"Solo meet and Greet" Worst case scenario...

[VIKINGCRUISER]

I am very nervous about my upcoming cruise in March on the Pearl. I booked a balcony cabin and was told going to Spinakkers not an issue for

"solo meet and greet" listed in Freestyle.

 

Side note: I am married, but wife doen't like cruises but said she would come, but this is something I really want to do by myself as I hit the big 60 last year along with recovering from some health issues.She is good with whatever I feel comfortable with.

 

Here's my concern. I have read solo Meets are hit or miss and I would like to get involved with some activities with others.

 

I would like to do some trivia games, go swimming and have a couple of drinks and see a show, but being the introvert I am, would also like to be with others.

 

What is worst case scenario for my trip if it is a bomb of a solo meet and greet?

 

Thanks for any feedback!

 

 

 

 

[yakcruiser]

13 minutes ago, VIKINGCRUISER said:

I am very nervous about my upcoming cruise in March on the Pearl. I booked a balcony cabin and was told going to Spinakkers not an issue for

"solo meet and greet" listed in Freestyle.

 

Side note: I am married, but wife doen't like cruises but said she would come, but this is something I really want to do by myself as I hit the big 60 last year along with recovering from some health issues.She is good with whatever I feel comfortable with.

 

Here's my concern. I have read solo Meets are hit or miss and I would like to get involved with some activities with others.

 

I would like to do some trivia games, go swimming and have a couple of drinks and see a show, but being the introvert I am, would also like to be with others.

 

What is worst case scenario for my trip if it is a bomb of a solo meet and greet?

 

Thanks for any feedback!

 

 

 

 

Try your roll call for your cruise. You might find folks with similar interests. And if you show up for trivia by yourself you might find a team that needs another player and will invite you to join them.

[Philandjulie]

Hubby and I often have different interests and will be in different areas on the ship.  One of us will always meet people whether just sitting somewhere having a coffee/wine or chatting in the buffet line, or other places.  We've been to trivia and joined up with other tables and have met people doing activities on deck.  I am sure you will have a great time and meet lots of people - whether at the meet and greets, or just in general around the ship.  Enjoy!!

[debenson0723]

I took my first solo cruise 8 years ago on NCL and have always met at least one person that I could hang around with on the ship, meet for meals, do trivia, etc. Some of these have become close friends that I have sailed with multiple times (you know who you are, LOL) and have even traveled with on non-cruise vacations.

 

What's nice about the solo meet ups is you can meet as many or as few people as you like. The co-ordinator will typically arrange dinner every night and you can go with the group, or not. People will rotate in and out every night. Every cruise is different and I think the larger ships with the solo cabins have a greater chance of having a bigger group of solos but you never know.

 

The advice about joining your roll call is a solid one. I have been chatting with someone on the roll call for my next cruise and we are taking the same shuttle from Rome to the port so we will meet even before getting on the ship. So relax and enjoy. That first step is always the hardest but you will meet some great people...couples, solos and in between!

[vswan]

I took my first solo cruise about a year after my husband passed away. Was a little leary about going alone, but figured I could either get out there and do something or stay home by myself.

 

I purposely went to the solo meet up the first night. Met many people from all different backgrounds and reasons for being there solo. One of those was a married woman who was traveling alone while her husband was on a business trip - so yes, married people traveling alone are a part of the group. Another was scheduled to travel with her son who had a medical emergency a couple weeks prior and was not able to come. A lot of variety for reasons traveling alone. I had a great time.

 

I booked shore excursions through NCL and on every one there was someone from the solo group that I could share time with and it gave both of us a person to watch our things when wanting to take a swim, etc. As a platinum I had dining coupons for two - as did many of the others - I'll take you if you take me, etc. One night two of us took two others who didn't have the specialty dinners for a table for four. NCL does solos well.

[VIKINGCRUISER]

Thank you all. I'll make the best of it no matter what the situation, but after all these wonderful responses, I feel much more relaxed!

[SomewhereGirl]

My last four cruises were solo, and I too am a bit introverted and don't crave the socializing.

 

On my last cruise I went solo to the Tepanyaki restaurant where you are seated with a group.  Got talking to a nice couple there and after that I would see them at other activities.

 

Another time I met another solo during a behind the scenes tour.  After that we bumped into each other in the buffet for breakfast and sit together.

