Nervous About your First SOLO Cruise? My Solo Cruiser Experience & Confidence Levels

If you are looking at going on your first solo cruise, I can relate! It has been several years ago but I remember the nervousness and anxiety that comes with going on a cruise vacation alone.
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[@andrewwaters2498]

One of the biggest things I enjoy about solo travel is the freedom. I'm notorious for filling up my calendar with things that look like fun. Then the day and time come, and as a solo, I'm like... "Nah not feeling it right now...I think I'll do _______ instead." This flexibility is so liberating!!

[@JessyJess04]

I just departed a cruise with a relative and although I adore her never again lol. Solo cruising is the only way for me. Having the freedom to relax when I want and to do whatever I want is priceless.

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

hahah I hear that Jessy! Cruising with someone is a LOT of quality time!

[@lerouxly67]

I started solo cruising in 2021 because I could not find anyone to go with. Even if I paid. So I decided to go anyway. Had a great time, was gone a little over 3 weeks, read 4 books, had a fabulous, relaxing vacation. I prefer cruising with friends or loved ones but if no one is available, I go by myself. PS. I love having my own room.

[@SoloSueTravels]

My favorite quote: "In this life, somebody has to treat you well, and it might as well be you."

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

Words to live by!

[@gopherdawg3457]

Well said. New adventures and seeing new places make life amazing.

[@JennyCruiseCommander]

Totally agree what you’re saying! My first solo was unintended because my travelmate had to bow out last minute - and I had an awesome time. I felt I could do this solo because I had sailed with Royal enough to know their process, and that gave me an immediate comfort level. Now I sail solo and also with various friends/family. I love all of it. 🥰

[@kendaldeaunta]

Thank you for this video! I’m going on my first cruise on the Celebrity Summit Jan 8-12 and it’s solo (I want it to be my new thing). This was extremely helpful and definitely reduced my anxiety about it!

[@andrewwaters2498]

Enjoy yourself! I hope you find the freedom amazing!!

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

That is great to hear and glad it helped! Once you have done one, you will not be able to envision how you have not done them before!

[@user-te7ln9fy9w]

Boldly go where you haven’t gone before, have a blast.

[@eugenerowley1717]

My wife passed way 3 years ago and we always cruised all over together with my folks. Since then I’ve gone on a few cruises with them but now they can’t cruise anymore so I’ve gone with some friends but in August I’ve booked my first solo cruise I’m excited and nervous.

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

awww sorry to hear about your wife Gene but glad you are getting confidence to keep cruising! Also, excited to have you joining us on the Sept group cruise! I think this is a great way to ease yourself into cruising solo as you get the best of both worlds.

[@bethgintx]

Great video. I took the plunge in April on the Allure (after going with friends the month before). I mainly went for the extra C&A points. It was the best decision I made. To go where I wanted, when I wanted, ate what/when and where I wanted….. it was all about ME and I didn’t feel guilty at all. I’ve been on 3 more solo and have 4 more booked. I also have 2 booked with my husband, who doesn’t get a lot of time off, and isn’t interested in the ones from Galveston any more.

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

I think the C&A points gets a lot of folks to do their first solo cruise! Who doesn't love double points!

[@christinevillela2710]

I started cruising solo 2 years ago and loved it. I love that I can book an excursion with a group and not have to take on a port I dont feel comfortable navigting alone. Now I mix up solo with taking family or friends with me. Even made friends I see on my home port ship that I sail often on. It has been a great addition to my land based trips.

[@teenamachika1457]

I recently returned home from my very first solo cruise on the Celebrity Reflection. I found that I loved to chat with people at the Martini Bar, but when it came to dinner, I really enjoyed sitting alone at a table in the MDR. As for prior to the cruise, I never once panicked about going alone...I was more excited than anything. I had an absolutely amazing time. So much so that I booked my next solo cruise within 24 hours of arriving home again. I think I'm ADDICTED!!

