Solo cruisers

[Lyne]

Hi.

I am thinking about going on a cruuse solo.  Any advice or is there a solo group that exist?  

[AshleyDillo]

I love solo cruising..don't have to answer to anyone and you get to live on your own timeline and agenda.  It's fantastic! 

If you are looking to socialize, talk to anyone and everyone on the cruise and you'll meet tons of people. They usually advertise a solo meet up of some sort on the cruises in the Cruise Compass, at least they have been on my current cruise. I'm solo but I haven't attended any of them so I'm not sure how it goes

[Chili]

I did my first solo cruise about 6 months ago and I really had apprehensions about sitting in the corner and having no one to talk to. But it was probably the best cruise I have ever been on .

First thing I did was go to the solo get togethers and I had a ball. People in groups would ask if I was alone and take me under their wing and I made so many new friends.

I think I would prefer to travel solo and meet strangers,a stranger is a empty book and you have to fill the pages in.

 

 

[Suzanne Elise]

I have done a lot of solo traveling. Go for it! You will feel powerful when you overcome that anxiety. Vegas is a great destination for solo. Married now I ate breakfast in the MDR by myself and had a nice chat with my neighbors. I do meet so many more people when I am by myself.

[Cactus527]

I did a solo cruise in January. I was definitely anxious that I would be bored or feel lonely, but it was the BEST! I got to do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted, and I met such great people. Definitely recommended! If there is a board for solo cruisers, I may have to look into it - I'm unaware of one at the moment.

[Traveling Mike]

I have done 10 cruises solo and before that I cruised as a solo parent.  I have found out that I am never alone.  I have thousands of new friends.  If you are willing to talk there is always someone to talk to.  On the other hand I love being able to set my own agenda and change it anytime I want.  I do what I want.  If I want to do every activity during the day that is what I do.  If I want to stay in my room and watch tv and nap all day that is what I do.  Solo is great.

[Mazeylab]

Been on 3 cruises.  2 in past 3 months.  All solo.  I’ve met plenty of great people on the ship and the beaches. Plenty of people to talk to if you’d like. 
You can do whatever/whenever. Plus the one benefit? Not arguing with someone, that’s priceless. I always see those couples everywhere, the unhappy ones that would be much better off traveling solo. My last trip on Voyager out of San Juan, I kept having people comment that I looked so happy, it was because I was. I had a great week.  
 

 

 

[ellcee]

I've enjoyed it. I think it depends on what you want out of it. You can be friendly with others (same as non solo) or keep to yourself. I like the freedom of solo and doing what I want to do whenever I want to. I'm also an only child who can entertain myself for hours.

I haven't loved the solo events because they weren't clearly marked and non solo joined. I did the trivia a few times and there were couples, kinda was besides the point...

[Ampurp85]

I normally cruise solo, and it can be great. As many others have said, you can do what you want, when you want. The only downsides come if you cruise solo as a woman. Lots of people will call you brave and often will try to force you into hanging with them. 

[Matt]

Couple articles with helpful advice:

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2020/05/28/solo-cruises-royal-caribbean

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2023/01/17/royal-caribbean-solo-cruises-surprising-things

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2022/01/29/what-i-learned-my-first-solo-cruise

 

[Cactus527]

2 hours ago, Matt said:

 

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2020/05/28/solo-cruises-royal-caribbean

"While you will be paying for a second person that is not going on the cruise, in many cases this is still cheaper than a booking that only has one guest on the reservation. 

It should be noted that when you show up for the cruise without that second person, you will be refunded port fees and taxes for the second person, as well as still receive double Crown and Anchor points for cruising solo."

@Matt, does this still apply in 2023?

[KevinK]

The past 5 cruise, I been traveling solo.  Everything I do is on my own time..  Love it..  Another solo cruise coming up April 23.    

[Lyne]

1 hour ago, KevinK said:

The past 5 cruise, I been traveling solo.  Everything I do is on my own time..  Love it..  Another solo cruise coming up April 23.    

Which one?  That is around the time I am looking at.

[AshleyDillo]

2 hours ago, Cactus527 said:

@Matt, does this still apply in 2023?

It no longer does.  You have to book solo and cruise in a double occupancy room to get the extra solo point.

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/double-cruise-points-companion-cancels-and-sail-single

 

[PRMLVM]

I asked for solo cruising advice on here for a friend of mine.  He was encouraged to make sure to choose dining that seats him with others.  He now has FOUR upcoming cruises with the friends he made at the dining table!  They hit it off and hung out for the games and events during the cruise, kept in touch, and now look forward to cruising together from March to next January!

[KevinK]

1 hour ago, Lyne said:

Which one?  That is around the time I am looking at.

Anthem of the Seas. It will be my third time on it.  The most recent one was on 2-4.

[She Sails Away]

I cruise solo often and love it. Lots of us here have blogged about our solo adventures over in the blog section. It's a wonderful way to travel. You are on your own schedule and base your day around your energy level, your preferences. It's awesome!

