Cruising Solo

Hi All.

I noted 2 posts in the thread about wine where the posters said they cruise
alone.

Can we talk more about this subject?

I am a single person, live alone, and have not cruised more because I don't
have people to join me usually.

How does cruising alone work? I am thinking the cost is a number one
concern, but after that, how is it? I'd love to hear comments about how
people do it.. how they like dining with strangers (especially strangers in
groups. Are they really friendly to the lone diner?).

What do you do on the stops in different ports?

Maybe I sound naive, and maybe I'm missing something. But while I negotiate
doing things alone all the time at home,... I had not considered that on a
cruise. And I am liking the cruise idea enough to think I might need to go
alone if I can promise myself there is still fun to be had.

Lone cruisers? Please share.

PattyC

Hi PattyC,

I'll try to answer your questions regarding cruising as a single. I am
recetly divorced, my first experience at cruising was with my spouse.
As it turned out, he did his own thing and I did mine, except for the
fact that we promissed to have dinner each night together.

Then the divorce. I love to cruise so forced myself to do it solo. I
found some group cruises on this group and in May took the Carnival
Miracle 7 day Western Caribbean. I planned what I wanted to see (only
got off the ship once to shop, by my self). It wasn't like I didn't
have offers to join other people. At lunch one day met others not in
our group and they even asked if I wanted to join them.

I try to eat Breakfast and Lunch in the Dinningroom, so do meet people.


On my next cruise, solo, I plan to get off the ship at 3 ports, one do
a ship tour, one shop and the last, take a cab to a local beach (by my
self).

So, I say, go for it.

Kate Pitluck

Kate wrote:

Then the divorce. I love to cruise so forced myself to do it solo.
I found some group cruises on this group and in May took the Carnival
Miracle 7 day Western Caribbean. I planned what I wanted to see
(only got off the ship once to shop, by my self). It wasn't like I
didn't have offers to join other people. At lunch one day met
others not in our group and they even asked if I wanted to join them.

Kate, you are always welcome to join us, so is PattyC. There are a few
people in our group who cruise without their spouses, others have
divorced, some are widowed. We are still friends, whether the spouse is
there or not.

I enjoyed sitting with you at the airport in Tampa, it was nice to have
a little time alone so we could talk.

Becca

PattyC wrote:
Hi All.

I noted 2 posts in the thread about wine where the posters said they cruise
alone.

Can we talk more about this subject?

Absolutely!!!!!

I am a single person, live alone, and have not cruised more because I don't
have people to join me usually.

I'm married to a guy that doesn't like to travel much, so sometimes I
cruise with a sister, niece, friend...and sometimes I go alone. As much
fun as I have cruising with someone, I think, deep down, I really enjoy
the solo cruises best of all...

How does cruising alone work? I am thinking the cost is a number one
concern, but after that, how is it? I'd love to hear comments about how
people do it.. how they like dining with strangers (especially strangers in
groups. Are they really friendly to the lone diner?).

Cost is definitely an issue. My first solo cruise, I got a fantastic
deal - as far as I could tell, by looking at double occupancy fares, I
wasn't charged a single supplement. Second time, didn't do as well, but
also didn't pay 150-200% over the double occupancy fare to have my own
cabin. I just booked solo cruise #3 (I'm actually going with a friend
that I met in August on solo cruise #2, but we're not sharing a cabin)
where I've finally been hit with a single supplement charge, but I
don't think I'm paying an outrageous amount. So, yes. Cost can be an
issue. To avoid that, be flexible about the ship, itinerary, etc. Ask
your TA to find out who is offering a deal for solos rather than
picking a ship/itinerary and hoping for a deal. This cruise I just
booked we specifically picked, so I knew going in that I wasn't going
to get a great deal.

Yes, everyone on board is a stranger, but the cruise atmosphere
definitely lends itself to casual conversation and socialization.
Whether it's the person in the deck chaise next to you, or sitting next
to you at the blackjack table,or your dining companions, there are lots
of folks all over the place, most very open to conversing with
strangers.

The dining room is (usually) great for the solo diner. It's likely that
you will be seated with others travelling alone, or if not travelling
alone then single. On my first solo cruise, I had a great table - me,
another woman who was single and travelling alone, a single gentleman,
a mom travelling without her husband and her two adult daughters (one
single, the other seperated). It was a great group! This past cruise,
my table actually was realy bad (first time this has ever happened).
But, one of the people seated with me is the woman I'm cruising with on
solo cruise #3 (I still call this one solo, because we won't be sharing
a cabin and we definitely have different interests so will spend some
time together, but probably not a lot).

