Almond_Joy Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 I don't find anything strange about men doing it. I agree travelling with a loved one is very satisfying in a different way, but you can certainly enjoy a trip alone. I worry about traveling alone personally for safety reasons, though I've thought about it often. Link to post Share on other sites
Author USMCHokie Posted April 18, 2012 Author Share Posted April 18, 2012 Hmmm I dunno man. I like the responses so far about traveling alone in general, but being single on a cruise could go either way. You'll likely be seated for meals at a table with other singles (cruises tend to be sort of meal-centric). This could be a good or a bad thing depending on whether or not you like eating/talking with strangers. The good thing is that by the end of the week, you'd probably all be pals. Well, this actually won't be my first time going on a cruise alone. And it's not a "singles" cruise...just a normal cruise... And I really have no problem eating with "strangers," because by the end of the week, you're definitely not strangers anymore! Even if you're going with someone, you're still going to be seated with people you've never met before. In addition, they will most likely have all sorts of social mixers for single people available. You could meet the woman of your dreams, or you could find yourself surrounded by crazies, single-moms looking for a baby-step-daddy, the grotesquely obese (you don't know what obese means until you've been on a cruise-especially if you sail from Texas...), or complete hookers. Yea, I've seen the "singles" events they hold on cruises, and they are usually empty...or have a few weird dudes sitting around...I try to avoid them, as they seem to feel really forced and almost awkward... I dunno, I would personally be hesitant to go on a cruise by myself, based on what I've experienced out of cruises. I consider myself to be fairly socially adept when I want to be, but I tend to do just as well finding things to do alone. Take an introspective look at the things you like to do, and make the judgement call from there. If you have 7 days of shore leave, you might consider just booking a stay in Cozumel or something. Go deep sea fishing. Go clubbing and dance your ass off whilst ripped on cheapo tequila. Walk around town with a giant, comically oversized sombrero/green, white, and red cowboy boots and chat up the college girls. Well, it's definitely a great training experience if I've ever seen one...the first time I went alone, I became a great deal more comfortable in creating social situations...and although I enjoy doing things alone, it's hard to really do it on a ship since you're practically butt to nut with hundreds of other people... Link to post Share on other sites
Author USMCHokie Posted April 18, 2012 Author Share Posted April 18, 2012 Edited to add: I didn't see where it was a cruise. A single friend went on a cruise with visions of Love Boat dancing in her head. She came back very disappointed saying it was all couples or old people. There's definitely a lot of couples on ship...even on the last cruise I went on with my family (I ended up being 5th wheel with my parents and my brother and his girlfriend), I ended up hanging out with a bunch of kids ranging from 15 to 21...I still had a great time, but I agree that folks around my age are already coupled up...so that's probably my biggest "concern"...everyone will either be too old or too young... Traveling alone is good because you get to do exactly what you want to do and you get to meet new people. Absolutely. It's nice to not have to worry about someone else's agenda...and not having someone there to "rely on" socially makes it more necessary for you to meet folks... Never traveled for pleasure alone, but on business trips I have gotten away from co-workers and done my own thing on my spare time. When I was in Wash DC, visited the Smithsonian and went to the mall and spent time at the monuments, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.....Go to Cabo Wabo and have shot for me Marine. Cut loose and have fun.....Semper Fi!!! Rah...will do. Link to post Share on other sites
Author USMCHokie Posted April 18, 2012 Author Share Posted April 18, 2012 I don't know about cruises, though. I'd be careful about that one because you're going to be trapped on the boat for 7 days. The only people I know who go on cruises are my parents, and they're in their 80s. Noted. Well, cruises allow me to attention whore to my heart's content. Don't do it, Hokie. It can only lead to trouble. No refunds... Well, he does like older women. He might catch the eye of a rich, lonely, elderly widow... Everyone can use a suga momma... I say DO IT. You'll realize later how silly your misconceptions about it were. No one's going to think you're a creeper unless you act like one. Now I guess I just have to figure out how to behave so as to not look like a creeper... Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Scorpio Posted April 18, 2012 Share Posted April 18, 2012 Sidenote: It seems the ravages of the economy have not strongly effected the LS crowd? Cruises and trips to Europe after graduation? Did I forget to plant the seeds to my money tree? So jealous! Link to post Share on other sites
johan Posted April 18, 2012 Share Posted April 18, 2012 Hokie works for the government. Link to post Share on other sites
Author USMCHokie Posted April 18, 2012 Author Share Posted April 18, 2012 Sidenote: It seems the ravages of the economy have not strongly effected the LS crowd? Cruises and trips to Europe after graduation? Did I forget to plant the seeds to my money tree? So jealous! Hokie works for the government. I make it rain. Link to post Share on other sites
threebyfate Posted April 18, 2012 Share Posted April 18, 2012 The one and only trip on my own was to Vegas. The security and customs guy inferred I was going to Vegas to hook! 2 Link to post Share on other sites
zengirl Posted April 18, 2012 Share Posted April 18, 2012 Well, this actually won't be my first time going on a cruise alone. And it's not a "singles" cruise...just a normal cruise... And I really have no problem eating with "strangers," because by the end of the week, you're definitely not strangers anymore! Even if you're going with someone, you're still going to be seated with people you've never met before. Yes, eating alone is not an issue at dinner on most cruises. Just throughout the day. If the ship makes lots of stops, that's better, I'd think -- more to get off and do. On cruise ships, I get bored even with an SO. But I went on more than a dozen as a kid. Perhaps just all cruised out. (Cruises were cheap for us -- grew up in Florida -- so a common family vacation.) Link to post Share on other sites
