Is cruising single worth the cost

[Canadian Girl]

I have had two Greek cruises cancelled and my now teens will be older when things resume, and aged out of the teen club . Neither wants to cruise anymore as they have moved on. I am so disappointed. The price for a single to cruise is essentially the same as for two. I was interested in the TA so a long cruise. I am also wondering if I might be lonely and regret going alone . I am an older single mom who has travelled mainly with family. Would love to hear from anyone who has btdt.

 

[tvguy]

My mom loved to cruise single.
Sorry about your kids, mine were 12 and 16 on our Disney cruise.. 16 year old had no interest in kids clubs. 12 year old went to one kids club event and found it lame. Cruises for us were a chance to be together with our kids 24/7, so that worked perfectly.

 

[DnA2010]

I have had two Greek cruises cancelled and my now teens will be older when things resume, and aged out of the teen club . Neither wants to cruise anymore as they have moved on. I am so disappointed. The price for a single to cruise is essentially the same as for two. I was interested in the TA so a long cruise. I am also wondering if I might be lonely and regret going alone . I am an older single mom who has travelled mainly with family. Would love to hear from anyone who has btdt.

I think I would love a shorter one on my own, but a longer one might be lonely- do you have a bestie maybe that may be able to swing it?

 

[Canadian Girl]

Mine are now 16 and 19. We packed quite a few trips in before Covid and I think they are just done with the last two cancellations. Part of the fun of travelling for me was doing it together so wondering if I would even enjoy it at all seeing families all around me.

 

[hrhdhd]

I have taken several solo cruises (I'd say 6 or 7 off the top of my head), and have loved every one. Some were as long as 14 nights, including my Disney one. But I sailed DCL 10 years ago when the solo rate for the TA wasn't ridiculous. If you want to cruise solo, other lines will be cheaper, and some offer single supplement discounts here and there.

 

[auntlynne]

I did a solo cabin on the WBPC in 2014, when a doable GTY rate came up. I booked a bottom deck cabin with two small portholes to keep the cost down.

I like to travel with others. What made solo cruising fun for me was having a dining group established before we cruised, made of people from the Meet & Greet / Who’s Sailing group found in this forum.

(I also went to Orlando for two weeks in September. Visited the parks one or two days. I was okay then, too).

I am perfectly fine doing Shipboard activities unaccompanied, and shore excursions offered by DCL or outside providers are fine if in a group.

I refuse to let the lack of others’ interest keep me from doing something (If I can afford it).

And yes, Disney does Charge double for a single. The only reason it is not double the total cost is you aren’t paying port taxes on that missing cabinmate.

 

[fredandkell]

I would totally cruise single but not on Disney. Check out some of the cruise lines that specifically cater to single. Norwegian’s studios come to mind as well as Tauck river cruises and AMAwaterways river cruises.

Norwegian usually charges about 60 to 70% of the full rate, Tauck does not charge a single supplement for certain room categories, and AMA is hit or miss depending on the itinerary. Sometimes they charge no single supplement and sometimes they charge a small one, but none of them charges double like Disney.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

"Worth it" is very subjective and only you can ultimately decide if the cost is what you want to spend for a solo vacation. It really depends on your personality and financial situation.

Personally, my very first cruise ever was solo on the Dream, and I would jump at the chance to do another solo cruise on DCL, especially a longer one like the TA or Panama Canal. I loved being able to do whatever I wanted on the ship and not have to worry about anyone else. I can be totally happy sitting in a lounge chair reading a book for hours. I did 2 of the tasting classes, the wine tasting and mixology, and I was perfectly comfortable doing them solo.

If you are the type of person that would be comfortable with that, then you will likely think it's worth it. If you think you won't be comfortable doing those things on your own, see if you have an adult friend who would enjoy going with you.

 

[Gatrcruzer]

I would totally cruise single but not on Disney. Check out some of the cruise lines that specifically cater to single. Norwegian’s studios come to mind as well as Tauck river cruises and AMAwaterways river cruises.

Norwegian usually charges about 60 to 70% of the full rate, Tauck does not charge a single supplement for certain room categories, and AMA is hit or miss depending on the itinerary. Sometimes they charge no single supplement and sometimes they charge a small one, but none of them charges double like Disney.

