cruise alone?

[squadron]

Any women over 50 cruise with balcony cabin? Have to pay full price? Feel safe on ship and off ship? Thanks for any info!

I've cruised alone 6 times (am now 72) and have always enjoyed it. In fact last cruise went with three friends and missed the freedom of eating where and when I wanted and doing the excursions I wanted without others fussing that they book the same ones. Most of all missed out meeting other people. I could :)get the balcony discount but just book interior - not in cabin very much. With friend did book a balcony but missed having a room to myself and did not use the balcony - would rather to out and about.

[Robinola]

Wow, awesome! My husband doesn't cruise either. So I imagine I will continue to go to the same ports over and over again within my comfort level (Bermuda, Bahamas.) Don't ever see me doing South America or the Mediterranean by myself. Eh, not to mention I probably can't afford it anyway. :eek:

 

 

Just curious, how do you like doing Bermuda as a solo? I have usually done st thomas,stmartin, nassau,and others but, what about bermuda solo? It seems from what I read to be more geared towards couples? Am I wrong? Should I go there?

[Robinola]

OK, you're kind of freaking me out here. I am going solo in October, and did plan to catch a cab in Nassau to the Atlantis Casino. Could you be more specific about cab drivers trying to rob you. Do I need to worry about getting into a cab by myself.

 

I mean I already plan on being cautious. My sea pass, license, and credit card will be in my small cross body bag. My cash will go in my bra :)

 

 

Well, it is highly likely that you will be able to share a cab ride with someone at the terminal. I stupidly didn't do that one time. Very dumb. There will be plenty of people to share a ride with. One of my incidences was in Martinique. Alone in a cab...dumb. Another time, in Puerto Rico the cab driver went off on side roads...I was sooooo nervous!!!! He was picking up a family member to bring to town. Not good! Me in the back and now two guys in the front. Nothing happened. That was NOT smart on my part, however. Now I know better.

[Robinola]

I've cruised alone 6 times (am now 72) and have always enjoyed it. In fact last cruise went with three friends and missed the freedom of eating where and when I wanted and doing the excursions I wanted without others fussing that they book the same ones. Most of all missed out meeting other people. I could :)get the balcony discount but just book interior - not in cabin very much. With friend did book a balcony but missed having a room to myself and did not use the balcony - would rather to out and about.

 

 

I completely agree with you! Cruising by yourself forces you to really relax and enjoy a nice long vacation. Solo cruising is awesome!

[molly2kit]

I am a 60 year old female and often travel alone. Not just cruises but Europe twice and lots of times in the United States and Canada - even 3 weeks in Asia.

 

I have always had a wonderful time.

 

I remain alert, the same as I do when I am in an unfamiliar area in my home city. I have met so many great people and had incredible experiences.

 

If you wait for someone to go with you, the trip might never happen. When you travel alone you definitely get to do what YOU want to do, not what the other people choose to do.

 

 

Have fun!!

[LittleBud'sMom]

I completely agree with you! Cruising by yourself forces you to really relax and enjoy a nice long vacation. Solo cruising is awesome!

 

Several years ago, my husband and I met a young lady who was on an around the world trip, alone. We were in Denali, Alaska. I remember her telling me, that she always wore a wedding band, even though she wasn't married. She said it helped to keep men from hitting on her. :)

[superduper123]

Just curious, how do you like doing Bermuda as a solo? I have usually done st thomas,stmartin, nassau,and others but, what about bermuda solo? It seems from what I read to be more geared towards couples? Am I wrong? Should I go there?

 

I really love Bermuda. I had been there previously as part of a couple, so I felt comfortable going solo. I didn't feel it was particularly geared towards couples, and I didn't do any ship sponsored excursions. I used the public transportation, and did typical tourist stuff - beach, shopping, had lunch out a local restaurant. Can't wait to go back!

[emeraldcity]

I'm going to join all of you some day. I currently have two cruises booked with family, but I keep eying the possibility of a TA and will probably do that solo. I haven't found anyone seriously interested ... or able to commit "timewise".

 

It's hard for me to imagine what it will be like to be unable to share with my cruising buddy every evening ... reliving the day's adventures and discussing the plans for tomorrow. I think that what I have to do is re-focus on a different approach ... different expectations. Go where you want, when you want. And be relatively certain you'll make friends along the way that enrich your experience.

 

And the price of a single supplement on a balcony cabin for a TA doesn't scare me off, since I been paying the full price for the cabin anyway (I resumed cruising in 2002 with my 8-year old).

[superduper123]

I'm going to join all of you some day. I currently have two cruises booked with family, but I keep eying the possibility of a TA and will probably do that solo. I haven't found anyone seriously interested ... or able to commit "timewise".

