Cruising alone
Discussion
Yes I know there are 2000 others too. 
Greetings from Athens. Half way through the cruise.
This is my first cruise on my own. Not sure I am enjoying it that much to be honest. I leave the ship on port days for a couple of hours (I can't walk that far due to a busted knee) and then get back on.
It's just not as much fun on my own and I find myself missing my former cruise partner. I'm not one that enjoys the company of stranges so I'm eating alone in the buffet or room service.
I don't do evening meals these days anyway. I'm early to bed and early to rise.
I haven't spent any money yet. Either on ship or in port. I used to get throigh £100 per day somehow.
I've managed to read two books so far.
Anyway, just tought I would touch base while roaming available. I have further cruises booked for 2024 and 2025 but not sure I will go now.
The Med weather has been glorious and Cunard staff wonderful - always been with P&O before.
Greetings from Athens. Half way through the cruise.
This is my first cruise on my own. Not sure I am enjoying it that much to be honest. I leave the ship on port days for a couple of hours (I can't walk that far due to a busted knee) and then get back on.
It's just not as much fun on my own and I find myself missing my former cruise partner. I'm not one that enjoys the company of stranges so I'm eating alone in the buffet or room service.
I don't do evening meals these days anyway. I'm early to bed and early to rise.
I haven't spent any money yet. Either on ship or in port. I used to get throigh £100 per day somehow.
I've managed to read two books so far.
Anyway, just tought I would touch base while roaming available. I have further cruises booked for 2024 and 2025 but not sure I will go now.
The Med weather has been glorious and Cunard staff wonderful - always been with P&O before.
My dad has been mentioning how he fancies doing a cruise on his own, he's done no research but think the single occupancy costs will be brutal.
He's the chatty type, i.e. he'll quite happily walk into a pub or café on his on and talk to anyone who's willing. I keep trying to tell him just to go for it while he's young and healthy enough to do so.
What's the costs like for signal occupancy?
I've done plenty of holidays on my own and like my own company but they've all been ski holidays so through the day you're skiing in groups then just going back to the hotel for food and don't have to worry about making small talk with folk.
He's the chatty type, i.e. he'll quite happily walk into a pub or café on his on and talk to anyone who's willing. I keep trying to tell him just to go for it while he's young and healthy enough to do so.
What's the costs like for signal occupancy?
I've done plenty of holidays on my own and like my own company but they've all been ski holidays so through the day you're skiing in groups then just going back to the hotel for food and don't have to worry about making small talk with folk.
a311 said:
What's the costs like for signal occupancy?
Typically you pay 75% of the invisible passengers fair on top of your own.More single occupancy cabins are becoming available but there is still a premium to pay over the individual fare for joint occupancy. Ambassador and Saga have a lot but Saga is very expensive.
If he is the sort of person you describe he will probably be fine.
Edited by Rufus Stone on Monday 9th October 15:34
smifffymoto said:
I would say take it as a time to fully recharge your batteries and come back fighting fit.Read some more books and go with your flow.
Who says you have to do x or y or even enjoy it.
What he said!Who says you have to do x or y or even enjoy it.
That said, you might find it more enjoyable to connect with some of the other passengers as it doesn't sound like you enjoy your own company as much as someone like me would. I'd be happy to sit on my own in a public area and just watch the world go by while enjoying a beer.
Hoofy said:
What he said!
That said, you might find it more enjoyable to connect with some of the other passengers as it doesn't sound like you enjoy your own company as much as someone like me would. I'd be happy to sit on my own in a public area and just watch the world go by while enjoying a beer.
In normal life, yes I'm with you 100%. Strangely it doesn't appear to be working for holiday life.That said, you might find it more enjoyable to connect with some of the other passengers as it doesn't sound like you enjoy your own company as much as someone like me would. I'd be happy to sit on my own in a public area and just watch the world go by while enjoying a beer.
Have a wander around the ship and just speak to people. I bet if you do that then you'll find someone or some people and you will have a meaningful conversation with them. I think it's fascinating. I was on a ship a few years ago and ended up chatting to a couple who were a good 25 years older than me. He was an Ex BA pilot annd she was cabin crew, annd that's how thy met. we chatted for a good hour or so. The fact I'm telling you this means it stuck with me and had a long lasting and meaningful impact.
It's very much up to you to make this work and come away from it feeling positive.
Go talk. :-)
It's very much up to you to make this work and come away from it feeling positive.
