Sailing Solo - My First Cruise Alone

I had always wanted to take a cruise.

Everyone I know who’s ever gone has loved it and had wonderful stories to share. It seemed like an easy and fun way to go to many different destinations and travel with others closer to my own age. I received some great advice from people about how to pick the cruise that was right for me.

First, you need to decide where you want to go and what type of activities or events are important to you. The variety of ships and types of trips is endless. Everything from peaceful, meandering river cruises to the massive, floating cities – the options are plentiful.

Choosing the Right Cruise

For my first time, I knew I wanted something a little more low-key. Perhaps a smaller ship and more casual than the average cruise. I also like to have a little private outdoor space so I knew I would want a balcony. I didn’t need any of the popular entertainment like gambling or the big Las Vegas style shows so I started looking at other types of trips.

It’s like trying to decide between going camping or visiting New York City; choose what appeals to you.

A friend recommended a travel website so that I could start to compare all the different types of cruises available. She had just recently been on one that went to the Dominican Republic and did some volunteer work with the community there. It sounded like something I would really enjoy so I checked into it and booked the trip. It was also very affordable with a low single supplement so that helped keep the cost down.

Embracing a New Experience

As much as I travel it’s not often that I have a totally new experience. I always love visiting new places and meeting new people but the process of booking accommodation and transportation is something I am quite familiar with. Planning for a cruise was all so different for me and really took me outside of my comfort zone; it was long overdue.

I felt like a young novice traveling for the first time and it was so exciting!

I didn’t know what to pack, how to check-in, how to get on and off the boat, whether I would get seasick or if I would like cruising or hate it. I’ve heard a lot of people talk about so many aspects of cruising but I had no idea how it would be for me.

What I discovered is that the same basic travel principles apply no matter where you go. There will always be others who have never done this before and many experienced people there to help guide you. That was apparent as soon as I arrived at the cruise terminal and this immediately put me at ease.

Enjoying a Fantastic Adventure

There are some real benefits that most cruisers will tell you about – you don’t have to pack and unpack for each location, you have the advantage of seeing remote places but still eating and sleeping in your own cabin on the ship. There are so many options for food and activities I can’t imagine ever feeling bored. I liked the freedom and flexibility I had to do as much or as little as I wanted and it was a perfect balance for me.

My favorite experience was meeting the amazing people on the ship and on shore. They were so warm and friendly and happy to share information with me, especially when they found out it was my first cruise.

It may not seem like a big risk to go on a cruise, but for me this was a great opportunity to do something I had never done before. To feel so young and inexperienced was refreshing and rejuvenated my love of travel.

If you think you might like to try cruising, I recommend talking to someone who has a similar travel style to your own and asking them for their advice on what type of cruise you might like. Do your research and don’t worry, it’s one of the easiest trips I’ve ever taken and I will absolutely go again!

Wishing you safe and happy travels!

Have you ever been on a cruise? Do you prefer to travel alone or with others? What questions do you have about first-time cruising? Share your stories and join the conversation.

Published on Sixty and Me

How Low Can I Go – 10 Items for a Weeklong Cruise

I have long been an advocate of packing light.  It has saved me more headaches than I can count.  There have been times when I decided it was necessary to take a little more “just in case” and I always regret it.  Everything from broken wheels and handles to carrying my bags up flights of stairs or over cobblestone streets has taught me that less is more. 

My usual go-to for travel anywhere is a rolling backpack and a tote.

 I can easily fit all that I need in them for my trip, but both are still lightweight enough, that if I must, I can actually pick them up and carry them.  Not checking luggage at the airport and getting on and off trains and buses is so much easier with just the 2 bags.

Now, I’m getting ready for what is called a Barefoot Cruise and need to rethink what packing light really means.  With only 10 – 12 passengers, small cabins and very little space I want to make this as simple as possible.  This will take a little bit of planning, but I love the thought of doing something in such a new and different way, it makes it feel like it’s even more of an adventure.

So here is my packing list - 2 swimsuits, 1 pair of shorts, 1 skirt, 1 dress, 2 t-shirts, underwear, flip flops and hat.  Just looking at that list gives me a bit of anxiety.  Is it reasonable to take so little and still be comfortable?  Aside from a small bag of essential toiletries – shampoo, deodorant and sunscreen what else do I really need?  If I were packing for a regular trip, I would take all the same things just more of them. 

What I will do is plan very carefully, exactly what those 10 items are. 

I will make sure that everything is lightweight and can be washed out by hand if needed.  The t-shirts will serve as swimsuit cover up as well as a nightshirt and it all must match.  When I look at it that way it doesn’t seem so bad, in fact it feels rather freeing. 

I do want to test my theory, so for my next few short trips I will try to pack this way and see how this works.  I will find out if there is anything that I can’t live without before I get out into the middle of the ocean where I won’t have access to anything.

