When Robyne Armstrong’s marriage broke down, she decided to start holidaying by herself.
It was her first foray into solo cruising and since then, she has done six voyages on her own.
The vivacious and glamorous spa owner from Sydney has had good and bad experiences on her solo cruises – and even a marriage proposal.
Her tip – put yourself out there and be friendly, it’s as simple as it sounds.
“I never felt uncomfortable when I went on my first solo cruise. I used to run a big spa business and love to talk to anyone and everyone. I am always networking.
“You just have to get out there, get out of your comfort zone and engage with people. I also look amazing as I love to dress up and wear beautiful clothes,” she says.
Another key point she makes, is to get a bit dolled up to stand out as a solo cruiser.
“You can’t be a frump and expect other people to take notice of you.
“When I am at the bar on a cruise ship, I just introduce myself to new people and start chatting. You have to learn to engage with other people – and people love to talk about themselves,” she says.
The spa owner, though, also has had her own fair share of awkward stories and she says not every solo cruise is going to be a fairytale.
Last Christmas when she was sailing on Holland America’s Maasdam, Ms Armstrong, dressed to the nines, arrived at the main dining room for Christmas eve dinner.
She was led to a large table of eight and was sat down. She waited – and waited. But no one was seated with her and she was forced to dine alone.
“The ship was so disorganised, and it was just shocking that I was seated on a table for eight all by myself on Christmas Eve. There I was all dressed up and eating by myself. Never, ever again, will I go on that ship again.”
She is now planning to go on her next solo cruise on the Sun Princess to South Pacific, combining her holiday with a Ghan train experience.
Ms Armstrong, who is a grandmother, has met some wonderful people on her solo cruises including a charming 93-year-old man.
However, she has one major complaint – the single supplement for solo cruisers is “wrong” and too expensive.
“As a single passenger, I pay almost double the price for a cabin and it is wrong. Lines should make prices more competitive for solo travellers.”
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To Robyne Armstrong join our ladies only “Find a Female Cruise or Travel Buddy” Facebook group. This way you can avoid the single supplement. We have 3,000+ ladies in our group all eager to travel.
Yes, I hate the prices being charged for solos, it’s a rip off!
I am newly widowed and my wife and i loved to cruise , l would love to go on another but it is just to expensive going solo.At my age finding a partner is nearly impossible.
As a regular cruiser;the extra fee charged single passengers is a rip off.
I fully agree with Ms Armstrong’s comments about solo cruising, I’m one myself. You can make many friends, you can join in a meal group. The best group I ever shared a table (seven others of all nationalities) with was with Princess some years ago and we had a ball at each meal in the Restaurant.
The most irritating thing is being forced to pay the Single Supplement for a cabin, they are a rip off for sure. If they want to charge single supplement, then how about offering deals such as surrendering a credit in exchange for cheaper prices? I have also been told that some work has been done by a few cruise lines to provide tiny cabins for solo cruisers, if so, they’ve lost me. I have no intention of being squeezed around a single bed.
Mature gent travel and cruise alone often.No problem at all,however many times i hear couples arguing on board and wonder are they happy ?Maasdam ship indeed no atmosfeer on my trip either in 2018 .Oosterdam 1 month sailing NZ and Pacific beautifull cruise,same cruiseline.The best
I totally agree with Robyn Armstrong. Single travellers should not be paying for two people’s accomodation when travelling alone. Even 3/4 price would encourage more singles to travel.