guy on cruise ship alone

Um, Does Something Smell Fishy? Man Claims He Is on a Cruise With No Other Passengers

Jun. 21 2023, Updated 3:06 p.m. ET

What does your dream vacation entail? Does it involve a lot of time to yourself? Because if so, you might want to vicariously live through one TikTok creator who claims he is the only person — in addition to the crew aboard — a cruise ship.

Now, while this sounds like an introvert’s paradise, it also sounds a little too good to be true. Is he being honest or is he just bluffing? That’s what TikTok is trying to get to the bottom of.

Man says he's the only passenger on a cruise ship, but not everyone believes him.

A man named Blake Rosier ( @blakerosier24620 ) shared a video to TikTok in which he claimed he was the only person aboard a cruise ship. "I was on a cruise ship completely alone," reads the copy of the video.

He shares more details in the 30-second clip, where he is seen recording while standing in either a pool or hot tub.

"As some of you know, I am on this cruise ship completely alone. I am the only guest on this ship besides the crew, of course, that's been tending to me hand and foot. Literally, this cruise has been insane. I don't know how this happened, exactly," he said.

@blakerosier24620 I was the only guest on a cruise ship ♬ Love You So - The King Khan & BBQ Show

Motioning to a screen behind him, he continued: "They even have a movie playing for just me. All the shows are still going. The pools are open. Literally, it's just me here. It's truly insane and it's been amazing. I just had dinner in a huge dining hall with no one else."

As he ended the video, he claimed that he'd keep his followers updated.

In the comment section, people had a lot to say about Blake's alleged solo cruise.

"Man is vlogging from the Twilight Zone," wrote one user. Another person said: "That’s the only appealing cruise I've ever seen."

But others weren't so sure about Blake's story. In fact, one user accused him of staging the whole video, claiming it was probably 3 a.m. and everyone else was just sleeping.

Although, not everyone agreed with that claim. One user reasoned that if it really was 3 a.m., the pool would have likely been long closed by then.

Another argued that Blake was in a hot tub and hot tubs usually close later than pools. However, one person chimed in to say that a hot tub would never be open until 3 a.m. "He's either alone on the ship or it's earlier than 3 a.m. and he's alone in the area he's in," their comment read.

So, is Blake Rosier really on a cruise by himself? He's an actor and comedian.

Unfortunately, Blake never posted another video about the cruise, so it looks like that one video is all we have to go off. But, get this — if you Google "Blake Rosier," you'll discover that Blake is sort of a public figure.

"Blake Rosier is a Los Angeles actor, comedian, and musician most recently seen in Loosely Exactly Nicole , Black Jesus and I Want My Phone Back," reads IMDb .

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Blake Rosier (@blakerosier)

An actor and comedian? Fam, I think that's all we need to know to that this man is not being 100 percent honest with us.

While it's unclear what time of night it is and how he was able to successfully film a video with no one else present, there is a chance that the cruise ship was giving him special treatment because of who he is. Maybe he performed on a show and had special privileges, or maybe he paid extra to use the ship's amenities after hours.

It's unclear, but I think we can all agree that if just one person signed up for a cruise, the cruise line would definitely cancel it, as they would be losing way too much money if they didn't.

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@blakerosier24620/Tiktok

‘I don’t know how this happened. They even have a movie playing for just me’: Man says he’s the ‘only guest’ on cruise ship

‘that would absolutely terrify me.’.

Melody Heald

Posted on Jun 20, 2023

In a now-viral TikTok, a man revealed that he was the only guest on a cruise ship—and he relished the experience.

The video featured TikTok user Blake Rosier (@blakerosier24620), who told the story while standing in a cruise ship pool at night. According to the content creator, he was on the ship “completely alone,” besides the crew, allowing him to be waited on “hand and foot.”

“I don’t know how this happened exactly,” he said. Then, he pointed to a large television playing a movie just for him. He also explained that all the shows were still going, the pools were open, and he had dinner in a large dining hall with no one else.

“It’s truly insane, and it’s been amazing,” he said.

It is unclear which cruise line Rosier traveled with and why he was the only guest on his ship.

@blakerosier24620 I was the only guest on a cruise ship ♬ Love You So – The King Khan & BBQ Show

The video accumulated over 117,000 views within 24 hours, and viewers had mixed reactions.

“That’s the only appealing cruise i’ve ever seen,” one viewer wrote.

“It would be nice with like maybe 100 people (guest) max being alone is odd,” a second commented.

“Omg absolutely not,” a third remarked. “As a people pleaser & someone who can’t handle that kind of attention, I’d feel like such an inconvenience.”

“This would honestly alleviate so much of my stress,” another countered.

Additionally, many commenters warned the TikToker that he might be in a horror movie scenario.

“The Shining; Cruise Edition,” one user said.

“Dude be careful. That’s definitely the set of a psychological thriller,” a second warned.

“Spooky af,” a third stated.

“Ghost ship,” another added.

The Daily Dot reached out to Rosier via TikTok comment for more information.

*First Published: Jun 20, 2023, 2:43 pm CDT

Melody Heald is a culture writer. Her work can be found in Glitter Magazine, BUST Magazine, and more.

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Was TikToker Blake Rosier really the only passenger on a cruise ship?

TikToker Blake Rosier has given viewers a taste of his exclusive experiences aboard an 'empty' cruise ship

A TikToker has been celebrated for “living an introvert's dream” after he boasted about being the only passenger on a cruise ship .

Major liners can hold between 2,000 and 4,000 guests, and yet Blake Rosier claimed that he’d managed to find himself totally alone on one – apart from a whole army of staff.

In a video posted on Tuesday, Blake can be seen standing in a pool and showing off the empty deck around him.

Addressing his audience, he announces: “As some of you know, I'm on this cruise ship completely alone. I am the only guest on this ship besides the crew, of course, that's been tending to me hand and foot, literally.

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“This cruise has been insane,” he continues. “I don't know how this happened exactly. They even have a movie playing for just me.

“All the shows are still going, the pools are open. Literally just me here – it’s truly insane and it's been amazing.

“I just had dinner in a huge dining hall with no one else. I'll keep you guys updated.”

@blakerosier24620 Visit TikTok to discover videos!

He has failed to post any updates since that original post, nor has he provided any information on which operator he’s supposedly travelling with.

Still, that hasn’t dampened people’s enthusiasm for his outlandish claims, with the clip racking up more than 490,500 views and 31,000 likes in a day, as commentators shared their takes on the unusual scenario.

“That’s the only appealing cruise I’ve ever seen,” one joked.

“Not sure if that’s a dream or nightmare,” added another.

Indeed, whilst one fellow TikToker described it as an “introvert’s dream” another argued: “This is my introvert’s nightmare – the entire crew tending to you JUST YOU???”

Others poured cold water on Blake’s brag, with a number suggesting he had just filmed the video late at night when everyone else was asleep.

Others suggested he was a member of staff himself, and that he’d recorded himself once the journey was over and everyone else had gone home.

In fact, it’s not the first time the content creator has claimed to be alone on a ship.

Last year, he uploaded a video titled ‘Only guest on a cruise ship in the dining hall’.

He began the 26-second clip, by saying happily to the camera: “Look at all these people that know me,” before filming staff greeting him as he strolled around the food area.

There are a few other clues that Blake’s solo trip claims are all just a big joke.

The YouTuber is known for his comic, spoof videos and not for being the kind of travel influencer who might be able to bag himself an exclusive spot on a cruise.

Also, whilst he doesn’t divulge any info about his journey in the most recent cruise clip, his video location is tagged as "New York".

Still, we all enjoyed the ride while it lasted.

Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

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Gripping video shows moment coast guard rescues man who had fallen off cruise ship.

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Footage from the rescue of the cruise ship passenger last night. Can also be downloaded here: https://t.co/xk0pBnVr1E pic.twitter.com/GK1IXCKlgx — USCG Heartland (@USCGHeartland) November 25, 2022

Dramatic footage captured by the US Coast Guard shows the moment they rescued a cruise passenger who had been floating alone for over 15 hours in the Gulf of Mexico after he fell overboard .

The 28-year-old man was found 20 miles south of Louisiana’s Southwest Pass at about 8:25 p.m. Thursday night treading water after his sister reported him missing from a Cozumel, Mexico-bound Carnival Cruise ship. 

He was spotted by crews aboard the bulk carrier Crinis, according to USCG, who then called in a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter for the rescue.

The pulse-pounding clip shows the desperate man frantically waving his arms toward the chopper as he struggles to hold his head above the waves, surrounded by complete darkness.

The grainy black and white clip appears to show a USCG member descending from the chopper into the water to hoist the man up to safety. Members of the rescue team can be heard speaking to each other, mostly inaudibly, over the radio.

“He’s halfway up,” one guardsman says as an illuminated figure approaches the aircraft via a rope.

This missing man, who has yet to be identified, was at Carnival Valor’s bar at 11 p.m. Wednesday night with his sister when he took a bathroom break and never came back, CNN reported .

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The sister didn’t report him missing to cruise officials until the following afternoon, forcing the cruise liner to retrace its path back to New Orleans. 

The Coast Guard was notified around 2:30 p.m. and immediately launched a search, scouring 200 miles of open ocean.

They located him about 6 hours later in 70-degree water, rescuers told the local station KPLC TV . 

After treading water for more than 15 hours, the passenger showed signs of hypothermia, shock and dehydration. He was transported to a New Orleans hospital, where Coast Guard officials said he is in stable condition.

The man told rescuers he wasn’t sure how he’d fallen overboard but confirmed he’d been on the cruise ship. It’s not exactly clear where or when he fell in.

Lt. Seth Gross of the US Coast Guard, referred to the rescue as “one of those Thanksgiving miracles,” adding that the man was able to survive as long as anyone he has ever heard about.

“I think it kind of blows the norm, the normalcy, out of the water here, and really just shows the will to live is something that you need to account for in every search-and-rescue case,” he told CNN.

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Cruising Solo? 12 Things You Need to Know About Cruising Alone

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Solo cruising is gaining popularity! While cruise vacations are popular with couples and families, there’s a growing trend of people who are cruising on their own.

