Solo cruiser 4 times..soon 5.

[CDBermuda]

I've sailed 4 times solo and will be again June 25 on NCL Spirit. Do I prefer solo? No, but I won't give up cruising. It gets lonely, even with over a thousand people. Worst is eating dinner alone. If anyone has info on a cruise line that does more for solo travelers (other than singles cruisers) I would love your input
Thanks!!

[Cruise Fanatic]

The new NCL Epic will have special single studio cabins that are priced better for the single person. NCL may also be a better fit for you to meet other singles to mingle with.

[Dave]

Paul Motter from our sister website CruiseMates will be in one of the Epic studio cabins on the ships first cruise as it heads from Europe to NYC. I am looking forward to his reports from the ship, especially about the exclusive "living room" which is only for those booked in these special cabins. It promises to really take the single cruiser issue to a new and more enlightened level.

[queenofcruzin]

Hi CDBermuda,
I have cruised Solo at least 10 times, I would hate dinner alone too. I noticed that you are sailing NCL with their Freestyle dining, is that why you are eating alone? I always did traditional dining and was seated with others dining alone. It wasn't always the perfect match but always found a few people to hang around. Another secret was to check out the photo galleries and find others who were photographed alone. Anyway, enjoy your cruise!!

[penny3333]

I'm not sure which cruise lines you've been on solo. I've been on Carnival, Princess, NCL, and HAL solo. Carnival and NCL seemed to have more activities, to me. For dinner, you can always ask to share a table on NCL. That's one great thing about open dining, you get to meet more people that way. I met most of the people I hung out with on excursions. At least I knew we shared some common interests.

I guess, being an only child, I just don't think much about going solo. I've always had fun because I'm on board. In fact, sometimes not having someone griping is much more fun. Plus, I don't have to worry about doing what someone else wants to do when they want to do it

[queenofcruzin]

I am with Penny, I love cruising with others, but I also loved cruising solo. Having the freedom to do what I want, when I wanted is a great part of cruising solo.

When I recently cruised with my new hubby for the first time, it threw me for a loop when he wanted to do things I had never done before. I went along with his choices(being a happ newlywed), and sometimes he made better choices and then sometimes I gently suggested my way, he didn't always agree, but we continued to find out more about each other in a very good way. I would certainly cruise solo again if he couldn't go, and enjoy the solo part of cruising.

I also agree with Penny that excursions and certain events on the ship, I would always run into the same people who share common interests. I never attended singles events either. I never tried Freestyle or Anytime dining on my own, but I think if you asked to share a table with others, the Maitre d is very understanding.

[CDBermuda]

Originally posted by Cruise Fanatic:
The new NCL Epic will have special single studio cabins that are priced better for the single person. NCL may also be a better fit for you to meet other singles to mingle with.

Yes...I saw that after I had booked my cruise. Perhaps next time I may do that
Thanks!

[CDBermuda]

Originally posted by Dave:
Paul Motter from our sister website CruiseMates will be in one of the Epic studio cabins on the ships first cruise as it heads from Europe to NYC. I am looking forward to his reports from the ship, especially about the exclusive "living room" which is only for those booked in these special cabins. It promises to really take the single cruiser issue to a new and more enlightened level.

Thanks, Dave...I'll look forward to hearing the reviews

[CDBermuda]

Originally posted by queenofcruzin:
Hi CDBermuda,
I have cruised Solo at least 10 times, I would hate dinner alone too. I noticed that you are sailing NCL with their Freestyle dining, is that why you are eating alone? I always did traditional dining and was seated with others dining alone. It wasn't always the perfect match but always found a few people to hang around. Another secret was to check out the photo galleries and find others who were photographed alone. Anyway, enjoy your cruise!!

Yes, that is why I am eating alone...and NCL doesn't (or hasn't in the past in my experience) been very accomodating about sharing tables. I don't know why. I was told, at least once, that there weren't any tables sharing at the time. Not sure how a photograph would help, since it gives no information about who they are and if they are hoping to at least find a dinner companion. (?)
Thanks...neeeeeed this vacation terribly!

[CDBermuda]

Originally posted by penny3333:
I'm not sure which cruise lines you've been on solo. I've been on Carnival, Princess, NCL, and HAL solo. Carnival and NCL seemed to have more activities, to me. For dinner, you can always ask to share a table on NCL. That's one great thing about open dining, you get to meet more people that way. I met most of the people I hung out with on excursions. At least I knew we shared some common interests.

I guess, being an only child, I just don't think much about going solo. I've always had fun because I'm on board. In fact, sometimes not having someone griping is much more fun. Plus, I don't have to worry about doing what someone else wants to do when they want to do it

Yes, I agree. No griping is always a good thing My problem has always been eating...I ahte eating alone and NCL doesn't accomodate by sharing tables. Why they don't I do not know. Appreciate your post....thanks!