What do you do on the stops in different ports?

I'm a snorkel/beach kind of person. Sometimes I book an excursion and
sometimes I'll just take a cab to a beach and hang out for the day.
Depends on the port. In August, I spent the day in Key West taking a
tour of some orchid gardens, shopping and treating myself to a great
lunch at a restaurant right at the docks.

The great thing about travelling alone is that you don't have to
consult with anyone about what he/she wants to do in port. You can do
what you want, when you want to. No worries that your travel companion
is bored, not having a good time, is hot, thirsty, hungry, etc. Your
time is your own, and you can allow yourself to be selfish for a
change, which feels just great.

And I am liking the cruise idea enough to think I might need to go
alone if I can promise myself there is still fun to be had.

You can (and will) absolutely have fun cruising alone. I love taking
over the entire cabin - it's one of my favorite things. I can use all
the shelves in the bathroom, all the hangers in the closet, all the
bedside drawers, etc. And, I get the king size bed all to myself, too.
I can come back to the cabin at 1:00am (I like spending time in the
casino...what can I say) and throw the lights on without worrying about
waking someone.

I actually think I meet more people when I cruise solo than when I
cruise with someone else...maybe because I have to put myself out there
more, whereas when I'm with someone, I can limit my conversation to
just that person (except, of course, in the dining room).

Go for it. You'll love cruisling solo. Let us know how it all goes.

Lee

Lone cruisers? Please share.

PattyC

I'd love to cruise solo, but can't ditch the cow!
"LeeNY" wrote in message
oups.com...
PattyC wrote:
Hi All.

I noted 2 posts in the thread about wine where the posters said they
cruise
alone.

Can we talk more about this subject?

Absolutely!!!!!

I am a single person, live alone, and have not cruised more because I
don't
have people to join me usually.

I'm married to a guy that doesn't like to travel much, so sometimes I
cruise with a sister, niece, friend...and sometimes I go alone. As much
fun as I have cruising with someone, I think, deep down, I really enjoy
the solo cruises best of all...

How does cruising alone work? I am thinking the cost is a number one
concern, but after that, how is it? I'd love to hear comments about how
people do it.. how they like dining with strangers (especially strangers
in
groups. Are they really friendly to the lone diner?).

Cost is definitely an issue. My first solo cruise, I got a fantastic
deal - as far as I could tell, by looking at double occupancy fares, I
wasn't charged a single supplement. Second time, didn't do as well, but
also didn't pay 150-200% over the double occupancy fare to have my own
cabin. I just booked solo cruise #3 (I'm actually going with a friend
that I met in August on solo cruise #2, but we're not sharing a cabin)
where I've finally been hit with a single supplement charge, but I
don't think I'm paying an outrageous amount. So, yes. Cost can be an
issue. To avoid that, be flexible about the ship, itinerary, etc. Ask
your TA to find out who is offering a deal for solos rather than
picking a ship/itinerary and hoping for a deal. This cruise I just
booked we specifically picked, so I knew going in that I wasn't going
to get a great deal.

Yes, everyone on board is a stranger, but the cruise atmosphere
definitely lends itself to casual conversation and socialization.
Whether it's the person in the deck chaise next to you, or sitting next
to you at the blackjack table,or your dining companions, there are lots
of folks all over the place, most very open to conversing with
strangers.

The dining room is (usually) great for the solo diner. It's likely that
you will be seated with others travelling alone, or if not travelling
alone then single. On my first solo cruise, I had a great table - me,
another woman who was single and travelling alone, a single gentleman,
a mom travelling without her husband and her two adult daughters (one
single, the other seperated). It was a great group! This past cruise,
my table actually was realy bad (first time this has ever happened).
But, one of the people seated with me is the woman I'm cruising with on
solo cruise #3 (I still call this one solo, because we won't be sharing
a cabin and we definitely have different interests so will spend some
time together, but probably not a lot).

What do you do on the stops in different ports?

I'm a snorkel/beach kind of person. Sometimes I book an excursion and
sometimes I'll just take a cab to a beach and hang out for the day.
Depends on the port. In August, I spent the day in Key West taking a
tour of some orchid gardens, shopping and treating myself to a great
lunch at a restaurant right at the docks.

