Sailing Solo on Royal Clipper - Could This Be the Perfect Escape?

Travelling alone doesn't have to mean feeling alone. And sometimes, a smaller ship can offer exactly the right balance of independence, companionship and adventure. Or at least that was my experience.

One of the questions I'm often asked about cruising is whether it's suitable for someone travelling on their own.

And my answer is that it very much depends on the ship.

Some people love the anonymity of a large cruise ship, with its endless activities and entertainment. Others, like me, find the prospect of travelling amongst thousands of passengers rather daunting, particularly if they're sailing alone.

Which is why I think smaller ships deserve particular consideration.

Having personally experienced Royal Clipper as a solo traveller in August, I can see why this particular sailing ship might appeal to independent travellers looking for something a little different.

With a maximum of just 227 guests (and there were only 180 when I sailed), the Royal Clipper offers a very different atmosphere from a large ocean-going cruise ship.

You begin to recognise familiar faces, and not just the staff.

You will mostly see the same early risers, see the same people enjoying the early birds breakfast , meet fellow guests during an excursion or strike up a conversation over a drink at the Tropical Bar.

There's something rather lovely about that easy sense of familiarity.

You don't have to make an effort to meet people. Conversations just happen, naturally.

And for someone travelling solo, I think that can make an enormous difference.

One of the great pleasures of travelling independently is being able to follow your own interests. And one of the things I enjoyed the most about this trip, was the freedom to do exactly as I chose, every minute of every day, it almost felt indulgent.

Perhaps, like me, you enjoy getting up early to watch the sunrise.

Perhaps you prefer a leisurely breakfast, a good book and an afternoon spent exploring somewhere new.

Maybe you're happiest doing something adventurous. Or perhaps, you want to enjoy the ship and swim off the Marina Deck whilst everyone else is busy ashore.

Aboard Royal Clipper, you can choose.

Travelling solo means there is no need to negotiate plans with a travelling companion or feel obliged to join every organised activity.

You can be sociable when you feel like company and enjoy your own space when you don't.

For many solo travellers, that's the ideal combination. I know I absolutely loved it.

For some people, one of the biggest concerns about travelling alone is dining.

Sitting at a table for one in a restaurant can feel uncomfortable, particularly when everyone around you appears to be travelling as a couple or group. Do you take a book and look like you don’t mind? Perhaps you enjoy dining alone.

Royal Clipper's open-seating dining arrangements offer opportunities to share a table and meet other guests. The wait staff try to seat you with people that speak the same language, but one British couple that I met were joined by an Italian couple who wanted to improve their English. They all had a wonderful evening with lots of laughter.

The atmosphere is informal, and the relatively small size of the ship can make it easy to become acquainted with fellow travellers.

Of course, every voyage has a different mix of guests, and no ship can guarantee a particular social atmosphere. I met Canadians. Germans, British and a gentleman from Guatemala. We all had so much to talk about that I wish I had longer to chat to them. The husband of one particularly lovely British couple told me a little about how he had met his wife, Pam. I never got to hear the full story about her cross country trip to Australia, but I am glad that they found each other when she returned to the UK.

I do think the relaxed nature of Star Clippers lends itself well to those who enjoy meeting people without the formality of social events, which can often feel forced an uncomfortable.

There's something about being aboard a traditional sailing ship that brings people together. A shared sense of adventure maybe.

Watching the crew raise the sails, admiring the coastline as you approach a new harbour or simply enjoying a beautiful sunset at sea — these are experiences that naturally give people something to talk about.

You already have something in common.

You are all there because you have chosen this wonderful way to explore.

And that shared appreciation can be a wonderful starting point for conversation.

Of course, there are a few things worth considering before booking a solo voyage.

Cabins aboard Royal Clipper are generally designed for two people, and single supplements can apply. The amount varies depending on the sailing, cabin category and any available offers.

It's also worth thinking about the itinerary, the time of year and the overall style of the voyage.

And while the ship offers a sociable environment, it's important to remember that this isn't a dedicated solo-traveller cruise. I met one lovely lady who had been under the impression that it was more of a solos cruise, I am not sure who told her that, but, like me, she had no problem chatting to other passengers.

You may find yourself amongst couples, friends and groups, as well as other independent travellers.

For some people, that's exactly what they want, and many keep in touch with people they met on the cruise.

Others may prefer the reassurance of travelling as part of a small hosted group.

Which brings me to something I've been thinking about recently, but you will have to read my next post to find out more…