Going alone, how will it be

[JMPkeno]

My husband and I always loved cruising, but my husband passed away 2 months ago. I deceided to go by myself, but now I am having second thoughts. I thought I would probably not want to go into the dining room by myself, so I would either have to order room service ( can you order anything off of the dining room menu ) or go to the WJ. I might be OK going to the shows alone, but, not sure if it is ok or safe enough to go ashore alone for shopping in the ports, will be going to Cozumel and Belize. Has anyone done this before?

[Rancher Dave]

I ate in Portifinos 2x alone...was cruising with my mom and she preferred to dine in MDR...I prefer Specialty Spots...

Lots of widows and widowers to go alone...meet some friends on the ship. Go have fun, get a big table in MDR and ask to be seated with other widows or widowers so you can meet some others on the ship and have a friend to share time with in port.

Enjoy your cruise.

[pcur]

They always have single cruiser lunches and dinners, too. You will meet other single cruisers that way, too.

[Desert Cruizers]

JM, I would go on your cruise and not be afraid to socialize. I am sure your husband wouldn't want you to eat in the room. As Rancher suggested, request a table with other single pasengers. Hopefully you will meet some people on board, whom you can join up with for a tour. My Sympathies for the loss of your husband

[Yorkies Rule]

I just returned from my first solo cruise after having cruised several times with my husband and I know exactly how you feel. I felt very sad at times but after a while I started to really enjoy myself. One thing I did was request a large table in the DR and it worked out perfectly as I had great table mates and one other lady was cruising solo for the first time too and we just hit it off and even went to a few shows together. I would have gone alone mind you, but it was kind of nice to have the company. I can't help you as far as going off the ship alone as I had been to the ports many times and was happy to stay on the ship and enjoy the pool etc. Hope this helps. I really can't think of any other way of travel I would want to do by myself.

[rcrdale]

My dad is going through this now. My mom died in July and she wanted to take him on a birthday cruise. His birthday was this past sunday. They had gone on about 30 cruises together. We talked about it and he decided that since she wanted to take him on the cruise, he was going to go so he booked it. I'm sure there will be some sad times, but since they loved to cruise, knowing how much fun they had together on their cruises will be just what he needs. He has 2 other cruises planned, one in January with the retirement community he lives in and one in March with my sister.

Go on the cruise and just remember all the good times you have had on previous cruises.

My mother had always wanted to take a family cruise, but we could never get the time together to do it. I have never been on a cruise. My wife and I were planning a trip to Mexico in the early spring of 2010 for a delayed honeymoon. After my mom died, she had left me some money and so I decided that since we never got to do a family cruise, I would honor my mothers life by taking a cruise. I really did it big time, 13 night southern caribbean cruise at the end of March 2010. I know it will be a little sad but I know that she will keep an eye on me and see me enjoy the things she did.

[arlodog]

You may also want to join the roll call for your sailing and see if you can meet some other people before you sail and to join in some of the ports.

I have not been to Belize, but if you are not comfortable going it alone I would think the ships excursions would be perfect for you. You won't be by yourself and have to worry about being safe. Cozumel's pier area is safe with lots of activity. I just don't think as a single person I would want to jump into a taxi by myself, (but that is true here in the States too!) You may be able to join another family who wants to do the same thing as you are interested in and just share taxi fare if you just want to go to a beach.

My sympathy for your loss, but I am glad you are not staying at home. After my Dad passed away my mom stayed at home for a few years, but now she is traveling again--and we are all thrilled for her! It was hard for her at first, but over time she has learned that it is just different, not a bad thing to go it alone.

[138east]

Join your Meet & Mingle roll call and get to know some of the others who will be going. See what they are doing in the various ports. Perhaps you can join an excursion that others are going on. I haven't been to Belize, but I have been to Cozumel and I don't see any reason why you shouldn't get off the ship and explore the shops. In fact - go on an excursion in the morning and do the shops in the afternoon. Go early to every M&M event - sailaway drinks, official meeting, and any other activities like a slot pull, cabin crawl, mini-golf etc.

I sometimes feel like I am a solo traveler since I travel with my 90 year old mother. She doesn't get off the ship, so I am always looking for activities to join. Last year the M&M group was fantastic - my mother got sick and they were very supportive. I joined one group at the beach, went on an excursion in Dominica, and snorkeling with a "golf" widow. You don't have to pre-plan everything - I usually just wing it. I can't tell you how many times I've gone to guest relations at 8 am to see what excursions were available for the day and I've had a wonderful time doing that.

[boop3]

I am so sorry for the loss of your husband.
I agree with 138east. It is so easy to meet nice people on the cruise. Go to the sailaway party and have a toast to your husband. I know he would love the idea of you being on a cruise.

By the way I am the 'golf widow' mentioned above. We had a great time on that snorkeling trip.

have fun and enjoy!

[silentbob007]

I've done two solo cruises ... one where I avoided the main dining room because I didn't feel like I would fit in and the second where I ate dinner every night at a large table. Believe me when I say that the large table was better. It's not like I don't interact with people during the day, but a few hours eating with other people really grounded me. I had people to talk to and people to look for around the ship.

[kc320]

I am sorry to hear of the loss of your husband...I also sailed solo 2 months after my husband passed away. It helps to remember the times you spent together on prior cruises...use the time to remember & celebrate your lives together.. as other's have said a large table in the dinning room can help and your roll call is a great way to have "instant" friends when you board..

