Solo RCI Cruisers - What's Been Your Experience...Good? Bad? Indifferent?

[LisaAtlCruiser]

OP here.

Thanks for all of these terrific responses. You've given me a lot to ponder on! Has RC ever given any of you a "deal" on a solo sailing, or is deal and solo an oxymoron? I know there's always a single supplement.

 

There are a few ships with studio cabins now. Still not as low as a double occupancy rate - but also not 200%. I cruised the studio on Brilliance as was surprised I really liked it. Very cozy - not cramped.

 

In March I have a studio balcony on Anthem and Dec '16/March '17 I have a studio OV on Harmony.

Edited July 11, 2015 by LisaAtlCruiser

[bearwholovestotravel]

I sailed my first solo in May of this year...not on RC but in CC...I had one of the best time of my life....I danced like l've not danced in years...met new people...it was just awesome....

I am going on another solo this September on NCL...

I only book cruises that is reasonably priced for one person...I would not pay too much more...because I have to consider my flight to a port...

I would encourage cruising SOLO...you will never know what to like till you yourself experience it...

Clara

[Virtopia]

OP here.

Thanks for all of these terrific responses. You've given me a lot to ponder on! Has RC ever given any of you a "deal" on a solo sailing, or is deal and solo an oxymoron? I know there's always a single supplement.

 

I've gotten good solo deals, but I think one of my best deals was on the Jewel and the Explorer. It was originally a 10 night sailing but it was less than $100 a day for solo supplement. I wish those deals would come back! However, my next cruise in September was booked in May 2014 and if I were to book it now, I'd be paying an extra $900. My friends are double occupancy and I only paid about $250 more than them for my cabin - it will be well worth it!!

[bearwholovestotravel]

The only deal that I have gotten was once I got to 340 cruise points, I pay 150% of the fare vs 200%. Except for months of July and August and holiday sailings.

 

 

 

However, you do get double cruise points sailing solo which to me is fair since you are paying much more.

 

 

Double cruise points?...have not happened to me yet...they don't even give me OBC for 2 people...

[Clarea]

Double cruise points?...have not happened to me yet...they don't even give me OBC for 2 people...

Extra cruise points for solo cruisers started in Oct 2013.

[Truluv]

And for what it's worth, I was told I'll get 3X the points for a JS.

[Clarea]

And for what it's worth, I was told I'll get 3X the points for a JS.

That's true.

[bearwholovestotravel]

That's for RC cruises only?

[dacsmom]

I frequently cruise solo and love it. I do what I want, when I want. For solo cruises I will pick traditional dining and request a large table, I have met so many wonderful people. One thing I tend to do differently is book excursions through the ship if I travel by myself. Or I will join in on an excursion organized in the roll call if there is one that I would like to do. Go with an open mind and have a great time.

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

I frequently cruise solo and love it. I do what I want, when I want. For solo cruises I will pick traditional dining and request a large table, I have met so many wonderful people. One thing I tend to do differently is book excursions through the ship if I travel by myself. Or I will join in on an excursion organized in the roll call if there is one that I would like to do. Go with an open mind and have a great time.

 

Yeah, I was looking at the excursions offered this year for the cruise I'm considering next year just to get an idea of what will probably be offered. The only place I'm likely going to do an independent one is Naples because I really want to see Positano and not just Sorrento and Amalfi - and at least this year none of the ship-based excursions go to Positano. But the others I'll do one of the ship-based ones.

 

Dining I still think I will go with MTD and hopefully be seated alone - it's just too awkward when there is nothing in common with tablemates, and given that that has happened to me twice (granted once was one night in a group rotation and once was on another line...but one that is pretty infamous for magically matching up people with similar interests/backgrounds), I don't really want to take that chance again.

[dacsmom]

That's for RC cruises only?

 

Yes on RC, if you are booked as a solo in a double cabin you get 2x the cruise points. If you book a JS or above add an additional point per night.

Edited July 11, 2015 by dacsmom

[snowbird1]

To be fair, I mentioned the MyTime dining room situation and the lack of options for solos' to the Pursar's Desk when I was getting my Platinum Internet credit applied. I got 4 calls from the dining room after that, offering to "try to find someone who would want to sit with me" if I came back. Gotta give them credit for trying :-).

 

Very sad they told you this because it is simply not true at all. With Mytime dinning they will definitely seat you with others in fact that is usually standard procedure. Now they may not be solo's or singles but you will meet people. As for me I like a small table to get in and out and prefer to socialize in other venues. As everyone says, doing what you want and when this the beauty of it.

 

 

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[AdrenalineRush]

That's for RC cruises only?

 

Also Celebrity

[klass2]

I'm going on my first solo cruise in one week from today on the oasis.

 

Thanks for the good info.

[Clarea]

I'm going on my first solo cruise in one week from today on the oasis.

 

Thanks for the good info.

Double check your C&A points about a week after you get back. Royal has a recurring "problem" where singles don't always get their double points automatically.

[cjdixon4]

I'm really getting a pretty good feel for whether I want to try this solo thing or not. This information is quite interesting and helpful.

