Cruising Is For You — You Just Haven’t Found the Right Ship Yet
Think cruising isn’t for you?
Here’s a question worth sitting with: would you spend 4, 5 or 7 nights in a hotel or resort? Because that’s essentially what a cruise is — except you unpack once, your view changes every day, almost everything is included, and you can spend your time exactly as you please. Having fun with new people, or quietly reading in your own balcony hammock. Nobody is keeping score.
The reason most people say “cruising isn’t for me” isn’t cruising itself — it’s the image of cruising. The massive ship with 5,000 strangers. The kids everywhere. The constant upselling at every turn. The feeling of being processed rather than welcomed.
That’s not the kind of cruising we do here.
At Relaxed Travel Escapes, we specialise in adults only and small ship cruising — intimate, inclusive experiences where you feel like a guest rather than a passenger number. Where the food is genuinely good. Where almost everything is already included. Where you can be completely, unapologetically yourself.
Virgin Voyages — Our Signature Cruise Recommendation
If there is one cruise line I recommend above all others, it’s Virgin Voyages.
I didn’t come to this recommendation from a brochure. I sailed the Scarlet Lady solo on the 4-night Sunset Soiree itinerary from Miami — as a first-time cruiser and self-described introvert — and it genuinely exceeded every expectation I had.
Here’s what makes Virgin Voyages different:
It’s adults only. Every. Single. Sailing. No children, no exceptions. That’s not a criticism of families — it’s simply a different experience. The energy onboard is relaxed, social, and entirely grown-up.
It’s almost all inclusive. All dining is included — and there are 20+ restaurants and eateries onboard, none of them buffet lines. All group fitness classes, all onboard entertainment, all tips — included. The only things you pay extra for are alcohol beyond the welcome drink, spa treatments, and a small number of premium experiences. If you don’t drink heavily or spend every day at the spa, your onboard spend is minimal.
It welcomes everyone. Straight couples, same-sex couples, solo travelers of any gender, groups celebrating milestones, adult families, non-drinkers. Virgin Voyages was built for people who don’t fit the traditional cruise mold — and that means almost everyone feels at home.
It’s particularly brilliant for non-drinkers and those in recovery. On a traditional cruise line, the all-inclusive price includes alcohol whether you drink it or not. On Virgin Voyages, you’re not subsidising anyone else’s bar tab. You pay for what you consume. For travelers in AA or those who simply don’t drink, this is a genuinely fairer model.
The solo traveler experience is exceptional. No awkward solo dining. Virgin Voyages actually builds community around solo travelers — dedicated Solo Sailor Mixer events on most sailings, flexible restaurant seating at bars and communal tables, and a genuinely welcoming onboard culture that makes it easy to meet people without it ever feeling forced.
On the cabin side, Virgin Voyages offers dedicated solo cabins — the Solo Insider and Solo Sea View — with no single supplement at all. Inventory is limited (around 46 per ship), so they book out fast. If those are gone, Virgin regularly runs reduced single supplement promotions on select sailings, cutting the second fare by as much as 75%. As a Gold First Mate advisor, I know when those promotions are running — which means my solo traveler clients get first access.
The Scarlet Lady herself is stunning. She’s not trying to be a floating theme park. She’s sleek, beautifully designed, and surprisingly intimate for her size. Every space feels considered. With four ships now in the fleet, you get a similar but different experience no matter where you sail.
I sailed her. I documented every moment. And I came home a convert.
👉 Read more about Virgin Voyages and what to expect
👉 Watch my honest Virgin Voyages solo cruise experience on YouTube
Is Virgin Voyages Right For You?
Virgin Voyages tends to be a perfect fit if you:
- Want an adults only environment without the mega-ship chaos
- Are traveling solo and don’t want to feel like an afterthought
- Value genuine inclusivity — whoever you are, whoever you love
- Want almost everything included without constant upselling
- Love good food and care about where and how you eat
- Are a non-drinker or in recovery and want a fair pricing model
- Are an introvert who needs the option of quiet time without pressure
- Are celebrating something meaningful with people you love
It’s probably not the right fit if you:
- Want a traditional cruise experience with a large ship and full entertainment complex
- Are traveling with children or teenagers
- Want a heavily structured, activity-packed daily schedule
- Are primarily motivated by a low base price
Beyond Virgin Voyages — Small Ship & Boutique Cruising
Virgin Voyages is our signature recommendation, but it’s not the only way to experience cruising differently.
For travelers drawn to cultural immersion and destination-focused itineraries, Celestyal Cruises offers an intimate Greek island experience on smaller ships that feel a world away from the mainstream. Think fewer passengers, more authentic ports, and a genuine connection to the destinations you’re visiting.
For those who want to go where the big ships simply can’t, Windstar Cruises operates a fleet of small ships and sailing yachts that access hidden harbours, secluded anchorages, and off-the-beaten-path destinations across Tahiti, the Mediterranean, and beyond. It’s cruising for travelers who hate feeling like tourists.
And for the ultimate small ship expedition experience, the Galapagos Islands aboard a Galaxy Cruises yacht is one of the most extraordinary travel experiences available anywhere. Intimate groups, expert naturalist guides, and direct access to one of the most biodiverse places on earth. This is not a cruise — it’s an expedition.
I can help you plan any of these experiences. Each one is matched carefully to the traveler, not the other way around.
Not Sure Which Cruise Is Right For You?
That’s exactly what I’m here for.
Tell me what you’re dreaming of — the destination, the experience, the people you’re traveling with — and I’ll match you with the cruise line and itinerary that fits. No pressure, no upselling, no pushing you toward whatever has the best commission.
Just honest advice from someone who has done the research, holds specialist certifications, and has actually sailed the ship she recommends most.
Before you book, there’s one document detail worth knowing — Read this first