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

[Leavingbyebye]

As above, have had a special trip planned for a couple of years but H and I have split up and I will either lose quite a bit of money or have to rebook for something of greater value

I’m generally happy enough in my own company but with the formality of dinners etc I’m really unsure about going solo and whether I would feel awkward.

I am mid 40s and the trip is for 7 nights, couple of stops but mainly at sea. The weather should be good. I’ve never been on a cruise before but it’s one of the prestige operators who appeal to an older demographic (rather than families etc)

I’m really at a loss as to what to do. Any honest advice or experience?

Thank you
lonesome cruiser

I’ve never taken a cruise on my own before OP, but I have regularly holidayed by myself and it’s brilliant!

My husband and I have differing interests so while we do of course go away together, at least once a year I book a trip just for me - anything from a weekend to a week and honestly, once you’ve done it once, you’ll wonder why you’ve ever travelled with anyone else again! The freedom to do what you want, when you want… it’s honestly great.

So I am firmly Team Go On The Cruise - I’m confident you’ll have a wonderful time!

Stay at home. Paint your bathroom walls blue. Sit in the bath with a glass of wine and a bowl of e coli and vomiting bug soup.
Full cruise experience, no worries about being seated with all the singles on a floating prison!

This 'singles' table you all speak of...is it like the kifds table at a wedding, because that's exactly how it sounds
Talk about 'othering' a group of people!

The cruise will have a number of ‘solo’ tables (plus loads of events) - pick a round table of 8 or 10 - you’ll have a ball!

Ive just completed a 13 night cruise. I met a number of widowed ladies who cruise regularly on their own. Mostly it was casual dining so you just walk in, grab a seat, get the food you want and talk to the nearest person. Everyone was very friendly. So go on the cruise, you will have a blast. Happy sailing.

Ah, the haters have arrived. Wondered where they’d got to.

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

Yes, we who hate the cruisers!

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!

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.

You’ve got this spot on. It’s a long time in close proximity and whilst I’ve a lot of close friends…I feel like I wouldn’t get the alone time I am craving - I just don’t want to feel out of place!

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.

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.

@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.

@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!

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.

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

Thank you all so much for the encouragement. I very much thought I’d be viewed as having two heads or be pitied by being there solo so this is so helpful to me.

I am an introvert on balance and enjoy my own company, reading etc but mealtimes it would be nice to share some company.

Company is Cunard and it’s a very nice ship.

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

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!

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.

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 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.

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.

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.