What is the atmosphere on board like for solo/single cruisers?

Is it like Noah's Ark or are people welcoming to new Seabourn passengers-solo/single specifically

All I can say is that one of our dearest friends is a lovely Swiss lady traveling solo whom we met on board. What I have noticed is many single initially gravitate toward hosted dinner tables for the first few nights but very quickly make friends with other single or couples and soon are dining and socializing with them instead.

While i wasn't a true solo on Seabourn I was traveling with another single traveler. Be sure to the let the cruise director or assistant cruise director know that you are open to being seated at hosted tables. Hosted tables are not just for solos but will give you a nice environment for meeting others onboard. Seabourn does not have assigned seating and looks to have a nice mix of people in the MDR. If you don't have a hosted table invite for the evening don't hesitate to go to the MDR and let them know that you are looking to share a table as not all couples are solely looking to dine with just their partner. Seabourn is a friendly crowd and look to mix and mingle with others at the venues. I met lots of friendly folks at the club, the observation lounge and while playing trivia.

 

Sometimes I think being a single was a definite plus as I think some couples were a bit tired of chatting with each other and adding a new voice gave them new conversation topics. :) There will always be anti-social folks but I loved chatting with lots of folks on the cruise. Don't hesitate to ask to join a table pool side or in the Colonnade at breakfast. Most folks enjoyed the company.

Without doubt,when traveling solo,one of the "larger" Seabourn ships are my 1st choice.

However there single supplements are usually high,but this year there are some really great deals in Europe,encouraging me cancel my Crystal trip with the wonderful Mark Farris :) & book 2 Seabourn!

In my opinion (only) the age demographic has suited as is generally a little younger than Crystal.

As others have mentioned there are invites each night to hosted tables,also the complimentary Marina day & there great "rock the boat party"are great ice breakers too

IME/o it was better on the little sisters due to substantially far more dinner invites and fewer places for people to hide throughout the day. Most days things seem to have centered around the Sky Bar. It was easy to meet people and get dinner invites from there. On the bigger ship people were divided between two bars and Seabourn square. Further as there are more people in the ship either the number of invites seem to have dwindled (that or the seating hostess did a not so bang up job of arranging invites - at least I believe that's part of that persons job).

 

I went from an invite every night on the little sisters to an invite every 4-5 nights on the bigger ship.

Like nolatravelgirl I've been a single but not a solo and I've had plenty of fun on Seabourn. I think it definitely helps if you are approachable and friendly - other than a solo reception the first night or two, there are really no organized solo/singles events.

 

The crew will go out of their way to help seat you at hosted tables - I felt like our number has dropped too on the last sailing but was recently cleaning up and discovered the invite stack and it was 9 out of 12 nights. I think my perception was such because we ended up accepting far fewer because we were busy with our own dinner plans.

 

Trivia is a great way to meet people but I also still stay in touch with friends I made on a tour on my very first cruise, an entertainer (they get to hang out in the public areas when they aren't working and my friend told me they love an occasional guest invite to Restaurant 2 - they can't done there unless invited by a guest), folks I've meet at the pool or sitting having pre-meal bar drinks.

 

If you enjoy your own company but are also friendly, you'll have no problems on Seabourn.

We have found the opposite to Emperor Norton in our many cruises on the larger ships and the smaller Seabourn ships. We have had frequent invites to tables where there were also single travelers (mainly women). We have also been joined by a single family member (female) who was invited to join tables on most nights. In fact the ACD invariably went out of her way to ensure that she, and other single travelers, were included.

Carolyn, be sure to check out the thread a couple down on single supplements. If you're flexible there may be some pretty good deals out there.

 

Roy

My one 'solo' Seabourn sailing was aboard Legend and my intention going in was to assume a Hermit Crab existence, relishing in self-induced isolation, settled by the balcony door with feet up, engrossed in a good book (or two), with sounds of the passing sea broken only by an occasional word to myself (to make sure I was still there) or by the ringing of the doorbell for in-room dining. Sweet...

