Want a different experience than your occasionally booked flight to a new IG-worthy destination? Looking to see multiple places yet have a base to return to throughout, and in between, activities and/or excursions?
Might be time for you to book a cruise!
My background with cruises prior to this recent excursion: Extremely, limitedly informed LOL.
So here's the (how to Travel Unbothered) tea, based off my recent experience living aboard the Scarlet Lady of Virgin Voyages -- as a 'Rockstar' sailor, might I add 🤘🏾😏 -- for 5 nights.
Think of a cruise ship as your base. You set sail from a port, somewhere like Long Beach, CA or Miami, FL. You then, for example, sail for a day or two and end up at your first destination by the time you wake up from a good night's rest.
Cruises are solo-traveler friendly. Because unlike traditional vacation trips, there are so many events and activities right at your fingertips -- no need to do much planning, finding transportation, or needing a friend to split the uber fare... With the many events happening throughout the day on the ship, you are sure to find something fun, informative, relaxing, (and best of all) nearly all of them are free - to add to your daily 'at sea' agenda.
Cruises are also lovely for romantic couples, mother/daughter or any adult child/parent duo (since I do not have kids, I typically opt for adult-only vacations), girl or guy trips, as well as family trips (depending on the cruise line). So there's something for everyone.
However, read below Part 1 of my tips for Traveling Unbothered as a cruise sailor. Part 1 is all about booking your room/living quarters; follow these tips to ensure your cruise-going foundation is solid and you're ready for embarkation day.
Tip #1 - Booking Your Room Accomodations
When booking your living quarters/cabin on board the ship, consider these notes:
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The least rocky position on the ship is in the middle of the boat
** if and/or when the boat has stabilizers, this is even better because you don’t feel as much - Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady has stabilizers fyi (& I hear all of their other ships do, as well) -
Most rocky area of the boat (especially important when booking your room) is aft (or the back of the boat)
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if there is a possibility of the sturdiness of the ship being affected, more than likely you'll feel the rockiness (from the most to the least) here:
- Aft
- Then, Fwd
- And thirdly, Mid cabin
- Lastly, it is best to choose a room on higher floors (floors 12 & up if possible) because the engine is loud (nobody trying to hear weird, unfamiliar noises on their first cruise)
- & movement/rockiness is more evident (or felt) on bottom levels, as well
- Also rooms on the low levels do not have balconies, and I know the girlies (and the baes) care about balconies. So just confirm the room you are thinking to book has one
Part 2 will share tips for after the booking of the cruise is complete. Now, it's time to optimize your time on board. Subscribe to our newsletter on the home page to have Part 2 delivered directly to your inbox.
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