Vacation Ideas

I haven't been on a vacation in a long time (since before covid). I have been separated since and I am craving and have time for a solo trip this July.

I have 12 or 13 days to disappear. I am trying to decide between an all-inclusive adult-only beach resort or a cruise. I have done the former a handful of times before but never been on a cruise. I have been to Mexico, Cuba, and Turks & Caicos.

I am looking for a relaxing trip but I am going solo and would love to meet people - especially single women! In my mid-50s but I believe that I look and act much younger!

Any suggestions for me? I have never done an all-inclusive in July, either. This is the only time for me to get away...

I would prefer to spend less than 3k, but if necessary, willing to splurge some more...

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"I am looking for a relaxing trip but I am going solo and would love to meet people - especially single women! In my mid-50s but I believe that I look and act much younger!"

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Your previous post is still open.

All inclusive, to me, sort of narrows down your choices. I would expect more married people or couples, maybe honeymooners on A/I.

Google search shows a few cruise lines that cater to solo travelers.

Years ago, I was a volunteer with Earthwatch a few times, more solo females on the expeditions I was on.

Take a walk on the wild-side, spend a week in Bangkok but not necessarily A/I. A previous job, many years ago, had me flying to Thailand and the Philippines. Interesting countries.

Up to you!

In July a lot of the cruises are in the Med or Europe or to Alaska. Because of the possibity of hurricanes in the Caribbean. I think a cruise would probably be a better way to meet people because you have the possibiity of sitting with other people for three meals a day and also meeting them on excursions. The problem is that if you had a cabin by yourself, you would usually pay a single supplement which can be double the regular price. You would also have to figure in the gratutitues which are usually about $12/day on a ship. And excursions on the cheaper ships are extra also.

There are 11 day cruises from San Francisco to Alaska on Princess where even with the single supplement you would pay less than $2K. There are similar cruises to northern Europe, the Mediterranian and to going to eastern Canada from New York. There is also the possibility of a cruise around Hawaii on the Pride of America - those cruises are a week from Honolulu.

There is even a possibility of a Caribbean cruise on the Norweigian Sky but with the single supplement it would be over $3K by the time you figured in gratuities and air fare.

As for being a single person - there are lots of activities where you can meet people on cruise ships. ( have traveled with my husband, but also with grandchildren and with other single ladies, and we usually ask to share a table in the restaurants and usually meet really nice people at meals.

I have also traveled by myself on American Cruise LInes and they have a singles meeting and also your tables at meals are not assigned. I had a good time on the cruise, but those cruises are on rivers in the USA.

If you go to a website called Vacations to Go, you can put in your dates and number of days and that you want the singles price and see what the possibilities are.

Google cruises for women. There is a cruise company for single women but I can't remember its name.

Personally, I would just go on a trip to a place I really wanted to visit. Single people don't have much trouble meeting others. Just use common sense picking friends.

A cruise sounds pretty neat. I guess it would depend on what it would cost, especially for 12 or 13 days. I am not familiar with all the costs involved. Obviously, getting to the port itself and back home would be one expense. Then the cruise... what would all be included? Or is every cruise different in that regard? And yes, flying solo could add a hefty tab, no?

Bangkok... Been there and done that. I love Thailand, been there 6 times! But it's not what I am looking for this time around. I would prefer to stay in North America or at least somewhat close. I would also prefer a simple more 'contained' vacation if that makes any sense. I have different reasons for that.

I am looking at beach resorts or cruises. I'd like to go for 12-14 days and enjoy every minute. I plan to travel to a few countries - just not this summer! I want to kick back, relax, and meet people.

I have been to a couple of Club Meds - Cancun & Turks&Caicos. Loved both And had a great time. But it was over 20 years ago - before I got married and had kids! I would consider the same but Club Med seems pricey and maybe no better than other options. I also went to Temptation in Cancun a few years ago. It was a lot of fun but I have been checking prices and it is crazy expensive...

I'll enjoy anywhere I go but I just thought I'd see what others are saying...

Thanks again...

[ Edit: Edited on 21 Apr 2024, 04:36 GMT by capper ]

Cowboy?

Doing a search I find that there are Dude Ranches for singles.

Up to you.

