Cruising solo has become a popular option for many cruisers. When it comes to taking a cruise as a single traveler, there are several things you need to know. We put together this video with 25 cruise tips for singles to help those navigating the waters as a party of 1.
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SOLO CRUISE TIPS
0:00 Introduction
1:12 Pick Your Cruise Line
1:26 Know the Demographics
1:50 Choose the Right Itinerary
2:12 Opt for an Adults-Only Cruise Line
2:40 Select the Right Size Ship
3:28 Look for Meetups
4:10 Right Onboard Activities
4:50 Consider a Theme Cruise
5:15 Beware of the Single Supplement
6:00 Dedicated Solo Cabins
6:48 Book Early
7:24 Look for Sales and Promotions
8:15 Dining Solo
8:33 Speak with Maître D’
9:14 Request a Table Change
9:35 Specialty Dining
10:25 Bar or Counter Seating
11:08 Room Service
12:17 Reach out on Social Media
12:48 Act Responsibly While Onboard
13:25 Live a Little (or a Lot)
13:48 Going Ashore
14:12 Join a Cruise Line Tour
14:54 Tips to Explore on Your Own
15:32 Do Some Homework about Ports
16:15 Hire a Private Driver
SOLO CRUISE TIPS
Traveling alone can sometimes be daunting, but cruising as a single can be a unique and rewarding experience you won’t forget. Choosing the right cruise line and ship ensures a memorable cruise. When cruising as a single, be sure to pick a ship that has amenities you will actually use. Some cruise lines cater more to solo cruisers than others, offering meet ups and other events just for single cruisers.
Another cruise tip for singles is to examine the cabin options. Know the overall costs of the cabin and whether there is a single supplement. While most mainstream cruise lines do charge solo travelers that dreaded single supplement, some cruise lines do offer solo cabins, referred to as studio cabins. NCL even features a whole Studio complex with a lounge and other amenities. Other cruise lines, like Virgin Voyages, offer special discounted rates for single cruisers.
Additionally, remember why you decided to take this solo cruise in the first place. Do as little, or as much, as you want. Cruising solo is a fantastic way to just relax or to meet new people. You can join social activities on board, such as dancing classes, trivia games, or cocktail parties. You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to make new friends and connect with people worldwide on a cruise.
When dining as a solo cruiser, speak with the host on the first night of your cruise. That way, you can get the ideal seating arrangement for you, whether that means a private table or a large table to mingle with others. Also, don’t be afraid to inquire about switching your assignment if you don’t like your table after the first few nights.
Further, specialty dining is another great option for solo travelers. Sometimes, they offer bar-style seating which is an excellent alternative to dining with others. Remember, there is always room service as well if you need a break from the crowds.
When going ashore, remember to keep your wits. Make sure to have the contact information for the ship with you just in case something happens. While we recommend a cruise line tour if you are venturing off on your own, some solo cruisers may opt for private tours as well. This could be the best way to do and see everything, with the help of an expert guide, even if it will cost you a bit more money.