Go talk. :-)
thebraketester said:
Have a wander around the ship and just speak to people. I bet if you do that then you'll find someone or some people and you will have a meaningful conversation with them. I think it's fascinating. I was on a ship a few years ago and ended up chatting to a couple who were a good 25 years older than me. He was an Ex BA pilot annd she was cabin crew, annd that's how thy met. we chatted for a good hour or so. The fact I'm telling you this means it stuck with me and had a long lasting and meaningful impact.
It's very much up to you to make this work and come away from it feeling positive.
Go talk. :-)
Thing is, I don't want to talk to strangers. I thought I would be okay on my own but it seems not. It's very much up to you to make this work and come away from it feeling positive.
Go talk. :-)
Rufus Stone said:
thebraketester said:
Have a wander around the ship and just speak to people. I bet if you do that then you'll find someone or some people and you will have a meaningful conversation with them. I think it's fascinating. I was on a ship a few years ago and ended up chatting to a couple who were a good 25 years older than me. He was an Ex BA pilot annd she was cabin crew, annd that's how thy met. we chatted for a good hour or so. The fact I'm telling you this means it stuck with me and had a long lasting and meaningful impact.
It's very much up to you to make this work and come away from it feeling positive.
Go talk. :-)
Thing is, I don't want to talk to strangers. I thought I would be okay on my own but it seems not. It's very much up to you to make this work and come away from it feeling positive.
Go talk. :-)
Rufus Stone said:
Hoofy said:
What he said!
That said, you might find it more enjoyable to connect with some of the other passengers as it doesn't sound like you enjoy your own company as much as someone like me would. I'd be happy to sit on my own in a public area and just watch the world go by while enjoying a beer.
In normal life, yes I'm with you 100%. Strangely it doesn't appear to be working for holiday life.That said, you might find it more enjoyable to connect with some of the other passengers as it doesn't sound like you enjoy your own company as much as someone like me would. I'd be happy to sit on my own in a public area and just watch the world go by while enjoying a beer.
Are you bored because there's no internet?
Envious or frustrated because you're seeing others socialising and having fun while you have nobody to talk to?
In either cases, I'd sign up to do stuff and get out there. You'll meet others who will be doing the same thing as you so it's easy to strike up a conversation or make an amusing comment that gets conversations started.
When I'm on holiday, I find it easy to just gaze out of the bedroom window at the countryside, maybe noticing the branches of a tree swaying in the breeze; meanwhile my partner is busy trying to find the bottom of Facebook on her tablet! I only bring my phone on holidays just to be contactable; she'll bring a few books, pens, pad and a large screen tablet - as if she's expecting to be bored.
Rufus Stone said:
thebraketester said:
Have a wander around the ship and just speak to people. I bet if you do that then you'll find someone or some people and you will have a meaningful conversation with them. I think it's fascinating. I was on a ship a few years ago and ended up chatting to a couple who were a good 25 years older than me. He was an Ex BA pilot annd she was cabin crew, annd that's how thy met. we chatted for a good hour or so. The fact I'm telling you this means it stuck with me and had a long lasting and meaningful impact.
It's very much up to you to make this work and come away from it feeling positive.
Go talk. :-)
Thing is, I don't want to talk to strangers. I thought I would be okay on my own but it seems not. It's very much up to you to make this work and come away from it feeling positive.
Go talk. :-)
I have a friend who absolutely loves cruises and his holidays are always cruising somewhere or other.
I love going to lots of different places but the thought of being stuck on any boat to get there would drive me bonkers.
Everyone to their own but you certainly won't get me on a cruise.
Hoofy said:
What's going on in your head then?
Are you bored because there's no internet?
Envious or frustrated because you're seeing others socialising and having fun while you have nobody to talk to?
In either cases, I'd sign up to do stuff and get out there. You'll meet others who will be doing the same thing as you so it's easy to strike up a conversation or make an amusing comment that gets conversations started.
When I'm on holiday, I find it easy to just gaze out of the bedroom window at the countryside, maybe noticing the branches of a tree swaying in the breeze; meanwhile my partner is busy trying to find the bottom of Facebook on her tablet! I only bring my phone on holidays just to be contactable; she'll bring a few books, pens, pad and a large screen tablet - as if she's expecting to be bored.
Strangely I'm currently sat on the balcony watching the Athens traffic. They don't have to wear crash helmets here. We aren't due to leave until 7pm UK time.Are you bored because there's no internet?
Envious or frustrated because you're seeing others socialising and having fun while you have nobody to talk to?
In either cases, I'd sign up to do stuff and get out there. You'll meet others who will be doing the same thing as you so it's easy to strike up a conversation or make an amusing comment that gets conversations started.
