Here I go--1st solo--HELP

[rodeoamber]

I can't believe I am doing this. My mom would freak if she knew. I am 48 and have to tell her i am going with a co-worker to keep her from having a stroke. I tell co-workers i am going with a stepsister. They just wouldn't understand. I think I have read all the posts now and I'm not stupid streetwise, so I should be ok. I am a little anxious about being the geek with no one to buddy with. But i'm not a wallflower, its just that i hate cliques. always have. Any advice will be appreciated. Maybe someone from this board will be there too. I posted on the roll call. Didn't see my crz, so I started one. wasn't that what i was supposed to do.

[wernew2cruising]

I can't believe I am doing this. My mom would freak if she knew. I am 48 and have to tell her i am going with a co-worker to keep her from having a stroke. I tell co-workers i am going with a stepsister. They just wouldn't understand. I think I have read all the posts now and I'm not stupid streetwise, so I should be ok. I am a little anxious about being the geek with no one to buddy with. But i'm not a wallflower, its just that i hate cliques. always have. Any advice will be appreciated. Maybe someone from this board will be there too. I posted on the roll call. Didn't see my crz, so I started one. wasn't that what i was supposed to do.

You're doing great! Start asking questions on the board for which you will be cruising. Have a great cruise!

[Kitt Grey]

I just got back from my first ever cruise and I was a very happy solo. The feede back I got from friends was how courageous I was to go solo but it was so much fun. I got up when I wanted, went to bed when I wanted, didn't have to worry about anyone else being happy but me.

 

My biggest fear was being lonely but I easily found folks to connect with. Some from the thread for our ship and some just in saying hi to people.

 

Good luck with your cruise and hope you have fun.

[Lois R]

I can't believe I am doing this. My mom would freak if she knew. I am 48 and have to tell her i am going with a co-worker to keep her from having a stroke. I tell co-workers i am going with a stepsister. They just wouldn't understand. I think I have read all the posts now and I'm not stupid streetwise, so I should be ok. I am a little anxious about being the geek with no one to buddy with. But i'm not a wallflower, its just that i hate cliques. always have. Any advice will be appreciated. Maybe someone from this board will be there too. I posted on the roll call. Didn't see my crz, so I started one. wasn't that what i was supposed to do.

 

Hi, there are lots of threads on here about sailing solo:)

Yes, starting a roll call is a good thing and usually a great way

to meet other people.:D When is your sailing? What line and ship?

 

Sorry you feel the need to lie to your mom......and as for your

co-workers, in my opinion, its none of their business who you cruise

with....or if you go on your own.

I have never been part of a clique either.....and most of my friends

live out of town. Cruising solo (for me) is a piece of cake:)

Its very easy to meet people on the ship.

 

Hope you have a wonderful time.

[anaslile]

I can't believe I am doing this. My mom would freak if she knew. I am 48 and have to tell her i am going with a co-worker to keep her from having a stroke. I tell co-workers i am going with a stepsister. They just wouldn't understand. I think I have read all the posts now and I'm not stupid streetwise, so I should be ok. I am a little anxious about being the geek with no one to buddy with. But i'm not a wallflower, its just that i hate cliques. always have. Any advice will be appreciated. Maybe someone from this board will be there too. I posted on the roll call. Didn't see my crz, so I started one. wasn't that what i was supposed to do.

 

That's too bad that you have to lie. :(. I've found that if I tell people straight up that that they're shocked but curious. Any questions they have about 'won't you be lonely' are simply answered with "I'm sure I'll have the time of my life. Especially since I won't have to worry about always making sure somebody else is liking it", or, "I'm doing this for me, I really wanted to do it and I don't need anybody else to do it with" or once I'm there, "I'm having the time of my life! I can do whatever I want!". I've found that those placate the majority of people. The people who berate you are the ones who most likely are jealous of you and wish that they could do it themselves.

 

I went to Disney alone in August and people were amazed that I was alone, but overall more curious and praising how 'brave' I was. In fact, I actually ended up chatting with a lot of people I normally wouldn't as a solo is a bit more "approachable" than group. All in all people find a solo traveler fascinating. It's all about how you approach it, if you're proud and happy they won't question it.

 

Tell your co-workers, and just put on a happy cheerful face so that they know their comments don't affect you!

 

In the mean time, join that roll call!