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#cruise #cruisetips #solocruise
Cruising as a party of one is becoming more widely
recognized as a choice and less as a circumstance Of course decision to cruise solo is
personal but this vacation option isn't Just for widowers or people without a partner
in fact cruising is one of the best vacation Options for those looking to travel solo as
you have unhasseled relaxation and upbeat Atmosphere and a built-in ship of companions but
of course like planning any vacation there are Special considerations to think about when
cruising solo but don't worry we have you Covered as we have our expert tips and tricks
for cruising solo up next [Music] [Applause] Welcome aboard Cruisers I'm Don B from eatsy
Cruise where we help you plan the perfect Cruise So you can see the world one word at a time now
if you're thinking of taking a cruise solo there Are several things you need to consider from
jacked up room rates the social gymnastics as Well as issues like safety at port or where to sit
at dinner that's why we put together this complete Guide to cruising solo so whether you've cruised
before or you're completely new to cruising in This video we guide you through the process of
picking the best cruise for your next vacation The first step in selecting your solo
cruise is choosing the right Cruise Line That's possible you've been loyal to one line
for a long time and know it well but even for First-time Cruisers or first-time solo Cruisers
it can be important to pick the right setting for Your cruise vacation first consider how old you're
like your fellow passage to be on average bring You in luxury cruise lines and have a more mature
clientele through the price point but newcomers Like Emerald yacht cruises attract affluent
couples and Cruisers in their 40s and 50s as well The same token budget friendly cruise
lines like Carnival make cruises more Accessible to younger demograph are you
looking to party with the 20-somethings Demographics are also affected by a time
of year itinerary and length of the voyage There are typically less kids and families
during off-season times of year like fall when School starts or just before and after winter and
spring breaks longer and more exotic itineraries Will attract older or retired couples at
the time and money to travel Atlanta you Could avoid families and kids altogether
by selecting an adult's only Cruise Line Cruise lines like Viking ocean cruises and virgin
voyages offer those 18 years or older Viking is More likely to track mature couples interested in
the destination in Richmond while virgin voyages Welcomes an 18 plus crowd we're looking for a good
night out if this is all new to you then we highly Recommend you talk to a travel advisor about the
fellow passengers before selecting a cruise line Another thing you want to consider is crowd
size are you an introvert or an extrovert Not every solo Cruiser is ready to jump in and
mingle with thousands of other guests choosing a Ship style that suits your personal Comfort level
sets you up for a success when cruising single If you rather be among a small group that you
can get to know over the course of the sailing
Then consider something like a river cruise
an expedition ship or small ship cruising If you don't like the idea of everyone knowing
your business or the possibility of traveling in A sea of of couples and families then a mid-size
or a larger ship might be a better environment to Thrive in as a solo Cruiser Mega ships might seem
intimidating at first but they allow you to get Lost in the crowd or meet a different group of
people every night another way to determine if Your perspective Cruise Line is solo friendly is
to see if they offer meetups or single Cruisers These get-togethers can be as casual as a
standing time and place on The Daily program or More formally organized by a designated host again
work with a travel advisor or even ask a cruise Line representative if that particular Cruise
Line offers meetups or look for reviews online Select ships even offer a dedicated solo Cruiser
Lounge this Lounge is a built-in Social Hub for Cruisers standing on their own and staying in a
single room Norwegian Studio complex and Lounge is Available on a handful of its ships that feature
Studio or solo cabins make sure when investing Cruise lines and cruise ships you find one that
offers programming that actually interests you If it does then the connection should flow are
you a home chef then you can book a cruise to The onboard Culinary Kitchen like Oceana Cruises
then get created with fellow Cruisers during a Cooking class or do you love to dance Canard line
offers free dance lessons in its formal Ballroom Luxury Cruise Line Silver sea offers a gentleman
hosts unselect cruises for evening dancing Or as Shore Excursion escorts while this
gendered idea might seem a tad Antiquated It is intended to make single women of certain
age feel more comfortable at Social gatherings Another way to ensure you'll meet some other
like-minded individuals is to book a themed Cruise Signs offer theme sailings for everything under
the Sun from jazz cruises to Star Trek to Broadway Get lost among some fellow fans on a cruise
celebrating your favorite celebrities or pastimes A theme Cruise provides a built-in Icebreaker Another thing you need to consider are the cabin
options and staterooms on your particular ship not All solo cabins are created equal and here's why
the single supplement most statement categories Are priced at Double occupancy which means the
cruise fair is based on two individuals in a row Unfortunately for solo Cruisers they're not
getting a 50 discount for being the only one In the cabin in fact to make up for estimated
lost Revenue Cruise Lines charge a supplement To most single Cruisers that is a hundred percent
of the fare which honestly to us seems very unfair Be vigilant before booking your cruise cabin
