Younger Cruisers Solo Cruising?

Hi all,

I have to admit I lurk on the board a lot as it's a great resource for basically all cruise information. But now I do have a question to pose that I haven't gotten an exact answer on yet..

I'm a 28 year old male. Looking to book a solo cabin next year sometime. I know any ship will always be a mixed crowd - but I'm obviously looking for a cruise to run into people my own age; late 20's early 30's for drinks, excursions, whatever.

Are there any specific cruises where that age group leans towards? Not sure if some routes/cruise ships are known for it more than others.

Appreciate any information/recommendations!

Thanks

Hi all,

 

I have to admit I lurk on the board a lot as it's a great resource for basically all cruise information. But now I do have a question to pose that I haven't gotten an exact answer on yet..

 

I'm a 28 year old male. Looking to book a solo cabin next year sometime. I know any ship will always be a mixed crowd - but I'm obviously looking for a cruise to run into people my own age; late 20's early 30's for drinks, excursions, whatever.

 

Are there any specific cruises where that age group leans towards? Not sure if some routes/cruise ships are known for it more than others.

 

Appreciate any information/recommendations!

 

Thanks

I'm not a cruise expert by any means but I do hear that Carnival tends to cater to the younger crowds. I am sure they all have a melting pot of ages however.

It's funny that you said you were 28, sailing next year. I actually took my first cruise, as a solo, at age 29. I had great experiences on Carnival's 4-day cruises. Both of them had a good number of 20- and 30-somethings, enough to keep the ship's clubs and bars near the dock filled to capacity. Dancing was happening every night until early morning. My suggestion is to stick with the Big Three: Carnival, Royal Caribbean, or Norwegian. They tend to be the most lively; other lines are mode sedate, with some practically shutting down at 10:00 PM.

Imagination sailed to Key West and Cozumel, and Sensation sailed to Freeport and Nassau. (Ecstasy now took over Imagination's old itinerary, with the same port hours.) All ports were great, and had solo-friendly excursions I enjoyed. I lucked out in a sense that my cruises had late-evening port stays, which meant giant glasses of margaritas and balloon hats :).

When your sailing date is confirmed, join a roll call for your ship and sailing date (look for roll calls in the main forums list), and do assigned dining for avoid the awkwardness of eating dinner alone. Your tablemates will probably older than you, but you'll still have some great dinner conversations. Also, feel free to read my reviews, both as a solo, for a gist of what a solo cruise is like.

Another vote here for Carnival. Great value, good food and service, and a younger demographic than most. Young at heart, too. The casino and dance club will stay open practically until the last person leaves. The shorter cruises (3-5 days) are party central, I suggest you go for 7 days if you can - if you're a party guy, you'll appreciate having a chance for a little rest.

Be aware that Carnival is also VERY popular with families and there will be lots of kids aboard if school's out. Likewise Royal Caribbean - which is also nice, with really beautiful ships, but they are a little pricier, and my experience is that food and service are a touch better on Carnival.

I love solo cruising - you'll meet lots of folks and have a great time. Enjoy!

Great feedback appreciate all the personal rec's

I'm a solo cruiser in your age bracket too, and I am just about to go on my 7th solo trip! I'm trying Carnival for the first time because although I considered them before I always got a better price with NCL, but on this occasion there was a no solo supplement offer, woohoo!

I agree with others that NCL or Carnival would be your best options for finding some people your age to hang out with, plus the solo supplements are far more reasonable than other lines - eg. Royal Caribbean, who although great, often charge solos a fortune.

I've also found that there tends to be younger travellers on Caribbean itineraries over the Med, shorter trips than longer ones, and the bigger, newer ships than the smaller, older ones.

Good luck!

For a younger crowd go during spring break, first weeks of summer, or over Halloween, preferably shorter 4 or 5 day cruise :)

I took my first cruise, was solo, at 28 earlier this year. Was great. Yes would have been nice to have someone I knew on there, but still had a great time! Will be going on another cruise right after my birthday in May.

I am not a male but I travel solo often. I would also recommend either Carnival or RCCL. Last summer I sailed solo on Oasis of the Seas (RCCL) and there was always something to do day and night. Food was great and the ship was a destination in itself. I am rather shy though when around new people and tend to stick to myself. With that said people often struck up conversations with me.

Before that I also sailed semi solo with Carnival. Both were positive experiences but Oasis was awesome and I don't see myself trying Carnival in the near future because my experience on Oasis was so positive. I am considering either Allure of the Seas OR a Disney cruise (I am a big Disney fan) this summer as a solo traveler.

The downside with Allure and Oasis would be you are limited on ports of call. When I sailed Carnival we went to their private island, Puerto Rico, Grand Turk, and St. Thomas.

Out of curiosity, I was checking the prices on the Breakaway sailing that we are taking to Bermuda on May 11th; low and behold I realized that there is no single supplement for ANY category, even the last remaining suite AND they are even giving OBC on most categories!! For those individuals that are solo travellers but do not want to pay the single supplement now is the chance to take advantage of this amazing opportunity. In general the prices on this sale date are quite reasonable... Just thought I'd put it out there!!

cruiseruser35- I just returned from a 7 day on Breakaway and stayed in the studio. I absolutely loved it. I turned 32 on out first sea day, and the group I met was around my age. There are great people staying in the studios. It's all about how social you can be. Go to the lounge during the scheduled times. Also, some people in studios have other people they know on ship(but maybe wanted a separate room) so sometimes you might be adopted into a group too.

