What do you find hardest about cruising solo?

[LouisV]

Mommie dearest brought me up with the saying " well what will people think?". I'm now 65 and frankly I don't give a damn anymore.....going on my first solo cruise on May 9, 2023. 

[MaryMc19]

On 8/26/2022 at 4:02 AM, calliopecruiser said:

Eating alone in a "fancy" dining room -- I don't like it on land, either.  I don't mind a more casual restaurant, because I don't feel uncomfortable with a book or my phone during a meal in that setting, but in a more formal environment I feel uncomfortable reading my phone or a book.  It seems to get in the way of the fancy table setting or the serving by the staff or something.

I will be going on my first solo cruise in April, and I am not looking forward to dining alone. The ship has anytime dining; Can I still request to be assigned a table with others?

[RedgeToo]

On 11/21/2022 at 8:12 PM, MaryMc19 said:

I will be going on my first solo cruise in April, and I am not looking forward to dining alone. The ship has anytime dining; Can I still request to be assigned a table with others?

Hi Mary,

I ask to be seated on the "Happy to Share" tables and if there are none, I ask to be seated close other singles or if the ship is multi-lingual, I ask to be seated with English speakers.

The restaurant staff are always happy to help.

Enjoy your cruise :)

[seven1113]

On 8/26/2022 at 1:09 AM, Hflors said:

Sitting here thinking about my upcoming cruise and looking around realizing that there is no one to share all the planning and selecting of tours, dinners, packages etc.  Before my husband passed, we always did this together.  I always printed the list of tours and then he would read it over and together we would decide on what tours we wanted to do and what places we would just do a diy day.   What nights we would do specialty dinners and what night we would go to the dining room or buffet after a long day.  Now it's just me and there is no more discussions and decisions shared.  It's just me trying to make all the decisions alone.  For me this is the hardest.  Since I have actually never been on a cruise yet by myself, I really don't know how being alone on the ship will be.  I am bringing my crocheting and a couple of good books just in case I get lonely.

 

So what do you find the hardest about cruising solo??

 

 

Hello. I am in the same position you are. I call it the Noah's arc syndrome. The 2x2....

Here i am now on the MSC Seascape. New line, very european, not happy with my choice that i made because it was cheap.

It is a west bound trNsatlantic. Seas days, and all.

So many people are foreign. I am isolated. This was not a good choice. Currently researching more for solo ideas. Also booked on vantage antarctica in late january 2023. 15 solo cabins onboard. Fingers are crossed....

 

[RevZacc]

My first cruise was a solo cruise -- post-divorce.  I had to prove to myself that I could still live life without her.  I spent 10 years single and learned to eat alone at restaurants all the time.  Now, post-divorce #2 and retired I'm looking forward to a solo cruise.  This time I'm concerned about dining because I've had gastric bypass surgery and am not sure what I'll be able to eat or how it will affect me.  Easier to be alone rather than have to excuse/explain myself to my dinner companions.   

[kessdarln]

On 9/4/2022 at 1:00 AM, kessdarln said:

Hope other cruise lines add solo lounges

 

Edited December 25, 2022 by kessdarln

[Z'Loth]

Merry Christmas.

 

I'm a solo cruiser by both choice and circumstance as I am perpetually single never married. My last cruise in 2018 was by choice as it was a birthday cruise by myself, and the cabin steward even set up my cabin for my birthday. My next cruise in 2024 will be by circumstance as my 81yo mother is medically no longer able to cruise. My biggest gripe, like so many other travelers, is the single supplement. If it weren't for that, I would book myself a balcony, but with that, it's an inside cave or a Oceanview cabin

 

I haven't had many issues with traveling solo. It is so relaxing to travel and not have someone second-guess your decisions, bug you about being on the ship by a certain time (just so that the ship doesn't sail off without you), or remind you several times of an item that is already on your agenda. 

[LOVINCRUIZIN]

On 9/18/2022 at 9:45 PM, irvington said:

I travel a lot for work by myself and basically enjoy it, but for me it is a bit of a respite from working where I need to be "on" for others all the time.

 

That said, I'm trying to psych myself up for a solo cruise, and I think I'm mostly worried about the dining. What do most of you do while you eat? I usually cruise lines that seat people with their own party, not strangers. Honestly, I'd rather not be foisted on someone but I don't want to eat in the buffet the whole time. On my business trips, I usually eat at more casual sit down restaurants where I don't feel wrid being on my phone or looking at a book or work papers. But that seems a bit gauche for the fancy restaurants on Celebrity and HAL (where I've usually cruised).

 

I don't have a problem having a drink or watching a show or live music by myself, but I feel really shy about the dining.

 

I don't know if this makes any difference, but I'm looking at cruises in Europe and Asia that will be pretty port-intensive.

Totally agree.  Just booked my first solo to Europe this summer and the dining is the part I am slightly concerned with.

