Should I cancel or cruise solo?

[Silent Penguin]

 What's it like? For me it's like the most relaxing vacation I ever had, but we are in different situations in life, so I couldn't say without a doubt what it will probably be like for you.   I'm a middle-aged, happily married woman who cruised solo for the first time last November because my husband refuses to get vaccinated and a really great, last-minute deal popped up in a port near our home.  I jokingly asked if I could go alone, and he said, Go for it!   

 

I can't imagine why you wouldn't have a terrific time as long as you weren't going on this cruise suffering with a case of heartbreak.  I think that would make it hard to have a good time.  

Do you have concerns about feeling lonely in situations in which you're used to having company like at meals or at the comedy club or going on excursions with in the ports, stuff like that?  That was one of my concerns beforehand, but  it didn't happen.  Between the people I met through the FB group and the shipboard friends I made,  I had company when I wanted it and only when I wanted it. LOL.  There was one lonely moment during the cruise when I showed up for dinner the first night and the table for 8 that I was assigned to was completely empty.  I had been looking forward to having dinner and talking with other people excited to be back on a ship.  That only lasted 15 minutes.  One of my tablemates-also a solo cruiser-showed up.  We eventually had 4 (one night 5) solo cruisers at the table.   The only thing I wasn't willing to do on my own was eat at the specialty restaurants.  One of my tablemates did it all the time, but he was pretty much a life-long bachelor and was used to it. 

 

Are you concerned that there won't be enough solo cruisers in your age range and "availability" to connect with?  I apologize if I'm telling you something you  already considered, but there are a lot of "third wheel" cruisers who aren't technically solo but feel like they are.   I made a bunch of onboard friends from my FB roll call and just around the ship in that situation.  

 

It seems you're first preference -understandably-is to gain a travel companion before you cruise, but if you do wind up going solo,  you're most probably going to have a fantastic time!  

 

 

 

 

 

[sgttami]

On 2/1/2022 at 1:16 PM, J41DP said:

Talk about confidence! Lol Yeah I'll probably go for it. 6 day to Bermuda from New York in September here we go.

My first solo was a 5 day on Splendor from NY to Canada.

 

I had been on the ship 3X prior so it helped that I knew the layout, activities and bartenders (LOL).  I figured that if it was horrible, it was only 5 days.  It was fun and I met a lot of great people that I still keep in touch with (but have never cruised with again).

 

My longest solo was 14 days in Jan. 20.

 

 I'd rather go solo than look for a cruise mate on Matchwhatever.com

 

GO FOR IT!

 

[sgttami]

On 2/1/2022 at 1:16 PM, J41DP said:

Talk about confidence! Lol Yeah I'll probably go for it. 6 day to Bermuda from New York in September here we go.

My first solo was a 5 day on Splendor from NY to Canada.

 

I had been on the ship 3X prior so it helped that I knew the layout, activities and bartenders (LOL).  I figured that if it was horrible, it was only 5 days.  It was fun and I met a lot of great people that I still keep in touch with (but have never cruised with again).

 

My longest solo was 14 days in Jan. 20.

 

 I'd rather go solo than look for a cruise mate on Matchwhatever.com

 

GO FOR IT!

 

Edited February 2, 2022 by sgttami
left something out

[TrqoisWtrs]

On 2/1/2022 at 9:46 AM, J41DP said:

Just looking into what it's actually like to cruise by yourself I've always went with a significant other... But now it's gonna be me or nothing. Going in September possibly could move it to May with my vacation schedule but idk.

What's it like?

Its fabulous.  I've cruised solo since 2011, and then in 2018, it turned into cruising single.😀  Like others have said, do what you want, when you want.  Its really easy to take a seat at a bar and just start a conversation.  Everyone is really friendly, especially when they find you are cruising alone.  I've gotten asked to join dinner tables, excursions, more drinks.  :) 

 

And just a friendly heads up - be careful on the dating websites.  I was on Match and Plenty of Fish.  Match was really quiet - always the same people.  And the 'free' option they offer is useless.  Plenty of Fish is filled with fake profiles and scammers, so just be careful.  Like their profile will say they have a college degree, but they can't even put a full sentence together, and it always sounds like English is their second language.  But at least on POF you can message each other for free.

 

Anyway, sorry, I digress.  Carnival will usually sit you at a table with other solo/singles and if you check the Fun Times, they usually have a singles meet & greet in the evening at one of the bars.  But honestly I've given up going to them - usually its a bust.  Joining a 'book of faces' (can't mention that website by name here) group for your sailing is always a lot better.  You can chat beforehand and they plan activities and usually a precruise dinner the night before sailing, so you have friends before you even board.  So go for it~ :)