Taking a cruise is a wonderful adventure. Yet, as a woman, you may feel more vulnerable if you have never tried this for a vacation. It’s easier than you think. I’ve been on three cruises – two to the Caribbean and one to Europe. I had a lot of questions before I took my first cruise. I think that anxiety dampened my enthusiasm until I boarded the ship and realized it was going to be fun. Whether you go with a friend, family or solo, it helps to be prepared. To make your trip easier, if you’re a First-time Woman Cruiser: 7 Things to Know Before You Make Your Reservation.
- What are the benefits of going on a cruise?
- How long are cruises and where do they go?
- What if I get sick or injured?
- What is the best time of year to take a cruise?
- How can I maximize my budge?
- What precautions can I take to be safe?
- Are there cruises for women only?
What are the benefits of going on a cruise?
The main reason most people choose to cruise is that it provides an all-in-one lodging/dining/travel experience unlike anything else. You’ll have the opportunity to see sights and meet people in a contained setting. Depending on the length of the cruise and how you get along, an acquaintance might become a lifetime friend.
Lodging is similar to a hotel although the rooms are more compact. Whether your budget allows for a suite, a private room with a balcony, an outside room with a window, or an inside room without a view, rooms commonly have beds, a dresser, and your own bathroom. On some ships, you may also have a flat-screen TV and a desk.
A room with a view and private balcony
The first cruise I ever took was with my family over the Christmas holidays. I had graduated university the previous spring and, because I was the last child, my parents were thrilled to no longer have any college tuition to pay. To celebrate, my mom decided we should all take a cruise and I was nominated as the planner. I found a travel agent near my work and went through all the options. We boarded a 5-day Carnival cruise to the Caribbean on Dec. 23. It was so nice to wake up on Christmas morning to 80-degree weather in a tropical paradise.
Most large cruise ships offer a variety of dining options – from formal to informal, room service for privacy or eating with others in themed restaurants. Often there is food available at all hours somewhere on board. I’ve enjoyed fine dining at midnight buffets nestled in tablescapes with ice sculptures and eating my fill of decadent afternoon ice cream sundaes presented with a spread of toppings. And what could be better than tropical drinks by the pool mid-afternoon? Especially when you hear the joy-filled percussion of a steel-drum band playing nearby.
Late afternoon dessert options – pudding, fruit tarts, and pastries
The best part of a cruise are the shore excursions which provide a snapshot of each location and generally include transportation to and from the ship. You may choose to tour small historic towns with cathedrals or go swimming with the dolphins in a wet suit. Bring your cameras because you will want to remember the fun.
Our Carnival Caribbean cruise stopped at Cozumel and Grand Cayman. I remember walking on the beach and shopping for souvenirs at the markets on Cozumel. In Grand Cayman, we took a tour to see the shiny black volcanic rock field that really did look like the end of the world. Imagine a flat field with sharply pointed undulations that resemble stalagmites growing upward from the ground. Nearby was the appropriately-named Hell post office. Yes, you could send your friends a postcard with a postmark from Hell. I’m guessing it is very popular for a selfie backdrop now.
Daily itineraries are provided each morning, and outline something for everyone. On the days when the ship is at sea, you’ll be offered entertainment options. You may fill the hours outside sunning by the pool, or indoors watching first-run movies or evening variety shows with lavish costumes. Guests may enjoy trying their luck at casinos, having a drink at the bar or burning calories on the dance floor. Souvenirs can be purchased at the gift shops. Some ships even have well-equipped gyms with cardio, weights and fitness classes.
If you’re lucky, sometimes you get to experience something before the rest of the world. During my second cruise when my own children were in early elementary school, we took them on a family Halloween Disney cruise. It had every amenity a child could want and enough for the adults too. In addition to the novelty of going trick-or-treating on multiple levels of the ship, Disney debuted the movie “Brother Bear” in the evening before it was being shown on land. Since we were out in international waters, they were able to show it 24- hours before it premiered in the United States.
How long are cruises and where do they go?
The length of a cruise can vary greatly. From weekend cruises, 5-, 7- or 10-day cruises, to multi-week cruises. There are riverboat cruises, small ships, large ships, and private yachts. Cruise ships travel to almost every continent in the world now. Your choices include the Caribbean, Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, the U.S., and even cruises around the world.
My third cruise was with my family many years later when my sons were in high school. We took a 7-day European cruise with MSC Cruises. We arrived in Barcelona a day early to try and deal with jet lag and stayed at an Airbnb. The next day we went to the cruise ship landing and boarded in the late afternoon. In the early evening, the ship set sail for Valencia. Additional stops along the cruise were in Tunis, Citaveccia, Genoa and Marseille.
The most memorable stop (especially for my sons) was Citaveccia where we boarded a tour bus to Rome and spent the day exploring. They enjoyed touring the Vatican and standing in St. Peter’s Square. They really loved standing inside the Coliseum and looking out to the vast oval floor where gladiators fought and mock naval battles were held when the bottom level was flooded. Around the edges, crumbled rock and grass surfaces hinted at the seating where 80,000 people were able to gather. The Coliseum is about half the size of a modern football stadium. The ruins still reveal the alleyways below ground where the prisoners and gladiators waited before they went into the arena.
What if I get sick or injured?
