Awkward Solo Moments

Though my cruise life has not been extensive, I have solo cruised on 4 out of the 5 of my trips. And to be honest, I prefer cruising solo than with a companion. There is no fighting on which excursion to take or problems with me spending my evenings in the casino instead of going to a show or club. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE joining others for dinner and learning all about everyone’s adventures and where they are from. I find the best conversations with strangers, never a problem discussing something new with someone you’ve never met.

I also enjoying hanging out at the pool\beach by myself engrossed in my most recent science fiction novel. No awkward moments getting into the hot tub, I enjoy them like everyone else and again find the conversations to be stimulating. And if someone doesn’t enjoy my company in the hot tub and they leave, I look at it as an excellent opportunity for someone new to meet.

I don’t seem to be bother when eating at the buffets alone. I normally have a book in my hands and most people will pass by unless of course you happen to be seated at a larger table and someone asks to join because of lack of seating.

I spend the majority of my nights in the casino playing poker. It never fails that the first night I introduce myself to the table and end up spending the rest of the cruise meeting up at the same time with the same people at one of the pokers tables.

Cruising solo gives you the perfect part of both worlds. You can enjoy what you want to do when you want to do it and not worry about anyone else. And when I’m in the mood for company I can always find an entertaining evening of dinner conversation in the main restaurant.

I would say the only drawback that I could find is the specialty restaurants. They are catered to couples so sitting by your self can be a little daunting. But if you are comfortable in your our skin and just want to enjoy a fine steak, then I say what the hell, do it! I normally go to one specialty restaurant a cruise. Not because I don’t like being alone, but because I don’t like paying extra for food when I’ve paid for a cruise that should include it. Call me cheap, I don’t mind. It keeps me traveling everyone year someplace amazing. Who can complain :o)

Thanks to all who participated in the discussion about dancing. It was quite interesting to read the thoughts of both men and women.

I think I need to brush up on a few steps before my next solo cruise!

Just back from another solo trip on the newly renovated Pride Nov. 16 cruise...with disastrous dinner seating. The first night I had late seating and was seated at a table with 3 other single ladies and a very older couple doing a back to back. During introductions, one lady said she was from Columbia and the man from the couple asked her how many uzi's she'd brought! Everyone gaped at him, including his wife. This man continued to berate or turn off everyone at the table.

He complained he paid $3000 for a back to back and had talked to a lady who had a free trip and how unfair that was and he was going to demand an explanation and some sort of remuneration.

The next night, I was the only one who showed. The maitre 'd came over and told me everyone had asked for new tables. Said he couldn't repeat the horrible things the man had said to him about all of us!!

I ended up with early seating. I missed a night due to the excursion not coming back until 30 minutes into dinner. When I made it the next night, which was elegant night, I was seated with 3 couples, all friends in their 80's. None seemed to have brought shampoo or a razor for beard trimming...however they were very nice. They explained they were reenactors, so I thought Civil War but they explained 1830's. One was a shoe maker, one a barrel maker, one said he was the town drunk.

I've had such strange luck in dining companions with both early and late dining. Once I didn Your Time Dining and it too was odd, sometimes being seated alone and sometimes with others.

For the next trip in March I've once again signed up for YTD, hoping I can get a table alone and enjoy a book, I'm getting PTSD from this!!

Just back from another solo trip on the newly renovated Pride Nov. 16 cruise...with disastrous dinner seating. The first night I had late seating and was seated at a table with 3 other single ladies and a very older couple doing a back to back. During introductions, one lady said she was from Columbia and the man from the couple asked her how many uzi's she'd brought! Everyone gaped at him, including his wife. This man continued to berate or turn off everyone at the table.

 

He complained he paid $3000 for a back to back and had talked to a lady who had a free trip and how unfair that was and he was going to demand an explanation and some sort of remuneration.

 

The next night, I was the only one who showed. The maitre 'd came over and told me everyone had asked for new tables. Said he couldn't repeat the horrible things the man had said to him about all of us!!

