Alone and Female

[Iggipolka]

Hey there

I'm thinking about taking myself on a cruise for my 35th birthday. I've never cruised on Carnival before, but it fits my budget and I thought it might be fun.

Has anyone else cruised alone on Carnival? Beyond the normal safety precautions that every woman takes in real life and on cruises, is there anything special I should be concerned about?
I think I may feel a bit weird at dinner since most tables are set up for couples (2, 4, 6, & 8 people tables), but I figure there's always the Lido for dinner if it's really strange.

What do you all think?

Olivia Charter on the Zuiderdam 04/03/04
RCI 06/90

[Crazsea]

Take the cruise and have a great birthday! Be open minded but cautious. You'll meet all the people YOU want to.

At dinner they will most likely cross reference you with other singles for the most part. Don't you dare miss dinner in the dining room. You'll miss one of the best parts of the cruise experience!!!

You'll have a blast on carnival ship, and if you chose, you'll make plenty of new friends! It's the "FUN SHIP".

[Iggipolka]

I'm married, but my wife has been deployed and is serving our country, that's why I'm going by myself. So, I'm not going on the ship to hook up with anyone. I just don't want to celebrate my birthday alone. I miss my wife.

Thanks though..that's good to know that I'll be cross referenced with other singles for dinner.

Olivia Charter on the Zuiderdam 04/03/04
RCI 06/90

[yst347]

Wow Iggipolka, tough question to answer.

I'm not sure I would be attracted to cruising without my significant other. For me personally being alone in such close quarters would be a turn off. Not that a solo cruise wouldn't be fun as I'm sure it could be but a cruise ship is a nation unto itself. Your fellow cruisers will vary week to week but you will be "stuck" with the same crowd the full week.

If you are the independant type and can make your own fun then go for it. For me, I'd rather find a friend to join me. It's just personal preference; only you can know what's right for you.

Elation 11/2003
Conquest 01/2003
Jubilee 11/2002
Victory 02/2001
Destiny 02/2000
Geotide 11/1992
United States 06/1962

[hstrybuf]

I've only cruised solo once and that was as part of a group cruise. Basically, I would say always be aware of your surroundings in those places where few or no other passengers are close by, like in hallways when going to your cabin. Stay with others when ashore if you can. Don't set a drink down and leave it. You probably already know these things so treat yourself and have a great birthday!

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Navigator OTS 10/04
Legend 04/04
Grand Princess 09/03
Dawn Princess 01/03
Enchantment OTS 10/02
Destiny 01/02
Sensation 08/99

[JudyKa]

I say, go for it! Why sit around and wait for life's wonderful experiences to come to you. Go on and have a blast! Who knows, you may meet some long lasting friends or a love on a cruise....ya never know til you try it. After all, it's a wonderful way to treat yourself for a birthday.

=o) Judy (o=

[INCHARGE]

Take your cruise and enjoy yourself. I have gone on 1 solo cruise, and I am going again 6/13. I can not wait. I make friends wherever I go, so I do not feel alone when cruising.I took my excurions with groups, through CCL, and stayed with a crowd. I did not go off to a beach alone, because I did not want to get into the water with my belongings on shore with no one watching out. I had a ball, so much so, I am doing it again. http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Blessings 2 U
Miracle Sept 5,2004 7 day
Destiny June 13,2004 7 day
Disney Magic Sept 6,2003 7 day
Spirit Nov.2002 Panama 8 day
Paradise Oct 2002 10 day
Paradise Feb.2000 7 day

[SheilaInAL]

I agree with the others, Iggipolka. Go for it and enjoy yourself! I sailed alone on the 4/12/04 Miracle cruise out of Jacksonville, FL. Simply use good sense, make friends onboard and you'll be fine. I met some awesome people on the ship (waves to Kim and Linda! http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif) and I don't regret for one moment cruising on my own! In fact, I plan on doing it again, next year! Same ship, some of the same people, different itinerary! I'm sooooo ready! LOL!

Sailing on the brand new Carnival Miracle!
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[Salty Dawg]

Iggipolka,

Be adventurous - you'll have a great time.

