Guide To Solo Cruising- Part II

Part II-

-PREPARING FOR YOUR SOLO CRUISE TRIP

Planning the Logistics: So, you have your solo adventure booked? It’s such a great feeling of freedom and empowerment! But you may be wondering, what do I do now? I am a planner. For me the planning is nearly as enjoyable as the cruise itself.  Probably one of the first things to consider is getting to and from the departure port. How will you get there? What time of day can you get there?  Do you need to get there the night before and/or stay there the night following your return to the port?  Can you drive there?  Do you need to fly there? Remember that the cruise line is expecting you to be onboard by 3pm for a 5pm departure time. If you are driving, how long is it from your home to the departure port?  Can you get to the port in enough time and accounting for possible traffic delays in enough time to park and board? If it is cutting it close, do yourself a favor and go the day before.  It is so much less stressful than panicking when you are stuck in a massive traffic jam on the interstate. It would be horrible to pull up to the port as the ship is sailing away. Oh, I shudder at the thought! Additionally, if you are flying to the port, you need to account for airline delays, luggage pick up, and drive time via Uber or taxi to the port. Allow yourself plenty of time to keep from fraying your nerves! If this is your first solo adventure, check out Vacayou’s 12 great tips for first time solo travel.

Departure Ports Are Fun Too!: I would give strong consideration to arriving the night before, regardless of your logistics.  The departure port city can be a lot of fun to explore as an extension of your cruise vacation. Most recently, I sailed out of Ft Lauderdale, Florida.  A gorgeous beach town with tons of shopping, bars and restaurants for just about any taste from laid back beachside café to high end (and expensive) waterfront restaurants.  The sky is the limit as far as cuisine!  I will be doing an upcoming post on details regarding this port. Follow Prideful Life on Instagram so you don’t miss it!

There can also be excursions you can tack on to your cruise at the port of embarkation. However, I have only seen these offered post-cruise. Of course, you can always do a private tour. Just research and make sure there are plenty of positive reviews. A good place to read reviews is Trip Advisor. Many people book private excursions through Viator, but if you just Google the name of the city and the word “excursion” you will see a bunch of possibilities. I would also add that if you are flying to/from your departure port city and you have a late departure on debarkation day, a ship run post-cruise excursion is a good way to spend your time. Plus, they often include drop off at the airport. It’s a win/win in my book!

Should you drive from your home to and from the departure port, you need to consider where your car will be parked while you are enjoying your cruise adventure. Some hotels do offer the option to leave your car parked at the hotel.  There may or may not be a fee so be sure to call the hotel and find our beforehand. I usually park at the port parking garage. I find this to be most convenient and as such, I am willing to pay premium for this option.  For example, for my recent cruise from Ft Lauderdale I parked at the port and payed $20 per day.  A fellow solo traveler who also drove, paid only $12 at an offsite parking lot that offered shuttle to and from the port

A Word on Excursions: Start looking at excursions as soon as possible. Many people shy away from booking with vendors outside the cruise line. No one wants to be a “pier-runner”!  However, with some good common sense you can have an amazing experience with a private company with less crowds and for less moolah. First, I recommend looking at reviews. What have other people had to say? Has anyone reported any issues at all with getting back to the ship on time? A good place to start is www.cruisecritic.com. I would also consider the ship arrival/departure time vs excursion start/stop time. The more time you have between excursion end and ship departure, the better. This ensures timely return and allows time for some shopping near the pier. Some excursions will offer to drop you in the town/shopping area and then you will be responsible to get back to the ship either by walking or taxi. Again, don’t be a pier-runner! Allow plenty of time to get back on board. I strongly recommend setting multiple alarms, so you are certain not to miss the ship. If you do, it will cost you. I heard recently that a man paid upwards of $1500 in payment and fees just to hitch a ride out with the pilot boat. Basically, if you miss the departure you will have to pay to get back to the ship, likely by paying to get to the next port of call. Do not be fooled. If they tell you that anchors up is at 4pm and you think they will wait, they won’t.  That is the time they are leaving…with or without you.  Unless you were with a ship sponsored excursion, they are going to be sailing into the sunset as you run down the pier, waving and begging for the ship to come back. Hence the term, pier-runner!

