Anyone take a cruise alone?

[Goofy4Disney]

Was just considering the idea of DCL alone. Has anyone else done this and if so, what was your experience like?

 

[obobber]

I cruise (and travel) solo all the time. Have been doing this for decades.

I'll be taking my first solo Disney cruise-the Trans Atlantic-in April to celebrate my 65th birthday. If you participate in these forums (and those on other sites like Cruise Critic for non-Disney Line cruises), you'll know folks before you sail. The only times you'll be "alone" are when you're in your cabin and the times you choose to be alone.

The only trouble I ever encountered was when I was not happy with my tablemates at dinner on one cruise, All I had to do was ask the head waiter to change my seating and it was fine. Many cruise lines now offer flexible dining and I'll always sign up for that unless I'm already traveling with friends I've met on previous cruises. It allows you to plan your day better, eat at convenient times, and dine with more people than if you had the same tablemates every night.

Cruising solo is an ideal way to travel as a single. Remember, you're already part of a "community" the minute you set foot on a ship.

 

[aggielawyer]

I'm going on the Podcast Cruise 2.0 as a solo. It's really the only way I would consider cruising solo due to this issue:

The only trouble I ever encountered was when I was not happy with my tablemates at dinner on one cruise,

I figure I'll be cruising with other podcast listeners, so I should have something in common with anyone that I get seated with. I believe there's still room if you're interested--you can find a board just for the podcast cruise here: http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=174

Due to the group rate that DU is getting, the price to go solo wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I cruise (and travel) solo all the time. Have been doing this for decades.

I'll be taking my first solo Disney cruise-the Trans Atlantic-in April to celebrate my 65th birthday. If you participate in these forums (and those on other sites like Cruise Critic for non-Disney Line cruises), you'll know folks before you sail. The only times you'll be "alone" are when you're in your cabin and the times you choose to be alone.

The only trouble I ever encountered was when I was not happy with my tablemates at dinner on one cruise, All I had to do was ask the head waiter to change my seating and it was fine. Many cruise lines now offer flexible dining and I'll always sign up for that unless I'm already traveling with friends I've met on previous cruises. It allows you to plan your day better, eat at convenient times, and dine with more people than if you had the same tablemates every night.

Cruising solo is an ideal way to travel as a single. Remember, you're already part of a "community" the minute you set foot on a ship.

I've often wondered about this. DH has no interest in a cruise but I kind of do. Are some cruise lines better than others about prices for solos? I looked a little and it seemed that the cruise lines I looked at charged for two people, so you were paying for meals for two even if you were solo. But I admit to being very naive about this.

 

[Floydian]

I've thought about this too, and have mostly encountered what Simba's Mom mentioned. Now I understand the point of charging more for a single, because that's one less person in the room to be spending money. But its also one less person to be getting food and drinks (or whatever is included).

Anyway, I can't bring myself to pay double for a single room, but have found the rare cruise that is only 120-150% of the "double occupancy rate", instead of 200%. Now if I can find a way to justify spending hundreds of dollars to sit on a ship being anti-social, instead of doing that for free in my own home...

 

[wdw1972]

I've done 9 DCL cruises using dvc points when I had vacation time to burn. However, HAL is a far superior cruise line for me and I can cruise solo in a non-verandah cabin for 150% of the fare. They're my cruise line of choice, and solos are welcome there. My next cruise with them (a solo) is in April, and I can't wait! On HAL if I booked a verandah it would be 190% of the fare, so I only book verandahs when it's the 2 of us cruising. Can't justify it as a solo!

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

I've often wondered about this. DH has no interest in a cruise but I kind of do. Are some cruise lines better than others about prices for solos? I looked a little and it seemed that the cruise lines I looked at charged for two people, so you were paying for meals for two even if you were solo. But I admit to being very naive about this.

Yes, on must cruises the price for one will be the same as the price for two, except for the taxes. Norwegian Cruise Line rolls out it's new Norwegian Epic ship this summer which will have special cabins and pricing for single cruisers. It will be sailing out of Miami.

Until then, your husband should give it a try at least one time with you. He may find out what most cruisers have found out. It's an incredible experience!

BobK/Orlando

 

[aggielawyer]

If I'm doing the math right, going on the podcast cruise is saving me about $150 over what I would pay for the same sailing booking direct with Disney due to the group rate that we are getting. I believe it is still available if anyone is interested.

It's not a ton of money, but every little bit helps.