Do you research ahead of time regarding the ports you will visit so you have an idea of which shore excursions you might want to try. Then be sure to post on the Cruise Critic Carnival Roll Call Boards to meet other cruisers that are going on your voyage. Usually you can arrange to meet the other C.C. members within the first day or two on the ship so you'll feel like you already have friends traveling with you.

Smooth sails to you...

PS: A big thank you to your wife for the willingness to serve & protect our freedom. Both of you are in our thoughts & prayers!

[newbie2cruise]

I'm married, but my wife has been deployed and is serving our country, that's why I'm going by myself. So, I'm not going on the ship to hook up with anyone. I just don't want to celebrate my birthday alone. I miss my wife.

Ok that almost made me cry, probably would have if I was not leaving tomorrow. My uncle in law just got home yesterday for iraq, he has been gone forever, just glad he's home safe. I wish your family well!

my first cruise
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[DKobler]

Iggipolka,

Just curious why your post says "alone and female" if you are married and your wife is overseas?

Panama Canal
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[steveNcindy]

dkobler, just a guess here but probably because she is female and will be cruising by herself.

Iggipolka, go and have a great time on your birthday.

Carnival Legend 02/04

Our Cruise Pics
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[merlot]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by DKobler:
Iggipolka,

Just curious why your post says "alone and female" if you are married and your wife is overseas?

Panama Canal
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LOL, I wondered the same thing.

Carnival Holiday 10/00
Majesty of the Seas 05/03
Carnival Ecstasy 05/04

Carnival Ecstasy
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[GroupCruiser]

Are you aware that you have to pay for double occupancy even if you're by yourself?

You can have Carnival hook you up with another single female. If they don't have one available, then you only have to pay for 1/2 of the cabin.

One of the women I work with did that on the Facination several years ago, had a great time. The two of them hit it off well, and still communicate with each other.

[Duluthian]

I strongly urge you to enjoy your birthday while cruising. I have always traveled alone and had wonderful experiences. Carnival is very friendly to singles, in that they allow you to book a category 1A cabin at 150% of fare instead of the normal 200% of fare for singles. The category 1A has an upper and lower bed of which the upper berth is never lowered when traveling as a single. Carnival usually seats singles at tables with other singles or with singles traveling together (friends). I've only had one bad dining experience and asked to have my table changed. No problem, they will accomodate your wishes. Each cruise has a different personality ... on some cruises I read a lot of books ... on other cruises I hang with others I have met onboard ... yet others I take Carnival's shore tours. I agree, taking Carnival's shore tours would be best as they are escorted. There are some ports that are not safe for singles of any sex to wander about alone. I use normal safety precautions as I would use on a business trip or around home town. Enjoy, relax, and hope you have a great time!

Valor 12/19/2004 Inaugural cruise
Fantasy 12/12/2004
Elation 5/23/2004
Fascination 1/19/2004
Inspiration 2/9/2003
Spirit 4/4/2002
Sensation 8/27/2000, 10/23/2004 Saints & Sinners
Independence 4/1/2000
Imagination 9/16/1999, 9/20/1999, 11/25/1999
Paradise 1/10/1999, 9/23/2001, 9/30/2001, 10/3/2002
Carla C 1/22/1983

[Cotton]

Group Cruiser: Not quite true about double rate. I'm a solo cruiser. Categories 1 thru 5 have single occupancy rates of 150%. Categories 6 and above are double. I KNOW this to be a fact.

Also - I don't think Carnival does the pairing of cabinmates any longer. That fell by the wayside for various reasons long ago.

I'm female, and just booked my fourth solo cruise. We all cruise for different reasons. I have friends who always say "If I'd known, I'd have gone with you."... Well, I purposely don't tell anybody till after I return because I LIKE cruising alone. It's my break from everything and everybody. http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

I DO meet nice folks on every cruise, but I don't like having to BE WITH somebody 24-7. I love my alone time, and I also enjoy my tablemates at dinner and whenever I run into them on the ship, maybe for a drink.

