THINKING ABOUT A SOLO CRUISE

HOW AND WHY YOU SHOULD DO IT

MY SOLO CRUISE CREDENTIALS

Baz Lurhmann’s 1999 hit “Everybody’s free (to wear sunscreen)” extolled the scientifically proven virtues of wearing sunscreen.

He then went on to give a lot more advice, which had no more basis in fact than his own experience and left it up to the listener to decide which of the many other suggestions to follow.

This song comes to mind when I consider offering my own advice to those thinking about a Solo Cruise.

I have been on 25 solo cruises (and counting) so far. Does that make me an expert? Well more than some. I certainly have friends who ask me for advice when they are considering a cruise. And I chip in with my answers to questions on Facebook cruise groups and Online forums.

But I have also learnt that there is always something new to learn. I definitely don’t know everything there is to know. So I get back more from those groups than I put in.

I also read comments about other people’s issues. They often surprise me, when that thought has never crossed my mind. Are those people wrong to comment? “No!” Am I to never have thought of it? Also “No!”

We are all individuals and what matters to you is really all that is important.

So here’s the benefit of my advice. Take it as you will.

But trust me about solo cruises.

SOLO VS SINGLE

I am both single and a solo traveller.

What’s the difference?

Single Travellers

Well to my mind “single” means you don’t have another half and as a consequence may, or may not, be looking to find one.

I am of an age that I remember “The Love Boat”, where the guest star of the week would board the Pacific Princess cruise ship. After a few days of turmoil, and with a bit of assistance from the enthusiastic crew, they would leave the ship, complete with the new love of their life.

Does that happen in real life? Yes! Well, not to me! But I have seen it happen for others.

I always think on a cruise ship you are with a bunch of like minded people. That applies to all of the passengers, regardless of their marital status and travel companions. They love to cruise and travel. Its a fact worth remembering later, because its something you have in common with everyone on the ship.

If two of you happen to be looking for the same thing and it works out, fantastic!

However, in my experience most of the single cruisers I meet would class themselves in the category of solo cruisers.

Solo Travellers

By definition all of the above singles are also solos.

I am one of those that has been mostly been single. Living on my own is just what I do.

For many people though they are suddenly on their own, having lost a partner. Death, divorce or separation can be equally difficult to deal with when you have been two for a long time and now you are one.

Being single does not necessarily mean you are looking for someone else. Its why I personally call myself a Solo Traveller. If I meet someone, great, but it is not the objective of my holiday.

But solo travellers can also include people who do have another half, that they are just not travelling with.

Some people have more holiday leave than their partners, so go away alone to use it up. I’ve met people who love to cruise, but their significant other hates the sea, so they go by themselves. Whatever works for you.

There are also the people who are the odd one out in their group of family or friends. Not technically travelling alone, but still a solo.

However you choose to classify yourself, hopefully some of these tips will be useful for you if you are thinking about a solo cruise.

TIP 1 : GET OVER YOURSELF

Fear

I am a member of a solo cruisers Facebook group.

One of the comments I see almost every other week is along the lines of “Thanks for letting me join this group. I would love to go on a cruise, but I’m not sure I can do it on my own.”

This could be quite a sad group to be part of, but for the fact that almost as frequent is someone else saying “I’m just back from my first solo cruise and I loved it. Can’t wait to book another one.”

“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer.”

Frank Herbert – Dune

Telling someone to “Get over yourself” may sound a bit flippant. Suddenly becoming single, through no fault of your own, is a huge life adjustment. It takes time to deal with. Having to do everything on your own and for yourself is absolutely a challenge.

But the sentiment is well meant. Its likely the biggest things holding you back will be yourself and your own self confidence as a person on your own.

I was definitely nervous on my first cruise. And my second. In fact after all these years of travelling I am still anxious at the airport, arriving at a hotel or ship. “What if I’ve forgotten something?” “What if I’m unwell?” “What if I’m lonely?” “What if I don’t like it?”

Well “What if…”

My answer to these questions is covered by another. “What if I stay at home and never do anything with my life?”

The thought of that question scares me more than all of the others put together.

Those feelings don’t go away. But for me the rewards of solo travel have far outweighed any negatives.

I’m on my own either way

Whatever kind of solo you are, if you are considering solo travel the chances are its because you don’t have an obvious person to travel with.

I have family and a good bunch of friends. I have been on holidays with lots of them.

But for the most part they are couples, and want to go on holiday together, or with the kids. Those sort of holidays don’t need a spare part tagging along.

When I went on my first solo holiday I had more time off, and as it happened more available money, than most of my single friends. So I was struggling to find someone, anyone to go with.

Actually as an aside I’ll throw in another tip here. Don’t just travel with “anyone”. They say holidays can make or break a relationship. That applies equally to friendships. That person you have a good laugh with on a Friday night in the pub might be a nightmare to live with for a week.

