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Age and solo crusing


travelchick989
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I'm in my early 40s and am about to take my first solo cruise (I was going to take one last year but ended up with companions). For me, it's pretty basic--I live alone. I travel alone. I do everything alone. It's not a matter of my friends not being available or unable to afford it. (The other people I've been on cruises with have been family.) I've been on road trips around national parks by myself. I've visited cities. I've snorkeled with turtles. I've been to other countries. A cruise is just another trip, in a sense, but on the water and self contained. :)

 

Some people are into traveling and some aren't, and in the end of the day, everyone has to decide for themselves whether they're comfortable going alone or not, but in a practical sense, nothing should hold you back. Traveling alone offers huge advantages over traveling with other people.

 

You can often meet other people while traveling, but even if you don't, it's usually only a week or two out of your life--if you could see the greatest wonders of the world but had to eat dinner alone for a week, does it really matter? When you think back on that trip, you're not going to think about evenings spent lying around your hotel room; you're going to think about the places you went and the interesting experiences you had while you were out.

 

Hear, hear! :)

 

Totally agree. I did my first solo cruise 5 1/2 years ago when I was 50--went all in and did a 2 week transatlantic. It was wonderful and I've done lots since then. I would never cruise (or go on an extended land vacation) with anyone other than very close family or a significant other, and since I'm now single and my kids are grown, I travel solo. I have a lot of places I want to see and I can't do it if I am sitting home wishing I had someone to go with!

 

And, you never know what fate has in store for you, so best to do whatever you want to do as soon as you can. After my ex-husband died of a massive heart attack last summer at 57 with no prior illness or warning, I've become even more convinced of that. So, this year I'm doing a New Zealand/Australia cruise that I'd been putting off because the super-long flights are not appealing--I decided New Zealand is not going to get any closer to the US during my lifetime and the flights are not going to get any easier as I get older! :)

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Wow thanks everyone for your awesome responses! I'm really encouraged by your post!

 

 

 

Age is just a number baby! ;p

 

I took my first solo cruise when I was 25..... loved every minute of it! And never looked back.... I've done one a year for the last 5 years, with another booked for next year! (NCL Epic Med - 10th June B2B to the 24th June, if your interested ;) - Awesome early booking perks at the moment!)

 

Before my first cruise I was exactly the same.... I really wanted to holiday but none of my friends could afford to.... but I picked a cruise line I liked the look of and went for it. The second I got home again I looked for my next (that's when I found NCL! and fell in love...) :hearteyes: ** I have a link to my second solo cruise in my signature if you want to check it out... I was 26 at the time.

 

I have met many solo cruisers of all ages.... from a 24 year old that i became great friends with this year to an 80 year old who was amazing!....

 

If you find the right cruise line for you.... and you can afford it.... go for it - you wont regret it! I didn't :)

 

 

@ Sparkels I wish I could go! I'm a teacher so during the month of June I'll be working. It would be a dream though one day to just take time off from working and just travel. And to a B2B cruise definitely going to add that to my bucket list!

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Hi all,

 

I've recently booked my first ever cruise and I'll be travelling solo. I'm booked with Royal Caribbean on Allure of the Seas. I'm not sure if this ship caters for solos but there seems to be so many things going on, I'm sure I'll meet lots of people.

 

I'm 31 and I've loved reading the ages of solo cruisers. I genuinely thought not many younger people cruised so it's great knowing I shouldn't be alone.

 

I agree age is just a number and I love speaking to people of all ages but it's also nice having someone of a similar age to hang out with.

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I did my first solo at age 48, liked it so much I did 10 more since with another booked for January

 

I did my first one at 45.....have done about 45 more since that time (I am 59 now;)).

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:') :')terminally single lol. What cruise did you cruise on last year? If I were to cruise next year solo I would skip out of the MDR and just eat at the buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I feel like I may get the stare and the "oh are you alone" lol. I hope it would turn out ok if I were to cruise solo. I also feel like NCL is the line I would prefer to stick with one because I'm familiar and two they seem cater to more solo cruisers with meet-ups and such.

 

Hi, another single here, also cruised solo on breakaway love the studio cabins, I wish they would offer some studio balcony but that my wish. I agree if traveling solo NCL is the way to go, been on several cruise with NCL some solo others with family. I have to more booked for 2018.

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I've seen videos and pictures about the solo cabins. But perhaps I'm picky but i gotta have my balcony. When I first went cruising I opted for a balcony. Yes people will argue that your not gonna be in the room alot but I like to have natural day light lol. However I do need to save up $$$ every now and then. Who knows I may end up trying a inside/solo cabin one day. The solo cabins do look very nice on NLC. So far every cruise I've been on has been with a balcony. I'd be willing to pay extra for it. Thats one thing I'd wish cruising companies would do is give more bargains for solos who want to cruise, especially if you want a balcony or ocean view.