Cruise vacations offer a unique environment, where a solo traveler can relax, rejuvenate, dine, be entertained, and visit destinations in a safe way.

Cruising on your own has many advantages. Solo cruisers explain that they love traveling at their own pace and enjoy their independence.

In this post, I share 12 things every solo cruiser should know, as well as some helpful tips for cruisers who are traveling alone.

This post contains affiliate links which means if you click and buy that I may make a commission, at no cost to you. Please see my disclosure policy for details.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

12 Things Every Solo Cruiser Should Know Before Cruising Alone

1. there’s a difference between cruising single and cruising solo.

When it comes to solo cruising, cruise travelers are not all the same.

As many solo cruisers explain, there’s cruising single, where the cruise passenger may be looking for a potential romantic encounter. Then there’s cruising solo, where the cruise passenger may or may not be married, but is traveling on their own.

On a cruise, there are often singles events, which may be more interesting for single cruisers hoping to meet like minded cruisers. Solo cruisers are often interested in making casual friendships, visiting destinations and spending time relaxing on their own.

Some solo cruisers enjoy both cruising with their family or friends, as well as cruising on their own when there’s an opportunity.

2. Cruising Solo Allows You to Move at Your Own Pace

Cruising solo gives you the freedom to do what you want, when you want. Whether you want to lay by the pool all day, relax in the spa or go to the casino, no one will have anything to say.

Those who love to cruise alone, enjoy it because they have the freedom to attend different activities, shows and events, all on their own schedule.

For instance, if you’re at an activity and you’re not enjoying it, there’s nobody stopping you from getting up and leaving. You can easily jump from one entertainment venue to the next, without hesitation.

Plus, there’s no need to wait on anyone else when you’re only responsible for yourself.

3. Dining Solo

Dining solo is a concern for who are considering taking a solo cruise.

“ How does the main dining room work and will I feel lonely or awkward? “, many would-be solo cruise travels wonder.

We asked solo cruisers in the Life Well Cruised facebook community for their tips on this one. We found out that dining solo on a cruise is actually easy and more common than you would think!

Here are a few ways that you can dine as a solo cruiser:

Shared Table

If you are interesting in dining with others in the main dining room , you can share a table. Sharing a table is very common and a great way to meet new people, while enjoying a meal together.

If you want to share a table, it’s best to go for a larger table of about 8 other guests rather than a smaller table with 4 guest. The more people you have to chat with, the better chance you have to find people that you have things in common with.

Tip: If you meet people on the cruise that you get along with, you can request to have dinner together.

Eating Alone

If you enjoy to eat at your own pace, there is nothing wrong with eating alone. It’s actually quite common for solo cruisers to get a table for one, so they can relax while eating.

If you think that it may be weird to eat alone, rest assured that it is not! There are many benefits to eating alone and nobody looks down on it.

Alternative Dining Venues

If you don’t like the idea of eating in the main dining room alone or if you want a change, you can always try and alternative dining venue.

There will always be a buffet and specialty restaurants, as well as some smaller restaurants around the cruise. As a solo cruiser, it should be quick to get you seated, which is a huge perk of cruising alone.

4. Purchase an Internet Package

If you plan on cruising solo, it’s a good idea to have an internet package to keep in touch with friends and family back home. Once you are onboard the cruise, checking in will let your loved ones know that you’re safe and well.

By purchasing the internet package, you will be able to send photos, emails and messages to your family members back home.

Tip: If you’re on a tight budget, purchase a basic internet package or social media packages, so you can send Facebook messages and check email.

5. Plan Your Pre and Post Cruise Arrangements Carefully

As a solo cruiser , it’s important plan your pre and post cruise arrangements in advance. Everything from your flight, to the hotel and your transportation to the cruise port should be planned in advance.

Whether if you’re flying in or driving to the port, it’s a good idea to stay nearby the cruise port, the night before your cruise. This way you can wake up the day of your cruise and you won’t have to worry about missing your cruise.

When choosing a pre-cruise hotel, look for hotels with restaurants and shopping in close proximity to the hotel for convenience and safety.

Related: 75 Genius Cruise Hacks and Tips

6. Meeting New People

If you’re going on a solo cruise to do you own thing and prefer not to socialize, that’s just fine. Many people who cruise alone enjoy their own company.

However, if you want to meet new people and make new friends on your cruise, that’s very possible. Most cruise ships have activities, events and venues for solo cruisers to meet new people.

Here are some ways you can meet new people on a cruise as a solo traveler:

Solo Travelers Get Together

One of the best ways to meet people on your cruise is by attending the solo travellers get together. This usually takes place on the first evening of the cruise, and is a great way to get to know the other solo cruisers.

Even if you don’t click with everyone, it’s still nice to see some familiar faces around the cruise ship.

Ask for a Shared Table

While you can sit on your own in the main dining room , asking for a shared table is a good way to meet other cruisers. You may meet other single or solo cruisers, as well as couples or families.

This is a great way to chat and enjoy the company of others, while you are eating dinner. You may even make a new friend or companion.

Participate in Activities and Classes

Cruise ship activities like trivia, bingo, poolside games, demonstrations and classes, are great places to meet new people. You’ll likely find that you0r fellow passengers are pretty friendly, especially when they are participating in the onboard activities.

If you like to gamble, then you will definitely meet some new people in the casino. Throughout the duration of the cruise, you’ll usually seem the same people in the casino.

Whether if it’s at the slot machines or the blackjack tables, other passengers will usually be nice and in a good mood.

The Night Club

Whether if it’s because you’re a single cruiser or you just love to dance, the night club is a great place to meet new people.

If you go to the night club, expect people to be dancing, drinking, talking and listening to the music. The night club is the central place to go in the evening time, if you’re looking to meet and hang out with other single cruisers.

Happy Hour at Your Favorite Bar

During the late afternoon, on most cruises will have a happy hour in some bars. The late afternoon and pre-dinner time is a great time to go to your favorite bar to meet up with other passengers in a casual way.

Around the ship

It can be surprising that on a cruise ship, you can meet people just about anywhere. You can strike up conversations when in line, while waiting for an elevator, sitting alone in a lounge or just hanging out around the ship.

The reality is that other guests often chatty because they’re relaxed and on vacation. Don’t be scared to start a conversation and see where it goes from there.

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7. Stay Safe in Port

Although it’s unlikely, traveling alone does have some risks, especially when you’re in ports of call. When you’re in port, you’re going to want to take some precautions to be safe.

Here are a few ways you can stay safe in port as a solo cruiser:

Book Excursions Through the Cruise Line

If you’re cruising solo, booking a shore excursion through the cruise line is a good idea. You’ll have convenient and a safer way to visit the cruise port of call, then if you explore on your own.

Not only will you be with a group of people, but you won’t have to worry about the cruise ship leaving without you. When you book an excursion through the cruise line, there is an assurance that the cruise ship will wait if your excursion is late.

Stay Nearby the Cruse Ship

If you don’t want to do an excursion, make sure to stay nearby the cruise ship and don’t wander too far. A good rule of thumb, is to stay within the port area with other tourists and cruise passengers.

This is the best way to ensure that you are still safe, while getting out and visiting a destination.

Visit Popular Tourist Attractions

If you’re on your own and want to explore the destination you are visiting, consider checking out the popular tourist attractions. Typically, it will be quite safe at the popular tourist attractions and people will be friendly.

If you go to places that are not typically tourist areas, you may find yourself in a dangerous situation. Since you are cruising alone, it is a good idea to be cautious and avoid going off the beaten path.

Join Other Passengers

A good way to visit a destination, is to join other passengers that want to visit the same places. If you make friends onboard your cruise, sometimes they will be open to exploring the destination with you.

A few years ago we were docked in Cozumel, Mexico and met a lady in the elevator as we were heading into port. She explained that her husband had gone on a scuba diving excursion, and she didn’t feel like staying on the cruise ship.

Since we were taking a cab to Paradise Beach, a local beach resort, she asked if she could join us and split the cost. Of course, this was no problem for us. However, it was a bit of comfort and extra security for her.

On a cruise, many passengers are open to meeting new people and will look out for each other.

8. Make the Most Out of Your Days

Make the most of each day on your cruise by choosing which activities and shows you want to attend. Be sure to download the cruise line app to see the schedule of activities and opening hours, or look on the daily planner.

The great thing about solo cruising, is that you can easily go from one activity to the next. You’ll never have to wait on anyone, which is a big reason why so many people enjoy cruising by themselves.

9. Join a Cruise Facebook Group or Roll Call Forums

Joining a roll call on website forums or on Facebook is a great way to chat with people, virtually, before your cruise. People will exchange information about the cruise, destinations and related topics.

Solo cruisers can benefit by connecting with other cruisers that will be on the sailing. There may be an official gathering for members of the roll call, often called a Meet & Mingle, as well as informal meet ups planned.

If you’re going on a cruise on your own, it’s nice to have a few people that you connect with, both before and on the cruise ship. You may even meet other ladies or men that are cruising solo too.

10. Understanding the Single Supplement

Typically, a single supplement is a fee that solo cruisers need to pay when they are are occupying a cabin that is intended for two. Cruise lines often charge the single supplement, since single cabins are generally designed for two passengers.

Some cruise lines may have promotions, where they will waive the single supplement in order to attract more solo cruisers to a ship that may not be full. Certain cruise lines will also offer studio cabins, which are designed for one passenger.

11. Choosing a Cabin as a Solo Cruiser

As a solo cruiser, it’s important to choose the cabin that is right for you. It may seem obvious to choose an interior cabin, however there are some great alternative options for solo passengers.

Here are the recommended cabins for solo cruisers:

Single studio

Since solo cruising is becoming more and more popular, more cruise lines are incorporating single studio cabins into their ship designs. Single studio cabins are designed for those are cruising alone as the rooms are smaller and are made for a single passenger.

Cruise lines like Celebrity, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian have all included single studio cabins into their recent cruise ship designs.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s studio cabins deserve a special mention. Studio cabins are small, interior cabins with one bed, always priced at a single occupancy rate.

