Why you need to book a solo cruise
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- čas přidán 30. 06. 2024
- Many of our viewers have reached out asking us about solo travel on Royal Caribbean and they're wondering about the logistics of a solo trip on a cruise ship.
I've got a lot of tips and suggestions for you if you do choose to take a solo trip!
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Don't tell my friends or family, but I'm really NOT sad when they can't go with me! I LOVE cruising solo ❤️.
My goodness, I'm grateful that I'm not the only one. Here is what I do, I find a cruise, book it solo and then invite. This is because I know that my friends will be wishy washy. If they go, great, if not, I get make more friends on the cruise.
@@jmr1703 I do the exact same thing 🙌🏽
Im definitely looking forward to it
Going on my first solo cruise in February. I have high hopes!
I'm scheduled for February Tony Lee and I wish I could say the same. Im trying to get my agent to rebook my on another date that she has a group scheduled in June. Please let me know how it goes
I cruise most often solo. I get the regular cabins because I like the double points. I've met some wonderful people over the years. I often use a solo cruise for writing and reading.
How do you know if you’re getting a regular cabin vs a solo cabin? Do you pick them when you’re choosing your specific room number?
I ALWAYS cruise solo!!! Leaving for a B2B on Saturday (10/09).
Odessey?
We're on the same!! Happy travels
@@deshawnhill5398 Thank You…same to you!!!
Thanks for this!! I am doing my first solo cruise December 4 on the Odyssey. I was apprehensive, but now I can't wait! I upgraded my cabin, booked restaurants, scheduled 4 massages... I initially asked 2 other people to join me, but I'm so happy they couldn't make it happen.
How was it?
For meals...I typically go to the MDR for dinner and almost always meet and start conversing with others that are sitting at tables next to me. By the time the cruise is over...I have met the family for drinks once or twice during the cruise and some have become friends that I still keep in contact with long after the cruise. As Matt said in the video...with solo cruising you can do as much or as little as you would like. Remember you have 100% control over how enjoyable your cruise is whether you are going solo or not. :)
Taking my first solo cruise this December. Thanks for the tips!
My very first cruise was a solo 8 day Royal Caribbean cruise on Anthem...I LOVED IT. Amazing trip. And can't wait to take another solo cruise.
I have met and had great conversations with people in the hot tub. Even have seen them on other cruises later. Also, the spa is one of my favorite things to do. Everyone is very nice and open to talk. Honestly, cruising is the best way to solo travel. Everyone, is there to have a good time and most want to meet new people. My last cruise in November 2019 was 21 day cruise and I met new friends taking the shuttle to the ship from airport in Rome. We had the same dinner reservations that evening and met a solo friend from New Zealand. More people were added to our group during trip and met so many people around the world. Anyway, my point is; go with the flow and be open to talk to people around you. 4 more days till Odyssey!!! Thanks for doing a video on Solo Cruising!
My first solo cruise is in December. Booked a Central Park Balcony on the Oasis of the Seas for a great price!
Hi again. Remember, I’m on the same cruise right after you. I’m booked in 8485. That would be funny if we booked the same room. Would love to know how you liked it. I hope it’s awesome!
Good for you! Have yourself a great time!!
@@laurahardman8069 I booked 10603. Thank you! You, too!
@@jmr1703 thank you!
@@susankerchner3843 I misunderstood. I am ocean balcony on the same deck as Central Park. Thank you 😊
Solo is the way to go!,, Never felt lonely....got to get away from everyone !,, Awesome!!!
I love cruising solo! 3 solo cruises in August and September already, and 1 more in October. It's the best! Can do whatever, whenever, wherever, with whoever. No schedule!
First time as a solo cruiser in December!
I read this thought. “I know what I bring to the table. I don’t mind eating alone.”
The biggest challenge of going solo is that at the buffet they are determined to clear your table when you get up to get something else.
I don't think that's a problem
@@RoyalCaribbeanBlog It is when someone else takes your table, or they throw away the things you thought would hold your spot, like your Cruise Compass.
