Hi to all of you!
I have never taken a cruise before, nor have I ever traveled alone. As a 22F, I have no pals with whom to hang out. I’m sick of allowing my lack of social network to prevent me from taking as many trips as I would like to. Are there any recommended cruis
Any cruise. I always go solo after I convinced myself to go in middle of divorce that was supposed to be our vacation. Loved it. Im going 18 nights in November. Pick a newer mega ship . There’s so much to do. Nobody’s watching you and could care less if you’re there by yourself so don’t feel awkward people on cruises are very friendly when they see someone alone and most people try to be inclusive, especially if you’re on an excursion with people. On the daily planner, there will always be activities for people who are cruising solo so try those out. You’re not gonna be the only solo cruiser. You should be proud of yourself for venturing out into an intimidating part to broaden your horizons and not hold yourself back. Enjoy your trip!
I had a great time on my solitary female Alaskan cruise.
Even though I enjoy taking alone cruises and am an introvert, I felt a little “left out” when I took a solo trip to Mexico. That’s certainly partly due to the festive vibe of the warm weather cruises.
To be honest, I was approached at every opportunity to become a cruise buddy, so if you want to make friends, you can probably do so on one of them.
I want to stick to cooler weather cruises in the future (Alaska, New England, etc.) since I utilize my solo voyages as my alone time to recover.
Enjoy yourselves!
@Alain I’m thrilled to learn that my first solo Alaskan cruise is scheduled for next month!
OP, NCL is said to offer fantastic single traveler experiences! For my first single cruise, I chose to travel with them, and I usually only mentioned Royal Caribbean when talking about family vacations.
@Banice They act I am claustrophobic and want a balcony, or at the very least, an ocean view, therefore I do not get the single studio. There is a designated lounge, a private cruise director, and scheduled social events.
Any of the main lines, I believe, would work for you. They provide a variety of entertainment options throughout the day, such as karaoke and trivia. Particularly Norwegian Cruises has created a substantial market for solo cruises. They provide single meet-ups, solo cabins (which go quickly), and more. Should you be extremely concerned about it, having their program there may be beneficial.
I’m going to say that since the Caribbean is less expensive than Alaska or New England, I believe a Caribbean cruise would be a wonderful choice for you. Being by yourself may make you want to go an excursion in every port, which will be simpler in the Caribbean than in Alaska.
@Candy explains the reason behind my upgrade bid offer…
I visited Scotland and Ireland on my first solo trip. I was in my late 30s, and it was incredible. I wish I had done it sooner. I went on my first cruise by myself this year; it was a transatlantic trip that concluded in Barcelona. I had a great time seeing new locations and was able to engage in as much social interaction as I want. I would suggest taking a quick, warmer cruise to make sure you enjoy it. Choose a location that you will like seeing, whether on a tour or just by strolling around and taking in the sights.
My companion usually goes on a three- or four-day solo cruise. Remain idle, see the sea, sip a delightful beverage, and do nothing except what pleases you. She travels to Mexico while we’re in Los Angeles, but the Caribbean is also very beautiful. It depends on your current location and level of desire to fly.
I LOVE Norwegian Cruise Lines for solo cruises. There were ample opportunities for if I wanted me-time vs if I wanted company. And it’s pretty hard to beat the fares on their ships that have the solo studios, you get to avoid the supplement that is usually added on.
If you do go with NCL and a studio, I personally loved the little lounge they have in the studio area. I appreciated grabbing a coffee, maybe fruit or a pastry and heading back to my room to finish getting ready, without having to deal with the hustle and bustle of everyone else running for breakfast. They also had a solo cruisers meetup. It was very welcoming when I stopped in, but I ended up not participating as much because I was adopted into a friend group.
