Eating single. What would you do?

[IndyDenise]

How do you get access to the Combine? I thought it was not open to the public - just the NFL and media. GO COLTS!

 

I worked( volunteered ) for the NFL during Media Day /Super Bowl and they told us how to get invited to a lot of the media events.

 

There is a website that picks about 150 people. You have to jump on it when they offer it to you. The first year is iffy, didn't get it. Next year I did. From what I heard once you are in you will be in every year. I even made sure I wasn't going to be cruising during it.

 

Met Boom Herron and Bjorn Werner ( had a lot of fun with Bjorn ) . NFL had a nice lunch for us in the suite area. I filmed ( with tablemates ) a promo thing for the NFL that never got used, can't say I blame them. Then we are escorted into the seating area under threat of death to maintain complete and utter silence. Seriously, we had a lot of handlers with us. Pretty freaking awesome. No cameras No phones No nothing..except for a bag of stuff the NFL gave us ( radio, headphones, stopwatch etc )

 

Okay the website is 1iota, anyone can sign up. If you are local and they send you an invite and all of the past guests say yes the worse that will happen is you will get wait listed.

 

In order to keep this on topic...I admire single travelers! They have gumption and courage and strength of spirit. !!!!!!!

Edited November 18, 2014 by IndyDenise

[IndyDenise]

Nordic Combine???:confused:

 

Yeah, at least Indy feels that way today :D

[IndyDenise]

I have no desire to vacation alone...

 

 

Well I am glad my mom has that attitude too. In the past she did Europe and South America on her own.

 

She has figured out that it is better with me around. I am her personal tour guide. I love it. I get to see the world, go on nice cruises, and play the best role ever, Travel AGENT!!!! I love planning trips.

 

That said, she has always had a great time solo. Met nice people and never felt lonely.

[Topsham]

I chose a table by myself. (I'm shy ) and I have to say I got excellent service and enjoyed it.

 

So I'd say it depends on the individual. For us, we like the Lido and the wonderful windows. I found the staff there quite friendly too.

 

Some of have my best cruise experiences were when sitting alone.

 

I have had my own table... and if I meet some one I can invite someone for for dinner for that evening. Canaletto is great for solo dining. You can have a nice table and if you go a few more than once, the waiters will be know you and will always be friendly.

 

Pinnacle is difficult. Fine if you want to be solo in that occasion.... meet one or two or even a small group... say... "Hey, why don't we make a table up for Pinnacle?"

 

The best thing with solo is that you have all the choices. You can with, or without, if you change plan.... change your own plans.

 

The only thing to do is 'smile'! Say 'Hello!' Be prepared to chat and listen. Sometime hard with strangers.... just be prepared.... one way or the other!

 

Something you don;t see so much these days.... in the old days.... well, 30 years ago.... to meet people all one did was to have a drink at the bar. Sailed with so many singles and couples.... never went without someone to spend time. A lot of those people are life time friends.

 

One fun dining evening .... sitting at the Ocean Bar on a formal night. Decided I was going to skip dinner. About 8.30 the Chief Officer... now Captain Bos, said," Why no dinner." I just told him I was being lazy. He would not take that so he called a call and then a waiter came to the bar and then me took a table. The 'table' was a little table in the Head Chef's office in the middle of the kitchen! Took the jacket off and bow tie off... the chef poured some wine and then said.... "You will have this....!" Way to go!

 

Cruising is for fun. Make your own fun ... you won't be disappointed!

 

Stephen

[zackiedawg]

I've never cruised solo before, but wouldn't hesitate to do so if the opportunity ever came. I travel solo in other situations, and quite enjoy it - I take 3-4 family or friend trips to Disney World every year, but also always take at least 2 solo trips - staying for 4-5 days and not worrying about what other people want to do...the situation is much the same there as I like to eat at good restaurants rather than fast food, so I dine solo or join in to communal tables or bar/kitchen bar type spots when available.

 

On a cruise, I personally would prefer to choose fixed dining if I was cruising solo. I'd opt for a larger table - at least 6, maybe 8 or 10...that gives me the chance to meet larger groups, and more of a chance of landing a party of 3, possibly another solo cruiser, etc. rather than just 1 or two couples. Either way, I like to have a group I get to know, and can get over any awkwardness on the first day, rather than explaining to every table that I'm solo every night - not out of any embarrassment but just because it would get tiresome saying it each night.

 

Someday if the opportunity for a cruise comes, and I have no family or friends who can clear their schedule and join, then I'd jump right on and cruise solo...I think it might be quite fun. Even when I do cruise with family or friends, I always like to spend solo time on the ship, finding my own quiet spots to read, or enjoying photography, so I'm not with my party much of the day. When on islands, I'm big on walking and hiking, and self-exploring, sometimes 8-10 miles or more of walking, and often my friends or family are not interested in that, so I've been by myself at several ports joining up with them later in the day. So even though I've never cruised solo, I spend quite a bit of my time solo anyway!