 

It's hard for me to imagine what it will be like to be unable to share with my cruising buddy every evening ... reliving the day's adventures and discussing the plans for tomorrow. I think that what I have to do is re-focus on a different approach ... different expectations. Go where you want, when you want. And be relatively certain you'll make friends along the way that enrich your experience.

 

And the price of a single supplement on a balcony cabin for a TA doesn't scare me off, since I been paying the full price for the cabin anyway (I resumed cruising in 2002 with my 8-year old).

 

Cruising solo is definitely different than cruising with a friend or family member. And it's not my preferred way to go. But I've had a couple of situations where it was go solo, or don't go at all. And I can't NOT cruise just because no one is available to go with me. :):)

[laedw]

I'm 59 and will be traveling solo on the Allure. I have traveled solo on several RCCL ships. Just be aware of your surroundings and you will be fine.

[critterchick]

Just a couple of pointers, as I have sailed many times solo, from early young til now.

 

Honestly, I prefer an inside cabin (sorry to offend anyone, but I usually book a handicap room because it is super big and I love the huge shower). Feel much safer with an inside, and I am on deck ALL DAY!

 

I put a door jam rod in the door.

 

Do NOT be overly friendly to anyone, including staff. That's tough for me, but you have to be understated not to draw any undue attention to yourself as a solo.

 

Absolutely do NOT go venturing off by yourself anywhere. I have learned my lesson the hard way. Cab drivers trying to rob me, people trying to steal the jewelry I was wearing, and others, well, it goes on and on. And this was over the last many years. TIMES HAVE DEFINITELY CHANGED! Things are NOT safer, they are LESS safe, right? So...yes , I will continue to cruise solo, but am extra cautious as these times go on, and try to be more conscious of my surroundings.

 

It's good to be cautious, but I think it's more dangerous to jamb your door shut than to rely on the locks. In the event of an emergency, I would want the staff to be able to get into my cabin if I am in need of assistance.

 

IMO, a balcony cabin is no more dangerous than an inside. I sincerely doubt that anybody would risk his or her life climbing over a railing high above the sea to attack me. I enjoy thenpeace and quiet of my own balcony and sleep soundly with the door closed and locked (which one should do anyway so as not to compromise the ventilation system).

 

Also, even when travelling with my husband, I don't wear any jewelry, except for my old watch and sometimes my wedding band, when in an unfamiliar port of call. It's fine to venture off solo so long as you have researched the area you are in and use the same common sense in a foreign land that you would use in New York City.

 

As for being "overly friendly," I don't know what your definition is, but the staff and crew already know when somebody is travelling solo, and they are not going to risk their jobs by harassing a lone female passenger.

 

And although I am able-bodied, I think it's a shame that you book the accessbile cabins without a need for one. Unless you're booking them inside of final payment, when it's reasonable to think that a needy person would have booked already.

 

<hopping off the soapbox>

 

OP, I love my occasional solo trips. It's a different kind lf fun than travelling with the DH. And I never post my cabin number on a Roll Call (even travelling w him), but I do join in the fun.

[ARCruisinNana]

It's good to be cautious, but I think it's more dangerous to jamb your door shut than to rely on the locks. In the event of an emergency, I would want the staff to be able to get into my cabin if I am in need of assistance.

 

IMO, a balcony cabin is no more dangerous than an inside. I sincerely doubt that anybody would risk his or her life climbing over a railing high above the sea to attack me. I enjoy thenpeace and quiet of my own balcony and sleep soundly with the door closed and locked (which one should do anyway so as not to compromise the ventilation system).

 

Also, even when travelling with my husband, I don't wear any jewelry, except for my old watch and sometimes my wedding band, when in an unfamiliar port of call. It's fine to venture off solo so long as you have researched the area you are in and use the same common sense in a foreign land that you would use in New York City.

 

As for being "overly friendly," I don't know what your definition is, but the staff and crew already know when somebody is travelling solo, and they are not going to risk their jobs by harassing a lone female passenger.

 

And although I am able-bodied, I think it's a shame that you book the accessbile cabins without a need for one. Unless you're booking them inside of final payment, when it's reasonable to think that a needy person would have booked already.

 

<hopping off the soapbox>

 

OP, I love my occasional solo trips. It's a different kind lf fun than travelling with the DH. And I never post my cabin number on a Roll Call (even travelling w him), but I do join in the fun.

I agree. This is all good advice. I can't travel without a balcony and I've never felt unsafe.

[Robinola]

Several years ago' date=' my husband and I met a young lady who was on an around the world trip, alone. We were in Denali, Alaska. I remember her telling me, that she always wore a wedding band, even though she wasn't married. She said it helped to keep men from hitting on her. :)[/quote']

 

 

I wish that still worked these days. ps: I love yorkies!

[Robinola]

I really love Bermuda. I had been there previously as part of a couple, so I felt comfortable going solo. I didn't feel it was particularly geared towards couples, and I didn't do any ship sponsored excursions. I used the public transportation, and did typical tourist stuff - beach, shopping, had lunch out a local restaurant. Can't wait to go back!

