I just got back Saturday from a cruise to Alaska on Holland America. I used my DVC points to exchange for the trip, and it was wonderful (my first cruise). I was traveling with my sister and her husband, but I often travel to WDW solo and pass this information along in case any solo DVC member is wondering whether using his/her points to trade for the Holland America Alaska cruise solo would be an enjoyable experience. From what I could see, this cruise would be no problem at all if traveling solo. Indeed, there seemed to be a number of solos on the ship.
There were plenty of activities solos could easily participate in--full spa, wonderful fitness center with full ocean views which had treadmills, bikes, and organized exercise classes, several small pools, free movies in ship's theatre twice a day, free musical revues and comedy performances twice each evening with open seating (like a movie theatre), casino with numerous slot machines and tables, group activities such as bingo, individual or group walks around the outside ship perimeter on the Promenade Deck, lectures on assorted topics, a very pleasant library for reading, writing or book/movie borrowing, computerized internet access, great shops on board for clothes, jewelry or souveniers, and plenty of outdoor or indoor seating all over to view the magnificent scenery. A choice of various group tours (which were quite comfortable for solo travelers) are available in each port (you are in port every other day). There also was a meeting the first two nights for solo travelers to come meet other solos in case they wanted to pair up for meals or tours.
Finally, since eating solo is often awkward for many, I note that all three meals each day are available in the Lido Deck restaurant--a buffet arrangement where you just choose your own food and pick a table and seat yourself indoors or outdoors--so sitting alone is no problem at all. While eating, everyone is watching the wonderful scenery from the full glass windows surrounding the Lido Deck restaurant. (Many non-solo travelers also often end up eating separately due to the varied daytime activities anyway.) In this very casual atmosphere, you can also easily join others at their tables if you want to meet other people--everyone is friendly. For dinner, a more formal dining arrangement with assigned tables is also an additional option each evening in a separate dining room. You request a table of 2, 4, or 6 people when booking your cruise, and are then assigned a table and dinner time for the entire trip--and you can participate in this formal dinner as often or infrequently as you wish. Feel free to ask for a table with other solos when booking your cruise if that is your preference. Free 24-hour room service is also available if you prefer.
There were plenty of activities solos could easily participate in--full spa, wonderful fitness center with full ocean views which had treadmills, bikes, and organized exercise classes, several small pools, free movies in ship's theatre twice a day, free musical revues and comedy performances twice each evening with open seating (like a movie theatre), casino with numerous slot machines and tables, group activities such as bingo, individual or group walks around the outside ship perimeter on the Promenade Deck, lectures on assorted topics, a very pleasant library for reading, writing or book/movie borrowing, computerized internet access, great shops on board for clothes, jewelry or souveniers, and plenty of outdoor or indoor seating all over to view the magnificent scenery. A choice of various group tours (which were quite comfortable for solo travelers) are available in each port (you are in port every other day). There also was a meeting the first two nights for solo travelers to come meet other solos in case they wanted to pair up for meals or tours.
Finally, since eating solo is often awkward for many, I note that all three meals each day are available in the Lido Deck restaurant--a buffet arrangement where you just choose your own food and pick a table and seat yourself indoors or outdoors--so sitting alone is no problem at all. While eating, everyone is watching the wonderful scenery from the full glass windows surrounding the Lido Deck restaurant. (Many non-solo travelers also often end up eating separately due to the varied daytime activities anyway.) In this very casual atmosphere, you can also easily join others at their tables if you want to meet other people--everyone is friendly. For dinner, a more formal dining arrangement with assigned tables is also an additional option each evening in a separate dining room. You request a table of 2, 4, or 6 people when booking your cruise, and are then assigned a table and dinner time for the entire trip--and you can participate in this formal dinner as often or infrequently as you wish. Feel free to ask for a table with other solos when booking your cruise if that is your preference. Free 24-hour room service is also available if you prefer.