[@jlgcannuck]

Good video and you are right it is mind set. engage with me so I engage back . I have travelled all over the world alone and with others and for business travel alone. I would add that a cruise is actually a good way to "dip your toe" into solo travel. It is relatively safe, there are lots of activities you can take part in or not. You can meet people on excursions and find "your people" or not. And once onboard----the logistics are handled and done for 7 days or so ie the difficulty of navigating airports, transportation etc alone which can sometimes be challenging. You don't have to be a raving extrovert to sit at a bar and strike up a conversation with the person next to you ---what's your favourite thing so far? How many cruises you been on? Ask for advice , ask what their favourite drink is. etc etc. ---they don't engage---no problem ---lots of others will. Lots of times I just enjoy sitting and listening to the entertainment in my own little world. Get out there people---my philosophy has always been that if I wait for a friend to want to travel where I want to, has the money, has the time etc. then I may never get anywhere. Has worked for me for over 35 years .

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

Very well said Jane! Completely agree that cruising is a great way to dip your toe into the solo world of travel. A much more structured and secure environment.

[@staciwilliams5758]

Thank you.

[@luvtravel6207]

I started solo cruising because I got tired of waiting on people & I love to travel.

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

Same! I want to go all the dawn and if I wait for others to get their pack together, it would never happen! Well done.

[@meadsummer6547]

Well, I've scheduled my first solo cruise (I've been on three cruises with someone else), but I think I may have overdone it... a 20-day Caribbean cruise. I'm generally an outgoing person and I have no problem talking to people, and I rarely care about what someone else thinks of me, but I find myself asking what the heck I'm going to do with myself for three weeks. I guess I'll find out at the end of the month.

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

haha you are doing whatever you want and potentially making life long friends!

[@00peter08]

Yeah solo crusing is so much fun you can do what you want

[@loreleilawson5296]

Thanks for this pep talk! It's exactly one month until my first-ever cruise, and I am going solo 😊 I can't wait!

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

You are going to LOVE it!!! Very excited for you! Who did you book with for your first one?

[@loreleilawson5296]

I went with Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas. A nice, not gigantic ship seemed a great place to start.

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

I would agree with that! Voyager class is a great size ship to start on! @@loreleilawson5296

[@streetspiritlondon]

Booked my first solo cruise for this June with Virgin Voyages. But also touring with a speciality group so I think it’s going to be a blast, hopefully 😊

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

I think that is the best of both worlds! You can do your alone time or you can go and join the group. Totally up to you! Have a blast!

[@primerc1112]

I went on my first solo cruise last month. It was great, I could do whatever I wanted, I really enjoyed it. I asked to be put at a large table with other people, but only two other people showed up and on one of the days, no one else showed up. It was just me at a table for 10. I enjoyed that as well. Great experience, I’ve already booked my next two solo cruises! Thanks for your videos!

[@lianna1634-cruising4ever]

Great advice and you have me wanting to go solo. I don’t think I’m nervous about it but there’s always something that delays me to press “purchase” when looking at booking a solo cruise. Even when I am cruising with others I tend to do many things solo so I suppose no real difference. Thanks and very interested in the group cruise.

[@Volcomsd1]

thank you for this video! i cruise solo tomorrow on navigator of the seas

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

Love Navigator! Have a blast and let us know how it goes!

[@mariacifuentesmarrero8938]

My first solo was a lovely experience, all the people that met me knew I was solo and they embraced as part of their group. :-)

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

I have had this happen! When I was "younger" I was considered an "adopted son" by many families. Such amazing people I have met over the years!

[@DPinFL]

Great tips (as always), Brandon. I have zero hesitation to head out solo (and have done 100+ that way), but I also enjoy cruising with groups as well. Some lines really know how to market that audience, and a very few of them sorta suck at it. Meeting other passengers is easy. Meeting/conversing with crew as a solo passenger is fantastic. As you referenced, being able to easily 'escape' a theatre or event that wasn't what you were hoping for is SO easy. Sincere Thanks for all the great posts and videos. Be well !!

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

Aww thank you!! Glad you are enjoying them!