When I was in my 20’s it was nothing for me to throw my swimsuit and a change of clothes into a bag for a quick trip.  But now that I’m in my 60’s my travel style has changed dramatically so this will be very enlightening.

I know this isn’t something that would work for everyone but the fact that it has piqued my interest tells me that I need to try it.  I would much prefer the focus to be on the experience as opposed to the things. 

I’ve been writing about independent travel for many years now and this may be my biggest challenge yet but I’m excited to try it. 

Are you a light traveler or do you like to take whatever you think you will need?  What are the biggest drawbacks of taking too little or too much?  Share your stories and join the conversation!

Published on Sixty and Me

Why Cruising is Great for Solo Travelers and Introverts

There aren't many holidays that are so well suited to solo travelers and introverts as cruising.  Where else can you go that you have the perfect balance of social interaction and as much quiet personal time as you desire.

Honestly, I never expected to find myself on a ship with thousands of my closest friends.  It sounded like my worst nightmare, until I tried it.  My first cruise was on a very small ship, 700 passengers and was not full, so it was a great way to try it out.  I was so pleasantly surprised that I booked my next cruise just a few weeks later.

This was the grand experiment.  It was a much larger, more traditional cruise ship with every possible amenity and 3,000 passengers.  I was very nervous when I saw all the people getting ready to board our vessel.  I knew there was no going back.  Good or bad, I would be stuck on this ship for the next 10 days.  I kept reminding myself of the fantastic experience I'd just had and that if I didn't do anything but stay in my stateroom and order room service I would be fine.

That is the biggest and most critical tip I have.  Pick the cabin that you really want because if you're like me, you'll be spending a good amount of time there.

Location is everything - don't book below public areas like the pool or nightclubs or near lifts, unless you need the access.  You'll hear everyone coming and going and be trapped with the noise that you are hoping to retreat from.  I always choose a cabin with an unobstructed balcony, mid ship on a high deck for the best privacy and views.

Dining is fantastic onboard, you can go to any one of the complimentary or specialty restaurants any time of the day or night or you can join the main dining room if you're in the mood for a little company.  Most days, I prefer the buffet or one of the smaller places where I can enjoy my meal while looking out at the water.

If it gets a bit too busy, I can just leave, same goes for all the other options.  Sometimes, I will dress up and go out to see one of the shows and discover it's more than I bargained for.  It's easy enough to go back to my cabin, sit on the balcony and listen to the sound of the waves as we sail along.

Always bring earplugs, headphones and entertainment of your choice.

I like to keep books, movies and some music on my kindle.  That way, if I happen to be situated too close to a loud party or noisy neighbors, I can still maintain my quiet environment.

There are several places onboard that offer respite from the maddening crowds.  The library and internet cafes are particularly quiet.  If you want to sit on deck just find an area away from the pool and you can soak up the sun, read or just relax.  Most ships have a walking track on the upper deck, so you can go for a walk while looking out at the ocean.  Also, the spa is a fantastic place to unwind and be guaranteed peace and serenity.

I love being able choose whatever I want to do whenever I feel like doing it.  No deadlines or commitments.  I don't have to worry about scheduling anything unless there is something I want to do.  If it appeals, I simply show up and enjoy. 

Most cruises have relaxed their dress code so dining is casual to dressy with only a few cruise lines requesting formal attire on certain evenings.

Even with that, I've found a cocktail dress to be more than adequate and if it doesn't suit you simply go to one of the other restaurants.  Sometimes, putting on my bathrobe and ordering in is the perfect evening.

Have I mentioned how much I love room service?  Some ships still offer in-room dining free of charge, others have a small service charge, which has long time cruisers very upset.  For me, paying less than I would tip someone to bring my meal is a charge I'm happy to pay.  To sit on my balcony and have my breakfast delivered is a true luxury.

Part of the fun of cruising is being able to visit different destinations without having to change accommodation.  I generally don't book shore excursions through the cruise line.  I prefer to hire a taxi or some other local transport, so I can explore the area on my own.  Two things to keep in mind when going by yourself - first and foremost be safe and give yourself plenty of time to return to the ship.  If you are late getting back, they will sail without you.

That's the advantage of booking with the ship, they will make sure you get back in time and will likely not leave if you are delayed.  

You have many resources to assist you and they are wonderful about keeping you informed.

Each evening you will receive a full listing of information for the following day.  Activities, port and safety information, weather etc.  Also, there will be various television programs and announcements with more detailed information. 

A personal cabin steward that will make up and turn down your room each day and is also a great source of information about the ship and many of the ports you will visit.  Also, guest services are very friendly and happy to help in any way they can.

I now understand why so many people love cruising.  It is by far the most relaxing way to travel and I can't wait for my next adventure on the sea!

Have you ever taken a cruise?  Was it alone or with a group?  Do you prefer more activities or quiet time?  Share your stories and join the conversation.

Published on Sixty and Me