Beyond the advantageous pricing, solo cruisers benefit from having exclusive access to a studio lounge, as well as gatherings planned for studio guests. There is also an aspect of safety that is rarely mentioned, but important for many people who are cruising by themselves.

The studio area and cabins have restricted key card access, which is especially good for women who are cruising alone, who many be concerned about safety and security.

An interior cabin is usually the least expensive option and a great value for solo cruisers. If you don’t plan on spending a lot of time in your cabin, then you will enjoy having an inside cabin.

If you prefer to spend time in your cabin and you want to have have your own space to relax in, then you may want to consider looking into a balcony cabin.

A balcony cabin is the perfect place to get some alone time and enjoy the fresh air and beautiful ocean view. Whether if it’s reading a book on the balcony, catching the sunrise or watching the sunset, a balcony cabin is truly wonderful.

For those who are travelling solo, a balcony cabin is the perfect place to rejuvenate and relax. Cruising with a balcony or veranda stateroom, will really take your travel experience to the next level.

If you’re a solo cruiser and you want a balcony, Celebrity offers a single Infinite Veranda on their Edge class ships which are worth checking out.

12. Cruising Solo is Gaining Popularity

A common misperception about solo cruising, is that it will feel weird or awkward. You might even think that you’ll be the only solo cruise passenger on the ship. However, this simply isn’t the case for most people.

People have been cruising on their own for years and solo cruising is only getting more popular. In fact, cruise lines like Celebrity and Norwegian, have studio staterooms specifically designed for solo cruisers.

Since solo cruising is becoming more and more common, you will find activities that designed for those who are cruising on their own.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Here are a few frequently asked questions about cruising alone.

Is it Cheaper to Cruise Alone?

Cruising alone is usually more expensive than cruising with another person. This is because most cruise ship cabins are sold at double occupancy. However, it is possible to find some cruises that do have sales for solo cruisers, where the single supplement is reduced or waived.

Are Cruises Good for Solo Travel?

Cruises are a good way for solo travelers to have a fun or relaxing vacation, while visiting beautiful destinations. Since solo cruising has become so popular, cruise lines such as Celebrity, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean offer studio cabins for solo cruisers, on select cruise ships.

Onboard the cruise, there are plenty of events and activities designed for those who are cruising alone. This is a great way for a solo cruiser to meet new people, make new friends and have a memorable cruise vacation

Can You Meet Singles on a Cruise?

In short, yes! On the first day of a cruise there will normally be a singles and solo traveler meetup. Here, solo cruisers will meet and mingle.

There is also a night club, where singles can meet one another at the bar or on the dance floor. Overall, cruising is a great way to meet singles and new people from all around the world.

Related & Popular Posts:

• Best Cruises for Singles Over 40
• Best Cruises For Solo Travelers – Everything You Need To Know
• 50+ Must-have Cruise Essentials from Amazon
• Cruise Wear over 50: Flattering Cruise Outfits for Women
• The Ultimate Guide to Cruise Gratuities
• 13 Cruise Main Dining Room Tips All Cruisers Need to Know
• 27 Cruise Packing Tips All Cruisers Need to Know
• What To Wear on a Cruise (day, evening & formal night)
• 12 Things to Do as Soon as You Get Into Your Cruise Cabin
• 17 Cruise Cabin Essentials Every Cruiser Needs

Final Thoughts on Cruising Solo

Well there it is, everything you need to know about cruising alone!

If you’re planning a solo cruise, then be prepared to have fun and enjoy the freedom of travelling alone. Moving at your own pace and doing when you want, when you want is the ultimate feeling, when you are on vacation.

In this post, I shared the 12 things you should know if you are planning a solo cruise. I also answered some frequently asked questions about solo cruising.

Are you planning a solo cruise? Please let me know in the comments below.

Happy Cruising!

If you enjoy this post please don’t keep it to yourself ;-). Please feel free to share on Facebook or Pinterest (share buttons at the top). Thanks so much!

Author Bio: Ethan Schattauer writes about fashion, travel and college advice on the website WhatToWearMen.com . As a frequent cruiser, Ethan shares his unique perspective on what cruising is like for teens and young adults.

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A Man Fell From a Cruise Ship. And Survived.

He treaded water for hours in the Gulf of Mexico, withstanding rain, winds and waves before he was rescued. Others have not been so lucky. What happens when a person goes overboard?

By Maria Cramer

The Carnival Valor had been at sea for only a day when calls came over the loudspeaker asking a certain passenger to please report to customer service.

The man, a 28-year-old American citizen, had been reported missing by his family that morning.

It was Thanksgiving, and the Valor, a 3,756-passenger cruise ship that had left New Orleans the day before, was heading toward Cozumel, Mexico.

Crew members soon began searching passengers’ cabins, said Shant’a Miller White, who was traveling with her husband and family. One employee entered her cousin’s cabin and said, “We just need to make sure everything is OK.”

“We didn’t know what was going on,” Ms. White, 48, recalled. Then, at dinner, came another announcement: The ship needed to change course to execute a search and rescue operation.

Ms. White pictured the unknown passenger alone in the water and felt sick to her stomach.

“Did they fall to the bottom? Did the sharks get them?” Ms. White recalled thinking. She began to pray.

The passenger, according to the Coast Guard, turned out to be James Grimes, 28, who had been traveling with his parents and siblings on the five-day cruise. His family had last seen him the night before, around 11 p.m.

But by 10:45 on Thanksgiving morning, when there was no sign of him, the family notified the crew, the Coast Guard said.

At 8:10 p.m., more than nine hours after his family reported him missing, a passing tanker spotted the man near the mouth of the Mississippi River and alerted the Coast Guard.

Rescuers found Mr. Grimes struggling in the water, waving frantically and trying to keep his head above the surface.

When the crew of the MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter lifted him out, he was in shock, had mild hypothermia and was extremely dehydrated, said Lt. Seth Gross, who managed the search and rescue operation for the Coast Guard. But he was alive and in stable condition.

Mr. Grimes, whose family described him as an exceptional swimmer, had treaded in 65- to 70-degree water for hours, withstanding rain, 20-knot winds and three- to five-foot waves in the Gulf of Mexico, where bull sharks and blacktip sharks are common, Coast Guard officials said.

“This case is certainly extraordinary,” Lieutenant Gross said. “The survival instinct, the will to survive is just crazy.”

How often does this happen?

Falling from a ship into a vast sea may be a cruise passenger’s worst nightmare. While the chances of going overboard are exceedingly remote, according to statistics from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) , the outcome is usually tragic.

In 2019, 25 people fell overboard, and only nine of them were rescued, according to CLIA.

In February, a woman aboard the Carnival Valor jumped off the 10th deck of the ship while fleeing security officers who were trying to detain her after she had scuffled with them. Her body was never found.

In December 2016, a 22-year-old man fell off the 12th deck of a Royal Caribbean cruise ship after a night of heavy drinking. His parents sued the cruise line in federal court in Florida, but a jury decided in favor of Royal Caribbean.

Alcohol is a factor in at least 11 percent of falls from cruise ships, which often offer all-inclusive drink packages that encourage drinking onboard, said Ross Klein, a professor of social work at Memorial University of Newfoundland, who researches cruise safety.

“Cruises are viewed as idyllic, safe and secure, and of course those views are reinforced by advertising and public statements,” he said. But the public should be aware of the risks of going on a cruise, which include being pushed overboard, going overboard and being tempted to jump overboard, he said.

How do ships prevent people from going overboard?

By law, railings have to be 42 inches tall, Professor Klein said. There were efforts to make the railings taller by about another foot, he said, after Congress began considering legislation to tighten security on ships in 2005. But in 2010, when Congress passed the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act, the railing height requirements were set at the current standard, he said.

The railing height is designed to keep passengers safe along ship promenades, said Brian Salerno, the senior vice president for Maritime policy at CLIA.

“The vast majority of cases are either reckless behavior or some form of intentional act,” Mr. Salerno said. “People don’t just inadvertently fall over the side of a ship.”

Professor Klein said cruise ships could limit the risks of passengers falling overboard if they limited alcohol consumption, increased railing heights and installed technology that senses when a heavy object has fallen from the ship.

The 2010 law directed cruise ships to begin developing and installing such technology, Mr. Salerno said.

It took years to create a video-surveillance system that would be sensitive enough to detect a person falling overboard and alarm a ship’s crew but that wouldn’t be triggered by other objects, like a sea gull flying by, he said. Some ships have already begun installing such systems, Mr. Salerno said.

Bartenders on cruises are also trained to watch for excessive drinking, said Robert Kritzman, a partner at Clyde & Co., an international law firm in Miami, who advises cruise companies.

“The general policy is the same as anywhere else: Once somebody becomes excessively intoxicated, you stop serving,” he said.

Carnival Corp. said the “only way to go overboard is to purposefully climb up and over the safety barriers.”

“Cruise ships have safety barriers in all public areas that are regulated by U.S. Coast Guard standards that prevent a guest from falling off,” the company said in a statement that thanked the Coast Guard and the mariner who found Mr. Grimes. “Guests should never ever climb up on the rails.”

A spokesman did not respond to follow up questions about the incident or Carnival’s safety protocols.

What happens when the crew learns that a person has gone overboard?

Cruise ships have clear protocols for what to do when a person goes overboard, Mr. Kritzman said.

Once the crew members learn that a person has gone overboard, they immediately inform the Coast Guard, stop the ship and turn around to help find the missing passenger. Often, smaller, fast boats are deployed from the ship to search for the person, Mr. Kritzman said.

The circumstances around the recent fall from the Carnival Valor, including the precise time that Mr. Grimes went overboard, remain unknown. The Coast Guard said it was investigating the incident.

Lieutenant Gross said that after the Coast Guard learned about the missing passenger, it launched a 45-foot patrol boat, a helicopter and a tracker plane to search for him. The Coast Guard set up a search area of more than 7,000 square nautical miles, roughly the size of Massachusetts, he said, and immediately alerted any mariners around the Gulf of Mexico to look for the man.