 

When I was out exploring Liverpool solo on a port day, I met a couple from the ship.  They ended up on one of my other excursions so we chatted.

 

I've been on excursions where there have been other solos.  You'd be surprised at how many solos there are.

 

Now, not everyone is that nice but there are nice people out there.

[www3traveler]

I am a widow and travel solo all the time.  I recommend two things: (1) Become active in the Roll Call for your cruise and (2) Read your Freestyle Daily each day for Solo M&G locations (they some change depending on the number of people expected to attend.

 

Question: were you a member of the military at some point in your life?  Very often cruises are having gathering for Veterans and their spouses.  Again check your Freestyle Daily.

 

Enjoy your cruise and The Pearl.  She is a wonderful ship. 

[VIKINGCRUISER]

Hi,

 

Thanks for the reply.

 

No to the military question.

not others (Family friends to see)

 

I have followed roll calls for the pearl to get a feel for the interaction from the outside, but I haven't really every seen any posts for the NCL Pearl roll call, unless I'm doing something wrong.

 

The other alternative I have read on here is about people really going to Facebook (not sure where specifically), but again, I don't have Facebook or know how to use it.

 

I would be willing to give that a try as long as my posts are specific to that sailing and not family and friends to see.

 

Any advise on how to go about this appreciated.

 

Joe

[VIKINGCRUISER]

1 hour ago, SomewhereGirl said:

My last four cruises were solo, and I too am a bit introverted and don't crave the socializing.

 

On my last cruise I went solo to the Tepanyaki restaurant where you are seated with a group.  Got talking to a nice couple there and after that I would see them at other activities.

 

Another time I met another solo during a behind the scenes tour.  After that we bumped into each other in the buffet for breakfast and sit together.

 

When I was out exploring Liverpool solo on a port day, I met a couple from the ship.  They ended up on one of my other excursions so we chatted.

 

I've been on excursions where there have been other solos.  You'd be surprised at how many solos there are.

 

Now, not everyone is that nice but there are nice people out there.

Thank you for making me hopeful!

[GLYNAGP]

NCL’s nightly solo meet up are great. I travel solo or sometimes with a friend who also books as a solo , whichever I go along to the solo meetup each evening. Firstly its a great place to focus the start of your evening and secondly you can do as much or a little with the group as you wish. On one cruise a lady and her daughter travelling together came along every evening, for them it was fantastic, they could meet up with people of their individual age groups and party accordingly .

[chefchick]

I am very happily married and cruise solo often as my husband prefers other ways to vacation.  I too consider myself an introvert. My biggest piece of advice is push yourself out of your comfort zone (if necessary) and join the solo meet up on the first night.  This will give you some indication of the vibe of the other solos and give you a chance to see if you click with anyone and more importantly, what the solo coordinator has planned for your cruise.  Some coordinators really do a lot to heighten your overall experience (make dinner reservations for the group, secure a reserved solo area in the theater, answer questions, etc) where as others act like they got the short end the stick and aren’t particularly happy to be there. (Most are great tho). Anyway, I have found that at least going that first night can set the cruise off right, and then you can decide if you’d like to go every night or not.  That’s the best thing about solo cruising…YOU get to decide.  There is no right or wrong way.  Have a great time, but you have been warned, solo cruises are addictive. 😎

[VIKINGCRUISER]

Thank you!

[WickedRed]

I've cruised solo a number of times on NCL on ships of different sizes.  My advice to new solo cruisers is go to the solo gatherings, join your CC Roll Call, and if you're on FB find the group for your sailing.  All are great ways of meeting people on the ship.  Not only am I an intervert but I'm also shy.  Joining groups where I know no one is very difficult for me.  Still I've made friends on pretty much every cruise I've gone on through the solo gatherings.  Met a number of married people who have left their spouse behind for a variety of reasons.  Solo hosts do range from very involved to they give the impression they are being punished by being our host that week.  One girl game the first day and never showed up the rest of the week.  🤷‍♀️  If you regularly show up to the same events eventually you'll meet people who also go to the same events every day doesn't matter if it's trivia, the band, crossword...

 

You're going to have a great time!!

[grouchomarx]

I think I might try this for my upcoming cruise. It's a b2b and the first week I'm in the Vibe so I'm sure I'll make friends there, I did on my last two cruises.  But the second one I don't have Vibe so it might be harder to make friends without the solo meet up.  I will also check out the solo lounge although I heard it can be really dead in there.  I'm very outgoing so for me it would be easy, unless the people were awkward or strange but everyone I've met on cruises has been cool and laid back.