[D Alt]

I only cruise solo.  I have been on 5 so far and 9 more booked as a solo.   you can meet people very easily, if you want or you can stay to yourself, if you want. 

Meet people at singles events, bars, clubs, casino, dinner or excursions just as an example. it's very easy even if youre introverted. 

Cruising is safe for solos. 

[Matt]

20 hours ago, Cactus527 said:

@Matt, does this still apply in 2023?

The first part is still very much the case. I've found more than half the times, it's cheaper to book a cruise with a fake second person.

However, whether or not you get the double C&S points is very hit or miss.

[D Alt]

8 hours ago, Matt said:

The first part is still very much the case. I've found more than half the times, it's cheaper to book a cruise with a fake second person.

However, whether or not you get the double C&S points is very hit or miss.

this is on the FAQ.  I would not do it this way as a solo.  And I personally have not found a better price with a fake person. 

Q  Do I get double cruise points if my sailing companion cancels and I sail as a single?

A   A booking must be created and sail as a single occupancy, with a paid single guest supplement to cruise fare, to receive the extra single sailor points. When one guest from a multiple-guest occupancy reservation cancels within 100% penalty, their cruise fare is held in penalty within the reservation. This allows the cancelled guest to potentially file a claim with their travel protection provider, if applicable. The booked cruise fare for the remaining guest(s) within the reservation remains the same and no single supplement is applied; therefore, the remaining guests receive Crown & Anchor Society points based on the initial occupancy booked within their reservation.

[Gilley]

I have never cruised solo.  I’m also thinking about doing some solo cruises.  My question is what type of room is best for solo cruisers or it doesn’t matter? 

 

 

[Matt]

21 hours ago, Gilley said:

My question is what type of room is best for solo cruisers or it doesn’t matter? 

I don't know that it matters.

Sure, if you book a studio cabin you wont pay the single supplement fee, but those studio cabins are only on some ships and there are very few of them.

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2016/11/03/guide-royal-caribbeans-single-and-studio-staterooms

[Gilley]

Thanks Matt.

[GoldenTimeHero]

I'm going on my first solo cruise in September on Navigator. This will be my third one in all. I'm excited to see what the solo experience will be like. 

[She Sails Away]

On 2/26/2023 at 7:58 AM, Ampurp85 said:

I normally cruise solo, and it can be great. As many others have said, you can do what you want, when you want. The only downsides come if you cruise solo as a woman. Lots of people will call you brave and often will try to force you into hanging with them. 

You know, I have found this to be true many times. You take a man who's traveling solo and I think people see him as someone with extra money, extra time, taking care of his mental health by giving himself a nice vacation. A woman doesn't always get seen the same way… Sometimes I feel people see me as a person attempting to enjoy my cruise despite the fact that I'm a woman traveling alone because apparently I couldn't find a friend to travel with and I have no one that loves me. Can't really describe it, but there is definitely a vibe. And sometimes, looks of pity or outright apalled faces. I have heard the 'brave' thing too, and I take it as an unwarranted compliment, I don't see taking a vacation as being particularly brave. 
 

in fact, when I first started cruising solo, people at work kept asking if me and my husband were "OK."

[Ampurp85]

1 hour ago, She Sails Away said:

You know, I have found this to be true many times. You take a man who's traveling solo and I think people see him as someone with extra money, extra time, taking care of his mental health by giving himself a nice vacation. A woman doesn't always get seen the same way… Sometimes I feel people see me as a person attempting to enjoy my cruise despite the fact that I'm a woman traveling alone because apparently I couldn't find a friend to travel with and I have no one that loves me. Can't really describe it, but there is definitely a vibe. And sometimes, looks of pity or outright apalled faces. I have heard the 'brave' thing too, and I take it as an unwarranted compliment, I don't see taking a vacation as being particularly brave. 
 

in fact, when I first started cruising solo, people at work kept asking if me and my husband were "OK."

I find the brave thing often comes from older women, who seem to have the mentality that without a significant other a person is somehow off. I am a widow who has not remarried or got into another relationship by choice, not for lack of. I enjoy my time alone as much as I enjoy time with friends and family.  Solo cruising gives me the best of both worlds. I can read and relax, basically do what I want, while having the options to hang with and meet new people.

[TimeRacer]

I can't wait to try a solo cruise! Our family is doing our first cruise ever this summer, and I'm already convinced that I'm going to love it. I love solo travel, so I'm really hoping I can eventually get a solo cruise in. I love my family, but I am the weird one and like to do much different things than the rest of them.

[Ampurp85]

1 hour ago, TimeRacer said:

I can't wait to try a solo cruise! Our family is doing our first cruise ever this summer, and I'm already convinced that I'm going to love it. I love solo travel, so I'm really hoping I can eventually get a solo cruise in. I love my family, but I am the weird one and like to do much different things than the rest of them.

I often cruise with my family once a year. I can still get my solo on......I basically tell them we will meet for dinner each evening and I do what I want for the rest of the day on the cruise. Some like to sit on deck or the bars, other the balcony. I like to gamble, and people watch, with a cruise everyone can do what they want.