Looking for Solo travellers tips for muslim female

[jfatima]

Hi Everyone,

 

I am single female Muslim looking some valuable tips to travel on cruise. I have never been to Cruise, very nervous about which cruise is best suitable for me to travel Alaska, Pacific Ocean island Tahiti, bora bora, Bahamas for at least 7 days.

 

I have review all comments for solo travellers and those tips very useful however still not able to decide which cruise is best for me. I love safari endeavors cruises and looking some advice where to contact for best deals any solo traveller can share some experience with me as I am very tense but very eager to try Cruise for the first time.

 

Couple of questions :

1. I don't drink alcohol. Is there any problem if I choose alcohol free stay

2. Is there any option I have for Halal food on the cruise

3. Is thee any cruise which offer one night stay on the island

 

Thank you so much for your time and understanding

 

Regards,

Joohi

[Floridiana]

Welcome to cruise critic!

 

I think an Alaska cruise would be best because of the amazing scenery and because the passengers are more interested in nature's beauty than in hanging out at the pool and the beach.

 

I have been to Tahiti and cruised on the passenger+freighter Aranui, a different experience. Google Aranui5. The Marquesas islands are very beautiful. I have also been to the Bahamas but not on a cruise. I have read many negative comments on the Bahama cruise ports.

 

You don't need to drink alcohol, many people don't. I don't know about halal, but many vegetarians cruise. Would that food be fine?

 

On cruises that start in Tahiti, people often arrive one or a few days before and stay in hotels on Tahiti's sister island Moorea. For Alaska, you could add a pre-trip on land. Princess offers one.

 

I think you need a good cruise specialist travel agent to sift through the many options. Good luck!

[pris993]

Hi Everyone,

 

I am single female Muslim looking some valuable tips to travel on cruise. I have never been to Cruise, very nervous about which cruise is best suitable for me to travel Alaska, Pacific Ocean island Tahiti, bora bora, Bahamas for at least 7 days.

 

I have review all comments for solo travellers and those tips very useful however still not able to decide which cruise is best for me. I love safari endeavors cruises and looking some advice where to contact for best deals any solo traveller can share some experience with me as I am very tense but very eager to try Cruise for the first time.

 

Couple of questions :

1. I don't drink alcohol. Is there any problem if I choose alcohol free stay

2. Is there any option I have for Halal food on the cruise

3. Is thee any cruise which offer one night stay on the island

 

Thank you so much for your time and understanding

 

Regards,

Joohi

 

 

No concern about not dinking alcohol on any cruise.

 

No familiar with halal food issue. So can't respond to you on that issue.

 

Ref staying over night... you would need to have at least two days in a port to allow for a overnight excursion, this is common for example on cruise to Eypt... where travelers get off the ship in Alexandria do an day trip including an over night and then return to the ship the following day.

[wheezedr]

I would second Alaska as a destination. After many years of not cruising from an early bad experience a cruise to Alaska reintroduced us to this form of travel. It is an area in which much of the beauty is best seen at sea. Also the usaul ports of call can be done in a variety of ways, diy, local tours or ships tours so that as a solo traveler you can work within your comfort zone. Finally it appears you are in Toronto so I think travel to a cruise originating in Vancouver would not be especially difficult.

[CanadaDeb]

Welcome to cruise critic! I also agree that Alaska would be a great choice. It would be best to contact the cruiseline directly regarding the halal food once you've found an itinerary you like. Have a great cruise!

[Quilting_Cruiser]

Hi Everyone,

 

I am single female Muslim looking some valuable tips to travel on cruise. I have never been to Cruise, very nervous about which cruise is best suitable for me to travel Alaska, Pacific Ocean island Tahiti, bora bora, Bahamas for at least 7 days.

 

I have review all comments for solo travellers and those tips very useful however still not able to decide which cruise is best for me. I love safari endeavors cruises and looking some advice where to contact for best deals any solo traveller can share some experience with me as I am very tense but very eager to try Cruise for the first time.

