Solo on Celebrity

[JamieLogical]

Hi everyone! I had posted another topic about transitioning from NCL to Celebrity and you were all very helpful there, but when I updated to say I am now booked to sail solo on the Equinox July 25, I didn't get much feedback about what the solo experience is like on Celebrity. Are there special activities/events for solo cruisers? How is dining in the MDR handled?

Edited June 29, 2021 by JamieLogical

[graphicguy]

Following.....!!!!!!

[JamieLogical]

11 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Following.....!!!!!!

 

I sail before you do so I will report back if we don't get any replies in here.

[graphicguy]

^^^^^^^^^^

 

Thanks!

[cruisestitch]

Special events for solos are few and far between. However, if you would be interested in something like that, talk to the cruise Director early in the cruise and perhaps he can put something together for you if there are enough other solos on board to make it worthwhile.

[journeymore]

I have sailed solo on Celebrity several times and will again in December baring a disaster. Anyway, they do post a solo meet and mingle daily. I have never been so I can't say if it's good or not. I usually hang out in the martini bar and the people are very friendly. I have sat with large tables and I have picked anytime dining and eaten alone. The tables are close but I don't mind eating alone. Join your roll call. In the past I could always jump on somebody's private tour. I don't know what port visits will look like in the future. Smile and someone is going to start a conversation. Enjoy.

[BermudaBound2014]

I'll take a stab at this for you. I sailed solo in a balcony on Equinox. My live review is buried here somewhere. My best guess is 2017ish. However; while I was technically a solo cruiser I was with friends who also booked solo balcony. We booked last minute and the cost to have our own cabin was very reasonable (solo supplement was something like 25%). Sometimes I prefer not to share :).

 

Solo on NCL is significantly better organized if that is what appeals to you, so align expectations there.  However; I don't need the organized activities to meet people, as I prefer organic. The martini bar is really fun on Equinox. I also met great people at the Sunset Bar. Even though Celebrity is a bit more 'fancy", the people who sail on Celebrity were no less friendly and welcoming. Like everything, you get what you give. I will say that overall the shows on NCL are much better for the evening, but I enjoyed the rock and roll event at the pool and the last night black tie celebration was exceptionally fun. 

 

I guess the way I would sum up the differences sailing solo on NCL and Celebrity is this.... NCL is geared toward solos and thus the solo vibe has a more energy.. Celebrity is a more refined for solos, but I appreciate all the extra touches around the ship that Celebrity offers. Both ships know how to party, but NCL parties in district brew and Celebrity parties in the Martini bar. IMO; that is a good analogy. If NCL is your comfort zone, you may need to step out for a bit, but that's how we grow :).

 

Of course, all this was pre-covid.

 

 

 

[Tee & Chilli]

I’m guessing dinner in the MDR will involve not sitting people from different traveling parties together. Have you checked with your roll call for other solo cruisers?

[s0479]

3 hours ago, JamieLogical said:

Hi everyone! I had posted another topic about transitioning from NCL to Celebrity and you were all very helpful there, but when I updated to say I am now booked to sail solo on the Equinox July 25, I didn't get much feedback about what the solo experience is like on Celebrity. Are there special activities/events for solo cruisers? How is dining in the MDR handled?

I sailed solo - unplanned in March 2020 before everything shut down.  I didn’t really see any special activities and for dining I sat at my own table usually but close to others and chatted - sometimes I was at a bigger table.  I’m sure you could request what you prefer.

[twins_to_alaska]

I've done solo. I don't have any problems just starting up conversations with folk. I once was on a solo business trip and went out to dinner for my birthday and ended up at a table with a couple when they saw I was alone and invited me to join them and after finding out it was my birthday they offered to treat me - but it was already being paid for by my company.

 

Dining. I just sat at a table by myself and brought my Kindle. The tables were close enough together that I ended up talking with neighbors most nights.

 

I didn't check to see if they had any solo events.

 

When I did a snorkeling excursion I ended up talking with a couple before we boarded transportation. They became my buddies to make sure I got back on the boat.

 

At the pool deck I once started talking with two gals who were vacationing together. We ended up spending the whole afternoon chatting.

[CTSandy]

Sailed solo a couple of times on Summit - they did have some kind of meet or get together for solo passengers but I didn’t attend.  As previously mentioned, the martini bar is fun and social; I also play in the casino and have met some social and fun people there.  I choose to dine at a table by myself so Covid restrictions aren’t going to have any impact on me.  

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

I sail solo on Celebrity all the time.  If I'm dining in the main dining room, I request a table for 6 to share.  Meet lots of people that way.  Also meet people playing trivia or in Cafe Baccio.

[Buckeye94]

I almost always sail solo on Celebrity. Don't do assigned seating for dinner is my #1 recommendation. If you do Select, you can dine alone when you choose, e.g. running late and want to catch the show or an event, or you can sit with others for conversation, or sit with new friends you make during the cruise. Enjoy doing what you want, when you want! 

 

If you do assigned seating and your table mates don't show or aren't to your liking, tell the maître d'. They want you to have an enjoyable vacation and will try to change your table. Have fun! Solitude rules! 😀

[kevanmia]

1 minute ago, Buckeye94 said:

I almost always sail solo on Celebrity. Don't do assigned seating for dinner is my #1 recommendation. If you do Select, you can dine alone when you choose, e.g. running late and want to catch the show or an event, or you can sit with others for conversation, or sit with new friends you make during the cruise. Enjoy doing what you want, when you want! 

