Cruising Alone and Inside Cabin

[Jambalaya]

Go for the adventure, Jambalaya!

Sounds like two good options, so its about making a choice not about making the 'right' or 'wrong' decision.

Concerning your two questions, addressed in reverse order:

Inside cabin: I've been on two cruises and had a room with a porthole and an inside cabin. I prefer having a window but its not a big deal since not much time is spent in the room. However, the longer the cruise, the more I might want a window.

Cruising independently: although I wasn't traveling on my own on either cruise, I don't see any issues with doing so. Sign up for whatever excursions interest you, spend hours exploring local jewellery stores, and have a wonderful time!

Decemberfire, thank you so much for responding. I totally agree about the longer the cruise, the more you might want a window. I was just too wary of an inside cabin for two weeks - and vacation time was a problem, too. I was wary about traveling alone, but now I've booked it, I can't wait!

 

[Jambalaya]

I've done inside a few times and balcony several times. Inside is nice and dark so you will sleep well, but you will not want to stay in the room unless you are sleeping. It kind of forces you to go out and about. If this is what you're aiming for, go for the inside. If you think you might want some quiet alone time I would go for the window. If I was traveling alone I would go on the longer cruise, more time to make friends!

Thanks Asscher! Yeah, I would have loved the two weeks if I'd had more vacation time and if it hadn't been an inside! I'm a little bit claustrophobic over here!

 

[Jambalaya]

Book the inside cabin and the money you save use for excursions, drinks, souveniers or spa facilities. There is not much to see when you are at sea (except for Alaska, or other ports of call known for scenery). Try the one week cruise first to see how you like it. You will want to spend a lot of time outside your room and thus you will find different areas to sit-change it up every couple of hours or so. Seek out free activities such as lectures, movies etc to pass the time. Bring lots of books. Have fun.

Thanks, Lambskin! Changing it up every couple of hours or so - that's great advice. Thank you!

 

[Jambalaya]

We have done 6 cruises and never an inside cabin (though the kids had one across the hall and it wasn't bad). I would try an inside once for no more than 7 days to see how I like it. I kinda think I would need a balcony though because I'm not a do-er and not much of a people person (at times), so I do spend a lot of time out on the balcony.

I would love to try a solo cruise, but haven't had the opportunity yet. Let us know how it works out!

Thanks, Whitewave! It just so happens that this cruise is a single with a couple of windows, but your idea about trying out an inside for a week at another time is a very good one. I really want to do a two-week but it would probably be an inside, and I'd be quite wary without knowing what it would be like.

I know someone who booked a four-month world cruise alone in an inside cabin, and had never been on a ship before! That's gutsy!

 

[Jambalaya]

Do you know as a single, you will pay for double occupancy? I think that is why most don't cruise single. It makes financial sense to find a roomie.

It's one of the Cunard new single cabins! This is why I had to grab it, even though the cruise isn't for quite a while!

 

[Jambalaya]

I've done a cruise alone twice. Both were outside cabins, one with a porthole, the other with a balcony. I'll take that balcony any day. An inside cabin will be dark as plenty have noted. It will pretty much force you to do something with yourself unless you like having no windows. There's a lot of fun things for singles so depending on the ship, check cruise critic as they have some good meetups to at least start with. Even though I traveled alone, I hung out with a lot of couples...lol It was a lot of fun. Of course I made sure I wasn't being a unwanted third wheel, but amazingly there are some couples that take people traveling alone under their wing. Even better if they're fun to hang out with. While I did hang out with some single women, I wasn't "single", IYKWIM, so it felt a bit like I was a debbie downer at times.

As much as I love my other half, I usually travel alone for many vacations. On vacation I like being on the go.. a lot. And I like getting up extremely early and staying up VERY LATE! Not him. In bed by 11pm... out of bed no earlier than 8am. I love sunrises at sea I also love looking at the stars at sea. He would rather have the room closed up like its an inside room

Hi Arcadian, thanks for replying! So nice to hear that some couples are kind to singles. I hope I meet someone like you!

 

[Jambalaya]

Hi Jambie: I've traveled alone and loved it. That is not to say there were times on the trips that I really wished I was part of a couple, but you know, that feeling passes and you realize "OMG I'm in LONDON, ENGLAND! WHEEE!"