Sounds like you need a sticky note and a 🖊
"Table is occupied, be back soon" should go a long way.
Try leaving your book on the table and your napkin on your seat. Maybe a sweater on the back of the chair. Do one or two of those things and no one is going to be taking your spot. If they do call it buffet roulette and start a new table on the other side of the lifo.
My solution to this problem is to take an old pocket book with you to the buffet. When you get up to go get something leave the book open to any page face down and also put your napkin on the chair. This usually tells the cleanup crew that you'll be back.
I prefer solo cruising. It appears crazy to those who don't get it but I have a blast every single time!
Going on a solo cruise next week 😎 I can’t wait!🙌🏽
I'm going on my first solo cruise in a week, and I'm really looking forward to going at my own pace and doing what I want, when I want (oh, and not tripping over my husband's shoes that he always leaves in the middle of the cabin floor). My husband and I usually give each other a lot of leeway to do our own thing on cruises anyway (which is an awesome thing about cruising that people don't seem to talk about), but this obviously takes it to an entirely additional level.
How was it?
@@emmettervin it was marvelous. I'm someone who is completely comfortable on my own, so eating on my own is fine, sitting in a bar listening to music is fine, and going to the theater to see a show on my own is fine. I loved being beholden to no one but myself. And cruising feels very safe, so no worries there.
I feel like cruising alone is the best way to travel alone. Probably a lot safer than just traveling to different countries alone
If you think about it is pretty safe because even when you get to the ports aslong as you stay in the tourist sections yours good and on the ships your more safe thena hotel or a resort because where or what can someone do to you if your stuck in the Middle of the ocean
Matt I have been a solo cruiser for several years.I still enjoy cruising.Being a solo cruiser will not stop me from cruising.I have met so many new friends in the dinning room.
I'm cruising solo for 1st time Dec 6th with RCL. Booked balcony room so I can sit there and read. I'm so excited.
I've been on a couple of solo cruises, and they're great. I like to chill on the ship with a good book, walk around do the activities. And so far, on the cruises that I have traveled by myself, I've met some pretty cool people. Of course this is pre covid, I go my first solo post covid cruise next year. My recommendation? Go for it! Go dine at specialty restaurants, go to activities sing karaoke, just do what you want. It's a completely relaxing vacation. Bring a journal, so you can record all the activities that you do.
My first cruise was solo for 12 nights on the Anthem and I had the time of my life. Did things on my time and met some wonderful people. I definitely recommend it.
I’ll be on my first solo cruise on Anthem in a couple weeks. Any recommendations about what to do and how to meet people on my week on this specific boat? What’s a must do? What’s most worth splurging on?
I highly recommend asking to be seated in the main dining room with a group who have an open seat at their table and will welcome a solo traveler. I have met some of the most amazing people doing that and have had some of the most interesting dinners I've ever had. Cruisers are so generous and welcoming. The worst that happens is you have one dinner and if you absolutely feel it's a terrible fit, you just don't dine anymore in the main dining room. You are not obligated to
I love solo cruising. Going again in 2 weeks in a balcony. Love it! I do what I want, when I want it. No negotiating. Flexible. When I dont want to be bothered by anyone, I won't. If I want to chat, I will chat. I pass on signing up to get together with people. If I wanted that, someone else would be on the cruise with me, lol. Solo to me, is a time for me to chill in my own space and have a break from people, while on a shop with 4k other people, hahhaha. That's so funny isn't it.
In all my (21) year of cruising I have been on four single cruises. Best time of my life on a ship.
I am going on a solo cruise in November. It is not my first but went all out with a Grand suite room. I just love having the space
Would like to say thanks for this. I travel and cruise solo several times a year and I love it! My big advice, is to relax and enjoy whatever happens. Dining alone was like being a queen for the day, as the staff was so welcoming and accommodating. I feel safe to move about and enjoy everything on the cruise. Wondering if you should cruise alone? My advice...just do it!!!
