A New Solo Sailor

[tjcletsgo]

Hello, I am sailing on my first solo cruise on the Mexican Crown 12/6 sailing the Mexican Rivera cruise. Can anyone give me tips on how to have a great cruise?

 

Thanks so much!

 

Janie

[pkt1976]

Go to events and activities that interest you so you meet people who enjoy the sames things that you do would be my #1 :)

[Colo Cruiser]

Just get to the ship ontime, everthing else will fall into place. ;)

[shredie]

Join your roll call.

[cpcanuck]

Welcome to sailing solo! I have taken a few cruises solo and have discovered that I absolutely love it. Now I happen to be a fairly strong introvert and I am quite comfortable doing things on my own. What I love about cruising is that it is safe, fun, relaxing and there is much that you can participate in or not. That's the beauty of sailing solo - you are not competing or negotiating with others about what you will do throughout the day. You get to decide!

 

Definitely sign up for your roll call - you might discover other solo travellers there. Get involved in something that interests you. Lots of activities are open to individuals - trivia, wine tasting, card playing. I usually end up booking cruise excursions rather than trying to book something on my own because most private excursions want a minimum # of passengers.

 

Don't be afraid to join in a conversation in the lounges/bars, by the pool, etc. Most folks are really nice, and you may end up connecting with others for an occasional meal.

 

I hope you enjoy your first solo venture!

[snowflakesb]

I went solo for the first time on RC Oasis of the seas 2 years ago and I admit I was a little nervous going on my own. I had such a good time, I met so many people and I loved being able to chose what I did without having anyone else to consider. There was a singles get together at one of the bars on the second night and I met a lot of great people there. Just explore the ship and you will be surprised how much fun you will have, people are very friendly on board. I am going on a 3 day Vancouver to LA Solo in October, can't wait.

 

Have a great cruise

[ChiGal1962]

Hello, I am sailing on my first solo cruise on the Mexican Crown 12/6 sailing the Mexican Rivera cruise. Can anyone give me tips on how to have a great cruise?

 

Thanks so much!

 

Janie

 

I love traveling solo (other than the price, of course!). You can be with other people or be by yourself as much as you want.

 

Yes, do join your roll call - I've pre-met a lot of great people through those, and there are often group activities that are planned, which you can join or not join, as you wish.

 

Personally, I like doing traditional dining when traveling solo. I enjoy having the same dinner partners for the cruise, and I'm not a fan of dining alone or making that "just met you chit chat" every single night. I haven't sailed Princess yet (going in 3 weeks - yay!), so not sure how good they are at putting together mixed tables with anytime dining, if that appeals to you more.

 

Check out the Solo Cruisers boards (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=373) for a lot more ideas. Bottom line, whatever you want to do, you can do!

 

Enjoy :)

[Treven]

I always cruise alone and wouldn't have it any other way. As already been posted, the one thing that's most important is getting to the ship on time.

 

Just think, you won't have to share the bathroom with anyone!:D

[nanwel]

Relax and try not to worry - you will have a great time.

Look at the port trips ahead of time, if there are some you want to do, sign up, so you do not miss out. If you do not see an outtrip you like, you may find others have made up an outrip you can join on the roll call, or I often take a taxi or hop on hop off bus and travel a new city on my own - just make sure to be back on board in plenty of time!

As stated, join the roll call - if there are enough people they have a couple of events - sometimes they meet for dinner the night before.

When you go to the buffet for breakfast or lunch - look for a table with one or two people at it and ask if you can join them.

Or do the restraunt lunch/breakfast - they will sit you at a table of 8 - 12 great way to meet others.

Do not be intimidated that you are solo - just do your own thing and enjoy.

Some cruises I meet people and have a great time with them - others I do not - every cruise is different.

I am trying the open seating my next cruise, and I plan to ask for a large table to see what happens - love talking to new people.

I have tried the singles meet and greets - they too can be good or bad - found 1 and everyone wanted to do a bed crawl - not my thing, one a lady stuck with me like glue - had to unstick her, I have met people, that at least when I see them aboard - we say hello - how are things going etc.

Do what you want, when you want, others will be friendly and you will enjoy the cruise! I have sailed over 20cruises on different ships, and never had a bad cruise - love the safety of having a place to stay in all the different cities in the world

[Coral]

I have cruised several times by myself and enjoy it. IMO, I like it as I am not always compromising with someone on what to do.

