Disney Cruise- Solo Style

[nokaoi5]

I am heading on my first Disney Cruise on the Wonder in 23 days... Anyone done a Disney Cruise solo? Am I still going to be able to have a great time without my family?

 

[tinkerbell87512]

I've done a solo Disney cruise twice now. Had a blast both times! The last one I actually met up with a bunch of other Disers for dinner. We talked on the boards for about 6-7 months before hand and had our dinner times linked so we could all be at the same table and same seating. But for the rest of the time I was completely solo. Did some excursions and didn't feel like people were staring at me because I was alone. Have fun and enjoy it! Feel free to ask any questions.

 

[Wasre]

I've done a solo Disney cruise twice now. Had a blast both times! The last one I actually met up with a bunch of other Disers for dinner. We talked on the boards for about 6-7 months before hand and had our dinner times linked so we could all be at the same table and same seating. But for the rest of the time I was completely solo. Did some excursions and didn't feel like people were staring at me because I was alone. Have fun and enjoy it! Feel free to ask any questions.

I'm considering a cruise next year mixed with a few days in WDW. Is there a better time of year to go? Was originally considering being in WDW for 2/29/12 and doing a 3 or 4 day cruise following that. Any thoughts would be welcome.

 

[tinkerbell87512]

I'm considering a cruise next year mixed with a few days in WDW. Is there a better time of year to go? Was originally considering being in WDW for 2/29/12 and doing a 3 or 4 day cruise following that. Any thoughts would be welcome.

Both times I flew in the day before staying at CBR the first time and AKL the second. Had Disney transport to the port then did a 4 day then Disney transport back to Pop Century for 7 more nights. The first cruise was in May of 08 and the second was Sept/Oct of last year. Both times had great weather...was cheaper in price for the Sept/Oct one due to hurricane season. I guess theres a bit of a risk with the weather. I met up with a diser who did a back to back and the cruise before ours they couldn't Dock at Castaway cay due to weather and the ship was very rocky through the whole trip. But the risk was worth it to me since you are paying a hefty price as a solo traveler on a cruise. I had a blast, but would I do it again...eh I don't know. Paying the 175% cruise fare hits hard on the wallet...when I can go to WDW and stay at a value for at least double as long as the cruise. I don't know how weather is the time you want to go but I know Feb is a lot of school vacations so the price is already going to be jacked not even counting the solo fare. just something to think about. Any more questions?

 

[Wasre]

Both times I flew in the day before staying at CBR the first time and AKL the second. Had Disney transport to the port then did a 4 day then Disney transport back to Pop Century for 7 more nights. The first cruise was in May of 08 and the second was Sept/Oct of last year. Both times had great weather...was cheaper in price for the Sept/Oct one due to hurricane season. I guess theres a bit of a risk with the weather. I met up with a diser who did a back to back and the cruise before ours they couldn't Dock at Castaway cay due to weather and the ship was very rocky through the whole trip. But the risk was worth it to me since you are paying a hefty price as a solo traveler on a cruise. I had a blast, but would I do it again...eh I don't know. Paying the 175% cruise fare hits hard on the wallet...when I can go to WDW and stay at a value for at least double as long as the cruise. I don't know how weather is the time you want to go but I know Feb is a lot of school vacations so the price is already going to be jacked not even counting the solo fare. just something to think about. Any more questions?

Which do you think would be better, a shorter or longer cruise for a first timer on cruises? I may consider a later trip, I'm still in the consideration phase. Do you have personal preference between Bahamas or Caribbean cruises?

Are there more options available later in the sailing season?

Thanks for the info

 

[It'sWDW4me]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXkYXK2_3-c

Do NOT feed the trolls!

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

Do NOT feed the trolls!

I reported him about 5 min ago, but Mods haven't responded. Hes on the Comm board too. Loser/

 

[Missytara]

My first three years, I did the land/sea package - 4 on land and 3 on sea.

It got me hooked on cruising. I definately see for a first time cruiser, to go a few days.

I also suggest doing the parks first and then the cruise. Do commando at the parks and then relax on the cruise.

I had a few friends do it in reverse and it is very taxing; they tried to do too much on the cruise, and were tired by the end of the week with the parks.

 

[ludari]

I've done and enjoyed three Disney solo cruises in the past year and I have another Disney solo cruise scheduled for next year. I enjoyed each every one of them. I can give you numerous reasons why I enjoy cruising alone but these are my top three.
1. I meet all sorts of great people.
2. Love not sharing my stateroom.
3. My schedule is my own so I can do what I want when I want.

They are plenty of adult areas/activities for you to enjoy/do if you prefer to stay away from the kids. I don't mind children because let's face I'm like a big kid anyway. I'll stand in line to take pictures with the charcters, I enjoy the pool area and I also enjoy going to the occasional late night movie in my PJs.