Final preparations: About 60- 90 days prior to your cruise will be final payment depending on the length of your solo vacation. At 45 days you can start check-in.  I set my alarm for about 2am for that day to make sure I am among the first to check in.  The earliest check-in’s equate to being in the earliest arrival times for embarkation day.  At day 30 you receive your cruise documents including luggage tags.  You don’t need to print them in color.  Booking between 45 days and 60 days is prime time to search for deals. People will be backing out/cancelling and rooms will open up. This is also the point where I am finalizing reservations for excursions. However, depending on the popularity of the excursion, you may need to finalize much sooner.

Packing: As you prepare to pack for your cruise, consider the expected weather for your destination, where you will be dining (main dining is no shorts, jeans or t-shirts), what you will need to go ashore..i.e beach bag, backpack, snorkeling gear, money belt, sunscreen (you will probably need reef safe if going to a beach), etc…  You should also be sure not to forget medications (make sure you will have enough for the entirety of your vacation, you should also bring Immodium and Dramamine just in case), first aid kit, toiletries (the ships provide shampoo, conditioner and body wash), charging cables, a portable cell phone charger, a good book to read, a travel journal, pen/highlighter, and don’t forget your swimwear (no need to bring a beach towel, it just wastes precious luggage space).  As a solo traveler, I suggest a waterproof wallet that hangs around your neck to take your cash with you into the pool or ocean. These are inexpensive and work great.  They also come in larger sizes to hold cell phones and passports. Also, don’t forget to bring along the reservation information for any excursions or pre-post hotel stays, parking reservations, etc…  I usually save this information to my cell phone but pack a copy just in case. The Soloist shares some packing hacks for packing light for your solo journey. Check it out here.

Travel Insurance: Opinions vary greatly on this subject, but for me it is a no-brainer.  Get the travel insurance.  It provides peace of mind that if something should go wrong, you will be covered.  Two of my last three cruises I witnessed medical emergencies on board, so it is not as uncommon as you might think.  Also, if something happens and you need to cancel for a qualifying reason, i.e. illness, you won’t lose all your hard earned cash.

Final Pre- Cruise Words: By now the excitement is building and you are almost ready to head out on your amazing solo cruise adventure!  Other things you may want to consider is joining the cruise ship’s page on Facebook. Often someone will also start a page for your specific sailing.  This is a great way to collect additional information and possibly connect with other solos beforehand. Cruise Critic has loads of information on ship details, entertainment, excursions, food, etc…  It is my go-to for this type of information. Additionally, read up on Travelista’s 12 tips for solo cruise travel.

PART III-  All Aboard!

“COMING SOON!”

Guide To Solo Cruising - Part I

According to Celebrity Cruises Travel Blog, a solo cruise vacation is a great option for those wanting to explore a variety of destinations and make some new friends along the way. It can also be time for those who are maybe just looking for a chance to unplug, decompress and enjoy some introspective “alone” time. No matter your goal, the outcome is an amazing experience that will leave you with a new appreciation of yourself. Follow along as I delve into my favorite subject…solo cruising! 

Part I-

-PREPARING TO BOOK YOUR SOLO CRUISE ADVENTURE!                                          

Between deciding on the destination, length of the cruise, cruise line, type of room, and more, it can be very overwhelming. Most of us, as solo vacation travelers, would prefer not to have to pay as if a second person were with us. Sometimes the “solo supplement” is even more than double the cost. It’s outrageous! So, finding a cruise with a no or low single supplement is key. A “solo” or “single” supplement is more or less the cost for a room or cabin that is intended for two or more travelers. It seems like finding a cruise with a low/no single supplement is mostly luck of the draw…being in the right place at the right time.  But Gary Bembridge at Tipsfortravelers.com says there are four ways to find a low cost solo trip: Solo rooms; solo deals, solo group cruises and sharing with another solo cruiser.

My experience has been that I was able to keep the single supplement low when booking either very early (a year or more in advance) or very late (45 days or less before departure). A good place to start, is www.cruiseplum.com.  Another site for searching low solo supplements is www.vacationstogo.com. You can easily search for solo cruises with no or low single supplement on these sites.  MSC Cruise Line seems to be the big winner here. I have not cruised with them but would not rule it out. I know a few people who cruise with that line and have enjoyed it. However, I have been “loyal to Royal” for 20+ years so I am mostly looking at Royal Caribbean or Celebrity Cruises when I search. There are more and more cruise lines beginning to cater to solo cruisers, offering not only solo cabins but including a solo traveler meetup on the first night so you can meet other solo adventurers. Virgin Voyages tout themselves as “catering to solo travelers”, but NCL and Celebrity, amongst others, also offer solo cabins. Remember that If you approach your search with an open mind and with some flexibility, it can be a lot of fun seeing the deals you can find at various destinations around the world!

