JWinATL

For those posting here who are widowed, my condolences. I, too, had the love of my life pass away in November of 2008. I took two singles' cruises in the Caribbean, and it was not for me. So, I thought I would test going solo this past November.

I sailed out of San Juan on the Celebrity Summit, and I had a BLAST. Due to the TA I had and being a solo, I could not opt for traditional dining. That was a bummer for me, because one of the things I missed out on with the singles groups was that dinner was always at 8:30, and you pretty much missed the shows since our cocktail events were just ahead of dinner. The first night on my solo, I had arranged to be seated at a large table at 6. Well, there were 3 couples, none of whom knew each other, and a single male (don't get excited). We all hit it off so well (except for the solo male) that we ate together every night thereafter at 6. We even went to shows together. It was a great time.

As for sea days, I found people very friendly at the pools, in the shops, etc. Also, the excursions were a lot of fun. I always find a family to adopt me or other singles, so it works out fine.

Just go with NO EXPECTATIONS, and you will be fine. Personally, I've been married twice: once to a jerk; and once to the love of my life. C'est la vie!

I retired at age 63 (2 years ago), and I am LOVING it. I worked in the financial services industry, and I had a job in a large life insurance company years ago which offered one of the last non-contributory pensions in the private sector if you worked over 10 years for the company. I darn near wanted to slash my wrists by the time I left after 14 years, but it made it possible for me to make it (along with other sources) and enjoy cruising!.

As for when I started counting the days, I decided a year in advance, but I didn't tell my employer until 6 weeks out. My husband died suddenly at age 64, two months before he was to retire, and I made up my mind it wasn't going to happen to me. I have never regretted my decision.

It looks like I will be doing a solo cruise this year. I've gone on solo vacations several times but this will be my first solo cruise. No one else can go and I just don't want to wait anymore!! lol I have wanted to go to Egypt since I was a kid. I wanted to go on this cruise for my 35th birthday and had all the money saved up. I was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer in 2009 and went through 6 months of treatments. It's gone now!!! I was fiercely independant before I got sick (moved out of state on my own, bought a house on my own) and that all went away after I got sick. The surgeries and treatments knocked me down and this cruise is a way to pick myself back up and find that feisty chick again. I admit I'm a little nervous going on my own and I've never been out of the country before, but I am also really excited and since the cruise isn't for 9 more months, that's 9 months to heal a bit more and plan everything out. It's very encouraging to read the threads from people who have gone solo and had a blast. Oh, and this summer I'll be 36 so I am only off by one year!!!

I hope you enjoy your first solo cruise. Congrats on beating cancer. You are a fighter, and I am sure that your warm spirit will serve you well.

Welcome, Carla! Hope you enjoy your first solo - let us know how it goes!

To Kubies: So sorry for your loss. I was married to my second husband for about 24 years when he passed away in November, and he was my best friend, too. It loses it's surreal aspect after a while.

I am about to embark on my first solo cruise in December (haven't booked it yet - tomorrow, I think), but I took two singles' cruises. I am interested in the River cruises, also.

I'll jump in here with my story. My name is Jill. I am retired, 65 years old, and I lost my husband to a heart attack suddenly in November of 2008 (which is why I retired at 63-life's too short). I have taken two singles' cruises, but they are not for me. I have done 5 cruises altogether, three with my husband. Other than the Caribbean 4 times, I have been to Alaska; but, I am open to going to the Panama Canal and Europe at some point.

I have never gone totally solo, but I will tell you that singles' cruises are pretty much a solo adventure, too. I just found the atmosphere to be too clicky for me, so I thought I would try it totally on my own. I am pretty outgoing - I was a commercial mortgage loan officer when I was working, so you really had to put yourself out there.

I have a very sweet male greyhound who totally runs the house - used to have two greys, but I had to put the female down shortly after my husband died. I am pretty conversant on the breed, and would be happy to share his/their antics with whomever wants to hear!