I'm a 75 year old man and I'm considering a land a sea vacation to Alaska through Holland America. My concern about traveling alone is that I'm shy and I'm not very good at meeting people. Does anyone have any experience in solo travel and have advice on how to make the experience less stressful.
Solo travel for shy senior man
- Thread starter Mack 51
- Start date
againstthegrain
Well-known Member
- Location
- Sun Valley, ID
If you need to meet people participate in group activities at sea or on land that involve your current interests as well as other interests that you may be curious about. You may even choose a cruise or tour that focuses on one of your current interests to increase the likelihood of meeting like-minded persons. Of course avoiding peak family travel seasons also increases your odds.
And speaking of odds, a gentle reminder that "in AK the odds are good, but the goods are odd!"
Welcome and good luck!
And speaking of odds, a gentle reminder that "in AK the odds are good, but the goods are odd!"
Welcome and good luck!
I am 73 years old. Did a LOT of solo traveling after my husband died. Took a Holland America cruise of the Mediterranean. It was mostly older couples on the ship. I am not one to participate in group activities but did go on several in-port land tours. It was fine!
Go! See new things and places. I have met a few very interesting people along the way. Everybody has a story to tell.
Go! See new things and places. I have met a few very interesting people along the way. Everybody has a story to tell.
Dr.Colosso
Member
Maybe borrow a dog. They either break the ice or you can just sit with the dog.
Last edited:
Medusa
Well-known Member
- Location
- Mid-Atlantic
Welcome to SF! I do hope you get to enjoy your travel experience.
Muskrat
Senior Member
- Location
- Mainly arizona
i think you would love that trip. Just being with people with similar goals sometimes works wonders as an ice breaker.
We travel as a couple, but we meet lots of people traveling alone. Some are great and some are not. I think the secret is to ask questions (and listen to the responses.) No one wants to have dinner with someone who talks about himself all the time.
Sign up for all the excursions. Don't sit around the ship.
It's easy to make conversation. Where are you from? Where did you grow up? What do you do (or did you do) for a living? Are you a cruise veteran? Kids? Where do they live? What do they do? Grandchildren? Do you have a favorite place to visit?
Just that should get you through dinner. Stay away from politics and religion, be polite, don't blow your nose with your napkin. You'll do well!
MrPants
Senior Member
I've travelled solo often (still do). Depending on which H.A ship you're on, the older ones in particular, there will be a high senior passenger count so lots of people your age group. If you haven't cruised yet maybe have a travel agent book your cruise for you as they will know things you'll need for embarkation etc. & they may be able to save you some $$ if they have "group rates" on hold for the ship you want to sail on or they may be able to offer an on board credit to you for booking with them.
Sign up for excursions at various stops as you will be with others from the same ship and you'll end up seeing them around the ship later and find some will be eager to talk to you again about the shared experience. If dining in the dining room, choose seating with others. It may feel uncomfortable initially but as soon as conversation starts up, you'll feel at ease. You'll meet some people you like and some not so much but it's all good. There are also lots of activities on the ship you can attend such as trivia hours, excersize classes, movies somewhere onboard as well as other instructional classes such as learn to play pickle ball. Great places to meet others interested in similar things of interest to you.
Enjoy a couple of the specialty dining venues Hollan American ships offer as well. They cost additional but the food is top notch. Pinnicle Grill steak house is excellent for steak/seafood and the Canalleto Italian restaurant is fabulous for pasta and other special dishes.
Above all, remember, you're all on holiday travelling to an exciting new place so most everyone is friendly & upbeat. Saying hello to people around you on the ship costs nothing and many will not only return the hello but other comments as well.
I say, go for it! You'll be pleasantly surprised how much fun you'll have if you go into it with a positive attitude.
