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Cruising as a solo travel option...
Journeywoman is often
asked about the female-friendliness of cruising, especially for those
women travelling solo. I think it's an excellent viable option as long
as you understand that we live in a coupled world and the ship's guest
list will reflect that demographic. So what! During the day you can
do whatever your little heart desires. Sleep in late or get up early
to work out in the gym. You don't need a partner to read a good book,
take an excursion, listen to a lecture, enjoy a cooking class or learn
to line dance.
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Looking for company?
Use the formal dining room to jump-start relationships. Cruise
lines make this very easy as there is open seating for breakfast
and lunch each day of the cruise. That means you never know who
will be seated beside you and with close to 2,000 guests the odds
of meeting interesting people are high, indeed. For the evening
meals, set tables are assigned at the beginning of your holiday.
That guarantees that you'll be enjoying fine dining with the same
eight to ten companions every night. Soon you'll all be comparing
notes about how you spent the day, what you bought and where to
meet up for the evening's entertainment. We found everybody so
friendly and ready to chat. If you reach out with a smile most
people will respond in kind.
Worried about the
extra cost of cruising solo? True, if you're not sharing with
someone else you will be paying more. However, there are ways
of reducing your spending. In order to begin at a lesser price,
keep your eyes open for any advertised specials or last minute
deals. |
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Not every potential
guest has an endless travel budget and the cruise lines reach
out by offering accommodation options. As the 'buyer' you must
begin thinking creatively. Instead of choosing a prestige suite
with verandah, choose one of their well-appointed ocean view or
inside staterooms. Cut down on amenities -- fresh flowers and
champagne are lovely in your room but you can have a fabulous
time without them. Book only one extra shore excursion rather
than three. Shop less and drink less (better for you) in exchange
for the luxury of having your very own cabin with your very own
washroom.
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On a cruise you
don't have the hassle of packing and unpacking. You're assured
of a clean, comfortable room each and every night. All meals are
included. There's no rushing to catch a train or plane as you
move from one city to another. Aboard your floating hotel you
simply sail from one harbour to another all the while being pampered
silly. Yes, you become more of a tourist and less of an adventurous
traveller. That's O.K. -- cruising is just one more exciting way
to see the world. You might find it suitable for some destinations
and less right for others. It might be the thing to do at one
stage of your life and not at others. However, in the final analysis,
Journeywoman's advice is not to turn cruising down simply because
you're a single woman traveller with a limited travel budget.
That just might be a huge mistake. |
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