Covington traveler Frances Daniel has done something that puts fear in the hearts of some, yet others embrace with delight. No, she didn’t cage dive with wild sharks or drive cross-country with self-absorbed teenagers. She’s done something that can be just as scary – and even more fulfilling. Frances is a solo traveler!

For our next installment of Travelers Tales, Travel Maestro caught up with her between trips and she agreed to share her solo traveler philosophy and tell us a little about her last solo cruise in Southeast Asia.

Frances’ Solo Traveler Tips

Don’t wait on others. I like to travel and don’t have a routine travel companion. In the past when I asked a friend to join me, they might be working or didn’t have any interest in the destination. It occurred to me that if I want to visit a certain place, I shouldn’t have to wait for someone else to want to see it too. I may never go anywhere if I wait for that!

Be curious about destinations and cultures. My first solo trip was a seven-day southern Caribbean cruise with five ports. I chose it because I knew I’d be active and busy with so many ports to explore. If I didn’t like traveling alone, I’d still enjoy learning about new places and it was only one week. I did like it and since then have cruised solo many times – four times just last year!

Sit at the bar, even if you’re not drinking. First, the bar is a hub. Many people come and go, so you’re in the thick of the traffic and it’s easier to strike up a conversation with others. You tend to see the same people repeatedly, so it’s an icebreaker. Secondly, the bartender knows where you are and looks after you. They aren’t your personal security, but that connection is comforting as a solo traveler.

Look at the dining styles offered on cruises. I don’t like dining alone. If all the ship’s restaurants require reservations, people tend to stick with their companions and I wind up alone. I prefer cruise lines that offer assigned table seating or “Anytime” dining. I enjoy Princess Cruises, Holland America, Celebrity Cruise, AmaWaterways, and Regent Seven Seas dining options. If I don’t click with my table mates, it’s only dinner, but if I do, we might meet up again.

Work with a travel agent. A professional makes the booking process so much easier and the price difference to you is zero. They have extensive knowledge and resources so they can advise you about dining styles, stateroom choices, and which lines currently waive single supplements. They have vast personal experience so they can make recommendations on itineraries and private shore excursions. When you develop a relationship with a travel advisor, they know what you do and don’t like, so they can help steer you through the options. They hold your hand and give you tips and help you through any nerves, even if you don’t ask.

Cruising Solo in Southeast Asia

My Southeast Asia cruise was a 12-day roundtrip from Singapore on Sapphire Princess that included stops in Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand.

Singapore – I spent one night before the cruise in a hotel in Singapore so I could visit the National Gallery of Singapore. The museum resides in the former Supreme Court Building and City Hall and contains the world’s largest collection of Southeast Asian art. It did not disappoint! Shopping in Singapore is everywhere – huge buildings and underground complexes selling designer lines you can find everywhere. Although it was tax-free, I didn’t find the prices significantly lower.

The Kranji War Memorial is dedicated to the 24,000 allied servicemen who died defending Singapore in WWII but whose bodies were never found. There is also a cemetery of nearly 4,500 marked graves. It’s a very moving commemoration that brought me to tears.

On a happier note, I also enjoyed an original Singapore Sling at the Raffles Hotel (currently under renovation). The famous 9-ingredient concoction cost $32 but I had to try one directly from the source! Singapore had flowers everywhere and is incredibly clean due to very strict laws. The port area and the cruise terminal are gorgeous – something you can’t say about every port.

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, Borneo – This was an interesting port – and very hot! I saw the City Mosque, which appears to float in the water, and enjoyed an excursion to a cultural village that told the story of different Borneo tribes.

Vietnam – In Nha Trang, I visited the ancient Cham Towers, founded in the 7th century and still actively used for worship. The next port of call was for Ho Chi Minh City and I had visited there before, so I took an excursion to the pretty little seaside resort town of Vũng Tàu. On the way, we stopped multiple times at local vendors and artists shops. This kind of excursion is popular in developing countries because it helps micro-economies by showcasing local industry such as rice paper, rice wine, etc. I support this type of excursion because it keeps the cultural arts alive and helps visitors learn about local life.

Bangkok, Thailand – In Bangkok, I took another excursion about an hour away to Elephant Kraal where we fed the elephants bunches of little bananas. And wow, do they eat a lot! I got on one from a high platform and rode bareback with the mahout (the elephant’s caregiver) behind me. Sitting high on her shoulders, I was sure if she stopped on a dime, I’d go straight over her massive head! Later we saw them bathe and play in the pond. The elephants seemed to be well taken care of and this experience was a highlight of the trip.

Travel Isn’t Always Perfect

Malaysia – Our port call in Penang was canceled because a crew member had a medical emergency and had to be air-lifted to Singapore from international waters. When traveling, things can happen that are out of your control, so you can’t get upset about a change of plans. We did call on Kuala Lumpur where I took an excursion to see monkeys in the jungle. It wasn’t as interesting as I’d hoped, but you can’t let one less-than-perfect experience doesn’t ruin a whole trip.

I made some lovely friends during this cruise and we’ve remained in touch since then. I met others who were “cruise friends” just during the trip. I’m never lonely when I travel alone and I’ll definitely continue to travel solo. You can find me sitting at the bar making new friends!

If you’re ready to explore the world as a party of one, contact the vacation experts at Covington.