LesaL

My mom is pretty far along in her dementia journey. Tomorrow we leave for the port where my sister and I will be taking her on a four night cruise. We did a five day this time last year, so we know what to expect. This trip is all about her. She will not remember it, but she will enjoy each moment at the time. And that is what we want for her. She will not be left alone at any time. That is the way it already is at home. The change of scene is great. She loves being around people, even though she cannot participate in conversation. Unfortunately, once someone reaches the stage she is at, visitors are few and far between.

A few years ago we stayed there. Was great to see our ship sail in past our window. We also just left the car parked there and shuttled to the terminal. My mom is in a wheelchair, but it is possible to forego the shuttle and walk to the terminal.

We have stayed at the Best Western Plus in Seabrook and it worked out well. It is about a mile from the port and has its own shuttle. It also has a good complimentary breakfast. NASA is not far, maybe 10 minute drive? Good clean lodging. Staying there again next month.

I am like Lois, I look at the total price, not how much of a supplement. A 100% supplement on a $500 cruise is less than a 50% supplement on a $2000 cruise.

Freedom to do what I want, when I want without having to worry about other people is why I love solo cruising.

Couldn't agree more.

I'll consider myself duly scolded.

 

I do think it's important, however, to let others know that they may have options if they are still somewhat able, and the handicap cabins are all booked. To say they have to have a handicap cabin cuts down on the options for some, because it isn't necessarily true.

I couldn't agree more. To get a cabin in my budget, I often book after final payment. Handicap cabins are usually long gone by then. The joy I get from cruising is not diminished because of the minor inconvenience of storing a mobility device in a standard cabin. Also, I have noticed that ships have places to store scooters that will not fit in a standard cabin.

I have also found that showers have some type of hand hold bar. It is probably to help if the ship gets in turbulent seas. That has been more than sufficient for me.

Lesa

Loved my Deck 11 inside. Stayed in one for a 17night transcanal on the Millennium. The access to the outside was great. Extremely quiet.

It is entirely possible to be left alone. Having a book/Kindle to focus your attention on helps.

I am a BBW. I have been on 17 cruises. About half of those were as a solo.

Make sure your expectations are realistic. The shower is small. You may have to request an armless chair for dining. You may not able to manage any but the least active excursions, the shore excursion desk can advise you.

Be friendly and courteous, and staff will go out of their way to assist you with any issues.

Lesa

Howdy all.

 

We are 3 adults considering to go on the Panama Canal cruise with DCL at the end of August 2016 from San Diego to Port Canaveral. Just a few questions I hope someone can answer.

 

Has anyone been on a similar cruise with DCL and if so how was it?

Since we are only adults in our travel party, how is it with adults only area on board?

When the cruise ends in Port Canaveral, is there a immigration check again when we leave the ship?

We have been on cruise with NCL and RCCL. We know of course that one of the difference between NCL, RCCL and DCL is that DCL has the Disney character, teaming and show, but other than that is there any difference?

 

Thanks in advance.

I did this cruise in September of last year. Despite missing all the ports on the Pacific side due to Hurricane Odile, it was the best cruise (out of 17) that I have ever been on.

I am a single adult and I traveled solo. There were a number of solos, as well as adult only groups on the cruise due to the length and it being during the school year. There were many adult entertainment options, as well as opportunities for adults to experience some of the normally child only venues, if they chose.

There is immigration in Port Canaveral, since the ship visits foreign ports after leaving San Diego.

I think that the basic cruise experience is more alike than different across the various lines, however the rotating dining is unique to Disney, and the quality of the shows and speakers is top notch.

I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Lesa

I really enjoyed my stay in the Wyndham San Diego Bayside. It was about a block to the port, and had a number of restaurants surrounding it, both high end (Ruth's Chris) and casual (a deli). There is also a hop on/hop off trolley stop across the street from it.

It had complimentary shuttle to and from the airport, to the ship and to some tourist destinations such as the Zoo. I had a bay view room and was able to watch my ship sail into port.

The room was comfortable and the service was excellent. I hope to stay there again sometime.

Lesa

I did an inside on my last Celebrity cruise and really liked the location. It was deck 11, at the very top and back of the ship. It was the Millennium, so the Infinity should have the same deck plan. The advantage was that it was so accessible to the outside decks. For Alaska, that is something you would want. A few steps from my cabin and I was out the back door and it was a short flight of stairs to the Sunset Bar.

I was looking at this same cruise for May 2016 today. I'm wanting to do a Panama Canal cruise and am a frequent Disney World visitor but have never done one of their cruises. I've always wondered if you are immersed in the magic on one of their ships like you are at the parks. I'm also worried there won't be enough adult activity on the ship. I tend to gravitate toward things like trivia, classes/demonstrations, and evening shows.

The Panama Canal sailing has fewer children, therefore many of the activities are geared for adults. There will be a Panama Canal lecturer, as well as some sort of Disney featured lecturer. On my sailing it was Jeff Kurtii, who is a Disney historian. The adult only pool and coffee shop is pretty much devoid of character appearances. The standard Wonder Disney evening shows are done, however because of the length of the sailing, additional entertainment is featured. There will be recent movie releases shown in the main theater, but also usually a magician, comedian, and musical headliners. On my sailing it was a Jersey Boys type quartet, who performed around the pool as well as in the showroom. And Broadway veteran Jason Graae, who was amazing!

Lots of trivia, a cook off between the head chef and the captain, and my specific sailing had a very talented pool of passengers. We had someone who arranged dawn and nighttime photography walks and another who is a Futurist and made arrangements to speak to those interested about what he does.

I could not have asked for a more enjoyable sailing.