I have been to Belieze but did a ship snorkle trip.. Cozumel I would feel perfectly safe hopping in a cab & heading for the beach...but if you can find someone to share with you can save money & that is even better!

[Canuker]

On a recent cruise, my wife & I became great friends with a lady (also a widow) who was traveling solo.
Reflecting on your posting, I don't think we would have met her and/or become such good pals if she had not been solo.

We met most days up on our 'secret' deck and she would join us at our table in the dining room, after some of our table mates had left.
She was (is) a wonderful person and we were so glad to get to know her.

[cruiseorbust]

I am so sorry for your loss! My husband, family and I have enjoyed many cruises together. My husband and I have also taken some short cruises, just the two of us. I have had several opportunites to cruise, but my husband or family are not always available to join me.

I see you are from NY and Fl. I spent many years in New York and now Melbourne, Fl is home. What part of Fl are you in? Maybe we could plan something together (I love to cruise) Just a thought.

If you do go it alone, ask to sit at a large table like other posters have advised. It will be different, but I still think you will enjoy your cruise. The cruise line is pretty good at trying to match up tablemates. If there are other singles your age, they usually try and put you together.

Have fun, and keep me in mind for future cruises.

[RetireeWannabee]

I am sorry for your loss, and the second thoughts you are now having. I'm guessing that your husband would want you to go on that trip. He will be with you in spirit.

Were I sailing alone, I would definitely have my meals with others (since I don't usually pop for a balcony). I think part of the fun is 'comparing notes' on either ports or onboard activities. It gives you a bit of socializing that you might not otherwise seek out or find yourself in the midst of.

Especially because your loss is still so new, take advantage of the opportunity to be around others in a shared adventure. There will be plenty of time to have meals alone when you arrive back home.

Ports - I've not been to those specific ones, but if you remain in the touristy areas and keep your good sense with you, you will be just fine. Wandering out of the touristy areas, I wouldn't. Could be you happen upon others seeking the same things out of the port stop and you avail yourselves of The Buddy System. Often I set off on things by myself and meet up with others sharing the same idea and we join forces.

I see no reason why you wouldn't attend shows by yourself - please partake of everything you had planned. Go, Do, See, Explore.

Again, I'm so sorry for your loss.

[LuckiStac13*Majesty*]

Originally Posted by JMPkeno

My husband and I always loved cruising, but my husband passed away 2 months ago. I deceided to go by myself, but now I am having second thoughts. I thought I would probably not want to go into the dining room by myself, so I would either have to order room service ( can you order anything off of the dining room menu ) or go to the WJ. I might be OK going to the shows alone, but, not sure if it is ok or safe enough to go ashore alone for shopping in the ports, will be going to Cozumel and Belize. Has anyone done this before?

JMP,

I just wanted to say how sorry I am that your husband passed away and also how much credit I give you for going on the cruise. I'm sure you'll have fun, though, especially if you take the previous poster's advice and get a large table for dinner (if you're comfortable doing so).

I would be careful, though, going too far from the pier on either island if you're by yourself. That would make me nervous.

I hope everything goes well for you and that you're able to enjoy yourself. I'm sure your husband will be looking down on you, happy that you went.

[waterbugohio]

I second the idea of joining your roll call.

that is the best thing I did last year when planning our first every cruise (well maybe second after joining cc) We met and talked to people for over a year before sailing and felt safe taking private excursions vs. being by ourselves.

Now we have another VERY active roll call leaving on Saturday on the Serenade!!

[EV2008]

Originally Posted by JMPkeno

My husband and I always loved cruising, but my husband passed away 2 months ago. I deceided to go by myself, but now I am having second thoughts. I thought I would probably not want to go into the dining room by myself, so I would either have to order room service ( can you order anything off of the dining room menu ) or go to the WJ. I might be OK going to the shows alone, but, not sure if it is ok or safe enough to go ashore alone for shopping in the ports, will be going to Cozumel and Belize. Has anyone done this before?

Sorry for your los. If you arte worried going on shore by yourself you may want to take a tour with the ship. That would be a safe thing.

[cruiseblue]

Go and have fun! I never cruiser solo but felt like going solo because people I was with wanted to do different things. Last year, my BF wanted to find a restaurant and eat while in port and I wanted to shop so off I went alone, shopping in port and it was the best, I got to browse through whatever I wanted. At dinner, like others have suggested, find a big table and join the group. Port excursions, I would be book through the cruiseship for safety reason, that way, you are with a group and be escorted to/from destination.
Go and have a great time!!

[threecats]

Other people have given great advice about going and the dining room. There is no need for you to "hide out" on a cruise ship, or anywhere else, for that matter. If you are not comfortable going into ports by yourself, you might want to consider a ship excursion. They might be a bit more expensive, but you get the security blanket of an organized tour.

[JMPkeno]

Thank you for your kind words, and your words of advice. I am sure I will be ok, I was always an independant person, even though I was married twice as long as I was single. I will probably take some of the good advice that I read here, thank you everyone. I am leaving for Florida this weekend. Cruiseorbust I live in Davenport Fl. which is near Kissimmee and Disney World. We always stayed in Fl for 6 months, and then in upstate NY for 6 months.