PhantomWolf

Been awhile since I've been around, but I wanted to share some thoughts.
In October of last year I took a spur of the moment (get away from real life) last minute cruise on my own.  Was a three night simple trip on Independence, only plans were for an inside cabin room and the deluxe beverage package, no excursions were planned or other frills.  And I wanted to come here and say that I LOVED every moment of this trip!  It was liberating and exactly what I needed to get away from some stress.
I had more fun on this trip than the six nighter that I just went on that July when I was with someone.  I got to meet so many more people, have a bunch of fun and random conversations with strangers, ALL of them friendly and having a great time.  I'm not the most outgoing person and this was still very easy to do. 
While sharing a trip with someone and making memories is a great thing, I did enjoy my time alone not having to worry about what another person wanted to do.  The only time it felt a little odd was when it was time to eat, but even then, if you wanted to strike up a conversation in the main dining room, or at a place like Playmakers, it was super easy.
So if you are on the fence about traveling alone on a cruise, be brave and go for it!  You only live once, so why not be adventurous

Been awhile since I've been around, but I wanted to share some thoughts.
In October of last year I took a spur of the moment (get away from real life) last minute cruise on my own.  Was a three night simple trip on Independence, only plans were for an inside cabin room and the deluxe beverage package, no excursions were planned or other frills.  And I wanted to come here and say that I LOVED every moment of this trip!  It was liberating and exactly what I needed to get away from some stress.
I had more fun on this trip than the six nighter that I just went on that July when I was with someone.  I got to meet so many more people, have a bunch of fun and random conversations with strangers, ALL of them friendly and having a great time.  I'm not the most outgoing person and this was still very easy to do. 
While sharing a trip with someone and making memories is a great thing, I did enjoy my time alone not having to worry about what another person wanted to do.  The only time it felt a little odd was when it was time to eat, but even then, if you wanted to strike up a conversation in the main dining room, or at a place like Playmakers, it was super easy.
So if you are on the fence about traveling alone on a cruise, be brave and go for it!  You only live once, so why not be adventurous

Been awhile since I've been around, but I wanted to share some thoughts.
In October of last year I took a spur of the moment (get away from real life) last minute cruise on my own.  Was a three night simple trip on Independence, only plans were for an inside cabin room and the deluxe beverage package, no excursions were planned or other frills.  And I wanted to come here and say that I LOVED every moment of this trip!  It was liberating and exactly what I needed to get away from some stress.
I had more fun on this trip than the six nighter that I just went on that July when I was with someone.  I got to meet so many more people, have a bunch of fun and random conversations with strangers, ALL of them friendly and having a great time.  I'm not the most outgoing person and this was still very easy to do. 
While sharing a trip with someone and making memories is a great thing, I did enjoy my time alone not having to worry about what another person wanted to do.  The only time it felt a little odd was when it was time to eat, but even then, if you wanted to strike up a conversation in the main dining room, or at a place like Playmakers, it was super easy.
So if you are on the fence about traveling alone on a cruise, be brave and go for it!  You only live once, so why not be adventurous

Been awhile since I've been around, but I wanted to share some thoughts.
In October of last year I took a spur of the moment (get away from real life) last minute cruise on my own.  Was a three night simple trip on Independence, only plans were for an inside cabin room and the deluxe beverage package, no excursions were planned or other frills.  And I wanted to come here and say that I LOVED every moment of this trip!  It was liberating and exactly what I needed to get away from some stress.
I had more fun on this trip than the six nighter that I just went on that July when I was with someone.  I got to meet so many more people, have a bunch of fun and random conversations with strangers, ALL of them friendly and having a great time.  I'm not the most outgoing person and this was still very easy to do. 
While sharing a trip with someone and making memories is a great thing, I did enjoy my time alone not having to worry about what another person wanted to do.  The only time it felt a little odd was when it was time to eat, but even then, if you wanted to strike up a conversation in the main dining room, or at a place like Playmakers, it was super easy.
So if you are on the fence about traveling alone on a cruise, be brave and go for it!  You only live once, so why not be adventurous

Been awhile since I've been around, but I wanted to share some thoughts.
In October of last year I took a spur of the moment (get away from real life) last minute cruise on my own.  Was a three night simple trip on Independence, only plans were for an inside cabin room and the deluxe beverage package, no excursions were planned or other frills.  And I wanted to come here and say that I LOVED every moment of this trip!  It was liberating and exactly what I needed to get away from some stress.
I had more fun on this trip than the six nighter that I just went on that July when I was with someone.  I got to meet so many more people, have a bunch of fun and random conversations with strangers, ALL of them friendly and having a great time.  I'm not the most outgoing person and this was still very easy to do. 
While sharing a trip with someone and making memories is a great thing, I did enjoy my time alone not having to worry about what another person wanted to do.  The only time it felt a little odd was when it was time to eat, but even then, if you wanted to strike up a conversation in the main dining room, or at a place like Playmakers, it was super easy.
So if you are on the fence about traveling alone on a cruise, be brave and go for it!  You only live once, so why not be adventurous

