Need Help -- 1st Solo Cruise

[Unibok]

9 hours ago, txwriter said:

I have decided to do the Disney Cruise.  For my first solo cruise, having friends onboard and being only five days were both major factors.  The price really was basically the same for either cruise.

 

 

Enjoy! And do let us know how it goes!

[txwriter]

3 hours ago, Lois R said:

......so really Disney is more expensive because you are sailing for less time.

 

I do not price my vacations by the day...I have not for land based trips and don’t see the need to for cruises.  That said, there is always a certain amount of premium to be paid for anything Disney runs.  Their theme parks are more expensive than competitors for example.  The foods in the parks is more expensive than what is outside the parks.  That said, there are little touches here and there that add a special quality to the experience that makes the premium price worth it for many.  One weird thing I love at Disney parks is their restrooms.  They are kept clean despite the many people (a lot of them kids) using them.  Plus, they are pretty.  This is one of those little touches that I enjoy when going to the parks that someone else might never notice.  Little touches add up.  I’m looking forward to seeing how this does or does not translate to the cruise.

[txwriter]

1 hour ago, Unibok said:

 

Enjoy! And do let us know how it goes!

 

I hope to!  😄

[travelnap]

Hope you have a great cruise, but I should warn you, you may get hooked on solo cruising once you try it.  Quite a few of us on this forum have and we really enjoy cruising solo.

[mjtripper]

On 1/18/2019 at 11:48 AM, txwriter said:

I am having a dilemma.  I am trying to decide on my very first solo cruise.  I have only been on two cruises.  The first when I was a teenager was back in 1990 and the 2nd was last summer.

 

I hated the first cruise, but I LOVED the 2nd one.  I think part of the reason I loved the 2nd one so much was I was in Alaska, but I also noticed this ships are so much better with much more to do now.  (There was NO teen programming when I went on my first cruise, so I was bored out of my gourd on sea days).

 

I am single without kids, and I usually travel with my mom.  She and I have very similar likes and dislikes, and I enjoy her company.  Plus, I know she won't be able to travel forever, and I like to take her on trips when I can.

 

For my next trip, I want to try a solo trip.  Mom won't be around forever, I like to travel, and most of my friends are doing their own things with their families. I am what someone else on this board called an extroverted introvert.  I like people, but I also like time to recharge my batteries and don't usually have a problem being alone.  So, I'm doing this cruise as a toe in the water just to see how I like these types of trips by myself.  To be honest, cruises seem like they'd be much easier solo travel than some other options.

 

One more thing:  I'm not a big bar fly, and I don't visit the casinos.

 

So, here's what I'm considering and why (date order so as not to give preference in any way).  I'd like feedback from those of you who have traveled solo.  Which would you pick?  Why?  Price is generally in the same ballpark for the fare, but each has either tangible or intangible perks. 

 

#1

Dec. 7-12, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Magic, 5-Night Very Merrytime Western Caribbean Cruise from Miami

 

Pros:  I've always wanted to try a Disney cruise, I really like Disney and have not had a chance to do any Disney travel for some time, a friend of mine and her husband will be aboard this ship, so I won't have to be totally alone if I don't want to and they can help me navigate unknown factors, it's a Christmas themed cruise, and I LOVE Christmas, deposit is 50% off right now which is nice.  I hear the entertainment is outstanding, and the dinner rotation intrigues me. 

 

Cons:  I've not cruised Disney before, will there be too many kids? (especially in dining area), price is slightly higher but no incentives like OBC

 

#2

January 25-Feb.1, Princess Cruises, Sky Princess, 7 Day Eastern Caribbean

 

Pros:  Brand new ship!  I loved the Princess cruise we took to Alaska this past summer, price is less, travel into Fort Lauderdale more favorable than Miami to me, Princess beds were SO comfy, and I liked the room set up (though this one would be smaller since we had handicap accessible room for my mom), current sale offers $300 OBC, and I get credits for Captains Circle/loyalty program as well as small discount from being previous guest.

