Why travel solo?

[Lois R]

59 minutes ago, jmsnyc said:

Wow, what if your battery goes dead....

 

What country again is this uneasiness taking place in? 

 

Maybe it is not in a specific country the poster is referring to?...…...I have never had a cab issue going from the airport to the ship or the hotel to the airport or anything in between and have been cruising solo since 2003. 

[titansrobin]

JMSNYC, I’m not uneasy traveling alone. This suggestion was for several women on here that mentioned it. My phone battery never goes dead. I have a mophie that recharges it when it gets low.  My family jokes about it but when we are out together they come to me to charge their phones because they forgot to. 

[pf778c]

Butterfly & Lois,

 

I'm the rebellious poster that revels in solo travel, so blame me!  I can understand how you may be a little apprehensive on your first solo trip, Butterfly, but I just wanted to interject that it's not necessarily something that you need to apprehensive about.  A woman enjoying herself on her own, is not necessarily brave, it's delightfully self-indulgent!  Unfortunately, women suffer this stigma more than men.  We are expected, and unconsciously, come to expect, that we need to be chaperoned in some way, any time we are in public, a Western state of purdah, if you will!  As long as you are open to meeting people and making new friends, you will.  Often, I find the most difficult part of socialized when traveling as a solo is managing to find time by myself!  I've been known to request a table for one behind a pillar in order to have a quick breakfast or lunch before going ashore or to trivia, etc. so I don't feel guilty when new friends see me and ask me to join them in a more leisurely meal!  You're going to have a fantastic time.

 

Bechi

[Lois R]

 Bechi, sadly some of what you posted is true...but and it is a BIG but, thank goodness many of us do not feel that way anymore. It is 2019 and as a 60 year old unattached female I know I don't need (nor want) a chaperone.  If someone said go with someone.....I would say, no thank you.  After living 95% of my adult life on my own, cruising solo is a piece of cake....and a good piece at that

[Lucid Butterfly]

Bechi thank you for your opinion and because I am going on my next cruise alone is breaking the stigma from the feeling "we must go with someone or we won't do it." You are right because I did deny myself some adventures that I could have taken but I am doing it now and that is all that matters to me. I will tell you this though when I was on the NCL I overheard a couple say "poor woman" she is alone and even though I went with one friend and her sister...I felt I was alone. To my surprise, the sister and my friend liked doing things together, I was the third wheel I knew it, so I decided then that if I could be by myself and socialize with others then I should not feel too disappointed about not hanging out with my friend.  I learned a lesson that if I truly wanted to take a cruise to places of interest and no one was available, I would do it alone. So here I am going to venture out on this upcoming cruise alone and I am actually looking forward to it. I have no problem making friends and being sociable as that is what cruising is all about. I also like the Karaoke Bar so if they have that on Voyager then I will be there singing my heart out. There is no problem to be kept busy as this is going to be my third cruise and I am so looking forward to it. 

😊

 

 

[pf778c]

Good for you Butterfly!  I've been taking solo cruises since I was in my early thirties and would get the occasional remarks on my supposed "bravery"; meanwhile I was having the time of my life!  I know Lois is having a ball, as I've followed along on a few of her adventures on the Silversea board.  I'm not sure if solo females occasion less comment on a luxury line (all of my solos have been with Silversea), but it seems that lately, the only comments I cause are due to my choices in shore activities.  The average passenger age is a bit higher, so I often get wistful remarks from a few passengers when they see my kitted out in tall boots and breeks to roam the countryside of the day's port on horseback.  I've been able to arrange some really fantastic hacks throughout the world, although it does take a bit of research and work to set up.  That just happens to be my "thing", but when you don't have a companion, it's a whole lot easier to arrange to do your "thing", whatever it may be.  My upcoming cruise is with my young man, so activities will be quite different; only as much riding and diving as I can sneak in without him feeling neglected!

 

You've got the right attitude and you're going to have a stellar time!

[Lucid Butterfly]

"You've got the right attitude and you're going to have a stellar time!"

 

Thank you Bechi for saying this. I hope one day I will see you on the Regent. Take care and enjoy your adventures too.

 

Lisa 😊

 

[pf778c]

Thank you Butterfly!

[Bizmark'sMom]

I'm late to the party, but...  I travel solo when nobody else wants to come along.  Next January, I'm heading to Tahiti and plan to snorkel at every available opportunity - with nobody to tell me what a boring idea that is. I'll get to look at all of the pearls I want, and maybe buy some, with nobody to sniff at the price. I'll get to poke through museums with nobody making remarks under their breathe.

 

That's the beauty of solo travel. I get to do what I want, with no compromises. (As long as I get back to the ship before it leaves.)

 

I do enjoy traveling with friends and family as well. But heading off on my own is such a freeing experience.  I feel kind of sorry for women who won't even go to a movie or out to dinner on their own.

[titansrobin]

I have friends that wouldn’t think of eating at a restaurant alone much less go to a movie alone. I’ve never understood why.  I’m married with grandchildren. I do family trips, land and cruise but have always loved to do things alone. May come from being an only child.  My first solo was on Adventure two months ago and liked it so  much I’ve booked a B2B for January on the Allure. I did as little or as much as I wanted. May never cruise with anyone again. 

[Lucid Butterfly]

22 hours ago, Bizmark'sMom said:

I'm late to the party, but...  I travel solo when nobody else wants to come along.  Next January, I'm heading to Tahiti and plan to snorkel at every available opportunity - with nobody to tell me what a boring idea that is. I'll get to look at all of the pearls I want, and maybe buy some, with nobody to sniff at the price. I'll get to poke through museums with nobody making remarks under their breathe.

 

That's the beauty of solo travel. I get to do what I want, with no compromises. (As long as I get back to the ship before it leaves.)

 

I do enjoy traveling with friends and family as well. But heading off on my own is such a freeing experience.  I feel kind of sorry for women who won't even go to a movie or out to dinner on their own.

"That's the beauty of solo travel. I get to do what I want, with no compromises. (As long as I get back to the ship before it leaves.)"

 

I totally agree with you Bizmark....doing the trip alone has definitely its' rewards. Even if a friend wanted to come along it would be with the understanding that he/she definitely had to have their own suite. Inside, Veranda, PH they would simply have to pick the suite they could afford. I like my privacy! Thanks for your input.😊

[Lucid Butterfly]

22 hours ago, titansrobin said:

I have friends that wouldn’t think of eating at a restaurant alone much less go to a movie alone. I’ve never understood why.  I’m married with grandchildren. I do family trips, land and cruise but have always loved to do things alone. May come from being an only child.  My first solo was on Adventure two months ago and liked it so  much I’ve booked a B2B for January on the Allure. I did as little or as much as I wanted. May never cruise with anyone again. 

"I have friends that wouldn’t think of eating at a restaurant alone much less go to a movie alone."

 

It is too bad your friends feel that way. I don't mind eating alone, shopping alone or even going to the movies alone. I definitely have no problem especially with the movies because I have a girl friend who is a real "chatter box" when the movie is rolling, she's talking in my ear and I have to ask her politely to hush-up. No, I would never have a problem to sit in a theatre alone based on previous experiences with friends nor would I have a concern to walk into a casino alone because I wouldn't want the comments afterwards about how much I am spending. Haha, I am one of those ladies who go with a set amount and once the money is gone then I am gone too. Thanks for your input and have fun cruising.😊

[Misself]

On 3/4/2019 at 6:56 PM, pf778c said:

Butterfly & Lois,

 

I'm the rebellious poster that revels in solo travel, so blame me!  I can understand how you may be a little apprehensive on your first solo trip, Butterfly, but I just wanted to interject that it's not necessarily something that you need to apprehensive about.  A woman enjoying herself on her own, is not necessarily brave, it's delightfully self-indulgent!  Unfortunately, women suffer this stigma more than men.  We are expected, and unconsciously, come to expect, that we need to be chaperoned in some way, any time we are in public, a Western state of purdah, if you will!  As long as you are open to meeting people and making new friends, you will.  Often, I find the most difficult part of socialized when traveling as a solo is managing to find time by myself!  I've been known to request a table for one behind a pillar in order to have a quick breakfast or lunch before going ashore or to trivia, etc. so I don't feel guilty when new friends see me and ask me to join them in a more leisurely meal!  You're going to have a fantastic time.

 

Bechi

A woman enjoying herself on her own, is not necessarily brave,it's delightfully self-indulgent.....I love that and it is so true! 🙂    I will say use that phrase next time someone says I'm brave to go away on my own.   

[worktocruise610]

Went on my first solo last November. Something I had always thought about doing but never got the nerve. Then after a rough year, some left over vacation time and no one to travel with, I thought now's as good a time as any. I am so glad I did it! I was okay when I first got on the ship, you know everyone walking around no one noticing anyone or anything else, but felt a little "lonely" at sail away, thought maybe everyone noticed me by myself & were talking (not true, just those voices in my head!) Next thing I knew I was in a group of about 6-7 people all of us talking, laughing and have a good time as if we'd known each other forever. Quieted the voices in my head the rest of the week, did what I wanted when I wanted, socialized when I wanted and had a fantastic time. Met so many great people that every time I was walking the ship I always saw someone I knew - really felt like I was traveling with friends. I always admired anyone that traveled alone & now I admire myself also 😉 and whenever I tell people I went along they are amazed and impressed, but I'm just happy I took the chance and finally jumped in. Definitely scary at first but I would recommend every one try it al least once. And I think a cruise is a great way to do it if you're really nervous. 

[mef_57]

I have to thank my lucky stars for family support and encouragement to be an independent woman from my teens.  I was not allowed to give in to the social nerves and butterflies - I had to do what I set out to do.  I have an older sister who was early on the women's liberation band wagon.  (at 61, I grew up reaping some of those benefits, but had a foot in old and new social norms). My husband was in the navy, so long deployments away, and he always encouraged me to take courses or do stuff either with friends or on my own. Truth be told, I prefer my own company, so I went to movies, took language classes and was independent in my interests. He would also take the kids when they were young to allow me to travel on my own when I wished.

My first solo travel was a Med cruise at age 19. The compromise to my parents was that I booked all shore trips through the cruise line and didn't wander off on my own.  I have now been for a lot of years and after kids flew the nest, set out to travel regularly. I prefer to travel on my own, but would take small group tours if necessary, and when cruising, I rarely go out of my way to be sociable, though I am not unfriendly.

I think we owe it to our daughters and sons, granddaughters and grandsons to encourage them to make their own way in the world even if for a long weekend.  With a large social media family, they hardly even know how to entertain themselves (off the grid) or to trust their own judgement or decisions.

I bet there are a lot of widows, widowers, divorce/ee s wishing they had had more encouragement at an earlier age to be adventurous on their own.

The best encouragement we can offer others, is to lead by example, so pat yourself on the back for venturing on your own, and be sure to talk about your feelings and challenges as well as successes to those who can learn from you.

Edited March 7, 2019 by mef_57

[pf778c]

23 hours ago, Misself said:

A woman enjoying herself on her own, is not necessarily brave,it's delightfully self-indulgent.....I love that and it is so true! 🙂    I will say use that phrase next time someone says I'm brave to go away on my own.   

 

Uh huh! <g>  It's like when you've just having finished dinner on a cruise and you're secretly lusting for that warm, buttery, tarte tatin.  If you're with company, you don't want to hold them up by having desert if no one else is interested, but on your own...   Well I know, I'm going to enjoy every bite along with a nice tokaji (oh yeah!), and might even request a few pralines be sent to await me in my suite as well!  DAMN delightfully self-indulgent!  We all deserve this once in a while and there's nothing sad or pitiful about it.  Just trying to reiterate, because this silly idea comes up FAR too often, and there's no reason to think traveling by oneself should involve "being brave and making the best of it"; it's devoting some well-deserved pampering and "ME" time to oneself and exploring and allowing yourself to grow as a person (figuratively - unless you're really enjoying that tarte tatin!)  When you travel solo, you tend to engage others more, and try more new things, which can be really eye opening and enriching.  You may return home with a new passion, a new hobby, a new outlook.

[Lucid Butterfly]

On 3/7/2019 at 8:24 AM, Misself said:

A woman enjoying herself on her own, is not necessarily brave,it's delightfully self-indulgent.....I love that and it is so true! 🙂    I will say use that phrase next time someone says I'm brave to go away on my own.   