Quoting capper

A cruise sounds pretty neat. I guess it would depend on what it would cost, especially for 12 or 13 days. I am not familiar with all the costs involved. Obviously, getting to the port itself and back home would be one expense. Then the cruise... what would all be included?

The prices I quoted were for the cruise including the single supplement but not including gratuities or air fare. Included in the price is a cabin (cleaned daily) all the food in the regular restaurants ( the main dining room and the buffet). It depends on where you start from as to what the air fare will cost. You can cruise fairly cheaply if you don't drink and don't need wi-fi and choose cheap things to do on shore.

There is an MSC cruise for 11 nights departing July 8, 2024 from Miami on MSC Magnifica where an Inside cabine would be $1,863 in Canadian dollars. Add $10/ day for gratuities which would be at least $120.

Date Port Arrive Depart
Monday, July 8 Miami, FL 5:00pm
Tuesday, July 9 Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, Bahamas 1:30pm
Wednesday, July 10 Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, Bahamas 6:00pm
Thursday, July 11 Nassau, Bahamas 9:00am 6:00pm
Friday, July 12 Miami, FL 7:00am 5:00pm
Saturday, July 13 At Sea
Sunday, July 14 Cozumel, Mexico 8:00am 6:00pm
Monday, July 15 Roatan, Honduras 9:00am 6:00pm
Tuesday, July 16 Costa Maya, Mexico 8:00am 6:00pm
Wednesday, July 17 At Sea
Thursday, July 18 Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, Bahamas 8:00am 10:00pm
Friday, July 19 Miami, FL 7:00am

If you could do a shorter cruise - Vacations to Go sponsors singles cruises. The only one I see is at the end of July - on the Celebrity Edge to Alaska startung July 24th - it is to Alaska from the USA

[ Edit: Edited on 22 Apr 2024, 16:27 GMT by greatgrandmaR ]

So do all cruises charge for alcoholic drinks on board? If so, are they expensive? I'm not a big drinker but I'll be on vacation and wouldn't mind the occasional beer or glass of wine. And what's with wifi? Do you have to pay for it or can you use the service network of the country you are in?

And I suppose would be different from cruise to cruise but what would be the approximate ratio of ship to shore? Any examples of a certain cruise and how it runs? Maybe there is a link or video explaining this??

[ Edit: Edited on 22 Apr 2024, 16:06 GMT by capper ]

No, they don't ALL charge for drinks or even shore excursions, but most do and it is reflected on the cruise prices. Each company is different and unless someone wants to spend a lot of time explaining various differences, you will get more accurate and faster answers by visiting the various company web sites and reading about their offers. We don't cruise so I can't help in that regard. Google Cruise lines and check those that go where you are headed. Good luck.

The cheaper cruises - which is what you are looking for if you want less than 3K Canadian - all charge for liquor and wi-fi and excursions and specialty meals.

You can put your phone in airplane mode for no cost browsing of the ship internet, or you can get off the ship and go to an internet cafe or something. You can't just go out on deck and get onto a network

I don't drink so I don't know about drinks prices - you can get coffee, tea and juice for free. You can bring a bottle of wine on boatd to drink and they will probably charge a corkage fee.

The cruises that do not charge for excursions, liquor, wi-fi etc are specialty cruises and river cruies. which are at least twice or 3 times 3K

Discount cruises from Vacations To Go
800-419-5179
Our Specialties Singles Cruise

Cruise Itinerary

Friday, July 26
Sail from Seattle, WA at 4pm. Join us by the pool for the sail away festivities and meet lots of other fun-loving singles!

Saturday, July 27
A day at sea. Take part in exclusive singles activities and mingle with friends.

Sunday, July 28
From 7am to 4pm, visit Ketchikan, AK. With its boat-filled harbor and colorful waterfront, Ketchikan welcomes visitors to southeastern Alaska's Inside Passage. Fishing opportunities abound in the self-proclaimed salmon capital of the world, and bear viewing spots often find the creatures munching on their catch of the day. The Totem Heritage Center displays 33 19th-century totem poles, making it the largest collection in the U.S. Expeditions to the country's largest national forest, Tongass, explore its 16.7 million acres by Jeep, canoe or on foot, while floatplane tours provide a bird's-eye view of Misty Fjords National Monument. Other outings explore the town's past as a Native American settlement and gold rush hub or take to the water with kayaks or paddleboards for encounters with harbor seals and the occasional humpback or killer whale.