This. I would not sail Disney solo because the cruises cater to families, so it would likely be lonely and the cost high. There are other lines, including Norwegian, which have specific rooms designed for people sailing solo (I think maybe RCC has also started something like this recently? Maybe others?). Not only would it be cheaper, but there are also likely to be other solo travelers who are open to meeting and getting together, which would make for a more enjoyable cruise. NCL has a specific category for solo travelers that includes a lounge and events for the solo travelers. Alternatively, I agree with the suggestion to try to cruise with a friend if the kids aren't interested.

 

[cpep42]

If you like to cruise i would suggest it. There are always friendly people on the ship. I've met many a new friend on the Disney cruises. Go and have fun.

 

[Canadian Girl]

I have only ever cruised with Disney and have done 3 TAs on the Magic, Being Canadian, the dollar exchange makes DCL pretty expensive. I might wait and do a last minute one or just swallow it and splurge. I would prefer Europe or a TA for a solo cruise. Good news is an adult daughter does want to do Alaska so that might be my next, if prices aren’t beyond reach. I still have a place holder and a good sized deposit sitting on a dummy date. Just waiting for the new releases and my vaccination.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Celebrity has single rooms. My DCuz was able to get a single, with balcony close to our room on a Mediterranean cruise with us next year. I personally would not pay double to DCL.

However, I would try to find a cruise partner. We love DCL’s TA’s, either way. Just not at double cost.

 

[CarolynU]

I have had two Greek cruises cancelled and my now teens will be older when things resume, and aged out of the teen club . Neither wants to cruise anymore as they have moved on. I am so disappointed. The price for a single to cruise is essentially the same as for two. I was interested in the TA so a long cruise. I am also wondering if I might be lonely and regret going alone . I am an older single mom who has travelled mainly with family. Would love to hear from anyone who has btdt.

I am in exactly the same situation and have cruised solo quite a bit and loved it.
Have done short snd long cruises , so both the WBTA and the WBPC as longer cruises.
In fact one of my absolute best was the WBPC and I entered the dining room knowing no-one and ended up on a table with a solo American lady and a Brazilian solo guy and we laughed until we cried every night! It was amazing.
Go for it! And if we are ever booked on the same cruise let me know lol!!!

 

[ImprovGal]

I can only speak of my past experiences, but I've sailed solo quite a bit on DCL. I prefer the longer itineraries, like the TA and PC itineraries. As far as cost goes, well, you see the prices. I just look at the overall price for a single passenger and decide whether or not I want to book it. I'm currently booked on the not yet cancelled September's B2B British Isles/WBTA and next year's Vancouver-Honolulu sailing.

I know some have mentioned that solo passengers tend to be the outliers on DCL, and that's certainly true. However on longer sailings during shoulder seasons when school is in session (like TA/PC), the demographic tends to skew towards fewer children and more adults on the sailing. There has been usually some kind of semi-daily afternoon gathering in Cove Cafe for Singles/Solo Travelers and a Solo Traveler Lunch table on the sea days. There were so many extra activities on sea days and I would frequently meet people by striking up conversation at activities like cooking demos or adult-exclusive events in the youth areas or forming trivia teams with random people. Many times I've even been assigned to a dining table with other solo passengers. I've met so many wonderful people who I still keep in contact with.

However, as I mentioned, that was all based on my previous experiences. I really have no idea how things will shake out once cruising resumes. It may be a while before such assigned dining seatings and organized activities that encourage such multihousehold interactions resume.

 

[Dug720]

I've done solo cruises from 4 days to 12 days and LOVE them!!! I can find a chill place to read, I can wander the ship, I can come and go from the cabin as I please without worrying about anyone else.

I've gone with a friend and it was fine, but I missed having a larger bed to myself (this was not on Disney, so it had split beds) and we had to coordinate the bathroom and such whereas if I'm by myself there's no scheduling required.

Biggest issue I can see in cruising with a friend on Disney is the beds don't split so either someone has the queen bed the whole time and someone has the flip over sofa the whole time, or you'd have to request that the sheets be changed (who knows if that will be done as it has been once they start sailing again) to switch partway through.