The Crinis , a bulk carrier, spotted Mr. Grimes about 20 miles south of Southwest Pass, a channel at the mouth of the Mississippi River.

Lt. Gross said he called the man’s mother and stepfather to tell them he had been found.

When he told them their son was stable and being treated at a hospital in New Orleans, he heard them cheer and cry.

Ms. White, who lives in Hampton, Va., and runs an anti-bullying organization , said she was flooded with relief when the ship announced that Mr. Grimes had been found alive.

“That was nothing but God that he survived,” she said.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook . And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places for a Changed World for 2022.

Maria Cramer is a reporter on the Travel desk. Please send her tips, questions and complaints about traveling, especially on cruises. More about Maria Cramer

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This Man Has Been Living On Cruise Ships for Twenty Years

By Mark Ellwood

There’s a home-made sign on deck 11 of Royal Caribbean ’s Navigator of the Seas that reads ‘Super Mario’s Office’. Every morning, a dapper, tanned passenger perches there, quietly tapping away at his keyboard. An office corner rather than a corner office, this is the HQ for 65-year old Mario Salcedo’s investment management business—at least when he’s not ballroom dancing, scuba diving, or smoking a Cohiba in the cigar lounge on board. While for most people, a cruise might be an annual vacation , for Mario, it’s his everyday life. Though he keeps a condo in South Florida, Salcedo has effectively lived full time on a cruise ship for almost twenty years, making him part of an élite cabal of permanent passengers.

He didn’t initially intend to become a full-time cruiser. “When I hit 45, I wanted to start a new chapter in my life traveling around the world—that was my vision,” he explains, from onboard the Navigator of the Seas , en route to Grand Cayman . “But I didn’t know about the logistics, whether air, train, or sea.” Living in South Florida, he’d seen plenty of ships berthed at the Port of Miami, so he decided to start with a cruise—and never looked back. Salcedo shopped around, road-testing different lines until he booked a stint on Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas . “It was the biggest cruise ship in the world at the time, and so revolutionary—the first ice skating rink, the first rock climbing wall, so many elements that took cruising to another dimension,” Mario recalls. He has not stepped foot on another liner’s ship since and is about to celebrate his 6,000th night with Royal Caribbean—that is around 850 individual cruises. “Nothing could lure me away from them, because I get treated like royalty,” he chuckles, punningly, “The captains all know me.” Indeed, it was Liberty of the Seas captain Charles Teige who first called him Super Mario a decade ago, a nickname that’s stuck from ship to ship.

Salcedo has effectively lived full time on a cruise ship for almost twenty years.

Salcedo budgets around $60-70,000 per year for his travels, paying for the voyages by credit card so that the miles earned will cover any flights in between sailings—if he lived in London, of course, that could be a saving on his regular rent . He books an interior stateroom—“I don’t do anything in my cabin other than shower, get dressed and sleep,” he says—and schedules trips around two years or 150 bookings ahead. That way, he can remain in the same room for an extended period of back-to-backs, as continual sailings are known. Usually solo travelers like Mario are charged a 200% single occupancy supplement, but thanks to his status in Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society loyalty club, he’s only levied 150%. And though most cruisers gain around a pound a day when sailing, Salcedo has remained trim. “I don’t eat like a regular cruiser. I skip one meal a day, and eat smart,” he says. “I do lots of dancing and walking. I only put on a couple of pounds when I’m on land eating at McDonald’s and Burger King.” Otherwise, on port days, he skips most excursions, preferring to indulge his passion for scuba diving . Sea days are his favorite, since they’re a chance for the night owl to make new friends. “I go dancing in the lounges, or enjoy a nice cigar after dinner with a cognac, watching basketball or football games on TV. Everything I do on the ship provides an opportunity to socialize.”

Salcedo’s most memorable trip was a 72-day crossing on Voyager of the Seas from the U.S. to China via the straits of Gibraltar and the Suez Canal with port days including the Canary Islands, Egypt and Israel He wanted to travel with that ship, his first love, to its new home port of Shanghai. “I decided not to get off the ship when it arrived, and booked two back to backs with 3,000 Chinese people, just to see what it would be like,” he says. “I felt like a fish out of water, and it was the only cruise I’ve ever done when I never spoke to a single guest. But there were so many interesting ports of call—Vietnam, Indonesia, several stops in Japan.” He doesn't suggest a cruising newbie book such an outré adventure; instead, Salcedo recommends a transatlantic crossing for first timers, from Barcelona perhaps or Southampton. “Those are my favorite itineraries when you get the real flavor and romanticism of the seas.” (As a bonus tip, he suggests westbound journeys, when the clock adjustment offers an extra hour in bed every morning.)

As for Salcedo himself, he only logs 15 days or so on land every year, almost all of them isolated one-offs when he’s flying between ports or spending a day filled with appointments at the doctor or the bank. He never overnights at the two-bedroom condo he’s retained in Miami as his base—one bedroom’s been co-opted into what Salcedo calls a "cruise museum," full of memorabilia from his various trips on Royal Caribbean’s ships. It’s only when he’s there, though, that he experiences the sole downside to his full-time life on the high seas. “I’ve lost my land legs, so when I’m swaying so much I can’t walk in a straight line.”

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Carnival cruise passenger who went overboard was 'dead set' on surviving

U.S. Coast Guard rescued James Michael Grimes after almost 20 hours, he says.

LA FAYETTE, ALABAMA -- James Michael Grimes is speaking out for the first time in an exclusive interview with ABC News after going overboard on a Carnival cruise ship after being missing for almost 20 hours.

The 28-year-old man said he was determined to make it out of the Gulf of Mexico alive, calling it the experience of a lifetime.

Grimes said he treaded water for nearly 20 hours after falling overboard on Thanksgiving Eve -- battling jelly fish, rip currents and shark-infested waters before being airlifted by the U.S. Coast Guard on Nov. 24. shortly after 8 p.m., the U.S. Coast Guard told ABC News.

Grimes had only been aboard the Carnival Valor for a day before his sister reported him missing. The two were last seen together at a restaurant where Grimes had won an air guitar contest before going to the bathroom.

MORE: Coast Guard rescues man who went overboard on Carnival cruise ship

That is the last thing he remembers. Grimes said he believes the fall overboard knocked him unconscious.

"The next thing I know... I regained consciousness. I was in the water with no boat in sight," he said.

Alone in solid darkness, and the light from the stars and the moon, Grimes decided in that moment he would make it out of the water.

"I felt like I was given a chance right then... you're alive for a reason... that [fall] could've killed me, but I felt like from that moment on, I was trying to stay positive. And, you know when you're here, you're still alive for a reason. So, all you got to do now is swim and survive. I was hoping... they will start looking for me... they will find me eventually," Grimes said.

MORE: Royal Caribbean to offer Starlink internet on all its ships

Grimes was aboard the five-day cruise with 18 of his family members for Thanksgiving. When he didn't return to his cabin that night, his sister reported him missing.

The ship was on its way to Cozumel, a Mexican island in the Caribbean, and was released by the Coast Guard to continue to its destination after the rescue was made.

"The Jayhawk aircrew hoisted the man onto the helicopter and transferred him to awaiting emergency medical services at the New Orleans Lakefront Airport," a statement from the Coast Guard read.

"We are beyond grateful that this case ended with a positive outcome," said Lt. Seth Gross, a Coast Guard Sector New Orleans search-and-rescue mission coordinator.

"We greatly appreciate the efforts of all, most especially the U.S. Coast Guard and the mariner who spotted the guest in the water," the Coast Guard said in a statement Thursday to ABC News. "Cruise ships have safety barriers in all public areas that are regulated by U.S. Coast Guard standards that prevent a guest from falling off. Guests should never ever climb up on the rails. The only way to go overboard is to purposefully climb up and over the safety barriers."

Carnival Valor had said in a statement to ABC News that it conducted a search-and-rescue operation after Grimes went missing.

"Carnival Valor retraced its route to support the search and rescue, but the ship has now been released by the U.S. Coast Guard, and will continue on its way to Cozumel. Carnival's Care Team is providing support to the family members of the missing guest who were sailing with him and remain on board," the statement at the time said.

Against all odds, Grimes said he kept a positive attitude and "just kept swimming."

In addition to his attitude, he said it was his will to see his family again that kept him afloat.

"I wanted to see my family and I was dead set on making it out of there. I was never accepting that this is it, this is going to be the end of my life. I'm 28 years old. I'm too young. This is not going to be it," Grimes said.

"I always thought there's a greater purpose for my life. Now, I know for sure I'm meant to do something on this Earth. And, you know, I don't know. It was just the Lord was out there helping me, giving me strength and helping me stay afloat," he added.

ABC News' Victoria J. Arancio contributed to this report.

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What to Know About Taking a Solo Cruise (From Someone That’s Done It)

Maybe you’re someone who relishes some quiet time to decompress without other people around. Or perhaps you found a great deal on a cruise, but it means sailing when no one else is available to go with you.

No matter the reason, cruising solo is something that many people do each year… and many more think about. We’ll be honest — as cruisers that have sailed solo — it is something very different to take a trip by yourself compared to having a travel companion .

To give you a better idea of what you can expect and what to consider before you take a solo cruise, here are some things to think about before you hit the seas.

Why Cruise Solo?

While we don’t know of any official statistics regarding the number of solo cruisers, the moves made by cruise lines indicate that it is far from rare to cruise on your own. Of course, cruising with a partner or friend is the more popular way to travel. Still, there are plenty of those who decide — or even prefer — to cruise alone.

There are a number of reasons for this. We mentioned a couple of big ones above, including people preferring alone time in order to relax without having others around. That alone time can give you time to think without interruption or spend the day as you want.

As well, meeting the schedule of another traveler can sometimes be difficult given school, work, and other responsibilities. If you find a cruise you want to take and no one else is available to travel then, cruising solo might be the only option.

There are also other reasons for solo sailing, including cost. It is generally less expensive to cruise by yourself (though maybe not as cheap as you’d think).

