Jayestravellingadventures

Anyone who knows me or is familiar with my travel page on Instagram, knows I cruise alone most of the time. I absolutely love solo cruises and I find I experience a lot more when alone. Those who are just getting into cruising or perhaps wanting to experience a cruise solo, may not know how it works.

With various options to choose from, I have complied the need to know information. No matter what intent you are cruising for, this guide will make your time at sea memorable and fantastic.

What is a singles cruise?

They are events which are organised onboard which are mainly hosted via travel agencies. They very rarely charter the whole cruise and will share the ship with guests who are not booked onto the singles cruise. It is unlikely that you will be able to find a singles cruise only, as cruise ships accommodate anywhere between 1,000 to 6,000 guests each charter. Unfortunately the demand isn’t high enough.

How do they work?

Once booked you may get an opportunity to meet other solo travellers prior to boarding the ship. There are private Facebook groups for you to join, allowing you to introduce yourself and get to know other solo travellers. Most solo cruises hold pre-cruise mixers for you to meet everyone face to face, for everyone staying in the same hotel the night before embarkation.

If you want to branch a bit further, majority of singles cruises offer an optional roommate matching programme. This not only saves money as you are sharing a room and splitting the cost, but it also allows you to meet someone (of the same sex) to explore the ship with. You are still able to have your own room by paying a little more.

They will provide you with a list of events to follow throughout your time onboard, allowing you to meet up with the group. The list may include; dance and/or exercise classes, meals, activities, entertainment, quiz tournaments and so much more. This isn’t a must to follow, and only a guide for anyone who wants to know where other solos may be. When in port you can pay for organised shore excursions with the group, however if you want to save money or explore on your own then you can with no strings attached.

How are they different to ‘normal’ cruises?

There is one obvious difference between a single cruise and normal cruise, which is it is more organised by meetings and other activities. Normal cruises will have solo travellers onboard but, on a singles cruise there will be more, with additional opportunities to get to know other solos. Being a solo doesn’t mean you cant book a normal cruise. After all its what I do. You can book any cruise whether thats for a single or double room at the cost of single occupancy. Most cruises give the option to share a table for dinner however, you can change this if you want to eat in peace.

Would a single cruise be for you?

You will be surprised to know single cruises are for all ages and genders and attract a fair number of men and women. There are some single cruises which cater more to age brackets of 35 to 55 years, or for those in their 20s to 30s, and others in their 40s, or even just seniors. The options are endless.

The reasons for singles cruises vary from people looking to make a romantic connection, wanting to meet news friends, do something out of their comfort zone, or simply to travel. If organised fun and spending most of your getaway in the company of others then a singles cruise is up your alley. Every singles cruise is different. With all of my solo cruises, I have met a vast variety of people from all backgrounds which I still keep in contact with to this day.

Is being alone fun?

Those who I have met onboard which are single, have always had an amazing time onboard and would do a solo cruise again. SinglesCruise believe that 60% of their guests and repeat bookers… this says something in itself. You don’t need to be a social or an outgoing person (I have social anxiety). You have the peace, freedom and time to follow your own schedule, even if that is sitting in a corner reading a book. I love meeting new people and cruising gets me out of my comfort zone, however I also don’t have anyone to travel with. Some solo travellers I have met have either been divorced, widowed or just want to experience something new.

What do I look for in a Singles Cruise?

In my next blog I will be cutting down each cruise line which do singles cruises, aiding you into choosing one thats right for you. Always check to ensure a host will be onboard and that there will be plenty of other singles and events to attend. There are some cruise lines which advertise for Single Cruises, but these are unfortunately just regular cruises. These are mainly for solos who are wanting to cruise on their own, however they could end up spending a lot of their time alone. If you want to organise most by yourself then a ‘normal’ cruise is perfect for you.

Before booking make sure you do your research and speak to a cruise sale representative, either in person or via the phone, just to ensure you are booking what you desire for the most amazing experience.

Who can I book one with?

There is one big company which specialises in offering singles cruises which is SinglesCruise.com. You can find over 25 cruises on their website to choose from. Some of the destinations they cover are; Alaska, Antarctica, Bahamas, British Isles, Caribbean, Hawaii, Mediterranean, Mexico, Scandinavia, South Africa, South America, and more. They truly spoil you for choice. There are also seasonal cruises too such as; Halloween, Christmas and New Year. With options of just 3 nights to 14 nights and longer, there is something for everyone. No excuses allowed.

There is a Cruise Dating app…

Did you know that there is a cruise dating app? These can be aimed for those who are taking a ‘standard’ cruise not a singles cruise. With the special design for cruisers that want to mingle and find someone romantically, you can message or chat with others before or during your cruise. The app is called Cruise Ship Mingle App.