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Cruising solo!


Donnax4

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On 9/7/2022 at 3:51 PM, Donnax4 said:

Just wondering if anyone else has an upcoming cruise and doing it solo? They say more people are trying it alone these days. 

I've got 2 9 night NE/Canada cruises coming up as a solo.  One I paid for, under double, double points and the other was a casino comp.  I'm looking forward to the cruise.  If I meet people, great, if I don't-I'll still have a nice time.  I have excursions booked for most of the days, or I will walk the ports.  This is an itinerary I have been dying to do but my kids (now 19 and up) never wanted to go to this itinerary.  So now I can!  

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I just booked my first solo cruise yesterday. I’m “sacrificing” a week so that come May my family of 6 will be Diamond for our Alaska cruise. Reading that I could be seated at a table of 8 in the MDR is giving me anxiety. I am the definition of introverted and rely completely on my extroverted husband to start conversations when we’re around others. I am looking forward to doing everything absolutely alone and not talking to a soul for 5 days. So upon embarkation should I go see if I can sit solo or should I just switch to my time dining now? In all of my cruises I’ve never done My Time so I’m not sure how it works. 

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11 hours ago, Pattycruise said:

I've got 2 9 night NE/Canada cruises coming up as a solo.  One I paid for, under double, double points and the other was a casino comp.  I'm looking forward to the cruise.  If I meet people, great, if I don't-I'll still have a nice time.  I have excursions booked for most of the days, or I will walk the ports.  This is an itinerary I have been dying to do but my kids (now 19 and up) never wanted to go to this itinerary.  So now I can!  

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

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1 hour ago, Luly said:

I just booked my first solo cruise yesterday. I’m “sacrificing” a week so that come May my family of 6 will be Diamond for our Alaska cruise. Reading that I could be seated at a table of 8 in the MDR is giving me anxiety. I am the definition of introverted and rely completely on my extroverted husband to start conversations when we’re around others. I am looking forward to doing everything absolutely alone and not talking to a soul for 5 days. So upon embarkation should I go see if I can sit solo or should I just switch to my time dining now? In all of my cruises I’ve never done My Time so I’m not sure how it works. 

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.

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16 hours ago, Luly said:

I just booked my first solo cruise yesterday. I’m “sacrificing” a week so that come May my family of 6 will be Diamond for our Alaska cruise. Reading that I could be seated at a table of 8 in the MDR is giving me anxiety. I am the definition of introverted and rely completely on my extroverted husband to start conversations when we’re around others. I am looking forward to doing everything absolutely alone and not talking to a soul for 5 days. So upon embarkation should I go see if I can sit solo or should I just switch to my time dining now? In all of my cruises I’ve never done My Time so I’m not sure how it works. 

14 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

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.

@Luly you could do whatever option feels more comfortable to you (you know yourself best), but if you want to do traditional and sit alone, I think you should have no problem requesting that. While things have definitely opened up post-COVID, there are still lots of small tables for two (or one) in the dining room for solo seating.

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  • 2 weeks later...

I've never had a problem being seated at a small table by myself, before or after the lockdown. If they start to seat you with a group, say you want a single table. There are plenty of two-person tables and they shouldn't have an issue with it. Best to mention when you make the actual dining reservation with the concierge (or when you're on the phone with them before the cruise; you can ask them to note the request for a single table) but it's no big deal to ask when you're there, if you're unexpectedly being seated with strangers.

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On 9/8/2022 at 7:52 AM, ellcee said:

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. 

 

 

 

I am cruising solo next year (May HoTS) my last cruise, I got the UDP and made full use of it.  I didn't get the DDP and honestly didn't miss the alcohol much, but realized that a few margaritas, etc would have been nice.  I am not a heavy drinker.  probably would average two to three adult beverages a day.  I am curious if some of the posters would weigh in on whether or not the DPP would make sense, in your opinion, or just paying outright?

