I've gone on 2 cruises with a friend. It was wonderful to spend time with her, but we have different priorities, so I think the freedom of this solo cruising would be WONDERFUL. I'm already researching for the future.
This is one of the most accurate and thorough videos about solo cruising I have ever seen. I like that you gave new solo cruisers a heads-up about people constantly being baffled that someone would travel alone. Happens every time. 😂 Thank you.
I won’t even tell anyone I’m alone. None of their business. I’m at a point in life where i feel no obligation to answer nosy people’s questions. I get asked all kinds of questions constantly. Are you married? Do you have kids? A neighbor even texted me asking if I’m a self made millionaire & how old am I. I never replied & we haven’t spoken in over a year. To me that’s just utterly disrespectful. Let people volunteer information that they want to share about their personal life. Sorry for rant. 😂
I'm going on my first solo cruise in 6 months and I'm really looking forward to it. I've almost always been a solo traveller, but for cruising I always had someone with me. So I'm looking at solo cruising just like my solo travelling. I love being able to go where I want, go to the restaurants I want, go to the shows I want and indulge myself. For me, a vacation is some self care. And what better way for me to indulge in self care than to cruise solo.
I just finished my 5th solo cruise and I love it. I would never share a room, and I like to do my own thing. I always have the option of sharing a table in the dining room, but I never do. Great vid!
Definitely going on a cruise by myself is awesome, I’ve actually gone on a few cruises by myself and I did get told I am bold and brave to do that, I just answered it’s great, I can go where I want and not worry about anyone else, I would always go on my own if given the chance.
I used to go with my daughter and had many cruising adventures together. Also sharing with friends and having my own cabin on a group cruise with people I know. The few solo cruises, I did the Cruise Critic thing and even organised the cabin crawls which was great fun!
I’ll probably be called brave when I go on my solo cruise this Oct 30 - Nov 4. I plan on being in one of my utility kilts every day except for Halloween.
Up until Covid. I always traveled and cruised with friends or family. When cruising started, I decided I was going on my own. I booked a cruise on princess for seven nights in the Caribbean, it was the best decision I ever made! Since then I’ve been on four cruises on my own, three others on Princess, and one recently on Norwegian. I’ve met so many other people, interesting people from around the world that I keep in touch with, and actually one of the solo cruises on Princess turned into an amazing solo group, and we are all planning to meet again on a Holland America ship in 2024. I like the independence that I have traveling on a cruise ship on my own, I do what I want, I eat when I want, and I really feel like I don’t have to accommodate others, which is how I always felt prior to going on my own. So many of the things you stated in this video are true, people are nosy, People have asked me probing questions, and I’ve also been called brave and bold. There are times that it can be lonely, sometimes eating breakfast in the Buffet on my own is a little lonely, however, I always find something to do to keep me occupied, and overall I have found that I really like solo cruising, I’m planning my next solo cruise for the fall and it’s probably going to be on Norwegian as well. One thing I always do is I attend a solo cruiser meet up, it’s not people who want to date, it tends to consist of people who are mid age or even older, and they just are people who want to cruise on their own. But the group gives them an opportunity to interact with other cruisers. This was a great video. Thanks for making it.
I needed this. Booked & canceled a solo birthday cruise recently, as I began to panic & get anxious 😢 Now your video just inspired me to rebook it! Subscribing so I can rewatch this & your other videos when I start panicking again. Thank you. 🙏🏽
@@SheSailsAway 7 day MSC from Port Canaveral to Ocean Cay, Costa Maya, Cozumel. I'm just debating driving 7 hours, park and cruise, vs flying, and all the transportation logistics. These are the things that make it daunting. Hotels in FL have horrible reviews unless I want to spend $250+.
I took a trip to Alaska last year as a solo traveler and I specifically asked to dine alone. I live by myself so have no problem dining alone when going out.
I’m glad I found channel. You seem like such a warm, kind person. The way you speak and word choice are gentle and welcoming. I don’t feel like I’m watching late 90s 2am infomercial.
Information was recently released by P&O Australia that their budget per cruiser for included meals is $9.90 AUD per day, making it a small part of a day's cruising budget
The experience for a male solo is totally different than for a female solo. The only time I will make an effort to interact with others is to mingle at the solo meetup the first night. But I'm not looking to hang out with others because hanging out = sitting at a bar for hours on end as if we're acting out an episode of Cheers. I don't drink like that. And I'm a quiet person.
