Friends cancelled...Solo cruise or take the loss??

[MikeMos]

Hi. I'm booked on the 3-26-22 sailing of the Paradise. I booked this cruise to go with a couple friends who had already booked. They just told me today that they need to cancel. I'm debating if I should cancel and just take the loss or if I should go alone. Any thoughts? 

[ray98]

I would go alone but I am also comfortable entertaining myself.  A cruise ship is a great place to just relax and get away from life for a bit.  There are also plenty of people around at bars and such for conversation.

[firefly333]

I'm boarding a cruise tomorrow solo. Not sure why you want to cancel.

[Hooked Already]

Go for it. If they were in the same room as you, you can experience a solo cruise at a cheaper cost.

You may find out that cruising solo works fine for you.

The problem is if you do like it like I do, cruising solo can be a bit more expensive.

[sarahi77009]

I'm on Day 1 of my 7 day cruise cruising SOLO ...AND IT IS AMAZING. This is my 3rd cruise and first time solo. You dont have ppl dragging you down or convincing you to do activities you dont want to. The people are outgoing on board. I was nervous at first but people nearby are quick to strike up a conversation.

 

There are alot of activities that allow you to interact with others onboard. Trivia, shared seating arrangement during dining, hot tub!!, etc.

Edited March 20, 2022 by sarahi77009

[cruisingguy007]

Fantasy class? I'd roll solo. Those ships are layed out perfectly for socializing and meeting folks. The casino bar should be popping and pool deck and above deck smoking section are conducive to natural conversation between strangers. It concentrates people into a small area and you will see many of the same people frequently. Strike up some conversations and maybe buy a few drinks for others in the process and you'll have fast friends in no time. The fantasy class has the best design to be social, you almost can't help it lol. 

[Markmom18]

I was solo on a B2B on the Miracle in late October. I say YES!!  Take this opportunity  you’ve been given. Please let us know when you get home. 😁😁

 

🛳🛳

Bobbi

Edited March 20, 2022 by Markmom18

[Virga]

The only reason I'd cancel, in your shoes, is if time off work is a hard to come by commodity - like more valuable than the money you'd lose by not sailing.  The idea of solo cruise travel when someone else pays the silly supplement sounds pretty awesome to me!  While I'm not a very social creature without my other half, I feel certain I'd enjoy it just fine treating it as a relaxing trip

[firefly333]

Good time to do that excursion no one else wanted to do but you. No one wanted to spend the extra money on chops, but you. Sit in the front row of the theater, now you dont have to sit there they prefer. Read a book and sit watching the waves. 

Edited March 20, 2022 by firefly333

[kilkoyne]

Solo cruising is the best. I won't go any other way.

[Anyislandwilldo]

Check Facebook for your sailing.  Search for Carnival Paradise 3-26-22 and then join the group.  I found many solos on my upcoming cruise.  There will be events for the solos alone.  You can choose to go or ignore and hang on your own.  

[Spif Barwunkel]

Considering the true reason why you booked this cruise and the responses from these good folks, I would advise you to cancel.

Edited March 20, 2022 by Spif Barwunkel

[sc4125]

I've been on over 30 cruises - mainly with family; however, I've cruised solo 3 times and I really enjoyed it.  I've been on the Paradise a bunch of times because it's 30 minutes away and they have 4 day cruises which we like to take at least once a year just to get away (and to play in the casino lol).  It is the perfect ship to cruise solo - small enough that you will run into the same people if you want to hang out with someone - but large enough to get "lost" in the crowd if you want alone time.

 

I love my family and enjoy cruising with them, but every once in awhile I like being alone.  I have a June cruise on the Paradise in a cabin to myself though my sister and niece will be in the cabin next door.  Right now, my niece is saying that she's not going and I hate to say it, but I wouldn't be upset if my sister backs out.  

 

I say go for it.  The cruise will be short enough that it won't be so bad if you decide you don't like it.

[tattoos]

I agree with all the cruisers who responded YES.  I have been cruising with family members for years and enjoy spending quality time with them.  

