Solo cruising under current covid protocols - what is it like?

[Denarius]

I have been sailing solo for several years since the death of my partner. I have several cruises booked including one on Azura, and have always found cruising a sociable experience. I have however, concerns that this may no longer be the case for solo passengers under the current protocols and that we may be fated to spend our time on board in solitary. Statements on the P&O website such as "If you are travelling with friends and family, please let us know at the time of booking so that we can link your parties to form one travelling group. This means that you’re able to dine, meet in a bar, watch shows and go on a shore experience together without the need for social distancing." do little to allay these concerns.

I would therefore, appreciate feedback from other solo passengers who have sailed on a "staycation" cruise as to what the onboard experience is like for us. Do we have to dine in splendid isolation, or are there shared tables? Do we have to sit on our own in bars and showlounges? The answers may well determine whether I sail on Azura or not!

[Britboys]

9 minutes ago, Denarius said:

I have been sailing solo for several years since the death of my partner. I have several cruises booked including one on Azura, and have always found cruising a sociable experience. I have however, concerns that this may no longer be the case for solo passengers under the current protocols and that we may be fated to spend our time on board in solitary. Statements on the P&O website such as "If you are travelling with friends and family, please let us know at the time of booking so that we can link your parties to form one travelling group. This means that you’re able to dine, meet in a bar, watch shows and go on a shore experience together without the need for social distancing." do little to allay these concerns.

I would therefore, appreciate feedback from other solo passengers who have sailed on a "staycation" cruise as to what the onboard experience is like for us. Do we have to dine in splendid isolation, or are there shared tables? Do we have to sit on our own in bars and showlounges? The answers may well determine whether I sail on Azura or not!

I would be thinking the same as you. Fortunately however, I am not due to cruise anywhere now until next August. Hopefully, we will be in a different situation by then...🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

[Denarius]

28 minutes ago, Britboys said:

I would be thinking the same as you. Fortunately however, I am not due to cruise anywhere now until next August. Hopefully, we will be in a different situation by then...🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

Hopefully.

My cruise on Azura is next January, rearranged from the same time last January!  I am due to pay my balance in a few weeks and would not be inclined to do so if it was likely that I would not be permitted to socialise over meals or in the bars, both of which I can do with friends at home or on a hotel holiday.

[Harry Peterson]

7 minutes ago, Denarius said:

Hopefully.

My cruise on Azura is next January, rearranged from the same time last January!  I am due to pay my balance in a few weeks and would not be inclined to do so if it was likely that I would not be permitted to socialise over meals or in the bars, both of which I can do with friends at home or on a hotel holiday.

With you absolutely there. Although we’ve always travelled as a couple, the company of single people has always enlivened conversation and company - of course.

 

It’s the mixing, particularly with different people every night, and often at lunch, in the MDR, that’s made cruising such fun. Without that, its attractions diminish immeasurably.

[PJL1973]

You can definitely share a table with others even if you're travelling solo. A couple of nights I dined alone but the rest I was asked if I wanted to share a table with others, which I accepted. There are no restrictions to mixing with others in a bar as well, all perfectly allowed. In additionan, there are still solo meetups as well, so you do things with other solo travellers.

[Denarius]

48 minutes ago, Harry Peterson said:

With you absolutely there. Although we’ve always travelled as a couple, the company of single people has always enlivened conversation and company - of course.

 

It’s the mixing, particularly with different people every night, and often at lunch, in the MDR, that’s made cruising such fun. Without that, its attractions diminish immeasurably.

Especially if you are also confined to the ship except when on a ship's tour, unable to explore ashore independently. I'm not inclined to spend good money to spend 2 weeks on a ship talking to myself. I do that at home 🙂

[Denarius]

6 minutes ago, PJL1973 said:

You can definitely share a table with others even if you're travelling solo. A couple of nights I dined alone but the rest I was asked if I wanted to share a table with others, which I accepted. There are no restrictions to mixing with others in a bar as well, all perfectly allowed. In additionan, there are still solo meetups as well, so you do things with other solo travellers.

Thanks. I am somewhat reassured. But why cannot P&O tell it like it is on their website rather than implying that only those travelling together can dine and socialise together? Communication is definately not their strong point.

Edited August 29, 2021 by Denarius

[PJL1973]

1 minute ago, Denarius said:

Thanks. I am somewhat reassured. But why cannot P&O tell it like it is on their website rather than implying that only those travelling together can dine and socialise together? Communication is definately not their strong suite.

 

They do say this on their website, you just have to dig a bit deeper to find it. Here is there exact wording from the website about solo travellers:

 

Solo travellers

Solo travellers will be able to enjoy delicious dining, world-class entertainment and adventures ashore. We know solo travellers love to make friends on board and we’re pleased to say guests travelling alone are welcome to join others for dining and all hosted activities such as workshops, dance classes and shore experiences.

[Harry Peterson]

1 hour ago, PJL1973 said:

You can definitely share a table with others even if you're travelling solo. A couple of nights I dined alone but the rest I was asked if I wanted to share a table with others, which I accepted. There are no restrictions to mixing with others in a bar as well, all perfectly allowed. In additionan, there are still solo meetups as well, so you do things with other solo travellers.

Excellent news - thanks! 

[Converted to cruising]

Good to hear this. I’m due to travel solo on the Britannia transatlantic in October 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼and have always enjoyed chatting and dining with both other solos and couples . I’m just staying positive that it will go. 😊