Solo cruising vs. Solo Vegas

Since the Epic has certain characteristics of Vegas (more so the entertainment, and the freedom to be not as structured). Have any of you done Vegas solo as well? I was given 5 comp nights at Paris and am tempted to do that instead of a cruise this year, and then do the Breakaway 2x next year instead.

I have done Vegas solo, but not at all like on a ship........I rent a car and take in some out-of-town sights and activities. I would find 5 days in Vegas too much to do solo, at least unless I included a couple of day trips out of town.

I have done Vegas solo, but not at all like on a ship........I rent a car and take in some out-of-town sights and activities. I would find 5 days in Vegas too much to do solo, at least unless I included a couple of day trips out of town.

I absolutely agree. Back in 2004, I spent two weeks traveling solo all around Nevada and had a great time before I decided to move out there.

5 days in Vegas would have been far too long.

Are you aware of this Vegas blog? It's very informative. http://www.vegassolo.com/

Since the Epic has certain characteristics of Vegas (more so the entertainment, and the freedom to be not as structured). Have any of you done Vegas solo as well? I was given 5 comp nights at Paris and am tempted to do that instead of a cruise this year, and then do the Breakaway 2x next year instead.

HowardK, I like both cruising and Vegas and have done both many times solo. Two different experiences for me. I enjoy them both, but when I get off a cruise I am more more relaxed. When I get back from Vegas I need to take time to rest up as I am usually tired. That is my own fault. On a cruise I will sit and read for hours not doing anything. In Vegas its, go, go, go. I would agree with the other posters, about 4 days in Vegas is enough for me, but I like longer cruises as they are much more relaxing than the short ones. Both are enjoyable to me, but they are different experiences.

i have done both a lot solo. don't do vegas solo for more than 4 days, that is enough. a cruise for 7 days is perfect. those two are the best vacations.

I've been to Las Vegas solo, but it's a completely different experience than going on a cruise. Although the Epic has a casino and maybe have entertainment like Las Vegas I can't compare the two as being the interchangeable. In Vegas your pretty much "on your own" as a single and you are completely surrounded by gaming 24/7 as where on a cruise you have more opportunities to socialize with other solo cruises and you travel to several Caribbean island. I agree maybe 3 to 4 nights in Vegas is all I can stand.

Are you aware of this Vegas blog? It's very informative. http://www.vegassolo.com/

This is a great website! I used it quite often when I was planning my first solo trip to Vegas last summer (And actually, my first solo trip ever.) She has quite a lot of useful information.

I also stayed at Paris - it was a great hotel and a fantastic location!

I will say, I personally did enjoy being on the Epic much more than being in Vegas by myself. Of course both were completely different experiences! I absolutely loved meeting so many people on a cruise ship, but being alone in Vegas I didn't get the opportunity to socialize as much. However, spending a few days in Vegas gives you the flexibility to do what you want, when you want without being on a set schedule.

Whichever you decide - I am sure you will enjoy it :)

This is a great website! I used it quite often when I was planning my first solo trip to Vegas last summer (And actually, my first solo trip ever.) She has quite a lot of useful information.

I also stayed at Paris - it was a great hotel and a fantastic location!

 

I will say, I personally did enjoy being on the Epic much more than being in Vegas by myself. Of course both were completely different experiences! I absolutely loved meeting so many people on a cruise ship, but being alone in Vegas I didn't get the opportunity to socialize as much. However, spending a few days in Vegas gives you the flexibility to do what you want, when you want without being on a set schedule.

Whichever you decide - I am sure you will enjoy it :)

Hi thanks for your posts! I actually have the comp nights at Paris. I was definitely thinking I might enjoy meeting more people on the ship as I did the Epic last year as well, but on the flip side I have 2 Breakaway reservations for 9/15 and 12/15 of next year.

Thanks as well for posting about the blog, it had a lot of good articles and suggestions. Another minor reason is that being from the Northeast, I need to go to Miami 2 days ahead of time just to be on the safe side due to weather. This requires more vacation time, where as I will be only 90 minutes away from the Breakaway.

Were there any specific Vegas trips/activites you recommend? How long did you stay at Paris?