[bluetardis]

I don’t stress about dining…if I’m in the mood I share a table, if not I bring my iPad and read while dining. Sometimes I just strike up conversations while waiting for my table and invite people to dine with me. It is easy for me to do this on vacation, nobody knows me and will never see me again after the cruise. I have had drinks with 90 year old men and dinner with 80 year old women…both great conversationalist and highly entertaining. When on vacation I talk about anything and everything with everyone…if all else fails I talk about my dachshunds and where I come from..or even the best cruise I have ever been on…Just the more you talk the more you open your self up to activities with other people…if that is what you are looking for.

[eileeshb]

I've travelled solo for work and leisure for 20 years at this stage, it was worse in the early days as I look young for my age so I'd people thinking I was a teenager right through to my early 30s.

 

Definitely the worst aspect of travelling solo is having to drag everything with you when you need to go to the restroom or even just look around shops in the airport. 4 wheel luggage is a lifesaver in that regard for me, I've a 4 wheel carry on and a 4 wheel checked bag so it's much easier to move around with them than even the 2 wheel versions. I usually also have a backpack or tote for the stuff I want access to during the flight and on the return trip have a second checked bag that I can balance on top of the 4 wheeler when going to the airport. 

I do bring a kindle with me when going to meals solo, all my cruises to-date have been with NCL so I usually eat dinner with the solos organised by the solos host or even just with one or two other solos who don't want to wait around for the big group. I tend towards the buffet for breakfast and lunch mostly cos I can't hack the waiting around for service in the MDRs at those times. 

I had a few folks from my roll call spot me in the MDR at lunch on embarkation because I was wearing an irish sports team top and they'd seen my posts, pure fluke I was shown to a table right next to them.

Embarkation day is usually the only time I eat lunch in the MDR.

 

 

[Adara]

Longtime solo cruiser here and, oh my yes, I'm with the folks that hate the single supplements.  (Death to single supplements!)  And, by the way, if I have to pay for two people in the room even though there's only one of me, I damn well better get TWO chocolates on my pillow.

As for the dining alone thing:  oh hell yes.  On land, on sea, in a house, with a mouse ...   If I want to eat solo in the nice restaurant, I'll eat solo in the nice restaurant.  Reservation for one.  I'll read a book on my phone, or people watch, or just sit and think.  (And once, at one very lovely tea establishment, I was even offered a selection of reading materials to accompany my scones.)  Don't let them make you feel like you don't belong.  ESPECIALLY on a cruise, where you have literally already paid for a table in that nice restaurant (and with the single supplement, you probably already paid for a table for two!)

[UnbridledEnthusiasm]

Good topic. 

 

 

The main one for me is the extra money it often costs to book a room to yourself (I cannot do a studio cabin or inside cabin...I need at least a window!) which is why I find booking last minute is often the cheapest. 

 

I read what people said about the MDR. It is uncomfortable for me too but mainly because I find the service typically is bad for me dining alone. I find getting there towards the end of the night is probably the easiest because they are less crowded. I don't read or go on a tablet while doing it. I just want to look out the window, drink wine, eat, and maybe read the daily. I used to the buffet thing for every meal but I like being served and find food is generally better in the restaurants. I  choose food above comfort lmao. That said if on land do I eat at normal restaurants (by normal I mean restaurants where you get a waiter coming to and from your table) solo? Rarely as I'm more of a casual eater for the most part or if I want something from a restaurant I'll just get it to go. 

 

On occasion I have dined with others when they had no seating for 1. It was fine and everyone was nice however I just wanted to eat and get the f out...not hear someone's life story or about their family.

 

 

Edited January 10, 2023 by UnbridledEnthusiasm

[baileymouse]

I'm cruising solo for the first time in May. My husband died in 2019. Since then I have cruised with a friend and with my daughter, but it's time for me to go alone. I did non-cruise travel by myself, including a trip to San Francisco last year.

 

I can definitely understand what everyone is saying about the MDR. I had already said to myself that I wouldn't go, and I do bring my book or my kindle with me. I like to be alone. I also like to explore, so getting off at different ports to explore will be just fine.

 

I just wish they would do away with the single supplement. It's awful.

[bluetardis]

@baileymousethe single supplement is awful..but you must paid it to sail.

[baileymouse]

3 minutes ago, bluetardis said:

@baileymousethe single supplement is awful..but you must paid it to sail.

Yes, I will but not often. I'd be more likely to sail when it's waived.

[LouisV]

On 1/9/2023 at 10:50 PM, Adara said:

Longtime solo cruiser here and, oh my yes, I'm with the folks that hate the single supplements.  (Death to single supplements!)  And, by the way, if I have to pay for two people in the room even though there's only one of me, I damn well better get TWO chocolates on my pillow.

As for the dining alone thing:  oh hell yes.  On land, on sea, in a house, with a mouse ...   If I want to eat solo in the nice restaurant, I'll eat solo in the nice restaurant.  Reservation for one.  I'll read a book on my phone, or people watch, or just sit and think.  (And once, at one very lovely tea establishment, I was even offered a selection of reading materials to accompany my scones.)  Don't let them make you feel like you don't belong.  ESPECIALLY on a cruise, where you have literally already paid for a table in that nice restaurant (and with the single supplement, you probably already paid for a table for two!)

