Sailing Single

[CruiseCravings]

Does anyone have any suggestions on a good cruise for sailing "by myself". I've exhausted all my grown children's vacation time and still have vacation time to cruise on my own, but I'm open to suggestions. I'm not looking for a singles cruise as most of the people on those are YOUNG. I'm in the 55+ category and will be cruising solo.

[CruiserBruce]

There is a "Singles" board, here:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=139

That has lots of info, and not just dating stuff.

[xxoocruiser]

Originally Posted by CruiseCravings

Does anyone have any suggestions on a good cruise for sailing "by myself". I've exhausted all my grown children's vacation time and still have vacation time to cruise on my own, but I'm open to suggestions. I'm not looking for a singles cruise as most of the people on those are YOUNG. I'm in the 55+ category and will be cruising solo.

Totally depends on your travel perferences. I travel solo regularly and these are some of the things I take into consideration.

• I avoid Carnival as IMO it tends to be a younger crowd and more of a party cruise. Though there are many that prefer Carnival .
• Usually travel RCCL or HAL
• Itinerary ... does it tend to lean towards one that would appeal to more families or one that leans towards a older crowd.
• Timing .... I avoid Spring Break period which have large crowds, younger group and more partying. Also avoid summer months as tend to be more families and lots of kids. Not that I don't like kid but would prefer not to have 600+ running loose on the ship.
• My preferred times to cruise to have less families.
  • January ( not New years period)
  • February
  • Mid April to Mid May
  • Mid September through November

[calliopecruiser]

You may want to try the Solo Cruisers board (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=373) as well as the Singles board - the distinction is that those traveling solo are not always single, and/or they do not want to be treated as single.

I recently booked my second solo cruise (first cruise in 8 years) and chose a Crystal transatlantic voyage for several reasons. 1) I like sea days, so I wanted a trip heavy with sea days and light with port stops. 2) Crystal has some of the best singles supplements around (starting at 25% for an outside cabin), and the idea of paying an extra 100% to travel on my own just p!sses me off. 3) The lower single supplement increases the value of the cruise, in my opinion, even though Crystal is a luxury line and already more expensive. 4) I'm also older (I'm 50) and wanted an line and itinerary that had fewer 20- and 30-somethings.

A lot will depend on what you want and what your price point is. I agree that there are certain times and itineraries that lean more towards an older crowd, regardless of the line.

[trish1c]

Stop looking at "singles" cruises & start looking for "solo" cruises.

NCL Epic has single cabins.

HAL is an older demographic so I suspect that if you found a "singles" cruise, that even if you weren't looking for love, you would at least have people to travel with.

My Dad is a widower so I have found him traveling companions at his various clubs -- Elks, Knights of Columbus, VFW etc. Have you asked around your social circle? You'd be surpised at how many people are in the same boat who'd love to get on a ship with you.

[kitty9]

I've found either HAL or Celebrity to be the most welcoming for solo cruisers. Like trish said, there is a difference between cruising solo and doing a singles cruise. A lot of the time, singles cruises are about a lot of partying and things like hooking up. But solo cruising is for those of us solos who aren't looking for anything other than a wonderful, relaxing cruise.

[chris58]

Hello, I have travelled single, in groups and with a friend. Can just say that I love best to travel by myself. Just have a big smile and be open. Have only been a few times with Celebrity and they are very good. /Chris58

[CruiseCravings]

Thanks for the tips. I will be nearly 60 the next time I cruise in 2013 but I am a very young and active 60. Kept up quite well with my 23 year old daughter on the cruise we just finished on the MAGIC. We danced every night, excursioned all day, shopped till we litterally dropped, and had quite the trip. In cruising solo I am looking for a line that does more of the individual type activities, like cooking demonstrations and such that you don't have to be a +1 to fit in. Sounds like your dad is lucky to have you help with the planning of his trips.

[CruiseCravings]

Thanks EVERYONE for all the great suggestions. It's almost too overwhelming. I have begun searching for some options with all the different cruise lines and specials. I also own timeshares in Orlando so that is where I am headed in JULY (Ugh! HOT) but that is when I'm available to go. Then I can also spend more time looking for and planning about three "solo" cruises in 2013.