There was a decision to be made. If I stayed at home, I would be on my own. Or I could go on holiday on my own. What’s the worst that could happen? I would be on my own, but in the sun!

Ladies vs Gents

I have been told more than once, “Its easier for you, you’re a man.”

In terms of personal security I get the point. Its definitely, though not exclusively, an issue for a woman on her own.

For those of the generation where a lady would never walk into a bar on her own, that might also feel awkward. As a (relatively young) man I have never had that worry. But times have changed a lot. People really don’t care as much.

In almost every other respect its just as difficult, or easy, for blokes. I have chatted to lots of men who were every bit as nervous about their solo trip as I was.

But actually cruising is really quite a safe way to travel. In fact I would say on most cruises where I’ve joined in with the solos the ladies have outnumbered the gents, probably for that reason.

I did it, so can you!

So ultimately I decided to travel by myself. Solo travel. Best thing I ever did!

Risking a week on a cruise by myself. Life changing. I found a passion.

So when I say “Get over yourself” I mean it in the nicest possible way.

If you are already thinking about going on a solo cruise, there’s a really good chance you will never look back having made that first step.

Scary stuff isn’t it. Take a deep breath. There’s lots more to think about before you book, so you’ve time to fire up your courage.

TIP 2: BEST CRUISE LINE FOR SOLOS?

What do you enjoy?

Good, you are still reading. That suggests you are still thinking about that solo cruise. I’d say you already know deep down you are going to do this. Well done you!

But with all of these cruise ships to choose from who on Earth do you cruise with?

Well unfortunately I can’t answer that question for you, because it really depends on you.

What do you like? What is the most important thing in a holiday for you?

Whatever the answers to those questions the good news is there will almost certainly be a ship or a cruise line for you.

Size matters

There are small ships, large ships and now Mega cruise ships.

A river cruise may have a couple of hundred passengers. You would probably know everyone by the end of the week.

Mega cruise ships are defined as those carrying over 5,000 persons.

I sailed into Andalsnes in Norway once. A port town with a population of slightly under 2,500 people. Our ship, P&O’s Britannia, carried just over 3,500 passengers, not counting the crew. In an instant we more than doubled the town’s population.

Personally I want to go on all of the big ships. I know some people look at them in horror.

But there are also ports you can only visit on a small ship, that never make the itineraries of the larger ones.

Which one appeals to you? Whichever size of cruise ship you are thinking about you have already made your choice that bit easier.

Best for Solos

When I first started cruising, only 15 years ago, I generally felt that cabins available for solo occupancy were tucked away, like a cupboard under the stairs. Very Harry Potter!

Times have changed though.

I have been on Marella Cruise ships that have a deck with corridors full of cabins available for solos.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has some ships with purpose built single cabins, and their own solo lounge to share.

In fact I have seen these single cabins appearing on the newer Celebrity and Royal Caribbean cruise ships too.

On some cruise ships you just pick whatever cabin you like, but they will be priced accordingly.

So which is best? Well again, all of them offer something different. I have sailed with 8 different cruise lines so far.

In my view Marella are best for entertainment; Celebrity has the nicest meals; Royal Caribbean are the most fun; Princess have the comfiest beds…..

What matters most to you?

In time I’m going to be posting some reviews of the cruise ships I have travelled on as a solo cruiser. Read other people’s reviews too. There are lots out there. You will know when you see one you like.

Itinerary is everything

For me, after the cost, the most important thing is the itinerary.

Where the ship is going is by far my most important consideration. In fact I would forgo a bargain if it was sailing to somewhere I wasn’t bothered about.

If you dream of summer in the Med; cruising the Norwegian Fjords; winter in the Caribbean; whale watching in Alaska; or a transatlantic crossing from Southampton to New York, there is a cruise for you.

Add in any other coastal route and there is probably a cruise ship sailing it.

Wherever you are thinking about for your solo cruise, there will be lots of information out there to choose the right itinerary.

Have a look at my Destination and Ports of Call Reviews for some port inspiration.

Single Supplements

I mentioned price and it is an unfortunate fact of life that solo travellers often have to pay single supplements, which make cruising for one more expensive on average than paying for two.

Its another of those “get over it” moments.

I once priced a cruise where the single supplement was 125% of the cost. It was more expensive for me to book a fairly basic cabin, than for two people in exactly the same room. Not only would I be paying for my imaginary friend, I had to pay for their shopping habit too! Needless to say I didn’t book.

However this needn’t always be the case. I have just sailed on Celebrity Beyond, and there were no single supplements for that particular cruise. It was even as cheap to sail in an Infinite Veranda cabin as one of their single cabins. So there are deals to be had, especially last minute or on less popular dates.

There are also travel agents who specialise in solo bookings, with no supplements. Some have Facebook groups and get good recommendations, though I haven’t tried this yet. As I say, I have a lot to learn too.

