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Your Best Things and Biggest Challenges of Solo Cruising?


ChiGal1962

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I'm going on my first solo cruise in November (15 night Panama Canal on Celebrity). I'm excited and nervous all at the same time. I'd like to hear from some more "experienced" solo cruisers what you like the best and what you find the most challenging about solo cruising -- and especially what you do to mitigate the challenges.

 

From my pre-conceived ideas, here are mine:

 

Best:

* I get to go! The reason I'm doing this is that I don't want to feel like I need to wait for another friend to have the time/money to go on vacation.

* Flexibility: I can do what I want without having to negotiate/compromise. That hasn't been too much of a problem for me, since the friends that I have vacationed with are pretty low key. We tend to do our own things, other than meal times.

 

Challenges:

* Cost. Duh. Moving on :)

* Meal time. Never been one to enjoy eating alone, which is the challenge for normal vacations. I do have traditional dining on the late seating for this cruise, as that is when I would normally eat. I'm just hoping I get a good sized table with friendly folks. Breakfast and lunch will be me and my e-reader, I guess, although juggling at buffets is a challenge.

* I'm not an overtly outgoing person. I don't strike up conversations with strangers. My mitigation here will be to do the activities I like and hopefully push myself to be social from there (trivia games, sports bars....?).

* I've joined the roll call for my trip, and have some activities stemming from that.

 

I would love to hear from you all as to how you approach solo cruising. Thanks!

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You sound like a carbon copy of me. Although it's nice to have a very compatable roomie, it's also nice to be free. The downsides for me are meals. I wound up doing buffet more times than not. I tend to be a loner, do not have to have a crowd nearby, also a bit shy. Came out of it some on cruise 2. I actually met my new roomie on that cruise. We got along better than expected on 2 cruises. Life has currently stepped in the way for now, but chanced it and booked for this fall. I don't know if my friend will be able to come, she's booking it to Alaska next month with some other solos we met.

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Wow! We could be related!

I can't offer any stories to help, as my first solo is in November.

In person , I'm more than a bit shy, but I bet my roll call will have a hard time believing that, cause I've been talking up a storm in there. I chose traditional also, hoping for talkative table mates. That way you dont have to start fresh each evening.

 

Love the idea that I can do whatever I want, without the negotiation with travel partners.

 

Look forward to everyone's replies.

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Meals are the only thing I worry about cruising solo. I,too, am rather shy and poor at initiating conversations and I am terrible remembering names. I am used to dining by myself (I eat out frequently) and expect to eat breakfast and lunch in the buffet. On my last cruise I decided eating in the MDR was too slow and not as interesting as the buffet. The buffet area had large windows all around to watch the water.

 

On the coach tours I have taken solo we would have dinner together and I had no trouble meeting people (you are bound to find some outgoing people with whom it is easy to talk). Chances are you will meet one (or more) great people to help you enjoy your cruise even more.

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I sailed solo before and I now live alone so there is not a whole lot of difference between the two. The big difference is that just about everyone you meet on the ship will be happy because they are on vacation! I would go to have lunch in the dining room and they seat you with other people (they just fill up the tables) and everyone always says hello, how are you, where are you from and it's a nice, informal way of getting to know new people.

 

In terms of meals at dinner, I moved four times before I found a suitable table. The first night they had put me at a table with one other couple who did not show up so I told the head waiter that I did not want to sit at a table with just one couple and he had no trouble searching the tables lists (they have your name, cabin and ages) to try to find a larger group. The second night nobody showed up at the table I was moved to, the third night they had me at one end and everyone else at the other and then the following night I wound up at a table with 5 other people so was there until one night when one couple went to the mystery dinner and the other three did not show up they moved me to the table right next to them and those couples insisted I eat with them the last two nights so I did.

 

I found the key to not losing a seat while at a restaurant/bar is to sit at the bar and let the bartender know not to take my drink. In terms of the buffet, well, I would not sit unless I was sure when I got up that was going to be it.

 

You will have a great time :) as I did. It makes a big difference going someplace where everyone is in a good mood.

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I am doing a solo 15 night Panama Canal cruise on Celebrity in October! Maybe I can provide some insight after I get back since I will do mine before you do yours.

 

I have cruised solo on Celebrity before and had a wonderful time. It was my experience that they try to put other solos at the dinner table also. Not just solos, but a mix of couples and solo cruisers.

 

I found the staff on Celebrity to be incredibly friendly and helpful, which goes a long way in making you feel comfortable on the ship.

 

Lesa

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Hi:) you might not be outgoing but your list is very good and it sounds

like you have done a few positive things already. Joining your roll

call is a great way to meet other people. Also, participating in

activities? Nice way to meet folks too.