For my LGBTQ+ family, all the major cruise lines will host an LGBTQ+ meet up on the first night. Hopefully, the solo and the LGBTQ+ meet-up times don’t overlap since this is a great opportunity to make even more friends on board! On my recent solo cruise, of the six of us solo’s who met the first night, 3 of us headed from the solo meet-up to the LGBTQ+ meet up together! By the last night the whole solo group went together down to the LGBTQ+ meetup. Such a great group of people.

The simplest way to book your solo cruise vacation is to utilize a travel agent, particularly one that specializes in cruising.  They will be tasked with tracking down your solo cruise with a low or no single supplement.  However, if you’re like me, the search is part of the excitement.

Typically, I use Cruise Plum to begin my search and then go to the cruise line site to investigate further. If doing your own search, the best way to see the total costs is to proceed as if you are going to book.  That way you will see if there will be additional unexpected charges.  Often the cost you see initially is much different as you move forward through the booking process. If you decide you don’t want that particular cruise, simply start the search over.  As long as you don’t enter payment information you will be ok.

Consider costs before you begin your solo holiday search. It’s best to start with an idea of how much you want to spend in total. In addition to the cruise fare, it will cost you more if you want drinks and/or Wi-Fi included. And, at least on RCL, you have options for each. There is a classic drink package and a premium package for drinks. With the premium package you can basically have any drink you want on board but the drinks in your mini fridge are NOT included (unless of course, you put it there). Wi-Fi also comes in a basic and premium. Premium internet is Starlink (satellite internet), at least on Celebrity Cruises, and has very fast internet, like what you might have at home. The basic Wi-Fi is “basic”ally useless. You will not be able to use WhatsApp with the basic package or really do anything with any speed. (Think old dial-up days). You will also need to consider expenses for airfare, tolls, hotel (if needed before or after your cruise), ride-shore or taxi, casino money, if you are a gambler, tips, souvenirs, food and drinks when ashore, costs for specialty restaurants and/or drinks on board if you don’t purchase the drink package, excursions and/or rentals at the ports, travel insurance, port fees and taxes, childcare or pet care (for your pets/kids while you are away), and I am sure there is more I left out. What starts as a “cheap” cruise fare can add up in total expenses well beyond your intended budget if you are not careful.  For example, a year ago I booked a cruise to Alaska and was pleasantly surprised at the low cost of the cruise and the airfare. However, what I failed to look into beforehand was the cost of excursions in Alaska. They are much higher than what I was accustomed to when doing a Caribbean route. They were worth every penny, though, I’ll tell you that. Alaska is incredible! I digress. Bottom line is “proper prior planning prevents poor performance”.

Start the search for your solo adventure here.

Part II-

-PREPARING FOR YOUR SOLO CRUISE TRIP

“COMING SOON”

Solo Cruise to Key West and the Bahamas!

Hello my prideful pals!  I recently am back from a wonderful, 4-night cruise on Celebrity Cruises.  The ports were Key West and Coco Cay and the departure port was Ft Lauderdale. Below is my synopsis of this cruise aboard the beautiful Celebrity Reflection.  To note, I will be making an additional blog post soon that details most of the how-tos of solo cruising!

Day Prior To Cruise

First impression of Costa Hollywood Beach Resort?  Not great. I was greeted by a sweaty man at the valet stand who told me there was no parking. I stated, “Look, I have a room booked. I need to park” and they reluctantly accommodated me. It was Mother’s Day and apparently the entirety of South Florida was at the beach and they allow anyone to park there. So right away I was not impressed. My room was not ready until 4 p.m. so I checked my bag and then walked 1/2 block to the beach.

