Ten Things to Know About Cruising Solo

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.

Love cruising solo

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.

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.

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.

I do most everything by myself. The only drawback is wanting to avoid people who are trying to pick you up….

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.

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.

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

Just found you! Great info. Solo travel is in my future! I subscribed 😀

If you get a studio you pay much less and only pay for one supplement fee. Thxs for the video.

Many cruise lines and agents have specials waving the single supplement

Of course you don’t pay port charges for two!!

BRAVE!! In this day and age!! Very backward thinking!

Always fun to make up a dramatically crazy story for the onslaught of people asking why cruising alone!! I

I went on a virgin cruise in Jan. I would definitely do a solo cruise on Virgin

I am going on my first solo cruise on NCL. i am not paying a solo supplement fee since I have a solo cabin.

I'm doing my first solo cruise in August. You are very encouraging!

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?

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.

Makinng friends ionboard is not guaranteed!!!

Most people (women) travel solo because they don't have a partner.

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.

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.

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’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.

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!

No double Loyalty points on Norwegian. Didn't even give me points for the week I spent on an NCL land tour of Alaska.

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. 🙏🏽

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.

Girl you almost made me cry... I can't wait to go on my 1st solo cruise for my birthday next year 🎉!!!

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.

Inspirational thank you, I’m a recent widow haven’t traveled solo but now less fearful via your perspectives

i can understand the supliment,
but i do think that it should be 75% because the missing person isnt eating

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

Thinking of being a solo cruiser, I'm single, thanks for your information.

Ncl is definitely the best as a solo cruiser

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.

What about solo studios?And Vacations to go singles cruises?

Great tips🎉🎉🎉

recently became aware that Carnival does not give double loyalty points!!

I think they should give you a discount because only one person is eating.

That's 21 meals not served.

I'm planning a solo cruise and this was really helpful! Thank you!

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.

Female solo cruisers are called “brave”. Male solo cruisers are called “the gay guy”. That’s my experience.

I did a 15 day solo cruise a few years ago and boy it was the absolute best 15 days of my life. The self indulgence and total disconnect was life changing.

Probably will never solo cruise, but very informative. Funny, first thing I thought of was, why does she cruise solo? But occurred to me for similar reasons I enjoy solo time in the parks.