 

I am somewhat different from others, that I don't need to join any groups or be entertained. I am with people all the time, so I do enjoy my time alone on a cruise. I am content with finding a quiet corner and reading a book. If I do meet some nice people to dine with (which I usually do), it is icing on the cake. I don't go to any single get togethers or anything like that.

 

For ports that are new to me, I almost always do shore excursions on the ship or through roll call as it dawned on me that if I venture out on my own and "disappear or get hurt", no one would know. I have no problems going out on my own in Alaska or some other areas but for areas I am not familiar with, I do encourage group shore excursions. I say this, but I am one who will walk around Russia by myself so I always don't listen to my own advice (though I was familiar with the area).

Edited September 13, 2014 by Coral

[tjcletsgo]

Actually, the more I think about it, the more I like the idea! I can do whatever I want without worrying about anyone else! And yes, I did join our roll call and hope to meet some nice people!:D

 

Thanks again for all your posts!

 

Janie

[cpcanuck]

Actually, the more I think about it, the more I like the idea! I can do whatever I want without worrying about anyone else! And yes, I did join our roll call and hope to meet some nice people!:D

 

Thanks again for all your posts!

 

Janie

 

Good for you! It's all in the attitude - and you've got it in spades! Enjoy!:)

[cdngrl]

my number one tip is join the roll call as well. you will then 'know' people to wave to around the ship.

 

I always have done anytime dining and asked to share a table. I don't mind the chit-chat as I don't have to come up with new conversation every night! my next cruise I am trying traditional; I may find I prefer it, especially if there are good table-mates.

 

like coral, I love my time on my own with a book or people watching.

 

the best is doing what I want when I want, eating or not, going to bed early or late, having the bed and bathroom to myself, using all the hangers...

 

because of the price going solo, I book interiors which is good for me. it forces me to go out and be with others. when I've had an ocean view or balcony, I tend to stay in my cabin more.

 

enjoy your trip!

[Blue Horizon]

The best advice is don't hesitate to SMILE and just say hello to people. Almost everyone you see is on vacation and looking to enjoy themselves. Don't hesitate to initiate small talk. You know the second question is always, "where are you from" and that opens up further conversation.

 

Great idea to schedule ship sponsored excursions and dine primarily in the main dinning room at a fixed time. You can always change that later to anytime dining if you choose. You're going to have a great time and probably make some new friends for life.

[USNUZULOOSE]

Oh my, if it were me I would have no problem reading all day. No one to interrupt. And get to eat when and where I want. :D

[stoneharborlady]

I have tried the singles meet and greets - they too can be good or bad - found 1 and everyone wanted to do a bed crawl - not my thing, one a lady stuck with me like glue - had to unstick her, I have met people, that at least when I see them aboard - we say hello - how are things going etc.

 

I will probably be incredibly sorry that I asked this question, but what on earth is a bed crawl???

[nanwel]

Maybe bedcrawl was not the right wording, but we had a meet and greet for singles, it was a cruise with a lot of singles on board on a group singles tour - they were all over each other, and making sleeping arrangements for the night - at the first night - I had one polite drink and made a point to distance myself from them.

Have had meet and greets where it was only a few singles, and we would stop and chat when we saw each other on the cruise.

Like others, I am used to being alone, and do not mind - rather read than spend a whole day with someone I do not care for.

Unusual circumstance for sure!

[stoneharborlady]

Maybe bedcrawl was not the right wording, but we had a meet and greet for singles, it was a cruise with a lot of singles on board on a group singles tour - they were all over each other, and making sleeping arrangements for the night - at the first night - I had one polite drink and made a point to distance myself from them.

Have had meet and greets where it was only a few singles, and we would stop and chat when we saw each other on the cruise.

Like others, I am used to being alone, and do not mind - rather read than spend a whole day with someone I do not care for.

Unusual circumstance for sure!

 

 

 

Oh my, thats what I was afraid it meant.:(

[Cruisin' Lisa]

Hi Janie

 

i too am going solo on that ship Dec 6th. Although I also cruise with family and hubby -- on this one, he cant take the time off whereas I am self employed (and I had some cruise "credits" that I needed to use before the end of this year).

 

Looking forward to relaxing and just having some "me" time -- because what I do when I am going solo by myself is often totally different than what I do when I am cruising with my family.