 

 

*And I know Anthem of the Seas has the virtual balcony in the solo cabins but I still like the real thing lol

 

Hi, I love NCL and the studio cabins, but I do wish they would offer a few Studio cabins with balcony.

 

And Anthem of the Seas has the virtual balcony but also offer some studio with balcony I'm booked on one in October.

 

Will take photos and post. Or you can go to Youtube and search studio balcony cabins on Anthem of the Seas.

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I'm just curious what is the age range of those of you that travel solo?

 

I'm 58 (will be 59 next week:o). I did my firt solo cruise three years ago. I asked my then-19-year-old DD if she wanted to go on our fourth Alaska cruise and she declined, making sure to tell me how grateful she is for everything I do for here. LOL. She encouraged me to do it on my own. After thinking about it, I decided to do just that, but not to Alaska! I booked my first NCL cruise and did an Adriatic cruise. Like others, I love the freedom solo cruising provides. I'm a very independent person and have no trouble venturing out on my own. I've always added on time to business trips and had doneshort land-based travel in China, India, Malaysia, and Europe, so solo cruising was easy for me...especially since I love cruising and have cruised for the past 20 years.

 

And if you traveled solo do you feel awkwardly alone?

 

Nope. One of the things I love about cruising is it's so easy to meet people. If I want to be with people the opportunity is always there, and if I want to be alone, I can do that. I love alone time, so it never feels awkward to me. I think that awkwardness is something internal and if a person doesn't like being alone then cruising is actually a great solution for still being able to travel even if no one can go with you. I find that when i cruise solo more people strike up conversation with me. I don't know if it's because I'm alone or if I'm presenting myself in a way that says I'm open to being approached. I especially love it when the roll call is active. I've met a number of people through roll calls with whom I'm still in touch. I usually coordinate the Meet and Greet so that certainly helps with meeting people. On a 10-day cruise last year, we had more than 100 people at the Meet and Greet and i ended up having dinner with different roll call members every evening! That was a new experience for me and I found myself missing my usual dinners alone! LOL. Another way to meet people is to organize tours. I don't enjoy ship's excursions, and I'm a planner, so I often book tours and invite others on the roll call to join in. For a lot of people that creates an immediate connection since we want to do the same thing. I've met people that way with whom I've hit it off.

 

 

 

I've seen videos and pictures about the solo cabins. But perhaps I'm picky but i gotta have my balcony. When I first went cruising I opted for a balcony. Yes people will argue that your not gonna be in the room alot but I like to have natural day light lol. However I do need to save up $$$ every now and then. Who knows I may end up trying a inside/solo cabin one day. The solo cabins do look very nice on NLC. So far every cruise I've been on has been with a balcony. I'd be willing to pay extra for it. Thats one thing I'd wish cruising companies would do is give more bargains for solos who want to cruise, especially if you want a balcony or ocean view.

 

 

*And I know Anthem of the Seas has the virtual balcony in the solo cabins but I still like the real thing lol

 

I was a balcony girl for years. The only time I didn't have a balcony was when the ship just didn't have balcony cabins! But, when I started sailing solo I just didn't fee like I could justify the cost of a balcony cabin for just me. That first solo cruise I booked an inside cabin just to see if I could handle it. I found out it wasn't that big of deal to me, and I didn't miss having a balcony as much as I thought I would. I was happily surprised by that! I also booked the inside so I wouldn't spend too much time in my cabin and I was concerned that with a balcony cabin, I would spend a lot of time in my cabin rather than venturing out. My second solo cruise was on the NCL Epic. It was my first time in a studio and my first time on a mega-ship. I was surprised how much I enjoyed it and not having a balcony wasn't an issue since I had a spa pass an the Epic has a large aft balcony in the spa with several loungers and a couple day beds. I spent a couple hours at a time there enjoying the view and reading. And, I absolutely loved my little studio! It was so well designed. I'm back on the Epic in 52 days, and I can't wait! I'll be spending a week in Rome before the cruise. I'm looking forward to a week of being on my own in a beautiful city! :D

 

I know there's at least one RCCL ship that has actual balconies on a few of their solo cabins. I just looked for the video review I saw several months ago. Here it is:

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I did a lot of solo traveling all over the world during my 20s, including several transatlantic sailings. I now only do long cruises, and have met some great, interesting and fun people. On my next cruise I'll turn 73, and plan to continue solo travel, not only on ships, as long as I can.

 

 

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In a little over 60 days I will go on my second solo cruise. It's also my first time overseas and it's a transatlantic cruise. I'm so excited and I have declined invitations from friends who want to join me on this trip. I'm 41 and my first solo cruise was last year and I'm hooked. I have several more cruises booked and this will probably be my only method of travel from now on.