The great thing about travelling alone is that you don't have to
consult with anyone about what he/she wants to do in port. You can do
what you want, when you want to. No worries that your travel companion
is bored, not having a good time, is hot, thirsty, hungry, etc. Your
time is your own, and you can allow yourself to be selfish for a
change, which feels just great.

And I am liking the cruise idea enough to think I might need to go
alone if I can promise myself there is still fun to be had.

You can (and will) absolutely have fun cruising alone. I love taking
over the entire cabin - it's one of my favorite things. I can use all
the shelves in the bathroom, all the hangers in the closet, all the
bedside drawers, etc. And, I get the king size bed all to myself, too.
I can come back to the cabin at 1:00am (I like spending time in the
casino...what can I say) and throw the lights on without worrying about
waking someone.

I actually think I meet more people when I cruise solo than when I
cruise with someone else...maybe because I have to put myself out there
more, whereas when I'm with someone, I can limit my conversation to
just that person (except, of course, in the dining room).

Go for it. You'll love cruisling solo. Let us know how it all goes.

Lee

Lone cruisers? Please share.

PattyC

Hello Patty. I am a elderly person who does things alone (not by choice)
my circumstances are similar after my wife"s passing. Study where you
wish to go,geographically.cultures,etc. While cruising you pay 150 to
200% over the double occupancy cost but you are not ham strung with a
companion. You have immense freedom in roaming and selecting to whom you
wish to converse.on deck,tours,and at the table. Give it a GOOOO,
Marocto.91410

"Kate" wrote in message
ups.com...
Then the divorce. I love to cruise so forced myself to do it solo. I
found some group cruises on this group and in May took the Carnival
Miracle 7 day Western Caribbean. I planned what I wanted to see (only
got off the ship once to shop, by my self). It wasn't like I didn't
have offers to join other people. At lunch one day met others not in
our group and they even asked if I wanted to join them.

I try to eat Breakfast and Lunch in the Dinningroom, so do meet people.


On my next cruise, solo, I plan to get off the ship at 3 ports, one do
a ship tour, one shop and the last, take a cab to a local beach (by my
self).

Good for you, Kate!
Having met you at our get together luncheon in NJ this past June, I know
that you will have a good time as a solo with your outgoing personality!..I
hope though, that you will join us on some of the group cruises that are
ahead..Many people think that if you go on a group cruise, you MUST do
everything together..Not so, there are planned activities but only you
decide whether you wish to attend...There is usually a bulletin board set
up, listing all that is scheduled and the rest is up to you.
What I have enjoyed are the scheduled social hours in the lounge and with
two different dinner sittings..those in the first seating would come out and
visit with the ones waiting for the second seating to begin. We'd meet in
the lobby and have a drink and chat..So you really can join in on all the
get togethers or not...your choice. But of course, since you were on the
Miracle group cruise, you already know that. Never having done it, because
Ed shares my love of cruising,..I suppose a solo cruise provides the quiet
privacy (alone time) that each of us needs sometimes..With all that you have
been through this year, I'm sure you need a good period of *no worry or
stress time*.

So where are you off to, next?

--Jean

Becca, I too enjoyed our time in Tampa after the Miracle in May. I
love cruising alone. Have as much quiet time as I want and enjoy the
ability to be with people I know.

I love group cruises, especially the ones I've been on lately.

Susan and I will see you on the MOTHER2 cruise in February 2006.

Kate

Jean,

Tried to only quote your question but don't know how. So here's your
answer to "So where are you off to next?"

Sept 30th Maddie, Thomas and Ryan will be going on their first cruise
on the Explorer of the Seas, Miami - Eastern Caribbean. Hope to see
you on the MOTHER2 cruise in February 2006. Will be doing that one
with my oldest daughter, to celebrate her big 40 birthday next year.
(And to get her out of here on a well deserved rest and relaxiation
since her daughter, Heather, died. I think she needs it and so does my
mother). We are doing the Dinner Cruise so if you aren't going on the
Infinity after the Opera maybe we'll see each other on the middle one.
:-)

In total over the next 2 years I have 8 cruises planned. I retire on
Feb 28, 2006.
Kate

Kate wrote:

Susan and I will see you on the MOTHER2 cruise in February 2006.

Kate, I am so glad that Susan will be cruising with us. We will have a
great time on the Infinity. It has been a long time since Sammy and I
have cruised on Celebrity, we are looking forward to it.

Becca