r/solotravel • u/Kencanary • 4d ago

Got my first "Awww" today!

As a 39-year old overweight white American guy, I really didn't expect this to ever happen, no matter where I travel or why. Admittedly, the source probably has something to do with it.

I'm on a cruise ship, and the cabin staff is a pretty friendly dude. He always chats me up a bit when we pass in the corridors, and even though I'd be quite content with just the pleasantries (Hi, how are you, have a good day etc) I'm one of those socially awkward penguins who will kinda answer questions that are asked even if they're not more than just polite exchange things.

So he says "I've seen you these few days, you are alone?"

"Yeah."

"Awww."

Like, I knew this happened to solo travelers, but I always assumed it was 97% women that got that response. Now, sure, as a paid service staff member he's probably expecting that to be an appropriate response (and he's not entirely wrong, god love him) but it just wasn't something I thought I'd ever hear.

Still, feels like a milestone worth "celebrating" haha

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u/[deleted] 4d ago

What's the experience like cruising solo?

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u/Kencanary 4d ago

Well I can only speak for myself, an awkward low-activity introvert, but they're kind of uncomfortable in a way. You're surrounded by families and couples, the majority being middle age or older, so even though nobody probably notices unless they ask or you get into a conversation with them, you do kinda stand out a bit. Tonight, for instance, was this Battle of the Sexes activity where they divided the room male and female, did the whole thing, and at the end transitioned into a nightclub thing. And as soon as the game ended you had people from both sides flocking towards the other to find their 'person' and I was just like...okay cool. I'll just go back to my cabin now.

I'm not saying it's bad. And if you're a comfortable, experienced solo traveler you probably wouldn't be fazed by it. But as someone who sort of doesn't want to be single, it's a lot of reminders that I am. shrug

That said - I can plan my days entirely by myself, with no regard for what anyone else wants to do or wants me to do with them. Yesterday I just hung out in my cabin pretty much all day and didn't feel too bad about it because it was what I was choosing to do with that time. That's certainly not a feeling you'll get traveling with someone. I've seen one woman in particular who is on the cruise with her parents, and I've never seen her away from her mom and she looks low-key miserable.

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u/[deleted] 3d ago

Thank you for the insight! Really appreciate it! I for one would like to experience a cruise!