Is cruising solo lonely

[shelldub]

hi all,

I wanted to get some advise from those who have cruised solo.

I might be taking a 12 night cruise during the summer but have some concerns
1) that I will be lonely
2) I will miss my bf not being on the cruise and that this may ruin it and almost make me sad!!!

I generally like my own space and really don't mind being alone but I've never gone away on my own.

Any input would be great.

 

[Patsydust]

It definitely doesn't have to be lonely! Technology has gotten us far, especially Facebook! People plan meets and greets, classes and excursions together. Plus there are also generic group activities on board to meet people and you can arrange dining with other people. Be seated in a group and you'll have the same people the whole trip! It's awesome! I wouldn't worry too much about that. Just sign up for your meets on Disboards and find your cruise group on Facebook! It'll be a blast and you'll get the stateroom to yourself! Sounds like lots of win!

 

[luvpooh]

I think it depends on you as a person, your normal routine, etc.

I took a solo trip about 15 years ago to WDW and definitely missed my boyfriend (now DH), a LOT. If I got the opportunity to vacation alone without DH and DS, I'd be grabbing my suitcases out of the basement before I hit 'post reply'! Don't get me wrong, I love them to death, and I'm sure I'd miss them, but mama needs a break!

Quite honestly, when I have to travel for business now, it's like a little vacation. All that free time on the plane/in the airport, alone in a hotel room - bliss!

Maybe in your case, try something shorter/closer to home before jumping into a 12 night trip on a ship where you can't really bail midway if you did get lonely? I think there are tons of activities on a cruise especially that are good for solo travelers.

 

[shelldub]

Funny thing is I could jump ship if I got lonely - it's around Europe but I know I wouldn't do this.

I have tried to look up the cruise on and here and Facebook and can't seem to find the group on Facebook or any solo travellers.

I do need to make up my mind soon but just apprehensive. I guess I really don't mind being alone but I would hate to be seeing all these beautiful places thinking "I wish my bf was here" I don't want it to ruin it.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

It's up to you if you allow the fact that your friend isn't with you to ruin your trip. If you can't get past the fact that your friend isn't present you aren't going to have a good time. Some folks just can't get past it.

 

[shelldub]

I mean boyfriend when I say bf

 

[MakiraMarlena]

that's a friend.

 

[shelldub]

Ok well I'm clarifying I mean boyfriend.

 

[ludari]

I've completed 11 solo cruises and 8 of those have been on Disney (DCL). You don't have to be lonely when you cruise but that all depends on you. They are plenty of activities on the ship to keep you entertained and DCL also hosts several singles lunches for those passengers cruising solo. With all my solo cruises I have met some wonderful people and I stay in touch with a lot of them still and even met up with them at WDW, DLR or just for dinner or drinks. I've completed two 14-night transatlantic cruises which are definitely my favorites. I would definitely encourage you to venture out and cruise even if your bf cannot join you.

 

[shelldub]

Thank you ludari

I certainly don't think I'll be bored. I was on the dream I. October so know that there are so many activities for me to do.

I think I'll speak to my bf(boyfriend) and go from there. I would hate to miss out cos he doesnt want to go.

 

[simpleohio]

I cruised solo once with Disney, 14 days Transatlantic.

I think around Day 5 I felt it and out of all the days, I had one day I felt blue. But for me is a break from life, I did what I wanted, ate when I wanted, and enjoyed the lack of technology, but I did use it every few days to send out messages to friends and family.

Most times when you are on the ship, folks are walking around solo as they head to their activities. I ended up meeting some nice folks mid-way thru and that was nice.

The only time I felt really odd was dinner, by around day 4 or 5 I finally got the dining team to understand to bring out the meals fast, so I could eat quick and go. I think it depends on who you are table mates are, but I rather eat under 30 minutes and go. Some nights I skipped the main dining and went and saw a movie instead.

I love to travel solo again, but I lucked out and found an amazing rate...if you do book solo remember you are charged almost the same as 2 people so keep an eye on the rate, if it lowers get it adjusted.

 

[ozliz]

I've cruised solo twice and cruised with others twice. I was not lonely because I am happy travelling alone generally. On the 7 night Easter Caribbean there were two other ladies travelling solo and we were seated together for dinner. (Surprised the servers more than us). I find chatting to strangers at dinner most nights enough and the occasional chat with others at some onboard activities or port excursions is fine too. I expect I would get lonely if I was in a relationship where I was used to being with my partner all the time. I think whether you will get lonely depends more on your relationship and personality than anything else. People are generally pretty friendly otherwise.

 

[shelldub]

Thanks simple Ohio.

I actually love getting to know knew people and would quite enjoy sitting with other solo travellers for dinner and having a good conversation.

I guess it's those down times I question if like you I will get blue.
I've made up my mind that I will have a chat with my boyfriend and give him one last chance to go and if not I'll go alone.

 

[shelldub]

Thanks ozliz

I think you hit the nail on the head. Myself and my boyfriend have travelled a bit, already taken a Disney cruise and I suppose I'm used to him being there. Maybe I don't want him to miss out but his loss really!!

Question. Are solo travellers ales placed together at dinner.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I have read a couple trip reports by solo cruisers and they sounded like they had a great time. One had a dinner seating with 5 other solo cruisers. I think there are even a couple special scheduled solo cruiser events.

 

[Disneypeach]

I've cruised solo several times on DCL (and will be going again in 2017). I'm an introvert but have had a wonderful time with each cruise meeting some great passengers and great CMs. As far as dinner goes I've been seated with 8 other single adults (2015 EBTA what a table! so much fun!) and I've been seated with couples. One thing: you won't know until you try it...you might find that you enjoy traveling solo. Come join us!

 

[gismo1554]

I love travelling on my own but I'm single so don't have the boyfriend problem. I think cruises are great as there are lots of opportunities to socialise with other people and also spend time on your own. It all depends on how you feel. Only you can spoil it for yourself if you do miss your bf. If however you can put that aside and get involved then I think you would love it.

 

[CM Dad]

Have only done one solo cruise. Booked the 4-night Dream in January 2015 after marathon weekend to do the inaugural Castaway Cay Challenge race. Booked my wife, but she was unable to take the time off so cancelled her half. Didn't enjoy having to pay basically the same amount that it would have cost for us both. I did do dinner at Remy that cruise as a sole diner. That was something my wife had no interest in doing and if we we traveling together I would have skipped. Had an OK cruise, but I do enjoy traveling with my wife (and on some of our cruises with our adult kids and our grandkids)