 

If you do assigned seating and your table mates don't show or aren't to your liking, tell the maître d'. They want you to have an enjoyable vacation and will try to change your table. Have fun! Solitude rules! 😀

 

Agree on not doing set dining... for me, because I am thirty-something and would rather find my own crowd... I know I'm not the typical X cruiser! 

[Shadow9612]

3 hours ago, journeymore said:

Smile and someone is going to start a conversation

I like that statement!  Smiling is always a great thing. 😀

[carlmm]

As others have said Celebrity does not really do anything to assist solos or to encourage meeting others.

 

I always went for fixed dinning and asked for a large table. I was seated with couples and adult families. Each time we matched quite well and did a lot together: Drinks before dinner. Drinks and party after dinner. Going to the city in the evening when we had an overnight stay.

 

I prefer this kind of somewhat closer relationship with people I meet regulary.

 

Others have written they prefer not to have set dinning times. Thus, maybe it depends on your preferences and style of approaching people.

[carlmm]

Just to add: Nobody knows how it will be now, covid-like.

Will sharing tables be allowed?

How will social distancing work in bars?

...

Edited June 30, 2021 by carlmm

[bye-seaya]

Joining your sailings roll call is a great way to connect with fellow cruisers prior to sailing.

We connected with a solo cruiser for our Caribbean cruise ( DH & I) about 10 years ago & ended up booking another Caribbean cruise and Euro cruise together because we really enjoyed each other’s company. It was also a great way to share private excursions. We are still in touch today. 

We’ve also had the experience of being seated @ a table of 6 fellow solo cruisers and that was quite fun as well. 

Have a wonderful cruise! 

 

[drakes2]

10 hours ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

I sail solo on Celebrity all the time.  If I'm dining in the main dining room, I request a table for 6 to share.  Meet lots of people that way.  Also meet people playing trivia or in Cafe Baccio.

I always request a table of 8 to 10 and have met many nice people. On my last cruise 4 of us ladies at our table were all solo. One couple on my roll call changed their table to sit with me and on the previous cruise another lady from that roll call had me join their table. No shortage of people to share shore excursions, go to evening shows or hang out at the pool. 

[JamieLogical]

10 hours ago, Buckeye94 said:

I almost always sail solo on Celebrity. Don't do assigned seating for dinner is my #1 recommendation. If you do Select, you can dine alone when you choose, e.g. running late and want to catch the show or an event, or you can sit with others for conversation, or sit with new friends you make during the cruise. Enjoy doing what you want, when you want! 

 

If you do assigned seating and your table mates don't show or aren't to your liking, tell the maître d'. They want you to have an enjoyable vacation and will try to change your table. Have fun! Solitude rules! 😀

 

Unfortunately, by the time I booked, the any time dining was already booked up, so I selected the 6:00/early dining time.

[JamieLogical]

Luckily, I am a really outgoing person, especially when cruising and drinking! Striking up conversations with strangers is one of my favorite cruise activities, so I don't think I will have trouble there. I am also active on our roll call thread, so hopefully I will click well with some of those folks when we meet up. Thanks for all of the advice and feedback so far!

[BermudaBound2014]

1 hour ago, JamieLogical said:

Luckily, I am a really outgoing person, especially when cruising and drinking! Striking up conversations with strangers is one of my favorite cruise activities, so I don't think I will have trouble there. I am also active on our roll call thread, so hopefully I will click well with some of those folks when we meet up. Thanks for all of the advice and feedback so far!

 

You're going to have a blast! 

 

1 hour ago, JamieLogical said:

 

Unfortunately, by the time I booked, the any time dining was already booked up, so I selected the 6:00/early dining time.

 

Keep checking. In the past spots have opened. Of course, concierge on embarkation day will very likely make the switch for you. Celebrity staff bend over backwards for their guests. It's part of the culture.

[JamieLogical]

1 minute ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

You're going to have a blast! 

 

 

Keep checking. In the past spots have opened. Of course, concierge on embarkation day will very likely make the switch for you. Celebrity staff bend over backwards for their guests. It's part of the culture.

 

Yes, I am on the wait list for the any time dining and I really suspect I will get switched since I am a solo traveler and capacity will likely be limited with it being the first sailing on the Equinox.

[Buckeye94]

12 hours ago, JamieLogical said:

 

Unfortunately, by the time I booked, the any time dining was already booked up, so I selected the 6:00/early dining time.

Keep watching or call to see if you can be put on a waitlist for Select, if you want that. Otherwise, as a solo traveler, if you don't like your assigned table, it's much easier to fit you in to Select or change assignments than for a group. It's always worth asking for what you want, especially if it's not an outrageous request! 😀 I hope you have a fantastic vacation.

[DCPIV]

I look forward to hearing how things go. I'm sailing solo for the first time this Fall while my wife goes on an annual girls' cruise of her own. I figured I'd give it a go! 

 

Personally, I'm not worried. I also enjoy striking up barside conversations, and cruisers always are friendly. The reports here are even more encouraging. 

 

Cheers!