My First Solo Cruise: Sailing the Mediterranean with Virgin Voyages
Finding balance at sea: live, breathe, laugh, love.
By Sea & City Series
📍 Mediterranean Sea | 📅 September 8–15, 2024
🚢 Scarlet Lady (Virgin Voyages)
If Phoenix was where I dipped my toe into solo travel, Barcelona was where I dove all the way in. This wasn’t just another trip — it was my first international solo adventure and my first cruise alone. A whole week at sea, new cities to explore, and the challenge of finding my own rhythm somewhere between independence and community.
Day 1: Sailing Away
The first afternoon set the tone. Before the ship even pulled out of Barcelona, I joined a solo sailors meet-up, where I quickly realized I wasn’t the only one venturing out alone. Conversations flowed easily —reasons for being there and shared excitement about the week ahead.
From there, the ship shifted into celebration mode. I joined the Sail Away Party, music spilling across the open decks, the city fading into the horizon. Then had dinner with my fellow solo sailors. Later that night came the PJ Party, where sailors danced in loungewear under neon lights. It was playful, silly, and the kind of carefree start I needed.
Day 2: Toulon, France (Turned Sea Day)
Our first port — Toulon — was canceled due to choppy waters, which could have been disappointing. But instead, it became a gift. The extra day at sea gave me time to breathe. I wandered the ship, caught a music trivia game, chilled in the hammock on my room’s balcony, and shook off the last of the jet lag. Sometimes travel gives you exactly what you didn’t know you needed.
Virgin Voyages is known for its signature red hammocks — which I definitely enjoyed!
Day 3: Pisa from Marina di Carrara
Our first official stop was Marina di Carrara, the gateway to Pisa. I joined an excursion that combined a riverboat ride along the Arno River with a quirky little trolley train into the heart of the city.
Gliding past bridges and colorful buildings on the boat felt like watching a painting come alive. And then, the finale: stepping into the Piazza dei Miracoli where the Leaning Tower stood — a landmark so iconic it almost felt surreal. Seeing it and the other iconic monuments (like the Pisa Cathedral, the Baptistery of San Giovanni, and the Camposanto) up close, with no rush and no distractions, was one of those moments where solo travel felt like a gift: I could linger, get some gelato, take it all in, and not worry about anyone else’s timeline (besides the travel guide’s).
Day 4: Rome (Civitavecchia)
Instead of battling Rome’s hustle, I chose something quieter: an excursion to the Medieval hilltop town of Capalbio.
First, we drove out to the Monteverro vineyard in Tuscany, Italy, for a tasting of local blends. Sitting there, glass in hand, the Tuscan hills rolling in the background, I couldn’t help but smile at how this trip was unfolding: beauty and rest all woven together. Afterwards, we walked through stone gates and along winding alleys of Capalbio, and I felt like I had slipped back in time. The centuries-old walls, the quaint restaurants and shops, the lookout points with sweeping countryside views — it was slower, gentler, and the kind of history I love.
Day 5: At Sea
Another sea day gave the ship itself a chance to shine.
I stumbled into one of the quirkiest activities onboard: La Lotería Gigante — a chaotic mix of bingo, tequila, and mezcal tasting that had the whole room laughing.
That night was Scarlet Night, Virgin’s signature red-themed celebration. Passengers dressed in shades of red filled the decks for storytelling, dancing, and poolside parties that spilled into an after-party. For me, it was one of the best parts of traveling solo: showing up exactly as I was, no agenda except joy.
This day was the perfect mix of solitude and hanging out with other solo sailors during La Lotería Gigante and Scarlet Night.
Day 6: Ibiza (Nightlife)
If there was ever a way to close a cruise, Ibiza was it.
On the first night docked, I joined fellow solo sailors at Hï Ibiza to see David Guetta. The lights, the energy, the music — it was a night that felt larger than life, a bit crowded, and the kind you know you’ll only experience once.
Day 7: Ibiza (Old Town & Sangria)
The next morning, I joined a tour through Ibiza’s Old Town, winding up whitewashed alleys and cobblestone courtyards. Stops included the Santa Maria de les Neus Cathedral, the Puget Museum, and the old Dominican Convent, now converted into a town hall.
By afternoon, I was sitting at a tiny bistro with other sailors, raising a glass of cava sangria as the city glowed in the sun. It was the perfect balance to the night before — history and culture by day, music and energy by night.
Day 8: Returning to Barcelona
As the Scarlet Lady pulled back into Barcelona, I realized I felt both rested and full — the best way to end a trip.
✨ Reflections: What I Learned Cruising Solo
Looking back, this week was more than just a series of ports. It was about learning how to balance freedom and connection.
I loved the independence of choosing when to explore, when to nap, and when to show up at an event. But I also found unexpected community — in trivia games, at Zumba classes, shows, karaoke, solo meet-ups, and on excursions.
Traveling solo didn’t feel lonely. It felt expansive. There was space for both play and pause, for discovery and rest.
And while I started this trip curious (and maybe a little nervous) about what a solo cruise would feel like, I ended it knowing this: it won’t be my last.
Thanks for reading! You can find more moments, memories, and adventure over on Instagram: @_GracefullyWandering
