Safety for women cruising solo...

[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?

[espritkennels]

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 cruised solo twice and I do like it. I have had no issues with being bothered at all. I love to go up on the deck at night to watch the ocean and feel the sea on my face and never felt uncomfortable. It is like anything else, use common sense. Hopefully that helps

[Solo Cruiser]

My cruises have been solo as well and I have to say I have never even felt a little bit anxious or nervous. While I've never been in any kind of uncomfortable situations I spoke once with a lady who had a fella being a little pushy in the disco one night. She stopped at the bar before she was going to leave and asked the bartender if they could call and have a staff member escort to her cabin. That was done and she was grateful.

I have to admit that I was nervous about this too before I took my first solo cruise. No longer. As the last poster said, use your common sense and this is probably the safest way for a solo female to travel.

[Izzybeff]

Originally Posted by Solo Cruiser

My cruises have been solo as well and I have to say I have never even felt a little bit anxious or nervous. While I've never been in any kind of uncomfortable situations I spoke once with a lady who had a fella being a little pushy in the disco one night. She stopped at the bar before she was going to leave and asked the bartender if they could call and have a staff member escort to her cabin. That was done and she was grateful.

I have to admit that I was nervous about this too before I took my first solo cruise. No longer. As the last poster said, use your common sense and this is probably the safest way for a solo female to travel.

That is a great idea about asking staff to walk you to your room. I hope I never need to use it. Thanks. Just last minute jitters I guess.

[Babsjo]

Have just booked my 7 th solo
Only time when a situation could have got akeard was when i was in a lounge and a gentleman sat down near me and started talking. He was pleasant enough but I got an uncomfortable feeling. When I had finished my drink I excused myself and said I was off to meet my cabin mate.
Never saw him again!

[Lois R]

Hi, I have been sailing solo for almost 10 years now and have never
had any issues. Actually, I feel very safe on the ship. I would say
if you feel uncomortable, the staff/crew/management are very
helpful and I would suggest you ask for assistance.

For me? I only cruise on my own and will be going on another one
in April

[Lois R]

I know I posted a reply....wonder why it did not show up
Now it is there....geeezz...what is going on with the boards...delays
on postings again?

[Darcy15]

I have travelled the world alone - including cruises - and have never had an issue.

Just use common sense, and follow your instincts. If a situation feels uncomfortable, walk away.

Have a great time

[arhillbilly]

I also cruise solo most of the time and have never had a problem. I even "ran around and toured" Barcelona 2 days by myself and never felt uneasy. Planning on "touring" Europe alone in May 2013......just use common sense

[TessM]

Originally Posted by arhillbilly

I also cruise solo most of the time and have never had a problem. I even "ran around and toured" Barcelona 2 days by myself and never felt uneasy. Planning on "touring" Europe alone in May 2013......just use common sense

Good for you. I've travelled solo to Barcelona twice in the past two years. I love that city. Feb 2012 I went to Paris by myself for 9 days and had a wonderful time. -- There is so much to see! And, May 2012 I spent 5 days in Valencia and 9 days in Barcelona. I'll be back in June 2013 after a rare (for me) non-solo cruise from Southampton to Barcelona. My sister will be with me on the cruise but will only stay a couple of days in Barca after the cruise. I'll be staying on for a week before I have to head back home (to work).

I'm busy planning my next solo vacation. It looks like it will be a Southern Caribbean cruise in late-Feb. I was thinking of spending a week in Florence but the cruise will provide more relaxation for me.

For, the OP, I endorse the "common sense" rule. And, listen to your gut. If something or some person seems odd or makes you uncomfortable, move along. Don't worry about manners or being polite - just find an exit.

I do like the idea of asking a crew member to find you an escort back to your room. -- It reminds me of the solution if you have someone following you in your car. Don't drive home - drive to a police station.

[espritkennels]

Originally Posted by TessM

Good for you. I've travelled solo to Barcelona twice in the past two years. I love that city. Feb 2012 I went to Paris by myself for 9 days and had a wonderful time. -- There is so much to see! And, May 2012 I spent 5 days in Valencia and 9 days in Barcelona. I'll be back in June 2013 after a rare (for me) non-solo cruise from Southampton to Barcelona. My sister will be with me on the cruise but will only stay a couple of days in Barca after the cruise. I'll be staying on for a week before I have to head back home (to work).

I'm busy planning my next solo vacation. It looks like it will be a Southern Caribbean cruise in late-Feb. I was thinking of spending a week in Florence but the cruise will provide more relaxation for me.

For, the OP, I endorse the "common sense" rule. And, listen to your gut. If something or some person seems odd or makes you uncomfortable, move along. Don't worry about manners or being polite - just find an exit.

I do like the idea of asking a crew member to find you an escort back to your room. -- It reminds me of the solution if you have someone following you in your car. Don't drive home - drive to a police station.

On my first solo cruise, I was a little nervous about being on my own since I am really shy but I loved it. I enjoyed doing what I wanted when I wanted. I met some cool people and had the best time. I have cruised with friends also and I enjoyed those too (ok to be honest I just love cruising) but it is kinda nice to do my own thing also.

