I took my first cruise alone and did these 8 things to make solo cruising more fun and less lonely
Joey Hadden
- With so many groups and families on a cruise ship, taking a cruise alone might feel overwhelming.
- I took a solo cruise on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas and compiled tips to feel less lonely.
If you're going on a cruise by yourself, it might feel lonely and a little overwhelming.
For solo travelers, going on a cruise might feel overwhelming. Sure, you're on a massive ship filled with people, but if you don't know any of them, it can be hard to figure out how to spend your time and make the most of your trip.
Most people cruise with their friends and family, and many activities on cruise ships are geared towards groups, from sports games to dining experiences, which can make cruising alone seem isolating.
At the same time, maybe you need a vacation right now. Or you might not want to let loved ones' scheduling conflicts keep you from cruising. Or, maybe you're looking to learn more about yourself and how you like to travel, regardless of other people's preferences. If so, a cruise can be a great way to travel.
I took a seven-day cruise on board the world's largest cruise ship and found several ways to make the most of my trip by myself.
In April 2022, I went on my first cruise to the Caribbean for a reporting trip. During my seven-night voyage onboard Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, the ship sailed to Roatán, Honduras; Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico; as well as Royal Caribbean's own private island in the Bahamas.
Since I was working, took the cruise alone so I could focus on reporting. But I learned that cruising solo is no small feat, and I left with plenty of tips in mind that could help others who might be thinking of boarding a cruise ship alone.
Read more: I took my first Caribbean cruise and quickly learned that cruising is a lifestyle that's not for me
When booking a cruise alone, try to find a ship with solo cabins to avoid paying a "single supplement."
Because most cruise ship staterooms are meant to hold at least two people, booking a room by yourself often means you still have to pay higher prices that are equivalent to two people. This is known as the "single supplement," as it helps the cruise line make up for the lost revenue that would have come from a second person onboard, according to the LA Times.
However, according to Cruise Critic, some cruise ships have solo cabins that are meant for just one person, though it's not common. Cunard Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Celebrity Cruises are just a few of the cruise lines that have ships with solo cabins, Cruise Critic reports. Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, and Spectrum of the Seas all do, but my ship didn't.
As such, the listed rates for my ship were per person, not per room when I booked my cruise. But when switching between one and two guests in my search, the cost per person doubled when I had just one person selected.
For $2,000, I got an ocean-view stateroom to myself. It would have cost about half the price per person if I had brought someone with me.
Insider paid for the room, per the company's reporting standards.
Once the trip is booked, before you set sail, join the cruise's Facebook group to get to know other travelers who will be there.
Seasoned cruisers on the ship let me know that every cruise has a Facebook group that is created before departure. I joined on day two of my sailing, and it made me feel like I was part of a community for the remainder of my trip.
You can find these groups by searching for the name of your ship and the date that it leaves on the Facebook app.
These groups are especially helpful for solo cruisers because they offer an easy way to ask questions and plan meet-ups in a friendly setting.
Book excursions through the cruise line to socialize with other guests and avoid getting lost.
At each cruise port, passengers may disembark to spend their time as they wish. They might sightsee independently, take a taxi to a beach, link up with a local tour guide, or join an official cruise-line excursion.
There are two reasons why I suggest joining cruise-line excursions to solo travelers rather than planning a day on your own. The first is that these organized excursions are easy to find and follow, making it harder to get lost at ports. Plus, your entire day including activities and meals will be planned out for you, and if the excursion is late for any reason, the ship will not leave you behind. This is not the case if you spend the day independently.
The other reason is that all excursions are group activities, which means built-in socializing. I thought that all of the cruise line excursions I joined presented the easiest way to meet people. With group activities like hiking and plenty of downtime on bus rides to and from the tour locations, I spent the most time socializing with people I wouldn't have met otherwise.
Onboard, don't be afraid to talk to people — on decks, in restaurants, and anywhere people are hanging out.
As someone who is typically shy around new people, I found that it was really easy to talk to other travelers on the ship.
Couples, families, and other solo cruisers seemed open to chatting and sharing their experiences with me around the pool decks and at various eateries and common spaces.
One night in the main dining room, I was seated next to someone who was cruising with her family but was craving a night to herself, so she was eating alone, too. We ended up talking throughout the three-course meal.
A few days later, I heard someone call my name in the buffet, and it was her! We chatted about the excursions we'd both been on since seeing each other last. I didn't see or talk to her again after that, but I was grateful that she remembered me, and it made me feel less lonely.
So, don't overthink approaching people and talking to them. You might make a friend.
Read more: 8 things seasoned cruisers say you should know before stepping foot aboard your first cruise
Download audiobooks or podcasts to keep you company.
At other times I found myself alone, while walking in port, sunning on the deck, or exploring the ship, I popped in my earbuds to listen to podcasts because they gave my brain something else to focus on besides being by myself. Plus, they often gave me a good laugh, similar to those I'd enjoy if I was hanging out with my friends.
My favorite podcasts were like my travel companions. If you're taking a cruise solo, I highly recommend bringing a pair of headphones and downloading your favorite podcasts or a new audiobook for times when you might not feel like socializing.
Make sure someone back home knows where you are at all times for safety reasons.
For safety reasons, I shared my daily cruise itinerary with my mom and my partner to make sure they always knew where I was.
I also checked in with them via text and FaceTime every day as time allowed. This not only made me feel safer, but it made me feel less alone on my trip, too.
Every night of my cruise, I FaceTimed either my mom or partner to get a sense of home before going to bed. Creating this daily ritual helped me feel less lonely.
I highly recommend this to all solo travelers.
Try out group activities onboard if you're looking to meet people ...
In addition to port excursions, cruise ships often have a daily schedule packed with onboard activities like fitness classes, karaoke parties, pool games, and meet-ups for singles, so take advantage of them.
From mini-golf tournaments to escape rooms, Wonder of the Seas was full of activities to help guests mingle. My personal favorite was laser tag because it reminded me of my youth. Although I didn't know anyone I was playing with, it was nice to see the smiles on little kids' faces when they scored a point on me.
I also played mini-golf and climbed the rock wall. While these were mostly independent activities, I enjoyed brief interactions with workers and other guests during them.
If you're cruising alone, look for onboard activities that will help you meet other cruisers.
... But also take advantage of this special time alone.
How often are you completely alone on vacation where every decision is only up to you? Take some time to enjoy the solitude, too.
If you're looking for quiet, relaxing time alone, you can find it on a cruise ship. When I wasn't in the mood to socialize during my trip, I had an easy time finding spaces on the outdoor decks to chill by myself. I could have spent the whole trip alone if I wanted to by just staying on the ship.
My favorite times alone were on the top deck of the ship early in the morning and late at night. During these quiet hours, it felt like I was the only one at sea.
But ultimately, I wasn't alone. I had my family waiting for my nightly calls, I had my podcasts ready for my eager ears, and I had my fellow cruisers, who ended up being much more inclusive than I expected.
If I can cruise solo, so can you.
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