I wondered about this one too before my first cruise because occasionally there’s a story about an outbreak of an illness on the news. The reality is that the cruise ship industry is heavily regulated. Ships that are a member of the Cruise Line International Association have to meet high standards and are frequently inspected. Sanitation is very important on cruise ships. Staff is well-trained to keep all surfaces clean and help identify passengers that may be ill.
Cruise ships are required to have medical personnel on board and be able to attend to the guests for low-level illnesses or injuries. If you have a serious medical emergency, you will receive initial treatment onboard and be taken off by medivac helicopter (if the ship is at sea), or by ambulance (if it’s in port). Remember to plan ahead and take plenty of your medications with you, health records if relevant, and check your medical coverage for traveling before you board.
What is the best time of year to take a cruise?
Depending on your schedule, try to book a cruise during the off-peak or low season which includes:
- January – mid-February
- Between Easter and mid-May
- End of September to the Saturday before the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday
- Monday after Thanksgiving to the Saturday before Christmas
How can I maximize my budget?
A great place to start your research is cruisecritic.com. You can filter by destination, dates, cruise line or ships. You can find news, deals, and reviews as well. This comprehensive site has a number of helpful articles on a range of topics like travel insurance. Other sites to find deals include membership organizations like Costco.com, aggregator sites like Seahub.com, individual cruise line websites like RoyalCaribbean.com, or niche cruise websites like LastMinuteCruise.com. Cruzely.com has a useful section on port city hotels including some that offer park and cruise deals.
Another way to save money is to pay attention to the pricing season. During off-peak, look for two-for-one deals or specials that offer first two paid guests/next two guests for free. Research how the ship charges fees and whether travel insurance is available. Pre-negotiate shipboard credits and other special deals. Prepay as many items (shore excursions/gratuities) as you can to minimize onboard spending. Drink packages with alcohol vary so look carefully at your options. A lot of ships make final payment due 75 – 120 days before you board so plan accordingly.
For bargains on longer cruises, look into repositioning cruises (for example, transatlantic voyages from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean in the fall, or the reverse in the spring) which offer discounted fares. Some cruise lines have their own discounted airfare programs. Princess Cruises offers an EZair program with late arrival protection that guarantees “you’ll reach your cruise’s next port if you miss your original departure port due to a flight delay or disruption.”
What precautions can I take to be safe?
Think of it like any heavily packed tourist area. Common sense pays off. No matter where you are, keep your eyes open and be aware of your surroundings. If you’re traveling with a friend or a group, stay with each other. If not, never tell anyone that you are in a room by yourself. Don’t walk alone in the dark. Keep your purse tucked in close to your body. If you go shopping, keep the items in bags and take them directly back to your room. Lock up your passport and valuables. If you can, check in with someone every time you go back to your cabin. If you go on an excursion, stay with the group. Watch the time and make sure you are not late for the transportation back to the ship.
On my third cruise to Europe when our kids were much older, we almost did not make it back to the bus on time when we were in Rome. We were so busy enjoying a “real Italian pizza” as our sons called it, that we forgot to watch the clock. At the last minute, we realized we were out of time. We literally ran all the way back. There was only one bus left out of the eight that had arrived that morning. As the last to board, we silently made our way to the back of the bus trying not to see the unhappy faces of fellow passengers. Lesson learned. Don’t be late. Nobody wants to be “that person.”
Are there cruises for women only? How can I find a travel companion?
No large ships offer women-only cruises at this time. Richard Branson launched Virgin Voyages in 2021, the first adults-only cruise ships. Viking Cruises recently raised the minimum age limit for their river cruises from 12 to 18. Generally, its up to travel agents to find ships to book women on based on their amenities (luxury spas/fitness/health) and destinations.
To narrow your choices, research what customer segment the cruise line is trying to attract. Mass-market is for those with modest incomes (Carnival); middle-market includes those with more money (Princess and Norwegian); luxury is the top tier (Seaborne and Radisson). Organizations that cater to women may also offer trips. Many women plan their own girlfriend getaways, and some tour companies are putting together trips for women only.
PRO TIP: CHOOSE SHIPS WITH NO Single Supplement
In recent years, a number of cruise lines have started courting solo travelers by offering single staterooms with the same amenities as double staterooms, and waiving or reducing the supplement charged in the past. Check out: Norwegian Cruise Lines, MSC Cruises, Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean International, Atlas Ocean Voyages, Celebrity Cruises, Virgin Voyages, Avalon Waterways, and AMA Waterways.
Sailing on the water to exciting destinations is a travel memory you won’t regret. There are many cruise lines with wonderful amenities to make your life easier. If taking a cruise is on your bucket list, consider booking a short trip like a weekend girlfriend getaway. It might be the start of a whole new travel passion!
Where would you like to take a cruise to? Post your choice in the comments below.
Related Posts: A Mid-Life Woman’s Solo Cruise to the Caribbean
Thanks for the informative post.
In fact, a lot of the advice here could equally apply to men as well as women. In particular, I think it’s important to think of cost, as this puts many travellers off going on a cruise. Needless to say, you’ve covered that angle through your in-depth coverage of the question in a section of your post.
I’ve shared this article with my followers on Pinterest.
Thanks for your comments and the share. I agree that men could benefit from these tips, especially how to find lower cost cruises. Saving money = more travel in my book.