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Safety for women cruising solo...


Izzybeff
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I worked in law enforcement for 29 years, 27 as a CSI. I have been robbed in Costa Rica with the loss being dime sized inexpensive gold hoop earrings being yanked out of my lobes. So, here’s a couple of my solo travel tips that can apply on land as well as sea.

1. I wear no jewelry. On ship, costume jewelry only. No need to advertise to anyone that I have valuables with me.

2. Princess has a name plate outside the cabin that shows everyone that it is a single occupancy cabin. Day 1 I remove that sign.

3. Just because I’m an “older” traveler in my 50’s doesn’t mean that I cannot be physically violated. Assault has nothing to do with physical attractiveness- it’s solely about power & control.

4. Make copies of all your credit cards, health insurance and travel documents and upload them and email to yourself. If you have someone you trust, email them as well as your complete travel itinerary including travel companies/hotel accommodations pre & post cruise.

5. Don’t pack esssntials- medications, travel papers and valuables like cameras, fine jewelry , etc. Keep all this as carry on.

6. Be aware of your surroundings when you’re outside your cabin.

7. Please try to not have so much to drink that you are not in control. This could make you an easy victim.

8. All of these apply to men as well as women.

9. Don’t overpack and be bogged down with ‘stuff’. You don’t need a laptop, ipad and cell phone. Don’t let your possessions possess you!

10. Have a relaxing, incredible cruise!!

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I worked in law enforcement for 29 years, 27 as a CSI. I have been robbed in Costa Rica with the loss being dime sized inexpensive gold hoop earrings being yanked out of my lobes. So, here’s a couple of my solo travel tips that can apply on land as well as sea.

1. I wear no jewelry. On ship, costume jewelry only. No need to advertise to anyone that I have valuables with me.

2. Princess has a name plate outside the cabin that shows everyone that it is a single occupancy cabin. Day 1 I remove that sign.

3. Just because I’m an “older” traveler in my 50’s doesn’t mean that I cannot be physically violated. Assault has nothing to do with physical attractiveness- it’s solely about power & control.

4. Make copies of all your credit cards, health insurance and travel documents and upload them and email to yourself. If you have someone you trust, email them as well as your complete travel itinerary including travel companies/hotel accommodations pre & post cruise.

5. Don’t pack esssntials- medications, travel papers and valuables like cameras, fine jewelry , etc. Keep all this as carry on.

6. Be aware of your surroundings when you’re outside your cabin.

7. Please try to not have so much to drink that you are not in control. This could make you an easy victim.

8. All of these apply to men as well as women.

9. Don’t overpack and be bogged down with ‘stuff’. You don’t need a laptop, ipad and cell phone. Don’t let your possessions possess you!

10. Have a relaxing, incredible cruise!!

 

I always have #10:D…..some of the 9 items before that? I would think everyone has their own views about them.

I have chatted with many women and they are over packers and are not going to change. It is their choice.

As for a lap top, Ipad and cell phone? I know many people who need to be in touch with their businesses,

family, etc and they would say they need those items when they travel. Personally, I unplug while I am away,

but there are others who are always plugged in. And not sure what having them with you has to do with being

safe? Unless I missed something. I do travel with a cellphone but it stays in my cabin. The nameplate thing? I have never

cruised on a line that says how many people are in the cabin......that is just weird (to me). I do agree with what goes in

my carry on...but I would tell that to everyone, married, single, etc......even the cruise lines tell people to keep your meds

and stuff in the carry on bag.

 

As for jewelry, when I get dressed for dinner, I enjoy wearing it and will continue to do so. Daytime I am in a pair of hoops and a watch.

 

I always make sure and aware of my surroundings.

 

Your list is quite detailed and glad it works for you.:)

Edited by Lois R
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I worked in law enforcement for 29 years, 27 as a CSI. I have been robbed in Costa Rica with the loss being dime sized inexpensive gold hoop earrings being yanked out of my lobes. So, here’s a couple of my solo travel tips that can apply on land as well as sea.

1. I wear no jewelry. On ship, costume jewelry only. No need to advertise to anyone that I have valuables with me.

2. Princess has a name plate outside the cabin that shows everyone that it is a single occupancy cabin. Day 1 I remove that sign.

3. Just because I’m an “older” traveler in my 50’s doesn’t mean that I cannot be physically violated. Assault has nothing to do with physical attractiveness- it’s solely about power & control.

4. Make copies of all your credit cards, health insurance and travel documents and upload them and email to yourself. If you have someone you trust, email them as well as your complete travel itinerary including travel companies/hotel accommodations pre & post cruise.

5. Don’t pack esssntials- medications, travel papers and valuables like cameras, fine jewelry , etc. Keep all this as carry on.

6. Be aware of your surroundings when you’re outside your cabin.

7. Please try to not have so much to drink that you are not in control. This could make you an easy victim.

8. All of these apply to men as well as women.

9. Don’t overpack and be bogged down with ‘stuff’. You don’t need a laptop, ipad and cell phone. Don’t let your possessions possess you!

