Solo cruising and crossing the Atlantic!

*NOTE: I wrote this blog while spending 2 weeks crossing the Atlantic. During that time, the world turned upside down with the COVID-19 pandemic and it wasn’t until we docked in Barcelona, that we knew how serious things had become. I decided to post it anyway and will proceed with how my plans have changed since arriving in Europe. Thanks for joining me

This cruise kicks off an 8 month trip around Europe. We will be at sea for nearly 2 weeks before we end up in Barcelona, Spain. I get a lot of questions about solo travel, and cruising solo seems to be up on the list of things folks are curious about. This is my 3rd transatlantic solo cruise, and will not be my last. I want to be clear about an important semantic issue – solo cruisers are not the same as single cruisers. There are some very well organized single cruises that are designed for singles to meet each other in a great setting. If that is for you, I say go for it!

However, I am a solo cruiser. My goal is not to meet that special someone. My goal is to travel. I personally don’t attend the groups for singles, but many do and really enjoy getting to know each other. On pretty much any cruise, the cruise director will build in time and a setting for singles to gather so always check the daily planner (The Compass on Royal Caribbean) for times and locations. They vary.

Transatlantic cruises tick many of the boxes that keep me traveling. There’s is as much or as little to do as you choose. Activities will vary depending on the cruise line and particular ship. On Allure of the Seas, you can enjoy everything from Broadway shows (Mama Mia! on this ship), to rock climbing, to aqua shows, to taking a sushi making class (click here if you want more about food events ). Mini golf? Sure! Zip line- no problem. For me, I enjoyed the progressive trivia that started on day 2 and progressed to the end of a crew. I joined a team where we started out not knowing each other, then became friends. That’s how this goes, but you have to put yourself out there. No one comes knocking on your cabin door. Well, if they do, send them away. That’s just creepy.

The food is excellent and I do not have to cook it. I meet people from all over the world. And someone else is driving. Not too shabby.

I’ve put together a gallery of of just a few of the things available on this particular cruise. I hope you enjoy them.