It depends on your nature I think rather than gender. I'm a female and going solo BECAUSE all my friends would want to party and hang out at bars! The first place I'll be checking out is the library, and I want to sit on deck reading a book and watching the world go by.
About 5 years ago, I was doing a land based tour of Norway before sailing to Svalbard. The tour guide called me brave for traveling alone. I thought it was funny since she is a professional tour guide who must also travel alone, plus pretty much anywhere in Norway is safer than anywhere in the US where I’m from.
Great tips, and great to find another solo cruise advocate on RU-vid. The Double Loyalty points is a really good one - I do think this is really good of them, and the least they can do with the double fare!
I just found your channel and found your video about solo travelling very interesting. I always travel solo, but I have never done a cruise mainly because of the double price for a solo traveller. I will now look for solo cabin sales. Thanks for the information. I have subscribed.
On my last cruise, wife passed away several months before, got charged a single supplement. Will have to check out if double loyalty points. I usually prepay my services charges. If the services received is good usually give a little extra. Single staterooms aren't all that good, they tend to be somewhat small. Got assigned to a table by myself. Brought a picture with my wife in it so at least I could look at my wife. On the cruise I was on the single events occurred at my assigned dining time and were unhosted. Many were surprised I went alone. No one called me brave. Maybe if I wasn't around they would call me stupid. Many asked me about the picture of my wife. Did meet some new people and became friendly with a few. Met them in the casino. I saw most of the people only in the casino. Do like to cruise. My wife would probably want me to keep cruising. Hope my next cruise by myself goes better. Have a friend who is interested in coming.
I'm surprised they sat you by yourself! Sounds like you would have had much more fun with other solo travelers. So sorry about your wife's passing. I hope your next cruise is much more enjoyable.
I've travelled on my own since I was 19.I have met many people over my travels. I tend to go the bar have a drink and meet people. But at time I just stick to myself and very content. Now, cruising is something else, being stuck in a ship for 7 days, I know you have a change to explore at each port but back on ship sorrowed by ocean. I am hesitant to say the least. I hope I go on a cruise to either Alaska, Norwegian, or Iceland. I am working on it it. I has been a few years of me trying to convince myself to take the plunge
Good luck in your travels--cruising can be very noisy, very crowded. You sound like you know yourself well, trust your instinct and enjoy your journeys. Thank you for sharing.
I am so sorry for your loss, and I'm glad you found the video helpful. Thank you so much for commenting. I hope if you takeoff on a solo adventure that you have a great time.
So true being called brave. I was quite surprised by this. My first solo cruise was this last Jan and it was a bit daunting but omg it was so fantastic! I’m cruising solo again over Xmas (did not realise the dates included Christmas….d’oh!) and possibly again in Jan if my niece can’t come…her parents are dithering on letting her.
I have been on four cruises in the last 18 months. 2 were solo. One was in an overpriced solo oceanview on the HAL Koningsdam. One was a 0% single supplement Oceanview on Celebrity Apex. When looking at solo cruises going forward, I will ignore solo cabins and shop for low or no supplement cruises. I very much prefer to eat and go ashore alone. But no one drinks alone when there is a bartender. The only thing that scares me about travelling solo is airports and train stations. I'm pushing 60 and have a mild cognitive impairment. So I don't really handle complex situations and challenges very well. When a ticket machine misbehaves or a well meaning ticket agent gives me detailed instructions, I get flummoxed and panicky.
There's always challenges when traveling solo, aren't there? Sounds like you're out in the world having a great time. Smart advice here as well. Thank you so much for commenting and watching!
I love ncl as a solo cruiser. They have nightly solo meetings and dinners. They have their own solo lounge as well. I'm 58 have been doing solo cruising with ncl since 2019
@@SheSailsAway Thanks. Starting with a Canada New England cruise on the Zaandam. Figure it would be best to start with English speaking embarkation and disembarkation ports!
Almost all hotels charge per night for the room. On cruise ships they divide by 2 and charge per night per passenger, to make it sound cheaper, but charge for 2 passengers to get the right fee.
What about the food costs? I thought most cruise prices include food and if you're solo, you will only eat about half of what 2 people sharing a cabin would eat
I did subscribe. I just wanted to thank you for offering this channel. I’ve been looking for channel devoted to solo travel and couldn’t find anything exclusively on this topic, so I’m thrilled to be able to follow your content. It just so happens I’m retiring soon and have been shopping around for possible cruises. I do have some concerns about getting to the cruise ports safely and doing all the right things boarding the ship…also getting the excursions you want, and activities on the ship and so on. I’ve heard that a lot of times, they are sold out. I look forward to seeing what your take is on all things pertaining to solo travel and just cruising in general.