 

I ended up with early seating. I missed a night due to the excursion not coming back until 30 minutes into dinner. When I made it the next night, which was elegant night, I was seated with 3 couples, all friends in their 80's. None seemed to have brought shampoo or a razor for beard trimming...however they were very nice. They explained they were reenactors, so I thought Civil War but they explained 1830's. One was a shoe maker, one a barrel maker, one said he was the town drunk.

 

I've had such strange luck in dining companions with both early and late dining. Once I didn Your Time Dining and it too was odd, sometimes being seated alone and sometimes with others.

 

For the next trip in March I've once again signed up for YTD, hoping I can get a table alone and enjoy a book, I'm getting PTSD from this!!

That sucks, I am sorry you had an unpleasant diner experience. That is why I always ask for a table for one(your time dinning.)

Just back from another solo trip on the newly renovated Pride Nov. 16 cruise...with disastrous dinner seating. The first night I had late seating and was seated at a table with 3 other single ladies and a very older couple doing a back to back. During introductions, one lady said she was from Columbia and the man from the couple asked her how many uzi's she'd brought! Everyone gaped at him, including his wife. This man continued to berate or turn off everyone at the table.

 

He complained he paid $3000 for a back to back and had talked to a lady who had a free trip and how unfair that was and he was going to demand an explanation and some sort of remuneration.

 

The next night, I was the only one who showed. The maitre 'd came over and told me everyone had asked for new tables. Said he couldn't repeat the horrible things the man had said to him about all of us!!

 

I ended up with early seating. I missed a night due to the excursion not coming back until 30 minutes into dinner. When I made it the next night, which was elegant night, I was seated with 3 couples, all friends in their 80's. None seemed to have brought shampoo or a razor for beard trimming...however they were very nice. They explained they were reenactors, so I thought Civil War but they explained 1830's. One was a shoe maker, one a barrel maker, one said he was the town drunk.

 

I've had such strange luck in dining companions with both early and late dining. Once I didn Your Time Dining and it too was odd, sometimes being seated alone and sometimes with others.

 

For the next trip in March I've once again signed up for YTD, hoping I can get a table alone and enjoy a book, I'm getting PTSD from this!!

Sorry about the misanthrope showing up, but those reenactors sounded interesting. Since I love history I would have likely enjoyed conversing with them. I've met some of the most fascinating people on cruise ships. Of course I've had my bad eggs at dinner as well, but most were great. In September I was very fortunate to have fun people for dinner company.

I ended up with early seating. I missed a night due to the excursion not coming back until 30 minutes into dinner. When I made it the next night, which was elegant night, I was seated with 3 couples, all friends in their 80's. None seemed to have brought shampoo or a razor for beard trimming...however they were very nice. They explained they were reenactors, so I thought Civil War but they explained 1830's. One was a shoe maker, one a barrel maker, one said he was the town drunk.

LOL, were they re-enactors for their jobs, or just for fun? What a strange era to re-enact!

The sewing machine, the Underground Railroad, the Book of Mormon, the Whigs, the Indian Removal & FL Seminole War & Cherokee Trail of Tears, the Alamo. Were they cruising to celebrate the first Atlantic steamboat crossings?

The last time I chose late-seating I was assigned a table with two elderly couples who only spoke Spanish. From then on, it was MyTime dining for me.

Just back from another solo trip on the newly renovated Pride Nov. 16 cruise...with disastrous dinner seating. The first night I had late seating and was seated at a table with 3 other single ladies and a very older couple doing a back to back. During introductions, one lady said she was from Columbia and the man from the couple asked her how many uzi's she'd brought! Everyone gaped at him, including his wife. This man continued to berate or turn off everyone at the table.

 

He complained he paid $3000 for a back to back and had talked to a lady who had a free trip and how unfair that was and he was going to demand an explanation and some sort of remuneration.

 

The next night, I was the only one who showed. The maitre 'd came over and told me everyone had asked for new tables. Said he couldn't repeat the horrible things the man had said to him about all of us!!