 

Couple of questions :

1. I don't drink alcohol. Is there any problem if I choose alcohol free stay

2. Is there any option I have for Halal food on the cruise

3. Is thee any cruise which offer one night stay on the island

 

Thank you so much for your time and understanding

 

Regards,

Joohi

 

 

There is an area here on Cruise Critic for solo travelers, and you may find others there who've had the same questions. Others have answered the three specific questions you posed so I won't repeat what's already been said, but wanted you to know that I am a single female who cruises solo. It's a wonderful way to travel! You said you're nervous--is that about choosing the right itinerary and ship or about traveling by yourself? As far as choosing the trip, think about what's important to you and do lots of research and you'll figure that one out! If it's about actually traveling solo, I encourage you to go to the forum for solos and read about others' experiences. I think that may help to calm your nerves. There are many of us who love solo cruising!

 

Best wishes!

 

ETA: here's the link to the solo forum

Edited April 22, 2016 by Quilting_Cruiser

[MommaBear55]

Each cruise line has a special email address that you can inquire about halal food availability. They accommodate many other dietary requirements, so they should be able to accommodate yours. Many people on cruise ships do not drink, so you will be fine.

 

Good luck choosing your cruise. Once you do, you could join the Roll Call for your particular ship and cruise date. You will get to introduce yourself to others before you cruise. It is a great place to ask questions about the ship ad well as activities both on and off the ship.

[BlueRiband]

Unless you are sailing a charter or in Malaysia the closest you can get to Halal food is Kosher. Since cruise ships don't have Kosher or Halal kitchens the food is "TV dinner" style served in a double-wrapped package so that is does not lose its Kosher status if heated in an over that has not been Kashered.

 

You would have to arrange this weeks in advance with the cruise line so last minute booking is not practical for your needs. You might also want to research the ports so that you can have some variety by patronizing local Halal restaurants and cafes.

Edited April 22, 2016 by BlueRiband

[Silvery Seas Cruiser]

You spoke of a seven-night cruise. That time limitation will dictate to a certain extent what cruises you will be able to take and depends greatly on what home port you plan to sail from. You may have to include travel time for flying to and from a cruise port.

 

As for alcohol, I don't drink alcohol and I am not Muslim. Not drinking alcohol has never made any difference on any cruise I have sailed. No one will even notice what drinks you have. Some non-alocholic drinks look just like alcoholic drinks. Also many mixed drinks can be ordered without alcohol. My hubby is fond of non-alcoholic Bloody Marys with breakfast on ships.

 

I wish you the best of luck on your cruise. I hope it will be a wonderful adventure for you.

[Treven]

Another welcome to Cruise Critic. As another solo cruiser, this is a very comfortable way to vacation. I would agree that an Alaska cruise would be a great initial cruise, the scenery is just spectacular. Also, all, I guess, ships serve "virgin" or mocktails; these are cocktails without any alcohol. I understand they are very popular; they would have to be since the cruise lines still offer them.

Edited April 23, 2016 by Treven

[Dayenu]

About Halal - check with the cruise ship. I know when people order Kosher, they bring it heated in foil, don't even open.

 

The next best thing is vegetarian - the dishes are usually marked on the menu as vegetarian or vegan, again, check with the cruise ship.

 

No problem at all to have alcohol-free cruise. Alcohol is not included, so all you should do is not to buy it.

[Mary Ellen]

I would suggest contacting Holland America (HAL). I don't know if they have Halal available for passengers, but they have a substantial number of crew from Indonesia (cabin stewards and dining stewards). The majority of them are Muslim. I'm sorry I don't know enough about Islam to know if all Muslims follow a Halal diet - or even what a Halal diet entails. But if the suggestions from the others don't work out, you have nothing to lose by asking HAL if they can accommodate Halal for passengers.

[kitty9]

Halal meat is obtained via prescribed rules for the slaughter of the animals. There is a specific way the animal is slaughtered and the blessing that is said. Food must come from Halal providers, and observant Muslims do not eat anything that might contain non-Halal ingredients and they do not use any items that contain animal byproducts, such as some cosmetics.

 

The only way to know if a cruise line would provide a complete Halal diet is to call. The only other thing I could suggest is to tell the cruise line to provide a vegan diet, which cruise lines generally are able to do.

[donaldsc]

Hi Everyone,

 

I am single female Muslim looking some valuable tips to travel on cruise. I have never been to Cruise, very nervous about which cruise is best suitable for me to travel Alaska, Pacific Ocean island Tahiti, bora bora, Bahamas for at least 7 days.