[DorothyB]

Another vote for being active on the roll call in addition to going to the daily solo meet up.  Also, if your roll call is doing a "meet & mingle" be sure to attend that.  Looking around other places you might also find other groups for your sailing.

[poohdreaming]

You get to decide and make your own decisions about going to the solo meeting one time or keep going every day or only some days of your cruise. You can attend the whole meeting or leave early if you would like. My very first NCL cruise, the solo meeting was very successful. The host gathered folks that wanted to eat dinner together in the main dining room. Other activities were seeing the show together.

 

FBook - it is very easy to use. All you have to do is sign up and then search for that group to join.

[ILgirl]

I am a widow and have done at least 10 plus solo cruises since my husband’s passing.  The good thing is… I like my own company!  I’ve never attended solo gatherings by choice.  I have been on 2 NCL transatlantics with two more coming up so that means lots of sea days which I love.  I spend little time in my cabin.  I am in common areas all day, reading, watching Netflix on my IPad, at the casino or enjoying an adult beverage.  Great people watching! People are always very friendly and I always find others to chat with.  Crazy, but I don’t mind dining alone.  To me it is better than trying to force conversation with someone I don’t know.  I guess what I’m trying to say is that it is a personal preference as to how involved you want to be with others but even with not being involved in the solo gatherings I’ve never felt alone, enjoy your cruise!

[stinkyharriet]

I did my first two solo cruises this year.  I was very nervous before the first one.  I deliberately chose a shorter cruise to a place I had already been.  I had a great time.  I met another solo in O’Sheehans on embarkation day when I had lunch.  That night, at the first solo meeting, four of us made plans to have dinner together in a specialty restaurant because one person had reserved a table for 4, just to invite others who wanted to use their FAS dining credit.  I went on an excursion with another solo.  Every night in the MDR there will be large tables reserved for any solo travelers that want to eat with the group.  
 

On my second cruise this year I did specialty dining twice with another solo, ate in the MDR with the group the other nights, hung out late with a core group each night, went to the beach etc.  When I wanted to do things on my own I did. You get the best of both worlds, social interaction when you want it and quiet time for yourself when you don’t.

[IAcruising]

 

This topic is fascinating. There will be a time when Mrs. IA doesn't want to cruise, and I do.

 

I can't fathom attending a solo "meet up". Yikes.

 

[DorothyB]

I have done several solo cruises and haven't done a solo meet up yet.  My first solo cruise was the repositioning cruise through the Panama Canal and I met my social needs mostly by organizing meet & greet, cabin crawl and scavenger hunt, plus went on one excursion organized by someone in the roll call.

[odie1024]

I usually travel with someone but 2 years ago I was turning 70 and wanted to do a cruise with just me. I did a 20 day Panama Canal cruise from Seattle to Miami and joined the group page on the other social media site. Connected with a gal from Canada on that site and we would do the solo meetups which there were at least 75 attendees on that first day. We always met them for cocktails and then would decide on dinner. Sometimes we dined with some of them, sometime just us and a few times we dined solo as one of us might not be feeling well. More and more people are traveling alone, relax and have fun.

[graphicguy]

Like others, I travel Solo on cruises a lot.  Look here at your roll call and see if there's a meet and greet. Go to that.

 

There are solo meetups that will be posted in the Dailies.  Go to those and participate in the group dinners to meet other solos.

 

The Dailies will also have a complete listing of all the many things to do on board.  Pick and choose what you want to do via the dailies.  YOu'll meet others, just like you will if you sit for a little bit at the many bars.

 

Swimming on board?  That's a tough one. The pools on any cruise ship aren't really all that big....no more than a place to walk around in the pool.  They will have activities pool side.  Go to those.

 

Facebook?  Not sure about whatever cruise you are on has a Facebook group.  So, can't help you there.

[HowardK]

I found solo meetups much better on ships with the studios then for example the Jewel.

I met great people on every cruise

[cruiser1961]

On 9/13/2024 at 11:52 AM, WickedRed said:

Not only am I an intervert but I'm also shy. 

Thank you for this comment. 

 

Many assume that being an introvert (need time alone to recharge batteries) and being shy (not comfortable in groups of unknowns) are synonymous. 

 

These are totally different things.

Edited September 16 by cruiser1961