In March, I boarded my very first cruise and I did it alone.
It turned out to be one of my favorite vacations so far; a true growth experience. A previous attempt at a cruise had been derailed by pneumonia, so this trip felt like a redemption. Below are the five questions I get asked most often about that short, solo adventure.
- What made you decide to travel alone on a cruise instead of with friends or family?
My biggest reason I decided to travel alone on my cruise was that family work schedules and mine vary greatly.Because I work as a server, I can request unpaid time off more flexibly than most of my family, who must plan months ahead. Unlike my friends, my interest in cruising was stronger, so I decided to go solo. - How did you choose the right cruise ship and itinerary for a solo traveler?
My goal when booking was to find a short cruise since it was my first cruise ever. I wanted to make sure I wasn’t requesting too much time off of work and I wanted to make sure once I was on the boat, I wasn’t going to get sea sick. I picked an itinerary and destination that had an excursion I really wanted to do. I chose swimming with the pigs. - What were the biggest surprises (good or bad) you experienced while cruising solo?
The biggest surprises to me were from myself. The general enjoyment I got from my cruise, even though I was alone. I learned that I can trust myself to make the best decisions for me, even when others, like family, are concerned about my disability and my being alone. I had no bad experiences. - How did you make the most of limited shore‑time and keep the experience feeling fulfilling despite the brief itinerary?
I planned my day on the island so that I could be the first group off of the ship. Our destination was Great Stirrup Cay. When you arrive (as of right now in 2025) you have to tender from the ship to the island on a boat. I booked the earliest swimming with the pigs excursion so I was able to board the earliest tender boat. I got onto the island early and was able to do everything that I personally wanted to do before getting back onto the ship. - What tips would you give to someone planning their first solo cruise?You may be worried you won’t have fun alone, you might be scared to just be alone with your thoughts, but you will have more fun than you realize. I talked to people, I enjoyed drinks at the bar, swam with pigs, and so much on the ship. The biggest tip is to have the courage to book the trip and go.
I’d rather explore museums, restaurants, and new destinations on my own than spend a lifetime waiting for the perfect travel companion.
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