Unexpectedly single - should I go on a cruise on my own?

Go for it, OP, and report back. Sounds like a perfect break for you.

Go for it..sounds perfect ..

I once was invited by a friend on her company's staff reward holiday - many years ago now. The main part of the holiday was a few days, all expenses paid, on the Cunard Vistafjord. Incredibly comfortable and luxurious. Remembered fondly. 🌹

Cunard alone is brilliant, definitely go.

The best thing to do about dining is to ask to be placed on a large table, with 6 or 8 people. Then you can have company at dinner, but not necessarily only with solo travellers .

Honestly, I never once felt self conscious about being alone, there is a lot to do, and many couples don't spend all day doing everything together. So if you are by yourself, no-one knows (or cares) if you are travelling solo.

If it is Cunard, I'd definitely go!

I'm biased but I went on a cruise on my own (for work) and utterly loved it, one of my favourite weekends ever.

A group of Americans and Canadians corrupted me (ahem!!) and kept saying to join them, after a while I put my book aside and thought I'd have some fun and we went dancing.

So if you do decide to go solo you might enjoy it much more than you thought.

We have just returned from our first cruise this weekend. There were plenty of people alone but didn't look out of place. In the main dining rooms they took a book. You could also select to sit with others.

We were given an itinerary each night for the following day and there were lots of solo meet ups. A lot of the activities could also be done alone but as a group. I went line dancing alone as would never have got my husband to join. Plenty of people were just sat, people watching and no one battered an eye.

People made their own friendships and would often meet and go ashore together.

I would 100% say go for it. You'll regret the things you don't do rather than the things you do. It's an opportunity of a lifetime.

We went on a cruise to celebrate my retirement, we sat where we wamted, there were more formal dining rooms with a dress code but we just went to the self service one & got dressed up or casual depending on how we felt.

Nobody is "othered" - solo tables and groups are opt-in, so that anyone travelling on their own doesn't have to be alone - and can make new friends without feeling like a spare wheel - if they WANT to.

We've done 29 cruises. Never got ill once.

As for "floating prison" - it's a 5* hotel that takes you to a different place while you sleep.

Oh definitely go, you could probably use the break and take time to plan your new found freedom (wanted or not). Go, have an absolute ball!

Enjoy your trip, OP, especially the "suiting yourself" bit. No compromises needed!

There's a great solo cruise Facebook page, lots of tips and good offers posted. Cruises nearly all hold events for solo travelers

Only today I got off from a 2 week (back to back they call it) cruise on the world's largest cruise ship. It was great, I was with DH, his cousin and 2 DDs, would happily do it on my own. Got a pass for the spa and went every day. Food depends on what you pay for, can sit on your own if you want.

@Leavingbyebye -I’ve been on lots of cruises although not solo. However my experience of cruising means i would have no issue whatsoever going solo.

There will be meet-ups arranged for solo travellers if that’s your thing - I personally wouldn’t do that as I like my own company. I’d rather just go to a show, quiz etc on my own.

Dining is generally less formal than it was when I started cruising 20 years ago. If you don’t fancy sitting with others, you can ask for a table for yourself on entry to the dining room - I did this on our last cruise as DH was unwell one night and didn’t want to go to dinner. There is also always the open dining /buffet where you just sit anywhere. The buffet part isn’t as nice as the restaurants but usually ok.

I hope you do go and have a great time!

@YireosDodeAver its very common to meet widows, slightly less widowers, on a cruise. I have met more than one couple who married again having met on a cruise.

Do go. But ask the cruise operator if there's any way to link up with other solo cruisers on the same voyage. My PIL used to go on annual cruise holidays together then FIL died and MIL hasn't been on one since but has just arranged to go on one in a solo cabin but on the same cruise as a couple of other widows of her acquaintance - I don't think this is unusual.

So sorry about your unexpected breakup OP but you 100 percent must go on this cruise either on your own or with a friend. Bring some books along with you. Have a lovely time.

Please double check with the cruise line if any penalties for just going alone or cost to change guests

Do not assume you can just go on your own, I have heard of extra charges for people in this situation. (As they won't make extra drinks profit from person 2)

Mad I know but best to check.

I've done 2 cruises as a solo. One 7-night and one 14-night. I've absolutely loved them both.

You'll find plenty of other solos to team up with if you want to! But equally, if you want to be left to your own devices, that's easy to do as well.

Go and have fun!

Yes, we who hate the cruisers!

No one has to sit on a table you don’t want to. You can be as social or as introverted as you like.