I love dining alone, anywhere!!! 

[CTSandy]

I have been traveling solo for ten years and enjoy both land and cruise vacations.  On cruises I prefer not to dine at shared tables; tables are so close than you are dining with company anyway.  Looking forward to a b2b at the end of February on Celebrity Equinox - first leg of 10 nights will be solo; second leg being joined by two friends.  As someone mentioned in one of the above posts, it’s only dinner time that is not quite as comfortable as other meals.  I do take a book with me, or an ebook on the phone, to glance at if it feels like the meal is dragging.  
 

i sail almost exclusively on Celebrity and cruise frequently, so I feel quite comfortable on their ships and recognize crew from prior sailings.  I do spend time in the casino and most people are very friendly there.  Most of my cruises are casino comps so I don’t have to pay a single supplement.  My running joke when people travel with me, is that there are only three places on a ship to look for me - the casino, the solarium, or Cafe al Bacio.

[hoosier sailor]

The worst thing about cruising solo is the solo supplement, only because I cannot do an inside cabin.

[kilkoyne]

The hardest thing for me is keeping a smile off of my face knowing how peaceful my cruise will be.

[Mrs. H.]

18 hours ago, hoosier sailor said:

The worst thing about cruising solo is the solo supplement, only because I cannot do an inside cabin.

I was on 2 cruises last year and had the club balcony.
Going to Alaska in May and booked the studio.  Not sure how I'm going to be able to handle 

an inside cabin.  I did place a bid, so here's hoping for the best.

[RevZacc]

On 12/3/2022 at 8:00 AM, seven1113 said:

Hello. I am in the same position you are. I call it the Noah's arc syndrome. The 2x2....

Here i am now on the MSC Seascape. New line, very european, not happy with my choice that i made because it was cheap.

It is a west bound trNsatlantic. Seas days, and all.

So many people are foreign. I am isolated. This was not a good choice. Currently researching more for solo ideas. Also booked on vantage antarctica in late january 2023. 15 solo cabins onboard. Fingers are crossed....

 

I've considered MSC for future cruises, but I have the same concern you mentioned.  Looking back on that cruise, do you feel any differently about it?  It sounds like you would NOT recommend MSC for a solo US traveler.

[Twogaterz]

I finally managed to book a solo cruise yesterday after initially being rejected (it seems some cruise lines have a limit on the number of solo travellers). My agent was shocked when she couldn’t book me and I took to Twitter…. Strangely a few hours later she could book my trip which starts in less than a week. A very last minute decision to travel and whilst it is my first totally solo cruise since my husband died in 2019, I have cruised since with my son. He is very disabled so at times it is like being on your own but I did love the way people at adjacent tables would start to chat. I hadn’t really thought through the whole dining alone bit and I’ll just take things as they come. I am more anxious about getting from the airport to the terminal as I booked too late to get transfers arranged. The last cruise I took with my late husband was on this line, and it was the best we ever had so I am hoping that the brand still delivers although realise that all lines have changed post pandemic. Just hope I don’t catch anything to spoil the trip!

[RedgeToo]

20 minutes ago, Twogaterz said:

I finally managed to book a solo cruise yesterday after initially being rejected (it seems some cruise lines have a limit on the number of solo travellers). My agent was shocked when she couldn’t book me and I took to Twitter…. Strangely a few hours later she could book my trip which starts in less than a week. A very last minute decision to travel and whilst it is my first totally solo cruise since my husband died in 2019, I have cruised since with my son. He is very disabled so at times it is like being on your own but I did love the way people at adjacent tables would start to chat. I hadn’t really thought through the whole dining alone bit and I’ll just take things as they come. I am more anxious about getting from the airport to the terminal as I booked too late to get transfers arranged. The last cruise I took with my late husband was on this line, and it was the best we ever had so I am hoping that the brand still delivers although realise that all lines have changed post pandemic. Just hope I don’t catch anything to spoil the trip!

First of all, congratulations on taking the plunge.

 

Could you tell us which airport you arrive in and which port you sail from, and I'll do a little digging

 

DM me if you prefer

[Twogaterz]

1 hour ago, RedgeToo said:

First of all, congratulations on taking the plunge.

 

Could you tell us which airport you arrive in and which port you sail from, and I'll do a little digging

 

DM me if you prefer

Thanks. I arrive at BCN (Barcelona’s main airport) sailing from Barcelona.

[RedgeToo]

19 minutes ago, Twogaterz said:

Thanks. I arrive at BCN (Barcelona’s main airport) sailing from Barcelona.

Great

This is easy :)

A taxi is €39 each way - cash or card. It's a fixed price and doesn't take long. There are a lot of taxis at the airport and it's even possible to share if you can find someone going to the cruise port.

There are other cheaper ways, but this is the easiest way if you are anxious.

My top tips:

Go to the solo meet-up if there is one

Always tell the MDR staff, you're happy to share

People are more than happy for you to sit with them and talk

Most of all - enjoy!

Let me know if I can help you with anything else.