Definitely! And if any women out there are wondering about the safety of crusing solo, as a woman who has cruised solo and traveled the world solo, I would certainly say that I felt safe cruising solo. If anyone gives you the creeps, just don't announce to them that you are solo. My room stewards often checked on me each evening to ask how my day was. Staff that recognized me after a day or two checked in briefly as well. Sometimes a family or two or a group of women would try to befriend me. I would engage with them if I wanted to, but not being hitched to anyone is often a goal of mine when cruising solo so I do t often get too attached to folks. A little chatter here and there is plenty for me. Safety has not been a problem yet. Go for it!
I've been eyeing a few transatlantic cruises but can't find anybody to go with. I might just have to take some of this advice and do it myself. Thanks for the tips!
This was meant for me to watch. I am so going on a solo trip.
Like Matt said, "treat yo self" when you're cruising solo. Hahahha. Treating myself in two weeks on the Symphony!
Solo cruise and first cruise March 20th to 27th 2022 on Oasis of the Seas. I travel mostly alone to get away from the daily grind of life. Eating solo is the worst part but the freedom makes up for it.
Took my first cruise, and a solo one at that on Sept 11 Odyssey of the Seas, loved it so much my I am now booked on the same ship Nov 15th…I figure I need to make up for lost time LOL.
I sailed on Ovation in a solo balcony cabin. It was AWESOME!!
I took my first cruise SOLO and I don't think I ever will bring anyone else with me... I prefer to do it solo lol. I had no problem socializing with people even before the cruise left so I already knew some people... met many others during the cruise. Almost never ate alone because I either got seated with other cool people or I would smooth talk my way into sitting with another solo traveler (for the restaurants that were fully booked). I let no grass grow under my feet, morning to day I was doing something... wether it would be yoga, workout, excursion, bar hopping at night... shows... food... more food... I went wild... was good vibes all around from people so I was vibing.... now I'm debating doing a Transatlantic cruise alone... YOLO lol.
Pre-COVID, I would tell the greeter at the Dining Room I was open to sharing a table. I never had to eat alone there.
I am going on my first solo cruise this November. Getting all the info I need before I go. My main concern is eating in the main dining room. Will definitely go on tours the cruise ship offers. Want venture out in ports alone. It’s going to be an experience for sure.
My first, of several, solo cruises was on Serenade of the Seas. Magical passing under the Sunshine Skyway.
What type of cabin did you book and what was your itinerary? I'm looking at cruising solo.
Finally, been waiting on a vide like this Lol... Trying to book one in Nov myself.
This has got me intrigued to book one solo one in next year or 2023!! Thanks for sharing :-)
This is so timely! Thanks so much for posting it -- it's so encouraging. I'm looking forward to my first solo, first S2S, and first Oasis class ship in November/December.
Love cruising solo!
I always cruised with my mom. But, now that she has passed I will be cruising solo at some point. We always did the traditional shared dining, but with the covid that is n/a now. So, this video is helpful. Even with my mom, we both liked different things and did a lot of stuff by ourselves and came together when we wanted. However, I do like the MDR with tablemates at set times. Other than that I am an introvert,
Just came off my first solo cruise yesterday with MSC. Had a GREAT time. Plenty of activities to enjoy and also just chilling in the room when I wanted.
Met lots of nice people from all over.
Loved my solo cruise on Quantum of the Seas. The single supplement is a big problem, but I'm learning to book ahead and pay it off over time.
Just booked mine!! I'm excited 😊
I only cruise solo! Love it!
Thank you SO much for this and all of your other videos. I am going on my first RC cruise soon, and it will be solo. I love traveling solo at least once per year. It gives me a chance to relax and recenter.
Great info!! I'm going on my first solo cruise Mariner of The Seas in November. Looking forward to getting away from the office for awhile:) Thanks for the tips!!