About dining ~ I'm always seated at a large table, which I prefer! For instance, two cruises ago, there was a honeymoon couple, two 30-something guys (they didn't know each other), and an older couple with one of their mothers. Odd mix, but it turned out very well. The more at the table, better the conversation! http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

About being "alone" - I am a cautious, but not fearful person. I take notice of my surroundings, but I pretty much go wherever, whenever. For instance, in Cozumel, I grab a cab and head to Chankanaab by myself. I know there are a lot of singles who won't/don't do this, but I'm just an adventurous soul. While on the ship, I have never been afraid to go down the hall to my cabin alone, or anywhere else on the ship....geez. That would be almost paranoid.

So - to the original poster - go and have a great time.

Festivale 1987
Carnivale 1988
Mardi Gras 1989
Pacific Princess 1990
Norway 1994
Holiday 2001
Holiday 2002
Holiday 2003

[Boston6]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Just curious why your post says "alone and female" if you are married and your wife is overseas?
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ever hear of alternative lifestyles? Marriage is not necessarily male/female.

Sovereign of the Seas (11/89)
Monarch of the Seas (8/99)
Norwegian Sea (7/02)
Carnival Glory (4/17/04)

[GroupCruiser]

Thanks Cotton, I didn't realize they changed their policies for Cat's 1-5.

[eerbeek]

Just back from Solo on Destiny, and had a blast! I hooked up with a bunch on the Destiny and Roll Call threads and couldn't have ordered up a better bunch to spend my time with!

I was alone when I wanted to be and with a fun loving crowd when I wanted to be. The best of both worlds!

There wasn't a thought in my mind about safety on the ship, but in Dominica, I wasn't about to venture out alone. On my way back to the ship after a brief walk about on the pier, ran into my 'boys' and hung with them the rest of the day. Always, I had someone to play with!

Go here, if you doubt the fun you can have with 'strangers' soon to be life long friends:

http://community.webshots.com/album/140635241mMtiUG

Oh, and about the pricing: I paid $530 SOLO, 1A with Portholes and two beds ON THE FLOOR (not bunks) for Sun-Sun on Destiny.

Bargains can be found and the supplement skirted around if you 'know' someone! http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

Lido Deck Linda



http://www.bigotis.com/Glory/dudes.gif

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Fantasy 2/6/2000
Victory 3/23/2003
Destiny 4/25/2004

[Cotton]

FUN GIRL!!! Great pic, Linda. Nice to finally see what a LidoDeckLinda looks like! http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif Glad to hear you had yet another great cruise.

Festivale 1987
Carnivale 1988
Mardi Gras 1989
Pacific Princess 1990
Norway 1994
Holiday 2001
Holiday 2002
Holiday 2003

[eerbeek]

Yeah, I'm a real beauty, aren't I???? ROFLMAO!

Not a single pic has 'good hair' in it!!! Doesn't matter! I was having WAY too much fun to fuss with looking spectacular.

Here's a boarding pic that is a little more representative than the debauchery above http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif :

http://community.webshots.com/photo/128300995/128301092XUEFdX

Lido Deck Linda



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Fantasy 2/6/2000
Victory 3/23/2003
Destiny 4/25/2004

[Salty Dawg]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>On my way back to the ship after a brief walk about on the pier, ran into my 'boys' and hung with them the rest of the day. Always, I had someone to play with!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Lido Deck Linda... http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[sgtmonz]

oh, to be one of her boys... http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[Crazsea]

sgtmonz,

I'm not touching that one! LOL

[Salty Dawg]

Crazsea,

At least not without a rubber "barrier"!

[PammyHound]

Iggipolka, you've been given great advice to check out the roll call thread and hook up with other people going. Another thought would be to join one of the many GREAT Cruise Critic group cruises that are listed in the Group Cruise section of the boards. You will find singles, couples and all age ranges on a group cruise. I am the group leader for the Royal Hounds group that is sailing on the 9/19 Mariner and we even have a few married people sailing solo without their spouses. Good luck, feel free to email me if you have any questions about joining a group cruise. http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

http://www.bigotis.com/Glory/Atom.gif (pammyhound@yahoo.com)Group board for the Royal Hounds (http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=corfrm&s=927093444&q=Y&cf=1333060927) 9/19/04
For pricing and booking info click:Royal Hounds (http://www.cruisecritic.com/interests/groups.cfm?ID=44)
Miracle 2/13/05, Royal Hounds 9/19/04, Conquestadors 1/11/04,
Glory Hounds 9/13/03, Triumph 1/03, Fascination 5/02
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If lifes a beach... then I want to cruise there!