A tip in general no matter the cruise line, is a thermal suite pass if offered. If you aren’t sure, a lot of cruise lines offer day passes (I believe port days only? I honestly forget), but ever since I tried, I go for the full cruise length pass. I LOVED spending time either in the sauna, hot tub, heated tile loungers with a beautiful view. It was really refreshing and relaxing, and I loved being able to stop by whenever they were open. I have genuinely avoided booking a cruise where I couldn’t guarantee the week passes were still available. I will say, look up on youtube the ship’s specific thermal suite before hand, because not all are built equal.
Above all, have fun! 
I’ve done solo Caribbean and solo Alaska, looking into more. I really enjoy being able to do what I want when I want, with the option to have more structure if I want it. I was a little apprehensive for my first solo cruise, but now I’m hooked
Sometimes it’s preferable to travel alone. You act whenever and however you like. Also, while you’re alone, you get to meet a lot more individuals. You’re going to adore it!
Alright, it depends a lot on your place of origin.
I always advise taking a quick three-day cruise to determine whether you have sea legs.
Depending on your location, I would suggest sending a P&O to Amsterdam or Belgium if you’re from the UK.
Once your legs are in the right place, follow the route to the desired location.
Have you considered applying for a job on a cruise ship at the age of 22?
Making friends might be challenging as well, but by taking initiative on your own, you’ll run across like-minded individuals. They’ll be friends after some work:)
@Jemmy Since I love grooming dogs, I wouldn’t be a good fit for a job on a cruise ship. I’m from Ohio😭
@Hudson You can still take a cruise; check out Princess, Royal Caribbean, and Carnaval.
Use Google to see what results appear.
Cost compared to a desired location.
First, what are your interests? Are you looking for action and parties onboard? Dancing? Do you like casinos and gambling? How much, if any do you drink. (The short cruises out of Florida attract the get and stay drunk crowd.
Interested in deck activities ? Some of the mega ships have climbing walls, flow riders, ziplines, waterslides and bungee trampolines?
Are you interested in going ashore and exploring the ports? Some are FAR better than others and some should be avoided at all cost.
How interested are you in quality food? The cheap ones can be the equivalent of home town buffet. Cabin quality? Are you content with a windowless inside cabin, or do you want a walk-out balcony? Fussy about service? How about budget? Will you be driving to a domestic port or winging off to Barcelona, Rome, or Athens?
There is no one-size-fits all.
Most lines will offer a solo cruiser meet up time in the activities schedule if it interests you.
I’ve found that Virgin is excellent for traveling alone. If you’d like something a little quieter, I’d also choose NCL because they have accommodations that are perfect for single occupancy. On any cruise, if you are even slightly gregarious, you will make new pals without fail!
I always travel by myself! Have taken a few additional vacations in addition to five cruises by myself. You are free to do what you like when you feel like it. Cruises are enjoyable since it’s easy to find folks to hang out with when you feel like it. Consider traveling to Alaska or the Caribbean. Both are enjoyable and quite simple to use!
I’m in the Margaritaville at sea Paradise rn coming home from the Bahamas and it was WONDERFUL! There’s quite a bit to do, and I’m pretty sure I’ve seen solo women here! I know for sure I’ve seen solo men at least. They do all kinds of cruises too, but it does get kind of boring on the ship if you don’t go to any of the shows or events. The food is fantastic, and we mainly ate at the free places. I will say, drinks like soda and any alcoholic beverages are kind of expensive. I can’t give an accurate estimate on the alcohol because I’m under age, but I think it’s usually 10$ up a drink. I heard a lot of bad things about this cruise line before going, but I haven’t had a single issue while here. The staff are friendly and funny, and everything is clean. The food was great and I’m a very picky eater lol. From what I can tell, most of the people on board go on cruises with them often and they’re all extremely friendly and nice. Seating while eating is horrid if it’s packed though so be prepared to eat in your room if it’s crowded.
My initial gut reaction would be Virgin Voyages or Royal Caribbean, but I’d love to know more about what you’re looking for in a vacation to give a better recommendation. What do you like to do in your free time at home, where are you looking to go, etc.