 

 

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I did my first Solo cruise a couple of years ago at 45. I’m due to go on my third solo cruise in October and really look forward to my solo trip each year! I still go away with friends each year, but actually in a way I think I prefer the solo trips (sush…don’t tell them ;-)). I think the element of the unknown adds to the excitement.

 

I did have a moment just before sailaway on the first day, where it looked like everyone was with someone and having lots of fun and I wondered what I was doing, but then I just thought ‘hey no-one cares what I’m doing’ so I just ordered a Prosecco and enjoyed the atmosphere.

 

I’m not a natural extrovert and can be quite shy normally, but I think going away on your own builds your confidence no end. If you are on your own and have a smile on your face, you automatically become more approachable. To other people you suddenly become this exotic stranger who must be oozing with confidence because THEY wouldn’t dream of going away on their own! (They don’t need to know how much courage it took you to take this step).

 

So go for it, as it’s such fun. Don’t be concerned about your age. Wish I had taken the plunge years ago!

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  • 2 months later...

I've been traveling solo since I was... 27 lol. Just turned 35.

 

I just get fed up traveling with people who constantly want to do stuff that I don't want to do. Grew up taking family vacays like that, and of course when I got to college half of my Spring Break would be doing stuff with friends I didn't care to do... and traveling with my now ex was nice at times but also annoying because he was more of an extrovert who wanted to show off for everyone... or not go at all because he couldn't show off. :rolleyes:

 

At 27 I said, "I want to travel and I want to ENJOY it!" Hopped on a cheap flight to Daytona Beach out of the blue one day. Had a great time. Started doing more solo travels since then... I have a goal to visit all 50 states (Hawaii and Alaska will be challenging, but ONE DAY!) and finally took a cruise this month for the 1st time so I've officially been outside of the country, at last ;)

 

I still travel with other sometimes, but I no longer wait if I want to take a trip alone either. I've found it makes for a better balance. I sincerely hope you decide to try it sooner than later - even if you start with a short, close trip where you just drive somewhere and spend it solo. I think you'll enjoy it, but if you don't at least you'll know for sure if it's not for you.

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I did a lot of solo traveling all over the world during my 20s, including several transatlantic sailings. I now only do long cruises, and have met some great, interesting and fun people. On my next cruise I'll turn 73, and plan to continue solo travel, not only on ships, as long as I can.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

You are my inspiration. :D

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Thanks for sharing! I would like to try it at least once but I'm so nervous. I'll be 28 this December and I look really young as well. I guess that leads in to my insecurity going alone. I may get the stares and the "What are you doing looks". Who knows one day I would like to take the risk!

 

 

I've been traveling solo since I was... 27 lol. Just turned 35.

 

I just get fed up traveling with people who constantly want to do stuff that I don't want to do. Grew up taking family vacays like that, and of course when I got to college half of my Spring Break would be doing stuff with friends I didn't care to do... and traveling with my now ex was nice at times but also annoying because he was more of an extrovert who wanted to show off for everyone... or not go at all because he couldn't show off. :rolleyes:

 

At 27 I said, "I want to travel and I want to ENJOY it!" Hopped on a cheap flight to Daytona Beach out of the blue one day. Had a great time. Started doing more solo travels since then... I have a goal to visit all 50 states (Hawaii and Alaska will be challenging, but ONE DAY!) and finally took a cruise this month for the 1st time so I've officially been outside of the country, at last ;)

 

I still travel with other sometimes, but I no longer wait if I want to take a trip alone either. I've found it makes for a better balance. I sincerely hope you decide to try it sooner than later - even if you start with a short, close trip where you just drive somewhere and spend it solo. I think you'll enjoy it, but if you don't at least you'll know for sure if it's not for you.

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Thanks for sharing! I would like to try it at least once but I'm so nervous. I'll be 28 this December and I look really young as well. I guess that leads in to my insecurity going alone. I may get the stares and the "What are you doing looks". Who knows one day I would like to take the risk!

I felt like that at first. I was 26 when i did my first solo cruise and I also look young for my age.... Im 30 now and I still get ID'd when buying alchohol! 😂

 

My first time I completely panicked about the thought of people looking at me funny - like 'who is that loser, going on holiday on her own' kind of thing, especially when eating. But what i found was that nobody stared, nobody looked at me funny and in fact I found that people were very accepting, extremely friendly and thought i was incredibly brave for doing it on my own.

 

My first cruise was on a Thomson ship... much smaller than ships like NCL epic etc.... and i found that i was almost immediately adopted by the cruise director staff and the bar staff (i sat at the bar most nights).... and through them i got to know so many people, including other solos and couples (and subsequently I was adopted by them too!).