Sign up for excursions at various stops as you will be with others from the same ship and you'll end up seeing them around the ship later and find some will be eager to talk to you again about the shared experience. If dining in the dining room, choose seating with others. It may feel uncomfortable initially but as soon as conversation starts up, you'll feel at ease. You'll meet some people you like and some not so much but it's all good. There are also lots of activities on the ship you can attend such as trivia hours, excersize classes, movies somewhere onboard as well as other instructional classes such as learn to play pickle ball. Great places to meet others interested in similar things of interest to you.
Enjoy a couple of the specialty dining venues Hollan American ships offer as well. They cost additional but the food is top notch. Pinnicle Grill steak house is excellent for steak/seafood and the Canalleto Italian restaurant is fabulous for pasta and other special dishes.
Above all, remember, you're all on holiday travelling to an exciting new place so most everyone is friendly & upbeat. Saying hello to people around you on the ship costs nothing and many will not only return the hello but other comments as well.
I say, go for it! You'll be pleasantly surprised how much fun you'll have if you go into it with a positive attitude.
asp3
Senior Member
- Location
- Silicon Valley, CA
Holland was an excellent choice for your age group. They tend to cater to an older audience so you will not be the old dude among a bunch of younger people.
In most cases you will be seated with other people for dinner unless you request a table by yourself. I've found that people who cruise and sit at group tables tend to be friendly and interested in the other people at their table.
Since this is a land and sea tour you'll have more in common with the people you spend time with on the land portion of the trip. Either they will have all been on the same cruise you were on or they will be on the cruise at the end of the land portion.
There are lots of activities on the cruise where you can get together with other people if you wish. Just check the daily schedule (which is usually delivered the night before while you're at dinner) and do things that appeal to you. You'll be with people who either enjoy or want to try the activity.
I think the best way to avoid having a stressful trip is to be sure to being enough solo activity materials so that you're not bored if you don't connect with anyone. When my wife and I cruise we bring our own puzzle along with a puzzle cloth that can be rolled up and a puzzle piece sorting rack so we can stop and restart our puzzle work.
In most cases you will be seated with other people for dinner unless you request a table by yourself. I've found that people who cruise and sit at group tables tend to be friendly and interested in the other people at their table.
Since this is a land and sea tour you'll have more in common with the people you spend time with on the land portion of the trip. Either they will have all been on the same cruise you were on or they will be on the cruise at the end of the land portion.
There are lots of activities on the cruise where you can get together with other people if you wish. Just check the daily schedule (which is usually delivered the night before while you're at dinner) and do things that appeal to you. You'll be with people who either enjoy or want to try the activity.
I think the best way to avoid having a stressful trip is to be sure to being enough solo activity materials so that you're not bored if you don't connect with anyone. When my wife and I cruise we bring our own puzzle along with a puzzle cloth that can be rolled up and a puzzle piece sorting rack so we can stop and restart our puzzle work.
I probably can't add much to the recommendations, but Hubs and I travel on Holland America at least twice a year. You will be right at home in terms of your age group. I've actually traveled alone on Holland America, not wishing to meet anyone else, and have had a great time. A good book goes a long way. Plus, they have first-class bands that perform Classic Rock, Country music, Soul music, etc.
There are typically singles cocktail parties that will allow you to meet other single travelers. I've found activities like Music Trivia a great way to meet other people as well. I'm not a "group activity" person but I was sitting in on a music trivia contest and since I was answering some of the questions under my breath the woman next to me asked me if I would join her team.
Even if you don't meet anyone, a trip through Alaska will take your breath away. One thing we've noticed recently is that Holland America has started to open the forward bow of their ships so you can go out an experience the scenery from a close-up perspective.
There are typically singles cocktail parties that will allow you to meet other single travelers. I've found activities like Music Trivia a great way to meet other people as well. I'm not a "group activity" person but I was sitting in on a music trivia contest and since I was answering some of the questions under my breath the woman next to me asked me if I would join her team.
Even if you don't meet anyone, a trip through Alaska will take your breath away. One thing we've noticed recently is that Holland America has started to open the forward bow of their ships so you can go out an experience the scenery from a close-up perspective.