Solo cruising dining suggestions.

[engle]

DH and I booked the December 17 Fantasy 7 night cruise. He may not be able to go and I'm not sure I can find someone to go in his place. So, I'm going to go alone if need be. I will really need a vacation by then and love to go where it's warm in winter since I live in the north. I have traveled alone before but never for 7 nights and never on a cruise. I've played bingo, seen shows and gone to the spa alone on a cruise no problem...but dinner is sort of freaking me out. At a normal restaurant on land I have dined alone. But in a cruise just seems intimidating. Any suggestions for making it less awkward? I really want to do dinner at Palo and Remy too.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

DH and I booked the December 17 Fantasy 7 night cruise. He may not be able to go and I'm not sure I can find someone to go in his place. So, I'm going to go alone if need be. I will really need a vacation by then and love to go where it's warm in winter since I live in the north. I have traveled alone before but never for 7 nights and never on a cruise. I've played bingo, seen shows and gone to the spa alone on a cruise no problem...but dinner is sort of freaking me out. At a normal restaurant on land I have dined alone. But in a cruise just seems intimidating. Any suggestions for making it less awkward? I really want to do dinner at Palo and Remy too.

You certainly can request to be seated alone, if that's what you want. Just call DCL and have the request placed on your reservation. That way, if your husband does you, it'll just be the two of you. If he can't, you'll be seated alone. There's no issue with single seating in Palo or Remy, either.

 

[engle]

I had actually heard of requesting to be seated with others solo cruising. I'm pretty social and make friends easily.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I had actually heard of requesting to be seated with others solo cruising. I'm pretty social and make friends easily.

OK, I was reading your first post as wanting to sit alone. Certainly you can also place the request to be seated with others. You would especially need to make the request if you are Concierge as the default for dinner seating with that is to get your own table (no other tablemates).

For the most part, you have to request to be seated with others, as that's typically what will happen, but I would have the request placed on my reservation, if I were you. If only because, you'll be assured of tablemates whether your husband is able to come or not.

As for being seating with others in Remy or Palo, the only suggestion I can make there, is to make contact with others on your cruise, and seeing if anyone wants to "buddy up" for a Palo or Remy reservation. Unlike the regular dining rooms, the tables there are smaller, and only for each individual party. Just check over on the Cruise Meets board to see if your cruise has a thread started and jump in there.

 

[wombat_5606]

DH and I booked the December 17 Fantasy 7 night cruise. He may not be able to go and I'm not sure I can find someone to go in his place. So, I'm going to go alone if need be. I will really need a vacation by then and love to go where it's warm in winter since I live in the north. I have traveled alone before but never for 7 nights and never on a cruise. I've played bingo, seen shows and gone to the spa alone on a cruise no problem...but dinner is sort of freaking me out. At a normal restaurant on land I have dined alone. But in a cruise just seems intimidating. Any suggestions for making it less awkward? I really want to do dinner at Palo and Remy too.

I love traveling alone! My most recent solo trip, I was seated at a large table with 5 other ladies. 3 of them were traveling together and the other 2 were solo travelers. It made for very nice meals. 2 of the ladies and I even met up for Palo brunch one day.

You can request Disney seat you with others and request a table size, also. These are only requests and Disney will try hard to accommodate them, but don't be disappointed if you don't get them.

I have even eaten in Palo alone and the staff were very, very attentive. If you think this will bother you, eat very early or eat very late.

If you eat alone in restaurants on land, you will be fine.

Personally, I don't find it awkward to be seated somewhere by myself. If I'm doing what makes me happy, I don't worry about it.

 

[gismo1554]

I travel alone and have really enjoyed it! I've made some life long friends from being placed with people on a cruise.

With Palo I did this solo and it was the best night ever! They treated me so well and it was such a relaxing evening. It was wonderful!

From the sounds of it you are used to doing things on your own on the ship so I'm sure you will have a fantastic time!

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I have never gone solo but I wanted to say enjoy your trip. We have seen many people dining solo on the cruise. It could be because partners did not want to eat that night or they were solo. It really isn't uncommon. The cruise I feel must be a great place to have a solo vacation. So much to do and see. The bingo like you say. Many parties spilt up during the day anyway to do the activities they like. Palo and Remmy you will just get nice extra attention from servers!

I hope it goes ok.

 

[CM Dad]

I did one DCL cruise as a solo traveler. I had registered for the inaugural runDisney Castaway Cay Challenge race in January 2015, and had booked the 4 night Dream cruise just after the WDW marathon weekend for my wife and I. She runs a home daycare business, where all of her clients are teachers. We had also booked another cruise the end of that month to celebrate her 60th birthday, and she decided that she should not take the extra time off for the first cruise. I was assigned to a table with 3 other solo travelers doing the race. My wife enjoys Palo's but has no desire to try Remy, so I also took the opportunity to dine there.

 

[ludari]

DH and I booked the December 17 Fantasy 7 night cruise. He may not be able to go and I'm not sure I can find someone to go in his place. So, I'm going to go alone if need be. I will really need a vacation by then and love to go where it's warm in winter since I live in the north. I have traveled alone before but never for 7 nights and never on a cruise. I've played bingo, seen shows and gone to the spa alone on a cruise no problem...but dinner is sort of freaking me out. At a normal restaurant on land I have dined alone. But in a cruise just seems intimidating. Any suggestions for making it less awkward? I really want to do dinner at Palo and Remy too.

I've completed 11 solo cruises and I've always requested my own table in the MDR with the exception of my first cruise when I didn't know any better. You should never feel intimidated because it's your vacation and you are entitled to do what pleases you. However, in my experience you will stand out dining alone which might make you feel a bit awkward especially if people invite you to join their table/group (it's happened to me several times but I've politely refused). Dining at Palo and Remy is less awkward and I've enjoyed my meals at those restaurants very much. Another option if you want to avoid feeling awkward (although I would not do it) would be to skip the MDR and have all your dinners at Cabanas. Good luck.

 

[Linda67]

I did a back to back on The Magic solo as DH couldn't get time off work and I had a wonderful time.
I didn't make any special requests regarding dining but was seated with great, well suited people on both cruises. I did Palo brunch on my own and it was wonderful, the staff really looked after me and I never felt awkward
It was blissful just doing whatever I wanted, going to the Rainforest Room, relaxing and reading.
You'll love it!