 

I ended up with early seating. I missed a night due to the excursion not coming back until 30 minutes into dinner. When I made it the next night, which was elegant night, I was seated with 3 couples, all friends in their 80's. None seemed to have brought shampoo or a razor for beard trimming...however they were very nice. They explained they were reenactors, so I thought Civil War but they explained 1830's. One was a shoe maker, one a barrel maker, one said he was the town drunk.

 

I've had such strange luck in dining companions with both early and late dining. Once I didn Your Time Dining and it too was odd, sometimes being seated alone and sometimes with others.

 

For the next trip in March I've once again signed up for YTD, hoping I can get a table alone and enjoy a book, I'm getting PTSD from this!!

I guess on an unrelated note, how were the renovations on the Pride? I live in Baltimore, and she's coming back here in March. I sailed on her in February and there were definitely signs of age, especially in the rooms. Was the whole ship redone, or did they just add some new restaurants?

As far as solo cruising, I never understood it, but I just got back from a Thanksgiving week cruise where I broke up with my girlfriend on Day 5. Those last two nights were the most fun I have ever had on a cruise. I hung out with so many people. I was even offered places to sleep. I drank with most of the entertainers on the ship and had a late dinner with the cast of Rock of Ages. It was awesome.

I guess on an unrelated note, how were the renovations on the Pride? I live in Baltimore, and she's coming back here in March. I sailed on her in February and there were definitely signs of age, especially in the rooms. Was the whole ship redone, or did they just add some new restaurants?

 

As far as solo cruising, I never understood it, but I just got back from a Thanksgiving week cruise where I broke up with my girlfriend on Day 5. Those last two nights were the most fun I have ever had on a cruise. I hung out with so many people. I was even offered places to sleep. I drank with most of the entertainers on the ship and had a late dinner with the cast of Rock of Ages. It was awesome.

Sorry about your breakup. Glad you were able to enjoy your last 2 days. Those definitely had to have some awkward moments. :o

 

I ended up with early seating. I missed a night due to the excursion not coming back until 30 minutes into dinner. When I made it the next night, which was elegant night, I was seated with 3 couples, all friends in their 80's. None seemed to have brought shampoo or a razor for beard trimming...however they were very nice. They explained they were reenactors, so I thought Civil War but they explained 1830's. One was a shoe maker, one a barrel maker, one said he was the town drunk.

 

1830's? What the heck was going on in the 1830's (in the US) that needs to be reenacted? I think my history's pretty good, but that era seems like a black hole. Maybe that's why they're doing it?

Anyway, I'm sure it wasn't funny for you, but in retrospect, I hope you get a little chuckle.

On my last cruise I had planned to go to the MDR on the first night, be nice, then tell my tablemates I will probably be at the buffet for the rest of the cruise. It turned out, we all got along great, did our own things during the day, and looked forward to dining together every evening! I tend to do most things solo, but our evenings together became a highlight.

One morning I ate in the MDR and sat with a group that really made me appreciate my dinner companions. I would never have been able to survive a week with them every night. We were pulling into Bermuda, and one of the men asked us if "You women" could handle driving on the left. "Of course you can!", he exclaimed, "You drive on the wrong side anyway!" I was so stunned that I may actually have started laughing - at him, not with him.

I guess on an unrelated note, how were the renovations on the Pride? I live in Baltimore, and she's coming back here in March. I sailed on her in February and there were definitely signs of age, especially in the rooms. Was the whole ship redone, or did they just add some new restaurants?

 

 

The cabins weren't redone. Most cabins still have older TV's. The big screen on Lido was very nice. Tried to watch a movie one night. It was kind of rainy so the roof was closed and it was rocky. The water in the pool sloshed so much I couldn't hear the sound well enough. Another night with the roof open and no slosh to the pool it was awesome!

 

The layout on Lido is totally different, somehow it works but there is little seating for Guy's or Burrito's. The seating is sort of walled off. The lounge chairs were always facing the stage, away from the pool and none on the sides of the pool.