[@ememzet86]

Great video, thanks! I’m not super experienced cruiser, but I have similar issues with solo travelling. Even though I genuinely love doing it, I still feel a bit of a freak when alone around people. I hope that your experiences and approach will help me to progress on, in fact, self-acceptance.

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

That is exactly what it comes down to. Sounds like you are on the right track! If still feeling odd, check out one of our group cruises and come with some fun people! Half of the group are solo cruisers. www.theweekendcruiser.com/2024-group-cruises

[@warrensmith5472]

Empress of the Seas was our first cruise and is still my favorite.

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

Same here Warren! If she stays in service, I will make it to India to sail her one day!

[@katiekendrick8866]

I am blessed that I have friends that I can cruise with but I don’t think I would be afraid to cruise by myself if I didn’t have a friend to cruise with.

[@FraserAtSea]

I remember so clearly thinking that everyone was watching me at dinner - it's one of the reasons I actually started my instagram - to give me something to do on my phone to avoid thinking about everyone around me, ha! If anybody reading this comment is thinking about trying their first solo cruise, PLEASE book it - you'll have a ball!

[@benchmarked7771]

Hi there! I recently stumbled upon your channel. I want to solo travel myself and was looking at a solo cruise. For reference, I've never travelled outside of my home country at all, so I'm COMPLETELY new to it. I'm not an introvert, nor an extrovert, somewhere in between I guess. But there are a few things worrying me, such as whether or not I'll actually be able to enjoy myself alone. I also have no idea how any of it works. But it seems like it would be an ideal way for me to start seeing other countries. I'm particularly interested in shore excursions. I'm very nervous about it, but I'm hoping to go through with booking my first solo cruise this year thanks to your videos!

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

I think if you're going to be leaving the country by yourself going on, a cruise is by far the easiest and best way. Especially, booking those shore excursions through the ship. You're automatically going to have a group that you're traveling with and not alone. Great way to make friends too if you want!

[@tweatybe]

I went on a cruise to Cuba in 2019, but it was a group trip that I didn’t know anyone. The FB travel page that I am on, advertised that a lady needed a cabin mate because her cabin mate couldn’t make the trip. I didn’t know her, but we emailed and spoke on the phone. We decided that we were compatible. I had a great time. We did things together and separately. I will be going on a true solo cruise to Alaska in May and I am so excited. I don’t normally get a WiFi package, but I will for this trip to ease my daughter’s mind. I can be very social when I want, but also like my alone time.

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

You sound a lot like me! Love my extrovert but also embrace my introvert. Glad the random roommate worked out! I know that can be scary and can go many ways

[@grj5237]

Money and the wife is holding me back from solo cruising😅

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

hahaha, yeah, that doesn't always work with the Mrs!

[@abrahamclott5604]

My first ever cruise was solo 2 months ago on Princess and I'm doing another in May. Loved it. The one situation in which I felt a bit out of it was during the evenings at the bars. I was always the only one alone. All couples and groups of friends. I enjoyed the music and the drinks but did feel a bit out of it, as if I was missing out. I was having a good time, but it felt incomplete.

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

Yeah, I can see that at the bars. Think the key would be to try and meet people during the day in more casual environments and then invite them to the bar?

[@abrahamclott5604]

@TheWeekendCruiser Yes, but .... A man traveling alone inviting another to meet at a bar might seem to be sending a signal. I would be comfortable inviting a couple or a group traveling together. Perhaps another solo traveler if we had already had enough conversation to make our mutual situations clear. On my one previous cruise, my interactions with other solo travelers were so superficial and small talky that I didn't feel comfortable taking that step.

[@webstermitchell2335]

I was meeting people on a ship (booked a solo cabin) one time and I had to check in by myself, with those long lines, that was the hardest for me. On my last HAL cruise I saw several people cruising solo...I would definitely consider going on a ship solo however eating alone in the main dining room would definitely make me feel self conscience!

