Safety for women cruising solo...

[Cairnmom]

I have cruised solo a few times and have felt very safe. It is a very insulated environment onboard, however I am very careful in the ports and tend to go on excursions offered only through the cruise line.

[saddixie]

Been on Epic solo this October then travelled around Spain for a week via train on my own. Always aware of my surroundings as I would be at home but never once felt unsafe on the ship. I am seperated but wear my wedding ring when on my own () - just do as you would normally and have a fab time

[calliopecruiser]

I think it's like traveling anywhere by yourself -- do not get lulled into a false sense of security on a ship just because it's a closed environment; treat it as if you were on your own in any city you might travel to. Be aware of your surroundings, follow your gut feelings, and watch yourself if you're drinking (don't leave your drink unattended, don't get so drunk you can't get yourself "home", etc).

[Cairnmom]

Also, there is a second lock "deadbolt" on your cabin door and when locked, no one can access your cabin except security with special tools. I know this cause I accidently locked my husband out of the cabin one night while he was playing poker and it took a special call to security to unlock the door.

[thescot123]

I am a male who has done over 6 solo cruises. Regardless of gender, I would recommend the following tips.

1. Be aware of your surroundings and listen to your gut feelings.
2. Remember, safety in numbers, I sign up for the cruise critic meet & greet and share excursions with fellow cruisers.
3. Avoid getting too drunk as it can lower your inhibitions and put you at risk. 4. If unfamiliar with a port, then use a ship based shore excursion or share with others.

Enjoy your solo cruise as I have never looked back. For me a cruise is an excellent place to unwind from life stresses, meet excellent cruise staff/officers and visit exotic ports cheaply.

My co-worker, a married female, just took a solo cruise on the Ruby Princess. Her husband is tired of cruising but won't let this stop her from getting her cruise fix so she goes alone.

Enjoy
Tony

[suz8483]

Tess M Try the Continental Hotel at the top of the Ramblas in Barcelona. Funky, friendly and less costly than Colon. As far as safety is concerned I've traveled much of the world on my own with no problems. I suspect that if one drinks too much problems could crop up!

[gxchan]

ITA with others advice to treat a cruise like you would a land vacation, be aware of your surroundings, whose around you, follow your gut, if someone seems wrong, walk away. I'd also like to add keep an eye on your belongings like cameras, cell phones, cash, etc. On shore excursions don't take large amounts of cash and only one credit card (with a backup card left in your cabin safe). There are pick pockets/thieves in every city/port where there are large numbers of tourists.

In a dozen cruises only once was an obnoxious drunk a problem on a ship and he was handled by the bartender. But a friend's small bag with her wallet and camera went missing on a beach excursion. The excursion operator asked if anyone had seen them and, of course, no one had. They were probably taken by a passerby. She lost her camera, all her vacation photos, cash and had to scramble to get her credit cards cancelled when she returned to the ship. Not fun.

Solo cruising is great fun and generally safe, go and have a wonderful time.

[xtobella]

I will be cruising solo for the first time in Jan of 2014. Safety is honestly my only concern- I enjoy doing my own thing and having time to myself I have been on 2 cruises prior to this, the last one I spent plenty of time by myself on the ship- especially at night. I met some cool people and never had any issues. My concern is regarding the ports. I'm only 23, 4'11- very petite...some men on the islands were very forward with me even when I had someone with me, so I'm a little concerned what it would be like when I'm by myself. I feel like I would be an obvious target, lol. Any tips for the ports?? I've heard about meeting people prior to the cruise (through forums and whatnot) and setting up excursions to do together. Has anyone done this before? How'd it work out? -Christina

[Roz]

My advice would be to book the ship's excursions. That's what I do. Or any group excursion whether thru the cruise line or not. Ports that I'm familiar with and feel safe in I'll walk around by myself.

Roz

[bottomfeeder]

Originally Posted by xtobella

I will be cruising solo for the first time in Jan of 2014. Safety is honestly my only concern- I enjoy doing my own thing and having time to myself I have been on 2 cruises prior to this, the last one I spent plenty of time by myself on the ship- especially at night. I met some cool people and never had any issues. My concern is regarding the ports. I'm only 23, 4'11- very petite...some men on the islands were very forward with me even when I had someone with me, so I'm a little concerned what it would be like when I'm by myself. I feel like I would be an obvious target, lol. Any tips for the ports?? I've heard about meeting people prior to the cruise (through forums and whatnot) and setting up excursions to do together. Has anyone done this before? How'd it work out? -Christina

I had my first solo cruise this year and I signed up for a couple of shore excursions (and an airport transfer) organized by folks on my Cruise Critic Roll Call thread. They were all great, and the company was very congenial (even the transfer after an overnight flight from the US to London when people could have reasonably been rather out of sorts due to lack of sleep!) And they were all much more economical than the cruise line excursions--not to mention a van-size vehicle can get into a lot more places (and load and unload much faster) than a bus. I'd highly recommend it.

