AlohaLivin

So many examples, but the most recent was that my husband had taken his tux to be altered before we left and somehow his tux shirt did not get back into the suit bag. So there we were recently onboard with cummerbund, bowtie, shiny shoes and jewelry, but NO  white tux shirt. 😿 Out of desperation I asked the concierges if they still have shirts onboard from when they rented them out while knowing that my chance was about .00032343% of that happening.  It turns out that she knew the tailor on the ship and called him. Within 15 minutes he met us in our cabin, measured my husband for a shirt and left.  Within 15 additional minutes he returned with a tux shirt that fit my husband freshly pressed and ready to wear.
 
There are often many who go above and beyond  - the other concierge made sure to leave her phone with me whenever she could so I could use her hot spot when we were on the ship while in port because the wifi was completely dead and we really needed to reach family and the pet sitter on occasion. There’s some unfriendly staff around on ships at times. but there are tons of super kind and helpful staff on the ships in my experience. We try to remember them in extra ways as best we can.

I am suddenly in the exact same boat. I could grab a friend, but thinking that I will instead just go alone. We are D+ so an extra 7 pts won’t push me a lot towards Pinnacle, but it is something! Good luck on your adventure!

Let me know when you get back.  Yes, the ship docks 4 miles out from the port - what a hike!  They have transits to and from.  Good cruising!!

We are headed there in January, so I hope that Progresso has improved (we have somehow never visited). 4 mile pier???

You have great spirit! I’m getting there. First solo for me, so I am a little nervous, but excited. 

Don't worry.  If you truly want to dine alone (and I completely understand that) just ask them to seat you at a small table.  They will.

Ditto.
 
I have never actually traveled alone, at least not for the main part of the journey. I am a healthcare provider in private practice and therefore have more flexibility with my schedule than my husband does at this point.  And, every cruise I’ve been on this year I have earned a Casino comps cruise via a casino promotion and with all we already have booked there are more cruises on our docket than my husband has time for. Thus, I am also considering some solo cruising. 
Luckily I am not a bit shy 🤣 But it will certainly be a new experience. I guess we just have to hope that they are some friendly people on our cruises with us, right? My husband and I have made many cruise friends over the years, and it would be great if some are on board if I am solo, but there will be new people to meet!
For those who cruise solo a lot, do you all usually request a table by yourself or a group table? I had a nightmare scenario on Premier (the original Disney line) where in graduate school in my 30’s my husband and I took a cruise and they stuck us with five honeymooning couple 😵🥴 - not looking for a repeat of that! 😬
 

Awesome! I Love my alone time. I do a lot at home alone, so I’m thinking this may be a good experience for me. Thanks!

I have five solo cruises booked for the near future. The first is in a week. I love cruising solo; I've done both and enjoy both but prefer solo. I honestly don't understand when people say it takes courage to cruise solo, or go to the movies solo, or a restaurant solo. All of that is just fine by myself; I've never had a single problem. Peaceful and enjoyable. 

I have a love/hate relationship with traveling solo. I love going to what I want, when I want. However I hate that people call me brave or try to force me to hang with them. I too travel with my kindle as I love to read and don't get to do it as much as I can on a cruise. It can be overwhelming for your first time but you will find it freeing. 

Solo is the way to cruise.  You are in full control of your vacation.  On a cruise ship you are only alone when you want to be.

I typically sail solo and love it! It is nice to experience it with others, but I love the freedom and flexibility of being on my own. I have been doing it for years. 

Lots of us solo sail! Look through the blog section for present and past blogs. 
 
I like to travel and sometimes it means not waiting for the people around me to go. Manage your expectations pre cruise. Know what makes you comfortable and where you may need to push yourself. For me I'm content being solo and bring my Kindle or a book everywhere but that's also my regular life - I read a ton and it's what makes me happiest on a trip or commuting or before sleep or a a beach. I'm not a huge fan of the MDR (I view it more as an experience) so on solo trips I get the dining package. I don't get the drink package because while I'll have a few drinks per day it's not worth it. I'll book excursions I really want to do.
Whether cruising or traveling solo you will meet people if you are open to it. I border the extrovert/Introvert line and can either be super friendly or very shy depending on how comfortable I am, I know traveling solo means I may have to adjust my behavior and push through to get out of my own head. The first excursion I did I was a little nervous but people are generally friendly and it wound up being great. 
 
The only thing I hate and I've mentioned this before is when a well meaning person tells me how "brave" I am for traveling solo and then lists reasons why they would never be able to. I get the point but I find it slightly condescending. The staff may make a few comments as well. Again, everyone had good intentions. 
 
 
 

There are a lot of people here that cruise solo!  I've taken a couple solo cruises this year and likely will be booking more soon.
@Traveling Mike is currently on one now and is doing a live blog on the boards 
 
@Ampurp85 is also currently cruising solo and doing a live blog:
 

I'm an introvert too, but open to breaking out of my introvert shell a bit too and meeting some people on my weeklong trip in November (60 days out, but who's counting!?!)
For my cruise last month, I wanted My Time Dining but wasn't an option at booking. Talking to RC reps they put a request in for table for two (seated solo). Ended up getting put into My Time Dining so wasn't an issue, was seated solo each time. For the upcoming one I'm doing traditional at 8 but didn't put in any requests for table size. I've decided to leave it up to fate, and if at a table with others maybe it will help me meet some others and enjoy the experience with regular people to dine and chat with.