 

I have review all comments for solo travellers and those tips very useful however still not able to decide which cruise is best for me. I love safari endeavors cruises and looking some advice where to contact for best deals any solo traveller can share some experience with me as I am very tense but very eager to try Cruise for the first time.

 

Couple of questions :

1. I don't drink alcohol. Is there any problem if I choose alcohol free stay

2. Is there any option I have for Halal food on the cruise

3. Is thee any cruise which offer one night stay on the island

 

Thank you so much for your time and understanding

 

Regards,

Joohi

 

1. Lots of people do not drink any alcohol on a cruise. There are lots of other drink optiions on the ship.

 

2. I do not know about Halal food on board. There are departments of the cruise companies that deal with special food needs. You might contact them. Also, I believe that the kosher food rules are essentially the same as Halal food rules so you might be able to get away w ordering kosher food.

 

3. Since you have asked about several very different cruise locations, it is difficult to comment on your request for an island stay. You might come back on that question when you have a better idea of where you want to cruise to.

 

DON

[spookwife]

Hi Everyone,

 

 

 

Couple of questions :

1. I don't drink alcohol. Is there any problem if I choose alcohol free stay LOTS o people do not drink for a variety of reasons.

2. Is there any option I have for Halal food on the cruise you must arrange for it AHEAD of time and it may all be prepackaged

3. Is thee any cruise which offer one night stay on the island Which island?

 

Thank you so much for your time and understanding

 

Regards,

Joohi

 

you are going to have to pick ONE itinerary. you are not going to see all those places in one 7 day cruise( in fact it is impossible to add the Bahamas to any other port) the Mainstream lines have begun offering overnight stays in one port but not often. I have stayed overnight in San Francisco and Bermuda.

[goneclear]

Google Muslim cruises, you will find info there including a line that offers halal food.

[calliopecruiser]

Yes, some ships do have Kosher kitchen prep areas, so it is not always "TV dinner" style-- but those would be the luxury lines, not mainstream.

 

Of of course, it's always best to call her email the cruise line directly

[jocap]

A UK line we use provides a limited supply of halal food, but needs you to contact customer care before your cruise to make certain you receive this- I presume it will be the same with other major lines. The maître has always approached my husband with menus for the diabetic, the day before, because it was written in his customer profile.

[SeaBrz]

Not surprised that the OP has not responded to this thread. I know everyone was just trying to be helpful, but suggesting Kosher (Jewish) food as a substitute for Halal (Muslim) food may be taken as an insult.

 

Although Halal-certified food is widely available in predominant Muslim countries, most Muslims in the U.S. (except for big cities or farm owners) do not eat only Halal food just because it's not widely available. Just like many Jews do not not only eat Kosher food, and not all Catholics eat only fish on Friday.

 

This explanation may help -- http://www.halalchoices.com.au/what_is_halal.html

 

As-Salam-u-Alaikum to the majority of Muslims that are peace-loving and kind. I hope to to see you on one of my future cruises.

[SPacificbound]

I wonder if a vegan diet would work for the OP. Hopefully she will come back.

Edited April 24, 2016 by SPacificbound

[SadieN]

Not surprised that the OP has not responded to this thread. I know everyone was just trying to be helpful, but suggesting Kosher (Jewish) food as a substitute for Halal (Muslim) food may be taken as an insult.

 

 

 

.........

 

 

Throwing this out there....DD (living in Europe) is friendly with a son of a Muslim Middle Eastern country diplomat. His father (the diplomat) told him to 'eat where the Jews eat' if he couldn't find Halal.

Edited April 24, 2016 by SadieN

[celle]

Kosher food and halal food are not alike. They have different rules and restrictions.

[cheeseclan]

I have a friend who is Muslim and she is perplexed because quite a few muslim women are not supposed to travel alone.

[calliopecruiser]

I have a friend who is Muslim and she is perplexed because quite a few muslim women are not supposed to travel alone.

Right, but just like every religion, not everyone observes all the restrictions. There are Jews that don't keep Kosher, Catholics who get divorced, and Mormons who drink beer. It's never all-or-nothing.

[jfatima]

Thank you very much for the useful tips. I will definitely call the Cruise line for more information and really interested for Alaska adventurous trip.

 

Qucik questions, Which month is the suitable month to travel in Alaska on Cruise. Pls advise!!!!!!