 

Its an amazing experience, you just have to find a ship that is right for you and you wouod no doubt have an amazing first solo cruise!

 

Sent from my SM-G935F using Forums mobile app

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Thanks for sharing! I would like to try it at least once but I'm so nervous. I'll be 28 this December and I look really young as well. I guess that leads in to my insecurity going alone. I may get the stares and the "What are you doing looks". Who knows one day I would like to take the risk!

 

I totally understand. I've always looked "young" for my age; if I wasn't so tall they'd still be assuming I was barely 21 :')

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I am getting these AMAZING casino offers from Carnival right now and my husband is being kinda "wishy washy" on pulling the trigger on one of them I am tempted just to book one and go solo (these price CANNOT be beat)!!!! I am not afraid to go solo but I feel guilty because I would be leaving my husband home for a week with our 2 kiddos (12 & 16). Should I just do it? Or stay home and not feel the guilt?

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I am getting these AMAZING casino offers from Carnival right now and my husband is being kinda "wishy washy" on pulling the trigger on one of them I am tempted just to book one and go solo (these price CANNOT be beat)!!!! I am not afraid to go solo but I feel guilty because I would be leaving my husband home for a week with our 2 kiddos (12 & 16). Should I just do it? Or stay home and not feel the guilt?

 

I'd say go for it - the kiddos are older. Not like you're leaving him with toddlers ;)

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All my travels by land or sea are solo. I love it. I have meet people from all over the world. Yes I pay double occupancy price, but I like certain cabins, so I pay. I find that there are plenty of people to talk to. Most of my cruises are 10 days and more. Often people ask it I am afraid to cruise by myself. I tell them know. As even cruising with someone else, you still have to be aware in different ports you visit. Many of the people will invite to dine with them, tag along with their group if we are on the same excursion. The craziest group was from Canada. They were a fun group to hang out with. Go solo, have fun.

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I took my first solo cruise at 27. I also look very young, am female, and a minority so I felt like I had so much going against me. However, I was tired of living life on friends' time, budget, vacation allowance, and interests! My first solo was amazing, I told a few people (mostly women) I was alone and they expressed shock that I was able to do at 27 what they couldn't do until 50/60 and encouraged me to keep living life with courage and confidence and on my own terms! Second solo was not so good but it hasn't stopped me - third solo booked for Sept 2018! :)

 

For me the "scariest" part is embarkation, not dining. If you are on a cruise line that has traditional dining, you will be seated with other solos or a table of women in your age range. Embarkation is a group activity and it is very obvious that I'm in line alone. I usually put headphones in and bop along to my favorite jams until its my turn at the desk. Once on the ship, no one knows anything, ha! :)

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Thanks for sharing! I would like to try it at least once but I'm so nervous. I'll be 28 this December and I look really young as well. I guess that leads in to my insecurity going alone. I may get the stares and the "What are you doing looks". Who knows one day I would like to take the risk!

 

A saying that has served me well in my life is "You wouldn't worry so much about what others think of you if you realized how seldom they do."

 

If you cruise or vacation with others, have you ever walked down to the shops to get something, or split up to run back to the room for a forgotten item? Anybody spotting you then could assume you were solo, but just as likely might have thought you were hurrying to rejoin your party. And either way you probably didn't think anything about it. Traveling solo is the same way. Dining alone could be stressful if you've never done it at home, but maybe give it a whirl some day near home. You've probably run to the mall by yourself -- ever grab an ice cream or a quick meal in the food court? It's really no different.

 

And there's something really amazing about closing the cabin door and having all that room to yourself, with no one to answer to about whether you sleep in, or turn in early, or get up ridiculously early ... and you can change your mind about it every day.

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I'm just curious what is the age range of those of you that travel solo? And if you traveled solo do you feel awkwardly alone?

 

I’m going to be 40 next Tuesday and not looking forward to it LOL. I have done a fair amount of solo travelling, so guess it was only natural that I book a solo cruise for my next trip. :)

 

I’ll be honest with you: I did not have a lot of friends growing up, and I still don’t as an adult, but I enjoy my own company. I do a lot of things on my own, i.e. travel, go to the movies, sporting events, concerts, conventions, dine, etc. If I was reliant on the company of others, I would never be able to enjoy doing the things that I love. And, besides, I always meet and chat with people whenever I’m solo, that definitely includes cruising :)

 

So, to answer your question, no, I don’t feel awkwardly alone as you put it. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the company of my family and friends, but really prefer travelling alone as I get to travel on my own itinerary. Mother is taking me to Vegas for my 40th next month, that should be rather interesting :')

 

Best wishes to you, travelchick! I think you should definitely consider solo travel whether it be a cruise or land-based travel. But that’s JMHO :)

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