 

Cons:  More intimidating for first solo trip since no friends on board, will I sleep the entire time and become a hermit?  Unsure of onboard activities on less port intensive cruise (I can find information about the activities but not certain I'd enjoy them is what I mean--in Alaska it was all about the ports). 

 

One minute I'm 90% convince one way, and a little bit later, I'm 90% convinced the other way. 

 

 

OMG - I am in the same situation! I am single without children. I usually cruise with my mother. She is getting up there in age. This year I have just booked my first solo cruise. I decided on the W. Caribbean on the Celebrity Equinox, Aug. 24 -31.

I have cruised with Celebrity before and have enjoyed it. I am excited for this new adventure but a bit nervous as well. I think I will have enough to keep me busy during the day. Mainly, relaxing at the pool, getting off in port, going to the beach. It's the evenings that I feel a bit nervous about. 

I don't have any recommendations for your choice of cruise. I just wanted to respond since I am in the same situation and decided to take the chance going solo. Good luck with your decision.

[mjtripper]

On 1/18/2019 at 11:48 AM, txwriter said:

I am having a dilemma.  I am trying to decide on my very first solo cruise.  I have only been on two cruises.  The first when I was a teenager was back in 1990 and the 2nd was last summer.

 

I hated the first cruise, but I LOVED the 2nd one.  I think part of the reason I loved the 2nd one so much was I was in Alaska, but I also noticed this ships are so much better with much more to do now.  (There was NO teen programming when I went on my first cruise, so I was bored out of my gourd on sea days).

 

I am single without kids, and I usually travel with my mom.  She and I have very similar likes and dislikes, and I enjoy her company.  Plus, I know she won't be able to travel forever, and I like to take her on trips when I can.

 

For my next trip, I want to try a solo trip.  Mom won't be around forever, I like to travel, and most of my friends are doing their own things with their families. I am what someone else on this board called an extroverted introvert.  I like people, but I also like time to recharge my batteries and don't usually have a problem being alone.  So, I'm doing this cruise as a toe in the water just to see how I like these types of trips by myself.  To be honest, cruises seem like they'd be much easier solo travel than some other options.

 

One more thing:  I'm not a big bar fly, and I don't visit the casinos.

 

So, here's what I'm considering and why (date order so as not to give preference in any way).  I'd like feedback from those of you who have traveled solo.  Which would you pick?  Why?  Price is generally in the same ballpark for the fare, but each has either tangible or intangible perks. 

 

#1

Dec. 7-12, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Magic, 5-Night Very Merrytime Western Caribbean Cruise from Miami

 

Pros:  I've always wanted to try a Disney cruise, I really like Disney and have not had a chance to do any Disney travel for some time, a friend of mine and her husband will be aboard this ship, so I won't have to be totally alone if I don't want to and they can help me navigate unknown factors, it's a Christmas themed cruise, and I LOVE Christmas, deposit is 50% off right now which is nice.  I hear the entertainment is outstanding, and the dinner rotation intrigues me. 

 

Cons:  I've not cruised Disney before, will there be too many kids? (especially in dining area), price is slightly higher but no incentives like OBC

 

#2

January 25-Feb.1, Princess Cruises, Sky Princess, 7 Day Eastern Caribbean

 

Pros:  Brand new ship!  I loved the Princess cruise we took to Alaska this past summer, price is less, travel into Fort Lauderdale more favorable than Miami to me, Princess beds were SO comfy, and I liked the room set up (though this one would be smaller since we had handicap accessible room for my mom), current sale offers $300 OBC, and I get credits for Captains Circle/loyalty program as well as small discount from being previous guest.

 

Cons:  More intimidating for first solo trip since no friends on board, will I sleep the entire time and become a hermit?  Unsure of onboard activities on less port intensive cruise (I can find information about the activities but not certain I'd enjoy them is what I mean--in Alaska it was all about the ports). 

 

One minute I'm 90% convince one way, and a little bit later, I'm 90% convinced the other way. 