 

I have been sailing solo for 9 years now and I love it:D Now, I have

to say I am very outgoing and saying hello to others is very easy

for me. "Shy" has never been a part of my personality.;) And I have

lived on my own for most of my adult life so sharing a cabin?

Nope, not for me.

 

I would guess the 1 part that might give a person trepidation would

be dinner. For my first 8 years of cruising I always preferred tradtional

dining at a large table. My last 3 cruises? I decided to try what

is called "Select Dining" on Celebrity. (Other lines call it "My time")

Anyway, I had different reasons for trying it but on my next 2

cruises I am going back to traditional dining. I can only give you

my own experiences but I missed having the same wait staff, table,

etc....

Everyone has their own opinions, which of course opinions are not

"right or wrong"...that is why they are opinions;)..... I cruise with

Celebrity and agree Lesa, I feel the service is top notch and is

part of what keeps me coming back.

 

I am sailing again in November and hopefully will have some friendly

tablemates....if things don't "click" I will go see the Maitr'd and ask

for a change of tables. ......remember, the staff is there to enhance

your experience.

 

Anyway, hope you have a wonderful time:D

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I went on my first solo cruise last year and loved it! I did what I wanted to do when I wanted to do it! If I wanted to get up at 1am and go to the casino- no problem. I usually sail with my mom and sister but needed a "me" vacay and took the plunge. I'm very outgoing and can strike up a convo with anybody but then again there are times when I just want to be left alone. I sailed Royal Carribean and they sat me at a table with other solo travelers which was awesome. I also did a lot of buffets with a good book in hand. I don't mind eating alone (I live by myself) but feel weird eating solo all dressed up in the mdr. I am going solo again in a few weeks on Carnival. I hope they seat me with other solo travelers. My advice is to have fun, go to the MDR when you first get on the ship to asked to be seated with other singles/solo travelers, and be aware of your surroundings. I also didn't advertise that I was sailing solo- it's nobody's business.

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I'm going on my first solo cruise in November (15 night Panama Canal on Celebrity). I'm excited and nervous all at the same time. I'd like to hear from some more "experienced" solo cruisers what you like the best and what you find the most challenging about solo cruising -- and especially what you do to mitigate the challenges.

 

Below are my two solo experiences:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1312348

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1674131

 

 

From my pre-conceived ideas, here are mine:

 

Best:

* I get to go! The reason I'm doing this is that I don't want to feel like I need to wait for another friend to have the time/money to go on vacation.

* Flexibility: I can do what I want without having to negotiate/compromise. That hasn't been too much of a problem for me, since the friends that I have vacationed with are pretty low key. We tend to do our own things, other than meal times.

 

All great reasons!!

 

Challenges:

* Cost. Duh. Moving on :)

* Meal time. Never been one to enjoy eating alone, which is the challenge for normal vacations. I do have traditional dining on the late seating for this cruise, as that is when I would normally eat. I'm just hoping I get a good sized table with friendly folks. Breakfast and lunch will be me and my e-reader, I guess, although juggling at buffets is a challenge.

* I'm not an overtly outgoing person. I don't strike up conversations with strangers. My mitigation here will be to do the activities I like and hopefully push myself to be social from there (trivia games, sports bars....?).

* I've joined the roll call for my trip, and have some activities stemming from that.

 

I would love to hear from you all as to how you approach solo cruising. Thanks!

 

Congratulations on your first solo cruise. All I can say is you'll have a blast. I've now officially completed 2 solo's and looking forward to my others planned. Know your asking how one has approached a solo cruise and I've been trying to think of how to answer that and all I can say is if you enjoy time with yourself on land, you'll certainly enjoy time with yourself at sea. There is so much around you to participate in or not participate in. It's your vacation and you don't have to work around others desires or needs. Know that can sound selfish I guess, but sometimes one needs to do things on their clock not others.

 

My first review above touches upon some of the questions you asked and how I handled it. My second review is more of a live review and were thoughts I had real time. While I touched upon being solo it wasn't as geared as much as my first solo experience.

 

[url=http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1312348][/url]

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I love love love love love Cruise Critic peeps! Thank you all for chiming in. I really appreciate the responses thus far (keep 'em coming!).

 

I should clarify - I don't consider myself particularly shy, it's more that I find conversations with new folks awkward. (I feel like I'm intruding or something.) Once we get to know each other even a little bit, I'm quite outgoing. That's why I really wanted traditional dining - assuming I get interesting people at the table (and I'll change if need be), the continuity will be helpful. And I love having the same wait staff, especially when they have superior service and really make the effort to get to know you and your likes/dislikes.