[tjcletsgo]

Hi Janie

 

i too am going solo on that ship Dec 6th. Although I also cruise with family and hubby -- on this one' date=' he cant take the time off whereas I am self employed (and I had some cruise "credits" that I needed to use before the end of this year).

 

Looking forward to relaxing and just having some "me" time -- because what I do when I am going solo by myself is often totally different than what I do when I am cruising with my family.[/quote']

 

Hi Lisa, glad to meet a "normal" cruiser with no agenda. Maybe we can have a drink and have a great meet and greet. I've beem single for about 40 years and am used to being on my own, and prefer my own company to most. I also raised two daughters, a senior supervising social worker for the County of San Diego and my youngest who is a deli manager for Costco. I can entertain myself, but sometimes great people can add to the moment. Hope we can meet on this shiip! :):D

[Gwendy]

Hi

 

I have cruised many times on my own. Don't be daunted by the fact you are on your own. Go to the bar and have a drink, if this is what you want to do, go to trivia, someone will invite you to join their group, they are all on holiday and friendly. Go to shows, whatever you want to do. Mooch in your cabin if you want and read all day, your holiday. Join the roll call, mix with the ones who are like you and avoid the others. I always have a great time, shore tours are best booked with the ship unless you know the area very well. Just put a smile on, use it on everyone and enjoy.

[Cruisin' Lisa]

Hi Janie;

 

Would love to meet up with you -- I dont drink much, so maybe a specialty coffee instead?

 

Not sure what excursions I will be doing -- if I do any at all. . . .but I have 2.5 months to explore the options :) Definitely plan to read, hangout on the beach or by the pool, lose some money playing slots in the casino. . .maybe arrange for a massage in one of the three ports in Mexico.

 

I have four kids ages 26 - 20 (our youngest just turned 20 yesterday -- so no more teenagers). My oldest just finished getting her master degree and lives in NYC, my 23 yo just started law school in Boston this fall , my 22 yo is teaching the next two years in Alabama and then wants to go to graduate school, and my youngest is a junior at UCLA. We have an "empty nest" except when our kids come home for the summers or for Holidays. . .and I am slowly getting used to NOT cooking for 6 (or even 12 as when I used to make a "double" meal)

 

I guess the good thing about being an almost fully "empty nester" (although I still work) is having the luxury of going on a solo cruise this Dec.

Edited September 14, 2014 by Cruisin' Lisa

[tjcletsgo]

Hi Janie;

 

Would love to meet up with you -- I dont drink much' date=' so maybe a specialty coffee instead?

 

Not sure what excursions I will be doing -- if I do any at all. . . .but I have 2.5 months to explore the options :) Definitely plan to read, hangout on the beach or by the pool, lose some money playing slots in the casino. . .maybe arrange for a massage in one of the three ports in Mexico.

 

I have four kids ages 26 - 20 (our youngest just turned 20 yesterday -- so no more teenagers). My oldest just finished getting her master degree and lives in NYC, my 23 yo just started law school in Boston this fall , my 22 yo is teaching the next two years in Alabama and then wants to go to graduate school, and my youngest is a junior at UCLA. We have an "empty nest" except when our kids come home for the summers or for Holidays. . .and I am slowly getting used to NOT cooking for 6 (or even 12 as when I used to make a "double" meal)

 

I guess the good thing about being an almost fully "empty nester" (although I still work) is having the luxury of going on a solo cruise this Dec.[/quote']

 

Sounds great, Lisa, you might want to check out our roll call. I don't drink much except when I'm on vacation and the ship is my "designated driver":p

[ctemkg]

Hello, I am sailing on my first solo cruise on the Mexican Crown 12/6 sailing the Mexican Rivera cruise.

 

Janie

 

Hi Janie. I am also on this sailing and cruise solo often. You will have a great time as you will be able to do what you want, when you want. You can decide what to do on the fly, so to speak. Feel free to say hi at some point. I will be active in the roll call soon. Looking forward to meeting you and the other CCers on the cruise.

 

Larry

[tjcletsgo]

Hi Janie. I am also on this sailing and cruise solo often. You will have a great time as you will be able to do what you want, when you want. You can decide what to do on the fly, so to speak. Feel free to say hi at some point. I will be active in the roll call soon. Looking forward to meeting you and the other CCers on the cruise.

 

Larry

 

Hi Larry, looking forward to meeting you! See you at sailaway:D