Solo cruises aren't as scary as you might think. They're a great way to explore at your own pace and meet new people, making them surprisingly peaceful and social.
I've sailed alone to the Bahamas, Caribbean, Mediterranean, and — most recently — Alaska. However, my solo trip to The Last Frontier was unexpected, as my partner woke up feeling ill the day before our flight to Seattle.
As such, she thought it was the responsible decision to stay home, both for her health and the safety of others. I had been looking forward to traveling to Alaska together and was understandably disappointed, but I wasn't going to let one change in plans derail my excitement for the trip.
Instead, I saw it as an opportunity to expand my portfolio of solo cruises, which already included Symphony and Freedom of the Seas, Celebrity Ascent, and Carnival Celebration.
Because I had traveled alone on a Carnival cruise, I was less anxious about navigating ship life solo. I was familiar with the overall Carnival experience and had fond memories of my trip aboard Celebration — including visiting Maho Beach for the first time and hanging out with a pair of cousins traveling together from North Carolina.
Although I thought I knew what to expect, traveling by myself to Alaska was filled with surprises. I definitely did a few things right, but I also made a few mistakes along the way.
I'm glad I booked an inside cabin
Initially, my partner and I booked a guarantee inside cabin to keep our costs low. For our 7-night cruise, the total came out to $1,780 — or $890 per person — including prepaid gratuities, which felt like a fair price.
Once she decided not to come, I was worried that I'd feel isolated in my windowless interior stateroom. However, the cabin turned out to be a shockingly spacious retreat.
Carnival Luminosa is an older ship, having debuted in 2009 for Costa Cruises. As such, I wasn't expecting an updated stateroom.
To my surprise, we were assigned a cabin for four guests, so there was more space than a standard interior stateroom for two.
And since I was alone, I had the entire area to myself. Truthfully, it felt less like a cramped cruise cabin and more like a junior suite! The extra room made a big difference, especially on days when I wanted to relax after a shore excursion.
Although I missed having a view of the passing scenery from my cabin, I'm glad my partner and I ended up booking the cheapest stateroom because it forced me to spend time around the ship, especially once I realized she wouldn't be coming.
For instance, rather than lounging on my balcony while sailing through Endicott Arm, I sat on the enclosed lido deck and made small talk with two passengers.
I regret paying for an Uber from my pre-cruise hotel
I'm so used to paying for rideshares whenever I travel that I didn't look into shared shuttles to the port in Seattle. This ended up being one of my costliest mistakes, as my Uber (for just one person!) came out to $108.82, including a tip.
The Seattle Express, for instance, charges just $27 per person for a one-way transfer from SeaTac hotels to the cruise port. Had my partner been with me, this still would have been more economical, costing less than $60 for two people.
Next time I sail out of Seattle, I'll definitely consider other transportation options to save money, even if it means having a little less flexibility on embarkation day.
I cancelled a pre-booked excursion for a more expensive tour
With my partner staying behind, I didn't have to worry about shelling out money for someone to take care of our dog. As such, I had more flexibility in my budget than I initially thought.
When I visited the shore excursions desk to cancel my partner's ticket for the "Gold Panning and Gold Rush Sled Dogs" tour, I decided to browse other excursions in Skagway.
The helpful agent guided me through the top tours that had last-minute availability. After weighing my options, I decided to cancel the original excursion and book a more expensive, immersive tour that included an actual sled dog ride, rather than just a short visit to the mushing center.
Read more: 14 lessons learned after I tried my first Alaska cruise
The 3.5-hour tour cost over $200 for one person, but it was worth the cost. Since I was alone, I didn't have to question whether it fit the budget, either.
Booking through Carnival meant I didn’t have to stress about logistics, as transportation and coordination with the dog mushers were taken care of.
I was picked up right at the port and taken to the mushing camp in Dyea, roughly 35 minutes from the cruise ship pier. When we arrived, we boarded a Unimog that took us 900 feet up the mountain to the trail where we were greeted by teams of 15-16 sled dogs.
The dog sleds pulled us for about one mile, then we headed back down to the base where we met the adorable puppies and learned more about the history of mushing.
Afterward, everyone had the option to be dropped off in the heart of downtown Skagway, which made grabbing fresh seafood for lunch a breeze.
In short, it was a morning I won't soon forget, and it was possible because I was alone with the freedom to choose exactly how I wanted to spend my day and fewer budget restraints.
I wish I had paid to try Carnival's Chef's Table
I didn't realize how fun the Chef's Table specialty dining experience could be until my dad and I splurged on the multi-course meal aboard Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas last year. Not only was the food out of this world, but I enjoyed mingling with other guests.
Looking back at my cruise on Carnival Luminosa, I wish I had thought to try Carnival's Chef Table experience, especially on the first night. Although I requested a shared table in the Main Dining Room, I was seated by myself.
I don't mind eating alone on cruises, but there’s something special about sharing a meal with fellow travelers. In a Main Dining Room setting, conversation can be a little forced. However, I learned that those paying for the Chef's Table are likely expecting to engage with one another.
I'm glad I met other cruisers
I don't consider myself the most extroverted person at home — I'll always prefer a night in with my partner and dog than socializing at a crowded bar where you can barely hear the people you're with.
However, my personality undergoes a major shift when I'm at sea, and I'll talk to anyone about anything! It's been a blessing because I've met some amazing people throughout my travels.
Most recently, what began as a joke during a comedy show turned into a week of "family" dinners and a routine of evening entertainment. After finishing dinner in the Vela Dining Room, we'd head to the Punchliner Comedy Club for the first show of the night, then we'd rush to the theater for a Playlist Production show before returning for the second comedian's act.
The crew was great at playing along with our improvised relationships. One server in the dining room joked that we needed "family therapy," and the comedians even started recognizing us. Now, I have extended family in Texas, Florida, and — ironically — an hour and a half up the road.
Finally, I regret not planning anything in Ketchikan
With tours planned in Skagway and Juneau, I figured I'd spend our short morning in Ketchikan wandering the streets by myself, rather than spending more money on a third excursion.
Although I found the famous Creek Street charming, my morning reminded me of one of the cons of cruising solo. I couldn't shake the feeling of loneliness as I watched families and couples pose for photos, eat at one of the dockside restaurants, and browse the souvenir stores.
The freedom of exploring at my own pace was nice, but I'll start being more intentional about planning excursions when I'm alone — they definitely make port days more enjoyable.
Read more: I spent 35 days traveling alone on cruise ships. There are 5 things I would have done differently
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she traveled frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas during her freshman year of high school. Having sailed on over 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Margaritaville at Sea, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
