Is Solo Cruising Lonely? 😞 

Yes!!! Alone vs lonely! Huge difference. I love ppl but I also love traveling solo. I'm n9t in that lil couples box. I will say the downside can be not having som3one to share all the ah ha moments

My husband and have met a lot of solo travelers on shore excursions and I typically engage them in conversation when we are on the coach if they are nearby, for a couple of reasons, sometimes you can see they feel uncomfortable being by themselves and they might hang with us and other times they will wander on their own. But I am the type who will also keep tabs on who was seat mates near us so they don’t get left behind especially if they are solo as there is no one there to let them know that person is not on the coach yet. We have met some wonderful and interesting people that way.

And remember, an ample smile helps you meet amazing people ❤ Keep enjoying life, Kevin!

A new category of videos is born “The Cabin Chats” also a good name for a podcast.

There is a big difference between solitude and loneliness! I love traveling alone as a solo female traveler in my van, Tommy! I have never met a stranger so I meet and talk with others wherever I go, but have time alone when that’s what I want! I have never cruised alone but find your adventures inspiring! I know there’s a solo cruise in my future! Hopefully to Antarctica!!

I used to feel like the odd man out when I said I love to travel solo. I still get the "pity" looks sometimes, but after seeing some epic meltdowns and fights with families on trips I will take solo everytime lol. There are always people to connect with...if you want to. And if not its ok!

This nine or ten minute video format works great. Views around the ship and your superb walks in the port are of HIGH interest to me, for what it's worth.

I enjoy travelling solo and have no issue with getting together with other travellers when I want to and choosing to do my own thing on other occasions.

I always cruise alone. I prefer it that way. Did the Princess 2023 world cruise solo and it was fabulous. Met many lifelong friends

Hey Kevin, great video! Personally, I don't think solo travelling is lonely at all - I find it so healthy to escape and detach from the world at times, and solo cruising is the best way (that I've found) to do this. It's great to see your content back on here again!

I think it's great to have solo meet-ups, activities, and tours for everyone! And the fact that you're showing us the different rooms( the twin beds, to change it up a bit) is awesome! Thanks for sharing, have fun, and see you soon on the next video!🌺🛳🤗

Love the short cabin chats; my video attention span lasts about 12-14 minutes...thanks so much for the tips. 🙂

Very good ideas . I think is also your attitude while cruising and how social you want to be . See you 23 March Panama. Thanks

Great video! I’ve taken 7 solo Princess cruises. As you said the Singles & Solo meetups have varied. I went to one where there was only me and 2 guys. But on another there were over 50. Having dinner together is great. On one cruise 12 of us got together each night and made that cruise one of the best one ever.

Out of 10 cruises I've only done one solo and it was amazing. There are plenty of opportunities to chat with people and staff and get as much social interaction (or as little) as you like. I met some great people and hung out at the bars and on the pool deck several times. Personally it's very important to have the full internet package as that too can give you conversation with others back home video etc., and I found that help me feel that I was still interacting with people. Thank you for the video!

I've done two solo cruises, and I haven't been lonely either time. There are so many activities to join in on, big dining tables you can join, excursions that you can be a part of, and even a singles group meeting on board where you can meet other solos or singles. Most bars, during the day, have a group of people who are doing crafts or playing games together.

I love the idea of a sleeping bed and a sitting/chilling bed!

Last year I made my first cruise with NCl and I loved it. Yes, cruising solo. My second was with the Costa Toscana and the first 4 days I felt lost. There was nothing done for solo's, 6000 pax on board and a lot of non-english speaking guest. In may I will cruise solo again on Princess for the first time so I'm glad to see they have solo-meetings also. My experience so far is: the bigger the ship, the lonelier you get as a solo. But overall it is a great experience and you have to make the most of it yourself. Just started talking to the person next to you and before you know it you have a new friend. And don't go hiding in your cabin! Just go to a bar of theatre. I also made friends on shore-excursions, just looking for other solo's in the bus ;)

I agree there is a big difference between being alone and being lonely. Being alone can be exciting and rejuvenating. It is a choice. Thanks for all the tips for connecting with others while traveling solo. My first solo cruise starts in 44 days 15 hours and 36 minutes.