When I'm on holiday, I find it easy to just gaze out of the bedroom window at the countryside, maybe noticing the branches of a tree swaying in the breeze; meanwhile my partner is busy trying to find the bottom of Facebook on her tablet! I only bring my phone on holidays just to be contactable; she'll bring a few books, pens, pad and a large screen tablet - as if she's expecting to be bored.
Maybe I just miss the cruising life I had before. That's gone now and this isn't as enjoyable.
To add to my woes I have developed tooth ache today.
Vasco said:
I quite understand, I think you have to be of a certain mentality to enjoy cruising.
I have a friend who absolutely loves cruises and his holidays are always cruising somewhere or other.
I love going to lots of different places but the thought of being stuck on any boat to get there would drive me bonkers.
Everyone to their own but you certainly won't get me on a cruise.
I loved it as a couple, not so much as a solo.I have a friend who absolutely loves cruises and his holidays are always cruising somewhere or other.
I love going to lots of different places but the thought of being stuck on any boat to get there would drive me bonkers.
Everyone to their own but you certainly won't get me on a cruise.
Does your ship have a singles group? I seem to remember on a P&O cruise I did in 2025 the ship had a singles group, think they met up at a certain time each day/evening. Not sure what they did, maybe organise travelling together on excursions? Though I accept it might not be something you want to do if you don't want to meet or talk to others.
I think I'd be happy to try cruising solo, though it sounds expensive if you're pretty much paying two people? I'd no doubt have times when I'd be happy to have contact with others (dining) and times when I'd just want to be alone, I guess either option is open to anyone wanting it?
I think I'd be happy to try cruising solo, though it sounds expensive if you're pretty much paying two people? I'd no doubt have times when I'd be happy to have contact with others (dining) and times when I'd just want to be alone, I guess either option is open to anyone wanting it?
Usually there's a singles meet up on Cunard. Appreciate you might not want to go though.
If I was on board (I'm on next month going up to the arctic on QV) I'd have happily grabbed a beer.
My dad is in a similar situation after my mum died. He went on the QV with myself and my wife back in 2019 and didn't hugely like it. He's decided to book a half world cruise for January to take the QV down to Australia to go and see my brother. Bit of an extreme. He did 30 nights on Ambassador Ambience earlier this year though and enjoyed it.
I quite like my own company so don't hugely mind dining on my own etc (I used to spend half the year or so travelling for work so well used to this). I'm sure if you asked the maitre'd nicely they'd be willing to put you on a friendly table for dinner.
If I was on board (I'm on next month going up to the arctic on QV) I'd have happily grabbed a beer.
My dad is in a similar situation after my mum died. He went on the QV with myself and my wife back in 2019 and didn't hugely like it. He's decided to book a half world cruise for January to take the QV down to Australia to go and see my brother. Bit of an extreme. He did 30 nights on Ambassador Ambience earlier this year though and enjoyed it.
I quite like my own company so don't hugely mind dining on my own etc (I used to spend half the year or so travelling for work so well used to this). I'm sure if you asked the maitre'd nicely they'd be willing to put you on a friendly table for dinner.
Rufus Stone said:
Hoofy said:
What's going on in your head then?
Are you bored because there's no internet?
Envious or frustrated because you're seeing others socialising and having fun while you have nobody to talk to?
In either cases, I'd sign up to do stuff and get out there. You'll meet others who will be doing the same thing as you so it's easy to strike up a conversation or make an amusing comment that gets conversations started.
When I'm on holiday, I find it easy to just gaze out of the bedroom window at the countryside, maybe noticing the branches of a tree swaying in the breeze; meanwhile my partner is busy trying to find the bottom of Facebook on her tablet! I only bring my phone on holidays just to be contactable; she'll bring a few books, pens, pad and a large screen tablet - as if she's expecting to be bored.
Strangely I'm currently sat on the balcony watching the Athens traffic. They don't have to wear crash helmets here. We aren't due to leave until 7pm UK time.Are you bored because there's no internet?
Envious or frustrated because you're seeing others socialising and having fun while you have nobody to talk to?
In either cases, I'd sign up to do stuff and get out there. You'll meet others who will be doing the same thing as you so it's easy to strike up a conversation or make an amusing comment that gets conversations started.
When I'm on holiday, I find it easy to just gaze out of the bedroom window at the countryside, maybe noticing the branches of a tree swaying in the breeze; meanwhile my partner is busy trying to find the bottom of Facebook on her tablet! I only bring my phone on holidays just to be contactable; she'll bring a few books, pens, pad and a large screen tablet - as if she's expecting to be bored.
Maybe I just miss the cruising life I had before. That's gone now and this isn't as enjoyable.
To add to my woes I have developed tooth ache today.
Toothache - rinse regularly with a salt water solution, after every meal. It might help.
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