Solo cruises: Top tips for cruising alone from romance & friends to safety & dining

Booked a cruise a going solo? With no partner to rely on, no friends to gossip with and no children to look after, it’s just you. And you’re terrified. But don’t be – because solo cruises can be an exhilarating experience, as seasoned cruisers and psychologists alike will tell you. Think of it as a huge adventure where you get to do what you want, when and how you want, with no need for compromise.

“Every time we put ourselves into a new environment, we’re allowing ourselves to learn and grow,” said psychologist Dr Georgina Barnett. “It brings us a sense of achievement. It makes us stronger. It’s like going on a voyage of self-discovery.”

“But to get the very best out of a solo trip, you need the right mindset,” she continues. “Many people think they will feel isolated or conspicuous if they travel as a singleton, but that’s down to the fear of the unknown. There are so many independent travellers around these days that you won’t stand out from the crowd.”

So how can we take the worry out of sailing alone and enjoy all the advantages of solo travel? We asked the experts for their cruising solo tips…

Fake it till you make it

Look confident, and people will believe you are, advised Dawn Simone of Elle Voyage, which organises group travel for women. "If you present an upbeat appearance, you’re less likely to attract people who will take advantage of you," she said.

“If you have a little girl or little boy lost look, you will send out the message that you don’t want people to talk to you, and if you walk around with your head down, you’ll appear vulnerable.

"So smile and look happy, even if you don’t feel it inside. That way, cheerful people will be drawn towards you. Hold your head high and you’ll also take in more, see more, and find plenty of new places to go and explore.”

- READ MORE: How to make friends on a cruise holiday -

Practice makes perfect

If you’ve never travelled on your own before, try a dry run before you set sail, suggested Dawn. “Practise in your own country. For example, if you live in London, try a solo weekend away in Cornwall or Scotland. That will get you used to eating a meal by yourself or going into a bar alone and being comfortable in your own company. Afterwards, a solo cruise will be easy.”

Dawn also points out that cruising is an excellent option for single travellers because the safety element of your trip is already sorted out. “You know where you’re going to sleep every night, and there’s an amazing support network on a cruise, should you ever need it.”

The dining dilemma

Cruises are geared up to cater for solo diners, but restaurant staff aren’t mind-readers, so be honest with them, advised professional wellness coach Hollie Bailey.

“You can try sitting on a table of single travellers for the first night, but if you don’t enjoy it, have a quiet word with the staff,” she suggests. “If the people on your table talked too much for your liking, just ask if you can swap tables, or sit alone. Don’t worry about what people think of you, or whether you’re hurting anyone’s feelings.

“If you choose to sit alone, remember most people don’t care what you’re doing. They’re too busy with their own lives, so enjoy the time to eat what you want, at your own pace. A good trick is to take a book or a magazine to flick through between courses. It’s the perfect adult comfort blanket!”

- READ MORE: Cruise dining, food & drink guide -

Looking for love?

If you’re in the market for romance, send out the right signals, said Dr Georgina Barnett, lead psychologist at the up-market dating agency Seventy Thirty. “Make sure you look friendly, open and receptive, so people know they can come and chat to you, and you’re not going to be hard work,” she says.

“If you’re permanently on your phone, people will think you don’t want to be approached,’ she adds. “Try joining in with activities, too, as these are a great way of meeting new people. If you go to a talk, people just file in and then file out, but at a class you can interact with your fellow guests. It’s a great way of starting friendships – and maybe meeting someone special.”

Meet the crew

Make friends with the onboard staff and you’ll always have someone to chat to, said Hollie Bailey. “Some of the staff will be on the ship for six months at a time so by the nature of their job, they will be sociable and gregarious, so ask them where they are from and get up-to-date on the ship’s gossip!”

“It’s easy to make friends with the staff on board,” she continued. “Start by sitting at the bar, have a smoothie and chat to the barman. You’ll get all sorts of useful information about the ship and who is on board.”

- READ MORE: Which cruise ships have solo cabins? From P&O to Royal Caribbean -

Have a nice trip

Simonne Fairbanks, COO of Cruising Excursions, suggested buying trips as a package, so you’re likely to see the same faces on each one. “That makes it easier to get to know people,” she says. “Also you’ll save money because packages are better value.”

However, she warned against jumping into a taxi and expecting a driver to show you the sights. “I once got a cab in Rome and the driver offered to show me around for 300 euros,” she said. “I accepted but he didn’t speak much English, he couldn’t understand me and I never got to see the Trevi Fountain or the Spanish Steps.”

Try something new

Travelling alone gives you the chance to push your personal boundaries and broaden your horizons, said Hollie Bailey. Cruises offer many free classes onboard, so you won’t be short of things to do. If you’re nervous about something, Hollie suggests doing a recce first.

“Go along and watch the class through a window, or from the back, and if it’s something you’d like to try, turn up the next day a few minutes early,” she says. “Explain to the instructor that you’ve never done yoga before, or want to try spinning but don’t know how to get started, and ask them to give you some pointers. That way, they’ll look out for you, and you’ll soon start seeing familiar faces so you’ll feel less alone.”

- READ MORE: Oceania Cruises activities from art classes & cooking to lectures & cheese-making -

Safety in numbers

Some cruise lines now offer special trips entirely for solo travellers. “Everyone on board is travelling on their own so there’s no awkwardness at mealtimes, for example,” said Will Sarson, head of specialist products for Riviera Travel, which offers around eight solo cruises per year.

“It’s a guaranteed way of meeting other solo travellers. But because there’s only one person in each cabin, the ship is only half full and there are plenty of quiet corners where you can sit with a book if that’s what you prefer.”