Walking in My Shoes

A week ago, during my cruise holiday on Queen Mary 2, I talked to a lady who was also a solo traveller. She asked if I would join the solo travellers’ meetup that evening. I said no, as I was not looking for a company. Her next question surprised me and made me think a lot.
“Are you a loner then?” she said.
I was thinking so much that I even asked my friends about it.
The answer was, “You just choose very carefully how and with whom you spend your time, and you are very comfortable in your own company.”
Perfect description. I love my space and agenda and don’t need anyone to make me happy or entertain me. Equally, I am very good at starting conversations, and at times, I love socialising, but only with people I connect with. Yes, I am extremely choosy.

All this made me wonder if there are any downsides to solo travelling.

You always pay more when travelling solo. That is your punishment for being happy on your own. Holiday companies, hotels, and cruises never give you discounts for your solo space. It is annoying, but I accepted this. It is what it is, and I choose my choice.
The other day, I took a passenger ferry from Southampton to Cowes. At the ticket machine, it said that tickets after 10.30 are 10 pounds cheaper. I waited as I was not in a hurry, only to find out this offer was only available if there were two travellers. As a solo passenger, you are not worth it. Society constantly reminds you that you are incomplete unless you have plus 1.

If you are dining alone, they always try to give you the worst table, hidden in the corner, by the kitchen, out of the way. But if you remember, nobody puts Baby in the corner (Dirty Dancing quote). On the cruises, they try to make you share a table with others. Sometimes I do. But I learnt to be assertive also. There are times I don’t want small talk at the dinner table.

I hate it when you come to the reservations desk and you always hear.
Just for one? Only for one? On your own?
I now always correct that it is a table for a complete, happy, perfect 1.

Last but not least, the hardest thing about travelling solo, especially on cruises, is figuring out how to zip up your evening dresses. Once, I struggled and had to ask a steward in the hall to help me.

Other than that, travelling solo is just amazing!

With Love as Always,
Yana De Lilac