 

At the most forward pool where there is the smoking area on one side there are a few tables bolted to the deck with slatted seat chairs which weren't comfortable. Just beyond that there are very nice looking lounges of wicker like furniture with blue covered cushions. Tables are of wicker looking stuff and go all the way to the floor. Looks nice but very uncomfortable. Cushions squish to nothing. Tables are coffee table height so not made for eating really. This area was not kept cleaned. I complained to the head of housekeeping who was walking around inspecting and for a few hours things got better....

 

Sushi place, Red Frog pub were never busy when I walked by at any hour. Red Frog beer is very good.

 

The ship looks nice, staff all had new uniforms. Many were new to the ship so lots of glitches. Had a great time.

i just read this entire thread that hasn't been active for about a year and a half and I'm sad. you guys are a hoot!

i just read this entire thread that hasn't been active for about a year and a half and I'm sad. you guys are a hoot!

yeah, we solos have suck it up and go with the flow :eek:

no i like it!

i'm doing my second solo cruise next month and i can't wait to be unplugged and not speak with anyone at length for a week :)

my biggest concern is trying any time dining for the first time but all of your hilarious experiences have just reaffirmed what i think is the right route for me :)

i just read this entire thread that hasn't been active for about a year and a half and I'm sad. you guys are a hoot!

It's so funny because I read this thread yesterday and was lol the whole time.

no i like it!

 

i'm doing my second solo cruise next month and i can't wait to be unplugged and not speak with anyone at length for a week :)

 

my biggest concern is trying any time dining for the first time but all of your hilarious experiences have just reaffirmed what i think is the right route for me :)

not talk ?? :eek: Cross paths with me on a cruise and I'll make anyone talk. :D

It's so funny because I read this thread yesterday and was lol the whole time.

travel solo mostly and done cruises the same, no awkward moments

i sat in dining room alone, well table for fun, do the Your Time dining, and go at non peak times.

Libo deck, no worries there, many solo diners there

excursions, seen other solos and excursions are ways to meet others too

so not really a big problem

i wish cruises would do something about the single supplement, almost your being penalized for going solo

yes NCL has studio rooms but all interior, i think us solos would like a window to see to the ocean too, but all well

I stumbled onto this thread today and have been loving all the advice and shared experiences!

I have always cruised solo for the pampering and luxury of doing what I want when I want. Disconnecting totally from work and home is a gift!

The only awkward moment I have ever experienced was on an island tour on my first solo cruise. I had boarded the bus and was sitting by a window. The tour guide told me I had to move because a couple wished to sit together. I politely declined, saying I was happy where I was. She persisted. I suggested that surely a couple could bear to be apart for the 20 minute ride. She became loud and insistent and literally forced me to the back of the bus which had a bench seat for four and no windows. There were already four people sitting there. She made them squish over to fit me in. It was a hot, miserable tour and none of us on the bench could see anything. By the time we arrived, I was past irate at allowing myself to be pushed around. As we disembarked the bus, the guide stood there with her hand out for tips, and I looked at her and said, "You have got to be kidding!"

Otherwise, I have had wonderful experiences, sometimes meeting great people at dinner when I did traditional dining, and not feeling at all bad when I left a table that clearly had nightmare written on it. I even met a lovely couple who were on a different dining plan then mine who hunted me up every evening to have dessert together.

I have learned that it is so important to smile, be polite, keep a sense of humor and treat each day as a wonderful adventure. For heaven's sake, we are ON VACATION! What else do we have to do but enjoy and be grateful?

Sailing November 27 on the Royal Princess and counting down the days!

wow that bus experience is awful!!!

so sorry to hear that.

i do a LOT of stuff by myself - and actually prefer to. i go to concerts by myself monthly and when someone expresses interest in coming i have to find my way to worm out of it because i'd rather go alone hah.

i travel alone a lot but don't love doing it internationally - cruises help me work my nerve up. cruises feel super safe so thats why I'm happy to do them alone.

i did assigned dining on my last solo cruise and was put at a table of 4 other solo cruisers. it was nice enough, but i sorta hate small talk so i think id rather keep to myself :)

of course I'm always friendly if someone starts talking to me (especially after a cocktail or two!). people always try to adopt me when they realize I'm alone (at concerts etc.) but I'm pretty happy and confident on my own. as it seems like all of you are too! :)

my people!

