The Solo Cruiser's Companion

Tina Maulsby's story of discovering solo cruising resonates with thousands of travelers who've felt that same pull — the desire to go, even when no one else can join. Her piece captures the why beautifully. This companion piece focuses on the how: the practical decisions, strategies, and tools that turn a nervous first-timer into a confident solo cruiser.

This isn't about convincing you to cruise alone. If you're reading this, you've probably already decided — or you're close. This is about making that first trip successful enough that you'll want to do it again.

Who This Guide Is For

This guide is written for:

• First-time solo cruisers who want to know what to expect
• Introverts who need solitude but also want to avoid awkwardness
• Anxious travelers who need strategies, not just reassurance
• Returning cruisers whose travel partner is no longer available
• Anyone considering it who wants honest, practical information

If you're grieving the loss of a travel companion — whether through death, divorce, or simply life changes — you may also find comfort in In the Wake of Grief, which addresses the particular challenges of cruising after loss.

Three Myths That Keep People Home

Myth 1: "I'll be the only one alone"

You won't be. Solo cruisers are everywhere — they're just not always visible because they're not sitting in pairs looking nervous. The solo traveler reading on their balcony, the one at the sushi bar, the person who slips into the back row of the comedy show — they're all around you. On any given Royal Caribbean sailing, solo travelers make up 5-15% of passengers.

Myth 2: "It's too expensive"

The single supplement is real, and it stings. Most cruise lines charge 150-200% of the per-person double occupancy rate for solo travelers. But consider what you're actually paying for: complete control of your space, your schedule, your experience. Some find it worth every penny. Others hunt for waived supplements during sales, or try Norwegian's Studio cabins designed specifically for solo travelers.

Myth 3: "I'll be lonely"

Loneliness and solitude are different things. You'll likely experience solitude — quiet mornings on your balcony, peaceful meals with a book. That's often the point. Loneliness only happens if you want connection but can't find it. On a cruise ship, connection is always available: the solo meetup, trivia teams that need one more, the bartender who remembers your drink. The question isn't whether you'll find people — it's whether you'll want to.

Choosing Your Ship: The Solo Matrix

Not all ships suit all personalities. Here's how to think about ship selection as a solo traveler:

The Dining Question

Dining causes the most anxiety for first-time solo cruisers. Here's how to handle it:

Traditional Dining

You'll be seated with others — could be wonderful, could be awkward. If you enjoy meeting people, this is efficient: same tablemates every night means you skip small talk by night three. If you dread it, you have options.

My Time Dining

Request a table for one, or two if you want space to spread out. The hostess won't judge you — they see solo diners constantly. Some nights you'll want company; ask to join a larger table.

Specialty Restaurants

Many have bar seating perfect for solos. At Izumi, the sushi bar is often better than a table anyway — you can watch the chef work and chat if you feel like it. Chops Grille sometimes has bar-style seating as well.

Windjammer Buffet

Your pressure-free option. Grab food, find a table by the window, eat while reading or people-watching. No one thinks twice about someone eating alone at a buffet. The Windjammer is also perfect for those nights when you just want to eat quickly and get back to whatever you were doing.

Activities: Alone Together

The best solo activities share a quality: they're social but not requiring. You're with others, but participation is optional.

Naturally Solo-Friendly

• Trivia — Teams often need one more person. Just ask to join.
• Fitness classes — Everyone's focused on themselves anyway.
• Lectures and shows — Theater seating is inherently individual.
• The Solarium — Adults-only, quiet by design. Bring a book.
• Art auctions — Browse, sip champagne, leave whenever you want.

Where to Find Your People

• Solo meetup — Usually on Day 1, check the Cruise Compass. Attendance varies but it's a good way to find faces you'll recognize later.
• Bar seating at dinner — The people who choose the bar are often solo travelers or couples who like conversation.
• Outdoor movies — Grab a lounger, share the popcorn station. Easy come, easy go.

The Introvert's Survival Kit

If you're introverted, solo cruising can be either perfect or exhausting, depending on how you manage your energy. Here's what works:

Your Room Is Your Refuge

Splurge on a balcony if you can afford it. That outdoor space becomes your decompression chamber — morning coffee, afternoon reading, evening sailaway. It's where you recharge.

Find Your Quiet Corners

Every ship has them. The library (often empty), the top deck forward (windy but peaceful), the Solarium in the morning. Walk the ship on Day 1 and identify three spots where you can retreat. On Radiance class ships, try the Viking Crown Lounge during off-hours.

