Solo Cruiser in Search of Dinner Companions
Day 15, South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand Cruise
Monday, Oct. 17, 2022; At Sea, Pacific Ocean.
For the first time in nine years, this time I embarked on a cruise not knowing a single passenger. The last time I cruised – the 2020 Grand World Voyage – I traveled with my sister Elaine and at least 50 people I knew from previous cruises. A lot of the same people take Holland America’s longer cruises, and I’ve made a number of good friends on these ships over the years.
We’ve stayed in touch during the pandemic via Zoom happy hours, social media posts and even a few visits in person. I never would have gone to Santa Fe for the past three summers had my cruise friend Connie not lived there, I think. Or driven to the southern tip of Texas to visit Barbara and Richard – twice!
A number of my friends are on the MS Zuiderdam now for its 45-day Tales of the South Pacific, which follows our initial route through Hawaii but then heads to Tahiti and eventually returns to California. I booked this cruise preferring to visit Australia and New Zealand, even though I knew no one on board.
As I’ve written before, I’m comfortable making friends in new settings, due in large part to multiple moves during my childhood. I find it easy to meet people on cruise ships. At dinner I usually share a table with others, so in the two weeks I’ve been on board, I’ve met a number of fellow cruisers. I join a group of five other single women for dinner occasionally.
Eating in the specialty restaurants is another matter. The restaurants do not offer sharing tables. And I haven’t found anyone yet who is interested in joining me at the Pinnacle Grill, which has a $39 surcharge, or Canaletto with its $19 fee. Those of us with four- or five-star Mariner loyalty status get a 50 percent discount, but not many of the people I have met have achieved that level, and understandably many of them would just as soon have a great meal in the main dining for no additional charge.
My five-star status also entitles me to a couple of free specialty restaurant meals, and I decided this perk wasn’t going to waste even if it meant eating alone. So last night I had the best meal of the cruise so far in the Pinnacle Grill.
The amazing Clothesline Candied Bacon appetizer lived up to my memories. And the chef was correct when he said I should eat it with a squeeze of lemon and bite of pickle. The acidity balanced the yummy bacon fat perfectly. I had to stop after two thick slices so I would still want the steakhouse’s main course.
As a Texan who also lived for many years in Kansas City, I know my steaks, and the filet mignon was tender and flavorful.
For the first time this cruise I ordered dessert – key lime pie. I couldn’t finish it, but I put a good dent in it. The server also brought a plate of chocolates, which at my request he wrapped in foil for me to take back to my stateroom.
The larger Holland America ships have more specialty restaurants, including the Asian-inspired Tamarind ($29); Nami, a specialty sushi restaurant with a la carte pricing; and Rudi’s Sel de Mer featuring seafood. While the Westerdam doesn’t have room for all these venues, it does feature the Rudi’s $49 menu as an occasional pop-up in the Pinnacle Grill space. I’ll take advantage of my 25 percent off perk and eat there in a couple of weeks.
We also have the option of enjoying special theme dinners in the Pinnacle Grill during this cruise, such as Polynesian Night, Indonesian Rijsttafel, and Italian Cellar Master’s. They frequently include wine and are priced accordingly.
On past cruises on the even smaller MS Amsterdam, dinner on these theme nights was at a set time and we shared tables. But that’s not the policy on the Westerdam, probably because the Pinnacle Grill here is so much larger.
As far as I could see, I was only solo diner last night. Sure, I would have enjoyed sharing conversation over the meal. But sometimes it just doesn’t work out that way. I’m glad I didn’t let that stand in my way.
Love all the information you share. Thank you!
Love it!
I totally agree that a good meal is best when there’s company. Of course that having a good laugh with good company as you share a table is a great way to end the day. But in my 10-plus years of international business travel throughout Mexico and South America, many times I had no choice but to dine alone after a long day at the office. And I must confess that I found this to be beautifully therapeutic. That forced alone time turned out to be much needed pauses to think about a lot of things, or about nothing at all. No planning, no organizing, no scheduling. And this was a great luxury. It takes practice. The pity stares from other patrons can be bothersome the first few times. And in some instances, dining solo also meant very poor service (still trying to figure out why). But at the end, I enjoyed amazing food in a relaxing setting that allowed me to wind down at the end of the day without the pressure to make conversation. My advice: Enjoy it! Allow yourself that moment of guilt-free indulgence. You deserve it.
Love that u r cruising and admire how easily you turn strangers into friends!
And you’re one of those friends, Susan! I miss seeing you in Chicago.
I love your thoughts, Carlos! Fortunately, in the Pinnacle Grill I didn’t sense any pity stares — in fact I don’t think many people even noticed. And the service was great. On the flip side, I hadn’t just finished a crazy day of business, so I didn’t really need to wind down. But thanks for the considerations. I will try to think deeper thoughts next time! -Josefa
I remember several years ago eating by myself at the Pinnacle every night on a seven day cruise. I had the same table every night and I was treated like royalty by the staff, who probably felt sorry for me.
I now travel more on Oceania where the specialty restaurants allow sharing tables.
That sounds like a wonderful luxury! I’ve seriously thought about sailing Oceania — maybe we will meet there one day.
I continue to enjoy your cruise blog! My brother is on a similar cruise to your’s (Grand Princess 36 day Vancouver – Sydney) and we haven’t heard a peep from him (which is not unusual!) His wife is not too well so he, a lifelong mariner, is on his own. He makes friends fairly easily and if not, would have no qualms about dining alone either. I couldn’t do it – heck, I have never even been to a movie on my own. Grateful for you more gregarious souls who welcome we, who are on the shy side, into your shipboard lives.
I enjoy going to movies alone — it’s not particularly social in my mind. But you should give it a try. The Grand Princess was in Hawaii at the same time we were. I sailed on it many years ago (2005?) and enjoyed it.
When I reflect, I believe in my adult life that I have dined more alone than with other people. One of the tricks I use to keep myself entertained is to sit at the bar. Conversation usually ensues. And nowadays, there’s always my iPhone!
Jane, I love your bar strategy! And I do enjoy reading at dinner. When I lived with my mother, and we were out of things to talk about, we would go to dinner with our favorite magazines and feel no need for conversation.
I can relate to Carlo’s comments. When I am on board a HAL ship, I always treat myself to dinner at the Canaletto. I dine early when it is quiet, sit by the window and watch the sunset with a glass of pinot grigio. If you dine at this Italian restaurant, I recommend the cioppino. I hope they still serve it.
I’m eating at Canaletto next week, Kate, and will look for the cioppino. Thanks for the recommendation.
Hi Jo, Loving your blogs. Just wish we were cruising now. Re the Pinnacle Dinner, we would love you to join us when on the GWV. We will probably be joined by friends from the USA who were on the Grand Asia with us. Put it in your diary. 😊