 

However, a few years ago I sailed from Tampa on the  Legend alone and loved it.  Carnival had a special rate for solo cruisers which I took advantage of.  I only ate in the main dining room the first night and ate all week at other food venues.  I ate when I was hungry, soaked up the sun in a lounger, drank quite a lot of beer and ate lots of pizza.  I did not book any excursions but got off the ship at the port stops and walked around.  I met so many wonderful people at the bars, casino, etc. and I can pick and choose which live entertainment I attend.  I was on my schedule not someone elses.

 

I have three cruises booked on Carnival Horizon which has a wonderful Serenity deck area with a huge bar.  My husband died 30 years ago and it was challenging going on that first cruise solo but I'm so glad I did.  

[Indytraveler83]

As was previously stated: If the time off work is more valuable than the money lost, you may want to cancel.

 

But if it were me (and I'm married btw) I'd take the opportunity to go on vacation alone, try totally new things and finally have time to read a few books and work on the novel I started 5 years ago and never seem to make time for.

 

I'd book the "swim with sharks" excursion that everyone else is too scared to join me for, and go to the shows that I enjoy far more than anyone else in my usual traveling party.  Just my personal direction if I faced your decision...

[JerseyGirlJen]

I love cruising solo❤️  It's so relaxing.  I load up my Kindle and find a lounger and catch up on reading, people watch, and enjoy everything on the ship just like everybody else.  I go to the specialty restaurants, enjoy the dining room, enjoy the waterslides, go the shows, etc.  Once you travel solo it's actually really hard to go back to traveling with other people 🤣

Don't feel uncomfortable.....there are a lot of other solo cruisers on board, you just don't realize it.  If you want to eat with others go to your table on the first night in the dining room.  The Matre D will pair you and the other solo's up and seat you at one table (choose early or late, not anytime).  I've done that before and we had a variety of people of all ages from all over the country and we all did our own thing during the day and then shared our adventures over dinner with each other.  Sometimes we would go see a show together afterwards.  Don't cancel, you may realize that you'll have the best time ever.

[LadyMac72]

14 hours ago, MikeMos said:

Hi. I'm booked on the 3-26-22 sailing of the Paradise. I booked this cruise to go with a couple friends who had already booked. They just told me today that they need to cancel. I'm debating if I should cancel and just take the loss or if I should go alone. Any thoughts? 

I'm on that sailing and on the cruise page on the book of faces, there is a growing number of solo cruisers and they are looking forward to meeting each other and having a good time.  I think I'd stay the course if I was you.

[C cruisers]

Go Solo and sing in Karaoke!  Most likely you won't know anyone else on board.... 

 

I'm going on my second solo cruise.  My first one was on RCL Serenade 7day Bermuda Cruise.  RCL seats you with other solo passengers in the dining room...    April 24, 2022 is my next solo Transatlantic cruise from NYC to England via Ireland on NCL Getaway.  There were 5 in my group but since it was first booked 3 years ago and cancelled each year due to Covid, friends were less interested in going. 

I'm looking forward to get up and go when I want, go to eat when I want, and go to a show if I want.  I booked excursions that I'm capable of doing....  (I'm usually traveling with elderly people in my group and book less active excursions with them.)   

 

So Yes to Solo cruising, Solo in the cabin, my own closet woohoo!

[MikeMos]

Thanks for all the advice!! I've decided to go on my first solo cruise!! If I see you on board, the first drink is on me!

[sfaaa]

Definitely go solo. The only one losing out on this is your friends.

[C cruisers]

MikeMos,  let us know after your cruise how much you enjoyed it.  

[mouche]

I would still go, I have my first solo coming up after my Mardi Gras cruise, my best friend who I cruise with the most passed away on Nov 7th😪 My husband is sailing Mardi Gras with but my Sunshine cruise will most likely be solo. 

[JerseyGirlJen]

On 3/21/2022 at 9:07 AM, mouche said:

I would still go, I have my first solo coming up after my Mardi Gras cruise, my best friend who I cruise with the most passed away on Nov 7th😪 My husband is sailing Mardi Gras with but my Sunshine cruise will most likely be solo. 

So sorry for the loss of your friend.   I'm sure she'll be there right along with you though ❤️

[Ralphinsc]

Great opportunity to make you some new cruise friends! We have met great friends on cruises,

[Joebucks]

There is no best way, especially for everyone. I love spending time with others. I love spending alone time. I need to have both. 

 

Glad you're trying it. It's definitely worth the try. You may like it. If you don't, what's the big deal?