[snowbird1]

Double check your C&A points about a week after you get back. Royal has a recurring "problem" where singles don't always get their double points automatically.

 

Lol, that is an understatement, mine I never been right, not once.

 

 

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[JamesEM]

I'm a guy in my 60's and did my first solo cruise this past Oct. on the Allure and was surprised on how easy it was to meet fellow passengers. Between the Diamond Lounge, the MDR, the casino, the clubs, and of all places the mini golf I was quite busy.

[138east]

Double check your C&A points about a week after you get back. Royal has a recurring "problem" where singles don't always get their double points automatically.

 

This is a really important suggestion from Bob. I did a 5 day Bermuda cruise solo in June and only got 5 points. However a quick call to Crown and Anchor (1-800-526-9723) remedied that within a few days. It has happened to me several times before as well.

 

Just be sure you understand what you are entitled to as a solo. If you book a SI or SB cabin, you do NOT get double points. For all other cabins you are paying a single supplement of some sort (does not have to be 200%) and are entitled to the double points.

[Hoopster95]

I'm really getting a pretty good feel for whether I want to try this solo thing or not. This information is quite interesting and helpful.

 

Hey cj, done many solos on RCL. Had great times and met new people on all of them. Going solo on Jewel Dec/15 & Harmony Jan/17. For an idea on solo life on RCL, my Serenade & Quantum reviews in my signature below were solo... superb trips and you'll see how many friends you can make.

 

Definitely try it. Happy cruising! :D

 

Edit: wanted to add a huge key is the roll call... met a ton of people pre-cruise, private excursions set up, etc. I'm fortunate to be D+ so I've been lucky to meet several fellow posters here on this forum that I finally met in person in the DL or CL, so basically I've had a bunch of people I already "know" first day on board. It just avalanches from there day by day as you meet even more people. Also be involved in the many activities offered like trivia, even belly-flop & sexiest man for example... people all over the ship will talk to you in the elevator etc and razz you when they recognize you and then all of a sudden they're on a same excursion as you... instant ship friends. Whatever you're into, you'll meet people if you're involved.

Edited July 12, 2015 by Hoopster95

[LilD]

I cruised solo for the first time last year on the Freedom (Eastern itinerary) and absolutely loved it! I had cruised twice before, both on RC (Mariner and Allure) so I felt most comfortable sticking with Royal as I knew what to expect when boarding, dining options, shows etc. Royal seems to put people of similar age groups together for dinner, so it was great having a large table of people ages 25-45 - definitely helped encourages conversation :) My table mates were so wonderful in including me and never once did I feel out of place. To be honest, diner was the one area of the cruise that I was most nervous about prior to sailing. When I got on the ship, I went to go check out where my table was located in the MDR so I felt more confident knowing where I would be later that night - silly I know, but it helped calm my nerves.

 

I found that if you smiled and said hello, almost everyone would be equally nice in return. I ended up meeting some great people in the Solarium and nightly shows and would end up meeting up for drinks throughout the week. I would highly recommend cruising solo, go and have a ton of fun!! :D

 

FYI - I had to call RC a couple of weeks after sailing as they forgot to add the double points, but corrected it instantly when I told them I sailed solo.

[cjdixon4]

Also be involved in the many activities offered like trivia, even belly-flop & sexiest man for example... people all over the ship will talk to you in the elevator etc and razz you when they recognize you and then all of a sudden they're on a same excursion as you... instant ship friends. Whatever you're into, you'll meet people if you're involved.

 

That makes sense to get involved in the ship activities as a solo, Hoopster. I would probably be found most often at night in Schooner Bar (if the ship has one) since that's typically where karaoke is usually held!

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

I would just counter the "be involved with everything" mindset to say "be as involved as you WANT to be". If you want to be with others all the time, that's cool, but if you want to just chill by yourself, don't feel like you HAVE to do stuff with others.

 

When I have cruised solo on Disney, I have done some things with others - Art of the Theme Show tours, mixology and other tastings, animation classes, a ship-based excursion (and a privately booked excursion where I ended up on a boat with others from the Fantasy also, and some of us met up watching the ship pull into Castaway Cay) - but I have also just enjoyed my time on my own. I'd find a deck chair and read or just watch the ocean go by, on Castaway I snagged a hammock and chilled and read, I'd hang out in the martini bar of coffee shop and talk with the bartenders and occasionally other passengers. And I've had just as good a time hanging out on my own and just chilling as in the group activities.

[blueblock]

I love sailing solo. I have met wonderful people, and I also greatly value the ability to just sit alone and read, and to visit the ports at my own pace and see what I want to see. My most recent cruises have been with friends or family, who may have their own agendas, which often include far more shopping than I can bear. I can hardly wait for my next cruise, which is solo.

[roquejo]

Double check your C&A points about a week after you get back. Royal has a recurring "problem" where singles don't always get their double points automatically.

 

Agree, I've been cruising solo since Nov 2013 and none got double points automatically. Always have to call...