I have had multiple experiences as a solo cruiser. They have often asked me if I want to sit alone or with a medium or large group. I usually just tell them to do whatever is easiest for them. When at tables with others, I have always been included in conversation. It has usually been with couples or groups of friends. When at a table by myself, neighboring tables often chat with me; sometimes throughout the meal, sometimes just a quick convo. I have enjoyed all settings. I think my favorite was being at a table with a few set of people that do not know each other. We all get to know each other and more fun and less awkward. 

@AlohaLivin if you do MTD you will be sat by yourself. If you have traditional they will sit you with other solo travelers.  Depending on the demand of the sailing, they might not allow you a solo table by yourself.  It doesn't hurt to ask. 

Glad my experience could help put you at ease. Like most have said, the whole experience is what you make of it - solo or not - and there are lots of options to make the cruise what you want it to be. I looked at the dining the same as if I decided to go to a restaurant by myself anywhere else, and that has never bothered me so I shouldn't let it on a cruise. 
Some of my family who are avid cruisers even joked that I should order extra food if I wanted since I was paying for two people's meals anyway booking solo LOL.

There are usually very tiny ones around 1-3” at chill island  (although I’ve seen an occasional larger one). When we were there twice in August one of the lifeguards at barefoot beach (Labadee) was down with a net scooping up all the ones he could find. I don’t know if that is typical or not. Jelly fish are common from the east coast of the US southward, definitely always a possibility to get a sting. As noted by others, the lifeguards keep vinegar spray in their kits. Hopefully you won’t run into a problem.

So many examples, but the most recent was that my husband had taken his tux to be altered before we left and somehow his tux shirt did not get back into the suit bag. So there we were recently onboard with cummerbund, bowtie, shiny shoes and jewelry, but NO  white tux shirt. 😿 Out of desperation I asked the concierges if they still have shirts onboard from when they rented them out while knowing that my chance was about .00032343% of that happening.  It turns out that she knew the tailor on the ship and called him. Within 15 minutes he met us in our cabin, measured my husband for a shirt and left.  Within 15 additional minutes he returned with a tux shirt that fit my husband freshly pressed and ready to wear.
 
There are often many who go above and beyond  - the other concierge made sure to leave her phone with me whenever she could so I could use her hot spot when we were on the ship while in port because the wifi was completely dead and we really needed to reach family and the pet sitter on occasion. There’s some unfriendly staff around on ships at times. but there are tons of super kind and helpful staff on the ships in my experience. We try to remember them in extra ways as best we can.

I recently added this sailing as a casino comp. Since it’s between two other major trips for us and close to each other those I may end up doing this one by myself. Hopefully they’ll be lots of friendly people onboard!

So many examples, but the most recent was that my husband had taken his tux to be altered before we left and somehow his tux shirt did not get back into the suit bag. So there we were recently onboard with cummerbund, bowtie, shiny shoes and jewelry, but NO  white tux shirt. 😿 Out of desperation I asked the concierges if they still have shirts onboard from when they rented them out while knowing that my chance was about .00032343% of that happening.  It turns out that she knew the tailor on the ship and called him. Within 15 minutes he met us in our cabin, measured my husband for a shirt and left.  Within 15 additional minutes he returned with a tux shirt that fit my husband freshly pressed and ready to wear.
 
There are often many who go above and beyond  - the other concierge made sure to leave her phone with me whenever she could so I could use her hot spot when we were on the ship while in port because the wifi was completely dead and we really needed to reach family and the pet sitter on occasion. There’s some unfriendly staff around on ships at times. but there are tons of super kind and helpful staff on the ships in my experience. We try to remember them in extra ways as best we can.

So many examples, but the most recent was that my husband had taken his tux to be altered before we left and somehow his tux shirt did not get back into the suit bag. So there we were recently onboard with cummerbund, bowtie, shiny shoes and jewelry, but NO  white tux shirt. 😿 Out of desperation I asked the concierges if they still have shirts onboard from when they rented them out while knowing that my chance was about .00032343% of that happening.  It turns out that she knew the tailor on the ship and called him. Within 15 minutes he met us in our cabin, measured my husband for a shirt and left.  Within 15 additional minutes he returned with a tux shirt that fit my husband freshly pressed and ready to wear.
 
There are often many who go above and beyond  - the other concierge made sure to leave her phone with me whenever she could so I could use her hot spot when we were on the ship while in port because the wifi was completely dead and we really needed to reach family and the pet sitter on occasion. There’s some unfriendly staff around on ships at times. but there are tons of super kind and helpful staff on the ships in my experience. We try to remember them in extra ways as best we can.

I recently added this sailing as a casino comp. Since it’s between two other major trips for us and close to each other those I may end up doing this one by myself. Hopefully they’ll be lots of friendly people onboard!

I concur with this one wholeheartedly.  Most newbies try and do too much and maintain a horrific schedule.  You're on VACATION.  Enjoy doing nothing at least some of the time.