Diary of a Solo Cruiser – Part 1: Setting Sail

In a personal travel first, Davida reflects on solo cruising to Gibraltar, Casablanca, Cadiz, Lisbon and Porto. The “Diary of a Solo Cruiser“ series captures the laughs, lessons, highs, lows and never-would-have-knowns of this new solo travel experience. First, let’s set the scene for sail away! Catch up with Part 2 in Gibraltar and Part 3 in Casablanca. Be sure to subscribe and follow the series if you would like to receive the latest updates from WoW by email.

The cabin curtains were open. Through the porthole window, a cloudless sky hang over the seeming infinity of the restless ocean. A soft knock on the door interrupted the stillness in the room.

“Come in.”
Yoyo, my cabin stewardess on Black Watch, stuck her head in. “Madam Davida, how are you feeling today?”

The Chronicles of Nausea in the Diary of a Solo Cruiser

My first solo cruise had been off to a queasy start. A tossing motion had woken me up, swaying my body to the demands of the crashing waves. I was having the rudest introduction to the infamous Bay of Biscay, a part of the Atlantic Ocean known for some of the roughest sea conditions. The choppy sea toyed relentlessly with my innards, bringing acute bouts of nausea with it. When I threw up eventually, it was with shuddering, retching sounds that released involuntary tears. Nonetheless, I was optimistic that the worst of the chronicles of nausea was over.

“Much better today, Yoyo,” I replied at last. “Thank you.”

The Line to Liverpool

I’d boarded the train at London Euston for an uneventful journey to Liverpool Lime Street. Well, as “uneventful” as nearly missing your train goes. I’m afraid my tendency to do things last minute isn’t something that has seen that much change over the last decade.

While I’ve now solo travelled to Bath, Kefalonia, Venice and Zadar, this cruise was a solo travel first. As such, I’d approached it with excitement and some trepidation. As much as I’ve come to like them, there is always a point before a solo trip when I feel my resolve faltering; when anxiety takes over.

Recommended for you

• Diary of a Solo Cruiser: Part 2 – Ripped at the Rock (Gibraltar)
• Solo travelling: 5 Thoughts on Going It Alone
• Cruising the Norwegian Fjords
• New to Cruising Tips, Questions & Advice

Diary of a Solo Cruiser: All aboard Black Watch

As I gingerly walked up the gangway and settled into my Oceanview cabin on Black Watch, I tried to shake the anxious thoughts away.

A notice placed on my bed indicated that there was a solo travellers’ introduction being held in the lounge. I rushed out, greeting the guest behind me as we both crept into the lounge for the solo travellers’ meet-up. A member of the Black Watch guest experience team gave us an overview of things to look forward to, including social walks and meet-ups. These ensured solo travellers were never really alone if they didn’t want to be.

“Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway”

Afterwards, I fell in step with the fellow solo traveller whom I’d met at the door earlier – Jeanette.

“What inspired you to take this trip solo?” I asked Jeanette.

“My husband died three years ago. I’d never been abroad before. I was always so curious, but afraid of venturing out on my own. After I buried him, I thought it’s now or never.”

Life doesn’t care about your fears, but it rewards you when you confront them.

Jeanette

If eyes are windows to the soul, Jeanette’s were warm and welcoming. The light caught her silvery grey hair as it fell softly around a face lined with years of history. On this expressive face, new memories would be etched. Stories would be tucked into the folds of her being. A heart expanded to new horizons as she embraced this new chapter in her life after bereavement.  

“And you…what’s your story?” said Jeanette.

“Me?” I smiled, “I’m just a girl trying to live the stories she loves to (re)tell.” That’s right. Pukes and all.

Take the Plunge

Dreams, visions, desires and passions require nurture. So too does adventure, even for the things we’ve ostensibly become used to – like solo travel, in my case. As Jeanette opined philosophically, life doesn’t care about our fears, but it rewards us when we confront them. What awaited me on this new solo travel adventure? Only time and the next ports of call would tell…

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Tune in next time on the Diary of a Solo Cruiser to find out what happened at our first port of call in Gibraltar, or simply pop your email below to get the story straight to your inbox.

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