I don't know if any of these things interest you, but if you're looking for some atypical, low-cost Vegas activities, take a look at The Pinball Hall Of Fame, the Neon Boneyard, and The Atomic Testing Museum. After all, there's only so much time on the Strip one can handle.

I find I spend a whole lot more money going to Vegas than I do on a cruise. When in LV, I like dining well, and those restaurants are expensive. Plus, I gamble a whole lot less on a cruise.

For solo dining, I recommend Benihana at the LVH or another teppanyaki-style restaurant, since you're basically getting dinner and a show. During dinner time, I was able to walk up at Benihana and be seated within a few minutes.

Along those "dinner and show" lines, there's the Tournament of Kings show at Excaliber.

If you're willing to rent a car for a day, you could hit anything you want. I second the Pinball Museum recommendation (it's the best pinball arcade ever!).

Like nature or a sportsman? Try the aquarium at Mandalay Bay. If you have a car, drive south to Bass Pro Shops' flagship store, it's very interesting, even if you aren't a sportsman. It's attached to a casino that's pretty nice and has a good buffet.

Hi thanks for your posts! I actually have the comp nights at Paris. I was definitely thinking I might enjoy meeting more people on the ship as I did the Epic last year as well, but on the flip side I have 2 Breakaway reservations for 9/15 and 12/15 of next year.

 

Thanks as well for posting about the blog, it had a lot of good articles and suggestions. Another minor reason is that being from the Northeast, I need to go to Miami 2 days ahead of time just to be on the safe side due to weather. This requires more vacation time, where as I will be only 90 minutes away from the Breakaway.

 

Were there any specific Vegas trips/activites you recommend? How long did you stay at Paris?

I spent 3 nights at Paris. My first night, I took a Champagne night Tour of Vegas - which also stopped at Fremont Street. I had never been to Vegas before so this tour was great. My 2nd full day, I took a small van tour to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon . It was an extremely long drive and day but well worth it. My last day I spent wandering the strip, watching the Bellagio fountain show, and seeing the Blue Man Group. I loved it. I planned this trip so I could make it to the Grand Canyon -I never had much of a desire to go to Vegas and I had no idea how much there is to do other than gamble and party. There is also quite a lot to do outside of Vegas in the surrounding areas. To me, 3 nights wasn't nearly enough - and I can honestly say, you won't get bored with 5 nights :)

I am currently planning a short trip to Vegas in early September. Can't quite afford another cruise until my next Epic adventure in February!

Do you like to go to shows? If so, there are several Cirque du Soleil shows on the strip. Two of my favorites are Love (at the Mirage) and Mystere (at Treasure Island).

Do you like to read? Grab your Kindle (or any good book) and hang out by the pool for a few hours. I usually stay at the Mirage and can always find a shady spot.

Do you like to eat at buffets?:D If so, some of my favorites are the Wynn, Bellagio, and Planet Hollywood.

Tripadvisor.com has a board for Las Vegas. You might find some ideas there.

Try the aquarium at Mandalay Bay.

Oh, I love the Shark Reef aquarium! I was happily surprised to discover it's a serious aquarium with nice exhibit tanks, not a carnival-type aquarium with Vegas bling. I go to Vegas every year for a week, and I usually go to the aquarium every year to spend some time gazing at the jellyfish tank and following the sharks.

I've done solo vegas several times and really enjoyed it. I had planned to do it again in January but am now considering a solo cruise instead. In vegas the shows are better, the food is better, the rooms are better, and it's easier to dine alone. But vegas in the daytime in the winter offers no pools to hang out, so the only activity is gambling or walking up and down the strip. I'm thinking that a cruise would offer acceptable shows, acceptable food (but a potentially awkward table environment), and something to do 24-7, including warm weather to hang out by the pool. Plus, with the shows and food included, I think it's cheaper.

But vegas in the daytime in the winter offers no pools to hang out, so the only activity is gambling or walking up and down the strip.