Lesa

 

Mostly the former, with a touch of the latter. As one of the entertainers explained it, "this is Disney adult, folks." The entertainment is designed to appeal more to adults than children, not including profanity.

 

Lesa

Do you remember the cost of the airport shuttle and the one to the ship?

The shuttle was provided by the hotel at no charge. Can't beat that.

I really enjoyed my stay at the Wyndham Bayside. I had a view of the ship arriving, which is always exciting to me. Wonderful service and the transfers from airport and to the ship were done well. Yes, you can walk, but I had luggage for a two week cruise and use a cane, so I needed the transfer.

Lesa

I really enjoyed my stay at the Wyndham Bayside. I had a view of the ship arriving, which is always exciting to me. Wonderful service and the transfers from airport and to the ship were done well. Yes, you can walk, but I had luggage for a two week cruise and use a cane, so I needed the transfer.

Lesa

I have sailed the Millennium twice as a solo, once for 11 nights, and once for 16 nights. I have also sailed solo to Alaska, though not on the Millennium. And yes, the two 'n's throw me too.

I would not hesitate. I don't think that the time of the year should be a concern. There generally are fewer children on Alaskan cruises. I have actually done three.

If you have specific concerns, I would be happy to help if I can. Alaska is so worth seeing.

Lesa

Thanks for posting the review. I love reading people's experiences and yours sounds awesome.

My sister and I are booked on this cruise. I have sailed several times from Galveston and had good experiences with the different hotels that I have stayed at. I loved Harbor House because it is next to the pier and you can get a room that allows you to watch the ship arriving. I have also enjoyed staying at San Luis and the Marriott Courtyard Galveston Island Gulf Front. All had shuttles to and from the ship, I am not aware of any hotel that has a shuttle to the airport.

I have also sailed from San Juan. I had a late arrival the night before the cruise, so chose something more convenient to the terminal, vs on the beach. I was extremely happy with my accommodation at the Sheraton Old San Juan.

I would recommend the Gulf Departures board and the Port of Call board for more information about places to stay.

I have sailed Disney twice. Both on the Wonder. My sister and I sailed from Galveston in Dec of 2013. And I sailed solo on last year's Eastbound Panama Canal. There are a number of adult only venues, as well as some shows that are adult only. The cruise line wants to keep adults as well entertained as the children. I think the time of year will limit the number of children onboard.

I will be glad to try to answer any other question you have.

Lesa

I have not sailed out of New Orleans. So I cannot advise you about that port. I do believe that the ship that sails from there is the Pearl? Which is a sister ship to the Jewel that I sailed from out of Houston. if so, I thought the ship was very easy to get around and I did spend some time in the Library while in Belize. Very quiet and comfortable. I would not hesitate to sail the ship again, despite how small the cabin was, and I was sailing alone.

One of my favorite ports to sail from is San Diego. I know that the Amtrak station is actually within walking distance to the pier. Although I probably would not be walking with the amount of luggage I normally take. :)

Lesa

You sound like me, with the exception that I do drive. But I don't like doing it. :)

I have actually cruised 17 times with roughly half of them as a solo and 6 times out of Texas. I did NCL out of Houston as a solo last March. I was very pleasant and, by choice, I opted to sit alone at every meal. Alone with my Kindle. It was what I wanted. I can be sociable, but for this particular cruise I was looking forward to time mostly to myself.

I have also sailed solo on Disney. I did a 14 night Panama Canal cruise last September. I was much more sociable on that sailing and had the best dinner companions possible. Only the evening meal is assigned, breakfast and lunch you can opt to sit alone.

I would not hesitate to recommend either, however, the service and entertainment on Disney is superb. Also, they are many adult only areas (pool, Quiet Cove, Outlook.) Many of the lounges and other venues are adult only after a certain time. I have read that it is not likely that Disney will return to Texas after the upcoming scheduled sailings. I am booked on the final sailing as the ship repositions from Galveston to San Juan.

Hope this helps. I will be glad to answer any questions you may still have.

Lesa

Lois,

I enjoy reading your posts about sailing solo on Celebrity. I love Celebrity also. I have sailed 3 times for 35 nights on their ships, with 27 of those nights being as a solo. You would love Disney! The level of service on board equals and exceeds Celebrity. There are wonderful adult only areas. I highly recommend.

Price can be an issue, but like most cruise lines, there are deals to be had. Off season pricing, after final payment date, and resident discounts can really make it affordable. The only resident discounts are for Canadian and Florida residents, and I think you live in Florida?

Lesa

I sailed solo on the Disney Wonder 14 night Panama Canal cruise last September. I had a wonderful time. Being a longer cruise that takes place during school term, there were fewer children on board than the norm. But Disney ships in general have plenty of adult areas and entertainment. And adult only means based on age not that it is inappropriate. Plus, Disney has so many structured activities for children, they are less likely to be roaming the ship looking for something to do.

I have enjoyed the people that have been assigned to my dining table on the two Disney cruises I have had, but you do have another option if you want to eat alone. At least on the Wonder, probably on the other ships, the buffet venue converts in the evening to a restaurant. You order off a menu and the wait staff are in training. I did not eat there, but was aware of it.

My most recent cruise was last month on the Norwegian Jewel. It was also solo and I chose to eat alone and read during all my meals. So I do understand and appreciate your preference.

Lesa

I would like to offer another suggestion, rather than the scooter. Consider getting a rollater. That is one of those walkers with a seat. You really need a handicap accessible cabin to handle a scooter, while a walker can usually fit through the standard doorway. I travel solo a lot and have balance and mobility issues. Getting my rollater was incredibly liberating. I have something to hold onto and a place to sit if needed.

Lesa