Traveling as Newbie Solo Cruiser
Now that I have had the opportunity to cruise solo, it’s been an interesting experience. I actually enjoyed being solo and did not feel alone. The more I looked around during the cruise, the more I encountered single women traveling either solo or with a friend/family member. As I’m typing in the Dream’s theatre, there is a conversation going on where a woman mentioned this was her first cruise single after her husband passed this last March. This is not the first time I’ve heard similar stories though. The amount of women traveling solo is growing as are the opportunities for solo travel.
According to Passport Photo Online, most solo travelers are female (84%), with only 16% being male, and 72% of women in the US have traveled alone. With a spending power of more than women $15 trillion, solo-traveling women are becoming a powerful customer base in the travel industry. In a report from Google Trends, there was a reported 380-percent increase in search interest for “solo female travel” from Jan. 2017 to Jan. 2020. The chart below shows a continued rise from 2020, even with the interruption of an international “interruption.”
I have met many women and found similar experiences of solo travel- women are doing things they always wanted to do either solo or with friends. They are not scared, withering violets. These are vibrant, beautiful mature women out living their best lives.
While walking alone in Nassau, I overheard a woman with I assume her family. She looked really concerned, saying worriedly they should be careful and not walk alone. Honestly, I never had a moment where I felt unsafe in Nassau. The “worst” part of Nassau was being badgered by the people trying to get me to sample facial lotions. What is up with those lotion sellers?! They’re in the malls in San Antonio too and equally aggressive… NO, I do not want a sample. Sheesh!
Don’t be an obvious tourist
The biggest advice I would say applies not just to those of us traveling solo, but to anyone traveling- pay attention to your surroundings, and don’t make it too blatantly obvious that you’re a tourist. While there is nothing wrong with being a tourist, you don’t want to stand out for, making yourself an easy target for scammers or pickpockets.
If you’re not sure about traveling solo, quit worrying and go for it!! Do your research, learn at least a little about local customs and where you’re going, and be aware of possible issues related to where you want to travel. Don’t let being solo stop you! It can actually be more fun because you’re calling your own shots!
First cruise as a single woman with a friend as companion…
I think in my mind, I imagined my first cruise without my husband to be many things both good and bad. I wasn’t sure how it would feel to not have him with me. However, considering how often I was on my own during sea days, I thought I knew what to expect overall. I learned more about myself than I expected, mostly that I actually like being solo more than I realized. I admit I had not been really looking for life lessons either, but every day is a life lesson isn’t it?
When I wasn’t worrying about trying to spend time with my ex, I now realize I found myself craving time to myself and trying to politely disengage myself. While there have been moments I found difficult such as the romance songs playing during “The Love and Marriage” show or seeing other couples having a good time together, I have deeply enjoyed being solo.