[kitty9]

Believe me, with the graying of the Baby Boomer generation, there will be more and more solos cruising. You're not an aberation, but more of the norm. Don't be afraid to tell co workers you're going on a cruise alone !!! They will admire your independence and determination. And they will all be jealous that you're going to have such a great adventure. One thing I've noticed about my friends and family who know I cruise solo---every singe one of them always say how lucky I am to be able to take the cruise vacations I do. While I would like to have a gentleman to share these adventures with, that's not in my cards now, and I won't let that stop me from having fun and enjoying life.

[Roz]

My experience with telling lies is you tell one lie and it gives birth to several more. Why go thru all those mental gyrations? It gives me a headache. You aren't doing anything criminal, after all. Even if they don't express it, there are people who will secretly admire you for sailing solo.

 

Roz

[cruise#14]

But just to my mother, she worries....

I love the looks of fellow passengers when I announce I am cruising alone...I often end up inviting them to join me on my adventures. My advice find a comfortable place on a cruise to "hang." Mine as always been the Champagne Bar, I can talk about wine to anyone. I have done excursions with the ship for the safety. When I cruised the Med with friends, I loved the sea days when I just hung out on my balcony and regrouped. I have always gone to the dining room for dinner. Met alot of great people over dinner. 48 is a great time to start. Have the time of your life !!

[rodeoamber]

sorry that i am getting off on the wrong foot. DH is aware of my crz plans and he is ok with it, but we work at the same place. thus the coverup, can you imagine all the crap he would catch from his buddies? Besides, I'm grown and this is what makes my life easier. thanks for understanding

[4Suzyq]

I understand your not telling people that you are traveling by yourself. I went to South Beach for a weekend by myself and I was very surprised at the reaction friends and family had when they found out. In this day and age I thought solo travel was more acceptable. I had a great time and the weekend went all too fast. My Ipod added a little variety to my walking and beach. Hope you enjoy yourself as much as I did.

[cathyd04074]

Shame on you :-)

 

Actually, it's probably a good idea, just to keep her from worrying and driving you nuts. Tell everyone else, though.

 

I have traveled all over the world alone and have never failed to meet interesting people and have always had a fabulous time.

 

Go for it - you don't want to be sitting in your rocker at the "home" wishing you had done it; you want to be boring the sh*t out of the aides with your adventure stories......

[krystalkruzer]

Last year I was 48 on my first solo cruise and I lied to no one about it.Since DH is fine with it what other think does not matter.As for DH's buddies if they have anything to say time to put them in their place.

[Solo Cruiser]

My family has come to accept my "quirk" of loving to cruise and going by myself. My grown children say, "well there goes Mom again." They never know what I'm going to do or plan next. But my colleagues at work were having fits over me cruising by myself. They shake my head and look at me like I'm some sort of nut. They were giving me such a hard time about having a cabin "alone" that I finally told them how in the world can I have all the "liaisons" onboard if I have to share a cabin. I'm so much happier having them think I am wild than think I'm pathetic LOL .

[Tenngal]

Re: Lying to Mother:

 

Shame on you :-)

 

Actually, it's probably a good idea, just to keep her from worrying and driving you nuts. Tell everyone else, though.

 

I have traveled all over the world alone and have never failed to meet interesting people and have always had a fabulous time.

 

Go for it - you don't want to be sitting in your rocker at the "home" wishing you had done it; you want to be boring the sh*t out of the aides with your adventure stories......

 

 

Did my mom have a second daughter and not tell me??? Are you a long-lost sister of mine?

Maybe my clone?? How else could you have taken the words directly out of my mouth?:p :D (Especially the "driving [me] nuts" part!)

[FunShipFan]

I'm going on my first solo cruise next week. When I tell people I'm going solo, most of them are surprised. I just tell them I'm looking forward to trying something new. No one to please but myself. Most then agree it sounds okay but they would never be able to do that themselves. Oh well, to each his own. I'm a little anxious but mostly excited! After all, I'll be on a cruise!!!

[lynelz1]

My 1st cruise was solo, my 2nd cruise was with a group. I liked both ways but I chose to go on my 3rd cruise solo. This will be my relaxing, get over a tough year at work cruise. No computer...no cell phone...no schedule...ahhhh bliss.

[moonpie906]

I am a widow and have cruised solo several times. I have also cruised with friends and family. I would rather go solo... more time to either relax or party and not have to worry about keeping up with anybody..

