The singles supplement on cruises can be a deal-breaker. Assuming you get a friend to share your cabin and the cruise line can configure beds as two singles, that is one problem solved. Are there opportunities for single people to meet other single people when you spend a week or more at sea? Is age an issue?
Singles at Sea
- Cruising by age category. Cruise lines have different personalities or target audiences. Virgin Voyages does not allow passengers under age 18. Saga Cruises requires passengers to be aged 50 or older. You can bring a child (or carer), but they must be aged 40+. You will mingle with people of an age similar to your own.
- Themed cruises. Do some online research. There are rock ‘n roll cruises, foodie cruises, big band cruises, literature cruises, classical musical cruises, and cruises for history buffs. Lifestyle cruises also build on this idea. You have a good chance of meeting someone sharing your interests if you pick a cruise focusing on that demographic. Your travel agent can help.
- Faith-based cruises. There are vacations where you can travel with like-minded individuals sharing similar religious beliefs. (1) In addition to organized cruises, if you belong to a religious community in your town, from time to time, someone organizes an escorted vacation to religious sites in Europe or further afield. It might not be a cruise, but you are surrounded by people sharing your beliefs.
- Cruises for singles. Some lines are known for encouraging solo cruisers. NCL is a good example. They have studio cabins and the Studio Lounge as a meeting space. (2)
Opportunities For Singles to Meet Other Singles
Now, let us assume you are traveling on a cruise ship with a broad spectrum of the population. Are there opportunities for singles to meet? Here is the good news: This is what cruise directors seek to facilitate, especially during days at sea.
- The daily solo travelers get together. This is a standard feature on cruises. “Solo” sounds better than “singles.” My wife and I have been told they grow in size from day to day as more passengers give it a try.
- Specialty gatherings. There will likely be a daily gathering for Alcoholics Anonymous onboard. On Cunard it is discretely worded as “Friends of Bill W.” You might also see “Friends of Dorothy” for the LGBTQ+ meet ups, although the titling might have changed.
- Morning scripture services. I’ve seen this on Cunard ships. This is an un hosted gathering (like many other interest groups). Like-minded people spend time together.
- Service club gatherings. What comes to mind when you think of service clubs? Organizations like Rotary, Lions and Kiwanis. This can also include ones that don’t immediately come to mind, like the Women’s Institutes in the UK.
- Scotch and martini tastings. You have an interest in a certain spirit. You know your scotches. Maybe you are a bourbon drinker. The ship often organizes events for these interested enthusiasts. If you a a serious scotch drinker attending a scorch tasting, you will find others who share your passion.
- Daily pub quizzes. These are a favorite of mine. Strangers quickly become friends. Teams form. Some ships hold quizzes several times a day. The room is often packed. These are a great leveler because everyone knows something, but no one knows everything.
- Sporting activities. This includes poolside games, table tennis and other activities. Often there are tournaments. You can join in, meeting people along the way. Cunard often offers fencing classes.
- The onboard gym. If you are a gym rat, you spend plenty of time in the gym at home. It’s not a “meet market” like bar, but you tend to meet people who live an active lifestyle like yourself.
- Dance classes. These are often organized at different levels of skill. You can meet people who are just starting out or people at an advanced skill level.
- Bridge classes. Bridge players can be very focused. The ship might organize these classes in the same space as they keep board games.
- Late night dancing. Your ship comes alive at night. Every bar and lounge likely have live music into the early hours. There will be dancing. Find the lounge with the music you like and you should find plenty of kindred spirits.
- Art classes. Your ship might have watercolor classes daily throughout the week. There might be an art show at the end of the voyage. You can meet people while learning the basics of painting.
- Ship’s choir. Do you sing back home? If you are British or involved singing at your local church, this might be the case. Here is an opportunity to meet people with a similar interest.
- Improv groups. I experienced this on Cunard’s Queen Victoria and thought it was fabulous. Members of the audience gather on stage in a large group, pair off and are given an exercise. Everyone is making it up as they go along. It puts people in a good mood.
- Shore excursions. How many movies have you seen where people either ask to join another person on a shore excursion or meet because they booked the same onshore experience? This is another way to meet people with similar interests.
There are many opportunities for singles to meet other singles onboard a cruise. It is often done through activities for like-minded people.