 

The only awkward moment I have ever experienced was on an island tour on my first solo cruise. I had boarded the bus and was sitting by a window. The tour guide told me I had to move because a couple wished to sit together. I politely declined, saying I was happy where I was. She persisted. I suggested that surely a couple could bear to be apart for the 20 minute ride. She became loud and insistent and literally forced me to the back of the bus which had a bench seat for four and no windows. There were already four people sitting there. She made them squish over to fit me in. It was a hot, miserable tour and none of us on the bench could see anything. By the time we arrived, I was past irate at allowing myself to be pushed around. As we disembarked the bus, the guide stood there with her hand out for tips, and I looked at her and said, "You have got to be kidding!"

!

That is a pretty horrible experience. I have sometimes expected that to happen with the bus is full, but fortunately it hasn't so far. I'd have sat tight, as well.

i do a LOT of stuff by myself - and actually prefer to. i go to concerts by myself monthly and when someone expresses interest in coming i have to find my way to worm out of it because i'd rather go alone hah.

 

i did assigned dining on my last solo cruise and was put at a table of 4 other solo cruisers. it was nice enough, but i sorta hate small talk so i think id rather keep to myself :)

I'm happy to go to some concerts on my own, the theatre and the cinema. After all, I'm watching, not chatting.

I had a great assigned table on Adventure a couple of years ago. There was one miserable old moaner, but I met three other people that I got on well with. We keep in touch and have met up and also cruised together. That is the bonus of solo cruising.

I stumbled onto this thread today and have been loving all the advice and shared experiences!

 

I have always cruised solo for the pampering and luxury of doing what I want when I want. Disconnecting totally from work and home is a gift!

 

The only awkward moment I have ever experienced was on an island tour on my first solo cruise. I had boarded the bus and was sitting by a window. The tour guide told me I had to move because a couple wished to sit together. I politely declined, saying I was happy where I was. She persisted. I suggested that surely a couple could bear to be apart for the 20 minute ride. She became loud and insistent and literally forced me to the back of the bus which had a bench seat for four and no windows. There were already four people sitting there. She made them squish over to fit me in. It was a hot, miserable tour and none of us on the bench could see anything. By the time we arrived, I was past irate at allowing myself to be pushed around. As we disembarked the bus, the guide stood there with her hand out for tips, and I looked at her and said, "You have got to be kidding!"

 

Otherwise, I have had wonderful experiences, sometimes meeting great people at dinner when I did traditional dining, and not feeling at all bad when I left a table that clearly had nightmare written on it. I even met a lovely couple who were on a different dining plan then mine who hunted me up every evening to have dessert together.

 

I have learned that it is so important to smile, be polite, keep a sense of humor and treat each day as a wonderful adventure. For heaven's sake, we are ON VACATION! What else do we have to do but enjoy and be grateful?

 

Sailing November 27 on the Royal Princess and counting down the days!

I am so sorry about your experience.:( That guide sounds like a total

freakin idiot:mad:...if this was a cruiseship excursion, I would have

spoken with them immediately.....totally UNACCEPTABLE.

I always sail solo and love it. I just returned home from my first River

Cruise....FABULOUS......I just booked another for next year:D

Just wondering - I've booked my 2nd solo cruise on RCL Freedom (convenient port, and reaching Diamond this trip). I was put into MyTime dining again. Last time I was told that I'd have to sit alone at a table for 2 in the dining room. I chose to enjoy the Windjammer and my Kindle all week. Just wondering - if you eat alone in the dining room for dinner, do you read?

Just wondering - if you eat alone in the dining room for dinner, do you read?

I read when dining alone. My Kindle is my best friend on a solo cruise, and I love every second of it. :) I've sat at restaurants, casino bars, window seats, lido deck chairs, and everywhere else with mine - catching up on books I don't have time to read is heaven. Of course, not to be rude, I will close my Kindle cover if someone seems intent on chatting though. :)