Okay, so here’s the deal. I found myself with some time off and, honestly, just needed a break from everything. The thought of a cruise popped into my head. But, going solo? On a huge ship like those Royal Caribbean ones? Seemed a bit daunting, but I figured, why not? I’ve done crazier things.
Figuring It All Out
First thing I did was jump online. Started poking around Royal Caribbean’s site. Wasn’t specifically looking for “singles” cruises, ’cause that sounds a bit like a cheesy dating event, and that’s not my scene. I just wanted to see what it’d be like for one person. Booking was pretty straightforward, actually. They hit you with that single supplement, which is basically paying extra ’cause you’re not splitting the room cost. Annoying, but it is what it is. I just picked a shorter cruise, a 4-nighter, to test the waters, so to speak.
I didn’t go for any fancy “studio” cabins for solo travelers, if they even had many. I just got a regular inside cabin. Figured I wouldn’t be in there much anyway. Packed my bags, usual stuff: shorts, t-shirts, a couple of smarter outfits for dinner, you know the drill. Threw in a good book, too, just in case I got bored of people.
Getting Onboard and First Impressions
Embarkation day came. I drove down to the port. Getting on the ship was a bit of a zoo, loads of families and couples, all excited. I just kept to myself, went through the lines. Once I was on, man, that ship was massive. First thing I did was find my little cabin. It was small, yeah, but clean and fine for just me. Dropped my stuff and went exploring.
My plan was simple: relax, eat some good food, maybe see a show, and just enjoy not having to answer to anyone. I wasn’t there to make a million new friends, but I wasn’t against a bit of chit-chat either.
Daily Grind (the Good Kind) On The Ship
So, what did I actually do? Well, here’s a rundown:
- Food: Lots of it. The buffet was my go-to for breakfast and lunch. Easy, no fuss. For dinner, I mostly did the main dining room. They usually sat me at a smaller table, or sometimes with other folks. First night was a bit awkward, not gonna lie, eating alone while everyone else was in pairs or groups. But after that, I just owned it. Sometimes I’d chat with the waiters, they were always friendly. One night I even treated myself to one of those specialty restaurants. That was pretty good.
- Activities: I’m not a huge “joiner” but I did check out the daily planner. Went to a couple of the shows in the evening – some singers, a comedian. They were decent. During the day, I’d find a quiet spot on deck, read my book, watch the ocean go by. Used the gym a couple of times. It was actually pretty well-equipped. I avoided the super crowded pool areas, mostly. Not really my thing trying to fight for a sun lounger.
- Being Solo: Honestly, nobody really cared that I was on my own. I saw a few other people who looked like they were solo too. Sometimes you’d nod at each other. I did chat with a few people here and there – at the bar, waiting for a show. Mostly small talk. It wasn’t hard to strike up a conversation if I wanted to, but it was also super easy to just be in my own world.
Port Day
We had one port day. I didn’t book any of the ship’s expensive excursions. I just got off the boat, walked around the little port town, grabbed a coffee, bought a silly souvenir. It was nice to stretch my legs on solid ground for a bit. Did my own thing, at my own pace. Perfect.
Was It Worth It For A Single Dude?
So, the big question: Would I do a Royal Caribbean cruise solo again? Yeah, I probably would. It wasn’t the wild party scene some people might imagine, and it wasn’t a lonely hearts club either. It was just… a vacation. A chance to get away.
The single supplement still stings a bit, not gonna lie. That’s the main downside. And yeah, sometimes you notice all the couples and families. But if you’re comfortable in your own company, and you just want a hassle-free break where everything’s taken care of, it’s a pretty good option. You can be as social or as private as you want. For me, it was a good way to recharge the batteries without any drama. Just me and the big blue ocean. And a whole lot of food.