At the end of the day I look at the price being offered. If I think I can afford it and the cruise is going where I want to go, then I book.

Life is far too short to get wound up about single supplements.

TIP 3: BE SOCIABLE

Booking complete

You have done your research, found your ideal ship to your perfect destination. Its a price you can afford and the cabin you have chosen looks lovely.

Stop thinking about going on a solo cruise. Press the book button online, or ask your travel agent to book it for you. Go for it!

I trust that you can follow instructions. Pay your final payment before the due date.

Do read the paperwork. The instructions can seem quite daunting. In these post pandemic days there are still a lot of requirements for getting onto a cruise ship. The rules change all the time.

Another downside of solo travel is that its all down to you to organise yourself.

I once went on a trip with a group of friends where a good friend had done all of the booking for us. She herded us into the airport, sorted our passports. It was only when we were in the airport lounge that I realised I had no idea what our flight number was and what time we were flying. It was nice, but a bit scary, to abdicate all of that responsibility to someone else. I am so used to being self sufficient.

Paperwork is another fact of travel life. I’ll share my tips on how I organise myself in a future post.

Anyway at least you’ve booked.

At this point you will probably think “What have I done!!”

What if I’m the only one!

Take another deep breath!

You are going on a solo cruise, so its time to get excited.

That thought, a bit like going to a party, of “What if I’m the only one to turn up?” might cross your mind.

Okay, that’s not going to happen, but how to be sure.

Well this tip is called “Be Sociable” for a reason, because we live in an age when that is very possible.

If you are reading this it means you have at least some knowledge of the internet and a device to see it on.

Social media gets a lot of criticism, but it is also genuinely wonderful sometimes too.

Self confidence

The next rule applies for your entire cruise. Don’t be shy!

If you are genuinely a shy person, remember here no one knows you. Imagine what you would be like if you were a more confident person. Like those people who introduce themselves as fighter pilots or astronauts.

Confidence breeds confidence.

Believe me, it works (being confident, not a fighter pilot!). Turns out solo cruising offers transferable life skills!

Whatever you may think of yourself, I don’t think I have ever met anyone with nothing of interest to say.

Facebook Groups

If you have Facebook search for your cruise line. All of the big cruise lines have their own pages. Seeing a post about ships every day when you are counting down to a cruise is a real motivator.

Even better many of these cruise lines have groups for people to discuss individual ships. More still have events tabs where passengers, who are more clued up than me, can set up a group for a cruise on a specific date.

In these you can chat to the people who are going on exactly the same cruise as you. For better or worse you will get to meet some of these people in real life. You will make some cruise buddies before you even set foot on the ship.

Introduce yourself.

I quite often leave a post to say I’m travelling on my own and ask if there are any other solos. People usually comment back. Even if no one replies online, I’ve had people see me on the ship and introduce themselves because they saw my post.

Don’t get too hung up about only talking to solos either. I have been adopted by more couples than I can remember on cruise ships. Some are still good friends.

Even if you aren’t forward enough to post your own comment, you can reply to others. Or you might just get some tips or inspiration about things to do in port that other people on your cruise are going to be doing.

There is always that one person who must have a hotline to the ship. They know every change in itinerary, planned event and who’s who on board. I always find out something useful.

Online Forums

Don’t do social media?

Cruise Critic is a specialised cruise forum. There are no doubt others.

I’ve heard of Cruise Critic because their members organise a thing called a Roll Call.

This tends to be more of an American cruise line thing, where passengers chat online, a bit like the Facebook groups. However the roll call is a chance to meet up on board with the people you have been chatting to.

Most organise a Meet and Greet. Some have cabin tours, or slot pull contests in the casino. It depends how lively the cruise group is.

Its a case of the more the merrier. If only a few want to meet they may agree a time at a bar around the ship.

Some cruise lines will push the boat out if there are a lot of Meet and Greet attendees though. I once joined a group on a Royal Caribbean ship with about 30 or 40 people attending. A couple of the ship’s officers popped in to say hello and they provided some merchandise as raffle prizes. It was a fun event that passed an hour and I made some new cruise buddies.

Do it your way

“No one is going to enjoy your holiday for you!”

If these ideas are definitely not you, that’s perfectly fine.

It is your holiday, you can do exactly what you want to do. The best bit of being on your own…. You have no one to please but yourself.

I have more tips to come for onboard ship. That’s for another post.

But I do agree with a Cruise Director who once said “No one is going to enjoy your holiday for you!”

If you just want to be alone, fine. But I don’t think even the most passionate solo traveller really wants that all the time.

STILL UNDECIDED

If you have made it this far and are still thinking about it, I hope that I have inspired you at least a little bit with my tips for choosing a solo cruise.

Cruising has become one of the absolute joys of my life.

I have sailed on cruise ships in Europe, America, the Caribbean, Asia, Africa and Oceania. I am slowly sailing around the World.

All because I took the plunge to go on a solo cruise once.