I would highly recommend solo cruising in general--I had a great time and it was very relaxing and so nice not to have to share my room/bathroom or bend my schedule due to someone else's wishes!

[JHU]

Originally Posted by Izzybeff

My only concern with cruising solo is safety. Normally when I cruise I'm sharing a room with someone, but since I'm not this time I'm a little uneasy.

For the women, have you ever had an issue with someone following you to your room or bothering you at all? And if you did, what did you do?

---------------------------------

The majority of my cruises have been solo. Others have addresed the ship safety strategies. I'll address safety at the ports: use the same sense that you use at home; if it doesn't feel right, don't go or leave. If you have to, pay for a taxi to get back to the ship. Be aware of your apparel, demeanor and alcohol consumption. I've taken both ship and independent excursions and have had no trouble. In fact, being the solo participant, I often have the opportunity to sit up front with the van driver - a definite plus. Enjoy!

[OldTurtle]

I have traveled all over the world alone and just use intuition to protect myself. In my early twenties I "hopped" onto a bus going through Istanbul and went six weeks overland to New Delhi India by myself. Of course, I made friends with some of the other folks, but am used to being totally independent and just seeing all there is to see: Istanbul, Santiago, Delhi, Afghanistan and Pakistan and Iran (in the days when one could!) Bring it on. If you seem confident, almost no one will bother you. I once WAS followed late at night in London and had to "talk my way" out of an assault. Thank goodness it worked. My mother was the same way as me and ran away at 15 to join the French Underground Army in Beirut. She continued to travel the world and collect adventures, and I have passed this down to my own daughter, now 40, who also traveled the world unaccompanied. On a cruise ship it is like being in a dormitory it is usually so safe. Just say something to a staff member if you are ever concerned, and they will help!

[Darcy15]

Originally Posted by xtobella

I will be cruising solo for the first time in Jan of 2014. Safety is honestly my only concern- I enjoy doing my own thing and having time to myself I have been on 2 cruises prior to this, the last one I spent plenty of time by myself on the ship- especially at night. I met some cool people and never had any issues. My concern is regarding the ports. I'm only 23, 4'11- very petite...some men on the islands were very forward with me even when I had someone with me, so I'm a little concerned what it would be like when I'm by myself. I feel like I would be an obvious target, lol. Any tips for the ports?? I've heard about meeting people prior to the cruise (through forums and whatnot) and setting up excursions to do together. Has anyone done this before? How'd it work out? -Christina

This made me smile

I'm older than you, but also 4' 11"

Personally, I take ships excursions only - feel a lot safer that way

[Cruisin'Mama7]

Originally Posted by bottomfeeder

I would highly recommend solo cruising in general--I had a great time and it was very relaxing and so nice not to have to share my room/bathroom or bend my schedule due to someone else's wishes!

This sounds like absolute heaven! After reading numerous posts of ladies going solo, makes me wanna ditch DH (bless his heart!) and try it by myself for once!

Just kidding!...or am I???

Cruisin' Mama

[deelastcre]

Originally Posted by thescot123

I am a male who has done over 6 solo cruises. Regardless of gender, I would recommend the following tips.

1. Be aware of your surroundings and listen to your gut feelings.
2. Remember, safety in numbers, I sign up for the cruise critic meet & greet and share excursions with fellow cruisers.
3. Avoid getting too drunk as it can lower your inhibitions and put you at risk. 4. If unfamiliar with a port, then use a ship based shore excursion or share with others.

Enjoy your solo cruise as I have never looked back. For me a cruise is an excellent place to unwind from life stresses, meet excellent cruise staff/officers and visit exotic ports cheaply.

My co-worker, a married female, just took a solo cruise on the Ruby Princess. Her husband is tired of cruising but won't let this stop her from getting her cruise fix so she goes alone.

