RedgeToo

Hi I cruised from Rio de Janeiro to Marseille in March 22 on Seaside Steeler Nation at Sea has already answered your questions on drinks and laundry, although my understanding is MSC do not have passenger laundry facilities. You can, however, pay to have your laundry done by MSC. I don't know what the charge is. My opinion on cabins is if you tend to spend time in your cabin, a balcony is a must. If, like me, you're hardly ever in cabin, why pay for a balcony cabin? As I am a solo cruiser, I prefer to be out of the cabin so I have more opportunity to socialise. I spend most of my time on deck or if it's too hot for me, I just sit in one of the lounges to cool off. My next transatlantic is in March 23 from Barbados to Southampton. I prefer the West to East trip so I don't have an overnight flight (I'm UK based) Enjoy!

I'm a long time cruiser too but as I travel solo, I have to socialise. I talk to the people net to me at dinner (always the same table), in bars and even just passing by. Hopefully, I'm not too overbearing, but I have made friends that I'm still in touch with. I think overall I prefer a mid-size ship - small enough to meet people, but large enough that people can avoid me without appearing rude. JHMO

good point

They certainly don't want solos judging by their solo supplement prices! I understand they want as many people as possible but why does a single person have to pay 80-100% more for a cabin, even a solo cabin?

Royal Caribbean have hosted meet ups (at least in the UK), although the last one I went on the host showed up very late and left as soon as he realised he wasn't needed. MSC don't do anything afaik. P&O group solo cabins together and have an early morning (!) meet up in the nearby bar Princess seem to have an unhosted meet up The most fun I had with solo meet ups was on Allure of the Seas out of Southampton

I'm cruising over Christmas on Bellissima and 03/23 on Britannia to Southampton

Duh! Why didn't I think of that! Thanks!

Does anyone know if there's a UK edition of cruiseplum? Thanks

Couple of weeks The only problem I had was deciding if the cover was black or a really dark blue 🤣

The funny thing is I meant if you see me on a cruise, but this is fun too :)

😂 I've started something here, haven't I! Hello!

🤣🤣🤣👋👋👋

Me too, I prefer to fly west across the Atlantic and cruise back.

So sorry to hear about your loss. I love solo cruising and find the easiest way to meet people is to simply say hello especially when sitting at a bar or in a restaurant. If there's a solo event, I go to them and listen to people, chipping in where appropriate. If there isn't a solos event, I will just ask people if I can join them if the bar is full. The the bar is quieter, but I like it, I will sit down and say yes when anyone asks if they can have the spare seats. Simply saying "yes" a lot gets you far on a cruise! On my last cruise, I got friendly with a 70 year old woman, a 22 year old man, and a 28 year old woman. Coming up, I'm booked on MSC from Barcelona for Christmas and P&O from Barbados to Southampton in March 23. Happy days! Enjoy your cruise.

It doesn't sound pathetic at all. We all have insecurities and miss family and friends, so please don't berate yourself. As for me, I love sailing solo. It's a great chance to meet people from all over the world and have fun doing it :) Quoting from another thread: That's my attitude too, plus I like sailing solo as I get to meet lots of interesting (and some not so interesting) people along the way. My first solo meet-up was on the Allure of the Seas. I went to the straight meet-up and met good people agreeing to spend time together after dinner. A mix up later and we were at the gay meet-up by mistake. Long story short (I'll tell you the full story when I see you on the next ship!), the whole crowd got on so well, it was a meet-up, not either a straight or gay meet-up, it was just a group of new friends getting together for a beer or two. On my last cruise, I got friendly with a 70 year old woman, a 22 year old man, and a 28 year old woman. I'm still in touch via WhatsApp with several people I've met over the last few years. Coming up, I'm booked on MSC from Barcelona for Christmas and P&O from Barbados to Southampton in March 23. Say hello, I don't bite. Happy days!

Hmmm, specialty restaurants, November 26, NCL.... Where's my passport!

That's my attitude too, plus I like sailing solo as I get to meet lots of interesting (and some not so interesting) people along the way. My first solo meet-up was on the Allure of the Seas. I went to the straight meet-up and met good people agreeing to spend time together after dinner. A mix up later and we were at the gay meet-up by mistake. Long story short (I'll tell you the full story when I see you on the next ship!), the whole crowd got on so well, it was a meet-up, not either a straight or gay meet-up, it was just a group of new friends getting together for a beer or two. On my last cruise, I got friendly with a 70 year old woman, a 22 year old man, and a 28 year old woman. Coming up, I'm booked on MSC from Barcelona for Christmas and P&O from Barbados to Southampton in March 23. Happy days!