[TubbyMrT]

Traveling as a single, I was assigned to a table for four. It turns out that the table had a newly wed couple. Plus me of course. It was very awkward watching them gaze into each others eyes as I ate. Needless to say, I never returned to the dining room for the rest of the cruise. Yikes!

 

Since then, I always sit at a large table with strangers. I feel a little more invisible and get to meet other people. Sadly, most of the time I am too tired to get dressed up for dinner and end up at the buffet anyway.

[sail7seas]

I have no desire to vacation alone...

 

Would you welcome a solo to your dining table if there was an empty seat?

 

As newly in the position of choosing whether to travel solo or not, I wonder how many would turn me away should I request to join others?

 

I promise I know which fork to use and have acceptable table manners. :D

 

[Dave in NJ]

My experiences are very similar to dot73, I've been a single cruiser for decades and decades and absolutely detest open seating for dinner, enough that if it's the only dining option I'd probably not take the cruise. Rather than briefly meet a different set of people at each meal and barely get to know them well-enough to nod or wave as we pass in subsequent days, I enjoy a large table late fixed seating and actually get to know my tablemates. They've been varied and interesting, good conversationalists, interesting experiences to relate, well-travelled, and very easy to get comfortable with. We've taken shore excursions together and in some cases we've kept in touch for years, even taken subsequent cruises together. And if you find yourself with tablemates that don't suit, just ask to be moved - though that's not happened to me.

[Rala]

I have no desire to vacation alone...

 

Who cares. Why not try answering the OP's question...just for something new and different. :rolleyes:

[Lizzie68]

Would you welcome a solo to your dining table if there was an empty seat?

 

As newly in the position of choosing whether to travel solo or not, I wonder how many would turn me away should I request to join others?

 

I promise I know which fork to use and have acceptable table manners. :D

 

 

It's not the table manners that make for a pleasant meal, though, Sail. Back in the days when we requested a table for 6 or 8, the first night in the MDR one of our new table-mates monopolized the conversation, knew everything, and was just generally so full of himself the meal was an ordeal. But he did know his manners. We quietly asked for another table after that, and what do you know - it turned out so did the others! Two of them ended up at a table with us, and we became good friends.

[sail7seas]

It's not the table manners that make for a pleasant meal, though, Sail. Back in the days when we requested a table for 6 or 8, the first night in the MDR one of our new table-mates monopolized the conversation, knew everything, and was just generally so full of himself the meal was an ordeal. But he did know his manners. We quietly asked for another table after that, and what do you know - it turned out so did the others! Two of them ended up at a table with us, and we became good friends.

 

 

Lizzie, Cut it out. Talk about rude.

I asked another poster a legitimate question and sought an answer.

 

Edited November 18, 2014 by sail7seas

[Scrapnana]

My experiences are very similar to dot73, I've been a single cruiser for decades and decades and absolutely detest open seating for dinner, enough that if it's the only dining option I'd probably not take the cruise. Rather than briefly meet a different set of people at each meal and barely get to know them well-enough to nod or wave as we pass in subsequent days, I enjoy a large table late fixed seating and actually get to know my tablemates. They've been varied and interesting, good conversationalists, interesting experiences to relate, well-travelled, and very easy to get comfortable with. We've taken shore excursions together and in some cases we've kept in touch for years, even taken subsequent cruises together. And if you find yourself with tablemates that don't suit, just ask to be moved - though that's not happened to me.

 

I'm with you Dave. Open seating is not for me. On my last cruise I was at a table for ten. We started out as ten solo travelers which changed over 118 days but always remained predominately solos. We became very close (wine parties together, checked up on each other when someone got sick, etc.) and are still communicating. I can't imagine meeting nine new people every night!:eek:

[sail7seas]

I'm with you Dave. Open seating is not for me. On my last cruise I was at a table for ten. We started out as ten solo travelers which changed over 118 days but always remained predominately solos. We became very close (wine parties together, checked up on each other when someone got sick, etc.) and are still communicating. I can't imagine meeting nine new people every night!:eek:

 

 

:eek: I can't imagine meeting 5 or 6 new people every night with whom I would be dining. That would overwhelm me as a solo. Of course, 118 days cruise is quite another circumstance. What chance would there be to remember any of their names? :D

 

[kazu]

Would you welcome a solo to your dining table if there was an empty seat?

 

As newly in the position of choosing whether to travel solo or not, I wonder how many would turn me away should I request to join others?

 

I promise I know which fork to use and have acceptable table manners. :D

 

 

Sail, we have never turned away anyone that wanted to join us and I doubt that many have. I am sure you would be welcomed.