[SMSACE6]

I think that a woman cruising solo should take the same precautions she does when travelling solo elsewhere. If you are travelling solo in a big city, you need to be aware of your surroundings, cautious, but not to the point of not seeing or doing anything. Just dont go anywhere you are not comfortable, or with anyone you dont know.

Just practice the same good sense you do when travelling alone elsewhere. Trust your gut, and dont go into any unfamiliar territory, especially alone.

[SandraDJ]

I am due to go on my fourth solo cruise. I feel safe when I'm on board. There's no way that I'd walk home alone in the early hours after a night out in the disco. The only thing that you need to worry about in those circumstances is tripping over the wires of the vacuum cleaners!

I haven't been pestered by anyone, but I am 60, so that could be something to do with it. The advice above about requested assistance from a crew member seems to be good.

[lady_mac]

Most of my cruises have been solo. Never had any issues.

[WELDON]

I have also cruised solo. When you are on the ship, no one knows you are travelling solo, unless you tell them. You see many people by themselves are various times and places. When I travelled with my mom, there were times she was tired or didn't feel like going out of the cabin. I went off myself to the casino, shops, sitting in a lounge. The only time I divulge I am solo is at my dining table or if I meet a solo woman or two women travelling together. If someone starts talking to me and asks if I'm travelling alone, I say my husband/boyfriend/friend is at the casino, in the cabin, doesn't like to sit at the pool. It's none of anyone's business and avoids questions.

[Roz]

No issues cruising solo in terms of safety or security, in my experience.

Even woman who are sailing as part of a couple or group may go off and do things on their own without their partner or friend. As was pointed out, no one really needs to know you're by yourself unless you volunteer the information.

Roz

[arhillbilly]

Originally Posted by TessM

Good for you. I've travelled solo to Barcelona twice in the past two years. I love that city. Feb 2012 I went to Paris by myself for 9 days and had a wonderful time. -- There is so much to see! And, May 2012 I spent 5 days in Valencia and 9 days in Barcelona. I'll be back in June 2013 after a rare (for me) non-solo cruise from Southampton to Barcelona. My sister will be with me on the cruise but will only stay a couple of days in Barca after the cruise. I'll be staying on for a week before I have to head back home (to work).

I'm busy planning my next solo vacation. It looks like it will be a Southern Caribbean cruise in late-Feb. I was thinking of spending a week in Florence but the cruise will provide more relaxation for me.

For, the OP, I endorse the "common sense" rule. And, listen to your gut. If something or some person seems odd or makes you uncomfortable, move along. Don't worry about manners or being polite - just find an exit.

I do like the idea of asking a crew member to find you an escort back to your room. -- It reminds me of the solution if you have someone following you in your car. Don't drive home - drive to a police station.

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

[xenagurl]

I've been around the world and back again alone. That's my preference with travel though most of the time that's not the way I travel.

In the past 13 months I've been on 4 cruises solo and have not had an issue. Common sense, not getting drunk, and trusting your instinct will go a long way in keeping you safe.

Never feel bad about enlisting the help of a stranger if needed. Even if it's just a matter of pretending you know someone while the "undesirable" moves on, it can be useful to have "immediate" friends.

[Virtopia]

I've been on two solo cruises, the last one being a 9 night sailing, and I never felt unsafe at any point of my sailing. I'm very much a people watcher, so there have been times when I'm out of my room until 1am. When I'm walking back to my room, I usually always see a staff member around the area, which is comforting and I always put a chair behind my door when I'm in for the night, just in case someone tries to wander into the wrong room.

My next solo cruise will be in September and I can't wait. It's an older ship and the room I selected is near the elevator, so I'm happy for that.

[TessM]

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

This year (May) I rented an apartment in the Born area. It was wonderful and my apartment was right down the "street" from Palau de la Musica. Great location and central to so many places in the Gothic Quarter and Plaza Catalunya and Las Ramblas. -- If you are interested, I found a spa right up the street that is not only fabulous, but you would not believe how crazy low their prices are. It is a very nice place, but apparently the going rate for spa services is nothing like what we have at home (or the crazy prices on cruise ships).

One downside to travelling solo is booking a hotel room for a single. Oftentimes this means you get a small room with a courtyard view. -- No wonderful balconies. And, I guess I'm just too cheap to pay for a double - which may or may not be a balcony room.

The nice thing about booking an apartment is that I can make sure it has a balcony (also, make sure it has an elevator unless you really like to climb stairs). I don't really use the kitchen to cook as I LOVE eating out in Barcelona as that is part of the experience for me. But, I know people who save a lot of money by taking advantage of the kitchen. -- I don't really cook much at home so there's not much of a chance I'll do so on vacation. - I used "Friendly Rentals" to book my apartment and will use them again for my June 2013 trip.

But, because I have early morning flights, I check out of the apartment the day before and spend one night at a hotel. The hotel staff will ensure I have a cab waiting for me at 4am so I can be at the airport in time for check-in.

I prefer Hotel Colon. I've stayed there twice and I'll stay there again in June for my last night in Barca. They are located right across the plaza from the Cathedral and they are convenient to most everything in the Gothic Quarter. Staff there are wonderful and they take good care of me.

If you are on Facebook, "Like" them. They are good at posting information on what is going on in Barcelona - AND - they post beautiful pictures that will make you want to rush out and book a flight.