 

I am a foodie, and look most forward to the multi-course, formal approach to dinners where I can try new things and really revel in them. (I do refrain from taking pictures, although I'd love to have a food scrapbook!) That's why I've picked Celebrity for my next cruise. Reputation has it pretty high on the food quality/selection scale.

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I love love love love love Cruise Critic peeps! Thank you all for chiming in. I really appreciate the responses thus far (keep 'em coming!).

 

I should clarify - I don't consider myself particularly shy, it's more that I find conversations with new folks awkward. (I feel like I'm intruding or something.) Once we get to know each other even a little bit, I'm quite outgoing. That's why I really wanted traditional dining - assuming I get interesting people at the table (and I'll change if need be), the continuity will be helpful. And I love having the same wait staff, especially when they have superior service and really make the effort to get to know you and your likes/dislikes.

 

I am a foodie, and look most forward to the multi-course, formal approach to dinners where I can try new things and really revel in them. (I do refrain from taking pictures, although I'd love to have a food scrapbook!) That's why I've picked Celebrity for my next cruise. Reputation has it pretty high on the food quality/selection scale.

 

Hi again:).....I responded to your post on the drink thread over

on the Celebrity forum oo;)....I hope you have a great time on

Infinity.:)

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For me sailing solo is an usual type of cruise.

I've been 3 times with people but I l- ike/prefer sometimes - the fact as you all said : to be the First to choose Where and When ?, with whom ?... bla bla bla!

 

The only drawback is that sometimes I would like to share «live with a major relative» (mother, father, best friend or girlfriend, you know..) a landscape, a territory, a city or a country.

I never tell a lot about my personal experience AFTER the cruise .

I am not the kind who organize pics parties like ("look this picture with me and the mattress in San Juan", "Ohh ! The lizard sitting on the head of my little sister in Georgetown", "it was raining on the superior deck", etc)

 

Have all a good day !

 

Holacanada from Quebec city — On the Westerdam in 125 days... :)

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I am a foodie, and look most forward to the multi-course, formal approach to dinners where I can try new things and really revel in them. (I do refrain from taking pictures, although I'd love to have a food scrapbook!) That's why I've picked Celebrity for my next cruise. Reputation has it pretty high on the food quality/selection scale.

 

I take food pics. People have struck up conversations asking why I do so. Partially because I like food and they plate it up so nicely. Mostly, I take photos because with the amount of food a cruise has, I start to forget what was served and what it looked like!

 

Personally, I really enjoy Aqua class Blu as they have plenty of two top tables near the full length windows (on S class) and the seating is intimate. It is easy to talk to nearby tables or just enjoy your own meal in peace. The food is good and service is also more efficient than the larger MDR. You can ask for the same table or waiter.

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I take food pics. People have struck up conversations asking why I do so. Partially because I like food and they plate it up so nicely. Mostly, I take photos because with the amount of food a cruise has, I start to forget what was served and what it looked like!

 

Two great reasons to take pics :) Especially when I spend a great deal of time once I get home talking about how good (hopefully) the food was!!

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Best things:

* I can do whatever I want, and only whatever I want. No need to resign myself to not getting to do something just because my travel companion is dead-set against it.

* Psychological factor of completely breaking away from my "land persona". You start with a 100% clean slate, rather than feeling compelled to act the way your travel companion might expect you to act.

* A sense of pride that you're going against a social norm of having a travel compantion, at least a norm outside the cruise community.

* Getting to choose how much social interaction you get at any given moment.

* Feeling more motivated to go out and meet new people, due to knowing that there is no "safety net" of the person you came with.

 

Challenges:

* Awkwardness of eating alone in the Lido buffet, in the MDR when using non-assigned dining, and in specialty restaurants.

* Not having a readily available dance partner when going to dance lessons, nightclubs, bars, etc. (excluding Latin dances, where dancing with anyone you feel comfortable with is somewhat customary)

* Needing to constantly ask fellow passengers or crew members to take a picture of you.

* Difficulty of putting on sunblock on your upper back, unless you use a spray.

* Just having those lonely moments once in a while.

 

But in the end, the good outweighs the bad. I cruised solo once before, and I will be cruising solo again.

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my thing is i don't have someone to ask me if i forgot anything important or double check things. i bet i check my pocket every half hour for my passport before i get on board and i worry about oversleeping. i've always met someone on board to remind each other about things like what time a activity is or when the ship is leaving the ports.

i've been on singles cruises and shared a cabin and also have done solos. i think i like solo more.

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Best things:

* I can do whatever I want, and only whatever I want. No need to resign myself to not getting to do something just because my travel companion is dead-set against it.

* Psychological factor of completely breaking away from my "land persona". You start with a 100% clean slate, rather than feeling compelled to act the way your travel companion might expect you to act.