Take advantage of this opportunity, life is too short.

 

[Wasre]

My first three years, I did the land/sea package - 4 on land and 3 on sea.

It got me hooked on cruising. I definately see for a first time cruiser, to go a few days.

I also suggest doing the parks first and then the cruise. Do commando at the parks and then relax on the cruise.

I had a few friends do it in reverse and it is very taxing; they tried to do too much on the cruise, and were tired by the end of the week with the parks.

Where do you find a land/sea package, or is it something you really cobble together yourself? I like the idea of doing parks first so I can relax on the ship. One of my co-workers suggested to look for a cruise that has a day at sea wih no ports of call so I could experience ship life of being only at sea. Thoughts on that? It seems to make sense, but is it worth it or make any real difference? It sounds like a lot of fun from everything I've heard.

I appreciate all the info here.

 

[msbiscuit]

Where do you find a land/sea package, or is it something you really cobble together yourself? I like the idea of doing parks first so I can relax on the ship. One of my co-workers suggested to look for a cruise that has a day at sea wih no ports of call so I could experience ship life of being only at sea. Thoughts on that? It seems to make sense, but is it worth it or make any real difference? It sounds like a lot of fun from everything I've heard.

I appreciate all the info here.

I put together my own land/sea package earlier this year. I don't think they do a true land/sea pkg anymore. That said, I stayed 2 nights at the Beach Club and then did the 3 night cruise on the Dream. Loved it all! So relaxing to be at the BC and not worry about what someone else wanted to do. The cruise was terrific. I was seated with another woman my age at dinner and we got along very well.
I agree with your co-worker about doing a cruise with an at sea day. I did the 3 night because I wasn't sure how I'd like the cruise and was immediately sorry I didn't book the 4 nighter! I'd say if you can afford the 4 night, do it!
Enjoyed myself so much (and loved being at sea more than anything else) that I booked myself on the 6 night Vancouver to LA repo cruise for 2012!

 

[cknguyen617]

I'd like to hear about people's experiences with a cruise solo. Is there enough to do on a boat by yourself that you will not be bored? ... I've never been on a Disney cruise before... but I've always wanted to!! Hopefully next year!

...Won't a cruise solo cost twice as much? Since the prices are based on 2 people sharing a room? ... or maybe I missed something...

 

[msbiscuit]

I'd like to hear about people's experiences with a cruise solo. Is there enough to do on a boat by yourself that you will not be bored? ... I've never been on a Disney cruise before... but I've always wanted to!! Hopefully next year!

...Won't a cruise solo cost twice as much? Since the prices are based on 2 people sharing a room? ... or maybe I missed something...

If it's your 1st cruise - especially on a Disney cruise - you'll be so busy exploring the ship that you won't have time to be bored! Go on the cruise with the point-of-view that everything about it is a brand new experience!

I don't think it's twice as much, but I could be wrong. Simple to find out - just go to the DCL website and price the same cruise both as a single and as a couple. You're able to change the number of adults in a stateroom to get quotes. Don't forget that certain times of the year seem to be more economical, too.

 

[ImprovGal]

I'd like to hear about people's experiences with a cruise solo. Is there enough to do on a boat by yourself that you will not be bored? ... I've never been on a Disney cruise before... but I've always wanted to!! Hopefully next year!

...Won't a cruise solo cost twice as much? Since the prices are based on 2 people sharing a room? ... or maybe I missed something...

Have you seen sample Navigators? They are the DCL daily schedule of events. Shipboard activities can be lightly scheduled while the ship is in port, but usually there are a lot of activities going on. I mostly stick to the adult-only activities since I don't have kids.

The normal "single supplement pricing" for DCL is 175%. It's actually lower than most of the major cruiselines (Celebrity and RCCL are normally 200%. I think Princess and Carnival are as well). But don't let that hold you back! Travelling in an off-season can bring affordable prices, even with the single supplement. And most importantly, when you take your cruise, take advantage of the onboard booking program for your next cruise. You'll get a 10% discount on the cruise fare and a shipboard credit for that future cruise.

** LOW FARE ALERT ** I just caught a price drop on my January 15, 2012 Mexican Riviera cruise on the Wonder. Including the 10% onboard booking discount, my 11C (cheapest inside cabin) is now $850 (incl tax, no insurance). That's less than $125/nt for "hotel", entertainment, and food. And since I'll be Platinum Castaway Club for that cruise, my onboard booking perks include a $350 shipboard credit and a free dinner at Palo. I couldn't stay at WDW for that price and I have park admission already covered with my annual pass.