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8 hours ago, santley88 said:

I am cruising solo next year (May HoTS) my last cruise, I got the UDP and made full use of it.  I didn't get the DDP and honestly didn't miss the alcohol much, but realized that a few margaritas, etc would have been nice.  I am not a heavy drinker.  probably would average two to three adult beverages a day.  I am curious if some of the posters would weigh in on whether or not the DPP would make sense, in your opinion, or just paying outright?

A few drinks will be cheaper than DX. I brought a package once, didn't get my monies worth. Now I am diamond, so I get 4 free drinks,  I use those with my UDP. I can't really do more than 4 drinks and even without my status I wouldn't get my money worth with the DX. 

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On 9/28/2022 at 12:35 PM, santley88 said:

I am cruising solo next year (May HoTS) my last cruise, I got the UDP and made full use of it.  I didn't get the DDP and honestly didn't miss the alcohol much, but realized that a few margaritas, etc would have been nice.  I am not a heavy drinker.  probably would average two to three adult beverages a day.  I am curious if some of the posters would weigh in on whether or not the DPP would make sense, in your opinion, or just paying outright?

Really depends on your drinking habits. If I'm solo I don't need. I just get the coffee card and pay as I go. 

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Cruising solo on the Anthem Nov. 27 out of NY.  Did an 11 night solo on the Anthem last February and a 15 night transatlantic solo on NCL Epic last April. Love cruising solo. Just do whatever I want, and I'm in no big rush to try and force myself to mingle. It's so relaxing. Best way to travel solo IMO.

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1 hour ago, mpoole3 said:

I don't cruise solo anymore, but I have done 30+ solo cruises and loved them all.   Not fun getting more food at Jammer and walk back and someone took your table, but other than that be yourself and can always find 1 open seat at the bar to make new friends.

Yeah, that sucks. I always try to bring something that I can mark my table with. Hat, jacket, over shirt, water bottle, freestyle cup, walking cane... Cane is the easiest for me since I usually have it with me anyway and I can get around the WJ well enough for short trips to the stations. I sort of just lay it across the table when i get up to refill. Folks seem to get the message.

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7 hours ago, mpoole3 said:

I don't cruise solo anymore, but I have done 30+ solo cruises and loved them all.   Not fun getting more food at Jammer and walk back and someone took your table, but other than that be yourself and can always find 1 open seat at the bar to make new friends.

Wait.  Is this an @mpoole3 sighting on the message boards!?!?! 

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@santley88, I typically cruise solo and would get the DDP. I do not just use it for alcoholic beverages, but for the bottled water, soda, teas, coffees (never drink it except on cruises), smoothies, shakes, etc. It always paid off for me, plus, no need to keep an eye on spending. For my first cruise coming up as a Diamond, I am not getting it, but the  package without alcohol. I still consisted the DDP, but figured that if by some chance I wanted more than four drinks (doubt it), it would be better to pay out of pocket. I am doing the UDP this time, so am glad to hear that you enjoyed it and made good use of it!

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On 9/28/2022 at 12:35 PM, santley88 said:

I am cruising solo next year (May HoTS) my last cruise, I got the UDP and made full use of it.  I didn't get the DDP and honestly didn't miss the alcohol much, but realized that a few margaritas, etc would have been nice.  I am not a heavy drinker.  probably would average two to three adult beverages a day.  I am curious if some of the posters would weigh in on whether or not the DPP would make sense, in your opinion, or just paying outright?

I had the DDP decision as well once I started getting the vouchers.  I found I didn't use it that much except for waters (I don't like drinking the tap water lol).  So instead I prepurchase bottled water through the cruise planner and use the vouchers for other specialty drinks.  Been good so far.

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On 10/2/2022 at 10:36 PM, mpoole3 said:

I don't cruise solo anymore, but I have done 30+ solo cruises and loved them all.   Not fun getting more food at Jammer and walk back and someone took your table, but other than that be yourself and can always find 1 open seat at the bar to make new friends.

I actually thought if that issue. I decided to make a little sign that says, “table still occupied”. That way I can leave an get more food and have my table still there. Hopefully that will help me. 

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