Anyone done a solo cruise before?

Has anyone done a solo cruise before on any of the NCL ships? If so I'd love to get your thoughts on if you had a great time or if you ended up feeling lonely. Was it easy to make friends or find people to have dinner with?

 

I'm 30 years old from CT and don't have a special someone right now but love to cruise so I don't want to let the lack of someone to go with stop me from doing something I enjoy! I just worry a bit about being trapped for 7 days if I start to regret the decision once onboard. Would love your candid thoughts.

Has anyone done a solo cruise before on any of the NCL ships? If so I'd love to get your thoughts on if you had a great time or if you ended up feeling lonely. Was it easy to make friends or find people to have dinner with?

 

I'm 30 years old from CT and don't have a special someone right now but love to cruise so I don't want to let the lack of someone to go with stop me from doing something I enjoy! I just worry a bit about being trapped for 7 days if I start to regret the decision once onboard. Would love your candid thoughts.

 

Bring an ipad or Kindle with lots of reading material and immerse yourself in 'you'. OR... do that, and wind up not reading anything because you made friends at lunch on boarding day....like I did... :o I'm STILL trying to get through that reading material, almost 3 years later.

 

 

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Has anyone done a solo cruise before on any of the NCL ships? If so I'd love to get your thoughts on if you had a great time or if you ended up feeling lonely. Was it easy to make friends or find people to have dinner with?

 

I'm 30 years old from CT and don't have a special someone right now but love to cruise so I don't want to let the lack of someone to go with stop me from doing something I enjoy! I just worry a bit about being trapped for 7 days if I start to regret the decision once onboard. Would love your candid thoughts.

I have had 20 cruises with Norwegian always traveling solo. I never run out of things to do and I never bring anything to read- never have time. Sometimes I dine alone and sometimes not. I never feel lonely on board a ship. What is your next cruise? Sign up on The Roll Call for your cruise and meet people before getting on the ship. There are usually events in the evening for people traveling solo.

Has anyone done a solo cruise before on any of the NCL ships? If so I'd love to get your thoughts on if you had a great time or if you ended up feeling lonely. Was it easy to make friends or find people to have dinner with?

 

I'm 30 years old from CT and don't have a special someone right now but love to cruise so I don't want to let the lack of someone to go with stop me from doing something I enjoy! I just worry a bit about being trapped for 7 days if I start to regret the decision once onboard. Would love your candid thoughts.

 

I have traveled solo several times. I went to all the solo gatherings - on the newer ships, there will be gatherings every evening in the Studio Lounge. It's a great place to find people to dine with and attend shows with.

 

I find that when I travel solo that I actually meet more people than I do when I am traveling with a companion.

 

Go for it. Life is short.

I just did my very first solo trip in March. It was, honestly, one of the best trips I ever took in my life. If you look in my signature for the Breakaway review, you'll find my review of it. The best advice I can offer: Join your cruise's roll call and be active in it!

 

Richard/Tralfie

You might also get good answers on the Solo Cruisers forum: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=373

NCL does a great job for solo guests in my opinion. I've had a blast sailing in the studio cabins on the Epic. I'm not one to join roll calls but in the studios you get the option to meet people and hang out/go to dinner/go to shows OR just do your own thing and relax and have alone time OR just a combination of both. Freestyle. :D

 

 

If budget is a consideration as it is for many people the Studios are a great bargain.

I'll join the chorus and chime in that I too have travelled solo with NCL - and loved it. I don't find it any different to other cruise ships in terms of being a solo.

 

There are several opportunities for solo/single gatherings in the early evenings if you wish (watch the dailies). I quite enjoy travelling on my own - I usually end up having wonderful conversations with people all around me. If I buried my head in a kindle or Ipad I'm not sure I would notice the world going around me so I try take time to look up from my reading once and awhile and notice what's going on around me. It often leads to a great conversation and potential dinner mates!

 

If there is one thing that might be different - it is the MDR - the staff rarely offer to seat you with others unless you ask and most people never to think to open their table to others. It's because the design of freestyle makes it more like the local restaurant in town where you wouldn't think to invite yourself to an already seated group at a table that had an empty seat. You would simply sit on your own. This is what tends to happen on NCL in my experience. However, as the week progressed I did end up eating with new friends and it turned out just fine.

 

Happy sailing!

Edited May 8, 2014 by cpcanuck

I did a solo cruise in March/April and it was an interesting experience to say the least. I didn't eat in the MDR since I bought the UDP, and found myself enjoying the Cagney perks for breakfast and lunch.