Been awhile since I've been around, but I wanted to share some thoughts.
In October of last year I took a spur of the moment (get away from real life) last minute cruise on my own.  Was a three night simple trip on Independence, only plans were for an inside cabin room and the deluxe beverage package, no excursions were planned or other frills.  And I wanted to come here and say that I LOVED every moment of this trip!  It was liberating and exactly what I needed to get away from some stress.
I had more fun on this trip than the six nighter that I just went on that July when I was with someone.  I got to meet so many more people, have a bunch of fun and random conversations with strangers, ALL of them friendly and having a great time.  I'm not the most outgoing person and this was still very easy to do. 
While sharing a trip with someone and making memories is a great thing, I did enjoy my time alone not having to worry about what another person wanted to do.  The only time it felt a little odd was when it was time to eat, but even then, if you wanted to strike up a conversation in the main dining room, or at a place like Playmakers, it was super easy.
So if you are on the fence about traveling alone on a cruise, be brave and go for it!  You only live once, so why not be adventurous

Been awhile since I've been around, but I wanted to share some thoughts.
In October of last year I took a spur of the moment (get away from real life) last minute cruise on my own.  Was a three night simple trip on Independence, only plans were for an inside cabin room and the deluxe beverage package, no excursions were planned or other frills.  And I wanted to come here and say that I LOVED every moment of this trip!  It was liberating and exactly what I needed to get away from some stress.
I had more fun on this trip than the six nighter that I just went on that July when I was with someone.  I got to meet so many more people, have a bunch of fun and random conversations with strangers, ALL of them friendly and having a great time.  I'm not the most outgoing person and this was still very easy to do. 
While sharing a trip with someone and making memories is a great thing, I did enjoy my time alone not having to worry about what another person wanted to do.  The only time it felt a little odd was when it was time to eat, but even then, if you wanted to strike up a conversation in the main dining room, or at a place like Playmakers, it was super easy.
So if you are on the fence about traveling alone on a cruise, be brave and go for it!  You only live once, so why not be adventurous

Go to the elevator and make sure the day is correct!

This is a fantastic thread. I’m going on odyssey in December. First cruise since November 2019 symphony cruise which was simply sublime. Man I miss the trellis bar. God I love cruising!!! 

Yes, crying is a very acceptable answer.

Since it looks like we are inching closer to being able to sail, lets have a little fun.  Assuming your favorite thing is still available, what's the first thing you will jump at doing after a year away?  *Muster Drill not included*

Welcome to the party! @Matt  comes around with refreshments loaded with Kraken a couple times a week

Yes, crying is a very acceptable answer.

It would be great to see a combination crew/guest welcome back event.
 

Welcome to the party! @Matt  comes around with refreshments loaded with Kraken a couple times a week

Once on the ship with my gear stowed I plan to do as little as possible and outside of my dive excursions I'm not going to do much planning either. 

cry, laugh at myself for crying, get laughed at for crying by my family, go and find a drink.  In that order.

SMILES EVERYONE, SMILES!
 

Give a big hug and a big tip to the first bartender I see, and then head to the helipad with a drink in hand. 

Feeling the tears well up already!!!  I can't wait, August will be here before I know it and I'll be boarding and hopefully watching sail away from my balcony with a fruity drink in hand!

Welcome to the party! @Matt  comes around with refreshments loaded with Kraken a couple times a week

Oh man....
 
With this Sicilian blood, I guarantee I'll be boo-hooing my fat butt off, probably as I walk the gangway.
1)   Get a squirt of sanitizer (i can't stand the stuff, but I'm all in for cruising)
B)  Take in such a huge breath that people within 100' will feel the breeze headed toward me
3)  Get a drink (still not sure what'll be first (kraken colada, painkiller, mai tai?)
4)  Walk through Central Park, grab a second drink and maybe a sammich, and head up to the Solarium.
5)  Give the Solarium bar tender a tip first, then get a drink and hit the hot tub.  I hope to stay in until dinner.

I'll probably start crying just by seeing the gangway .... although, the cheerleader in me just might have to come up with something to get everyone in line riled up...... let the party start in the terminal and carry over to the actual boarding of the ship --- Give Me an "O", Give Me and "A",  and so on.  
I'd do a Faceplant into a plate of Escargot if given the chance.

First stop Schooner Bar for a roadie, the up to the top deck to soak in the sun and offer up a prayer of thanks to the Cruise gods that I came out of this in one piece and that I am finally back to my favorite vacation. Then lunch, and then it's frozen mojitos on repeat on the pool deck until I feel bold enough to line dance at the sail away party. 

The first thing I'm going to do is just stand on promenade of Symphony thank the good Lord and just take it all in.  This my sound cliche but I'll be a lot more appreciative because this situation has opened my eyes to how quickly a government agency can take away our ability to cruise.  Afterwards I'm heading straight to Windjammers or Park Cafe to eat.