Finding Love and Romance on a Singles Cruise
For years cruise travel was the domain of couples and some families. Even now the ships become more family-friendly. So what about a single person who wants to cruise? Recognizing that need, many ships offer special programs to make singles feel welcome and enjoy time socializing with other singles.
Solo cruising has been more expensive than couples cruising because half the cabin brings in no revenue. On some cruise lines that mean the solo cruises pay double or get stuck with a stranger as a roommate.
More ships are recognizing this concern and offering fair rates for solo cruisers who prefer to room alone. When you shop for a cruise, check the rates for the fair deals. Some cruise lines have a “find a cabin mate” program where you submit interests and the line attempts to match you, much like roommate matching in college dorms.
You can accept or reject the roommate match suggested for you. Once on the ship, you’ll find more activities for solo cruisers of all ages. Some cruise lines maintain the tradition of providing a “gentleman host” as a partner for dancing and dining to women traveling alone to register for this option.
While this tends to appeal to older travelers, there’s no age limit to participate. For younger solo cruisers there are singles mixers, separate from the regular welcome aboard parties. Other special events are planned for singles such as sports, karaoke, and dance club parties.
Finding romance on a cruise may be easier since you are more relaxed and in an atmosphere of fun. The stresses from work and home are back on the dock. You are there to have fun, which makes many people open up and be their true selves.
Don’t count on the singles events to produce a partner – be active all over the ship. At dinner, ask to be seated at a large table, don’t hide in the corner. Singles are often seated together at large tables to avoid breaking up a family group that wants more space.
Before entering the dining room, scan the embarkation photos on display in the lobby. If you see a great-looking person who is alone in the photo, chances are that person is a solo cruiser. So do some “window shopping” and know who you are looking for when you enter the dining room.
Get involved in activities that you enjoy; sports, spa, exercise classes, or shipboard games. Even if you are seated next to the grandmas, be friendly, and tell them you are single. You might find that they have a younger relative on board or they happen to be sitting with a single at dinner who’s also looking for other singles.
Families tend to go back to the cabins earlier. After the midnight buffet, you’ll see most of the singles staying up to the party. Be where they are and enjoy the evening. After all, you can sleep late. The party crowd also tends to arrive for late breakfast on the deck.
If you find a great partner, do shipboard romances last? So do, some don’t, but the romance at sea is a wonderful memory of a dream vacation with a dreamy partner by your side.