For pricing and booking info click:Royal Hounds (http://www.cruisecritic.com/interests/groups.cfm?ID=44)

[Iggipolka]

Thank you all for the great information and encouragement. I think I will go on a cruise for my birthday. http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

My subject line of "alone and female" is because on the cruise, I will be alone and female. Yes, I'm married, but also very alone until my beloved comes home in 2 years. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers for her and all of the solders over there.

Olivia Charter on the Zuiderdam 04/03/04
RCI 06/90

[SheilaInAL]

Iggipolka, I will definitely keep your mate in my prayers. My brother is in Iraq, always moving from place to place, so we don't hear from him much. Please keep him in your prayers as well. Thanks!

Sailing on the brand new Carnival Miracle!
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[seeker]

Iggipolka,
I have been on cruises alone and I love them!!
Like Linda says, you can be alone to do your own thing and when you want some company-there are 1000's of people on board who would love
for you to join in their fun! Go For It! You will not regret it. Your mate is in my prayers also.
Seeker

[eerbeek]

SGTMONZ: there is ALWAYS room for one more in my harem!!! http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

Lido Deck Linda



http://www.bigotis.com/Glory/dudes.gif

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Fantasy 2/6/2000
Victory 3/23/2003
Destiny 4/25/2004

[RacerBC]

Next time you wanna go solo, look me up.. I'll travel with ya !

[sgtmonz]

darn linda... and i was about to propose to "the bird"... now what do i do?

[dawnp]

IggyPolka - When is your b-day? Maybe someone is already going when you are planning to go - always nice to have an instant buddy http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=191970&cdt=2004;7;3;17;30;00&timezone=GMT-0500until Century

Then let the countdown to the Miracle 08/07/04 begin

Fantasy - 02/04

[sea-cruise]

IggiPolka, Even though you are married, make sure you go to the Singles Meet at the start of the cruise. You'll get to meet lots of new friends who happen to be sailing alone for one reason or another, just like you. God bless your wife while she is called to service. By the way, I like your "pride" flag. Although we don't have a reason to fly one, we have wonderful neighbors who do fly one. Have a GREAT cruise and get your mind off worrying for a few days.

"Nothing should be more highly prized than the value of each day".... celebrating cruise #30 soon

[This message was edited by sea-cruise on 05-07-04 at 09:45 PM.]

[Salty Dawg]

Monz,

Pick your poison...

A "Bird" in the hand

-or-

Two in the bush.

http://www.heathersanimations.com/birds/robins.gif
Ladies...
No fighting over Monz's worm. He claims to have enough for both of you!

[eerbeek]

Monz: Pick ME! Pick ME! http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif My harem won't mind a bit!

Lido Deck Linda



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Fantasy 2/6/2000
Victory 3/23/2003
Destiny 4/25/2004

[Salty Dawg]

Lido Deck Linda,

There you go volunteering again! How do you ever find the time?

[eerbeek]

Well, SOMEONE has to do it! http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Lido Deck Linda



http://www.bigotis.com/Glory/dudes.gif

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Fantasy 2/6/2000
Victory 3/23/2003
Destiny 4/25/2004

[Salty Dawg]

Lido deck Linda,

So many men & so little time on earth...

[thebird]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by sgtmonz:
darn linda... and i was about to propose to "the bird"... now what do i do?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

SARGE!!!
I'M IN LOVE!!!
I'M IN LOVE!!!
I'M IN LOVE!!!
I'M IN LOVE!!!

Sensation 5/15/2004

Days til Valor Vampires Cruise
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[Salty Dawg]

Monz,

Now what????

[sgtmonz]

dawg... that was, without a doubt, the best response i have read in a long time... i love the graphics... oh my god... i'm still ROTFLMAO... http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

as to what am i going to do? i'll take both... at the same time... http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

[thebird]

Not 'til you ask me proper, sweet thang...

Sensation 5/15/2004

Days til Valor Vampires Cruise
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[Salty Dawg]

Monz,

You Da Man! Are you sure you're 'up" for it? http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif