Solo travel can be a daunting prospect for those hungry to discover the world. But a solo cruise could be the answer. With everything planned and taken care of including shore excursions, on board activities and dining, what’s stopping you from booking a last-minute solo cruise? Here, we take a look at the 4 mistakes every solo traveller makes:
Solo travel mistakes to avoid
Not contacting home
Yes, you’re travelling solo and a big part of that is spending quality time with yourself. But it is very important to contact home. If you’re on a mini cruise, then you may be forgiven for focusing your time on making the most of your trip. But when you’re gone for extended periods of time, it’s important to keep your loved ones updated with your travel plans. No matter whether you’re a seasoned traveller who frequently heads off on your own independent escapes, your friends and family will still worry about you. But at the same time, be realistic. You’re not going to have time to ring home every evening. Besides, you may find yourself getting too caught up in what you are missing at home and won’t be able to appreciate your time away.
Arriving after dark
It is an unlikely problem on a cruise but can occur if you’re flying. When you arrive at a new destination in the dark, it is disorientating and comes with some safety concerns. While your cruise ship will remain in port until the morning, you could face the prospect of making it out of the airport and onto the streets of an unfamiliar city or country in the middle of the night.
This was one mistake, Janice, from Solo Traveler World highlighted. “Always, always book your first night’s accommodation in advance and arrive well before dark. Everything looks better in the light and, if it still doesn’t look good, you have time to change.” However, if you plan and prepare thoroughly, you should be able to organise transport, accommodation or a strategy to avoid such problems that can come from arriving after dark.
Not exchanging enough money
There are a number of things to consider when exchanging money for your cruise. You could, of course, change it all at home though there is every possibility that you run out and still need to take out some money. Then what? Where are you supposed to go? Where can you find a decent exchange rate?
“Always opt for an authorised shop to exchange your currency to minimise the risk of being cheated,” Jaymine from Love With Travel explained. “Many private vendors cheat us by offering us good rates first and then they take out a few notes from our exchanged currency after counting. Be aware!” The prospect of running out of money or potentially losing your money is a very scary thought for a solo traveller. You should always keep some ‘safety’ cash hidden in your room, under the sole of your shoe or in a safe. If it is on your body, then you are covered if you misplace your bag, for instance.
Staying in your comfort zone
Going on a solo cruise is a brilliant thing. It’s exciting and can be extremely rewarding if you make the most of it. The best travel-related stories come from those who have left their comfort zone and tried something new. Maybe they have been enticed by the sound of music or the smell of local food and have decided to go and discover. Whatever it is, it’s better than locking yourself away as the rest of the world passes you by.
There are so many perks to travelling solo. For starters, you have an entire cabin all to yourself. You can choose where you want to eat, drink, party and what you want to see or do. It is okay to go under the radar, you don’t have to transform yourself into the most outgoing person on the ship. But be willing to try something new every day - it could be as simple as a new on board activity. You’ll find many solo cruise travellers who simply get on with their own holiday. Great, enjoy it. A cruise ship is a great place to hide away and enjoy some me-time.
