Our cat had become a house cat at about 15 years old. He had some health problems by then and when we were planning our 2.5 month AK trip, he and I would go play in the Bounder, took awhile but he acclimated. We had twin beds and I removed a cabinet door which gave him a safe place to hide while we traveled. We put my quilt which he graciously allowed me to let him sleep on at home in there for him to sleep on.
He didn't like the dash board until we landed, then after dark he liked to do his 8 hour shift as sentry up there. He did come out once or twice a day and sit on the floor between us just far enough away that we could barely scratch him. If we didn't see him come out and sit down, he would meow once, get his scratch and go do his business, eat and drink and go back his cave until we landed.
To keep the litter from being tracked around, we put the pan on a astro turf doormat in the tub/shower.
His food and water was in there too.
Now he sits on the top shelf of my office bookcase and guards me.