Top 10 Reasons Why I Love to Cruise Solo

Cruising solo pushes the envelope for most people. We’re a “couples” society for the most part and those that hit the road by themselves are sometimes looked on as a bit odd. Or brave. Or adventurous.

For me, the last two adjectives are the most accurate. Cruising as a solo traveler doesn’t mean all-night singles parties and a singles’ cruise isn’t the same as a solo cruise.

I’ve learned a lot over the years about the joys of cruising solo. I share this with you in hopes of giving you the confidence, inspiration enough great reasons to get you to take your first solo cruise.

11 Reasons Why I Prefer to Cruise Solo

Here are my reasons why I love to cruise solo or simply travel solo. You may not agree with all of these reasons. But if you’re on the fence and hesitant to try that first solo cruise, I hope this helps to clear up any doubt or worry.

Cruising Solo Has Its Advantages

Ever try to reserve a last-minute bucket-list shore excursion only to be told that there’s only one space available? Try doing that as a couple. Same with unreserved seating for dinner in the main dining room. There’s always room for one.

Barstool? Yep. Ship’s tender to go ashore or return to the ship? If you’re a solo, chances are they can (literally) squeeze you into the boat.

Do What You Want, When You Want

No more having a long, drawn out debate. You’ve dreamed about swimming with dolphins but your Significant Travel Companion (STC) would rather squeeze into borrowed, too-small aqua shoes and hike the waterfalls. Someone usually has to acquiesce. As a solo cruiser, no more compromises or negotiations.

Cruise Solo and Meet New People Everywhere You Go

One of the most revered memories I bring home after a trip are the peopleI’ve met along the way. But if your Significant Travel Companion isn’t outgoing or worse still…doesn’t like or feel the need to socialize with total strangers but you do, you’re stuck. There goes a valuable opportunity to meet new, possibly life-long friends.

Best case scenario; you’ll both meet the same people, and you, being the social one, will simply end up lugging a dead weight around with you for the duration of the trip (the STC). Solo travel, anyone?

Get Invited By Others to Join Them

At some point in a cruise I’ll usually request a table for one. You’ll find that people at close-by tables may look at you with a quizzical eye as if to ask, “why is that person dining alone?”

Be prepared because out of nowhere the maitre’d may come over and say that table so-and-so would like to know if you would join them for dinner. You can of course accept and suddenly have eight dinner companions that actually want you to join them.

If this isn’t something you’d like to do on a nightly basis then this is the perfect opportunity to meet new people yet graciously mention that dinner is the time that you like to reflect on the day’s events or something like that.

However, it’s important to note that I’ve met lasting friendships on several long cruises this way and I gladly learned to do my day’s writing at a different time so that we could meet for cocktails and dinner.

The same can apply to shore excursions and on tour buses. Great way to meet people and you can see as much or as little of them as you’d like.

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Sleep With the TV On All Night 

Or nap when you want without interruption. Need I say more. Solo cruising does have advantages.

You Choose the Restaurants

One of my favorite memories is wandering around Civitavecchia on a day in port, in search of a small restaurant for lunch. After passing by a Subway store and a couple of tourist joints, I found an out of the way cafe where for sure I was the only American in the place.

Had I been cruising with someone or a group of friends, we might have ended up at Subway or a place mobbed with tourists.

Bring your e-reader, smartphone or something to do should you find that you feel a bit self-conscious.

Homestead Without Having to Claim-Jump 

No more will you have to divvy up the drawers, negotiate the hangers, section the closet or create a mini-Maginot Line on the counter top.

Hang up all of your clothes, if you wish. Line up your toiletries in the bathroom instead of always rummaging through your hanging tote kit. Totally unpack for the duration and not have to fold and stack half of your clothes on closet shelves.

As a Solo Cruiser, You Can Take Your Time in the Bathroom

Whatever you’re doing in there, take your time. Take a longer shower after a strenuous day exploring ancient ruins. You won’t have to worry about putting anyone out to have to find a public bathroom either! And no more hearing, “Are you almost finished in there?”

READ NEXT: Norwegian Epic Solo Studio Staterooms

The Electric Plugs Are All Yours

Two people traveling together usually means one laptop, two cameras, two phones and two phone chargers, maybe a tablet or e-reader and on and on. Usually there are only two or three available outlets to use to charge eight or nine devices.

Even as a solo cruiser, I still bring this cruise ship approved, non-surge power strip with USB and electric outlets in one little package.

No more having to do rock, paper, scissors to see who gets to charge what electronic device first. They’re all yours!

Marvel at All the Terrific Stuff You’ve Bought

You can display and admire all of your shoreside purchases on the empty bed or sofa. Shopping for woolens in Norway? Maracas in Mexico? Italian leather in, well, Italy? It’s so much fun to unpack your treasures and set them out while you decide who will get what souvenir when you get home.

And My Number One, Totally Ridiculous Reason I Love to Cruise Solo

Party with your towel animals! If you haven’t cruised lately, the towel animals that your room attendant leaves on your bed at night are getting pretty fancy. At one time, the towel monkey on a hanger attached to a ceiling tile was considered extreme.

Now there are elephants, ducks, manta rays and pigs with snouts and googly eyes. It’s actually fun to set up a display and take a photo of all of them on the last night of your cruise. And no one to say, “Oops! So that’s where my towel is!” and destroy the terry-cloth critter.

N.B. If you find yourself carrying on a lengthy conversation with any of these adorable yet inanimate creatures, maybe you’re just not cut out for cruising solo.

Yes, I’ve gotten a little silly here with the towel animals, but only to emphasize my point. Solo travel, whether by choice or necessity, isn’t for everyone. I’ve known people who would rather fall off the earth than even sit in a restaurant by themselves let alone take a solo cruise or escorted tour.

But if you should ever try it, you’ll find that cruising solo instills confidence as it drags you out of your comfort zone. Solo travel imparts a sense of wonder and satisfaction in knowing that you could actually go it alone and have the most wonderful time ever.

More Solo Cruise Inspiration

• How to Survive Long Sea Days as a Solo Cruiser
• Five Things to Know on a Solo Transatlantic Crossing
• Cruising Solo:  What the Cruise Lines Don’t Want You to Know
• Going Solo on a 15-Day Viking Grand European River Cruise
• 44 Lessons I’ve Learned as a Solo Traveler and Cruiser