I've gone on many cruises by myself, but I recently ate in the Main Dining Room alone for the first time.
I recently took a 4-night Bahamas cruise on Freedom of the Seas without my family. It was a quick cruise to check out a few experiences in the ports of call, and going into the cruise, I assumed I would eat at the Windjammer buffet for my meals.
I enjoy cruising solo for how liberating it can be, but I've never dined in the Main Dining Room alone because it always seemed to be a weird idea. While I didn't think anyone would say anything to me, I just felt out of place to do it.
Read more: Dining on Royal Caribbean Guide
On embarkation day, I was browsing menus and changed my mind primarily because the dinner menu had a fish entree that sounded good, and a plated fish meal always tastes better to me than a self-service fish I grab from the buffet. For that reason, I decided to give the dining room a try.
Scouting ahead
Before committing fully to the idea, I took advantage of a good trick anyone should do on the first day of the cruise.
In the afternoon, I went down to the Main Dining Room to see what table Royal Caribbean had assigned me to. I was curious to know if I had a table to myself, or I'd be seated with other guests.
Read more: How to not eat with strangers on a Royal Caribbean cruise
If you have Traditional Dining for your dinner plans, there is a deck and table assignment at the bottom of your SeaPass card to indicate where you'll be seated.
I walked into the Main Dining Room in the afternoon before dinner had begun to look for my table. If I had waited for dinner to see where I was assigned, it would have been far more awkward if I changed my mind because both guests and crew would have noticed me scooting out of there.
There's usually a crew member or two at the entrance doing some work, and you just have to let them know you're just looking around.
Sure enough, I had a table for two assigned to me. That seemed like it was a safe bet I had a table to myself.
Some people cruising alone might actually prefer to be seated at a larger table so they can converse with others and feel less noticeably alone. I actually preferred to be seated alone as to avoid having to make conversation. I don't mind talking to other guests in general, but a break at dinner seemed ideal to me.
Trying it out
I had the 5:45pm dinner time assigned, and was escorted to my table by a crew member as I entered the dining room.
Read more: How Royal Caribbean's Main Dining Room works and what to expect
Sure enough, it was just me at the table and I was pleased I had a table right by the window.
While my table was just for me, the neighboring tables are so close to each other that one could easily converse with the table next to you. The people at the table next to me engaged in a few conversations with the table next to them.
The wait staff were warm and welcoming. I think they asked on the first night if I was dining with anyone else, but that was the extent of any questions or discussion that I was solo.
I ordered my food like I have in the past, and the entire meal went quite well. I never felt out of place, and I didn't feel like other guests were staring at me. In reality, no one cared.
I had lots of support
I shared my first dinner solo in the dining room on the Royal Caribbean Dining Facebook group, and a cavalcade of support followed.
Many others shared they really enjoyed dining alone, just as much as cruising solo. I took a lot of solace in the fact my endeavor was not that far flung an idea.
Wendy Lamour wrote, "I eat alone all the time. I like the freedom of leaving when I want to. I also take my dessert to my cabin to eat later."
Cynthia Sirk added, "I took my first solo cruise in August and absolutely loved it. Peaceful, no worries about time, no one to consider but myself and sometimes we need that. I was treated so well by the staff and host. My table by the window was also wonderful!"
Caroline Cullen had a great outlook on the idea, "Don't ever be weirded out about dining alone. I do it all the time. Make yourself great company for yourself!"
There were over 200 comments on my post, and it reinforced how enjoyable dining alone can be.
I thought an idea by Daniel Kline was something I might consider in the future, "I sail solo a lot and dinner is a chance to reset and maybe read a book." While I'm not a big reader, I never considered bringing something to read as a way to pass the time between servings.
The new menu changes made it easier
I ended up dining in the Main Dining Room for dinner on two other nights, and it was a great experience.
In retrospect, I think Royal Caribbean's speedier service in the Main Dining Room made eating alone in the Main Dining Room easier.
In 2023, Royal Caribbean revamped its Main Dining Room dinner menus. New themes, new items, and an attention to speedier service. I really think the speedier service made a difference.
Each of my three meals in the Main Dining Room was about an hour. On night three, I was in and out in 45 minutes!
Prior to the menu update, dinner could sometimes take up to 2 hours, and I think not languishing in the Main Dining Room made it feel less awkward. Meals are long enough to feel like it's a sit down and relaxing experience without getting to the point that become restless.
I would eat alone again
Having tried eating dinner in the Main Dining Room alone, I would definitely do it again on a future cruise.
Any concerns I had about feeling out of place quickly disappeared during the course of the first evening.
Just like how no one notices if you're sitting alone on the pool deck or in the theater, everyone else is wrapped up in their own meal.
I was glad I always had my phone with me to keep me occupied between courses. Investing in a WiFi package for anyone cruising solo is a great idea to be able to feel connected with friends and family back home.
I don't have another solo cruise booked for a few more months, but I would welcome the opportunity to eat alone in the Main Dining Room.
