A solo cruise is quite possibly the best way to do it when it comes to travelling. And, if you’re a seafarer who prefers to take to the oceans in a cabin for one, you’re not alone. But why has solo travelling become so popular?
“Well, there’s no one to keep me awake,” ROL Cruise team member Lucy claims. “When I told friends, work colleagues and family that I was jetting off alone, I expected glances of sympathy. But, in fact, their reactions were quite the opposite! It turns out, I was quite the envy of so many people - those that don’t have the opportunity to just jet off and enjoy peace and quiet. I was actually quite smug when I sprawled out in the back of my taxi en route to the airport.”
Lucy’s account is not too dissimilar to others we’ve heard around the office and it would appear that 2016 is the year to embrace independence at sea - and at land, for that matter. If you too dream of packing and dashing, without the need to compromise and think about doing someone else’s packing, you’ve come to the right place.
Below are our top tips on choosing your cruise for one:
Do it with confidence
Like Lucy, you might be worried about telling people you’re holidaying alone. Our advice is don’t be. Tens of thousands of our customers choose to cruise alone every year. It’s easy to assume they’re lonely and without a travelling companion, but for most, it’s a choice - a luxury even!
The world is your oyster
Years ago, our customers travelling independently would play it safe; mostly choosing itineraries close to home such as the British Isles. These days, things couldn’t be more different, with many of us jetting off as far as Australia and Indonesia or meandering the rivers of Asia. The world is getting smaller, so go and discover it all!
Be our (dinner) guest
Throwing a map into your bag and heading off for a day of exploration is both exciting and empowering. But, like many of our solo travellers, you might like to chat about your adventures of an evening. Cruise lines have finally made this easy for us by offering a whole host of options for when our tummies are rumbling.
You can join a table for as many as 12 on some ships or as small as 2 on others. Or, just come and go as you please. Many lines now offer dining that’s completely flexible - so just see how you feel on the day.
Get a bargain
Cruise lines have wised up to the fact we like to take holidays for one, so it’s no surprise that many have started to offer this luxury with no surcharges. It’s not all of them, however, but we’re certainly encouraging the others to follow suit.
Spread yourself out
Cruising alone doesn’t mean compromising on space. When cruise lines are feeling generous, twin cabins often come in at less than the usual cost for a single cabin. This means you can pack extra clothes, as you’ll have the storage space designed for two, at no extra cost.
Pack your dancing shoes
If you’re a regular on the dance floor back at home or fancy learning from scratch, cruising gives you the perfect opportunity to pick up a new step or two. Many cruise lines encourage solo travellers to have a night on the tiles by ensuring there are a couple of dance hosts onboard, both male and female.
Make new friends (if you want to)
Cocktail parties, singles nights and sociable lounges are all places you can make new friends at sea - but only if you wish. Cruising is all about flexibility, so if you’d prefer to spend your time reading, swimming or relaxing, that’s ok too. You’re the boss on this holiday, remember!
Safety in numbers
When visiting your favourite cities and ports, you’re in the driving seat. Not literally, of course. But the way you spend your time ashore is completely up to you. Experienced travellers may opt to head off the beaten track and enjoy a self-guided tour, but if you’d prefer to be a pack animal when exploring the sights, there’s always a choice of optional excursions you can join if you wish.
