One of the reasons I like an open seating type of cruise is the ability to socialize with people and the ability to not socialize if you wish.

There are times that my wife and I love to socialize but there are many times we want an evening to ourselves. After 26 years we still enjoy each others company and always have something to talk about.

I love group cruises and the socialization and but I also love just a cruise for us.

Take care,
Mike

If you’re traveling with friends or family it really makes no difference, you’ll likely dine together. It’s the “stragglers” that most benefit, but I think it makes a difference to those not traveling with anyone (either singles or couples).

My best example, as reported in my Silverse Virtual Cruise Report, was the two couples who were friends, traveling together… yet they split up at dinner to dine with and meet new people, separately.

We meet and socialize in many ways and places. Sitting next or near cruisers on the Promanade deck. We try to open up and try to start conversations. Many topics are available to start with. Sitting next to people in the show launge is very good place to introduce yourself. Then meeting and joining in on a Trivia Game. We have done this many times and mostly have made permanent friends. Many more places are available.

It is hard for us meet people that we do not wish to socialize with. We love them all. Its in our jenes.

But, you are right … there aren’t that many solo cruisers on ships these days and that makes it very, very difficult to just go onboard, without the benefit of any internet social networking in advance, and have a great cruise experience. Sadly (from the solo cruiser’s point of view) most people tend to stay within their own groups. They get onboard as a family and want to spend their time together. They are really not interested in meeting new people. For them, the cruise is an opportunity to bond together as a family … a family they may not see much of at home due to crazy schedules and whatnot.

The smaller ships make meeting others easier … and that’s why I prefer Holland America as my cruise line of choice. Unless I were sailing with an affinity group, I doubt I’d ever go on a Carnival or RCL cruise. The ships are just too big for me and I would literally get lost in the crowd as a solo. Holland America’s ships (especially the non-Vista ships) are small enough, and frequented by enough solos (especially on longer sailings) that the solo cruiser has no trouble meeting others. Even with their new “As You Wish Dining” program (flexible dining), solos aren’t left out in the cold. Unless you make prior reservations for a table exclusively for your group, you are going to be seated at a joined table … and that’s a nice thing because it lets you meet others. Then, if you don’t like those people, at least you’re not stuck dining with them every night as you would be with traditional dining. If you do like them, you could always arrange to meet outside the dining room on subsequent nights in order to be seated together again … or call in advance and arrange your own table.

To me the social aspect is what cruising is all about. I go on vacations to meet new people. I have the people at home year-round to do things with. When I cruise I like to do things with people I don’t get to see year-round. Cruising gives me this opportunity whereas I doubt there are any land-based vacations that would do the same. Can you imagine going to Walt Disney World as a solo, expecting to meet others? It simply wouldn’t happen. People are with their families and friends and spend all of their time exclusively with them. At least on a cruise ship there are always some solos … or even couples … who are interested in meeting others. And, that’s a good thing … and it’s why I cruise exclusively for vacations now.