Solo Activities on NCL

[LewiLewi]

I am traveling solo on NCL this winter. Are there special get togethers/events planned for solo cruisers? Are there solo tables set aside in MDR’s, show times for a group in the theatre,  dining times and tables in the specialty restaurants? Is there a host or hostess who is available for solo planning events?

[hallux]

Every night will be a Solo traveler's Social, usually around 5 or 5:30.  Dinner is usually organized there, you can also meet others there and just do your own thing for dinner.  There is a dedicated solo host that comes to that social and will sometimes work to get those from the group that want them reservations in the theater.

 

I've done several solo cruises, ask me all you want!!

[www3traveler]

I would suggest that you join the Roll Call for your particular cruise.  There may be other Solo cruisers already posting on that thread.

 

Enjoy your cruise

[PelicanBill]

Some solo hosts are better than others too... you could end up with low engagement or high engagement on organizing solo activities. On my last solo he had tables reserved for all the solos at dinner together, and sections roped off in the theater for solos to sit together. 

[yakcruiser]

24 minutes ago, PelicanBill said:

Some solo hosts are better than others too... you could end up with low engagement or high engagement on organizing solo activities. 

So true! I have had some awesome hosts and some that were there because they had to be.

[grouchomarx]

People don’t always show up to the solo meet ups, be aware.  One night only one person came, I heard it was like that at least one other time.  People say day 1 is the most important meet up.  Personally I find 5pm to be highly inconvenient to my evening schedule, I’m still getting ready for the evening at that hour.

[reeinaz]

On one cruise, a Panama Canal crossing, there were only 3 of us that regularly went to the solo meetup but we still had a nice time getting to know each other while dining together. The host still escorted us to the dining room to get our table and got us into shows.

 

 

[Chocolate Teapot]

I find that it really depends on the cruise, both in terms of Solo Coordinator and enthusiasm of fellow solo passengers. The first couple of nights are when most people show up, but don't be surprised if you see somebody and they vanish for the rest of the trip!

[marktwothousand]

Yes there’s lots to do for solos. However the biggest complaint I hear is the time of the meeting and subsequent dinner and there is no flexibility on that. Everything else is usually good though 

[renebfl]

How do you know if there is a host or does every sail have one?

[debenson0723]

Just now, renebfl said:

How do you know if there is a host or does every sail have one?

When you go to the solo meet up the first day, they are there and introduces themself. They are typically someone from the CD's team but I did have one once who was a member of the Kid's Club team and you could really tell the difference. This was back in 2021 when kids were not allowed on the restart cruises.

[Portia!]

The solo meetup time and location is listed in the Freestyle Daily, which is on the app as well as a paper copy delivered every evening to your cabin. The meetup time and place are often different on the first night from the rest of the cruise and often in a bar or other public venue. If there is a Studio Lounge on your ship, the meetings from the 2nd night and beyond may be held in the Lounge. If there is no Lounge or the Lounge is too small or inconvenient it will be held at a bar or other venue. Time and location of meetups may change throughout the cruise, so check the Daily.

 

It is good to go the first night, but if you miss it, go another night. Even if you don't end up hanging out with the group, you will meet a few other solo travelers and will recognize each other around the ship and can make your own plans. The Solo coordinator will organize dinners or going as a group to a show or comedy club etc. On some ships Solo events are listed in the Freestyle, like meeting to attend the Glow Party or a show in the theater.

 

If there is a Solo Lounge, and you are in a Solo cabin, you will meet other solos in the Lounge over morning coffee etc. Best of luck - NCL is very good at trying to make sure solos find each other and have a great cruise.

[vswan]

The first night solo meeting on my cruise in January had more than 20 people. We ended up having two different times for dinner - one earlier, one a bit later. One other benefit to me was that I signed up for cruise shore excursions (using my $50 free at sea credits) and at all of them there was another solo cruiser I had already met to watch my bag when in the water or sit with on a bus. It became a comfortable, loose group of familiar faces to do things with if inclined.

[hallux]

If there is a Studio lounge and you're in any of the Solo category cabins - go to the lounge just after cabins open.  I did on my cruise last year and met up with some people I hung around with the rest of the cruise.