A solo cruise is an excellent vacation choice if you’re looking to experience exciting destinations around the world and make new friends along the way.
Sometimes you don’t want to wait to see a destination until you have a travel partner who can go with you. Maybe you just like the introspective time that a solo vacation can provide.
Traveling alone doesn’t mean you have to rough it, backpack, or do all the planning yourself.
If you’re considering taking a cruise vacation by yourself, here are some solo cruise tips to help make your journey an unforgettable experience.
Choose a Cruise Line That’s Solo-Friendly
Not all cruise lines are the same. If you’re planning your much-deserved vacation and you want to travel solo, pick a line that welcomes single travelers.
Tips For Making New Friends During Your Solo Cruise
Just because you’re cruising solo doesn’t mean you have to be alone, unless you want to be, of course. Here are a few ways to make friends—and memories—onboard.
Get to Know the Crew During Your Solo Cruise
One of the best things about sailing with Celebrity is the friendly, engaging crew from all around the world. Many guests enjoy talking with them and learning about the area of the globe they’re from.
Finding a bartender you get along with so you can have your own “local” bar on the ship is an easy way to feel comfortable in a lounge while cruising solo.
Get to know your cruise director, who you’ll often see walking around the ship. If they know you’re a solo cruise passenger, they may give you some insider tips on upcoming activities or entertainment you won’t want to miss.
Join New, Dedicated Events for Solo Travelers
Meet fellow solos in a friendly environment at Celebrity Cruises’ new Solo Travelers’ Gathering and Dinner, hosted by the Activity Team.
Check the time in your Celebrity App or Celebrity Today daily program and head for the Sky Lounge (on Millennium and Solstice-series ships) or luscious Eden on Edge-series ships, where you can meet fellow solo travelers. The friendly Activity Team will help break the ice.
The Shore Excursions team will be present to facilitate bookings should you meet a potential buddy to join you for excursions.
There will also be a special solos’ table at dinner that night, and an unhosted solos’ table every night thereafter for anybody who is enjoying the company of new friends for dinner. This is the perfect opportunity to get together with other people traveling solo.
Get Out & Mingle
You might be tempted to unwind in your stateroom after busy days ashore. However, spending time in public spaces on the ship is a great way to meet new people.
Strike up a conversation and make some new friends on the very first night of the cruise. Perch at the bar for drinks if you feel awkward sitting alone at a table. Get chatting on shore excursions, and join group activities on board.
Celebrity’s ships are equipped with high-speed WiFi so it’s easy and convenient to start a WhatsApp group to arrange activities and meet-ups with newfound friends.
Say Yes to Dining With New People
Joining people for dinner is a great way to make friends and have a fun meal at the Main Restaurant or in a specialty restaurant.
People will likely be intrigued by you traveling on your own, want to get to know you better, and enhance their own dining experience. Even couples like to socialize and meet new people on vacation. Since you’re all travelers who enjoy seeing the world, it’s easy to swap travel stories.
The solos’ table is also always an option. Sitting here is a great way to meet other adventurous solo travelers and swap stories.
