Page 2 | To go on a cruise alone?

OooYoureHard · 2023-06-04T15:30:32+00:00

Would it look odd? What should I expect? I'm an introvert, I like peace and quiet and prefer my own company to socialising. Is it full of screaming kids? Would like to go somewhere hot where I can get off the ship to explore etc...

CheesyOnion · 04/06/2023 17:51

There'll be loads of single women on any adults only cruise. Most will be there looking for the social aspect rather than to avoid it though. Cruises are quite peopley

Motherbear44 · 04/06/2023 17:55

OooYoureHard · 04/06/2023 17:48

Ugh I would HATE that. It would be a deal breaker for me, I eat alone and tend to read or scroll on my phone I don't want forced conversation with some random.

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Do some research and find a cruise line that does not seat you at a table with others. NCL lets you decide when you eat and if you are going to join other singles. It doesn’t look awkward at all. I’m sure there are other cruise lines that do this. There are many people who are happy in their own company and travel solo. Have a good time.

RubbishDay · 04/06/2023 17:58

For the eating with others you can always go to the buffet and sit alone where you want.

For more formal dinners then pick your cruise line carefully. Some tend to steer towards set times and tables whereas others have that but a lot more flexible sittings where you can pick daily on times and numbers and have lots of tables for two so you won't feel conspicuous.

Honestly cruises are the best for travelling on your own. I haven't done that myself but I have travelled alone on a few different holidays and although I have only been with a partner on a cruise I will definitely cruise solo if I outlive my partner.

rusholmeruffians · 04/06/2023 18:09

I've been on a few cruises with my family but I've always said this is the one holiday I would happily do if I was ever on my own. I second P&O adult only but even their 'family' ships have adult only areas.

KimberleyClark · 04/06/2023 18:09

There are some adults only cruise lines e.g Azamara (used to be an arm of RCI but independent now). We've been with them a few times. They don't seem to force you to share a table if you are solo.

KimberleyClark · 04/06/2023 18:11

My experience of adult only pools on family friendly ships is that they are not always respected.

Tailfeather · 04/06/2023 18:27

Virgin are adult only and are doing a deal with no single supplement at the moment.

Tailfeather · 04/06/2023 18:28

www.virginvoyages.com/cruise-deals/solo-sailing

Biscofffan · 04/06/2023 18:31

My 81 year old MiL has been on several in the last 2 years on her own She loved Cunard but wasn't impressed with P and O!

Pamalot · 08/08/2023 19:11

Steer clear of the Brit ships like P&O and Tui. Find one leaving a European port rather than a UK one. You do not have to eat with others, you can sit alone and you can eat in your cabin too. There is so much to do on a cruise ship.

NotAMug · 08/08/2023 19:13

Nordicrain · 04/06/2023 17:37

Only thing with cruises is that, I think, you eat on tables with other people quite often. Or so I've heard. Would that bother you?

You don't have to, you can choose what you want to do dining wise

NotAMug · 08/08/2023 19:14

P&O do meet ups during the cruises for solo passengers. We have done lots of P&O cruises and they are brilliant, just need to pick a suitable ship as they are all very different.

Sooze2023 · 08/08/2023 19:21

I did a mini cruise on my own and absolutely loved it! You can join the entertainment, nap and eat when you want and just stand and watch the sea in between ports.

I was the envy of my friends and soooo glad I did it.

It's a yes from me.

Sugarplumfury · 08/08/2023 19:26

This is something I want to do too. Does anyone know if there are any ships where you can just dress in jeans, jumpers etc. I absolutely hate getting dressed up or even feeling like I have to do smart casual. I look tidy and clean but love to be comfy in jeans, dungarees etc. I would also not want to feel obliged to sit with someone else at mealtimes.

ButtonSister · 08/08/2023 19:37

Hurtigruten cruises are very civilised, with small ships and no need to dress for dinner, or to sit with others if you don't want to.
@Sugarplumfury

Songlines · 08/08/2023 20:30

I'd second Hurtigruten.
I've traveled with a friend previously but I'm just planning my first solo as I was so impressed with what I saw.

nocoolnamesleft · 08/08/2023 20:33

Solo holidaying is one of the reasons I love cruising so much. As much or as little company as I want, on my terms. No one else to have to keep happy. Bliss.

OhhhhhhhhBiscuits · 08/08/2023 20:47

Sugarplumfury · 08/08/2023 19:26

This is something I want to do too. Does anyone know if there are any ships where you can just dress in jeans, jumpers etc. I absolutely hate getting dressed up or even feeling like I have to do smart casual. I look tidy and clean but love to be comfy in jeans, dungarees etc. I would also not want to feel obliged to sit with someone else at mealtimes.

Avoid cunard or any of the 5 or 6 star ships if you don't want formal.

You can eat in the buffet with no dress code on most ships as well. We don't dress up formally on cruises anymore and a lot of lines princess, p&o, rc etc..... have all lowered the formality part.

Pamalot · 08/08/2023 23:21

@OhhhhhhhhBiscuits I concur. Plenty of places to eat you dont have to dress up and its only the fancier ones that go crazy for formal nights now.

Sugarplumfury · 08/08/2023 23:23

Thank you so much. I’m going to go look. Sorry for hijacking your thread OP. I hope you go for it and have a great time.

saltinesandcoffeecups · 08/08/2023 23:54

Another option is to look for much smaller boats then average cruise ship.

My husband and I like the really small ones 30pax or less. Here’s a good website https://adventuresmithexplorations.com/.

It’s a bit counterintuitive but with smaller groups people tend to mesh better.

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caringcarer · 09/08/2023 02:32

DH and I went on a cruise about 7 years ago and we were put on a table with a single lady. She was lovely and we chatted and we went to onboard spa together a couple of times.

drunkpeacock · 09/08/2023 02:54

I went on one which I enjoyed hugely except that they allocated a "singles" table for every meal. I went the first night and was the only person sitting at the big table. The waiters were sniggering too.
After that I went to the 24 hour buffet thing for meals and was much happier.

Doingtheboxerbeat · 09/08/2023 05:08

So glad I found this thread - saving up to do this next year - something to look forward to 🤗.

OhhhhhhhhBiscuits · 09/08/2023 05:45

saltinesandcoffeecups · 08/08/2023 23:54

Another option is to look for much smaller boats then average cruise ship.

My husband and I like the really small ones 30pax or less. Here’s a good website https://adventuresmithexplorations.com/.

It’s a bit counterintuitive but with smaller groups people tend to mesh better.

I would say the opposite. The OP wants to be left alone. On a larger ship that is a lot more possible. On a smaller ship she will keep seeing the same people and they might try and get her to join in stuff when she doesn't want to. Sort of like living in a city vs a small village.