Finally, cruising is a unique vacation. While we think anyone can have a good time on a ship, there are definitely people that refuse to sail whether they are scared of being seasick or don’t like the crowds. Some solo travelers may simply be those whose friends or family that share the same love for traveling by sea.

No matter the reason, cruising alone definitely happens regularly.

It Takes a Special Kind of Person to Cruise Solo

There is a definite difference between taking a cruise with another person and going solo. Are you the sort of person that goes to the movies alone? Or maybe you dine out by yourself? For most people, this isn’t the case, but some people relish their alone time.

Before you take a cruise by yourself, you should know that it does take a special personality. While many people don’t have a problem being by themselves for a few hours, it’s completely different when you are on your own for several days at a time. This includes eating on your own and enjoying many activities by yourself. Those with spouses or significant others might be surprised at the newfound independence when they are used to having someone else around.

If you’re someone who already spends a lot of time alone, then it may not be a big deal to take a cruise on your own. Those used to having a partner in tow should realize that it can be a shock to the system to spend several days in a row solo.

There Are Lots of People to Meet if You’re Outgoing

One of the great things about cruising is that everyone is there on vacation. In other words, people are friendly and in a good mood. That makes it easy to strike up conversations with your other passengers and meet others.

Even so, it takes an outgoing personality to strike up a conversation with other cruisers — especially when they are normally coupled up with another person. Being in social situations like hanging out at the bar can help, but it will definitely be on you to break the ice if you want to meet new friends on the ship.

Cruise Lines Are Catering to You More and More

One thing to know before you sail is that cruise lines are catering to single passengers more and more.

Several lines include cabins designed and built for cruisers sailing as one. These rooms are smaller and take up less space, but also don’t charge double occupancy fares, meaning you can sail for less money. This includes lines like NCL and Virgin Voyages.

For example, in late 2023, NCL announced it was introducing nearly 1,000 new dedicated solo cabins across its entire fleet — including solo balcony cabins, which are rare. The cruise line will now have over 1,500 rooms for solo travelers. Perhaps best of all, this conversion of new rooms includes taking rooms that are normally double occupancy and designating them for single travelers — giving you more space than a traditional solo cabin.

Some NCL ships even have lounges with dedicated access for passengers sailing alone.

Cruise Lines Have Singles/Solo Events

There are many people who cruise solo, and there are also many who are single but cruise with friends or family. If you’re unattached, then these make good people to meet during your solo cruise.

To help you break the ice, cruise lines often host singles/solo events on the ship. These events are more “meet-ups” in reality, with a designated time and place for people to congregate. But if you’re hoping to meet other single and/or potentially solo travelers during your cruise, these meetings can be perfect.

You can find the time and place listed in the ship’s daily schedule. The meetings are generally held early in the cruise to allow you the chance to meet people at the start of the trip.

You May Not Save That Much Money

If you think about taking a solo cruise versus the traditional two people to a cabin, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ll spend half as much money. Truth is that you’ll only get a discount on some things; most of your cruise will still cost the same amount.

Most cruise cabins (except for solo cabins on some lines) are priced at a per-person rate, but you always pay for two passengers. So if a cruise is priced at $599 per person, the fare for your cabin is actually $1,198. That’s what you’ll pay whether two people go or if it’s only one person. This is known as the “single supplement.”

Cruise lines offering solo cabins won’t have the single supplement on the solo room. However, that cabin will generally be more expensive than the per person fare for a double-occupancy room. So if the double-occupancy room is priced at $599, the solo cabin might charge $799. It’s less expensive than paying double, but not half the price.

Where you will save is that you are only charged taxes and port fees for one person, instead of two. You are also only charged gratuities for one person, and of course, any airfare or excursions you do are only charged for a single traveler.

In other words, you will save some money, but maybe not as much as you might think.

Solo Travelers May Get Double Points

One perk of paying more is that you can also potentially get more when it comes to loyalty programs. Every cruise line will have a loyalty system and they typically work where you get one point for every night that you cruise. So a 7-night cruise gives you seven points.

We’ve sailed solo on some lines (notably Royal Caribbean) where paying the double occupancy fare for a regular room did net us double points, meaning 14 points for a 7-night cruise.

We wouldn’t suggest paying double just to get a few more points, but know that if you end up doing it, you can get a benefit. You’ll need to check the specific terms of your cruise line’s program to see if they offer the double points.

You’re in Charge of Everything

If you’ve sailed before, but only with friends or as a couple, then it’s a strong possibility you shared some responsibility during the cruise. We’re talking about things like picking a place where to eat… what time to be back on the ship… where the dining room is… and even having help putting on sunscreen.

When you cruise solo, however, you have to be in charge of everything. No one else is there to remind you to grab your room key before you walk out the cabin or to make sure you bring a watch when you head into port.

On the plus side, you get to decide exactly what you do, where you go, and what you eat — without having to consider anyone else. You even get to decide what temperature to keep the cabin. In other words, your cruise is your vacation and no one else’s.

You Can Pack a Lot More Into the Cruise

Are you someone that likes to do it all on your vacation? Cruising solo may be just the thing. We mentioned you being in charge of everything, including what to do and where to go. One benefit as well is that you can pack so much more into your trip.

Instead of waiting on someone else to get ready or finish a meal or wanting to see one more souvenir store, your time is constrained only by what you want to do. So if you’re ready to see or do the next thing, then you can do it when you want instead of having to wait for another person.

While you’ll have plenty of time on the ship to explore and do everything, time in port is much more limited. If you’re stopping at a place where there is a lot to experience, being able to move faster on your own can be a big benefit.

Bottom line: There’s no doubt that cruising solo is a totally different experience than traveling with a partner. For many people — including us — cruising with a partner is more enjoyable as you get to share the experience with someone else. Having solo cruised multiple times, however, there are some definite benefits that are nice — especially on shorter cruises.

Have more questions about cruising solo? Let us know in the comments below.

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I just recently returned from my 2nd solo cruise.

My deceased husband and I loved to cruise, and had gone on several. I since remarried, and my current husband has no interest in cruising :(. His mother has been living with us for the past 5 years. She has dementia & Alzheimer. I am her care giver. Our lives are very restricted. I also work outside the house.

Brandon knows how much I LOVE to cruise, so for my birthday last year & this year, he gave me his blessings to take a cruise. There were many other people on board having birthday celebrations that week as well, which made it even more fun.

Honestly, I had absolutely no desire to go with anyone. I just needed my own space, independence and alone time to get to know who I am again.

I was SO happy & excited to be going by myself. Friends, and people I shared my excitement with were puzzeled when I told them I was going alone. My comment to them was “There will be 3,000 + people on the ship, I won’t be alone”. I have met SO many wonderful people during my voyage.

If I wanted to dance, I did. I would always find other females to join on the dance floor to dance with. I was there to enjoy quiet, peaceful and relaxing moments on my balcony with a book. Treated myself to the spa several times & took afternoon naps.

I found there was such freedom in not having to coordinate with anyone else when & where to do anything and everything.

Having done it in the past with a partner & going solo. I actually enjoy & prefer going solo. I get to share all my photos and stories about my trip with friends when I return.

That is my personal experience. I’m looking forward to doing it again & again.

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Who Is Cruising Alone Right For? Pro’s & Con’s of a Solo Cruising!

Categories Cruises

I have just spent a week onboard Princess Cruises Sky Princess, and although I went on the trip with some other travel content creators, we did have a lot of time to ourselves and I ended up spending a fair amount of time alone on the cruise.

I have travelled solo around the world in many different countries, I love being by myself and I love solo travel but until I was sat having breakfast on my own I had never thought about going on a cruise alone before, and I realised that it really isn’t a bad idea!

Most of us have a cruise on our bucket list whether it’s to travel the Caribbean, Europe or the Norwegian Fjords, but just like many other bucket list items, it’s usually one that we wait to do until we have someone to do it with.

I’m a big fan of not waiting, and doing things by yourself instead because often waiting for someone else means you’ll never get around to it! That’s how my travels started 11 years ago anyway!

So in this cruise travel blog, I’m going to talk about the positives and negatives to cruising as a single, who a solo cruise is good for and might not be good for, and the best cruises for singles.

Related Post: 5 BIG Reasons To Cruise With Princess Cruises from Southampton!

Going On A Cruise Alone

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Is Cruising Alone Good?

If you want to travel but don’t have people to travel with, and you don’t fancy travelling totally solo, maybe because of fear of danger or fear of loneliness, a cruise is a safe way to travel .

Everything is controlled on a cruise and there is a high level of security, this makes female solo travel on a cruise, especially, very comforting.

Meeting other people

Although you will board the cruise alone and may spend time eating meals alone and being alone, you will have thousands of people around you.

I found that the passengers on board cruises are very friendly and striking up a conversation with other passengers should be very easy and possible, this means you might even leave the cruise with friends.

I also found the staff onboard Princess Cruises incredibly friendly too and I can guarantee that they would cheer you up and give you some comforting vibes if need it.

Cruising for single people

If you do want to meet other people, you can look out for solo events. Onboard the Sky Princess, Princess Cruises arranged a solo and singles meet-up on the first night so this would be a great way to meet other solo cruisers.

Group Excursions & Things to do

The nature of a cruise is to see amazing places around the world and a cruise is usually split between some days at sea on the ship and some days off the ship.

Excursions are always arranged for off-ship days so if you don’t want to be solo when your get off the ship, you can join a group excursion , adding even more of a level of safety and comfort to your travels.

Talking of activities, there are not only activities off the ship. Each day with Princess Cruises I got given a daily activity sheet with things like Fitness Seminar’s, Zumba, Movies, Live Music, Masterclasses, Art Auctions, Quizzes and so many other things that were going on on the ship and going to most of these solo is totally ok.

I’m sure that even people who get on the cruise with a friend or partner might still go to one of these activities on their own too.

Paying for Additional High Quality Services

If you are planning a solo cruise, I’d recommend looking into all options onboard the ship. For example, on my recent cruise, the main pool area was always very busy and being here alone wasn’t that appealing or nice.