 

 

OMG - I am in the same situation! I am single without children. I usually cruise with my mother. She is getting up there in age. This year I have just booked my first solo cruise. I decided on the W. Caribbean on the Celebrity Equinox, Aug. 24 -31.

I have cruised with Celebrity before and have enjoyed it. I am excited for this new adventure but a bit nervous as well. I think I will have enough to keep me busy during the day. Mainly, relaxing at the pool, getting off in port, going to the beach. It's the evenings that I feel a bit nervous about. 

I don't have any recommendations for your choice of cruise. I just wanted to respond since I am in the same situation and decided to take the chance going solo. Good luck with your decision.

[txwriter]

2 hours ago, travelnap said:

Hope you have a great cruise, but I should warn you, you may get hooked on solo cruising once you try it.  Quite a few of us on this forum have and we really enjoy cruising solo.

 

Is it wrong to say I hope I do get hooked?  The logistics of planning a cruise is much simpler than some other types of vacations.

[txwriter]

44 minutes ago, mjtripper said:

OMG - I am in the same situation! I am single without children. I usually cruise with my mother. She is getting up there in age. This year I have just booked my first solo cruise. I decided on the W. Caribbean on the Celebrity Equinox, Aug. 24 -31.

I have cruised with Celebrity before and have enjoyed it. I am excited for this new adventure but a bit nervous as well. I think I will have enough to keep me busy during the day. Mainly, relaxing at the pool, getting off in port, going to the beach. It's the evenings that I feel a bit nervous about. 

I don't have any recommendations for your choice of cruise. I just wanted to respond since I am in the same situation and decided to take the chance going solo. Good luck with your decision.

So glad you wrote this.  Sometimes I feel like no one really understands.  Good luck with your first solo trip too!  😄

[mjtripper]

6 minutes ago, txwriter said:

So glad you wrote this.  Sometimes I feel like no one really understands.  Good luck with your first solo trip too!  😄

Thank you - you too. I see you made your decision it should be fun!

[Lois R]

4 hours ago, txwriter said:

 

I do not price my vacations by the day...I have not for land based trips and don’t see the need to for cruises.  That said, there is always a certain amount of premium to be paid for anything Disney runs.  Their theme parks are more expensive than competitors for example.  The foods in the parks is more expensive than what is outside the parks.  That said, there are little touches here and there that add a special quality to the experience that makes the premium price worth it for many.  One weird thing I love at Disney parks is their restrooms.  They are kept clean despite the many people (a lot of them kids) using them.  Plus, they are pretty.  This is one of those little touches that I enjoy when going to the parks that someone else might never notice.  Little touches add up.  I’m looking forward to seeing how this does or does not translate to the cruise.

 

Glad you found something you enjoy.  I don't price my vacations by the day either.  I was just meaning that you could sail for 7 nights at the same price as a 5 nighter...7 is better than 5 (in my opinion anyway).

[txwriter]

19 hours ago, Lois R said:

 

Glad you found something you enjoy.  I don't price my vacations by the day either.  I was just meaning that you could sail for 7 nights at the same price as a 5 nighter...7 is better than 5 (in my opinion anyway).

 

I like longer vacations too, but I do find having a few days before returning to work to get unpacked and back up to speed helpful—especially since this will be a holiday cruise.

[travelnap]

21 hours ago, txwriter said:

 

Is it wrong to say I hope I do get hooked?  The logistics of planning a cruise is much simpler than some other types of vacations.

No, it is not wrong to say that.  Many of us who are already hooked on solo cruising would welcome you to the club.  Yes, planning a cruise solo is fairly simple, and the best thing about solo cruising  is all you really have to worry about is pleasing yourself and enjoying the experience.   Soon you will start feeling sorry for all those people who have to drag someone along with them.  Sorry about the last crack, it is just to get even with those people who think solo cruisers can't find anyone to go with them.  

[txwriter]

2 hours ago, travelnap said:

No, it is not wrong to say that.  Many of us who are already hooked on solo cruising would welcome you to the club.  Yes, planning a cruise solo is fairly simple, and the best thing about solo cruising  is all you really have to worry about is pleasing yourself and enjoying the experience.   Soon you will start feeling sorry for all those people who have to drag someone along with them.  Sorry about the last crack, it is just to get even with those people who think solo cruisers can't find anyone to go with them.  