cerridwen Posted April 18, 2012 Share Posted April 18, 2012 Most of my foreign travel has been alone and it's been GREAT! I've met a ton of people who I still keep in touch with, though we're all at a great distance. The way I see it, life's to be experienced so while having a S.O. along can be fun, it's not going to stop me from seeing the world. 1,000 Places To See Before You Die. Start with number 1, Hokie! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Kamille Posted April 18, 2012 Share Posted April 18, 2012 [/i]Start with number 1, Hokie! Yes. Canada. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Anela Posted April 18, 2012 Share Posted April 18, 2012 I prefer travelling with others, but if I had the money I'd be taking off alone right now. I saw this on FB last week: http://i.imgur.com/fphKR.jpg - I'd love to! 3 Link to post Share on other sites
Emilia Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 I love travelling on my own. Lived in Africa for a year and a half, some of it working, some of it travelling, I met great people in most towns. If a place didn't suit me, I just moved on. Same in Asia, spent about 5 months there leaving London on my own but I think I was with new mates within a week. Travelling alone has made me the outgoing person that I am today. However, not sure about cruises because I thought they usually had either older clientele or families with kids? Have to say it isn't something I'd contemplate until I'm in my 60s. Whenever I travel I stay at backpackers or at the sort of places where I can meet like-minded people easily. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Emilia Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 If I were a man I would travel all over the world by myself, backpack if I have to! Do it OP, you'll have a blast I'm sure!! You can do this easily as a woman Link to post Share on other sites
zengirl Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 You can do this easily as a woman Totally! I used to think "if I were a man, I'd travel to X and X and go here and etc. . . " and then one day, I said, "screw it!" and did it anyway. Best choice of my life, by far. Link to post Share on other sites
Ross MwcFan Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 (edited) How do you all feel about traveling or going on a vacation by yourself? I would feel very wierd, although I still kind of like the idea of it, going to cool unusual places, places with volcanoes, big mountains, the north pole, etc. But there's also the fact I'd be too scared of getting on the wrong plane, getting lost, stranded, etc. I'd definatley need some sort of adult supervision. Edited April 19, 2012 by Ross MwcFan Link to post Share on other sites
FitChick Posted April 20, 2012 Share Posted April 20, 2012 I would feel very wierd, although I still kind of like the idea of it, going to cool unusual places, places with volcanoes, big mountains, the north pole, etc. But there's also the fact I'd be too scared of getting on the wrong plane, getting lost, stranded, etc. I'd definatley need some sort of adult supervision. You would do well with tour groups then, where they have every minute of the day planned out. Good way to meet people for someone who is shy like you are. Link to post Share on other sites
Snow-white Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 I, as a woman, travel on my own. Cross-Atlantic flights, travel. Meet my old friends. As a man... hhhmmm sure, why not? Link to post Share on other sites
lino Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 Travelling alone is great. You can do whatever you like and you meet more people like that I've found. I had my first ever overseas trip with a girlfriend last year and while it was very fun it is quite different and I feel you genuinely experience another country much more when on your own or with at most, 1 or 2 friends. Travelling locally I've never done on my own, never really thought about it. Perhaps I should try it! Link to post Share on other sites
Eternal Sunshine Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 Honestly, it's kind of weird. I did two weeks in Hawaii for business few years ago (but without my colleagues). I had lots of spare time and I enjoyed it but.....I felt kind of lonely. I also never ate out after dark (just ordered room service). Although, I would eat lunch or breakfast at restaurants. I did a week in Rio on business WITH colleagues and had a blast. I also traveled with my ex all over Australia. There is no comparison. I am not sure if after that I could ever do it alone again I plan to back pack around South America with a friend in a year or so. The only pro of going alone is picking up randoms. They are usually creepy and not my cup of tea though. Also, as a woman, I always had random men offering to carry my bags and such which was nice. Link to post Share on other sites
johan Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 Also, as a woman, I always had random men offering to carry my bags and such which was nice. In the US we call them bell hops. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
threebyfate Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 Are we discussing business trips or vacationing alone? Thought it was the latter. Link to post Share on other sites
Eternal Sunshine Posted April 23, 2012 Share Posted April 23, 2012 Are we discussing business trips or vacationing alone? Thought it was the latter. Business trips can turn into vacations. I stayed an extra week in Hawaii Link to post Share on other sites
threebyfate Posted April 23, 2012 Share Posted April 23, 2012 Business trips can turn into vacations. I stayed an extra week in Hawaii Wasn't criticising you. More my own confusion at the intent of the thread. If we're talking about business travel too, used to do quite a bit of it in the past. It's fine to travel alone, although people like to chat during the flight where many times, you don't really feel like chatting. Link to post Share on other sites
Author USMCHokie Posted April 23, 2012 Author Share Posted April 23, 2012 Wasn't criticising you. More my own confusion at the intent of the thread. If we're talking about business travel too, used to do quite a bit of it in the past. It's fine to travel alone, although people like to chat during the flight where many times, you don't really feel like chatting. I'm talking solely about vacationing. Link to post Share on other sites
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