.

 

Gotta take advantage of the offers when they arise!

 

Enjoy...smooth sailing:D

[Basil55]

Can I ask what category of cabin you were able to find those solo deals on?

 

 

Thanks!

[sgttami]

Can I ask what category of cabin you were able to find those solo deals on?

 

 

Thanks!

I've gotten inside and balcony ...casino offers.

 

I had an inside booked on one trip and a day before we left, got a free upgrade to Premium Balcony.

 

Booked a balcony deal for my my next cruise...don't think it will get better than that!

 

When sailing solo, I'm just happy to have a place to stay...:)

[Basil55]

I've gotten inside and balcony ...casino offers.

 

I had an inside booked on one trip and a day before we left, got a free upgrade to Premium Balcony.

 

Booked a balcony deal for my my next cruise...don't think it will get better than that!

 

When sailing solo, I'm just happy to have a place to stay...:)

 

Can you explain the casino offers? Are they from playing on the carnival cruise

[sgttami]

Can you explain the casino offers? Are they from playing on the carnival cruise

 

Yes, my casino offers are from playing in the casino on the cruises I've been on.

 

There's so many questions on how..."who gets what" but mine are usually rated as to how long I play, how many points, etc...

You will hear different variations on how people get casino offers, Some never even go to the casino (my brother) and he gets offers all the time. (only cruised once)

 

I've met people who got free cruises from their land based casinos as well ...

 

For me, it works as a solo cruiser. since the casino offers are a fraction of what I'd pay if I booked as a "regular" customer.

[beachbum6264]

I am considering a solo cruise also. My only concern is safety being alone at the different ports. Example: Being in a taxi by myself in Cozumel going to Mr. Sanchos for the day. Any advice on this?

 

Go to the taxi area and either tell the guy directing people to taxis that you want to share a taxi to Mr Sancho's, or just ask people (or wait for them to ask for a taxi to MS) then ask to share. The more people in the taxi the lower cost per person - win/win!

[comiso13]

I cruised solo last year with another line and had a lot of fun. Was worried about going solo since I am more of an introvert. But I enjoyed it enough to book a cruise on Carnival to Hawaii in December. If I don't go solo, I don't go, and I enjoy cruising too much to not go on a cruise about every year.

[cruiserbrianj]

So this cruising solo when you have a spouse/significant other....how exactly does that go over? I mean, I’m open to it just wondering how the conversation goes lol

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[scpirate]

Good for you! I wish it was cheaper for Carnival solos so I could cruise more often (can only convince DH to cruise about every 2 years or so).

 

 

That's all I like to cruise every two years.my wife would go more regular but I'm the one paying for it.she is a carnival fan

I'm not . I prefer celebrity.

[Mikew0805]

So this cruising solo when you have a spouse/significant other....how exactly does that go over? I mean, I’m open to it just wondering how the conversation goes lol

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Well, with my partner of 22.5 years it goes... "I have 6 weeks of vacation a year, and you have 3... what am I supposed to do?" :rolleyes: Starting in January I will get 7 weeks, and I don't even come close to using a week for each cruise. On the shorter cruises (5 days or less) I can usually get away with only 10-20 hours of PTO used.

[Etta1213]

Hello there, i am recently widowed and i love to sail. The costs seem so high on carnival. Does carnival ever give a break? Are there groups where people are looking for a cruise partner? I really want to sail again. Thanks so much.

SASSY ONE- I think a local travel agent could put you in contact with others who cruise solo. A pretty large group from my church cruises once a year. I would guess there would be another female who would love to pair with you. Please don't give up what you enjoy!

[Mikew0805]

Hello there, i am recently widowed and i love to sail. The costs seem so high on carnival. Does carnival ever give a break? Are there groups where people are looking for a cruise partner? I really want to sail again. Thanks so much.

 

You can get good deals on Royal Caribbean. There are studio cabins on the Radiance class, and some of the Voyager class. Thos cabins you can truly get with no single supplement. I am going on the Brilliance, in a studio for 5 nights, and I spent just under $350 including taxes.

[sgttami]

So this cruising solo when you have a spouse/significant other....how exactly does that go over? I mean, I’m open to it just wondering how the conversation goes l

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Conversation starts with..."Guess what I'm doing next week?" LOL

 

When my husband was alive, he didn't have a problem with me going solo. I traveled a lot before we met, We also went on different trips together but I liked cruising more than he did.