However, the Sky Princess offers a place called The Sanctuary with sun loungers, a hot tub and really good service. It costs extra whereas the main pool doesn’t but sitting here alone felt completely fine and comfortable.

Who Solo Cruising Good for?

I would say that a cruise alone is good for someone who is already comfortable being on their own . Someone who has eaten meals alone, drank a coffee alone in a cafe and is already comfortable looking around and being the only one sat at a table for 1.

I say this because there will be couples and groups of friends and families around you and this is by no means scary or intimidating but I know some people have never even been for a coffee alone so going into this environment alone if that’s the case, might be intimidating.

As mentioned, there are ways to meet other people onboard but if you’re like me, sometimes you’re happy to do a full trip totally alone.

A solo cruise is good if you want to meet people onboard and be sociable with new people , but also good if you want to keep yourself completely alone .

Negatives to Going on a Cruise Alone

Cruise single supplement.

Being able to split the cost of a cabin is definitely a positive to going on a cruise with someone else, you might end up paying nearly the cost for 2 people by opting for single cabin on a cruise.

Looking for cruises for single people is definitely a good idea to help this which I detail below.

There will probably be activities and events even the most confident solo traveller would rather miss out on so you may have a feeling of missing out when it comes to a few things and I would be prepared to feel this way, however there is still plenty you can do.

For example, when I’m solo I know I tend to be a day-activity person and head to bed or back to my room come evening.

Best Cruises for Singles

Some people might go on a cruise alone because they want to spend time alone, others might go to meet other people as cruises are a great way to meet others.

Here are some brilliant articles on the best cruises for singles and why:

Top 10 Cruise Lines for Solo Cruisers

Best Cruises for Singles of All Ages

7 Best Luxury & Premium Cruise Lines for Singles

I hope this post has helped you decide about cruising alone!

• For more of my posts see:
• 5 BIG Reasons To Cruise With Princess Cruises from Southampton!
• Information For Sailing from Southampton Ocean Terminal on a Cruise!

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David Smith

Sunday 17th of March 2024

Thanks for this great post. I’ve been thinking about taking a solo cruise but have a number of fears you mention in your article. Unfortunately, I lost my wife to cancer last year. I prefer to be on my own for meals. I went on a group holiday with my wife to Japan many years ago and remember the organisers enforcing a ‘eating together’ rule. I’d prefer to decide when I want to talk to people or be left alone. Thanks again. David.

TheWanderingQuinn

Monday 18th of March 2024

Glad you found the article helpful. I recently went on another cruise in January in the Caribbean and noticed many solo travellers so it is a common thing to do and as you say, on cruises you can eat on your own when you want and where you want unlike joining a group trip where everyone has to eat together so I would suggest it. Regards,

I'm a cruise musician on an adults-only ship. I make $4,000 each month and get to travel the world — but there are drawbacks too.

• Jack Nolan, 32, is a guitar player who lives and works on a Virgin Voyages cruise ship.
• He makes $4,000 a month and has his living expenses covered by the cruise line.
• Nolan has traveled the world and documents his life onboard on TikTok.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with English musician Jack Nolan, 32, about his experiences living and working on cruise ships over the last seven years. Nolan runs a TikTok account detailing his life on the high seas. The following has been edited for length and clarity. 

I'm currently on the Valiant Lady, which is a Virgin Voyages ship. We're sailing around the Mediterranean for the summer.

Almost every day you wake up in a new place. It's amazing to have the opportunity to travel and get paid for it, as well. I don't think there are many jobs where you can meet so many people from all over the world. And we're all here to do the same thing, which is enjoy the perks of working on a cruise.

@jackcruisesaround Welcome to the manor, on @Virgin Voyages #themanor #virginvoyges #valiantlady #cruise #cruiseship #crewship #performance #guitar #guitarsolo #prince #purplerain #musiciansoftiktok #crewmember ♬ original sound - Jack Nolan - Cruise Ship Life

My passion for music led me to a life at sea

I grew up loving music. Ever since I was a kid, I was always into rock music and bands. My dad put a guitar in my hands when I was about 9 years old and taught me songs he knew from his favorite bands.

I went to university to study music and I met a bunch of musicians. From there, I joined bands. I was playing in wedding bands and original bands.

Then I met a drummer who was a bit older than me and had already been on the ships. He was starting his own cruise ship band and he asked me if I wanted to play guitar. 

Cruises don't directly hire the bands, they go through an agent. So, we just needed an initial in. Our drummer already knew the process of how to get a cruise ship gig , so he led the way. He knew that, as a brand new band, we needed to film some content to use to apply to the right agents.

We would rehearse and record as much of the rehearsal as possible. We even put on a gig ourselves and funded it just so we could record a crowd clapping between some of the songs.

It took a good four or five months of waiting. But luckily, it worked. It got us a gig on Celebrity Cruises. We were on Celebrity cruises from 2016 all the way until the start of 2022. After that, me and the keyboard player joined Virgin in May 2022.

I currently play guitar in a band on an adults-only ship

The bread and butter of our performances is playing as a five-piece band: guitar, drums, bass guitar, keyboards, and lead singer. 

We have a large rep of songs and genres that we play, a real mix of mid-tempo songs and upbeat tunes. We play everything from Elvis to Etta James to Bruno Mars to Daft Punk. 

We play two or three hours a day. They have us break into acoustic trios and duos and sometimes I do solo guitar sets. It's not strenuous at all. We have one day off each week, as well. 

It depends on if I've played late the night before, but sometimes I'll actually wake up around noon because we've played until almost 2 a.m.

If we're in port, I'll go out and explore. If it's a sea day, I'll hit up the gym. There's honestly so much free time, especially on this ship. It's quite incredible. 

We're playing usually from 5 or 6 p.m. throughout the evening. It's a very cool lifestyle. 

@jackcruisesaround ♬ original sound - Jack Nolan - Cruise Ship Life

Related stories

There's no kids on board. It's amazing. The people on here are in good spirits because there's no stress. People are just adults having fun.

They give us the freedom as performers to interact with the guests. They encourage us to go get drinks with them, to sit and chat with them, interact, and help them feel more immersed within the crew. 

I can easily save money because my living expenses are covered

We were making $3,000 a month on Celebrity. At the time, we thought that was great. But then we heard about Virgin. They were a new company and they were offering more money for musicians, so we were quick to jump ship.

As musicians, we're now making $4,000 a month.

Your rent, your board, your food onboard — it's all covered by the company. You save money so easily.

Being British and working for American cruise lines, we're paid in dollars and we're not taxed on those because we're not from the US and we're also living on a ship.

There's a thing called Seafarers' earning deduction . If you're from the UK and you're not living in the UK for more than half the year, then you don't need to pay income tax, as well. 

That's a really sweet part of being a full-time cruise ship musician, to save so much money. 

My favorite parts are traveling and meeting new people

I always get off the ship whenever we're in port, just for sanity. If you spend too much time on board, it kind of messes with your head.

We're one of the positions on board that is lucky enough to have so much downtime, so we can get off the ship usually whenever we want. 

Kangaroos in Australia; snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef; bungee jumping in New Zealand; sailing through the Norwegian fjords; taking quad bikes around Greece — it's been amazing to have the opportunity to travel to all these places and get paid for it, as well.

The downside is you only get a few hours to explore. You get to go to these amazing places, but you don't really get to immerse yourself in them.

But usually, these cruises are week-long and they repeat. So you can go back the next week to the same spots and find your local coffee spots, Wi-Fi spots, beaches, hangouts. 

And you learn so much when you're meeting people from all over the world, the different cultures they have, the experiences. I think that's my number one favorite thing. I've made friends for life.

But life at sea isn't always luxurious

Living in a small, windowless cabin can suck. It can be nice at times. It can feel cozy and you can nap at any time of the day because you haven't got daylight.

But if you miss daylight too much, it's not great.

@jackcruisesaround Tips to decompress on a cruise ship 💆‍♂️ #crewcabin #porthole #portholecruiseandtravel #cruiseshipcrew #cruiseship #crewship #cruiselife #cruiseshipstaff #virginvoyages #virginvoyagescrew #valiantlady #scarletlady #resilientlady #belowdeck #workingonacruiseship #cruiseshipjobs #cruisevlog #cruisetravel #royalcaribbean #carnivalcruise #msccruises #shiplife #cruisecrew #adultcruise #adultonlycruise #virginship #CruiseShipLife #celebritycruises #norweigancruise #cruiseshipmusician #traveltiktok #seafarer #worldtraveller ♬ original sound - Jack Nolan - Cruise Ship Life

Keeping up a long-distance relationship is extremely tough, too. I have a girlfriend and she's in LA. 

Luckily, the Wi-Fi on Virgin is free, so we get to FaceTime every night. But it does cut out at times, which is frustrating. The internet is often slow. 

My plan is to head over to California after this contract. I want to move on and keep my relationship healthy.  

There's no job quite like this one

If you're thinking about joining a ship and working as a performer, go for it , especially if you're young and you're single. It's a great time. 

Watch: This is what it takes to be a cruise ship performer

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Passenger dies after jumping off world’s largest cruise ship as it sets sail from Florida

The passenger was pronounced deceased sometime after he was found and bought back to the giant vessel, article bookmarked.

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A passenger has died after jumping overboard from the world ’s largest cruise ship after it set sail from Florida .

The male passenger, who has not been identified, reportedly jumped, according to the New York Post , from the 20-deck high Icon of the Seas after it left a Florida port on Sunday to embark on a seven-day cruise around the Caribbean , first stopping in Honduras.

The Coast Guard , who said they did not have much involvement in the incident beyond assisting in the search for the man, told the New York Post that “the cruise ship deployed one of their rescue boats, located the man, and brought him back aboard”.

The man has since been “pronounced deceased,” the Coast Guard added.

The world’s largest cruise experience was approximately 300 miles away from PortMiami, and around 30 to 40 miles north of Santa Lucia, Cuba, at the time of the incident, which occurred in the morning, according to Cruise Hive.

The Royal Caribbean, which operates the Icon of the Seas along with other groundbreakingly large cruise ships, told the outlet in a statement that their ship’s crew immediately notified the Coast Guard in the US and “launched a search and rescue operation”.