 

Being a female changes the experience drastically, I'd say. It wasn't a singles cruise, I think I was one of three total going solo. (I peeked at the photos on the wall and it's the ones on the top left of every section):p

 

There were awkward moments, but I think it was because there were mostly families and couples. I booked it last year with the BF and still decided to go after the breakup as a means of finding myself and facing the 'fear'.

 

Not sure if you drink, but I went to the casino bar and had good conversation with different cruisers. You will meet all kinds of people, and it's empowering to know you can allow conversation to happen or simply retreat to your room.

 

Going solo can be a great time to reflect and 'do you'. ;)

I am going on my first solo cruise in August. Decided to go on the Epic for the 7 day Mediterranean cruise out of Rome. It is my first solo and my first trip to Europe. I'm too excited to be worried about being lonely! That cruise is port intensive so I'm not going to have time to be lonely either I hope.

 

Honestly, at the moment, I live alone and I work from a home office so I'm with me, myself and I 99% of the time anyway. So I figure how different could a cruise be?!

 

I've joined the roll call for my cruise, which isn't all that active yet. Hoping it will pick up. I'm also planning on going to the solo gathering once on the ship. I'm staying in a studio cabin, which is honestly what made me book this cruise to begin with...great price for a studio for a week in Europe.

I just booked my first cruise on NCL and my first solo cruise, having recently been widowed. I am going with friends but also don't want to always be the third wheel.

I have a question about the solo activities. What age group are they geared for?

Not that you need; what or care to do what I suggest take a browse thru the following LINK:

 

http://www.singlecruises.com

 

See what singles do on a cruise !

The longer the cruise the more apt to make connections thru the MDR; a shore excursion or perhaps a concierge related activity.

 

In any event enjoy your solo cruise - the only thing I find objectionable is the double occupancy fares - but that means you can demand double the food/fun/and entertainment. Whoops watch the food ! LOL !

 

AND it goes without much further comment since you are a single to watch your personal security and safety in what you do !

Familiarize yourself with the ships 911 services just in case if needed.

I have a question about the solo activities. What age group are they geared for?

 

 

Whatever age group is there.

 

I've only done one solo cruise and the range of ages was from the 20s to 60s (I'd guess). Everyone was well cared for.

 

To be honest, in my experience the solo activities are limited to giving people somewhere to meet up each day and arranging the occasional meal or visit to entertainment or the Ice Bar. No more is needed as people started arranging things themselves. The solo meet up gives a place to do so.

 

The NCL staff will help you arrange things, but it is very much based on what the passengers want.

 

 

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I just booked my first cruise on NCL and my first solo cruise, having recently been widowed. I am going with friends but also don't want to always be the third wheel.

I have a question about the solo activities. What age group are they geared for?

Having recently completed my first NCL cruise as a retired lady in her 60's I can say that the solo age ranged from 20 to 70s. The activities are for all ages so just go and enjoy joining in everyone is such good fun and you will make lovely friends. For dining in MDR I always asked to share a table and found some lovely fellow diners. The solo reps from the entertainment team will meet up with everyone most evenings to see if that can help and anytime you see them around the ship they always ask if you are ok. I loved every minute on my first cruise and cannot wait for my second in June so go ahead and enjoy yourself

Thanks everyone - this is very helpful!

Nope, never did solo cruises.. Just cruises with friends I hadn't met yet :D

Recently divorced, went on the cruise anyway! I "advertised" on my roll call that I was looking for dinner companions, etc. I wound up joining two different groups for private tours, and hung out with those people for many hours on the cruise. We even won the Quest as a group!

 

I only ate by myself one night in the MDR. If I hadn't already made other plans, I asked to be seated with others when I showed up, and it worked every night except one.

 

I have my next cruise booked for January, and am looking forward to another good solo experience. There is a solo cruising board on CC which will give you some good tips.

 

Delawarealan

Thanks everyone - this is very helpful!

 

What ship are you thinking of booking? I would love to invite you to our Halloween Cruise on the Getaway October 25-November 1st! I'm also cruising solo this year! (First time for me) So I'm anxious as to what I'll be doing. But I have yet to think I'll be lonely! =)

Whatever cruise you decide to sail on, I hope it's a blast and your best vacation, EVER!

Has anyone done a solo cruise before on any of the NCL ships? If so I'd love to get your thoughts on if you had a great time or if you ended up feeling lonely. Was it easy to make friends or find people to have dinner with?