[Essiesmom]

Big cruises my sister goes along...But I get to craving a cruise, and since I live close enough to FL I can drive to a port, I jump on a Carnival ship alone for 5 days. My first vacation 'away' was when I was 27, and I went to Curacao for nine days...alone. I had a cousin ask how I could do that, and my reply was 'Going alone is 100% better than not going at all'. I still feel that way, nearly 40 years later. EM

[SoloCruiser17]

I am a first time solo cruiser,,,,,I'll be on the Liberty next week...the 8th.

If you're on that one maybe we'll run into each other. I'm told there's some type of singles gathering the first night at sea. I plan on going to that.

If your not on the 8th, enjoy your cruise.

Bill:)

[psblin99]

I love to go SOLO. I am 54 and travel alot with my 21 year old daughter. Last Xmas after a very stressful but rewarding business year I booked a balcony on a 7 day cruise. My company is closed over that time and I can absolutely not think about the place.

 

I packed a few good books and off I went. I went to dinner in the dining room a couple of times and was on time for a couple of excursions. That was the closest I came to needing a watch.

 

It was so relaxing to plan NOTHING. I met some great people, won a few dollars in the casino and just had a great time. SOLO is the way to go!!!!!!!!

[Lois R]

I love to go SOLO. I am 54 and travel alot with my 21 year old daughter. Last Xmas after a very stressful but rewarding business year I booked a balcony on a 7 day cruise. My company is closed over that time and I can absolutely not think about the place.

 

I packed a few good books and off I went. I went to dinner in the dining room a couple of times and was on time for a couple of excursions. That was the closest I came to needing a watch.

 

It was so relaxing to plan NOTHING. I met some great people, won a few dollars in the casino and just had a great time. SOLO is the way to go!!!!!!!!

 

Hi,:) just want to let you know we have a really nice group of FL folks

who chat over in the Floataway Lounge if you want to pop over

there and say hello:) and after 4 years of chatting and doing

"get togethers" a few times a year (outside of cruising) we finally

decided to book a short one for next Sept on the Soveriegn and

have a roll call started.

Thought I would throw the invitation out there to you:)

I always sail solo too!

[PAPIx2]

When I go solo which is most of the time....when someone asks me who I am cruising with I just look at them and say I'm going solo...then I give them a wink and a grin....freaks them out. lol

[Summers]

I can't believe I am doing this. My mom would freak if she knew. I am 48 and have to tell her i am going with a co-worker to keep her from having a stroke. I tell co-workers i am going with a stepsister. They just wouldn't understand. I think I have read all the posts now and I'm not stupid streetwise, so I should be ok. I am a little anxious about being the geek with no one to buddy with. But i'm not a wallflower, its just that i hate cliques. always have. Any advice will be appreciated. Maybe someone from this board will be there too. I posted on the roll call. Didn't see my crz, so I started one. wasn't that what i was supposed to do.

 

Its sad the stigma that is placed on people that like to do stuff alone. I honestly think that a crusie is probably the place where you need the least streetwise attitude, IMO. I really can't imagine having my defenses up much when I finally go on a cruise, and I have been to places where most women are advised to NEVER travel alone, and I know there are others here as well that have done so.

 

IMO just concentrate on enjoying yourself and I think you will have a wonderful time!!

 

Do you have "calling cards"? I have a cell phone number that is pay as you go and I just have that phone number and a yahoo email address in case there are people that I want to stay in touch with after my trips. You just never know who you are going to meet!

[Summers]

Believe me, with the graying of the Baby Boomer generation, there will be more and more solos cruising. You're not an aberation, but more of the norm. Don't be afraid to tell co workers you're going on a cruise alone !!! They will admire your independence and determination. And they will all be jealous that you're going to have such a great adventure. One thing I've noticed about my friends and family who know I cruise solo---every singe one of them always say how lucky I am to be able to take the cruise vacations I do. While I would like to have a gentleman to share these adventures with, that's not in my cards now, and I won't let that stop me from having fun and enjoying life.

 

This is all so true. I just can't imagine waiting for someone to come along so I can go out and enjoy life.

 

THere are also so many people that either cannot schedule or afford such a trip, so if you wait around for a traveling companion that is a friend you will likely be waiting a very long time.

[rodeoamber]

:( Sad, but true, I will have to wait until later for this one. Found out I will need surgery and in a sep. issue I have a cast on my rt foot. Will enjoy it better when I am back on my feet good. physically and financially. thank you for all your input. cruise your hearts out.:cool: