Cruising alone at 30?

[MrsP1981]

Hi - i have recently seperated from my husband after being together for 11 years. i love cruising and have been on 4 now.

However, i now have no one to go with! i know that people do cruise alone, however, my question is more about age ranges.

Do many people of my sort of age (say 25 - 35) travel alone? If anyone can share any experiences that would be really helpful.

Many thanks
Laura

[RollTideRollRich]

I'll give my experiences in about 30 days, going to cruise for the first time ever, and solo at that! I'm 31 myself.

[Jiminkcmo]

Where is it written that you must be a certain age to do something that you enjoy?????

If you enjoy cruising, do it!

Life is too short to be encumbered by notions of what should be and shouldn't be.

Go for it!

Just my $0.02.

Jim

[MrsP1981]

Thanks both. i'm just scared i won't have anything in common with an older age range but i know that's silly really as i am friends at home with people off all ages.

i really think i might do it!!! i think a shorter one to start with to test it out!

thanks again!

[NSgal]

Originally Posted by MrsP1981

Thanks both. i'm just scared i won't have anything in common with an older age range but i know that's silly really as i am friends at home with people off all ages.

i really think i might do it!!! i think a shorter one to start with to test it out!

thanks again!

I totally understand your hesitation. I have the same worries. I am 36 and decided I wanted to cruise Alaska but didn't have anyone to go with. I wavered for a while and talked to some very friendly people on the roll call for the cruise then booked. I am leaving in a few short weeks. I am sure I will have a great time, you have to make your own fun.

[travelnap]

Originally Posted by MrsP1981

Hi - i have recently seperated from my husband after being together for 11 years. i love cruising and have been on 4 now.

However, i now have no one to go with! i know that people do cruise alone, however, my question is more about age ranges.

Do many people of my sort of age (say 25 - 35) travel alone? If anyone can share any experiences that would be really helpful.

Many thanks
Laura

Laura,
I started traveling solo in my 30's and I still love it. You can do what you want when you want so it gives you much more independence. I too love the cruises as it is so relaxing. As far as advice, if your ship has a roll call, then sign up for it, and hopefully at the meet and greet you will find some new friends, both solo's and couples. I have an outgoing personality so I am comfortable around anyone from any age group, froms kids to great grandparents, and it sounds like you are also. Some lines may be better for younger passengers than others as they have a more diverse crowd. For someone your age, Carnival, NCL, & Royal Caribbean might be better picks than a Princess, Holland America, or Celebrity as their crowds do run a little older. I have cruised on all of them with the exception of Celebrity and I have enjoyed them all. I plan on trying Celebrity in the future but haven't yet. I think if you can find an itinerary that you like, just go and enjoy the trip. Whichever line you pick, I hope you have a great trip.

[COMBOY]

Originally Posted by MrsP1981

Hi - i have recently seperated from my husband after being together for 11 years. i love cruising and have been on 4 now.

However, i now have no one to go with! i know that people do cruise alone, however, my question is more about age ranges.

Do many people of my sort of age (say 25 - 35) travel alone? If anyone can share any experiences that would be really helpful.

Many thanks
Laura

Yes, people of all ages cruise solo; however, picking the right ship & itinerary is the most important factor so finding a good travel agent to assist you in find the best cruise for you. Clearly a 3 month round the world cruise isn't going to attract many if any 30 year olds. The longer and/or the more luxurious the cruise the older the client base although solo cruisers do go on these cruises too! It's pretty safe to say any 7 day Caribbean/Mexico cruise on RCCL/NCL/Carnival is going to have a fairly good group of solo cruisers. Several travel companies offer single group cruises which is another option. You are guarantee to meet and dine with other solo cruises which is not always the case if your book independently. They offer share matches to avoid the 100% single supplement. Usually they provide a host to organize cocktail parties, dining and shore tours. Some sailings are open to all ages and some are age specific 20's - 40's or 40's+. Some group sailings have a 30-40 singles to several hundreds on board. Some go looking for romance and some just for friendship. Whatever the case there is safety in numbers. Just Google singles cruises to find sailing dates and prices.

[imlivingmylife]

Originally Posted by MrsP1981

Hi - i have recently seperated from my husband after being together for 11 years. i love cruising and have been on 4 now.

However, i now have no one to go with! i know that people do cruise alone, however, my question is more about age ranges.

Do many people of my sort of age (say 25 - 35) travel alone? If anyone can share any experiences that would be really helpful.

Many thanks
Laura

Hey Laura
I just came back from my first solo just may 1rst and I was not exactly in your situation but my friends are either getting married and dont want to leave there S.O for 7-8 days and or couldnt afford it/ Take time for work.
I am 26 single and A female and I had the best time of my life. This is the perfect time to go. Your young and fun and people talk to you and do excursions and I went to the single meet and greet and I play in the casino and no lie if you can handle the smoke the sports bars. You will meet tons of people. Dont be shy and dont be scared to go. I met day 1 a woman 36 who brought her daughter who stayed in carnival cc or something camp carnival thingy. But again we kinda hung out and dinner you will meet other solos and people there. I again had the time of my life. I met and partied with so many people. You should do it!

[RollTideRollRich]

Originally Posted by MrsP1981

Thanks both. i'm just scared i won't have anything in common with an older age range but i know that's silly really as i am friends at home with people off all ages.

i really think i might do it!!! i think a shorter one to start with to test it out!

thanks again!