Book the Early Excursions

The early departure tours have fewer people. You'll often get a smaller group, and you'll be back on the ship before the crowds return. Bonus: the ship is quiet in the afternoon while everyone else is still in port.

Use Room Service

It's included for breakfast on most Royal Caribbean ships. Sometimes you just don't want to see people before 10 AM, and that's fine.

Anxiety at Sea: What Actually Helps

If you deal with anxiety, here are strategies that actually work on a cruise:

Pre-Book Everything

Uncertainty feeds anxiety. Book your specialty dining, your shows, your excursions before you board. The Cruise Planner app lets you schedule almost everything. Walking into dinner knowing exactly where you'll sit removes a surprising amount of stress.

Learn the Ship Layout

Disorientation increases anxiety. On embarkation day, walk every public deck. Note the stairwells (faster than elevators), the nearest restrooms, the quiet corners. On big ships like Oasis class, this might take an hour. It's worth it.

Establish Routines

Your anxiety will quiet once you have patterns. Morning coffee in the same spot. The same route to dinner. The same server who knows your order. Cruise ships are excellent for routine because everything is available every day.

Know Your Outs

In any social situation, know how you'll leave. Trivia: your phone buzzes, you have to go. Dinner conversation: you're meeting someone for the show. Just having an exit plan makes it easier to stay.

The Guest Services Safety Net

If you're struggling, Guest Services can help in ways you might not expect. They can move your dining time, change your table assignment, even find you a quieter cabin if the noise is a problem. You're not bothering them — it's literally their job.

The Practical Stuff

Stateroom Selection

As a solo traveler, your room matters more because you'll spend more time there. Consider:

• Balcony vs. Inside — Balconies provide private outdoor space. Inside cabins are cheaper but can feel claustrophobic on a 7-day cruise.
• Location — Mid-ship, mid-deck for less motion. Avoid cabins near elevators, nightclubs, or above the theater.
• Use our Stateroom Check tool to verify your cabin location.

Packing for Solo

When no one can watch your stuff, you pack differently:

• Anti-theft bag for port days (slash-proof, lockable zippers)
• Portable safe for beach excursions (locks to chair)
• Door stop alarm if it makes you sleep better
• See our Packing Lists for complete recommendations

The Single Supplement

Ways to reduce the sting:

• Book during "single supplement waived" promotions
• Try Norwegian's Studio cabins (built for solo travelers)
• Consider repositioning cruises (lower base fares)
• Look at guarantees (cheapest category, cabin assigned at sailing)

Safety Considerations

Cruise ships are extremely safe, but solo travelers should still:

• Keep your Sea Pass secure — it's your ID, room key, and payment card
• Tell someone your plans if doing independent port exploration
• Trust your instincts in port the same as you would at home
• Don't overindulge — you're responsible for getting yourself back to the ship

Stories from the Logbooks

Our cruise logbooks are full of solo travel moments. Here are a few that capture the reality:

"Day 3 and I finally stopped looking for my husband at every turn. Sat in the Solarium with a book and realized this was the first time in 40 years I'd chosen a vacation spot entirely for myself. Terrifying. Also liberating."

"Joined a trivia team on Day 1. Lost badly. Same team for five more days. Won once. Made four friends I still email. Solo cruising is just cruising with friends you haven't met yet."

"Introvert here. Worried constantly about dinners. Ended up eating at the sushi bar every night. Chef knew my order by Day 2. Best dining experience I've had on any cruise."

If you've cruised solo and want to share your experience, consider contributing to our logbooks.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Permission Slip

Tina wrote about giving yourself permission to go. I want to extend that:

You have permission to:

• Eat dinner alone with a book and not feel weird about it
• Skip the solo meetup if you don't feel like meeting people
• Spend the whole sea day in your cabin if that's what you need
• Order room service every night if restaurants feel overwhelming
• Leave any conversation, any activity, any time
• Be exactly as social or unsocial as you want to be

Solo cruising works because you make the rules. Every other vacation involves compromise — with partners, with kids, with friends. This one doesn't have to. That's the whole point.

So pack your bags. Book the cabin. Walk up that gangway alone. You'll be following in the wake of thousands of solo cruisers who did it scared and came home changed.

See you on board.

Soli Deo Gloria