Thank you for subscribing! Subscribers and likes help the channel grow. I agree, there is not a wealth of information (just yet) out there for solo cruisers. I hope to offer a mix of information for both solo cruisers and all cruisers. I do understand your concerns about safety. Cruising and booking shows, rooms, all of that stuff--can be overwhelming. Stay tuned for content, and I hope you enjoy. I am always open to suggestions for videos that may be helpful!
Love your perspective on the "brave" comment. I have travelled the world solo for years and often get that comment. I read recently where someone said back---I am not going off to war , I am just taking a vacation. Maybe they felt it was a negative comment but in reality it is how we choose to think about it. I am in the camp of If there is nobody available ----off I go alone and I love the no compromise aspect and I always meet people if I want to ---when I don't want to ---it is nose in a book time. For women Safety can be an issue on what one shares but less so on a cruise I think.
Agreed! We do have to be careful. And I agree, it's in how we look at things. Some people really genuinely can't imagine getting out and doing fun things by themselves and to them, brave is a compliment.
Gratuities -- why the heck would you need to pay double? A single cruiser is already paying over the odds. Same for port fees - the port charges per person I think
Americans seem to have a different approach to gratuities than Europeans. Staff are only doing what they are paid to do, do why should you pay them a gratuity when they're just doing their job? Or is it because American corporations under-pay and expect customers to make up the difference
Carnival doesnt have solo cabins or double points and on my last solo cruise they put me at a table with old married couples. I don't mind. I learned some things I didn't know (like adults can order a banana split from children's menu). I asked Carnival's Brand Ambassador John Heald about asking "the beards" to implement double points, he says he has and as they are planning on changes to their rewards system he will push for it again
I mentioned solo cabins in the video. :) Haven't had much luck with Vacations to Go....but I know a lot of people have. I need to check them out again!
This was very informative. I'm especially wooed by not cooking!!! To me to be left alone, other people feeding me and a spa sounds wonderful. Are these cruises more kids oriented or which one would be more senior oriented?? Can you get a classical concert as opposed to pop music? I will have to find these things out. Are there any less than 7 days?
Thank you! Yes, plenty of cruises that are three and four nights. These tend to be heavy on a party atmosphere, so keep that in mind. Celebrity or Cunard would be good choices for no/low children on board. Most ships have many choices for live music--but full production shows are generally more pop music. I'm sorry I just now found your comment. For some reason, it was held for review. Thank you for watching!
July 2024. Norwegian just announced they are adding another 1,000 solo cabins to their fleet. Travel with those lines that want our solo business. Boycott those like Princess who refuse to acknowledge the growing solo market.
As you will have no 'witness' to back you up, get ready to be harassed and taken advantage of By the Crew/Staff. Never Again on Royal Carribean! They advertise one thing and then screw you over! Gratuities Are Not Mandatory. Since being harassed on Royal Carribean, I tell the Purser on the last day of sailing to Withhold All Gratuities.
Well that's your choice, but I see no reason to deprive staff of money because I didn't like the cruise company. These are people with families. I had exceptional service on Royal and had no problem showing my appreciation. If I was harassed on a cruise line there's no way I would sail it again. Taking your cruising dollars elsewhere is one of the best ways for consumers to be heard.
They used to offer two single beds, and you could sign up to sharexwith a stranger ( you specified gender). Thats how the fouble occupancy requirements got filled by solo cruisers. From your video i guess those old accomodations were done away with on newer ships.
Facts. I had so much fun on my first solo cruise because I made so many friends and there were a lot of single ladies there as well, but the last solo cruise I took was really depressing 😂 no friends, no other single folks…I was bored.
I'm sure it varies! I say you "can" make friends, no guarantees for sure. I'm sure there's a big mix of reasons why people are solo. I'm married and the solos I meet are a mix of married and unmarried.
The double cruise points is a good reward for paying more and cruising solo. I’m not really sold on the solo studio cabins. Searching Royal Caribbean here in Australia, the studio interior and oceanview cabins are more expensive than just booking the normal interior or oceanview cabin, so you’re better off just doing that. I don’t know if it’s any different in the USA.
@@stuartjohnson5686 not always cheaper and just a touch cheaper at best. the advantage is the audio lounge and a solo cruise coordinator. Solo is only on newer and bigger ships. doing an Alaska with solo since this is my first trip ( well since 2005) this will be a more comforable thing for me as I am not an extrovert. but may switch to smaller ship on later cruises.