I went on trips put together by Trafalgar both times I went alone and I was one of only a few Americans in the group. I was touched at how many people in my group invited me to eat with them, shop with them, sit with them, meet for drinks in the evening, you name it. The Canadians and Aussies and Kiwis that made up the group were VERY friendly and fun oriented and chill. Trafalgar did all the work, once I met up with the group I never had to hassle with my luggage, etc. Costco, if you're a member, includes Trafalgar with their options for members.

I've been on one cruise, an inside cabin, and I hated the cruise. I will say I did not find people on the boat to be interested in other people, most of the people were there for milestone events---anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, etc. Inside cabins suck.

If I were going to take a cruise now, I'd do one of the Viking River Cruises through Europe. Nice rooms, a manageable amount of people, no gambling or super drunks I believe.

Thanks, Azstonie! When I went on the QM2 before, with family, I also found that most people were in couples or their own groups and they stuck together. But hey, you sit together at dinner and you're often seated with others at lunch and afternoon tea, too (this was my experience on the QM2 before) so it's quite sociable. I think it's what you make it. There will be 2,500 passengers and I will talk to all of them!

 

[Jambalaya]

HI:

While it doesn't always happen--cruises are frequently not completely sold out and patrons are given the option to trade up upon arrival. If you have absolutely no concerns about an inside room, then book it and with the option/hope to trade up when checking in. Much cheaper than to do it ahead of time.

cheers--Sharon

Great idea, Sharon! Thanks for your reply. I'd love a bump up to a balcony cabin, but I will be very happy with my single if it looks like the picture above! I'll definitely keep it in mind, though!

 

[Jambalaya]

It depends on the debark port. New Orleans, for instance, nearly always sells out well before the cruises. This is the port we cruise from because it is so easy. I have booked cruises 1.5 years ahead where the prices only went UP until they are sold out.

Vacationstogo.com has a 90 day ticker that lists most cruise lines. You can look at these and figure out where the cruises are that don't sell out before the cruise. Deep discounts for those on this list.

Cruising is at an all time high demand right now, so there aren't many deals. Bummer.

Wow, thanks for the link, Whitewave!

This cruise was a very good price because no one wants to cross the Atlantic in the depths of winter. Except me - I love moody seas!

 

[Jambalaya]

Oooh, looks amazing! I will live it through you... please post details when you get back!

Whitewave, I will! It was a big deal when Cunard produced the 15 single cabins in the re-fit last year, as they didn't have any before. It's not easy to get one, either - 15 out of about 1,500 rooms! Am so pleased.

Something to look forward to! Yay!

 

[Jambalaya]

OK, just done some more research and realized that there are two types of single cabins on this ship, the more spacious type with two windows on Deck 3 and the smaller ones with one window on Deck 2. So mine isn't like the one above but like this one: Still very nice though - and a large window!

 

[Jambalaya]

I tell a lie - apparently mine is 183 sq feet and the other one, which looks much more spacious, is 178. Go figure! Oh well - I'll be happy whatever. I'm just glad it's got a large window!

 

[cmd2014]

Wow! Either one is gorgeous! I think you'll love your week. I would. I'd read books and watch the ocean go by. Maybe explore the boat and hang out at the pool. Eat gorgeous gourmet food and sip champagne, and most cruise lines have group activities (pub trivia, pool games, cooking classes, wine tastings, art shows....there's so much to do).

 

[Jambalaya]

Turns out, a family friend is coming with me! She's 25 years older than me but I said there were other single cabins available if she wanted to come, and she practically bit my hand off! So I'm not going alone, after all!

Things change fast around here!

She is widowed and she said she always wanted to cruise but her late husband didn't want to. So now's her chance!

 

[Hayley87]

What a gorgeous room! I'm glad you chose the outside room, as well as the shorter trip. While vacations are relaxing in their own way, the exhilaration of travel can make them less restful than staycations. If you had any sense of a need to just lie low at home for a bit (and it sounds like you did), then I think you made the perfect decision to get the best of both worlds!

 

[arkieb1]

I hope you have a wonderful time, I watch those TV programs that have huge cruise ships in awe, I get really really badly seasick so I physically cannot go on one, but I would love to do the Alaska one one day with a lot of medication.