First cruise for me is solo on Jewel. 3 days to go... So excited)
Thank you for this great video about this topic!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Went on my first solo cruise last August, and already booked my next one for March! Very excited!
I've never really considered doing a solo cruise but your video makes it intriguing! My husband hates cruises so at some point I'll have to do a solo cruise. It sounds like nothing but relaxation for me!
I've done several by myself & going alone this coming Saturday. I have a lot of fun & meet a lot of fun people.
Thanks for these tips. My first trip i went with a friend and her sister. I spent most if my timr, unexpectantly, solo. Not the best. Next time, im going on a planned solo trip. Never thought of Royal as a viable option.
I haven't yet tried Royal, but adore solo cruising in general!
My first solo cruise on 11/15 to 🇧🇸🇧🇸🇧🇸!
Super pumped!
I always travel solo. The freedom to control your day...priceless...I love to just staying on the ship . Make the ship a destination. Most of Royal Caribbeans have a lot to see and do. Just trying to adjust to no diner buffet ...
I cruised solo on Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas last Winter--IT WAS AMAZING!!! Scheduled for another solo cruise in December...I can hardly wait!
Hey Matt I booked a solo cabin on harmony of the seas and are use a mobility scooter needless to say there wasn’t that much room for me and the scooter so next time I will definitely book a regular state room just fully accessible in the future
Been on 4 cruises before but in 3 weeks I will be doing my first solo on a transatlantic Harmony of The Seas for almost 2 weeks. Being on a big ship helps finding a variety of venues and activities to spend time. I am not worried about the many sea days or feeling lonely because I so much want to do this after the last 18 difficult months of my life. I am willing to do anything to have fun, even talk to other people which I am not good at.
I've cruised many times before with family and friends. I booked a solo cruise for next year for first time and had a few apprehensions. This video and everybody's comments are very helpful! Thank you Matt and friends!
As long as you are not an introvert you will not be sorry. Enjoy.
Everything you said in this video is why I love to cruise solo.
First solo cruise coming up on the Harmony 5 Dec. Can't wait! And just in case I enjoy it, I booked a May solo cruise for the Western Caribbean.
Was on Harmony in January 2018. Still ANGRY today I was not solo. Paid for an so called friend and person made the trip a living hell. Never again. You are going to enjoy the Harmony. Hope you love Jazz. Patiently awaiting my next cruise on Harmony. Definitely Solo.
@@evelynmckenzie5269 I've been in your shoes. My former friend went as far as hiding my cash tip that I leavefor the cabin steward each day. Midway, I opened a drawer for some tweezers and saw the cash. I asked her if it was hers and she said that she planned on giving it to me when we got the airport bc I already prepaid the tips. I explained to her that it is my choice. I could not help her understand that she doesn't get a say in what I do with my money. She got very upset, started yelling about how I'm wasteful and too generous..blah blah.... That was weird bc I do quite well actually. She didn't have a problem trying to get me to waste my money at the casino.
Anyway, she refused to leave the cabin for the whole day & night. Then got mad bc the steward didn't clean it...yeah...I know
I saw him the next day and gave him the entire tip for the week. I told him that I generally leave a tip on the last day but I was giving it to him now for the whole trip so I didn't forget. He quietly whispered, I know and looked over my shoulder, smiled like he was greeting someone. She was standing at the door. Lol, the crew knows which ones are the cruise-jerks. She was a tyrant the entire trip.
Moral of the story, from that cruise, I no longer share a cabin with friends anymore. Unless it's family, I happily pay the piper for my own space.
@@evelynmckenzie5269 I absolutely LOVE Jazz.
@@robynmartinez3846 When i was on the Harmony in 2018 there was a Jazz group that played live every afternoon at the boardwalk. Hopefully they are still playing. Enjoy.
Thank you. I love this.
Got off solo B2Bs in September and I'm already looking to repeat before the end of year. Was so amazing
I literally booked my first ever solo (and first ever cruise in general!) for Royal a few days ago. Also random but today is my birthday :)
Edit: Bonus, because the normal balcony stateroom was CHEAPER than a solo balcony stateroom! So I get more space and a free sofa hehehe. And awesome! I didnt know about the double points!
