Have you ever gone on a Disney Cruise alone?

[DisneyJenn23]

Tell me about your experience.

 

[AquaDame]

Not yet but I am considering it.... anyone?

 

[ozliz]

Twice and planning to again next year. I travel alone a lot and I'm quite happy being independent so I had a great time. Happy to answer any specific questions if you have them. The only ship I haven't been on is the Dream.

There was the occasional awkward moment, mostly around having interest in activities which turned out to be child focussed but that could have happened when I've had another adult with me too (no kids).

I found dining was better on the second trip. I was seated with two other solo ladies and we enjoyed dinners together and all being the more independent types were happy comparing notes on activities with no interest in joining together for any of them.

The first one was Alaska and I was seated with other adults travelling with their adult children (which is where I got the idea to drag my own mother along on a cruise). This was also good and if anyone found it odd that I was solo they were polite enough to keep it to themselves.

If you want to cruise and like Disney just go for it. Don't wait to find someone to cruise with or you might miss out on some great experiences.

 

[AquaDame]

Were there any ports you found awkward to visit alone as a woman..? Did you always feel (reasonably) safe?

 

[Bethany10]

Man I'd want to, but then I'd have to come back to everyone else lol. I literally just found a fantastic itinerary that I'd love to do but it's in the beginning of February and that's just not doable right now with the age of our kids. I've traveled enough by myself that I'd be comfortable doing it, my favorite part about traveling by myself is that I go see what I want to see, and go at my own pace. Do your research, and know what type of port you're going into. That would be my only concern. Even traveling WITH DH and the kids I'm not planning on getting off the boat by myself in Nassau, whereas I'd be ok doing it in other places.

 

[Dug720]

Done 2 DCL cruises totally solo (and an RCCL and 2 fathom cruises totally solo). Have loved them all.

I tend to do ship-based excursions, so no real issues there. But I also live in NYC and am used to being solo around the city, so I have learned to be aware of my surroundings and also blend in. By that I mean I am rarely mistaken for a tourist even when I am one (in Toronto I was stopped and asked for directions more than once, and my guide in Barcelona pretty much opened with "I usually have to suggest people change something about their clothing so they don't stand out, but I would think you lived here so you are good."), so my comfort level at visiting places solo is pretty high.

The only slight issue I've had was on my cruise on the Fantasy when I was initially placed at what I call "the solo dump" table where the 2 guys got along famously but it was just awkwardly uncomfortable for me as let's just say we did not see eye to eye on most things and they were pretty much of a similar mindset. But it was not a problem to get it changed. Now that I am gluten-free, though, my request for a solo table gets increased in importance (I was let in on this by Disney when I called to have my reservation marked gluten-free - she asked me if I wanted a table to myself even before I asked for it and said that is pretty much the default for food allergies. I mean, I guess if they had people they thought compatible with the same food allergies maybe they would pair, but IDK.)

Any questions about solo travel, feel free to ask!

 

[cruiser21]

duplicate.

 

[cruiser21]

What do you want to know? I just got back from a cruise with my teen which was basically like traveling alone. Was it boring? At times yes. Was it drama free? Very much. I've traveled a lot alone. I've never given any though to not looking like a tourist. I'll strike up a conversation with anybody anywhere. I ate alone breakfast and lunch most of dinner. I spent a couple of hours walking around Nassau. My son stayed on the ship. I'm taking him to Alaska I think that will be much more interesting for both of us. If you're used to traveling with a spouse it can be a little boring at times, but also very relaxing. You also get that whole big bed to yourself.

 

[mathgeek]

Five solo on DCL with 3 more booked. But I do most of my traveling solo, so cruising DCL solo wasn't a stretch for me since I'd cruised with them before.

I've had some good experiences with tablemates, and some not so great. Nothing as bad as what Dug720 experienced though.

I cruise DCL because I love Disney, so the activities I do onboard are typically Disney related (movies, trivia, animation workshop) or I'm at the pool or spa.

