Loyal guest Olis Cook has completed eight sailings with AmaWaterways throughout Europe.

Olis Cook has been cruising with AmaWaterways for six years. Though the thought of traveling alone can be daunting for some, Olis shares how AmaWaterways continues to make her feel welcome and reassured as a solo traveler.

Deciding to Travel Unaccompanied

After my first river cruise with AmaWaterways, my sister and I felt so well taken care of, special and pampered. My desire to sail again was stronger than my fear of going alone and I thought cruising by myself would give me the confidence I needed to travel anywhere in the world.

Before embarking on my Christmas Markets river cruise, I was met at the airport in Budapest by AmaWaterways’ welcome hosts and was then taken to the ship. There were no unexpected add-ons and there was a Cruise Manager to help me with any problem that might arise. All of this, plus the various choices of excursions, including gentle walkers, helped me feel that I could travel solo.

With AmaWaterways, You’re “Home” for the Holidays

As expected, everything on my Christmas Markets river cruise went smoothly. I met two sisters from Canada that I tagged along with at a few of the markets, as well as another solo traveler from the New York area. We had a lot in common, so she and I paired up on a few excursions. At other markets I wandered by myself, exploring the fun stalls filled with handicrafts and souvenirs, shopping for my Christmas ornaments, tasting the different gluehwein in each town—and collecting unique gluehwein mugs.

The decorations in each town we visited were all so distinctive and magical. There were familiar faces from the ship and I felt comfortable among the crowd. I particularly appreciated the fact that some of the towns were so close to the ship that I could walk over after dinner for some extra shopping.

On board, I loved singing Christmas carols with the crew, putting my shoe outside my door on St. Nicholas Day, and eating all the different Christmas cookies left in my cabin. I had such a magical time and never once felt alone. So, I decided to become a solo traveler once again!

Traveling Solo Doesn’t Mean You’re Traveling Alone

I have met some marvelous people traveling with AmaWaterways and still keep in touch with one of the guests I met that night!

As a 74-year-old woman, I feel confident enough to travel by myself now, thanks to AmaWaterways. I have trust that the staff and crew will keep me safe, happy, well-fed and will give me new experiences, teaching me about a new place and its people. And I am looking forward to a new river cruise in the future!

Discover the perks of traveling solo with our Solo Traveler program and explore the world as Olis has.

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