My favorite solo trip so far was a Disney cruise. It was surprisingly incredible for an adult without kids.
I worried the trip would feel awkward, like I'd be crashing a family vacation. Instead, I had fun.
The great customer service and adult-only areas made the cruise an ideal choice for solo travelers.
I was stressed, sun-starved, and desperate for a break when I impulsively booked a last-minute Disney cruise just four days before it set sail.
It was December, and the Pacific Northwest's gray skies and cold rain were weighing on me as the holidays loomed just around the corner.
I hadn't planned to go anywhere, but when I spotted a deeply discounted cabin on a Christmas-themed Disney cruise leaving from Florida, I booked it and planned to set sail solo.
A few days later, I flew across the country in search of sunshine, rest, and maybe a little bit of magic. One thought kept nagging me, though: Would I feel out of place going alone on a family-oriented cruise at Christmas?
I pictured myself wandering the ship alone, sitting at dinner surrounded by Mickey-ear-wearing families, while I was quietly sipping a cocktail in the corner.
Fortunately, my fears were far from reality.
I didn't feel out of place, and I even made friends with other solo travelers
Once I was on board, the trip just felt easy. The staff was warm and never once made me feel like being a party of one was unusual.
Dinner time was one of my biggest anxieties — would I be eating each meal alone or awkwardly paired with a family? Instead, staff thoughtfully seated me with a group of five other solo travelers.
Our conversation flowed easily, and by the end of the night, I had new friends and familiar faces around the ship. I could spend time with them when I wanted or slip away whenever I needed. It felt like the best of both worlds.
Although there were many children on the cruise, there were plenty of activities for adults and kid-free areas that I made use of daily.
I booked spa treatments, lounged in the Rainforest Room (complete with hot tubs and saunas), watched Broadway-worthy shows, and curled up on a quiet deck with a book.
I explored the ship, wandered into the adults-only pool, stopped for coffee in the lounge, and took a long nap just because I could.
Plus, I got to partake in activities I wouldn't have done with my husband
The cruise sailed from Fort Lauderdale with stops in Nassau and Disney's private islands, Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay.
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I had initially planned to stay on the ship in Nassau, but that morning, I changed my mind.
My husband doesn't swim, so I rarely get to snorkel when we travel together. This time, I was free to do as I pleased. I booked a catamaran excursion and spent the day swimming in clear Bahamian waters, surrounded by fish and sunshine.
At both private islands, I also explored adults-only beaches with turquoise waters and wandered quieter paths away from the crowds.
My trip was incredible, and I'd absolutely recommend a Disney cruise to other solo travelers
There's a special kind of joy in solo travel — the freedom, the clarity, the quiet confidence. Fortunately, Disney really delivered on ensuring that cruising alone was an absolute blast.
I laughed at shows, found serenity in the spa, and watched fireworks light up the ocean sky with people I'd just met. I was never lonely. I never felt out of place. I was just … happy.
Disney cruises may be marketed to families, but there's a quiet kind of magic waiting for adults, too, especially those who come alone. It's in the thoughtful touches, the calm corners, and the unspoken permission to enjoy things simply because they spark joy.
I came home rested, recharged, and reminded of something important: I don't need anyone else to have a meaningful experience.
I can trust myself to take the trip, find the magic, and enjoy the ride, even when it looks a little different from what I expected.
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I quit my job, divorced my husband, and moved to Italy to retire. I miss my kids, but I'm happier and healthier here.
Cindy Sheahan quit her job, got divorced, and began traveling abroad for a bigger, fuller life. She's visited more than 50 countries, but one city stole her heart: Palermo, on the island of Sicily. Sheahan told Business Insider she's happier, healthier, and saving more money in Italy. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Cindy Sheahan, 64, who retired from real estate in 2017 and left Colorado to travel abroad. In 2025, Sheahan settled in Palermo, Italy. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity. In 2017, I was at a crossroads. A lot of people I knew were dying, and I started thinking: You really don't know how many days you get or what's promised to you. I figured I'd start traveling abroad. My company was kind enough to let me take a sabbatical while I sorted out my world. It turned out to be a mistake for them, because I decided I wasn't coming back. 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Now that I'm an Italian citizen, I'm fully covered, which means there's no charge for general care. If I need to see a specialist, like a dermatologist, I might pay around $40. I am happier in Italy than I'd ever be in the US Living in Italy, I make a new discovery every day. That sense of wonder and joy has become a regular part of my life. I feel like I outgrew a lot of people and places in the US. Don't get me wrong, I desperately miss my friends and family, especially my kids. But they're all able to travel, and they'd much rather visit me somewhere fun than grab a drink at a bar in Denver. My quality of life has improved in Italy. I walk almost everywhere, so my blood pressure, weight, and cholesterol are in better condition. I eat better, I've made new friends, I've cut down on expenses, and most importantly, I'm happy. Read the original article on Business Insider
Yahoo
a day ago
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I quit my job, divorced my husband, and moved to Italy to retire. I miss my kids, but I'm happier and healthier here.
Cindy Sheahan quit her job, got divorced, and began traveling abroad for a bigger, fuller life. She's visited more than 50 countries, but one city stole her heart: Palermo, on the island of Sicily. Sheahan told Business Insider she's happier, healthier, and saving more money in Italy. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Cindy Sheahan, 64, who retired from real estate in 2017 and left Colorado to travel abroad. In 2025, Sheahan settled in Palermo, Italy. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity. In 2017, I was at a crossroads. A lot of people I knew were dying, and I started thinking: You really don't know how many days you get or what's promised to you. I figured I'd start traveling abroad. My company was kind enough to let me take a sabbatical while I sorted out my world. It turned out to be a mistake for them, because I decided I wasn't coming back. 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My bathroom is spacious, which is hard to find in Italy, where showers are often the size of a phone booth. The apartment building dates back to the early 1930s. Although it is old, compared to some other buildings in Italy, it feels relatively new. Life is more affordable in Italy I couldn't afford my lifestyle if I moved back to the US. I receive $1,500 a month in Social Security. It's not enough to cover rent in Denver, but abroad, it easily covers my housing and much more. Daily expenses are affordable in Palermo. I love that I can go to the grocery store and not break the bank. You can buy tomatoes, eggplants, zucchini, sun-dried tomatoes, and everything else for a song. Healthcare is also much more affordable in Italy. In 2024, while traveling in Tunisia, I broke my foot. When I returned to Italy, I had two sets of X-rays and two appointments with an orthopedic specialist, and the total cost was less than $150. At the time, I wasn't even on the national healthcare system. 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I stayed at a 5-star Four Seasons in Seattle. My $1,000-a-night room had the best view in the city.
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