Misself that is so true and if someone comes up to me again and says your "brave", I will simply say I am true to myself and I am worth it. No one has to feel sorry for anyone. Nothing to be sorry about one just likes their own company. It just shows how confident we are. Thanks for your comment. This topic is certainly making a stir. 

 

Ladies keep on moving forward, it's the only way!

[Lucid Butterfly]

On 3/7/2019 at 8:24 AM, Misself said:

A woman enjoying herself on her own, is not necessarily brave,it's delightfully self-indulgent.....I love that and it is so true! 🙂    I will say use that phrase next time someone says I'm brave to go away on my own.   

Misself that is so true and if someone comes up to me again and says your "brave", I will simply say I am true to myself and I am worth it. No one has to feel sorry for anyone. Nothing to be sorry about one just likes their own company. It just shows how confident we are. Thanks for your comment. This topic is certainly making a stir. 

 

Ladies keep on moving forward, it's the only way!

[Lucid Butterfly]

On 3/8/2019 at 7:49 AM, pf778c said:

When you travel solo, you tend to engage others more, and try more new things, which can be really eye opening and enriching.  You may return home with a new passion, a new hobby, a new outlook.

I like what you had to say.....solo here I come. Regent get ready for a "Live Wire." LOL just kidding.....I will have fun and enrich myself with new experiences and definitely come home and share my news with my husband.

[ala7769]

I'm going on my first cruise ever on July 7th (for my 50th birthday) and I'm excited about going solo!  I've tried making birthday plans with friends and others and to be honest, they always let me down so this year I took it into my own hands and decided on a 7 day cruise. I'm beyond excited.  I've traveled (non-cruises) to Mexico and the UK and have friends I met there that I still keep in contact with so I'm not worried about being "lonely."  I can't wait to do whatever I want whenever I want and not worry about pleasing someone else. 

[titansrobin]

I went on my first solo for my 65th birthday in January, loved it! Booked one for October and a B2B in January. It’s great to do exactly what you want with no questions asked.

[Tacu]

I took a solo cruise for my 50th and loved 90% of it, it was the best way to celebrate a birthday!  (90% because I'm a true hermit and sometimes the sheer number of people on the ship got to me a bit and I had to hide in my cabin until I'd recovered... but I know what I'm like and kinda expected that!)

 

I'm off to the Eastern Med in a few weeks and have a Baltic cruise booked for next year.

 

The best bit about solo cruising in my opinion, as a single woman, is that it's a very easy and safe way to see lots of destinations without having to worry about accommodation and travel.  And mostly everything is paid up-front (including the extortionate single supplements) which means that budgeting is easy 🙂 

[All-ready2cruise]

3 hours ago, Tacu said:

 

 

The best bit about solo cruising in my opinion, as a single woman, is that it's a very easy and safe way to see lots of destinations without having to worry about accommodation and travel.  And mostly everything is paid up-front (including the extortionate single supplements) which means that budgeting is easy 🙂 

Totally agree. I love cruising and IMO, it's one of the safest ways to see the world. 

[Lois R]

12 hours ago, All-ready2cruise said:

Totally agree. I love cruising and IMO, it's one of the safest ways to see the world. 

 

And I echo this and the previous post too.   I just returned last Sunday from sailing solo on Azamara.  This was not one of the best cruises I have taken (I probably have near 50 by now)…….I did have an overall good time but had issues with a few different things.  But, I will say, I love cruising solo and it is the way I will continue to travel

[Britchip]

I’ve been travelling solo for the past 10 years since being widowed.  I’ve just come back from a 28 day HAL cruise to the South Pacific.  My observation thus far has been to join the roll call on CC for your specific sailing.  I’ve met lots of people that way and now have quite the cruise family.  Many times now I’ve attended a precruise dinner or get together so I already have some contacts before boarding.  My next trip will be a 34 day circumnavigation of Australia part of the trip being with a friend who I met on a Transpacific 2 years ago. She lives in Oz but we have kept in touch and voila we are sharing another adventure together.  I also sign up for CC tours that are being arranged which is yet another opportunity to get to know people on your sailing.  Alone sometimes yes, lonely not very often.  Keep cruising solo ladies of whatever age. Life is short and travel broadens the mind so they say!