I didn’t mind the comment.  Here’s my snarky comment for the day:  those people who pity solo travelers should befriend them.  After all, we have to pay for two people’s spots most of the time.  They might find theirselves with a bargain trip or even nearly free trip if we were feeling sociable.  

[Bigmike911]

Comments on the comments. After 16 cruises and crossings, I am now going to do two solo crossings this fall. I like long transatlantic crossings as they give you plenty of sea days. I have sailed on a Princess ship, but lately exclusively Cunard and exclusively Queen Mary 2. Why Cunard, well, the British back ground of the line, even though they are a Carnival Company now. They are a bit more traditional in their approach to life, with a pub aboard and afternoon tea And they attract an older crowd more prosperous crowd. Since I am 75, I fit in real well.

 

They have terrific speakers some of the best in world, and if some one my age can learn about the formation of the universe and actually understand it, that has to be a great speaker. And QM2 is the last actual Ocean Liner in service. She is not a cruise ship by any means. 

 

In the past my travel partner and I usually went our separate ways during the day with different interests, so going solo won't be that different. I find it is easy to make friends. So I don't think I will be alone, more than I want to be. I am actually looking forward to these voyages. 

[JulieMcCoy]

I'm late to this party, but I'm glad you chose the Disney cruise! I have cruised solo once (on Carnival) and loved it, and I have cruised four times on Disney and loved it every time. My family has always been big into Disney, but my daughter was already a teenager the first time we cruised, and our last Disney cruise totaled nine adults, no kids. Things I love about Disney cruises:

-DCL does a great job of keeping the adults-only areas adults-only. Our pool time was spent with zero kids in view. 

-DCL has that same Disney can-do service attitude.

-Entertainment is better quality than on other mass-market lines I've been on (although you'd better like Disney!). I had my choice of things to do during the day without watching a hairy-chest contest. Quest (which I believe originated on Royal Caribbean) was most definitely an adult-only event, and quite hilarious.

-Love DCL's themed restaurants and rotational dining. 

-If you're going to Castaway Cay, it's a wonderful private island, with an adults-only beach if you would like that option.

 

Enjoy your trip!

[txwriter]

On 2/5/2019 at 10:13 AM, JulieMcCoy said:

I'm late to this party, but I'm glad you chose the Disney cruise! I have cruised solo once (on Carnival) and loved it, and I have cruised four times on Disney and loved it every time. My family has always been big into Disney, but my daughter was already a teenager the first time we cruised, and our last Disney cruise totaled nine adults, no kids. Things I love about Disney cruises:

-DCL does a great job of keeping the adults-only areas adults-only. Our pool time was spent with zero kids in view. 

-DCL has that same Disney can-do service attitude.

-Entertainment is better quality than on other mass-market lines I've been on (although you'd better like Disney!). I had my choice of things to do during the day without watching a hairy-chest contest. Quest (which I believe originated on Royal Caribbean) was most definitely an adult-only event, and quite hilarious.

-Love DCL's themed restaurants and rotational dining. 

-If you're going to Castaway Cay, it's a wonderful private island, with an adults-only beach if you would like that option.

 

Enjoy your trip!

Thanks for the encouragement! 😄

[12thAggie]

On 1/19/2019 at 12:41 PM, kek123 said:

Unless you love being around other peoples children I'd stay away from Disney. I hated my solo cruise on Princess and was treated horribly by the staff. Have loved solos on Celebrity and Azamara.

Did you find deals on Celebrity for a solo?  I love Celebrity, but have only sailed it with my husband who passed away 2 years ago.  I am looking for venturing out by myself also.

 

[Lois R]

Hi, I sailed solo with Celebrity for many years. I cannot tell you I found deals on a regular basis. I paid the price for 2 and chose that for myself.   Sometimes they would offer deals on Tuesday specials but you have to be able to go on the specific dates offered.