 

[Austina]

The cabin looks great @Jambalaya and as QM2 is the only real ocean going liner, the Atlantic crossing should be no problem. We have friends who've done it, and they loved it.

 

[Missy]

I hope you have a wonderful time, I watch those TV programs that have huge cruise ships in awe, I get really really badly seasick so I physically cannot go on one, but I would love to do the Alaska one one day with a lot of medication.

Arkieb I don't know if this is still in use but I get seasickness quite badly and the Scopolamine patches behind the ear were of huge help to me. I have taken many long cruises in the past (though none since the mid 90s) and the Scopolamine patches made the trips pleasant and easy.

Jambalaya your cabin looks lovely and yay to window and balcony. It is the best way to cruise IMO. Please come back and share your adventure of a lifetime with us. I know you will love it. And I bet you will make some good friendships. We always did. And yay to a family friend joining you too. It's going to be an amazing adventure...Enjoy!

 

[arkieb1]

I googled that Missy they are not sold here in Australia. And I have to be careful I suffer from Anaphylaxis from a few of both prescription and over the counter nausea medications.

 

[december-fire]

Jambalaya, I'm so happy for you!

Its wonderful that you decided to go for it on your own!

Are individuals supposed to miss out on things because they're not part of a couple?!?!
No!!!

Isn't it ironic that the family friend who is now going with you didn't go in the past because her late husband didn't want to go.

Its easy for people to look at couples and think 'wow, they can travel (or whatever) because they're part of a couple'.
Also easy for people to look at individuals and think 'wow, they can travel (or whatever) because they're on their own'.
Grass always greener, as they say.

I'm thrilled for you and your friend!
Your decision, Jambalaya, has resulted in her doing something she always wanted to do.
That's a big deal.

The transatlantic crossing sounds amazing!
I imagine you laughing with others, having quiet time to gaze at the various moods displayed by the ocean and skies, gazing at the stars at night, capturing glorious imagines in your mind and on canvas.
A wonderful combination of being with others and being with one's self.

I can't wait to hear about your adventure upon your return.

 

[Jambalaya]

December Fire, your post is so kind that it brought tears to my eyes!

As a single divorced woman, I do sometimes feel "less." Our society is utterly obsessed with couples, and reserves the most respect for couples in long-term first marriages who have brought up multiple children.

Well, life just isn't like that for many!

I am paying much more for the cruise than I would pay if I were traveling as a couple.

I love your image of me at sea and I will re-read your post many times. Thank you xxxxxx

 

[SurfFL]

Congratulations on booking the cruise and it is great that a friend decided to join you, though I'm sure you would have had enjoyed the cruise either way. We have done many cruises and even though there is usually a group we still end up meeting people that we do things with on the ship. It's funny especially on the larger ships how often you run into the same group of people, I guess it's because interests are the same so they do the same activities.

If you have any fear of motion sickness I would look into one of these https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/r...1669&sst=293f710a-9e6b-4b6e-921a-5b8052c34fda from experience they work great and don't have any of the side effects of the pills or patches. A little expensive but they can be reused. We always travel with one just in case because they can be used after you start to feel bad.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Very cool! My MIL loved the QE2 back in the day...your QM2 cabin looks gorgeous!

cheers--Sharon

 

[luv2sparkle]

I have only been on one cruise, but we had two ladies at our dinner table who were cruising along and had done a lot of cruises. They each did 5 or 6 a year. They were not traveling together. I enjoyed the cruise but I would have to have a room with a balcony. I can think of nothing I would enjoy more than sitting on a balcony and reading a book.
The only caveat is the people on each side of you can be noisy. On one night the people next to us left their lights on late into the night so we couldn't sleep with the door open. Even so, I couldn't do an inside room ever and even a room with a window wouldn't be enough for me.

I just read you booked it! That room looks lovely! I was just looking at Cunard cruises for early next year! Can't wait to hear about your cruise!

 

[anne_h]

I've traveled alone and enjoy it. Have never done a cruise though so can't comment. But would love to someday.

Go for it!!

 

[doberman]

We regularly cruise, and I can honestly say as a couple, we're more than happy to pal up with singletons. There are usually several singletons and people are very sociable, and once they know you're on your own, will invite you to dine with them, and tag along on excursions.

This. We're always happy to meet someone nice. And I know that some cruises have singles activities. My vote is to splurge and get a balcony.