regarding what you're getting for the price Some single rooms don't come cheaply but
include a dedicated lounge and social space Other Cruise Lines might wave these extra
fees especially on river cruise ships Now one way to avoid the single supplement
is to decide on a dedicated solo cabin Cruise Lines including Canard on markeline
Norwegian and Royal Caribbean all offer
Cabins designed and Soul 2 solo Cruisers sometimes
referred to as Studios these rooms are relatively Small on average but are priced for a single
Cruiser now virgin voyages shook up the cruise Booking game when it introduced fares that
automatically adjust based on the number of Sailors to room therefore if you are one person
booking room the rate will drop from a double Occupancy price to one for a single passenger
although honestly this is not a 50 discount but It's still cheaper than paying for a double
occupancy room keep in mind because there's Only a small block of solo cabins on any given
cruise ship they sometimes sell out in advance So if you want to be in with others cruising
solo make sure to NAB one of these rooms early There are a host of other benefits of booking
early those include greater room selection so There are more cabins to choose from and you
typically get the lowest price once booked you Can take advantage of other sales and promotion
in the cruise planner like discounts on shore Excursions drink packages and other upgrades in
our experiences booking 6 to 12 months out often Gives you the lowest fare and for some reason
the cruise rate actually does drop you can always Contact the cruise line about getting a credit
we are all for saving money so another tip is To watch for sales and promotions that waive the
single supplement set up a Google alert or employ The help of a Vigilant travel advisor to be on
the lookout for these solo friendly promotions Vantage Travel and talk are Cruise companies which
also offer land tours that won't charge a single Supplement on most of their itineraries river
cruise lines are notorious for weaving single Supplements or greatly reducing them to 10 or 25
percent on any Cruise it never hurts to ask simply Requesting to waive the single supplement could
work in your favor and if that tactic doesn't Work looking early or last minute could result in
a better chance of getting a cheaper single fare For some individuals sitting alone at a cafe is
nothing out of the ordinary but for many of us There's nothing more anxiety-inducing than having
to Brave an entire meal by ourselves this can be Especially true and the meals are three courses
and in a grand dining room hundreds of tables no Need to fret as we have several tips to help you
when dining solo on a cruise ship first speak to The maitre d on the first day of your cruise this
crew member oversees the main dining room and can Be a bit of a puppet master when it comes to
seating arrangements and guest preferences Befriend this individual early sure you can
sometimes submit seating preferences online before You're bored but nothing guarantees you'll get
the right fit like speaking directly to the Matrix Scope out your assigned dining room if you have
one on the first day and ask to see your table Do you want a tiny Nook for one or are you
willing to bet on a lodger table with other gas If you thought you found the perfect seating
arrangement and find out after night one or two It isn't for you don't worry it's never too late
to speak up if you get stuck at a table with some Undesirable fellow guess no one is blaming you
if you ask to be removed for the remainder of the
Voyage especially if you end up making friends
during the sailing and want to dine with them After all it's your vacation whether you're
sharing with anyone over bread and butter or Not more and more cruise ships offer a range
of specialty dining venues some have so many Different restaurants that it's impossible
to eat at them all during a one-week Cruise This can work to your benefit as a solo Cruiser
if the idea of eating in the same dining room Night after night doesn't appeal to you make
some reservations at specialty dining venues You'll not only treat yourself to an elevated meal
but give yourself the luxury of a night off from a Sea of couples in the main dining room While most
specialty dining venues charge an Associated fee Some also come with a show like Teppanyaki and
Norwegian Cruise Lines or a little petite Chef On Celebrity some MSC cruise ships also offer
Cirque du Soleil shows and dinner theater These distractions are enough to keep everyone
entertained and most certainly not wondering Whether you're there on your own now another
bonus of specialty dining is the ability to Sit at a bar or a counter there you can
interact with the chef or the wait staff And your solo status is less conspicuous some of
these venues might include a sushi restaurant or A pub on board your cruise ship with a lively
counter or a bar seating some Cruise Lines Even have casual pubs with bar seating that are
complementary like the local restaurant on many Norwegian Cruise Line ships also many Cruise Lines
offer other casual dining options that are more Quick Service which might just hit the spot a few
nights of your cruise these venues might include A buffet or a pizza parlor or sandwich shop these
options are great for individuals who are always On the go and don't really want to sit down for an
extended longer meal then of course occasionally Room service can hit the spot of course we're
not encouraging solo Cruisers to hide out in Their cabin for every meal sometimes though the
social energy is lacking in those cases it's nice To have a space to enjoy a meal in the privacy
of your own room nearly every single cruise line Except for some River and Expedition lines offer
room service and it can be an indulgent treat To watch a movie in bed while chowing down on a