[kek123]

I agree with Lois, sometimes you get a low or no supplement fare and others you pay pretty much double. While the supplement ticks me off, I look more at what the cruise breaks down to as a daily rate. 

[snirpville]

On 1/18/2019 at 11:48 AM, txwriter said:

I am having a dilemma.  I am trying to decide on my very first solo cruise.  I have only been on two cruises.  The first when I was a teenager was back in 1990 and the 2nd was last summer.

 

I hated the first cruise, but I LOVED the 2nd one.  I think part of the reason I loved the 2nd one so much was I was in Alaska, but I also noticed this ships are so much better with much more to do now.  (There was NO teen programming when I went on my first cruise, so I was bored out of my gourd on sea days).

 

I am single without kids, and I usually travel with my mom.  She and I have very similar likes and dislikes, and I enjoy her company.  Plus, I know she won't be able to travel forever, and I like to take her on trips when I can.

 

For my next trip, I want to try a solo trip.  Mom won't be around forever, I like to travel, and most of my friends are doing their own things with their families. I am what someone else on this board called an extroverted introvert.  I like people, but I also like time to recharge my batteries and don't usually have a problem being alone.  So, I'm doing this cruise as a toe in the water just to see how I like these types of trips by myself.  To be honest, cruises seem like they'd be much easier solo travel than some other options.

 

One more thing:  I'm not a big bar fly, and I don't visit the casinos.

Just had to post to say this is exactly me! So glad to know others are doing/thinking this too. I love traveling with my parents but know they won't always be around so I've been playing with the idea of an NCL cruise next February out of Port Canaveral. Only 5 days so a little dip into the solo cruise water. Still debating it though which is why I'm stalking these boards :-)

[txwriter]

On 4/9/2019 at 12:23 PM, snirpville said:

Just had to post to say this is exactly me! So glad to know others are doing/thinking this too. I love traveling with my parents but know they won't always be around so I've been playing with the idea of an NCL cruise next February out of Port Canaveral. Only 5 days so a little dip into the solo cruise water. Still debating it though which is why I'm stalking these boards 🙂

 

You should go ahead and book it if rates are agreeable.  It gives you more time to think before final payment is due.

 

My philosophy is that if a person loves to travel, they should not let their solo status stop them.

 

Most people complain about the “double” charge for a single cruiser, but I pay for myself and my mom when we go together, so it’s the same for me.  Plus, hotels are the same way.  They don’t charge you less if there is just one person in the room.

[Meka3256]

I travel solo all the time, cruising and land based.  I'm single and do have the occasional holiday with my (married) sister, but otherwise I prefer to travel alone.

 

I like cruising as meal times you can eat with others, but (unless you want companions), you can visit ports alone.

 

Everyone on this post seems to be really positive about the solo experience, so I just wanted to add my positive experiences also.

 

To the op - I'm not overly convinced it matters who you travel with solo.  If you are confident, it's easy to find others to spend time with.  If you find it more difficult connecting, then those with solo meets etc.  probably do make more sense.  I get the idea that you are on the former category though, so I'm sure you'll have an amazing time!!!!!

[cruising46]

On 1/19/2019 at 6:25 PM, calliopecruiser said:

I'd recommend you consider Crystal.......The sticker price looks high, but if you actually do the math, it's usually really not that much more expensive (if at all) than a mainstream line.  Since window cabins have just a 30% single supplement and the price is all inclusive of gratuities, drinks, group classes, and a few visits to their specialty restaurants, the price is competitive.  The last time I looked at sailing solo on Celebrity, the difference was about $10 a day more for Crystal.  For an extra $10 a day, I'll choose the luxury line.

 

Seabourn does have a solo rate.   Again price is high.   I cruised solo on Azamara it was great.   They were very supportive.   You have work to do too.   Go to activities, register for Meet and Greet, sit at large table at dinner, great opportunity to meet people.  Welcome people to join you at lunch......meet people on excursions.   Lots of opportunity.   Enjoy.