 

I received daily invites to a hosted table for dinner and met a number of very nice people; dinners were longer (or maybe service was slower), but in any case the conversation rich and enjoyable. Joined a trivia team for the week and had some lengthy chats at the pool bar. Sufficient interaction to allay my fear there was something wrong with me.

 

Solo sailing was a great experience and I've booked Odyssey for the upcoming TA in December and while I have some trepidation about a larger ship, I'll go in with the same approach and expectation as I did with Legend although recent comments about Odyssey's dining and service has me wondering...

As a Seabourn newbie, I would appreciate some insights into what a "Hosted" table means. Is it just a shared dining experience, or is there something else going on?

 

Thanks.

As a Seabourn newbie, I would appreciate some insights into what a "Hosted" table means. Is it just a shared dining experience, or is there something else going on?

 

Thanks.

It means that a member of the staff (officers, cruise director, asst cruise director, performers, etc) are the "host" for a table. The tables are usually about 8-10 guests. The host then helps makes sure everyone is included in the conversation and keeps the meal on pace. There will be some couples at hosted tables but there are place cards and couples are usually seated on other sides of the table to foster different conversation partners.

It means that a member of the staff (officers, cruise director, asst cruise director, performers, etc) are the "host" for a table. The tables are usually about 8-10 guests. The host then helps makes sure everyone is included in the conversation and keeps the meal on pace. There will be some couples at hosted tables but there are place cards and couples are usually seated on other sides of the table to foster different conversation partners.

 

Thank you.

 

So, if I understand correctly, it appears that there are three dining options:

 

1. Sit alone with partner, or with self-made grouping

2. Sit at hosted table

3. Sit at shared table, with assignment made by maitre d'

 

In any case, when one checks into the restaurant, one simply indicates their preference?

 

Is this correct?

Edited March 23, 2016 by notjaded

Thank you.

 

So, if I understand correctly, it appears that there are three dining options:

 

1. Sit alone with partner, or with self-made grouping

2. Sit at hosted table

3. Sit at shared table, with assignment made by maitre d'

 

In any case, when one checks into the restaurant, one simply indicates their preference?

 

Is this correct?

You can also sit solely by yourself in the MDR. They won't force you to sit with anyone.

 

With hosted tables you generally get an invite the night before on your door mailbox and there is a number to RSVP. You will know who the host is but you won't know who the other invited guests will be at the table. You can either accept or decline. Some hosts are better than others but the "best" and that is a relative term to me were the Asst cruise director, cruise director and some of the singers as they tended to have big personalities. The officers were sometimes interesting but you could tell they thought it was a chore at times. We did once get seated at a last minute at a hosted table. Apparently someone dropped out late and when we approached the podium they asked if we were interested in dining with XXX (i don't remember now) and decided to at the last minute. They quickly wrote out a place card and then escorted us to the table.

You can also sit solely by yourself in the MDR. They won't force you to sit with anyone.

 

With hosted tables you generally get an invite the night before on your door mailbox and there is a number to RSVP. You will know who the host is but you won't know who the other invited guests will be at the table. You can either accept or decline. Some hosts are better than others but the "best" and that is a relative term to me were the Asst cruise director, cruise director and some of the singers as they tended to have big personalities. The officers were sometimes interesting but you could tell they thought it was a chore at times. We did once get seated at a last minute at a hosted table. Apparently someone dropped out late and when we approached the podium they asked if we were interested in dining with XXX (i don't remember now) and decided to at the last minute. They quickly wrote out a place card and then escorted us to the table.

 

Thank you.

 

So, it appears that on a regular basis (not including the special invitation to a hosted table), one really has two options at dining room checkin, either ask to be seated with random others, or sit in self-made groupings?

Thank you.

 

So, it appears that on a regular basis (not including the special invitation to a hosted table), one really has two options at dining room checkin, either ask to be seated with random others, or sit in self-made groupings?

Your self made "grouping" can be just you if you so desire.

 

The hosted tables are quite frequent. From best I can tell there are at least 2 to 3 hosted tables an evening and singles are frequent attendees. We could have sat at a hosted table every evening if we so chose. Once they know you enjoy them you can expect an invitation nearly every night so don't worry about having to dine alone if that is your concern.