Happy birthday!
Taking my first Royal solo cruise in Dec. I'm super excited and can not wait to see the room they've chosen for me. Due to social distancing my solo cabin was no longer available.
Enjoy!
Also the solo cabins are handy if you are the third wheel. For instance I am single but my brother is married and we have considered going on a cruise where rather than me share their room, I can have my own room and snore to my hearts content 😉. We will just meet up every day and still have a great time.
Enjoyed the video! I know that this is an RC channel, but NCL has a perk that maybe RC should consider to their solo cabins. They have a separate area for solo cabins only accessible to solo travelers. They have their own solo lounge where you can easily meet other solos. I could have booked an inside cabin for less, but the studio area perks were worth it to me
15 of my 17 RC cruises have been solo and I have loved each and every one of them! Totally agree with each point you made, you can be as active, as social, as independent as you want.
My favourite tip, if you want to meet people, is book your MDR table as a 6 or 8 person table. You will definitely meet people and it’s a lot of fun sharing the day’s experiences with others over supper. Some even become cruising friends for years afterwards!
I'll be taking my first cruise solo to the Caribbean.....
I've gone on a couple cruises with my daughter and her friend technically not a solo cruise but the girls are 22 years younger ! so we only got together for dinners the rest of the time they hauled ass and did their own thing and I wasn't going to try to keep up with them ! I ended up having the time of my life hanging in the cassino and cassino bar and doing what I wanted when I wanted !! in fact it was more fun than going with my girlfriend ! and it was so much more fun getting off the ship and explore and check out bars on your own and not have to waste time looking in all those silly shops
I'm going to take the plunge and do it soon. I have a family one 1st in March out of Bayonne. But after that I wanna do a solo trip
I'd done 15 or 16 cruises with a GF/partner over the last 20 years but I booked my first solo Cruise a year ago on Black Friday weekend for a repositioning/trans-Atlantic cruise from Tampa to Barcelona on the celebrity constellation. The single supplement was greatly diminished because of the lack of sales and I got it for probably a 10% charge over the single per person rate. Just did the same thing about 5 weeks ago for a cruise out of Tampa this coming Sunday. VTG and a couple other travel websites have links to solo cruises with better rates that they show on the database. I absolutely loved my first solo cruise and I'm looking forward to this one this Sunday. Nobody else to worry about pleasing and doing everything they want to do You don't have to share a space. Because I knew the sales were so low I did bid on it family aft veranda on the constellation and managed to get probably the best one there. The cabin was huge there was actually a door between the two portions of the cabin and the balcony was bigger than even the hump cabins on the solstice class ships. Two huge Chase lounges two big stuffed chairs a table with two more chairs and plenty of room beyond that You could have a party with 20 people out there.
Plus the Atlantic was so smooth it was amazing ...never had to use The seasick patches I brought from all the stores people told about the Atlantic being so rough.
People were wonderful on the cruise never felt alone at all unless I wanted to be.
If you were traveling solo on a cruise and you’re wanting to do a 7+ night sailing I would recommend doing a back to back sailing most the time it’s actually cheaper than seven night and you get a few more nights at sea.
Can you elaborate on this? What exactly is “back to back” ?
I vacation solo all the time! I have yet to go on a cruise though.
With the double loyal points booked before 9/30 and getting quadruple points for traveling solo, il go from a gold to diamond plus by Spring of next year
I was wondering about this. Going solo on Oasis in end of January. Will get 28 points. That will get me 1 cruise away from diamond :)
i have been on a cruise and never seen anyone dine by themselves. they are probably there but i didnt notice. i dont think anyone would care. some nice people might invite you to their table. chances are they are coming from the same city as you. it's surprising how easy you get to meet people from the same city. i have seen them in the same flight and then it turned out we were on the same cruise. after that, we were on the same flight home.