“Our care team is actively providing support and assistance to the guest’s loved ones during this difficult time,” the cruise company added. “For the privacy of the guest and their family, we have no additional details to share.“

The ship, which holds way over 5,000 guests and only made its maiden voyage in January of this year, had embarked on the cruise on Saturday, but after the incident on Sunday, the cruise halted and stayed put for around two hours while the search continued, the outlet said.

According to CruiseMapper tracking data, the Icon of the Seas is due to reach the port of Costa Maya, Mexico by noon on Tuesday.

The incident comes over a month after a similar tragedy on another Royal Caribbean cruise ship, the Liberty of the Seas when a 20-year-old man identified as Levion Parker is thought to have gone overboard during a trip around the Bahamas.

The cruise line immediately launched a search and rescue mission along with the US Coast Guard, but it was suspended after five days due to not being able to find him.

However, the cruise company has also witnessed some successful rescues in recent months, such as being able to recover a passenger who fell overboard from the Symphony of the Seas back in October.

The cruise, which had just left Barcelona at the time, said the guest was successfully brought back on board after falling shortly after it left the port.

The Independent has contacted Royal Caribbean for comment.

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The 7 best cruise ship spas

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The best cruise ship spas are so tranquil and relaxing they may become not just your personal sanctuary at sea but also the “happy place” you visualize the next time you go to the dentist.

Like most onboard spas, these zen retreats typically feature a thermal suite with a sauna, steam room and maybe a hot tub; a menu of massages and facials; and a salon with hairdressers and manicurists. However, our favorites go above and beyond with spa-inspired shore excursions, calming accommodations and unique treatments and programs aimed at bolstering your mental and physical wellness.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter .

Here are our picks for the best cruise ship spas that are sure to wipe all your stress away.

LivNordic Spa, Viking Ocean Cruises

The thermal suite on Viking ’s adults-only oceangoing ships is notable not only for its gorgeous design and unique hot and cold treatments but also because it’s complimentary for every passenger on the ship. You don’t need to book a spa treatment or buy a day pass to relax in the calming space, with its gray stone finishings and beautiful faux fireplace.

Viking’s coed spas are distinctly Scandinavian, and include a resistance pool, sauna, lounge chairs lined in heated tiles, steam room, bucket-style ice shower and a snow grotto. The snow grotto is just what it sounds like — a snow-filled, neon-lit space designed to cool you off, therefore mimicking the Scandinavian tradition of rolling around in the fluffy white stuff after your time in the sauna.

Related: Mistakes cruisers make on sea days

If you’re willing to open your wallet for additional pampering, you’ll find an impressive menu of spa treatments, including a Scandinavian spa night option and an array of hard-to-find Norwegian spa products that take advantage of regional ingredients, such as cloudberries.

The line’s two expedition ships have the added benefit of floor-to-ceiling windows, so you can watch whales breaching while you relax in the pool.

Cost to access the thermal suite: $0.

The Spa at Seabourn

Seabourn ’s spa stands out from the crowd thanks to the line’s signature Mindful Living program, which was put together with famed integrative medicine expert Dr. Andrew Weil.

The program includes yoga, guided meditation, “earth grounding” massages, acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine consultations and even crystal sound baths. Other lines also offer Eastern-inspired wellness lifestyle options, but the Dr. Weil branding on Seabourn’s ships provides an air of authenticity.

Related: 7 extra-charge items on cruise ships that are worth the cost (and 7 that aren’t)

The rest of the spa is also impressive. Seabourn’s newest ships offer spacious spa areas with fitness centers and salons, as well as thermal suites with steam rooms, monsoon showers and heated tiled chairs.

Even the line’s expedition ships, Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit, have 3,700-square-foot Adam Tihany-designed spas. Each features an airy sauna with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Cost of Mindful Living program: Some activities — such as seminars, meditation and yoga — are included in the cost of your cruise. Others — such as acupuncture ($29) and earth-grounding massage ($179) — require a surcharge.

AquaSpa, Celebrity Cruises

On Celebrity Cruises ’ fabulous Edge-class ships – Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Beyond and the soon-to-launch Celebrity Ascent — you’ll find everything you would imagine in a major city’s top spa and fitness center. Picture a stunning spa with cutting-edge treatments, such as an antigravity massage, and a thermal suite featuring an infrared sauna and a room designed for swinging meditation.

The salon area includes a teeth-whitening program and the first hair salon at sea branded by the Parisian Kerastase line. The 24-hour fitness center is also impressive — with Peloton bikes, barre and high-intensity interval training classes, and even bungee-based classes.

Related: How to turn a voyage on a mass-market ship into a luxury experience

Book an AquaClass category cabin, and you get amenities that take the experience to another level.

Expect complimentary fitness class and Sea Thermal Suite passes, access to a spa concierge, healthy room service options and a yoga mat to use on board. You’ll also find wellness offerings curated by Goop (Gwyneth Paltrow’s lifestyle brand; she serves as a wellness advisor for the line), including a signature smoothie and in-room fitness menus.

Finally, AquaClass provides guests exclusive access to Blu — a restaurant focused on healthy “clean cuisine” options and vegan choices. Don’t miss the muesli, prepared tableside, which was the best I’ve ever had.

Cost of Sea Thermal Suite passes and fitness class passes: A one-week Sea Thermal Suite pass is $219; fitness class passes range in price depending on the types of classes included.

Serene Spa, Regent Seven Seas Cruises

The Serene Spas on Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ newest ships are especially striking — picture plenty of marble flooring, a curved wooden desk and Swarovski crystal sculptures. You might never want to leave the stunning infinity-edge pool set on a teak deck at the back of the ship.

The spacious spas have all the usual fixins – yoga classes, sauna and steam rooms, a full roster of facials and massages, and nail and hair salons. The dual thermal suites are single-sex and bathing-suit-optional, with saunas, steam rooms, showers and a cold room.

Related: First look inside the most expensive luxury cruise ship ever, Regent’s Seven Seas Splendor

You could easily spend the entire day at the spa, but you can also take the pampering off the ship. Regent offers over-the-top wellness tours featuring relaxing experiences in the destinations its ships visit. Look for a visit to the Thermal Baths of the Popes in Viterbo, Italy — just outside of Rome — or a meditation class on the Mediterranean island of Palma de Mallorca.

Cost of wellness tours: Some tours are included in the cost of your cruise (such as sunset yoga in Tenerife and meditation in Mallorca). Others incur a surcharge, such as $139 for the thermal bath experience in Italy.

Senses Spa, Scenic Cruises

The spa on Scenic’s oceangoing expedition vessel, Scenic Eclipse, is a gorgeous place to retreat after a day of exploring on land — whether you’re in the Northwest Passage or Antarctica.

Hang your expedition attire up in the mud room (a place to take off muddy boots after a day of hiking in the tundra) and make your way to the thermal suite, with its gorgeous sauna, indoor Scandinavian plunge pool and outdoor pool, too. (We understand if you skip the outdoor pool in Alaska.)

The stunning slate-lined thermal suite is available to all passengers on board, free of charge, regardless of cabin category or whether they have booked treatments. The spa and salon menu includes facials, salt scrubs, manicures, blowouts and hot stone massages — which would be especially welcome after trudging through the snow to see penguins in Antarctica.

Related: These 6 luxury ships are like nothing you have ever seen before

Like the impressive onboard amenities — which include a submarine and a helicopter — the spa also goes above and beyond with its spa suites. The exquisite spa suites on decks 8 and 9 of Scenic Eclipse have Philippe Starck-designed bathrooms with mist showers that incorporate a range of color selections, giant Jacuzzi tubs that look out onto the sea through a private veranda and glass partitions to the main room that become opaque at the touch of a button. They, of course, offer special access to the spa.

Redemption Spa, Virgin Voyages

Virgin Voyages has worked hard to add playful experiences to its adults-only ships, and its spa is no different. In addition to spa treatments and a healthy juice and smoothie bar, the line’s “well-being” program touts the ship’s coolest, most-talked-about feature – the Squid Ink tattoo parlor. Because we all know that self-expression is another way to promote wellness.

Related: I just got a tattoo on a cruise ship — here’s why you should, too

If the thought of needles makes you break out in a sweat, you can turn up the heat with Virgin’s free fitness classes and alfresco yoga instead. Or feel the temperatures rise in Virgin’s thermal suite, which beckons with heated lounge chairs, an indoor hydrotherapy pool, a hot tub, an unusually large sauna and a steam room.

Then cool off in two cold plunge pools, a mud room (as in a place to smear therapeutic mud all over your body) and a salt room. A three-hour pass to the spa is $39 per person on port days and $59 on sea days.

Another fun feature is a mini salon for men called Stubble & Groom, which features hot-lather shaves and pedicures. You’ll definitely want some manscaping to complement your new tattoo.

Cost of tattoos at Squid Ink: $150 (and up).

Otium, Silversea Cruises

Silversea Cruises ‘ new Otium (pronounced aught-zium) spa concept extends wellness and lavish living from the spa to your suite. The best part is that most of the experiences beyond the actual spa treatments are included in your fare.

The signature Otium Experiences are 100 minutes of heavenly indulgence, combining aromatherapy, massage and body treatments inspired by the gods. Your bliss doesn’t end with the conclusion of your massage. You will be escorted to a relaxation room with indoor and outdoor lounge chairs, access to a steam room and sauna, and decadent nibbles consisting of sparkling wine, cocktails and housemade truffles and marshmallows.

You can keep the hedonistic vibe going upon your return to your suite by requesting an aromatherapy bath with your choice of scents. Or, swaddle yourself in a cashmere blanket on your balcony and ring for lobster and caviar in brioche with lemony mayonnaise or potato fries with truffle oil and Parmesan, all from the Otium Comfort Food Dining menu.

Related: This cruise line is betting big on caviar, Egyptian cotton and other spa-like indulgences

When you are ready to turn in for the night, you’ll find the spa’s reach has extended to your bed. The Otium Soft Touch mattress, with its 400-pocket spring system infused with essential oils and 400-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets, by luxury Italian designer Rivolta Carmignani, will soothe your tired limbs and whisk away any residual stress you could possibly be feeling on vacation.