 

 

Interesting...thanks!

[Robinola]

It's good to be cautious, but I think it's more dangerous to jamb your door shut than to rely on the locks. In the event of an emergency, I would want the staff to be able to get into my cabin if I am in need of assistance.

 

IMO, a balcony cabin is no more dangerous than an inside. I sincerely doubt that anybody would risk his or her life climbing over a railing high above the sea to attack me. I enjoy thenpeace and quiet of my own balcony and sleep soundly with the door closed and locked (which one should do anyway so as not to compromise the ventilation system).

 

Also, even when travelling with my husband, I don't wear any jewelry, except for my old watch and sometimes my wedding band, when in an unfamiliar port of call. It's fine to venture off solo so long as you have researched the area you are in and use the same common sense in a foreign land that you would use in New York City.

 

As for being "overly friendly," I don't know what your definition is, but the staff and crew already know when somebody is travelling solo, and they are not going to risk their jobs by harassing a lone female passenger.

 

And although I am able-bodied, I think it's a shame that you book the accessbile cabins without a need for one. Unless you're booking them inside of final payment, when it's reasonable to think that a needy person would have booked already.

 

<hopping off the soapbox>

 

OP, I love my occasional solo trips. It's a different kind lf fun than travelling with the DH. And I never post my cabin number on a Roll Call (even travelling w him), but I do join in the fun.

 

good point about the door jam, something i will think about. you are wrong about staff, not most staff, very few (never used the word harassment-it's more of an interest). and i've been told each time that if someone needs my room, i will be moved. so please don't worry. happy cruising!

[critterchick]

good point about the door jam, something i will think about. you are wrong about staff, not most staff, very few (never used the word harassment-it's more of an interest). and i've been told each time that if someone needs my room, i will be moved. so please don't worry. happy cruising!

 

LOL, it would make my day if a staffer pretended to be interested in me.:p

[Ladysilver]

I've never cruised solo but I look forward to trying it someday. Doing what I want, when I want.....:)

[cocod08]

So far I have done one solo cruise and I had a great time. I did what I wanted when I wanted. I did a couple of shore excursions and some shopping in each port. I felt pretty secure where ever I went. I never felt like any of the crew were overly friendly on the ship but I think the maitre d was a little annoyed that I wanted to switch tables when I was put with 3 teenagers that didnt want to talk :p

I am doing another solo cruise this november to Bermuda and looking forward to it. I have been there before on vacation so I feel pretty good about traveling there solo.

 

I have done several land trips solo to FL particularly Disney and always enjoy myself.

[Robinola]

LOL, it would make my day if a staffer pretended to be interested in me.:p

 

LOL X2!!!!!!! Maybe someday....anything is possible!:p

[TexasBelle]

I'm 52 and single and want to try cruising solo soon. I have a traveling buddy that cruises with me, but I'm wanting to try it alone one time and just relax.

 

Thanks for all the tips everyone has provided.

[nanwel]

I tried going with a girl friend once, and by the end of the week, we were a little tired of each other.

We had some different like/dislikes and it took too much effort to agree on what do where to go. I would have struck out on my own, and let her do her own thing, but she is not comfortable doing that, so it made for a very awkward week, and she could not afford to do as much as me, and always insisted she pay her half of everything (even my wine!!)

Being single, I found having to work at the cruise and plan everyminute to tiring - not just go with the flow and relax.

I travel with family sometimes, they do what I want -= grandma pays the bills (ha ha)!

But, I have a bucket list of 100 countries, been to 60 have a ways to go!!

So, will keep on travelling solo/single!

You will enjoy yourself if you relax and let your self meet new people and enjoy the destinations! Do not worry about what other people think or do = they really do not care what you are doing, and often do not notice.

Have never taken a door wedge = do not think it would be a good idea. They never open your door without knocking first.

[Robinola]

I'm 52 and single and want to try cruising solo soon. I have a traveling buddy that cruises with me, but I'm wanting to try it alone one time and just relax.

 

Thanks for all the tips everyone has provided.

 

Once you cruise solo it's hard to go back! You will love it.

It's the perfect setting for going solo.

Happy cruising!

[mintjulip123]

I have sailed a couple of times solo and really like it! My first time was Beijing to Bangkok and I really liked having the cabin to myself. This spring I did a TA from San Juan to Lisbon. Our roll call was very active and we set up a table together for early dinng. I will be going again in May as Royal has no single supplement and I treated myself to a D1 balcony. Many of the same people are going again so it will be nice to have people that I know already and yet have my own space. I am careful when I give out my cabin number and never in the roll call. As for excursions, I always go with a group.

 

Hi Nanwel, I think you are the first person I have seen on here who is also from Orillia, ( that or they just don't have it their bio). :)