Excellent! This is the best video I have found that answers my questions about solo cruising. Since I retired from teaching in January, and I live in Florida - what a cliché, I know - I have time to take advantage of the cheaper cruises. Since I'm tired of the Caribbean, I have been looking at Princess Lines for Alaska. However, since I will be traveling alone, and Alaska is expensive, I have been holding off. This video really helped. You have the best channel! By the way, the one using Cruise Plum is priceless. Thank you for that one too.

I have been on six cruises. Half of them I have been solo. I very very much prefer solo.

I had to turn off the NCL meet up chat as there was too much and overwhelming. Hate making plans. Which is why I like Solo Travel.

To be honest I’d rather be alone, so I can do what I want, when I want.

Great video ❤glad you touched on the loneliness of solo cruising. I don’t mind aloneness. Meaning I don’t mind the aloneness. Most of time I just enjoy experiencing things on my own.

Loved the video! As a idea for you: start on a mini dream-inspired book and make characters. This gives you "people" to keep your mind active on and makes you less lonely.

Great topic and I love the format of short chats. I appreciate your suggestions for traveling solo. I have not done so but have thought of it. Being forced to go solo by widowhood, I am concerned that I would feel lonely even though I enjoy my own company. It's a tough one. On my last cruise, I took my sister on the Ruby to Alaska! I remember you saying that it was your favorite ship. I enjoyed it too. Thanks for the great video content.

Almost all my travel is solo as wife dislikes long flights or leaving our dog with a boarder. I enjoy it, and have done so for many years.

very informative video, thank you! I don't cruise often, I did it when I was not solo in the past but now that I am solo I would like to do it in the future regardless of whether I am solo at the time or not

I cruise solo all the time and have never been lonely

I used to travel for work solo and just got used to it over the years. Basically living in hotel rooms transitions great into cruising! I am certainly going to try the two single bed set up. Makes the room look huge! Great vid!

I myself enjoyed this cabin chat.

Yes, I agree with you. You can choose if you want to interact or not...personal choice and glad there are sooooo many options on the cruise ship!

Great video, man. I went solo on Discovery Princess Jan/Feb 2024 Mexican Riviera and had a blast. I kept to myself when needed and put myself “out there” with others when I felt like it. Yeah, I had a few “lonely” moments - I won’t lie - but overall I liked the fact that I wasn’t responsible for someone else’s happiness. There’s a few things I would do different and I will test my mettle on Majestic Princess in November 2024 to Mexico and the Sea of Cortez. I’m trying an inside cabin on that sailing so I thank you for the tour. (Shower curtains on Princess don’t bother me; I do not understand the hate.)

Been looking to take my first cruise ever. Solo as well ao your video has got to the be the most informative one. Good job and thank you 🙏

Thank you for the great advice. Since I just retired I've been taking a lot of cruises and usually cruise with Princess. The reason I usually book with Princess is because I always get offered free cruises from the Princess casino. I had no idea that I'd get so many free cruise offers from Princess. Obviously, I do enjoy going to the casino on board. I do cruise by myself, since I'm not married, and have met a lot of great people and your advice will come in handy to meet even more people. Thanks again and I hope to see you on board a Princess cruise some day (or another cruise line).

As you know there is a big difference between being a lone and being lonely. You can choose your level of interaction with others as a solo, do what you want, when you want. If you choose to sit in your cabin and read a book there is nobody pounding on your door to get a drink, go to the pool, etc. I go solo to destress and recharge and cruises are remarkable battery chargers. The added surcharges stink but solo cabins are bei g added so hopefully that will change. Celebrity and Royal learned fast it was not a good idea to try to rip off solos with a 225% surcharge for solos

Yes yes yes. I really enjoyed this one. I subscribed a while ago but haven't watched all that many of your videos. I do subscribe to about 15 or so cruise bloggers. But this was great for me. I'm Solo and live in South Florida closer to Port Everglades. Only been on one cruise The Escape so far last July. And thank you for telling us about The Cruising Solo Facebook Group. I just pended. This could be my way of finding some friends down here to cruise with. Great job.