 

:D:D

The best part of going on a cruise solo is there's no one to worry about except YOU!

[utopiahereicome]

Thanks to all for sharing their solo experiences - my husband and I loved to cruise together but he passed away 4 years ago - I still cruise but always with family. I booked the Horizon for 9/30 with the intention of going solo for the first time, but my 19 year old grandson asked if he could go with me to keep me company, of course I said yes :) so will have to delay my first solo cruise experience till next year...

[Saint Greg]

I still paid the double occupancy rate, but it was a special and I had my VIFP and state discount this time. Worked out to $95 a day. Can't beat that for cabin, food, and everything else. Land vacations for the same period were going to cost me at least $300 more than that.

 

Wow. That’s awesome. I think that’s about what my first cruise was. The best I’ve done since then was around $115/day. Now I’m paying $155-185/day. I could save $10-15/day booking an upper/lower on a lower deck but it’s worth that to me for a bigger bed and a higher deck.

[DramaQueen22]

Can I ask what category of cabin you were able to find those solo deals on?

 

 

Thanks!

 

Mine was a "we'll assign your cabin" rate. I figured I'd end up in a 1A interior, but I am in a 6 Interior.

[HappyValley3]

Go to the taxi area and either tell the guy directing people to taxis that you want to share a taxi to Mr Sancho's, or just ask people (or wait for them to ask for a taxi to MS) then ask to share. The more people in the taxi the lower cost per person - win/win!

 

 

Didn't even think of this.....thanks for the suggestion.

[HappyValley3]

So this cruising solo when you have a spouse/significant other....how exactly does that go over? I mean, I’m open to it just wondering how the conversation goes lol

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

My husband has been on two cruises. While he did ok, he does not like to be on the water in any circumstance. Not even a fishing boat in our local river. So it's a mutual decision that I will cruise with friends and he will enjoy being at home with our cat.

 

My situation now is that my cruising friends have health issues and can't cruise any longer, so going solo will be my next big step.

[LMBB]

So this cruising solo when you have a spouse/significant other....how exactly does that go over? I mean, I’m open to it just wondering how the conversation goes lol

 

Husband hates boats and water and is also not fond of beach/sand. He takes an annual golf trip with his buddies. I just prefer to go on vacation by myself. Then we do a family vacation all together.

 

I've been traveling alone for work for years, including internationally. He doesn't even bat an eye anymore.

[LuckyStar]

I still paid the double occupancy rate, but it was a special and I had my VIFP and state discount this time. Worked out to $95 a day. Can't beat that for cabin, food, and everything else. Land vacations for the same period were going to cost me at least $300 more than that.

 

That, to me, is a good deal. That's my basis for a good cruise, less than $100 per day per person. For solo, that is awesome. Have a great time.

[dcwalker]

So this cruising solo when you have a spouse/significant other....how exactly does that go over? I mean, I’m open to it just wondering how the conversation goes lol

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

As for me, my husband of almost 24 years knows that I need my space. Once the kids were out of high school and I was no longer tied to their schedules I took a couple of short land vacations on my own. My husband was ok with that, especially since he couldn't get time away from work and I could and we needed to use up some timeshare points. Two years ago when I was looking at retirement and hubby was not, I got it into my head that a solo cruise would be the BEST THING EVER. I casually mentioned this to hubby and he let the comment pass. I retired a year and a half ago; hubby is still working. We've cruised together since then. When I told him I was considering booking this cruise he said he didn't think he could take vacation then and I said, uh, I'd really like to go by myself. After a brief pause, he said, oh, okay. The only thing that bugs him is that I didn't get a good deal. I had just let a great deal get away from me and was feeling very impulsive - had to take this cruise kind of thinking. SO - in a nutshell - plant the seed, break it to the spouse/partner over time, until there's no getting around it.

 

In less than a month I get to find out if solo cruising is the BEST THING EVER. Woo hoo.;)

 

Oh - and another thing, I'm driving to Charleston on our 24th anniversary and starting the cruise the next day. When I booked over the phone the rep and I were discussing cruising solo; then she asked if I was celebrating anything (if yes, it will show up in your booking and sometimes you get a little something from Carnival) and I laughed and said our anniversary but I guess that doesn't count and she said sure it does - you and your husband will be celebrating, just not together. So she noted it in my booking - let's see if I get anything.;p