I've taken five solo cruises and eaten in the Main Dining Room alone on all but one. At first, I was worried the experience would feel awkward, but I soon found it was a great opportunity to meet other passengers and step outside my comfort zone.
Most recently, I took a solo cruise onboard Celebrity Cruises' newest ship, Celebrity Ascent. Having sailed alone on mainstream cruise lines geared toward younger audiences, like Royal Caribbean and Carnival, I was worried the experience might feel different.
Thankfully, I found the main dining rooms to be welcoming. The staff was attentive and pleasant, and it was easy to strike up organic conversations with guests at nearby tables.
The 7-night cruise sailed from Fort Lauderdale to San Juan, St. Kitts, and Tortola. Having never been to the latter islands, I looked forward to exploring these new-to-me destinations. The Virgin Gorda Baths were as picturesque as I had imagined, and I was captivated by St. Kitts’ lush landscapes.
Of course, I was equally excited to be cruising on Celebrity's newest ship. From the moment I walked onboard, I knew it was unlike any ship I'd been on before. From the stunning Grand Plaza to the luxurious cabins and upscale resort pool deck, Celebrity Ascent was a far cry from the Royal Caribbean ships I was so used to sailing on.
In addition to the ship itself, I was eager to try Celebrity's dining. Having had mediocre experiences on my past few Royal Caribbean cruises, I was ready for a change, and Celebrity Ascent didn't disappoint.
While solo vacations are great because you can play, rest, and dine on your own schedule, I've found eating at the buffet is lonelier than the Main Dining Room. I end up burying my phone in my face, rather than enjoying the ship's ambiance (at least I get my money's worth for the Wi-Fi package!).
Plus, part of the appeal of cruising is enjoying multi-course meals. Even when I'm alone, I want to maximize the value of my cruise fare, so I'd rather dine solo in the Main Dining Room than pile up my plate in the ship's buffet. In my opinion, the quality of the food is better in the dining room, too.
Having eaten dinner in the Main Dining Room on ships ranging from Symphony of the Seas to Carnival Celebration, MSC Seashore, and Celebrity Ascent, I've never felt out of place. The crew always strives to serve me promptly, and I'm usually finished in a shorter amount of time than when dining with others.
I've also had luck conversing with fellow passengers, transforming my solo cruise experiences into memorable journeys.
Now, I have friends from all over the country, from Colorado to Texas, Florida, and even my home state of North Carolina. Though I'm still social on cruises when traveling with friends and family, I'm far more likely to step outside my comfort zone when alone.
While on Celebrity Ascent, I dined next to two friends traveling together on the first night, and they invited me to join them the following evening at Tuscan, one of the four included dining rooms onboard.
Read more: Why You Should Book Cruise Ship Cabins for Two Even As a Solo Traveler
Similarly, I bonded with two cousins on Carnival Celebration after a lengthy wait for Cucina del Capitano. We met up throughout the week, eating in the Festivale dining room together and even catching a show in Celebration Central.
You can eat alone whether you have traditional or flexible dining; however, I've learned that I prefer solo cruising with flexible dining. When I sailed on MSC Seashore, I had the earliest set dining time and was seated beside an international couple that didn't speak much English, limiting my chances for conversation during dinner.
Flexible dining means you can mix up your potential companions, rather than sitting at the same table each evening. Plus, in my experience, you can easily be seated with new friends if you wish to continue dining together.
On the flip side, cruise ships can sometimes group solo diners with traditional seating. However, I've never successfully been assigned to eat with other cruisers. Both times I've cruised solo on Royal Caribbean and requested group seating, I showed up to the Main Dining Room to discover my assigned table was for two, or the smallest available.
If you choose traditional dining, scout out your table ahead of time. If you'd rather be seated with a table of other passengers and find you've been given a table for two, you don't have to awkwardly scoot past dining guests and crew just to change your mind.
Moreover, it gives you time to speak to the maître d to see if you can change to flexible dining or inquire whether there's a group table with extra seating.
Read more: Top 10 Cruise Ship Dining Mistakes to Avoid
Overall, eating alone in the Main Dining Room isn't nearly as scary as I thought. In fact, it's one of my favorite parts about solo cruising. I struggle to strike up conversations with other cruisers before shows or during events. For me, it's easier to converse with soon-to-be friends in a relaxed setting over dinner.
I've never observed other passengers staring at me because I'm eating alone. With the rise of solo cruising, many like me choose to travel by themselves, making seeing solo diners more common, even when you're on a mega-ship like Symphony of the Seas.
In short, if you're debating eating alone in the Main Dining Room on your next cruise, don't be afraid! It's a worthwhile experience. Even if you do not befriend the cruisers next to you, you can pride yourself on stepping outside your comfort zone and doing something that you may find challenging.
Read more: I took my first solo cruise on Celebrity Cruises
There have been times when I haven't talked to my neighbors and used the time to check in with friends and family back home. Having the flexibility to converse with other passengers or enjoy quiet reflection is why I'll never turn down a solo cruise, whether to The Bahamas, Mediterranean, Caribbean, or beyond.
Of course, there are opportunities for social interaction outside of dinner, so you can confidently take a by yourself even if you want to eat in the buffet. From ship-organized meet-ups to shore excursions and even onboard workshops, embracing these options is part of what makes solo cruising such a unique experience.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
