In addition to self-discovery, solo travel can give travelers complete freedom and flexibility. Expedition cruises offer the perfect balance of structure and adventure. Starting prices for itineraries around Iceland start at $18,792 per person.
To summit or not to summit?
That was the question I faced when my National Geographic Explorer docked off the coast of Borgarfjordurhöfn, a remote area in eastern Iceland known for its puffin colony. It was one of the stops on a 10-day expedition cruise by National Geographic and the Lindblad Expedition that toured Iceland in August.
That afternoon I had two options for my daily excursion. It’s a 4-mile hike overlooking the coastline or nearly 6 miles to the top.
As I looked out the window from my cabin, it was windy and rainy, and I weighed the less-than-ideal weather against the fact that I had spent the past few days doing long, arduous hikes. The distance of the hike will be shorter.
Nature makes us feel small and we should seek that feeling when we travel.
Enjoy your vacation with peace of mind: the best travel insurance
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After plenty of exploring, we headed back to the 112 meter long ship and spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing with hot chocolate. We didn’t even have to think about where to eat dinner as the ship serves dinner at 7pm.
Since I was traveling solo on an expedition cruise, I didn’t have to justify or compromise my decisions to anyone. I could rest when I wanted to, and I could push myself too hard if I felt like it. You can’t follow others or slow down for others.
I’m not the only one who enjoys traveling alone. In American Express Travel’s 2024 Global Travel Trends Report, nearly one-third of 8,029 respondents said they planned to take at least one solo trip this year. Solo travel allows for self-discovery and gives the traveler complete freedom and flexibility.
For solo travelers, expedition cruises offer the perfect balance of structure and adventure. According to the report, expedition cruises are on the rise, offering travelers the opportunity to change and immerse themselves in new places and cultures, which is an ideal recipe for solo travelers.
Here’s why travelers who want to explore on their own should consider an expedition cruise.
Natural environment and onboard environment
At first, I was nervous about riding the Explorer alone, thinking cruises were for family gatherings and couples. I had never done such an extensive trip alone, so a 10-day solo expedition was outside of my comfort zone. It didn’t take long for me to realize that expedition cruises have a completely different vibe. The focus was on adventure and connection to the places we were visiting, from the culture to the natural beauty of our surroundings.
Many of the tours are suitable for solo travelers, including hiking, electric bikes, and boat tours of Iceland’s most famous glacier lagoon, Jökulsárlón. On another day I wandered around the iconic Diamond Beach, marveling at the shades of black volcanic sand and shimmering blue icebergs, feeling a sense of awe and peace. Researchers have found that enjoying nature alone, even just walking, can have therapeutic benefits.
I enjoyed my time alone, but also got to know some fellow cruisers. As a small ship with a capacity of 148 passengers, National Geographic encourages travelers to socialize through unassigned seating in the dining room and lounge during cocktail hour and daily debriefings.
The ship had a passenger capacity of 148 people, and the faces quickly became familiar. After all, we were all on the same adventure. However, the plane never felt crowded, especially since passengers were separated into groups for excursions and disembarkation.
“One of my favorite things is when solo travelers come,” said Leah Eaton, my cruise’s expedition leader. “The environment we are trying to create is one where everyone is excited and looking forward to the activity. We are family, including our guests, and we don’t want anyone to feel separated. .”
There were also several naturalists on board, always happy to chat about Icelandic folklore and volcanic topography during every trip and meal.
Planning is stress free
Thanks to itineraries like the one I took, you can enjoy ice cream without having to figure out how to get there yourself, choose a reputable travel company, and most importantly, worry about safety as a solo female traveler. We were able to access remote areas of Rand. . Meals, transportation, and activities are all included in the calculation.
“Once you’re on the ship, there’s no stress of having to travel alone,” Eaton says. “We take care of all the details on the shore, so you can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the experience.”
Travelers departing on their own pay a “solo premium,” which is reflected in the price. Starting prices for a single cabin on the Around Iceland itinerary start at $28,173 per person, including cabin, meals, alcoholic beverages, land excursions, and airport transfers. Please note that some departures have premiums waived throughout the year.
However, National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions offers a program where you can be matched with a roommate, so you pay a double room rate per person. (Subject to availability and you’ll pay for it even if you don’t have a roommate.) To qualify for this option, you must call the company.
Since the itinerary was arranged by Cruise, there were no cancellation fees, just like if I had booked it myself. For even more flexibility, we usually have morning and afternoon activities as well.
Marie Trudeau, a fellow passenger and solo traveler from Columbus, Ohio, agrees. Eight years after the death of her husband, her longtime travel companion, Trudeau continues to travel alone, exploring when her friends can’t.
“I have a sense of adventure, but I’m older and I want to feel safe,” the 72-year-old told USA TODAY.
Like me, Trudeau enjoyed the freedom to skip activities in exchange for rest and relaxation. She pushed herself to go on long hikes and read in the cabin, ignoring everyone else. “You don’t have to negotiate with anyone,” she said.
For Trudeau, this was the best way to visit Iceland, which is on his once-in-a-lifetime list of destinations.
“Ships travel all over the country, but it’s like the hotel travels with you, and you don’t have to pack and unpack every day.” I said I don’t feel like I’m missing out on anything because they prepared me for it.
With a focus on sustainable travel and conservation, National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions avoid crowded destinations, so you won’t have to deal with crowds or long lines at any of their stops. (If there are too many ships scheduled to enter the port, the cruise will change the itinerary.)
Both structure and degrees of freedom
One of the biggest benefits of traveling solo is that you don’t have to compromise and can do what you want, when you want. I was able to soak in the geothermal bath as much as I wanted and watch the puffins soar. I had a choice as to what to do and this trip was everything I wanted it to be. I felt a sense of freedom.
By the time the ship returned to Reykjavik, I felt more connected to my fellow travel companions. I got to know myself better while traveling. It was something I couldn’t do when I was at home. For example, feeling joy within yourself while traveling (feeling small in nature) or your own travel style (waking up early for a slow morning). I also had to step out of my comfort zone and strike up conversations with strangers at meals. Still, I had the pleasure of exploring Iceland’s natural wonders on my own, taking it all in at my own pace.
Traveling with others creates cherished memories, but there’s something uniquely magical about discovering new places on your own.
The reporter for this article received access to this sailing from National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of content.