Just do it. I stared at a cruise for like a week wondering if I should. Even after figuring out I'd easily be able to budget it money/vacation time wise, I still waited some time until I decided to have a few drinks, and now here we are!

[kitty9]

I did my very first solo cruise to the Med when I was 43. It was a small Seabourn ship, and the other passengers were quite a bit older than me, but I was totally hooked after that cruise. Now, some 30 cruises later, I'm still hooked on solo cruising. I know there is a "fright" factor, but believe me, once you're on the ship, those fears go away and you're ready for a great experience.

[vacation luvver]

I took my first solo cruise when I was 25, and it wasn't until I was 56 that I cruised with a friend.

Solo cruising is great, as you can get up when you want, eat when you want, do what you want, etc. But I would caution against sailing with NCL as a solo unless you will be perfectly happy eating all of your meas by yourself. It probably won't happen. You're bound to meet some people, and either they or you will suggest sharing a meal, but with NCL's Freestyle, there aren't any table assignments, and everyone shows up for meals whenever they want, and a lot of people seem to book NCL because they are thrilled at the prospect of not having to share their meals with pesky strangers, and they will object or make a face if you indicate that you would like to sit with them.

I would recommend booking Royal Caribbean and booking My Time Dining and showing up at the dining room every night without a reservation and asking to sit with others. Then you can be sure that the other people you eat with are happy to eat with strangers.

[MrsP1981]

i just wanted to say how much i appreciate everyone's help with this. i now have my travel agent looking at options for me!

The only problem is that, now i've made the decision, i want to go ASAP before i change my mind!!! However, the options are now quite limited in the next couple of months.

Fingers crossed the right one comes up - i'll keep you all posted!

[room010]

Although happily married I sometimes cruise solo because my beloved really doesn't enjoy it and only comes along on sufferance so I suffer too! Cruising is one of the best ways to travel solo because it's such an easy way to meet new people.

[travelpeon]

Originally Posted by MrsP1981

Do many people of my sort of age (say 25 - 35) travel alone? If anyone can share any experiences that would be really helpful.

Indeed they do! I travel solo and so do several friends. Some even go around the world on RTW tickets. It is fairly normal to meet people in this age group in hostels though I like to stay in hotels. There's usually more interaction in hostels, I'm told.

NCL Epic sounds like a good first solo option for people who like to let their hair down and shake it . I went solo on Celebrity Eclipse and really enjoyed the atmosphere, art, food, and relaxation. There were other people my age and everyone (younger or older) was very nice and interesting to talk to. Also important to me was that I was able to enjoy my solo relaxation time, too. A peaceful balcony, the waves, and a good library is an excellent way to de-stress.

[raylene5]

I know what you mean...I was a little nervous about cruising solo because of my age...I'm 33 and I didn't think many people (especially women) my age cruised solo. I am married and have 4 kids...that's why I'm cruising solo!!! Ha ha

I'm booked for my first solo this October on a Carnival Mexican Riviera cruise and I can't wait! Good luck!

[thescot123]

Originally Posted by raylene5

I know what you mean...I was a little nervous about cruising solo because of my age...I'm 33 and I didn't think many people (especially women) my age cruised solo. I am married and have 4 kids...that's why I'm cruising solo!!! Ha ha

I'm booked for my first solo this October on a Carnival Mexican Riviera cruise and I can't wait! Good luck!

Enjoy yourself. Sounds like you deserve the break from the 4 kids. I will be on my 5th solo cruise in Oct and really enjoy the freedom. Unlike you, I don't have any kids and live a single/solo life at home. Go ahead and pamper yourself on this cruise.

Enjoy.

[travelnap]

Originally Posted by raylene5

I know what you mean...I was a little nervous about cruising solo because of my age...I'm 33 and I didn't think many people (especially women) my age cruised solo. I am married and have 4 kids...that's why I'm cruising solo!!! Ha ha

I'm booked for my first solo this October on a Carnival Mexican Riviera cruise and I can't wait! Good luck!

Raylene5, Your quote brought back some great memories for me. My very first cruise as a solo was on Carnival, and I was seated at a table with 6 gals from Minnesota. They were all married and sailing without their husbands, and they varied in ages from about 25 to 60. They had told me that their husbands go deer hunting every year so they decided to take the cruise as their getaway. We had a lot of fun as a couple of them were real characters and I have been accused of that myself from time to time. You don't have to be single to have an enjoyable solo cruise. I hope you enjoy your cruise.

[outerspaceguy]

Originally Posted by MrsP1981

Do many people of my sort of age (say 25 - 35) travel alone? If anyone can share any experiences that would be really helpful.

At the end of this month I'll have 5 cruising credits recorded on my Princess account , 7 on my Celebrity account, 1 on RCCL, as well as other cruises...

I'm 34 (and cruised solo for most of those vacations).

We do exist.

[MrsP1981]

I've done it!! I've booked a 4 night Royal Caribbean cruise in August - yay!!

I now feel slightly sick, very broke and a little excited!

Thanks so much for your messages of support and encouragement.

[RollTideRollRich]

Originally Posted by MrsP1981

I've done it!! I've booked a 4 night Royal Caribbean cruise in August - yay!!

I now feel slightly sick, very broke and a little excited!

Thanks so much for your messages of support and encouragement.

Woohoo