First time solo cruiser going on Navigator of the seas January 31-04 February 2022. Taking off from Long Beach
Going solo for 1st time in November. A 4-day then 2 days later two 7-days B2B. Am a little worried. Hope to have a blast.
Don't be worried...You are going to have a great time. I have already planned my cruises for 2022 as well. One of which is a B2B to the Greek Isles out of Rome...
Yep, dont worry at all. I've been on many solo cruises, loved them all!
I know people who have cruised solo; most of them have gone on Norwegian since they have the most solo cabins.
I definitely approve of this video - MrBucketlist
yes
I’m going on a solo cruise for the first day one next March. Balcony.
Honestly I always thought solo vacations were kinda boring, yeah you get to do what you want when you want, but that's not anything I cant do from home lol but last week I said screw it, may as well try it before I knock it. Wanted to do a 6 night cruise on Allure but discovered a 4 and 3 in the same week and did the whole consecutive cruising bit and booked both so April I can finally just go do it lol
I've been on one cruise before and I've not been able to go again due to schedules and budget. Thinking of taking a solo cruise to get away.
Make this a Regular feature. Weekly, Bi weekly, once per month or more often.
I either cruise solo, or I'm cruising in a cabin alone if I book a cruise and my parents ask if they can come.
Going solo on Christmas down to Bahamas - wife decided not to go. I am wondering why RC no longer offers a day trip out to the Bahamas water park at Atlantis Paradise Island - seems like that was one of the better ways to spend the day. This hasn't been offered on my last few cruises even though the resort is open.
woohoo! Thanks Matt! the D stands for Dara btw. :-) Shout out to Geri and Steve who are avid Matt fans!
Great to "meet" you Dara! And hello Geri and Steve!
What should I bring on my solo cruise? And how can I ensure my belongings are safe when I partake in multiple excursions I'm going on an 8 night allure of the seas September 3rd and I don't know how to really safeguard my stuff while enjoying myself
Only 10 days to go on my first RC cruise solo.
If the cruise lines would stop charging double for balcony cabins. The solo cabins aren't normally the greatest.
Just went on my 6th cruise and my husband’s first. He liked it but was seasick for some of it. So I was solo in the evening for a lot of it. We both do a solo trip home to visit family every year. (Cost effective since we have dogs). I’m thinking of doing a cruise for mine this year. Which would be my first real solo cruise. Any recommendations would be appreciated
I think I would be more like Adrian for the
first few days after that who knows?? But all
good ideas ....
My husband passed away, married 30 yrs, We love cruising together, I like cruising again but solo? By your tip maybe i will dare to do SOLO cruise for the first time.Thank you!
Let me know how you like it!
Hey Matt **Q&A** for you: As I haven’t had the privilege of being on a Royal Caribbean cruise yet~ Does the cruise line offer matching status from other lines?? Like their loyalty programs.. Trying to convince my sister (who I like to travel with to expand our cruises 👍😎)
Only with Celebrity. Your status will transfer.
@@sharonstockman1080 Thank you… I vaguely remember there was some that did.. Maybe MSC had something like that for a bit too 🤷🏻♂️
Just thought about this the other day---would love to do this! Would be concerned about creeper stalker guys......
No worries. Set boundaries if it does happen and have fun with it. I have had to say something when they just tag along too much. Once, a guy introduced me as his future wife and I responded by introducing him as my future ex husband. It’s a big ship and on another ship a guy said I was hard to find, but when he did see me on the dock ( not sure if it was accidentally), and wanted to take a picture with me, I did. It made him happy and it was a harmless crush. Just have fun, but I wouldn’t drink as a solo. At least not too much and that goes for a man or woman. I have seen some things that just can’t be unseen. 😂
Msc does not charge supplement fee for solo cruisers.
How do you compare a single occupancy vs double occupancy? If you tell RC just one adult is attending, do they automatically book you in a single occupancy room?