Nah, there's way more to Vegas, particularly if you rent a car (which is pretty cheap when I've been there). Some that have already been mentioned: Shark Reef aquarium, the Atomic Testing Museum, the Pinball Hall of Fame, The Neon Boneyard and Museum, the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art, The Erotic Heritage Museum, renting guns for target shooting at The Gun Shop; for the natural side of the area: Red Rock Canyon, Springs Preserve, LV Natural History Museum, drive through the gorgeous Virgin River Gorge to St. George, Utah, or Valley of Fire State Park. If you're so inclined, you can go to the Pawn Stars pawn shop, or play at any number of golf courses.

Maybe I spend too much time in Vegas, LOL.

The Mob museum looks interesting as well. I am also planning on going bowling a few times. I think the best meal I ever ate in my life was the buffett at MGM grand- it exceeded my expectations. I also liked Mandalay Bay's as well.

I plan on seeing if I can sit in at any of the piano bar's- like I did on the Epic.

I have been in Vegas solo for 1 1/2 days before- but was waiting for a group of people and did some Elton John shows in that time.

This would be my first extended time there by myself for an extended time. With the exception of the Epic- Vegas seems more relaxing dining wise as I am reading a lot that waiters/restaurants do not blink twice about it.

Although I was going to do the Epic again this year, I am comfortable waiting for the Breakaway as many of my favorite features will be there.

Show wise, I am planning on seeing some Cirque shows 12/19 and 12/20, and going to Hoover Dam/Lake Meade 12/18.

I am so enthused for the Breakaway- I figure I can skip the Epic and wait 8 months for it.

With all of the talk about the Cruise Critic solo cruise next year, why not a Cruise Critic Vegas meetup this year!

I cruised solo, obviously, but I don't know how comfortable I'd be with going to Las Vegas solo. A cruise ship has a limited size, even RCI's Oasis class ships, and has activities going on almost non-stop, all included in the cruise fare. Las Vegas and its hotels are very large and crowded, and more often than not, you're truly on your own when it comes to getting around, having meals, and going to shows. Also, nothing is included, so each time I feel like having some entertainment or eating somewhere fancier than Denny's, I'd find myself debating: "is that really worth the price they're charging for it?".

In the end, I'll stick with cruising solo, and save Las Vegas for going with a group of at least four. I still would like to see it and explore what it has to offer. Just not as a solo.

Finally got my plane ticket for Vegas- i figured $325 for a flight from Philly and 5 free nights was too good to pass up. I decided to wait 39 more weeks after that for the Breakaway, or perhaps a last minute deal in October on the Star.

The only thing I didn't cruising in December which comes with the territory was playing it safe and going to Miami 2 days in advance- to counter potential bad weather in the northeast.

I don't know how much you like to eat but if you eat 3 meals a day you may want to check into the "Buffet of Buffets". I think the cost is $44.99 for 24 hours of unlimited food. The buffets are not open 24 hours but the pass is good for 24 hours.

I don't know how much you like to eat but if you eat 3 meals a day you may want to check into the "Buffet of Buffets". I think the cost is $44.99 for 24 hours of unlimited food. The buffets are not open 24 hours but the pass is good for 24 hours.

Thanks- I checked it out- it seems you could actually get 2 dinners out of it by timing it right! i.e getting it at 8pm and doing dinner 6pm the previous night.

Further to the buffet deal, Harrah's Total Rewards has an "all the shows you can watch in two days" deal. Of course, don't expect it to cover any Celine or Elton-caliber shows, but there's a lot of mid-tier shows to choose from.

Challenge accepted! </HIMYMBarney off> :cool:

Thanks- I checked it out- it seems you could actually get 2 dinners out of it by timing it right! i.e getting it at 8pm and doing dinner 6pm the previous night.

It would be perfect for you since you are staying at the Paris. Some of the buffets are not that great but the Paris and Planet Hollywood (next door) are 2 of the better ones. Keep in mind that you have to be paid for and not in line when your time expires or you are out of luck. Normally I only eat once a day in Vegas but the first time we bought the buffet deal we used it for dinner, breakfast, lunch and dinner...not bad.:)

I haven't read the whole thread but just wanted to say thanks for posting this question and thanks for all of the responses. I'm trying to decide between the same....solo cruise or solo Vegas....