Extraordinary experiences don’t come around every day. When we feel exhausted from the everyday chaos, and disconnected from our innermost sense of self, there are few ways to recharge our batteries and renew our sense of belonging – and solo cruising is one of them. Taking a trip on your own, especially at sea, pushes you out of your comfort zone. It gives you an unspoiled vantage point of new cultures and it can help you find your own purpose.
If you’ve never tried cruising on your own, there’s no time like the present. We live in the era when globetrotting on your own is as safe as it gets, and the world is more connected than ever. Still having second thoughts? Here are a few reasons to give you that nudge and inspire you to start packing for your very own solo cruise adventure.
Free your mind
If you’re used to sticking to strict schedules offered by agencies, you’ll especially appreciate the liberating effect of venturing into the unknown without the shackles of itineraries. Even if you like and enjoy having a schedule, the simple fact that you can alter it at any time, skip a prominent touristy spot in favor of a secluded park on the fringe of a city will be more than enough to give you a feeling of calm. As long as you’re back on the ship in time for heading off to your next harbor, you’re good to go.
Boost problem-solving
Without a companion to rely on during your off-shore adventure, you’ll be enticed to leave your safety nets and your trusty cocoon so that you can actually experience the worlds you’re visiting. Having trouble with your single’s cabin? Not sure how to get to a certain spot in one of your destinations on your own? Feeling queasy? You’ll find yourself tackling these challenges with more resolve than ever.
In fact, you’ll find yourself more attuned to your needs every time you set sail for another voyage. You’ll know which cruise travel insurance to obtain and how to get in touch with a medical professional in different destinations. You’ll know who to talk to and how to find your way around a completely unknown city. Solo cruises empower you to become more self-reliant than ever.
Helps you heal
In addition to meditation, leading a healthy life, and practicing self-care at every turn, preserving your mental health while struggling with depression or anxiety takes creativity. Many solo travelers have found wisdom and peace in taking off into the unknown. Travel has a unique way of healing your soul by exposing you to adventure, new scents, tastes, new bonds, by letting you have a glimpse into the wonders of our humble world.
It gives you perspective and a new appreciation of your own existence. Travel is indeed one of the most rewarding choices you can make in an effort to rebuild your self-esteem and your self-love, one wondrous day of exploration at a time.
A tech detox
You can watch hundreds of videos to fuel your wanderlust, but experiencing even a fraction of those moments in your own life will bring you serenity you have forgotten exists. Too busy scrolling down yet another impressive Instagram page, or chatting with your friends, we rarely notice the negative impact of too much tech every day.
Book a cruise and spend your days listening to the waves, visiting exotic harbors and secluded beaches, and you’ll forget you own a phone. Give yourself the chance to taste life outside of the digital realm by taking a voyage – it’s invigorating and lets you remind yourself of a simpler time with no desperate need to constantly type or scroll away.
Builds compassion
Have you had the opportunity to lay your hand on the wrinkled skin of an elephant in Thailand? Or see the villages in rural Africa brimming with smiling, yet impoverished kids? Or encounter a whale in migration leaping out of the waves in all of its glory? These and all other experiences we can only get by putting our travel shoes on are truly humbling.
Even if you spend your entire holiday cruising in a well-equipped cabin with dance lessons and cocktails at every turn, every stop you make to see and breathe in the real life of the places you visit will change your perception of the world. Above all, it will give you a deeper sense of belonging and appreciation of your own life, as well as compassion for all living creatures.
Don’t underestimate the power of a trip you can take on your own. Solo travel is becoming more popular every day, so more cruise lines are offering packages that make it possible for you to see a range of different, exotic places within a single holiday. Use them to heal, explore, and venture into the unknown to discover the true beauty of our world.