I have never been on a cruise before

Welcome to the world of cruising. My first cruise was a gift and I went solo. So my very first ever cruise was a solo cruise. Since then I've been on about 15 or so cruises and many of them were solo. My first cruise was a short 3 day cruise on Carnival out of my home port. I recommend a short cruise close to home, just to see how you like it. Many suggest a travel agent, I think that is a good way to go. I personally pretty much do all the research and planning myself (I enjoy the planning process) then sometimes have a travel agent book if they can get me a better deal.

I've learned from my solo cruises to eat in the MDR and at a group table, be outgoing and make friends. Do everything, don't let not having a partner stop you, do it. You will run into other solo cruisers, I do on every cruise.

I guess the best advice is to contact a travel agent and just do it, you won't know if its something you will love until you do it. I did several cruises ago and I'm still cruising solo, I have two cruises booked so far for 2019 one in March with my sister and one in September solo.

Gotcha...thanks..think I got it figured out now..

Yes, gratuities and port fees were paid for us. We got the internet package. We don't do specialty dining anymore as the prices are getting out of hand for what you get. I only drink beer, so it doesn't pay to get a drink package, when both people in the cabin need to have it.

Good for you...curious...when you say "prepaid gratuities and port fees"...you mean there was NO CHARGE for them? AND a $400 OBC? what packages if any, did you choose? drink? internet? dining?

On our last cruise we got an upgrade. It cost $200 pp extra, but we got prepaid gratuities and port fees as well as $400 OBC. And the cabin was is a better location.

I have used them a lot of times and they get me prices the same as and most times better then going through the cruise line. On my last cruise they were $ 200.00 less then going direct and they gave me some on board credit that the line would not have. They are my go to place when I start dreaming of a cruise. I may just head over there now and look a bit.

Lots of different lines as well as themes. You can actually find cruises that cater to people of similar interests. For example, if you like a certain type of music like bands of the 70s, there are a couple of cruises that carry that theme. Same for culinary, politics, art, motorsports or scientific interests such as astronomy. http://www.themecruisefinder.com/

Or you can take the great advise above and check out traditional lines. THey too, have their own character. Some lines have more social/party events, some are low key, others have many on-board activities and features such as rock climbing, go-carts, sky diving, surfing, even bowling. Surf the advise tab and find a match.

TAs can offer discounts due to their relationship with the cruise lines that are not offered on any website and most time get you a better deal. They can also act as your advocate if there is an issue with any part of your trip and get it resolved more quickly than the random person you will get on the call center.

No. We use V 2 G and they buy up groups of cabins and can offer discounts of over 50% a lot of the time. The key is the agent. We happen to have a very good one.

Curious...are those "discounts" the ones you could have gotten yourself, without a TA?..if not, like what? I assume that requires a working knowledge of the reservations system of whatever line you prefer...in this case NCL. For the record, I have nothing against TAs..we'd rather do it ourselves, unless theres some inducement to let someone else do it.