 

I'm 30 years old from CT and don't have a special someone right now but love to cruise so I don't want to let the lack of someone to go with stop me from doing something I enjoy! I just worry a bit about being trapped for 7 days if I start to regret the decision once onboard. Would love your candid thoughts.

I recently got back from my first solo on the Breakaway in March and luved it!:) While the solo cabins and lounge were a good place to meet people I also urge you to join your roll call as I've always met many great people at the Meet and Greets and between the solo lounge and the M&G I had an excellent cruise and never felt lonely!:D;)

My DH and I usually cruise together .Two years ago...I was offered a casino cruise by CAS...DH did not want to go...and I decided "why not"...so went on my own.....First time ever..cruising alone...and I loved it...:)

I really enjoyed the ability to do what I want ..when I want...met some nice people but also loved the idea that I was not obligated to do things with anyone if I did not want to......

All in all it was a great experience for me ..I needed a week of pampering and relaxation....and was proud of myself for going out of my comfort zone and traveling alone....

alg, I'm a 36-year-old single female, just got off my first solo cruise on the Breakaway, and I had a blast! Thanks to the Studio Cabins, I think NCL is doing a much better job catering to solo travelers now. I met people through the daily Solo Travelers meeting, the CC roll call and just hanging out around the ship! I could do my own thing when I wanted to, but also had people I could have dinner and do some of the entertainment stuff with if I wanted to.

 

There were moments I felt a little awkward, but they were few and far between, honestly. Of course, I've always been single, lived alone for 10+ years, moved halfway across the country and back by myself, so I am very comfortable being solo.

 

I really want to write a review of my solo travel experience when my workload allows me enough time!

 

P.S. Another way to "meet" people? Get randomly chosen for the on-board Dancing with the Stars competition that will be rebroadcast on TV over and over again during your cruise ;)

Edited May 8, 2014 by Noodle77

Has anyone done a solo cruise before on any of the NCL ships? If so I'd love to get your thoughts on if you had a great time or if you ended up feeling lonely. Was it easy to make friends or find people to have dinner with?

 

I'm 30 years old from CT and don't have a special someone right now but love to cruise so I don't want to let the lack of someone to go with stop me from doing something I enjoy! I just worry a bit about being trapped for 7 days if I start to regret the decision once onboard. Would love your candid thoughts.

 

Hi there- I did my first ever cruise last year as a solo on the Breakaway (highly recommended). It was honestly one of the funnest exepriences of my life and I have had some great travel experiences in the past. I wrote a pretty extensive review about my experiences here http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1891038. Hope this helps!

Has anyone done a solo cruise before on any of the NCL ships? If so I'd love to get your thoughts on if you had a great time or if you ended up feeling lonely. Was it easy to make friends or find people to have dinner with?

 

I'm 30 years old from CT and don't have a special someone right now but love to cruise so I don't want to let the lack of someone to go with stop me from doing something I enjoy! I just worry a bit about being trapped for 7 days if I start to regret the decision once onboard. Would love your candid thoughts.

 

I have done quite a few solo cruises on NCL and I have enjoyed them all. I have not sailed on any of the newer mega ships with the studios but usually in an inside cabin and just pay the supplement. I have always found something to do, and like the free style aspect of NCL as you can do as much or as little as you want to. NCL is a pretty laid back cruise line and the staff and service has always been very good in my experiences with them. I would give them a try and see if you like it.

I have not cruised solo, yet, but I always enjoy organized onboard activities. I always meet singles at the trivia contest and there are usually other group games depending on the line and again I always meet singles. As a matter of fact in talking with them they are usually repeat cruisers and very happy.

Has anyone done a solo cruise before on any of the NCL ships? If so I'd love to get your thoughts on if you had a great time or if you ended up feeling lonely. Was it easy to make friends or find people to have dinner with?

 

I'm 30 years old from CT and don't have a special someone right now but love to cruise so I don't want to let the lack of someone to go with stop me from doing something I enjoy! I just worry a bit about being trapped for 7 days if I start to regret the decision once onboard. Would love your candid thoughts.

 

Hi alg,

I will be doing my 5th solo cruise next month (June 8, Breakaway). I am a widow in my early 70's. Last year I was on the Breakaway in one of the studio cabins, didn't take advantage of the Lounge meetings, but I will this time. Except for one cruise (RCCL) I have always met someone to hang out with. You won't have any problem finding something to do. When dining always let them know you want to dine with someone else and not alone.

I will be happy to answer any questions you may have.