The beach was crowded and the sand hot, but the water was a gorgeous turquoise color and much warmer than I anticipated. Margaritaville Resort was nearby so I headed over there to check out the Landshark Bar & Grill! It’s upstairs so looks out at the water. The view from my table was nice, just above the flow rider.  It was fun to watch kids and adults try their hand at surfing! It took a bit to get served and staff kept calling me sir, but other than that it was nice. Prices high as expected in a high tourist area in South Florida. However, it was made up by the light breeze and the nachos were also amazing! I got a local beer from Hollywood Brewing …Mango IPA. Love it!  However, it warmed quickly in its plastic cup.  Would I come to this bar again?  Probably not. Afterwards, I took a stroll around the beach and did some people-watching before heading to the hotel.

Cruise Day 1

Overall, a peaceful evening and uneventful, which is always good. I experienced the most comfortable bed I’ve ever slept on. It was like a cloud! The morning of the cruise I was up early to check out and then headed to Lester’s Diner once again.  I visited this diner on my last trip to Ft Lauderdale.  It was excellent, as usual, with a huge serving size, amazing coffee and friendly staff. From there I went to the port, dropped off my luggage at the drop-off area, parked and moved through the check-in process.  It was fast moving with not much waiting and before I knew it, I was at the Sunset Bar enjoying a “Miami Vice.”

I felt over the moon! I met 5 solo cruisers and 2 were also LGBTQ+! They are both PhDs, in neuroscience and chemical engineering respectively! Wow! I felt so blessed! I was so excited I quickly blurted out about my blog.  They probably thought I was crazy…lol! Another solo is a female PhD in human factors who once flew jets in the military. Yet another, is a chiropractor! It is so nice to meet intelligent people who are so down to earth. Dang, I love solo travel! I topped off the evening at the bar by having a long conversation with a fellow LGBTQ+ traveler. I feel so encouraged by these people. I also met, who I now consider to be the world’s best bartender…Yann from Mauritius! I ended up retiring early. Tired from the first day’s excitement. But, that is the beauty of solo travel. You can do what you want, when you want and how you want. It’s pure freedom!

Cruise Day 2

I was excited to be porting in Key West, so I started the morning with a small breakfast and headed out to start exploring! I failed to confirm the time of my golf cart rental. I thought it was 8 but it was 9. No worries though! Called my mom and talked to my dogs and then sat on a bench overlooking the marina, watching the captains prepare for their day. Weather was gorgeous and partly cloudy… a good thing given I left my sunglasses on the ship. I also meant to grab a water before leaving the ship and forgot that too. Moral of the story… slow down and don’t let the excitement mess you up! 

I had such a great day in Key West. It was so much fun driving the golf cart all over the island and seeing the off-the-beaten-path areas. But, the show stopper was The Key West Butterfly Observatory. They have that so well put together. They even have a few birds and a pair of flamingos. Apparently, it is mating season, so they were a bit loud as he was working hard to impress her, but she did not seem impressed! I ended up going through twice! For at least an hour afterwards, I had a tingly sensation in my whole body. It was so very special!

Prior to that, I visited Hemingway House and arrived just as it opened, so it wasn’t very crowded. Very interesting, particularly the writing studio. It was very cozy. Certainly, a quiet spot to be inspired and write. I should mention that if you are allergic or don’t like cats you may not want to visit as there are more than 60 resident cats that are descendants of Hemingway’s cats. Nearly all have the polydactyl feature of Hemingway’s original cats.

I also visited a nice open-air bar with a guy playing acoustic guitar and singing Island vibe tunes. Service was very good. Dollar bills hanging everywhere, so of course I had to contribute. You can see my prideful life bill hanging next to the ATM. They served bar food as well. I didn’t eat any but the guy next to me had a burger and fries which he said were superb.

I walked down to the Southernmost Point but the line to take a pic there was a block long. To me, not worth the wait, plus as a solo traveler you’d have to befriend someone ahead or behind you to take your pic. Probably a fairly simple request if you offer to take their party’s pic as well.

Overall, a great day. I returned to the ship exhausted, thirsty and hungry, so I made a stop at Café Al Bacio, and to my delight, my favorite bartender, Yann was there.  I have to say that I was so impressed that after one day he not only remembered my name but my room number and drink package. Wowza! Once I chowed some delicious tuna sandwiches from the café, and maybe a few chocolate chip cookies, I went to the pool to cool off. I have never seen the pools … all of them, including the solarium, so full. Bather load, 28.  Actual number 39! Gross. I soon returned to my room and prepared to meet up with my fellow solos. 