My experience it depends on the cruise . MSC was very lonely ! Lol. Great vid

Im a big guy. I have the beds as singles, as I had the beds separate on me at 3am, and I fell between them. i was lying there naked, jammed between the mattresses trying to get out, PRAYING I would not have to call out for help. Luckily, I managed to get out without assistance. and the steward switched the room for me the next day. ( In Australia we don't tip) BUT I always tip my room steward $10 for every night of the cruise. i use interior, for value for mone and personal preference as I just sleep there $15 for a balcony if I'm splurging. my sister says I'm cheap but she cruises with Holland America.

I have been solo for 25+ years now. I just enjoy my solo time now for good or for bad.

Perfect timing for your video. I'm embarking on a 14-day solo cruise on Norwegian out of Tampa this coming Sunday. I did join the Facebook group for the cruise and will seek out the solo meetups. You gave me some great ideas! Glad you're back again!

Another video! It’s like your YT renaissance. Like the room set up. I’ll do that again if I have a boat room to myself. The cruise I took last year was with family, but we all did what interested us (alone, small groups) during the day and met up at dinner. I had a lot of conversations with people late afternoon hot tub. People are mostly on vacation and happy to talk excursions, other cruises, other travel. Also chatted with people at lectures and at the gym. For a big boat ends up being a small boat. Cruise on!

I would never cruise solo, but don't judge others who do! It all goes to your personality!

Thanks Kevin for sharing I just stumbled across this video

I’ve done a lot of solo travel but I’m about to go on my first solo cruise!

I enjoy solo travel/cruises. Chance to meet new people and time for yourself when you need it. Great idea about the beds for a solo. Made the room look much bigger. Thought I caught a glimpse of a roll on suitcase, no more backpack? Do you ever miss the van?

Thanks for your video, very informative, I've been a solo cruiser for 3 cruises, and have not felt lonely at all, my shared MDR guests were all really lovely - I found that I had to introduce myself when I sat down and get their names - and ask innocuous questions around the table seated - the group were always forthcoming and usually humorous and good natured, an older crowd on Princess (Grand) which I loved as these people were open and ready to interact, only being with your life partner can become a little tedious come dinnertime, (what do you talk about). I have been very reluctant to go to SOLO cruise get-togethers - cause I'm not interested in any sort of romantic or relationship hookup, so have not utiilised these events. I love cruising alone, I have (usually) my balcony cabin to retreat to. Sitting on my own for a quiz, I found 3 other, one couple and one solo who joined up, which as really lovely, Am still not sold on the solo cruises get-togethers ... may be I'll try it on my Royal Carri bean cruise to Alaska in September ????

Cabin chats yes

Very well done my friend

Just booked my first cruise ever. On the Norwegian Breakaway. I like to travel solo so I hope this will be a good experince :)

Thx for the video; I like your cabin chats! I'll be a first-time cruiser either this year (or by March of next year), and as a solo wannabe cruiser, I really enjoy all the tips you give out. I've FINALLY whittled my cruiseline choices down to: Princess, Celebrity, and Virgin Voyages. In light of all the cruises you've sailed on Princess ships now, which ship did you find had the best food? I also love theatre and would like to know if you've found any Princess ship that has a really good theatre show (more in line with a Broadway musical or play, and/or an aquatic show)? Kevin, thanks in advance for any help. The more I whittle down my choices, the more excited I am to try out cruising!! *PS - Being "alone" doesn't really bother me because I'm a writer and an isolophile, so it's kind of a normal environment for me. I love to travel and was going to live in an RV full time (but after all the issues many full-time RV'ers had during 2020 and 2021, plus the rise in RV prices, I decided to wait until I could afford a piece of land to place my RV on AND for the RV prices to go back towards some sort of normal. The prices are going down now, so I'm on to finding land!!! In the meantime, I'm excited to try cruising!! Happy and safe sailing!!