Is it pricey? Yes. But to me it's worth it - I would hate to miss out on one of my favorite forms of vacationing.

 

[Canadian Girl]

I am thinking I can actually do it. And will only have plane fare for one. I love to just hang out and honestly, apart from meals, I was pretty much on my own for shows and during the day on my last TA, as my daughter was with friends she met in the Edge.

 

[mevelandry]

I am thinking I can actually do it. And will only have plane fare for one. I love to just hang out and honestly, apart from meals, I was pretty much on my own for shows and during the day on my last TA, as my daughter was with friends she met in the Edge.

I have no experience of cruising solo but honestly, if I was not attached, I’d do it.

 

[Canadian Girl]

I do have an unattached UK cousin my age who is childless, who would probably come, but we are very different and grew up on opposite sides of the pond. Might be fun though. She is very outgoing and loves her pint and a good time. I don’t drink and she might find me a bore. Can’t wait until the new cruises are out to see what might be available. If it wasn’t for the cost, i would jump at it. Sometimes I need my space and privacy.

 

[BadPinkTink]

I do have an unattached UK cousin my age who is childless, who would probably come, but we are very different and grew up on opposite sides of the pond. Might be fun though. She is very outgoing and loves her pint and a good time. I don’t drink and she might find me a bore. Can’t wait until the new cruises are out to see what might be available. If it wasn’t for the cost, i would jump at it. Sometimes I need my space and privacy.

that sounds to me a recipe for disaster and I would avoid this person as a travel buddy.

I currently have a solo Disney European cruise booked for September 2021, which is a rebook from a cancelled September 2020 cruise.

I am a first time cruiser however I am a regular solo traveler. Since 2010 I have been to both Disneyland California and Disneyland Paris solo multiple times, and I al well used to dining and exploring on my own.

I love my solo travel and before Covid I had decided my next solo adventure would be a Disney cruise..

For me, I want to experience cruising the Disney way. I want the Disney theming in the room, in the restaurants and all around the ship. I want the Disney customer service, and I want the Disney entertainment.

I basically want the Disney parks experience on a cruise ship. So for me, I have no issue with paying the higher price, as thats the experience that I want.

If you just want to cruise and are not really that bothered about the Disney experience, research the other cruise lines who have better options for solo travelers.

Have you done a solo Disney parks trip? How comfortable are you eating on your own, going to shows on your own, doing activities on your own?

As you have travelled only with family, how comfortable are you with things like time management, or travel documents and sorting out travel issues on your own? Do you rely on the other adults in the group to plan a days activities?

One of my guilty pleasure about solo travel, is after a day out and about, going back to my room and closing the door on the world. I love my alone time after a day of activates and sensory overload.

Solo travel is amazing, you gain so much independence, self confidence and self esteem. You can do what you want , when you want, spend as much or as little money as you want, eat what you when you want and not have to fit in with other peoples dietary issues, food likes and dislikes, food budget or body clock.

 

[Makmak]

I have cruised many, many times as a single mom with small children that love the kids club so I’m basically by myself most of the time. I have cruised carnival, RC, Princess, Disney, Holland America, Norwegian, and more. I have noticed cruisers are generally really friendly so for example if I went to trivia, (which I do a LOT) or other group event, I have ALWAYS been invited by another group to join. It’s incredible, like not once did I remain alone. That said, Im extremely outgoing and a people-person and not everyone would enjoy hanging out with new people. I’m also ok going on a tour etc by myself in fact it’s a nice thing to get to do what I want and not focus on the kids. I agree with the pps that suggested checking into single cabins however those are really small. Also, maybe think about dining options because would you prefer to eat alone or be seated with a group? Cruise lines have different dinner options, you may meet new friends at dinner. I also agree Disney cruises are more isolating because many people are there to focus on family. As another note, Cruise Critic has forums where people sign up for “roll calls” which is where people will list a cruise they are going on and other forum members will sign up to the roll call and introduce themselves. This way you “know” people before the cruise even starts. Another thought is joining a local travel club (check meetup.com) because we have a great travel club in my area we do lots of lunches and dinners as a club, and people get to know each other plan cruises together and even find cabin mates. Just some ideas based on what I do as a basically solo traveler !