 

Lizzie, Cut it out. Talk about rude.

I asked another poster a legitimate question and sought an answer.

 

 

 

 

I didn't think the post was rude, but maybe I missed the boat. Lizzie makes a good point. I am sure someone like yourself knows that part of being a good dinner companion is taking interest in others. Sadly, some people don't. I thought Lizzie's example of what happened was a good one to aware of? We have changed tables because of the same type of persona.

Edited November 18, 2014 by kazu

[sapper1]

Lizzie, Cut it out. Talk about rude.

I asked another poster a legitimate question and sought an answer.

 

 

Sail, that was very harsh and undeserved. Lizzie was being very pleasant and making a point. You often answer questions that weren't addressed to you yourself. I think maybe you are just having a bad hair day and Lizzie should receive an apology.

[Jadeone]

Thanks for such great responses and ideas! I really appreciate it. Maybe someday I'll be seated with you and get to meet such welcoming people.

[Typhoon1]

You'll make plenty of new friends at a large table.

[sapper1]

If the day should come when I cruise alone I think I would ask for a large table in fixed dining.

I also think that even if I cruised with a friend I would want my own cabin.

[chrispb]

I have no desire to vacation alone...

 

Why? So, if none of your friends/family wanted to travel to a country that you were longing to see, you would be prepared to forego an opportunity?

[sail7seas]

If the day should come when I cruise alone I think I would ask for a large table in fixed dining.

I also think that even if I cruised with a friend I would want my own cabin.

 

No question in my mind I'd have my own cabin.

I will need my private time to adjust to traveling without my DH. It

would not be fair to share with anyone else.

[Lizzie68]

Lizzie, Cut it out. Talk about rude.

I asked another poster a legitimate question and sought an answer.

 

 

What on earth are you talking about? And how dare you call my post rude. You are waaaaay out of line with this one, but I can't say I am surprised.

[CowPrincess]

Would you welcome a solo to your dining table if there was an empty seat?

 

>SNIP<

 

 

We are always welcoming and pleasant to our table companions, be it for one meal or an entire cruise. I cannot imagine anyone being so gauche as to be less than hospitable, in most instances. (There was one table mate for the Mariner Embarkation lunch that if i EVER EVER have to share a meal with again, I will jump overboard, but that was definitely a "one off". )

 

DH and I have developed a close friendship with a "solo" who was our dinner companion for a cruise. We remain in regular contact, and any time I am in her city we get together.

 

It's not the table manners that make for a pleasant meal, though, Sail. Back in the days when we requested a table for 6 or 8, the first night in the MDR one of our new table-mates monopolized the conversation, knew everything, and was just generally so full of himself the meal was an ordeal.>SNIP<

 

So glad you mentioned that, Lizzie, as I know that some people have an unnecessary concern that their "table manners" are inadequate. IMHO not worth worrying about at all. The least of the things necessary to an enjoyable dinner experience IMHO. Seriously, who cares if you use the wrong fork? Who is even going to notice, right?

[peaches from georgia]

Actually I don't even understand the purpose of or need for asking whether a solo would be welcomed at a table. Why wouldn't a solo be as welcome as a couple? The days of women being afraid to travel alone or looked at strangely for doing so, are long over and no one thinks anything of it. A single pax need not even give a reason for doing so. If people are at a table larger than for 2 they have requested to have other pax at their table, so why would they reject anyone? A solo is like any other person except with a couple there is double the chance of their not being compatible. :confused:

Edited November 18, 2014 by peaches from georgia

[CowPrincess]

If the day should come when I cruise alone I think I would ask for a large table in fixed dining.

I also think that even if I cruised with a friend I would want my own cabin.

 

I also vote for "own cabin". :) I travelled with friends this year, and I had my own cabin. Still, not a day went by that I wasn't sorely tempted to toss one of them overboard :D

 

(Disclosure: I do not share space well, so your mileage may vary ;) )

[casamariposa]

Actually I don't even understand the purpose of or need for asking whether a solo would be welcomed at a table. Why wouldn't a solo be as welcome as a couple? The days of women being afraid to travel alone or looked at strangely for doing so, are long over and no one thinks anything of it. A single pax need not even give a reason for doing so. If people are at a table larger than for 2 they have requested to have other pax at their table, so why would they reject anyone? A solo is like any other person except with a couple there is double the chance of their not being compatible. :confused:

 

I'm a "solo" and have traveled solo for years (decades, in fact)! I embark on Thursday on my third cruise in three years with one of the three married couples whom I met, purely by chance, because I just happened to be assigned to their six-top fixed seating table in 2011. I have made friends in that situation with couples and other singles. The overwhelming majority of people I've met are gracious and pleasant. I have never been made to feel like a "bump on a log." And, I take a single cabin, regardless of the cost.