I am a Canadian senior, and though I am an experienced traveler and have spent a lot of leisure time in foreign countries, mainly one place in Mexico, I had never taken a cruise. Price was a consideration, and my cousin (a travel agent) got me what I feel was a relatively good deal on a week-long cruise to the western Caribbean, especially since I was travelling alone.

The ship was relatively new, and very large, like a 17-storey-floating hotel. Right from the start (the transfer from the plane to the boat), I felt like an oddity in that I seemed to be the only person travelling alone. It was emphasized when basically no one showed up for any of the daily "Single and Solo Traveler Get-togethers" announced in the daily activities calendar. I did have four other passengers at my assigned dinner table, which meant I at least had people to have supper with. But all my other meals were eaten alone.

I spent a lot of time wandering around observing life on a cruise ship, and found it quite interesting. I conversed with a lot of staff, and they were by and large quite friendly, though of course they had limited time to talk. I found a lounge (the Seaview Lounge) which had my hometown newspaper to read (every day!), and also a good jazz group in the evening, so I spent a lot of time there. I got to know the staff, and the band members, and that proved to be one of the best parts of my trip. Read more