Good type of video, it's needed

Learn to dance, do anytime dining and share the table with other diners and you'll never be lonely on a cruise again!!

Great video! Is that your Unbound Merino t-shirt you are wearing in this video? I like the look of it. Because of your videos, I just purchased 5 Unbound Merino t-shirts, 5 Unbound boxer briefs, and an Unbound hoody. I’m very impressed with Unbound’s quality. Safe Travels!

Please tell us more about cruising as a senior citizen. My wife fatigues easily so cruises are a good fit for us. Thanks for sharing.

Not, I guess! I love my alone time....

Hey, like the bed setup!

I went on two solo cruises last year 2023 in October (Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas to the W. Caribean) and December (Celebrity Eclipse to Cabo). In my Cabo cruise I felt uncomfortable during an excursion when I was alone with five other couples. Worse yet, when the tour guide said "In this port you can find everything from liquor, souvenirs, a BOYFRIEND!" and he pointed his finger at me. Another awkward point is when I often got asked "Is it just you?" on each cruise. Other than that, I had a good time. Especially when I went on ports and I got to do everything I wanted. In my October cruise I met a couple of ladies who were friends from Georgia state and I hanged out with them. On my December cruise, I met two siblings near my age who were cruising with their parents and they happened to live in my same neighborhood. So I hanged out with them often. I even made a friend in the Cabo port who showed me around and took pictures of me. All the good sure did outweighed the awkward points of solo cruising. Oh! and in my October cruise, in Perfect Day at CocoCay, I was able to jump from one area to another as I pleased; I did everything on my own terms and my time. But sure, there's nothing better than traveling with that special someone and having fun together.

I've been on 3 cruises on my own, fantastic. I dine with random people and enjoy disconnecting.

I always cruise NCL and love cruising solo. I have 3 booked ❤

NCL was lonely for me, 18 days every meal alone, shared dining does not work.

Ncl definitely #1 for solos

I'm sorry, but I wouldn't choose to separate the beds if I was cruising alone. I don't feel right asking the room steward to separate them because I know full well they'll have to be put back together for the people on the next sailing. All I need from the room steward is for him/her to do their job quietly. And interaction from me would be non-existent or no more than a hello and thank you.

The trivia thing does work, I made friends and met them again on another cruise and we had soo much fun again and this time it wasnt just trivia but also did the outdoor games and guess the song games.☺

Last time I asked you said you no longer carry the Sony RX 100 camera. Were you interested in selling it?

Good video

Umm..."Chester Drawers"? My grandmother was from Missouri and that's how she said "chest of drawers". Are you from Missouri?

What was it about your Norwegian Cruise that made it the best solo cruise? Love your channel!

Do the solo cruisers that do it alot feel age has anything to do with it? Had my 73rd birthday last May solo and the last person in my family wondered how many are in my boat so to speak?🥴

No. No it’s not. There’s literally people everywhere 24/7/365 on cruise ships who want to talk to you and hang out with you. As an extrovert who truly thrives on getting my energy from others and someone who finds being alone exhausting, solo cruising has become an addiction to me since there’s never anyone around to socialize with in my day to day life and there aren’t really third places to go and meet people anymore. But on a ship they will have a solo meetup almost every single day and an LGBTQIA+ meeting every evening. And heck, if you’re that lonely and need to talk to someone, there’s always friends of Bill. You literally have to put effort into being lonely on a cruise, even as a solo, because people will talk to you every time you leave your room.

Two bed teaser?😁

How profoundly depressing. Yet, I long to go to sea.

Being alone is better. Don’t have to be considerate of others or worrying if you are offending anyone. SMH

Where's the girl???

I’m not trying to get personal, but considering the nature of the topic, why aren’t you traveling with a romantic partner?

Nice information for so many! Cool room tour too!