"Braving", "Pathetic", "Lonely" solo trips

Why on earth does someone think it is "brave" to do a solo trip? Or, for that matter, why is a solo traveler "Lonely" or "pathetic"? Could it be incredibly low self-esteem from the first-timer? I just wonder because I can't think of anyone I would want to come and ruin the freedom this type of vacation offers. Please know that this is meant somewhat tongue-in-cheek, but just wondering what other solo's think about these lables. :rolleyes:

Hi

I am a solo traveller and do not think I am brave, pathetic or lonely. - well occasionally lonely, but aren't we all sometimes. Just keep the positive mental attitude

I just love going on cruises and it is not possible for some of my friends to come along. When I have been on holiday with friends a lot of compromises have to be made.

I love having a cabin all to myself, doing what I want to do and when I want to do it and really enjoying the experience. Its a brilliant way of meeting new friends and acquaintances.

Here's to my next cruise in October.

Regards

Jo:)

Hey

I'm off on my first solo cruise on Saturday and I feel very brave and I think I am right to feel this way :)!

It's the first time I have travelled alone at all and after being part of a relationship for many years the prospect of going solo for the first time is daunting. :eek:

I feel proud of myself. I certainly don't feel pathetic though and I very much feel I won't get a chance to be lonely.

Some people are confident and these sorts of decisions are easy, we’re not all the same though. This was a big decision for me, I’m not confident and it is a stretch for me, therefore I AM brave and am happy with the label! :D

I am looking forward to making all my own choices such as eating as much as I like without anyone telling me not to and staying up for that one last glass that you don’t need but really want!

I expect to be a fully converted solo traveler after this trip!;)

I travel a lot for business and pleasure. Only when I'm cruising to do I get the "brave" comment. When I check in at a hotel, neither the desk clerk nor the other guests comment on how "brave" I am. Solo travelers at airports are taken for granted they're so common. Don't know what it is about cruising.

Roz

I travel a lot for business and pleasure. Only when I'm cruising to do I get the "brave" comment. When I check in at a hotel, neither the desk clerk nor the other guests comment on how "brave" I am. Solo travelers at airports are taken for granted they're so common. Don't know what it is about cruising.

 

Roz

Probably because cruising in general is such a "couple-oriented" experience, and others think we're brave to actually venture out into such an environment and be in the minority. I suppose the prospect COULD be a bit intimidating for solos who don't frequent the Cruise Critic solos board and would never even entertain the thought of going by themselves.

Maybe the couples thing is a result of watching too many episodes of the Love Boat! :D

Roz

Hi

 

I am a solo traveller and do not think I am brave, pathetic or lonely. - well occasionally lonely, but aren't we all sometimes. Just keep the positive mental attitude

I just love going on cruises and it is not possible for some of my friends to come along. When I have been on holiday with friends a lot of compromises have to be made.

I love having a cabin all to myself, doing what I want to do and when I want to do it and really enjoying the experience. Its a brilliant way of meeting new friends and acquaintances.

Here's to my next cruise in October.

 

Regards

 

Jo:)

Jo:

Good for you! Be proud! After you get the first one "under you belt" you will see what we all rave about. Also, hopefully nobody on the boat will hit you with the "pity look" and say "you're all on your own?". If they do then you will know what I mean. ;) Also, I am going in October also!

Hey

 

I'm off on my first solo cruise on Saturday and I feel very brave and I think I am right to feel this way!

 

It's the first time I have travelled alone at all and after being part of a relationship for many years the prospect of going solo for the first time is daunting.

 

I feel proud of myself....This was a big decision for me, I’m not confident and it is a stretch for me, therefore I AM brave and am happy with the label!

 

I expect to be a fully converted solo traveler after this trip!

me too. My first (solo) cruise is this Friday. Ever since I booked the cruise I've gone between :D and :eek:. Yesterday was :D but a couple of weeks ago was a definite :eek::eek::eek:. Not sure about today yet. We'll see how the rest of the week works out.

LizG12 and MrsP1981 Go on your cruises and have a wonderful time.....I am so ready for a cruise and I've already been on two this year.......

When people sometimes ask me about being alone....I always say, "Yes, isn't it FABULOUS....." and that ends that line of questioning......

For me it is a choice to travel solo.......for those who assume it is some sort of sentence shame on them.......

One of my friend's and her husband invited themselves on a cruise I was going on solo........boy did I feel sorry for her......... suffice it to say that my idea of a good time is not sleeping right after dinner...and I will just leave it at that!!!!!!!!!! To each his own......

"Don't you have anyone to go with you?"

"Sure, I just don't want them to....."

It's simply that most people are not comfortable being by themselves for long periods of time. They have to be with others (even if at times they may not enjoy the other person) and not alone.

I've heard this quite often on my travels and don't let it bother me. I know that at times, I walk to a different drum beat than most and that don't bother me!

How can that be lonely or brave? You will find so much to do and so many interesting people to do it with. The only downside is having to pay more for your cabin....but you save with onboard expenses.

I find that people who say those things are either afraid to try anything on their own, or are jealous because they know that you're having a great time and they're not.

I find that people who say those things are either afraid to try anything on their own, or are jealous because they know that you're having a great time and they're not.

