Many people feel uncomfortable travelling solo. However, we recently hosted a first-time solo traveller who had one request—to be treated to a ‘You Only Live Once (YOLO)’ experience! With a grandiose and luxurious liner headed to the stunning Mediterranean waiting, we think we gave it to him!
Reader… meet Brad, and find out what he had to say about his solo adventure aboard Cunard’s breathtaking Queen Victoria as he headed out for his first time cruising the Mediterranean.
All aboard!
My Cunard journey began at the gorgeous Civitavecchia port, where the magnificent Queen Victoria was waiting for us to step aboard. As a first-time solo cruiser, I was experiencing a mixed bag of feelings: excitement, expectation, awe, and, of course, a little bit of nerves.
Luckily, the boarding experience was absolutely seamlessly organised by the friendly and efficient crew who was waiting with our boarding cards. These cards are used for boarding on or off, accessing your cabin, and all onboard spending. The boarding area also sells food, drinks, and gifts while you wait.
The crew directed us every step of the way, and along with my fellow passengers – some of whom were already chatting away happily to me – we boarded on the third deck level, which welcomes you to Queen Victoria’s Grand Lobby – the central hub of Queen Victoria. The three-level-tall deck has a magnificent bronze sculpture of the ship herself, brandishing the main lobby wall of the grand staircase. From here, you can find your way to the purser’s office, the main reception for guests, where the onboard crew welcomed us warmly and directed us towards our cabins. Quite a lovely start!
A home away from home at sea
Slide your boarding card into your cabin door, and voila, your cabin is open!
I had the pleasure of staying in a Britannia Oceanview Single Cabin, with a welcoming large window that provides a gorgeous view of the sea from your cabin. The room includes the usual necessities: a cupboard with a lockable safe (great for storing away your passport, laptops, etc., when you’re exploring the ship), a decently sized bathroom with a curtained shower, a kettle with basic coffee and tea amenities (with tasty biscuits that the staff will top-up daily), and, most importantly, a comfortable bed and television, making it easier to drift off to sleep every evening. A very comfortable home away from home!
An array of delicious dining
The Britannia Restaurant and Lido buffets are sure to fulfil your every dietary need! From drinks, juices, and coffees with fresh cream or vegan milk variants to appetisers, salads, mains, and desserts, the choices are endless. As a solo cruiser, I found that both restaurants gave me great opportunities to meet and dine with other travellers or enjoy my meals alone, all with a panoramic view of the Mediterranean.
High tea on the high seas
A first for me – High or Afternoon Tea is served at 3pm on the dot in the Queens Room, every day. This is definitely worth attending, as the well-practised staff bring around tea and snack platters as if they’ve practised a dance. The delicious finger food includes savoury and sweet varieties, from sandwiches to pastries, while your tea cup will be kept as full as you wish. Be sure to arrive early, as the Queens Room fills up quickly for this afternoon treat!
So much to do onboard
Talk about choice! A schedule of ‘Today’s Activities’ is dropped off at your cabin every evening, and from 6am until midnight, there is literally something for everyone to do. The day usually starts with various optional guest meet-ups, including get-togethers for solo guests to meet each other – I really enjoyed getting to know travellers from around the world! From there, let the games begin! From padel tennis or foil fencing to social bridge, line dancing or watercolour painting classes, it’s up to you to decide how you’d like to spend your day.
On days when I wanted to rest and relax, the Winter Garden, various internal lounges, and the two pool decks were great places to unwind. Drinks and food bars are also well stationed around these locations, so you’re all set to enjoy yourself, whether you’re keeping busy or not.
Step ashore for the ultimate experience
I was ready for my first day ashore! Upon disembarking, I was greeted by friendly Cunard staff offering complimentary refreshments and shuttle services, in the form of buses or shuttle boats, to take me into the main city or port we were visiting. These shuttles run throughout the day, usually at 20-minute intervals, so I could return to the ship at any time. The sights were amazing, but the best part was that as I explored the local cafes, markets and museums, I ran into many fellow Cunard guests, so I felt safe and secure, and I made a lot of new friends.
My favourite destination - Toulon
With the blue sea, green mountains and fresh olives, Toulon did not disappoint. We began by boarding a shuttle boat and crossing the port waters, passing by the Mediterranean’s largest navy. The French Naval Museum was my first stop, where I learnt of the navy’s inception and how large it grew to be. The streets are easily walkable, and I was surrounded by restaurants and cafes that serve every culture and cuisine. The smells alone are worth a return trip! Especially when I stumbled across a local street market with fresh produce and products that smelt so strongly of sweet and salty olives. And so, as the summer sun slowly set and we sailed off, I was already planning my next visit!
Would I recommend a solo travel experience? Without a doubt – yes! I believe that a cruise is the perfect way to experience the world on your own because you’re surrounded by so many people, but you can also choose to be completely on your own. It’s cruising on your own terms, and I can’t think of anything better!
Solo need to know
Wifi: Onboard connectivity is easy to set up and works well. First, connect to Cunard’s Guest wifi and register a new account to access the internet. Then, view and purchase the internet package of your choosing (Essential or Premium), which will be charged to your onboard account. I went with the Essential package at $24 per day. It can be cheaper if purchased for your whole voyage, but I only planned to use it sparingly. And as easy as that, you’re connected!
Sea sickness: I only got sick on one of the seven nights as we rocked our way through the Mediterranean. Every other evening was more relaxed, and you might barely notice, but if you’re like me, I highly recommend taking motion sickness medication with you. Popping one of those an hour before bed put me right to sleep and cured any ill feelings.
Disembarkation shore excursions: Book one of these and explore your final port with a guided tour of the city, in my case, Barcelona. Your luggage is brought aboard the tour bus, and you’re dropped off at the airport with it afterwards, simplifying the logistics of your final day. There are also direct transfers from the pier to the airport, which cost less than the tour excursions, but the tour is worthwhile. Our guide was friendly and incredibly knowledgeable, especially about Barcelona’s distinctive architecture.
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