Monday, July 29
Cruise Endicott Arm, AK. Like its neighbor Tracy Arm, Endicott Arm features excellent views of several different types of glaciers. As always, the thrilling spectacle of glacier calving could be on the menu. Also, Bald Eagles are known to nest in the area and may be seen along the coast.

Monday, July 29
From 1:30pm to 10pm, visit Juneau, AK. Accessible only by air or sea, Alaska's capital city entices travelers with its beauty, tranquility, and outdoor activities. The Mendenhall Glacier, the jewel of the Juneau Icefield, can be discovered on scenic drives, hikes, boat rides, rafting trips, kayaking excursions, and helicopter tours. Thrill-seekers get their adrenaline fix while ziplining above alpine forests, and culture lovers learn about landmarks such as the governor's mansion and St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church during explorations of downtown. A prospector-led panning adventure to Last Chance Basin allows you to strike gold, just as folks did in the late 19th century. Juneau's waters are a hot spot for humpback whales, and daily cruises afford the opportunity to witness these majestic creatures-a truly unforgettable experience. Brush up on local history with a visit to the Alaska State Museum, and cap off the day's adventures with a sampling of freshly caught salmon and locally sourced beer.

Tuesday, July 30
From 7am to 6pm, visit Skagway, AK. Though it's small in terms of population, Skagway is plenty big when it comes to adventure. Sail among waterfalls and wildlife on Lynn Canal, one of the longest, deepest fjords in North America, or take a helicopter tour over glaciers before trying your hand at dog sledding. A kayaking expedition down the Inside Passage will have you paddling past seals, sea lions, porpoises and possibly humpback whales. Hikers can trek the Chilkoot Trail, the primary route prospectors followed in Alaska's 19th-century gold rush, while photographers will marvel at the jaw-dropping photo ops from atop White Pass summit, which is accessible via railway or a picturesque drive on the Klondike Highway. Amid the scenery and stillness of Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, keep your eyes peeled for the rare and endangered birds during a river float.

Tuesday, July 30
Cruise Inside Passage, AK. Many Alaska cruise itineraries sail the waterways of the Inside Passage, which stretches from Washington's Puget Sound up through Southeast Alaska's panhandle. As ships glide across the reliably smooth waters, passengers have plenty of opportunity to absorb the transforming terrain and abundant wildlife that Alaska has to offer. Scenic views comprise an ever-changing landscape of charming coastal towns, towering forest walls and imperious glaciers. Be sure to search the sky for bald eagles and watch the water for signs of sea lions, otters and whales.

Wednesday, July 31
A day at sea. Take part in exclusive singles activities and mingle with friends.

Thursday, August 1
From 5:30pm to 11:59 pm, visit Victoria, BC, Canada. Victoria revels in its English essence at the southernmost tip of Vancouver Island. Afternoon teas, double-decker buses and English inns, gardens and pubs are common in this capital city. The most popular attraction is the world-famous Butchart Gardens, flaunting 55 acres of floral magnificence. Other must-sees include the historic Fairmont Empress Hotel, overlooking the Inner Harbour, the Victorian-era Craigdarroch Castle and the Royal BC Museum, where tourists will find artifacts, documents and specimens that tell the tale of the province's natural and human history.

Friday, August 2
At 6am, the Edge returns to Seattle, WA. Be sure to gather those phone numbers to keep in touch with your new lifelong friends, and don't forget to plan ahead for your next cruise with Vacations To Go!

Our prices include the following:

Organized singles activities with our experienced hosts
Private singles parties/mixers
Single-mingle dining
Port charges

Options not included in the prices:

Airfare to/from Seattle-- available on request
Travel insurance is highly recommended to protect against unexpected events. Click here to read more about travel insurance.

Alaska Singles Cruise!
7 nights departing July 26, 2024
Celebrity ❘ Celebrity Edge
Inside Double $1,299 Inside Single$2,597

Prices are per person - double rates apply to travelers who share a cabin with a friend or use our roommate match program. Prices are subject to change without notice by cruise lines until a deposit has been made, and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. Prices include port charges but do not include airfare or (where applicable) airport or government taxes or fees. Prices and promotions are for new bookings only, in accordance with cruise line policies. Click any price to convert to other currencies.