You can also go to the desk in Seabourn Square and say that you would like to be invited to hosted tables each evening and they will look after you.

Your self made "grouping" can be just you if you so desire.

 

The hosted tables are quite frequent. From best I can tell there are at least 2 to 3 hosted tables an evening and singles are frequent attendees. We could have sat at a hosted table every evening if we so chose. Once they know you enjoy them you can expect an invitation nearly every night so don't worry about having to dine alone if that is your concern.

 

You can also go to the desk in Seabourn Square and say that you would like to be invited to hosted tables each evening and they will look after you.

 

Thank you.

I have noticed the past few cruises when we were checking in as you prepare to board the ship one of the questions they asked is " Would you be interested in dining at hosted tables?"

I have noticed the past few cruises when we were checking in as you prepare to board the ship one of the questions they asked is " Would you be interested in dining at hosted tables?"

 

I love this forum, for there are a lot of helpful people who are willing to share their experiences. Thank you!

Also speak to the "meet & greet" girl as you walk into the colonnade for breakfast or dining room for dinner.

 

If you have been given an invite they will often ask if you wish to take them up on the offer as you walk in for breakfast.

 

You get out of hosted tables what you put in. If it's something you want to do don't wait to be asked. There is a danger you end up with the same people all the time be that a good or a bad thing.

 

In terms of the original question travelling as a family doesn't preclude us from engaging with single travellers. The ship is an extremely sociable place and it's easy to strike up a conversation. I have often joined an under utilised table at the Patio Grill for instance when grabbing a bite to eat on my own. You strike up conversations in the Square, by the pool, at one of the bars, waiting for a show and so on.

 

What makes it easier on SB compared to mainstream cruise lines is smaller numbers mean you see people again. On a big ship you have a conversation and might not see the person again until the last night of the cruise. On SB you will always bump into them again.

 

Oh yes, how could I forget. Then there is Mr Luxury's favourite event, the block party..... :)

 

Henry :)

Also speak to the "meet & greet" girl as you walk into the colonnade for breakfast or dining room for dinner.

 

If you have been given an invite they will often ask if you wish to take them up on the offer as you walk in for breakfast.

 

You get out of hosted tables what you put in. If it's something you want to do don't wait to be asked. There is a danger you end up with the same people all the time be that a good or a bad thing.

 

In terms of the original question travelling as a family doesn't preclude us from engaging with single travellers. The ship is an extremely sociable place and it's easy to strike up a conversation. I have often joined an under utilised table at the Patio Grill for instance when grabbing a bite to eat on my own. You strike up conversations in the Square, by the pool, at one of the bars, waiting for a show and so on.

 

What makes it easier on SB compared to mainstream cruise lines is smaller numbers mean you see people again. On a big ship you have a conversation and might not see the person again until the last night of the cruise. On SB you will always bump into them again.

 

Oh yes, how could I forget. Then there is Mr Luxury's favourite event, the block party..... :)

 

Henry :)

 

I'm amazed at the number of single cruisers posting in this thread;)

 

The block party might make sense on the Encore:p

 

Thankfully on my last cruise there was no block party and I dont think they held one on any of the LA>LA segments of that cruise.

If ever there is a block party my wife and I barricade ourselves in our suite and put the chairs and anything else that is movable in the suite up against the door.

After about half an hour we creep outside and if the coast is clear we run to the bar where a well deserved drink awaits us.

After the first drink we are able to speak again and our heart rate is back to normal so that we may continue to enjoy the rest of our cruise.

Two other good solutions for avoiding the block party -

 

1. Stay at the Patio Bar and return to your cabin once the hallways have cleared (other bars will also work but that one offers a straigh sight line for recon).

 

2. Room service - you can have champagne and canapés happily alone

I want to meet people,just not in the hallway outside my suite holding a drink in one hand and a sandwich in the other

I also don't want to wear a hat and blow a kazoo whilst meeting other guests.