After our group meetup, I enjoyed the company of one of the other solo travelers who is also LGBTQ+. Our bartender, Yann, continued to astonish me with his amazing service! That evening I asked for a particular IPA beer that I enjoy and though they did not serve that beverage at that bar, he went to another bar and brought me a stash so I could have it. Love that guy! ( I haven’t mentioned that much, lol!) We met some other ladies, sisters who were from Atlanta. We had decided they looked friendly and went over and introduced ourselves.  We had more fun with these ladies just talking and enjoying their company before I headed to dinner.  After dinner, I dropped a buck or two at the casino before retiring from a great day.  The gentle rocking on the open sea is oh, so nice! Zzzzzz

Cruise Day 3

Our port on day 3 was Coco Cay. This is a private island in the Bahamas owned by RCL.  Until recently, only Royal Caribbean ported here so it was nice to be able to visit this cool island. I had visited once before about 12 years ago or so. I decided to pay a little extra for Hideaway Beach as that beach does not allow kids. Nothing against children, but I prefer a more adult experience. I think I paid around $30 for that.  Note that while normally when you book excursions through the ship you will get a ticket for that excursion.  In this case, there is no ticket.  You just scan your card at the entrance and voila! You’re in! The only negative thing I can say about Hideaway Beach was the techno/dance music that they pumped out at the pool area. Thankfully, I had heard about this beforehand and found a nice spot on the far end of the beach where I could still hear it, but it was not bothersome. The little lagoon they have created there is really nice. Sand was white and soft, and the water cool and refreshing. It doesn’t get very deep, but I like to just wade in about shoulder deep so this was perfect.

I got there early, before 9 a.m., and left that area around one to get some food. I should mention that earlier, around 10:30, I ate at Slice of Paradise which serves pizza included in the admission fee. I had the island guava BBQ chicken. It was really tasty! But for the main lunch I had a fish sandwich and some fries at Hideaway Hut before heading over to On the Rocks Bar area. I was really hoping to get away from the techno, but alas... it was being pumped out over there as well. So, I had one watermelon margarita while sitting on an Adirondack chair overlooking the ocean and rocky outcrops where seagulls were feeding on bait fish. I also saw one pelican which I loved! But then I was pretty tired and somewhat annoyed by the music selection so headed back to the ship.

The line to take the tram back to the ship was ridiculously long so I decided to walk. Mistake. Being as fatigued as I was and as out of shape as I am, by the time I got to my room I was feeling ill. I laid down just to cool off for a few minutes and ended up falling asleep.

I was awakened by the vibration of the ship’s thrusters as we were leaving port. I had missed the scavenger hunt I was supposed to do with the other solos. Nonetheless, I showered and was able to meet up with them at our usual spot. And, as usual, we headed down to the LGBTQ+ meetup. I dragged along 2 of the non LGBTQ+ people and ended up having a nice conversation with the chiropractor from NY. However, I should mention that Yann saw me approach the bar and brought me my favorite beer served in a glass, the way I like, without even being asked! Super impressed by this gentleman. He got a comment card and a hefty tip before I left the ship!

I was so looking forward to silent disco but decided to fill the tanks first and went off to dinner! I did not do any specialty restaurants this cruise but I will just say that in my past experience they are all very good and a notch or two up from main dining in terms of food quality and service. I had dinner in the main dining room and was pleasantly surprised to have the same wait staff two nights in a row. A happy coincidence since I have “anytime” dining. Both waiters were amazing (yes there were 2: one assistant and one waiter). Most often you see the assistant, whom I have usually found to be more personable. Though this time, both were great. The assistant waiter reminds me of Urkel… big round glasses and braces. He is adorable! The sommelier helped me choose a nice wine to pair with the meal I chose… rigatoni. The meal was delicious! And the wine, impeccable!

Silent disco was amazing as ever. However, they cut it for a minute to announce “starcode” and a room number on my floor. I knew right away someone was in trouble medically. In all my cruises I had never heard that before. It basically killed silent disco as I think everyone knew what it meant. So, a short time later I headed to my room and sure enough, the staff was bringing a stretcher down the hall. It was disheartening. All I could do was send up a few prayers and positive thoughts to whomever was in trouble. Certainly, a sad end to an otherwise great day. 

