Why you should give cruising by yourself a go…and it’s not just for old folks!

I always hear two things when I tell people I’m going on another cruise. “Oh a cruise? But aren’t they just for old people?” and “don’t you get lonely by yourself?”.

There is definitely a stigma attached to cruising, and that is only old people go on holidays on cruise ships. Why? Maybe it’s because when you hear of cruising, you automatically think of the Titanic. No, I’m not talking about the iceberg part of it, but the classiness and elegance. Formal dining rooms, being dressed up, and not a lot of young people partying it up until 2am in nightclubs! Maybe it’s because they’ve taken a cruise on a cruise line that has an older age bracket and assume that they’re all the same. I have heard people describe them as ‘floating retirement villages’ – that probably also doesn’t help that misconception!

But I can tell you from my experience that cruising is FAR from being only an old persons way of travelling! In fact, it’s probably one of the best ways TO travel, for all ages. Think about it: you pay one price before you board the ship. In that price your accommodation is paid for. Most of your meals are paid for. All your entertainment is paid for. If you’ve got kids and you want a break, your babysitting is paid for. You get taken to all your destinations. Plus the beauty of being on the open sea, watching the sun rise and set day after day, anyone of any age can enjoy all that!

Solo Cruising – The Low-down

Do I get lonely travelling by myself? No. In fact, I almost prefer it! (and no offence to anybody who I have cruised with before!). Out of all the cruises that I’ve done, probably half of them I have travelled solo. It started off when a friend had to cancel and I couldn’t find anyone to replace her. So, as cancelling a cruise that I was very excited for definitely wasn’t an option, off I went on my first cruise by myself and I haven’t looked back.

When people think of cruising by themselves – or realistically, doing anything in life by themselves – they assume it can only be boring. Why would you go to a bar or breakfast by yourself? Why would you go to bingo or trivia by yourself? Think about it though, I don’t know about others, but when I’ve cruised with other people, we don’t do everything together. We’ll go off and do our own thing a lot of the time.

I don’t see too much difference, other than it can be daunting boarding the ship knowing that you don’t know anybody. But at the end of the day, everyone’s in the ‘same boat’ (literally!) of just wanting to have a good time, and I’m yet to cruise by myself and NOT meet anybody.

Solo Cruising – The Benefits

Solo cruising has actually turned out to be quite beneficial for me. I mean, it does have its downsides at times, but the positives definitely outweigh them. I’m naturally a very shy person, so cruising solo has given me the opportunity to come out of my shell a lot. Well, made me come out of it. If I didn’t open up and introduce myself to people (something that I wouldn’t normally do), then I would’ve been in for a boring time!

It’s a lot easier to meet people and notice what’s going on when I’m by myself. When you’re with other people, you’re focused on who you’re with. Being solo, you’re more open to meeting people because you want to have a good time, and I’ve met a lot of great people of ALL ages. Sometimes they’re people you’ll have a chat to for one night only and never talk to again. Sometimes they’re people who you’ll meet at the same bar every night for drinks. Sometimes you’ll become friends and keep in contact and end up meeting again on future cruises.

Safety

I think safety is another issue as to why people are wary about travelling by themselves. Have I ever felt unsafe on a cruise before? Never. I actually find that once people (especially staff) realise that I’m a young female by myself they look out for me. Not that I’ve ever needed it, but it’s comforting to know. Getting off the ship in port however is a different story. If I want to get away from the ship I’ll only do shore excursions that are booked through the ship so I’m with a group, and I won’t go off doing my own thing by myself. But it’s all about being smart and following the rules that you would if you were travelling anywhere foreign alone. On the ship in general however, I feel safer than I do when I’m at airports catching planes or taxis to places by myself.

Your Own Space

Then of course you have all the little benefits of travelling solo; you get your own cabin and double bed, you can get back to your cabin/get up in the morning at whatever time you like without waking someone up (something I find very hard to do when I travel with someone!) and you can do whatever you wish in the day. I even find it a little more relaxing as you don’t have anybody else to worry about. Yes, I can get a little lonely on occasions (usually when I’m getting ready by myself on formal nights, as what girl doesn’t like dressing up with her girlfriends), but it doesn’t take long before I’m bumping into someone I’ve met and I forget that I’m by myself. It also solves the problem of not being able to find anybody to go on a cruise with you!

Capturing Memories

As for taking photo memories when you’re by yourself? Nothing like a good old selfie stick and self-timer!

Travelling by yourself is a great experience. I’d definitely recommend everyone do it at least once and cruising solo is one of the best and safer ways to do it, especially for the first time solo traveller. You get the feel and confidence for travelling alone, but at the same time have the support of the little ‘community’ that a cruise ship is. You meet so many people of all ages and backgrounds, you just need to have an open mind. Remember, it’s what YOU make of it.

I honestly can’t think of any better way to travel, whether you’re by yourself or with 40 family members! If you’ve never cruised by yourself, do it. If you’ve never cruised at all, find someone and do it. Or if you can’t find anyone, go by yourself anyway. I promise you, that whether you’re 20 years old, or 80 years old…you’ll have the time of your life!

Final Words

When I’m not off sailing the 7 seas, I spend the vast majority of my time working with and teaching people about many different animals as a zoo keeper. It’s a hard job, but someone has to do it! Check out my cruise blog Sights and Sounds of the Seas for my cruise stories and tips. Follow me on Instagram here for more pictures of my adventures.