I haven't really done an excursion heavy cruise solo yet, but for the Med next summer I'm adding on the ABD package, so I'll be with the same guides and the same group of people every day for excursions. For Bahamas cruises I just make Nassau day an extra "sea day." Saw it once and have decided I don't need to again.

 

[sambycat]

4 day bahamian. one of the best cruises ever. i went with a group (this was mousiest days) on a walk throughout nassau, left from that group a bit early and wondered back to the ship myself. it was fine! did solo activities on CC and tried out the spa. ate at palo solo. great great trip!

 

[cruiser21]

I seem to be having i phone issues. Just to add most of my solo trips were not cruises. I did most of my solo traveling before I got married. I'm not sure how old you are, but I think you would enjoy it. If you are young and single you won't find a lot of other young single people on a Disney ship....if that matters.

 

[dcassetta]

The only thing that I don't like about cruising solo is the cost. But, I understand that I'm taking up the whole cabin, that two people could be occupying. I've had great table mates, enjoyed excursions both Disney organized and once I did on my own, and if I had lots of fun. I've not felt unsafe in any of the ports I've visited, in the Caribbean, Mexico, or Alaska. Of course, I'm not sure anyone feels unsafe in Alaska!

 

[Dug720]

The only thing that I don't like about cruising solo is the cost. But, I understand that I'm taking up the whole cabin, that two people could be occupying. I've had great table mates, enjoyed excursions both Disney organized and once I did on my own, and if I had lots of fun. I've not felt unsafe in any of the ports I've visited, in the Caribbean, Mexico, or Alaska. Of course, I'm not sure anyone feels unsafe in Alaska!

I would imagine if I came face to face with a moose or a bear I'd feel pretty unsafe.

 

[DisneyJenn23]

Thank you for the insight. I love DCL. This would be cruise number 18 for me. Unfortunately, not many of my friends feel the same way I do so cruising solo is one of my only options for getting back on the boat!

 

[cruiser21]

Thank you for the insight. I love DCL. This would be cruise number 18 for me. Unfortunately, not many of my friends feel the same way I do so cruising solo is one of my only options for getting back on the boat!

I guess your familiar with DCL then. I'm not quite sure what your concerns were when you asked the question. You're a little vague.

 

[Laundress]

I have not done a cruise alone but have traveled to europe alone. I hope one day to give a try on the Wonder.
Traveling alone gives me the freedom to explore as I please. I hope you enjoy your trip

 

[DisneyJenn23]

I guess your familiar with DCL then. I'm not quite sure what your concerns were when you asked the question. You're a little vague.

I'm actually not sure what my concerns are either. Obviously I love DCL. I'm just used to going with others. I guess I was just looking for positives and negatives of being on the ship alone. Thank you again to everyone!

 

[Dug720]

I'm actually not sure what my concerns are either. Obviously I love DCL. I'm just used to going with others. I guess I was just looking for positives and negatives of being on the ship alone. Thank you again to everyone!

The only "negatives" (and I use that term very loosely knowing that it is complete First-World-Problems) I can really see is that some of the excursions - namely the ATV ones and the kayak ones mostly, but a few others - are set up where 2 people have to share a vehicle and that could be awkward. Ditto some of the beach excursions where it will state "one umbrella for every 2 chairs".For the beach one I don't know if it would be possible to pay for 2 people and get your own umbrella without it being awkward - but it would probably be worth it to just do a "resort for a day" thing at that point. LOL. (And i don't even know if it would be possible to be only one on those ATV or other watercraft excursions. (I know Castaway says they have single kayaks, but I think those are just for rental and not the excursion that includes kayaking.

 

[mathgeek]

I know Castaway says they have single kayaks, but I think those are just for rental and not the excursion that includes kayaking.

Well, this will be interesting to find out since I'm signed up for that kayak excursion solo on CC!

 

[Dug720]

Well, this will be interesting to find out since I'm signed up for that kayak excursion solo on CC!

I might have read it wrong, but I was pretty sure I read it's 2-person kayaks.