Free Roommate Match Program
Vacations To Go provides roommate matching upon request to customers who book several months prior to departure. At this time, we can no longer guarantee a roommate for this sailing, though we will accept roommate matching requests on a waitlist basis. If a match is found, you will be contacted to confirm the reservation immediately. We may find matches all the way up to the week of sailing, so don't hesitate to contact us!

Your Host

Clarkson Rosel Clarkson Rosel was born and raised in Houston. In 2003, he set sail for the first time and knew right away that cruising was the ultimate way to travel the world. He now has more than 30 voyages under his belt. When Clarkson is not on board hosting or in the office planning new singles adventures, you can find him relaxing at home with his dog, He-Man.

Celebrity Edge is the first in a class of revolutionary ships designed to raise the bar on cruise vacations. The ship’s unique outward facing design allows guests to feel more immersed in each journey, and more connected to the sea around them. The re-imagined terrace pool deck provides travelers more spectacular views as the ship sails between ports and destinations, and the Resort Deck offers a Rooftop Garden with an urban “playscape” that is unlike any other outdoor space at sea. Relax in the outward facing asymmetrical pool, or have a picnic while watching a movie in the garden. The Magic Carpet, located on the starboard side of the ship, features a full bar with space for live music and plenty of comfortable seating. It has access from several decks and each provides a different experience from Dinner on the Edge to a luxury embarkation station with sea-level views. Guests can relax in the Solarium after a full day in port by grabbing a drink from the Spa Café & Juice Bar and lounging in the adult only pool.

Ship Statistics
Year Built 2018
Tonnage 129,500 tons
Registry Malta
Length 1,004 feet
Beam 128 feet
Passenger Capacity 2,918
Crew Size 1,320

1. of Inside Cabins 131
2. of Outside Cabins 770
3. of Cabins w/ Verandas 1188
4. of Suites 176

Max. Room Occupancy 6
Age Restrictions
One person must be 21 or older
Tipping Expected? Yes
Tipping Guidelines
Celebrity will automatically add $18.00 per day, per guest for standard staterooms to your onboard account ($18.50 per day, per guest for Concierge or Aqua Class staterooms and $23.00 per day, per person for guests of The Retreat). These amounts can be adjusted onboard. A 20% tip is added to all beverage orders.
Onboard Currency US Dollar
Services & Amenities
Bars/Lounges Yes
Beauty Salon/Barber Shop Yes
Casino Yes
Chapel No
Disco/Dancing Yes
Elevators Yes
Hot Tub Yes
Cell Phone Service Yes $
Internet Center Yes $
Wireless Internet Access Yes $
Laundromats (self service) No
Laundry/Dry Cleaning Yes $
Library No
Movie Theatre Yes
Outdoor Movie Screen No
Onboard Weddings Yes
Shops Yes $
Showroom Yes
Spa Yes $

Fitness & Sports Facilities
Basketball Court No
Fitness Center Yes
Golf Driving Net No
Golf Simulator No
Ice Skating Rink No
Jogging Track Yes
Mini-Golf Course No
Rock Climbing Wall No
Swimming Pool Yes
Tennis Court No
Water Slide No
Water Sports Platform No

Cabin Features & Amenities
24-Hour Room Service Yes
Hair Dryer Yes
Safe Yes
Telephone Yes
Television Yes
Kids Facilities
Babysitting Yes
Children's Playroom Yes
Kiddie Pool No
Supervised Youth Program Yes
Teen Center Yes
Water Playground/Splash Park No
Special Needs & Requests
Adjoining Cabins
(private connecting doors) Yes
Kosher Meals Yes
Single Occupancy Cabins Yes
Single Share Program No
Wheelchair-Accessible Cabins 25
Call us at 800-419-5179 or book this hosted singles cruise here.
Open Mon-Fri 7am to 11pm, Sat 8am to 8pm, Sun 8am to 10pm, U.S. Central Time

[ Edit: Edited on 22 Apr 2024, 16:49 GMT by greatgrandmaR ]