Cruise Day 4

Our last day, an “at sea” day was the best day I ever could have asked for. A delicious, freshly made omelet and good coffee for breakfast in the buffet and the morning spent poolside sipping mimosas. As I was leaving the Solarium I met the Captain… yes, his name really is Captain Kirk! He was a kind man and I could see he had a gentle soul. He was just out and about mingling with the guests. I love seeing that. I later heard he rocked it out on stage the prior night! This shocked me as I could not believe the man I had just met could “rock it out” as I believed he was an introvert when I met him earlier.

I then met the other solos for a digital scavenger hunt and then we went to one of their rooms…a Sky Suite where her butler laid out a huge spread of snacks including a variety of cheeses, fruits, chips, salsa, guacamole and a pizza! We toasted to new friendships with 3 bottles of champagne and spent the afternoon enjoying one another’s company. By far the most intellectual conversations I have had in many years. I am so grateful to have met these amazing, kind, beautiful, humans. We then decided to all have dinner together, lots of discussion about wines where I learned a thing or two. We then went to see my favorite bartender, Yann from Mauritius, who continued to impress throughout the entire cruise. Important note: when you meet someone like Yann, please fill out a “wow” card that you can get from customer service and let the cruise line know what great service they provided. Reward them directly with a cash tip on the last night. This would be in addition to the shared tip they all get from the tips they impose on us. This act of recognition keeps the amazing service going. Plus, don’t they deserve that? Many of these people are working for the cruise lines to support their families back home. They spend about 6-7 months at sea away from family and friends before being able to get back home to see their loved ones. Not your run-of-the-mill bartenders and wait staff. As an amazing last drink, Yann made me a rum drink called “Above the Clouds”. It was a very interesting drink to observe being made involving this smoking apparatus that infused the rare rum with smoked apple. The taste was unbelievable! We topped off the night with some gambling. No wins but it was a heck of a fun time! I don’t know if I’ve ever been so sad to get off a cruise ship. The people and experiences have been second to none. I am so incredibly grateful! My cup is full.

Preparing For Travel…

Well, I am setting sail on a short 4 night cruise out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Monday. Today is packing and prep day as I am driving to Ft Lauderdale tomorrow and spending the night in a hotel near the cruise port. This allows a little wiggle room in case of traffic issues. And in Florida on I-95, accidents and travel delays are the norm.

I have my packing list set and hope to share that with you all soon. What I have done additionally to prep so far is fill up the gas tank and a trip to the bank for some cash. I like to carry $2 bills to use as tips for the bar servers. They get a kick out of it. I will need to do the final check in for my cruise tomorrow am before I head out on the road. I’m looking forward to sharing my experiences on this trip with all of you from the perspective of an LGBTQ+ and solo traveler. More to follow…

“Every moment is a fresh beginning.” - T.S. Eliot

One year and four months ago, I began my solo traveler journey. I had traveled many times alone in the past, mostly for work. This time I was setting out on a cruise…all…by…myself! I have cruised many times in the past, always with family or my former partner, so I was a bit worried that I would be lonely. Well, I could not have predicted that I was about to have the time of my life!

I’m in my early 50’s. A single old, lesbian who lives with her mom and menagerie of pets. I don’t have many close friends and my mom doesn’t always want to travel so I was faced with a choice. Stay home like an old hermit or get out there and experience this beautiful Earth! For me, it was a no-brainer. I was going to get out there! I booked a 7 night cruise on Celebrity Beyond which sailed end of January, 2023.

I prepared by joining a few Facebook groups. One for the ship and one for the date and ship. Thanks to these groups I learned that the first night there was going to be a solos meetup sponsored by the cruise line. That seemed like a good idea and was it ever! I ended up meeting the most amazing group of women! We met up every night at the same place and time and often had dinner with each other throughout the length of the cruise. One day one of the ladies,who was my same age, had the same excursion booked. We spent the day hanging out on a gorgeous beach in St Maarten people-watching and just enjoying each others company. It was such basic human companionship but I realized I had not experienced this much in my life. So experiencing it now brought such a peace and calm to my soul. I am so grateful to myself for taking this first step into solo travel and for having the opportunity to spend some time with such great humans. I smile every time I think of it. If you have not tried solo travel, you really should go for it!