I really want to go on a cruise this year in 2014, but don't have anyone to go with. So my questions are this:
How did you make that first step in going solo? My roommate forgot his passport, so I really had no warning that I would be alone :(
Did you have fears of never leaving your cabin/room? Kind of. I forced myself to go to every activity in hopes of meeting people. The first day I met some ladies at the singles mixer (I went with the intention of meeting single ladies/ladies cruising alone. Men don't go to these types of events, and there are usually not that many single, straight men on cruises anyway.) The second day I did the Bar Crawl and met another young lady who lived right by me and we hit it off. She was traveling with her family (all couples), so it worked out perfectly. We are still close friends.
Where did you cruise to? Southern Carribean on a 10 day cruise...so the average age is about 107. This past cruise, my roommate bailed at the last minute (work), but I was with 4 other people. It was a 3 day party cruise, and there were a lot more single people/friend groups. Although I didn't do dinner or anything with people I met, I easily could have. I would recommend this type of cruise if you are nervous. Its short, it has a lot of non-couples, and you can't not have a good time.
What ships cater or like having solo travelers? No idea, except NCL has the solo rooms with a solo meeting area on the Epic. That would be a good place to find dining companions b/c they don't have set dining.
At ports did you stay on the ship or adventure off? Def get off. I cruise for activities in port.
How did you pick your excursions? This was the worst part. I had planned some epic private excursions with my friend, but didn't feel safe to travel alone with a guide I found on the internet. I wish I would have know it would go so well, I would have enjoyed the cruise more! You can always plan private stuff, and then ask the guide to let stragglers in port come with you. You can meet some people on the ship, or on the CC boards, you can find other people on your cruise to share an excursion with. Since this happened, I make sure that all of my excursions are ones I am comfortable doing alone or with people I don't know. For things like snorkeling, I bite the bullet and book through the ship or through an external company, so there is a group. Basically, pick things you want to do and figure out a way to do them. Don't just pick something because it is easy.
How long was your first solo cruise? 10 days. Eeek!
Dinner, I don't even want to go there. That is #1 fear. Eating by yourself in a packed restaurant EEKKK! Help needed on this one. I think that eating alone is something everyone should be comfortable with, but then I live alone and travel on business a lot. 1st, as long as you are comfortable with it, other people will be too (or they will be jealous of your independence). 2nd, try it for lunch first, get a table by a window, bring a book, order dessert. 3rd, I have had people offer to let me join them when I say its just me. Go for it, you can always escape at lunch. I have had great random dining companions. I have also had dining companions that were so crazy it made for an entertaining evening AND great stories for later!
Any helpful advice is appreciated. I am shy female not young, not old either. I really want to cruise to the Eastern Caribbean, not Bahamas I've been there. Any tips on a good first solo cruise?
Fear of Cruising alone
in Solo Cruisers
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Have fun!