* A sense of pride that you're going against a social norm of having a travel compantion, at least a norm outside the cruise community.

* Getting to choose how much social interaction you get at any given moment.

* Feeling more motivated to go out and meet new people, due to knowing that there is no "safety net" of the person you came with.

 

Challenges:

* Awkwardness of eating alone in the Lido buffet, in the MDR when using non-assigned dining, and in specialty restaurants.

* Not having a readily available dance partner when going to dance lessons, nightclubs, bars, etc. (excluding Latin dances, where dancing with anyone you feel comfortable with is somewhat customary)

* Needing to constantly ask fellow passengers or crew members to take a picture of you.

* Difficulty of putting on sunblock on your upper back, unless you use a spray.

* Just having those lonely moments once in a while.

 

But in the end, the good outweighs the bad. I cruised solo once before, and I will be cruising solo again.

 

Some great things I hadn't thought about. Love the idea of breaking away from the "land persona"! There is a freedom in that.

 

Acknowledging that there will be lonely moments, I'll allow for a few, and try to come up with a plan of action when they hit. Maybe sort pictures and think about how I will share the trip with folks when I get back...

 

And yes, I will need to figure out how to be in pictures. Thanks!

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my thing is i don't have someone to ask me if i forgot anything important or double check things. i bet i check my pocket every half hour for my passport before i get on board and i worry about oversleeping. i've always met someone on board to remind each other about things like what time a activity is or when the ship is leaving the ports.

i've been on singles cruises and shared a cabin and also have done solos. i think i like solo more.

 

lol, I do that all the time... I must check my passport every 10 minutes in the cab on the way to the airport. And then check the ticket to make sure I'm going to the right airport. And then check back for the passport (in case it decided to jump out of the closed window in the 5 minutes since I last confirmed it was there!).

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For me, the worst part is trying to zip the zippers on my long gowns for formal nights. Some are fitted and trying to get the zipper up is a pain. It's OK if you have a woman cabin steward, but if it's a guy, NO.

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Guess I am sort of Lois clone, only older, so do longer cruises on Celebrity where I am treated like Royalty in my Inside cabin. I think it is very important to find that cruiseline that suits you, be it CCL or Crystal.Try various lines in your price point.I like the itins on other lines like Princess or Ocenia, but food, pools and service brings me back to X.Lets face it; only a small % of singles have been on a cruise. If I had to wait for a cruise mate I would do half as many cruises.Just do it!

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Guess I am sort of Lois clone, only older, so do longer cruises on Celebrity where I am treated like Royalty in my Inside cabin. I think it is very important to find that cruiseline that suits you, be it CCL or Crystal.Try various lines in your price point.I like the itins on other lines like Princess or Oceania, but food, pools and service brings me back to X. Lets face it; only a small % of singles have been on a cruise. If I had to wait for a cruise mate I would do half as many cruises.Just do it!

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Guess I am sort of Lois clone, only older, so do longer cruises on Celebrity where I am treated like Royalty in my Inside cabin. I think it is very important to find that cruiseline that suits you, be it CCL or Crystal.Try various lines in your price point.I like the itins on other lines like Princess or Ocenia, but food, pools and service brings me back to X.Lets face it; only a small % of singles have been on a cruise. If I had to wait for a cruise mate I would do half as many cruises.Just do it!

 

I totally agree on finding the right cruise line. I'm glad there are many options out there for many different kinds of people. And that's why I'm trying X this fall -- from what I understand, it might be the "sweet spot" for what I'm looking for!

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For me, the worst part is trying to zip the zippers on my long gowns for formal nights. Some are fitted and trying to get the zipper up is a pain. It's OK if you have a woman cabin steward, but if it's a guy, NO.

 

lol, I hadn't thought about that. I live alone, so have mostly dresses that slip over the head. But every once in a while, there's the once that makes you do the convoluted "trying to be an octopus" dance, and ending up hooking an unfolded wire hanger into the zipper hook and yanking!

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For me:

 

Best - doing what I want when I want, privacy in cabin, my own schedule.

 

Not so best - sometimes a lonely moment seeing couples enjoying dinner or dancing.

 

However, I usually find people to have fun with and talk to, so most of the time I am having a great trip.

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lol, I hadn't thought about that. I live alone, so have mostly dresses that slip over the head. But every once in a while, there's the once that makes you do the convoluted "trying to be an octopus" dance, and ending up hooking an unfolded wire hanger into the zipper hook and yanking!

 

Free Yoga session! Is the octopus dance related to the spanx shimmy?

 

A bit of floss through the zipper eye can also work. Hook and eye closures are a bit harder for me.

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