It's all about what you make of it. I definitely enjoyed the studio better than I did a full room on carnival last year.

These solo cabins are the only reason I decided to cruise. NCL did a great job of making the solo traveler feel included. Agree with Mr. E that it's what you make of it.

I had friends with family on the cruise, so it was great have them as an anchor if I wanted to have dinner but my interest on the cruise was to have fun and meet new people.

Mr.E - It's Mike - I sent you a friend request, but can't figure out how to send a message.

Mr.E - It's Mike - I sent you a friend request, but can't figure out how to send a message.

You can't. Cruise Critic doesn't support private messaging. I take it they want to prevent travel agents from sending advertisements, or worse, sending bulk spam. (You can still add friends, though.) The only real solution for talking privately with people on here is to exchange e-mail addresses.

I'm taking my first solo cruise to the western Med in October on NCL's Epic. I would have never had the courage to do it without the studio cabins, lounge, and lots of encouraging reviews and posts here. If I was more of a party person or a true extrovert, I would have probably chosen to try my first solo cruise to the Caribbean. My ex-boyfriend and I did a weekend cruise on the Norwegian Sky in January and met and saw lots of people our age (late 20s). I would still stick with NCL only because of the studio cabins - I love that concept!

I'm a 29 year old female, and I'll be taking my first solo cruise in a week and a half! I chose Carnival for the price; they've been running a lot of no solo supplement deals lately. I've cruised twice but never solo. I can't wait! My past cruises on Carnival have always had a good range of ages, and I'm hoping this one will be the same way. We'll see!

 

 

 

Mr.E - It's Mike - I sent you a friend request, but can't figure out how to send a message.

I'll accept it when I go on my computer. I still have to write a review also.

Hey! I'm also 28 and this will be my 2nd solo cruise. Sailing on the Norwegian Breakaway for my 29th bday for the exclusive access to the studio lounge for solo cruisers. The prices aren't bad either for the solo cabins. While its true that you're likely to run into more people our age on Carnival, I sailed it once and found it to be the Walmart of cruise ships unless you sail one of their newer ships.

Take a look at some of Norwegian's solo priced cabins on their newer ships, Epic, Breakaway, and Getaway!

Talking form experience Carnival has majority of young cruisers 20s and 30s, and their prices are the cheapest. I have done Carnival, Norwegian, Princess and Royal Caribbean, but multiple times on many.

Im 26, I took my first solo cruise last year with Thomson Dream - a slightly older crowd but an amazing cruise.

I will be on NCL's Epic this year in July and am totally looking forward to it.

I am also now looking into a carribean cruise for next year :D

Love cruising solo!!

not sure what the demarcation for young or old is these days but I am a 31 year old male going on my second solo journey doing a 9 day jaunt out of jersey on the explorer on the seas.. My first time on RCI, I hope it is a good time.

I'll be 29 in December when I have my 2nd solo cruise booked. I do hear that more people around our age tend to cruise on Carnival, mainly for pricing. I however chose to Sail on NCL because of the Studio Cabin and its sailing from my home port in NY. I definitely hope there will be other solos-mid 30s sailing, if I'm lucky but I'm not expecting it.

So,

im pretty outgoing and have no issues meeting people etc., however im still a smidge hesitant about my cruise in 18 days BTW.....

I have booked and cancelled numerous times different excursions for the two ports OCHO RIOS and GRAND CAYMAN....

cant seem to make up my mind.

I have started a roll call but i must have invisible (to me) horns growing out of my face as there is no traffic really one or two people. Ive utilized roll calls loads in the past, and this stumps me as to why its so quiet.

anyways, im going to go and hope for the worst...then my expectations will definately be surpassed :) HAHA

has anyone ever attended the meet and mingle on the ships? i havent to date and was considering doing this as a different way to meet folks.

PS - I have lurked lots over the past few years, and have never done a proper review so I will be doing one for this cruise :)

paradiseisaprincessaway

Please don't worry - you will have an amazing time - trust me.

My first solo cruise there was only me on the roll call - it seems they differ depending on the date some are really full and others are really quiet - don't let it worry you it really only plays a small part.

I have no experience with carnival cruise lines so I can't really tell you much about solo's on that line - Can anyone else help here?

But I can tell you that - there were only 5 or 6 solos on my first solo cruise and I still had a ball. The first 2 nights before I met anyone I just sat at the bar with a cocktail and made conversation with people and it was really great. Granted I was on a smaller British cruise line but I still had a fab time!

As for excursions - as long as they involve something you want to do - then you will enjoy them. :)

You wont regret it - trust me.:D

Im getting pretty excited....but pesky work is getting in the way and still allowing me to over analyse it :)

Hi Everyone, I know it's a long-shot with the number of people on here, but I'm sailing on NCL Breakaway on 7/20/14, just wondering if there'll be any other younger solo travelers. The studio cabins all appear to be sold out, so I'm hoping for a chance to connect with some new people!