burger you do need to watch for room service fees Typically you'll only be charged a few bucks per
order so order as much as you like off that menu If you had the ability to splurge on a room with
a balcony it can be a great place to wake up for Breakfast or a sip of glass of wine at Sunset
before heading out for the evening keep in mind That there are very few to no single cabins that
come with a veranda so most likely you wouldn't Need to pay some type of single supplement to
get a room with a balcony when cruising solo If you made it this far chances are you've given
serious thought to cruising single but there are A few helpful pointers worth mentioning that any
Solo Traveler connecting on Facebook or on message Boards prior to your cruise can be a great way to
connect with other solo Cruisers but it's worth Remembering Internet 101 which is never give out
any personal information to strangers even if they
Seem like friends use a first name or a handle
only and keep your state room number private While tagging yourself to a location instantly
via Instagram where Tick Tock might seem like a Fun way to keep friends and family in the loop it
can also make you a Target consider waiting until You're back on board and heading to the next Port
before giving away your whereabouts to the world Also know your limits with alcohol and stick to
them before saying or doing something you might Regret being intoxicated without a trusted
companion around intervene can be dangerous Also watch your drink and never accept drinks
that you don't see made or serve at the bar Unfortunately being single on a cruise
also means being responsible for yourself And keeping a certain level of wits about
you at all times especially in any port But this doesn't mean not to put yourself
out there this might sound a little corny But remember why you took this trip in the
first place you won't be able to make any new Connections or meet any future Cruise friends if
you don't step slightly outside your comfort zone Do what makes you happy go to trivia enjoy
those dance classes attend the shows and other Onboard entertainment but remember that nothing
ventured nothing gained this applies as much to Your attitude on board as it does to booking
your solo Cruise while we focus mostly on your Experience on board you do also need to consider
how to cruise solo when ashore getting out in each Port and exploring the destination is part of the
thrill of a cruise while this is a hundred percent Possible to achieve without a group setting out
in an unfamiliar place on your own can be daunting There are plenty of options when it comes
to booking shore excursions and tours or Sightseeing as a solo Cruiser all Cruise Lines
offer a brochure of short surgeons in each Port while group size varies depending on the
number of guests on board and the type of tour A cruise line sponsored Shore Excursion includes
other participants from your cruise ship A friend of the Cruisers during a day of
snorkeling or on a walking tour or you can Scan social media groups or those message boards
to find other people on your ceiling looking To organize a group for a tour in Port another
benefit of signing up for sure excursions through The cruise line is that it guarantees you won't
be left by your cruise ship it also ensures you're Spending the day with a vetted tour operator
and with other individuals on the same ship But honestly traveling solo is a Time honor
tradition and there's nothing wrong with stepping Out on your own in Port however it never hurts to
be Savvy about your surroundings and your safety Before disembarking get a sense of your
whereabouts include the name of the pier Where the ship is done bring a map of your daily
program which includes important phone numbers And contact information in case of emergency or
simply snap a picture of this on your mobile phone Make sure that your mobile phone is fully charged
and bring a wireless charger if possible also Check your data settings see if you are able to
access GPS functions like Google Maps this can be
Helpful to find your way around in a pinch while
keeping your wits and belongings about you is Recommended in any port make sure you do a little
homework or ask a short Excursion representative About the place you'll be exploring before you do
some docs are located in remote industrial areas And is recommended to secure transportation to
the city center instead of walking alone or at all Many cruise lines also offer destination
or Port talks these might be a valuable Source of information to help you plan your day
ashore and while it might seem a bit excessive Consider letting a trusted friend or family member
from home know about your plans and when you Expect to be back or check in with the front desk
and make sure they have your contact information If you're a little nervous about seeing the
sites alone but are also definitely not into A crowded bus tour you could consider hiring a
private driver reputable Private Tours can be Found in many places but most cruise lines also
offer this option through a service that they fed Any kind of car for hire especially an all-day
tour doesn't come cheaply however the luxury of Your own private Excursion might make this
option worth it for some imagine the peace Of mind that comes with not having to navigate
your own transportation and we can speak from Personal experience that some private tours
we've had in Europe the Caribbean and Alaska Still rank as some of the best Horrors we've
ever taken now that you're super excited to Plan your first solo Cruise why don't you check
out our video for the top 15 Cruise tips all First time Cruisers need to know whether you're
traveling solo or with the family our expert Tips let you know exactly what to expect
and give you more information about dining Onboard activities entertainment and more to help
ensure your first cruise is truly Unforgettable