Single Guy, 27, going solo for 1st time -any tips?

[braxton]

I am a 27 year old guy, and I have booked a cruise (my first cruise), and I leave Jan 13 (Royal Caribbean - Voyager of the Seas departing from Galveston)! I needed a vacation, and none of my friends could go, so I thought I'd just go on a cruise by myself. I am looking forward to the trip, but can anyone tell me what to expect as a single guy on a cruise? Are there many other single people? Are there other solo travelers around my age who might have some tips? I am not the type of person who is afraid of being by myself, but it would be nice to make friends on this adventure. Any comments would be appreciated. Thank you!

 

brax

[FlorenceItaly]

I am very happily married, but sometimes cruise solo. In fact, my next 2 cruises are solo. You may want to post on the "Roll Call" of other cruisers on the same sailing. I have found the thread for you, just follow the link. It looks pretty active. It's a great way to meet people.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=341761

 

 

Marie

[claud925]

a) Sign up for a large (8) seating table for dinner.

b) Take the ship-sponsored shore excursions, rather than winging it independently at ports.

c) Definitely check out the roll call for your sailing.

d) Check the daily newsletter upon embarkation - there will usually be a "Single/Solo" gathering your first night; attend it!

e) The casino is a great place to meet people - it's fun to participate with a group playing craps or blackjack.:)

f) Chat with the bartenders - they are a smart and savy part of the crew.;)

 

You've chosen well with Royal Caribbean - I'm confident you will meet more than enough people in your age group. In fact, I suspect you will become quite popular with the young ladies, so by all means go to the nightclub in the evenings and ask someone to dance!

 

Cruisers are some of the friendliest people you can meet - you will not feel lonely!

[SantaAna,CA]

Congratulations, brax, I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time. The cool thing about traveling solo is, you can be as "inclusive" or "isolationist" as you wish! That is, if you want to be around other people, you can...and if you want to do your own thing, you can do that too. Personally, I think a guy your age traveling solo is going to have a blast. You can always try to strike up conversations with people and see if you "click" with them, or if they are amenable to making a new friend. It has been my experience as a solo traveler that some people who travel as part of a "couple" don't really respond to single travelers. That is, they are more comfortable with another couple. Other people are just as friendly as can be. Don't worry about any of it, and just be yourself!

 

Jane

[PAPIx2]

Hey I usually travel solo and I love it. You can do whatever you want whenever you want and you don't have to listen to anyone. When I travel solo I can completely relax and enjoy MY vacation. I always make friends on a cruise and have a great time....You might want to visit the sauna and steam rooms which are always interesting. LOL Wink Wink

[Rosebud5t]

Hi there!

 

I also cruise solo and love it. My next one is 2-10-08. What the other posters said is all definitely correct.

 

I'm about your age (well, a few years older) and have found that when cruising alone, you will never ever ever have trouble finding people if you're not too shy. The atrium on the first day is a place where a lot of people hang out just to people watch... a great opportunity.

 

And definitely hit the dance club after the second dinner gets out. Some of the single ladies meet up at the martini bar (assuming your ship has one) before dinner.

 

I've found the singles meet-and-greets to be full of couples, so it's sometimes hard to figure out who's single. Again, just don't be shy.

 

Most importantly... don't be afraid to approach people. Everyone is there to have a great time, so it's super easy to strike up conversations. "So are you having a fantastic cruise?" is the only ice-breaker you need.

 

Also... go see the Maitre D' the first day of the cruise and let him know you're traveling solo. Most of the time they will go out of their way to seat you for dinner with others your age and/or other solo travelers.

 

Have a blast!

[guardami]

Thx Braxton for that question, I'm a cpl years older than you and travelling solo on Feb3, also RCI. And thx to Rosebud for your response - very helpful, I'll have to check out the Atrium on the first day, I love ppl watching! I wonder why the singles meet and greet would be full of couples if it's a singles meet and greet???

 

Anyway, great thread!