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

I think this is exactly where the Weekend Cruiser group cruises come in! You get the best of both worlds of going by yourself but having folks you can pal around with for dinner, shows, etc as you like! Here is the website to the two offerings if you can join us! www.theweekendcruiser.com/2024-group-cruises

[@SteveKxyz]

Been on 2 solo cruises. Last time the cabin steward asked me why I was cruising on my own........."because I am!" I am not naturally gregarious and people tend to avoid you anyway. Try not to "attach" myself to others in case I am being intrusive.

[@babbego]

Maybe its because I am so old, I dont care what people thinks! I do me! I solo cruise!

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

haha could be! I think that is a good way to be! Just takes some of us more effort to get there!

[@user-te7ln9fy9w]

Cruising Solo are you crazy? Nope! It is a blast in my opinion. My first cruise was with family to Alaska years in 2018. Had a great relaxing vacation, plus Alaska it is just relaxing and beautiful. So, having loved it so much, and wanting to go on more. I scheduled my first Solo cruise for March 2020, which unfortunately was canceled a week before I was supposed to go. 😢. So with future cruise credit in hand, I finally went on my first solo cruise end of August 2021 out of Galveston on Independence of the Seas. Had a great time, even though the ship was half full and we had some Covid restart protocols. Just hang out at the pub on the promenade and strike up conversations with other passengers or chat with the crew. Had a wonderful relaxing time. My next cruise was March 2022 on Liberty of the Seas. Great time again, having my own room is sweet. Family was on that cruise, but they had their own stateroom. So met up with them from time to time, but still did my own thing. Loving this getaway I went on Liberty again in August 2022 out of Galveston. Visited Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Jamaica. Meet loads of people and just do what I want. Sometimes, it is nothing. 😁. Keeping the trend alive, wanted to try a bigger ship, so Allure of the Seas was end of March 2023. Maybe this was one of my favorites, because I was not interested in the ports. Been to them on the last few cruises. Instead I wanted to experience and enjoy the ship. It was a blast, plus for a change, had a set dining time in the main dining room. While embarkation day and Day 2 did not eat in the main dining room, I did enjoy the company of a large table with 4 couples and me as a solo. Great time and enjoyed making new friends. Day 2 was diner at Somba Grill, I was stuffed, but enjoyed the meal so very much. Think that is a restaurant that gets overlooked. Well, I had to change things up a bit and went on Harmony of the Seas in August of 2023 out of Miami. Wanted to go to some different ports. Great ship also, love Central Park. So needless to say, I’m a solo cruiser and love it. Little secret, you are not cruising solo, just with a bunch of friends you have not met yet that love cruising. Shoot, I was going to shows with couples that I met on the ship. So having a great time is easy. Future cruises on the itinerary going out of Galveston one being on Harmony in 2026 for a Trans Atlantic. That will be a blast, and Solo. Happy cruising!

[@MelbourneShorts11]

I'm going on I'm going on my first cruise on the Icon of the Sea out of Sydney in November for 9 night im 46 and single and im very excited but also a bit nervous. my main worry is what people will think of me...he's alone what a looser...it hard to meet people now as most folks are shacked up with kids but Im alos there to chill eat good food. any tips im all ears im not in intorvert.

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

First, make sure you watch all the solo videos I have made! kzbin.info/aero/PLzEAM4Q6xrKjRVuX4JNhcpMlcwm4b_rpC From there, smile and acknowledge people's presence, say hello, good morning. I find people are better at talking once you start the conversation.

[@MelbourneShorts11]

Thanks!@@TheWeekendCruiser

[@russellroache5208]

Do you feel the same way about a 10-day cruise vs. the weekend cruises that you do?

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

For me, I would actually prefer longer sailings as a solo guest. Reason being there are more opportunities to click with others. On a weekend cruise, it goes so quick!

[@mycompasslawp.a.4328]

I would rather cruise solo than cruise with the wrong person, just saying, and speaking from experience, LoL.

[@TheWeekendCruiser]

100%!!! That might be a video idea all on it's own! Cruising is a LOT of quality time, the cruising partner is a crucial decision!