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.