Here, here kitty!:)

I find that people who say those things are either afraid to try anything on their own, or are jealous because they know that you're having a great time and they're not.

kitty9, You are absolutely right, those who usually make the comments are part of a couple, and don't have a clue on how much fun and enjoyable it can be to actually do something on your own, and to be able to do what you want, when you want to. To each their own, many would never travel solo, and many of us would prefer to be solo passengers. Yes, we end up paying a little more for that, but then we all know that we are worth it, right. LOL

going on solo cruise number eight in oct. on the rccl freedom.

yeah when i first posted on here i quickly admitted that pathetic was a bit of a strong word. since then i have really done an about face after reading all of your comments. you people have really made me feel very good about doing it solo. it will still make me nervous though when i step on board all by myself as i havent been alone in a lot of years. especially the way my last cruise ended in feb, 2011 aboard the carnival sensation. but i will never know unless i do it so i am going to this february, 2012.

Why on earth does someone think it is "brave" to do a solo trip? Or, for that matter, why is a solo traveler "Lonely" or "pathetic"? Could it be incredibly low self-esteem from the first-timer? I just wonder because I can't think of anyone I would want to come and ruin the freedom this type of vacation offers. Please know that this is meant somewhat tongue-in-cheek, but just wondering what other solo's think about these lables. :rolleyes:

I think some people are jealous of us solo cruisers b/c we get to do what we want w/o having to worry about what others want to do & get a cabin to ourselves. :) Have to admit that when I took my 1st solo last October that I was scared but I ended up having the vacation of a lifetime. Of course, I kept hearing the "you are so brave" & "The bless her heart, she is traveling all alone" remarks but I didn't let it faze me. Loved solo cruising so much that I will be going on solo cruise #2 in October.

Why on earth does someone think it is "brave" to do a solo trip?...

Well, answer the question "You came by yourself?" with a question: "Did you know that in the United States of America woman are allowed to travel without a male escort?" :D

LizG12 and MrsP1981 Go on your cruises and have a wonderful time.....I am so ready for a cruise and I've already been on two this year.......

 

When people sometimes ask me about being alone....I always say, "Yes, isn't it FABULOUS....." and that ends that line of questioning......

 

 

For me it is a choice to travel solo.......for those who assume it is some sort of sentence shame on them.......

 

 

One of my friend's and her husband invited themselves on a cruise I was going on solo........boy did I feel sorry for her......... suffice it to say that my idea of a good time is not sleeping right after dinner...and I will just leave it at that!!!!!!!!!! To each his own......

 

 

"Don't you have anyone to go with you?"

 

"Sure, I just don't want them to....."

Great one liner for making people realize that we are happy travelling alone.

I did travel alone in my thirties and had a great time. But this is my first time on a Cruise alone...so guess I'll have that question a few times? Will remember 'Yes, isn't it fabulous''

Lee

Guess I'm just by nature a loner. I travel alone because I have a hard time thinking of someone to share the room with. I've traveled all over the world alone and find that cruising, instead of causing me to feel alone, allows me opportunity to interact with others at meals, showtimes and excursions. Roaming through Europe and Asia is much more of an alone experience. I do gain personal insight when traveling, and one day may run into that travel companion. Meanwhile, I'm sailing alone. People say "you"re going alone? " Ianswer no, there's about 2000 other people I'm with! :)

Guess I'm just by nature a loner. I travel alone because I have a hard time thinking of someone to share the room with. I've traveled all over the world alone and find that cruising, instead of causing me to feel alone, allows me opportunity to interact with others at meals, showtimes and excursions. Roaming through Europe and Asia is much more of an alone experience. I do gain personal insight when traveling, and one day may run into that travel companion. Meanwhile, I'm sailing alone. People say "you"re going alone? " Ianswer no, there's about 2000 other people I'm with! :)

Love it....I'm going to have to borrow that one! :D

Part of it is also generational, I think. Let's be honest. The cruise demographic usually skews towards older people. Women in their 70's were raised in a time where women didn't travel alone, though they recognize young women now are different and can be well traveled. It is is a natural reaction for them to call the younger women brave, perhaps because they have different outlooks if a partner has passed on which has forced them to go solo for a while. To someone who has been married for the bulk of their life in an era where women didn't always have careers outside the home, it is brave to go it alone.

I sometimes receive the "brave" comment from people in my age group when they mean unusual or independent. It isn't politically correct to use these terms, though. Close friends usually ask if I'm traveling solo or with others instead of assuming I'd go with others.

Once, a pair of grandfatherly men told my then collage aged best friend and me that we'd be good wives. It was a genuine complement from their point of view and we thanked them for it based on their intention and giggled a bit after they were out of earshot. Compliments are based on perspective and manners in the response :)

Also, is it just me or do others think it is brave to fit a family into a cruise cabin or two when they normally spread out through a multi-bedroom home? That boggles my mind, sometimes, to think of four people in the inside cabins.

Do you think that on the Epic because there are solo cabins that it carries a certain amount of prestige? My guess (wishful thinking maybe??) is that if someone asks me, I tell them I am in a studio and it seems more impressive because 5% of the cabins are for solos, and it is for a specialized segement.

On another note, I have read reviews where people put a fourth family member in a studio, making that person a psuedo-solo.

Hi all,

Your comments on solo cruising have inspired me. I have been on four cruises previously, but with my partner. I am looking forward to my first solo cruise on the Pacific Jewel...I guess it will be what I make it and I will remember your words "yes isn't it fabulous" when asked about cruising alone. The scariest part is the thought of it. As someone said previously, you are not alone, there are 2000 other people on the ship!