Solo travel when all previous cruising was with family

[jalapeno_pretzel]

Has anyone traveled on DCL several times with family but then opted to do a solo trip? How did it go and how did your family react?

Our family of 4 have done 4 DCL cruises, but I'm the one with the most enthusiasm about it by far. I can't help but feel like if I were on my own, I could really lean into the things I wanted to do (fitness room, rainforest room, spa treatments, funnel vision, adult pool area, shows, maybe even some napping), and not worry about making sure the others were having a good time. Plus it would open up so many other times that I could cruise. But at the same time I feel like I would miss all of them, be lonely, and look at other families and be sad. Like it might be better in the imagination than in reality.

If you've done this ... how did it go??

 

[Girl of the South]

I have cruised with family but it was a while ago. However I LOVE traveling on my own. Have you ever taken a trip on your own without your family or will this be your first time?

It sounds like you can already see the experience in your mind and I believe solo travel is really good for your self confidence and well being, mental heath.

There are others who sail solo. Easy to strike up a conversation with other cruisers. Only YOU would know if missing your family would be a deal breaker.

Maybe a 4 night as a test? I say go for it . .

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

I know exactly what you mean. Im the Disney person in my family. We went to Disneyland Paris in 2023 and I was the planner / organizer. I usually do solo park trips and solo cruises. At Disneyland Paris I missed out on so much I normally do.

I cherish my solo cruises and solo park trips. I have just done my 4th solo Disney cruise, the link to my trip report is in my signature. I get up early to see the sunrise, I go to the adult pools, do the drinks tastings and Palo brunch. I have breakfast and lunch in the MDR and I do the opposite of the main crowds. Solo cruising on Disney is amazing and if you have the finances and it fits in your schedule. then do it

 

[imbelle]

Disney trips whether solo, family, partner, are different but all good in their own way. Solo is great for doing what you want on your own timetable but a cruise is a great way to do a "semi-solo" trip if you are with the right person. Since you're technically paying for two people in a cabin anyway, you can treat another person to come along with you. A cruise gives you both the freedom to go separate ways and do the different things you are interested in and then meet up later. This works great for bringing my sister along with me. I tell her up front "These are the things I will be doing, you are welcome to join me or you can do your own thing". She's independent enough to be fine with that.

 

[clh2]

Oh my goodness…I would love to do this! Sounds heavenly!

While there is the single supplement charge…perhaps getting a GTY cabin will help to offset that additional charge!l

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

Oh my goodness…I would love to do this! Sounds heavenly!

While there is the single supplement charge…perhaps getting a GTY cabin will help to offset that additional charge!l

I offset the higher cost of solo Disney cruises by only doing cruises from England. I can get a flight from Dublin to England for around €100.

 

[Disnsyncey]

I'm of the age where I want to do things my friends don't want to do. I went to NYC for a weekend to see all the shows I wanted and eat all the particular foods, and then I went to Rhode Island (think seaside with many different types of boating and water side adventures) for a week by myself. The only problem is not being able to split costs! haha

You would get to do EVERYTHING (if they weren't conflicting with something else) you wanted to do and not have to worry about anyone else's feelings. The only downfall is you would have to make friends for trivia

 

[jimmymc]

I've never done a Disney cruise solo, but I have done plenty of solo trips and a few cruises on Norwegian. I love it for the reason you want to try it: travel when you want and do whatever you want on your own schedule.

The only thing to keep in mind is that you'll want to keep yourself busy. The same activities will now take less time or have shorter waits, and you move faster between places. Maybe bring a book if your cruise has a lot of sea days.

 

[holula]

I’ve done several Disney solo cruises and I LOVE them. It feels more chill than travelling with family. The only downside is that you’re still paying for two.

 

[RedHead0186]

I usually cruise with my parents, but did a 3-night on the Wish a couple of years ago by myself. I enjoyed cruising by myself for a shorter trip, but I don't know if I'd enjoy it for a longer trip. When I travel I like to 'share' in things, and so I think on a longer cruise I might get a bit 'lonely.'

My favorite part by part was being able to sleep in the actual bed (as opposed to the sofa bed or pull-down bed. Since I usually sail with my parents I give them the bed and I take the sofa-it's comfortable enough, but nothing beats the actual bed!

 

[cruisehopeful]

I think I'll do it someday. Twice in the past I booked a "solo" cruise and when it was a couple days out, a family member wanted to join. I actually always have some solo time, even with family. We don't always want to do the same thing and that's fine.