The Otium Spa can be found on Silversea’s Silver Dawn and soon-to-debut Silver Nova.

Cost of Otium in-suite spa amenities: $0

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 15 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• What to pack for your first cruise

SPONSORED:  With states reopening, enjoying a meal from a restaurant no longer just means curbside pickup.

And when you do spend on dining, you should use a credit card that will maximize your rewards and potentially even score special discounts. Thanks to temporary card bonuses and changes due to coronavirus, you may even be able to score a meal at your favorite restaurant for free. 

These are the best credit cards for dining out, taking out, and ordering in to maximize every meal purchase.

Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

What to wear on a cruise: Cruise attire and cruise line dress codes

Editor's Note

Have you ever had that nightmare where you're at work, in school or giving an important presentation only to look down to discover you're only wearing underwear (or worse, nothing at all)? If you're new to vacationing at sea, knowing how to dress for a cruise can be confusing and just as potentially embarrassing if you're not prepared.

Packing acceptable attire for a cruise is simple if you remember a few general rules. Here, I'll break down some safe options if you're unsure, and I'll give an overview of the cruise dress codes for each of the "big eight" cruise lines.

For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

What do people wear on a cruise?

You can't go wrong with resort-casual clothing for sea days when you'll remain on board your ship. Although some lines will be more or less casual than that, it's a good baseline. What is "resort casual" though?

Khaki pants or shorts with loose-fitting, short-sleeved button-down shirts or even nice, plain T-shirts work well for men. Women might opt for khaki shorts or palazzo pants with a nice top or a sundress. In most cases, nice jeans (dark wash with no holes) will also work well.

On most ships, this clothing will also be acceptable at night in the main dining rooms. For extra-fee restaurants, you might choose to dress up a bit more. Collared shirts or long-sleeved button-downs are acceptable for men, and slacks with a blouse or a dress for women are acceptable.

For formal nights, which are optional on many lines' ships, men will want to bring a collared, button-down shirt at the bare minimum. For something a little more snazzy, bring a jacket to wear over your shirt, with or without a tie. Some men opt for suits or tuxes. For women, pantsuits and dressy pants outfits are a great choice, as are party dresses or even ball gowns.

Although most lines have eased dress codes on formal or "elegant" nights, jeans are generally not allowed in the main dining rooms. Cut-off shorts, baseball caps and flip-flops are banned at all times — not just on formal nights — during dinner in the main dining rooms.

Related: 7 cruise ship packing mistakes you want to avoid at all costs

Another key piece of clothing to bring is a bathing suit. Whether you're headed to a warm-weather destination and plan to laze by the pool or on the beach, or you're visiting somewhere chilly but want to take advantage of your vessel's hot tubs, it's an item you won't want to forget. Note that cover-ups are required for entry at all restaurants and dining rooms, with the exception of walk-up poolside window-service venues.

For shore excursions — particularly those in more rugged or active destinations that require a lot of walking — comfortable, casual clothing and sturdy footwear are a must. Bring layers for cold climates and moisture-wicking fabrics for places where it's warm or where you expect to work up a sweat.

Finally, check to see if your cruise line has any special theme nights planned. If so, you might want to pack an outfit for the white party or '80s night.

Carnival cruise dress code

Carnival is one line where casual is the name of the game. Passengers will be fine in jeans, T-shirts, tank tops, shorts and bathing suits for their days on board or ashore.

At night, nice jeans and nice tops are perfect for eating in the main dining rooms.

On Carnival cruise formal nights, known as "cruise elegant" nights, cruisers wear everything from slacks with nice shirts to tuxes and ball gowns. However, most passengers stick to clothes that fall somewhere in the middle.

Voyages of six nights or longer will have two "cruise elegant" nights, while those five nights or shorter will see only one.

Celebrity Cruises dress code

Celebrity Cruises maintains a dress code that's best described as chic-casual. The demographic on board tends to be a bit more upscale than what you'll find on Carnival, Royal Caribbean or Norwegian. That means khaki shorts with nice button-downs are more common than jean shorts and tank tops, although you won't be out of place in the latter.

For dinner, you'll want to dress it up even more, as the line has a smart-casual dress code at night in most restaurants, including the main dining room. Anything from unripped jeans to dress pants with nice blouses or button-downs is acceptable.

Related: 20 must-have items I won't cruise without

Are there formal nights on Celebrity cruises? Yes, the line holds one "evening chic" night on every sailing of six nights or fewer and two on voyages of a week or more. The dress code encourages passengers to go all-out with tuxes and evening gowns. However, most men choose slacks with collared or button-down shirts and jackets, sans ties. Most women choose slacks and nice blouses, sundresses or party dresses.

Disney Cruise Line dress code

Disney Cruise Line is synonymous with children, and children like to be comfortable. With that in mind, just about anything goes in terms of dress on The Mouse's ships. These cruises tend toward casual in spite of their stellar service and high price point.

It's not uncommon to see jeans, shorts, T-shirts or bathing suits during the day. Unlike most other lines, the same goes at dinnertime, with jeans and T-shirts just as common as dressier attire like slacks and button-downs.

Exceptions are the line's "dress-up" nights — two on sailings of a week or more and one on shorter voyages. For those, DCL suggests that men avoid jeans and wear jackets. Women should go with dresses, skirts and blouses, or pantsuits.

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Some of Disney Cruise Line's added-fee restaurants, such as Remy — one of the most expensive alternative eateries at sea — require jackets for men and don't allow jeans.

Each Disney sailing features a Pirate Night; cruisers wishing to participate should pack their best swashbuckling gear. As is standard at Disney parks, you're also likely to see large numbers of costumes and mouse ears at all hours of the day.

Holland America Line dress code

Although the dress code on Holland America ships is technically "cruise casual," you'll rarely spot anyone looking disheveled or like they just rolled out of bed. Most passengers tend toward resortwear or, at the bare minimum, nice jeans with pressed T-shirts.

The casual dress code carries through to dinner, but HAL cruisers often dress up a bit more. This includes collared shirts or button-downs (sometimes with jackets) and slacks for men and slacks with nice tops or dresses for women.

As for Holland America formal nights, on sailings shorter than a week, there will be one "gala night," during which travelers don evening or ball gowns, suits or tuxedos. Voyages of eight to 13 nights will see two gala nights, while any cruises of two weeks or longer will have three chances to dress to the nines.

MSC Cruises dress code

What to wear on MSC cruises largely depends on the crowd with whom you're sailing. On European cruises, your fellow passengers are likely to dress up more often — even during the day; skimpy resortwear and designer bathing suits often grace the pool deck as far as the eye can see. On those voyages, dinner is an even more fancy affair, with elegance as the norm. Expect to see glittering dresses and stylish pants and button-downs with dress shoes, even when it's not a formal night.

On cruises that depart from the U.S., expect a more casual vibe, with jeans, T-shirts and bathing suits ruling the day. At night, you'll be fine with nice jeans and a collared shirt or a sundress, although you might want to dress up a bit more to match the ship's ambience.

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Are there formal nights on MSC cruises? Absolutely. They're called "gala dinners," and they appear at least once per voyage, but the number can vary by itinerary. The dress code is strict, with the buffet the only place that will allow T-shirts and shorts. You'll fit in best in a ball gown, cocktail dress, suit or tuxedo.

Norwegian Cruise Line dress code

Norwegian , which pioneered the concept of "freestyle cruising," prides itself on allowing cruisers to dress as they please, providing a "come as you are" atmosphere during the day and at night. The most popular clothing is cruise casual, and passengers are free to wear whatever they'd like with an emphasis on comfort.

The only exception is at dinner, when a smart-casual vibe encourages travelers to avoid torn clothes or suggestive or skimpy outfits.

In a nod to Norwegian's laid-back style, NCL formal nights — dubbed "Dress Up or Not" nights — provide a chance for you to get dolled up. However, it's not required, and you won't be turned away from the main dining rooms if you choose not to participate. Passengers have been spotted wearing everything from jeans and T-shirts to ball gowns and tuxes, and all coexist in perfect harmony.

Princess Cruises dress code

Princess ' casual daytime mindset means you can wear the same types of clothing on board as you would during a day ashore — activewear, beachwear and jeans or T-shirts are totally fine.

Princess' formal nights are special because the line is one of the few industry holdouts in that it still has an official formal night. Its passengers enjoy a more traditional cruise experience, and they relish the romantic vibe that a formal night can provide. With that in mind, the line doesn't mention super-fancy garb like ball gowns or tuxes; instead, it advises suits or slacks with jackets for men and cocktail dresses or pantsuits for the ladies.

On voyages of less than a week, passengers should plan for one formal night, while sailings of a week to 13 days will have two, and cruises two weeks or longer will have three.

All other nights are listed as "smart casual." This means sundresses or pants with flowy tops for women and nice jeans or slacks with collared shirts for men will suffice.

Royal Caribbean dress code

As is the case with Carnival and Norwegian, Royal Caribbean is a casual line during the day. Like Disney Cruise Line, it caters to a lot of families. Translation: Wear what allows you to have the most fun in the most comfort. Expect to see shorts or jeans with T-shirts or tank tops and bathing suits or beachwear almost exclusively during the daytime.

At night, you might want to put on something a little less comfortable, but it's certainly not required unless it's a formal night. (Like Princess, Royal still has those.) The confusing part is that the line has three different dress codes, all of which are loosely enforced: casual, smart casual and formal. The ones that show up on your voyage will depend on the length of the cruise.

The only difference between the first two is that smart casual recommends pantsuits for ladies and jackets for the guys, but skirts or trousers with blouses or collared shirts are fine in both cases. Smart casual also strongly discourages jeans — even nice ones.

Royal Caribbean formal nights have the highest expectations for passengers, urging them to wear their finest cocktail dresses, evening gowns, suits or tuxes. As with the line's smart-casual dress code, jeans are not allowed in the main dining rooms on formal nights.

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