Enjoy
Tony

These are all excellent suggestions. I cruised one time alone and I enjoyed doing my own thing. Join a Cruise Critic Group, because there's always other solo cruisers and people looking for others to share excursions. I've always felt safe with the cruise ship excursions. Remember to leave expensive jewelry at home and take very little money, one credit card, and your cruise card and a copy of your Passport with you. Try to book a cabin near the elevator.

[calliopecruiser]

Why should we assume strangers on Cruise Critic are safer than strangers who are not? I ask this in reference to this idea that, for safety, one can arrange to share shore excursions with other Cruise Critic members.

I'm not talking about frequent cruisers who already know one another off of this site, I'm talking about the idea that it is necessarily safer to tour with someone on this site than it is to either a) visit a port city alone or b) meet a passenger on board who isn't a member but who seems to share your goals and tour with him/her/them? I'm probably breaking some awful taboo by insinuating that every anonymous poster on this site isn't above board and normal, but the truth is this is an anonymous internet board with no membership requirements. It seems to me that common sense for safety (for women or men) is that you shouldn't make plans to go off alone with some stranger from the internet.

I'm hoping I'll meet some nice people at the M&M party of Cruise Critic members (and maybe share future meals, dances, or even shore trips with them), but I'm not about to make plans with anyone I haven't yet met just because they post on here.

Personally, except in some Islamic countries and maybe India, I think there's nothing particularly unsafe about a woman making her own way around an unfamiliar port city alone. Lots of women travel the world to unfamiliar places alone and, with common sense and a few basic precautions, do so safely. The days of a woman needing to be accompanied somewhere in order to be safe are gone, at least in most parts of the world.

[bottomfeeder]

Originally Posted by calliopecruiser

Why should we assume strangers on Cruise Critic are safer than strangers who are not? I ask this in reference to this idea that, for safety, one can arrange to share shore excursions with other Cruise Critic members.

I'm not talking about frequent cruisers who already know one another off of this site, I'm talking about the idea that it is necessarily safer to tour with someone on this site than it is to either a) visit a port city alone or b) meet a passenger on board who isn't a member but who seems to share your goals and tour with him/her/them? I'm probably breaking some awful taboo by insinuating that every anonymous poster on this site isn't above board and normal, but the truth is this is an anonymous internet board with no membership requirements. It seems to me that common sense for safety (for women or men) is that you shouldn't make plans to go off alone with some stranger from the internet.

I'm hoping I'll meet some nice people at the M&M party of Cruise Critic members (and maybe share future meals, dances, or even shore trips with them), but I'm not about to make plans with anyone I haven't yet met just because they post on here.

True, but all of the excursions I see being planned on Roll Call threads are group outings with at least 4 people, usually more. I guess you could have extremely bad luck and make plans to go on a shore excursion with 3 psycho killers who post on Cruise Critic...but it seems to me that's extremely unlikely. Would I ever plan an excursion with 1 person only, who I had never met? Nope. But the group excursions are a different story and I think they are just fine.

We all have our own comfort level, though...so as we have all been saying, if you don't feel comfortable, don't do it.

[Alohanuiloa]

Hi !

Last November my friend and I stayed 2 nights in Barcelona before our cruise. We stayed at Arc la Rambla Hotel. Not expensive, clean, good room, right on la Rambla (with a balcony) and within walking distance to many restaurants, stores, Plaza Catalunia, subway station, Barcelona Cathedral and Mercado La Boqueria.

I hope it can help :-)
Alohanuiloa

Originally Posted by arhillbilly

Where do you normally stay when you are in Barcelona? I would love to go back, my hotel was ok, but I would like to find a different one....not to expensive. Thanks

[Erwinlucy]

Originally Posted by Izzybeff

My only concern with cruising solo is safety. Normally when I cruise I'm sharing a room with someone, but since I'm not this time I'm a little uneasy.

For the women, have you ever had an issue with someone following you to your room or bothering you at all? And if you did, what did you do?

I have not had a problem, and I have sailed solo several times, the longest 28 days. I am older, and gray haired, so not too hot looking. I meet other solos or couples at dinner have friendly conversation. I enjoy many activities and shore excursions. Cruise ships are aware of single solos and for the most part, take good care of us. I have cruised solo with RCI, Princess and Holland America with mostly mature passengers.

[lcmslady]

This isn't necessarily about safety - all that's being said makes perfect sense.

I did have a cabin to myself on one cruise but was with other people, so it was nice to have the cabin to myself but still have people to hang out with.

Given the single supplement - how do you all manage to cruise so frequently?

Don't you get lonely over the course of a week? I've found that when others are in a group, they tend to 'be' with that group.