10. Have a relaxing, incredible cruise!!

 

Thanks for sharing your safety tips for women travelling solo. I think the most important on or off the ship is to be aware of your surroundings and to listen to your instincts.

 

When we rented an apartment in Paris, the lady who gave us the key gave us a lecture on what not to do in Paris. She made my friend remove all jewellery, including a gold bangle which she had worn all her adult life. We saw all the scams she warned us about. It is just a matter of being aware.

 

With regard to laptops, iPad and iPhones, I find many people become engrossed in what they are doing and become less aware.

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I worked in law enforcement for 29 years, 27 as a CSI. I have been robbed in Costa Rica with the loss being dime sized inexpensive gold hoop earrings being yanked out of my lobes. So, here’s a couple of my solo travel tips that can apply on land as well as sea.

1. I wear no jewelry. On ship, costume jewelry only. No need to advertise to anyone that I have valuables with me.

2. Princess has a name plate outside the cabin that shows everyone that it is a single occupancy cabin. Day 1 I remove that sign.

3. Just because I’m an “older” traveler in my 50’s doesn’t mean that I cannot be physically violated. Assault has nothing to do with physical attractiveness- it’s solely about power & control.

4. Make copies of all your credit cards, health insurance and travel documents and upload them and email to yourself. If you have someone you trust, email them as well as your complete travel itinerary including travel companies/hotel accommodations pre & post cruise.

5. Don’t pack esssntials- medications, travel papers and valuables like cameras, fine jewelry , etc. Keep all this as carry on.

6. Be aware of your surroundings when you’re outside your cabin.

7. Please try to not have so much to drink that you are not in control. This could make you an easy victim.

8. All of these apply to men as well as women.

9. Don’t overpack and be bogged down with ‘stuff’. You don’t need a laptop, ipad and cell phone. Don’t let your possessions possess you!

10. Have a relaxing, incredible cruise!!

 

Great list and a good place to start for all solos, men or women.

Then adjust the list to your own tastes and/or ports of call.

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Another tip I can't stress enough. Trust your gut instinct! If something or the vibe is not right leave or make adjustments.

Travel solo alot for both vacation and historical research and often with the latter in some isolated areas. Last year at a cemetery in the older section (there were other people there but in the new portion up front. Been there about a hour when start feeling a bad vibe. Even though I had more photos and intel, I left. Same when vacationing. Times I will head another direction or not request an escort at places.

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My only concern with cruising solo is safety. Normally when I cruise I'm sharing a room with someone, but since I'm not this time I'm a little uneasy.

 

For the women, have you ever had an issue with someone following you to your room or bothering you at all? And if you did, what did you do?

 

I cruised solo for the first time May 2017. It was a 4 day trip to Cuba. Of all the places to go alone! The people on NCL sky were amazing. I would be sitting alone, having a drink and people would sit and start a conversation.

 

When I entered Cuba, I had already reserved a private tour. It was for an old car tour with a driver and a guide. Ok .. 2 men. I got there and there were 3 men in the front seat. A new guy being trained. They treated me like a princess! My 2nd day private tour with same company, Yaser was my guide and he walked me from the flea market to the ship. We passed an old woman asking for coins. He gave her one and I said "wait, I have a LOT of coins". Now ... without thinking, I took out my pouch (hangs around my neck in my shirt), handed Yaser my passport and upended my pouch into the woman's hands. It was maybe US$3 worth ... but she was crying and saying thank you. It was HUGE for her. A man started to approach me from the side and Yaser jumped between him and me and drove him off. I was SO protected. YES ... I got my passport back from Yaser ... no problems. YES it was dumb. Just a no thinking moment.

 

Before this trip I flew by myself to London to meet up with a tour group. The tour group flew out of Paris (our last stop on the tour) on a Monday, and I had to go by myself to the train station and get to London and then to hotel and then fly out of LHR on Tuesday. I was 52 years old then and first time navigating on my own.

 

September 7th I am going solo on a cruise from NYC to Canada and B2B cruise Canada to NYC.

 

October 20th I am going on a cruise to Cabo ... solo. It has become very freeing and liberating and empowering. But overall, no one has bothered me, followed me or harassed me in any way.

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Great list and a good place to start for all solos, men or women.

Then adjust the list to your own tastes and/or ports of call.

 

 

I second all of this wholeheartedly...

73 yrs old female traveling solo, backpacking still, throughout South America, i.e. sailing on freighters the entire Amazon river from Pucallpa to Belem, Asia, Europe ...never had a problem... may be once an attempt, 2 years ago in Chengdu China, when a young man approached me at the railroad ticket purchase counter offering his FULL services while accompanying me on my travels.....got rid of him fast....

just behave sensibly, are observant and e n j o y ........

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