Sasksilver

Thanks to @aring75for starting this thread, and the others on board who are sharing their experiences as well. I'm doing the March 9 cruise, with the similar itinerary. I'm making notes about the ports and salivating over the menus. 

The dining issues you mentioned were similar on the Island last January. It seemed everyone wanted to eat at 6 p.m. and weren't finished for at least 90 minutes. The first night I had a 6 p.m. reservation but jumped to the no reservation line as it seemed to be moving more quickly and joined several of the solos I'd met at the meet-up earlier in the evening. There were many evenings where we gave up on the line ups and went to the buffet instead. 

I've no excursion booked for Guadelope, but was thinking of walking into town to visit the museum featuring the history of slavery. Would you suggest I'd be better to take a taxi?

I'm curious as to whether anyone has visited the Memorial ACTe - "a cultural center dedicated to the Memory and History of Slavery Trade." I'll be in Guadeloupe in March; it sounds as though this is about a 20 minute walk from the port. If you've visited, can you let me know whether you enjoyed it and might recommend a visit?

Thanks!

Princess currently has a low supplement on several 2024 cruises. I've just booked a 14 day British Isles cruise out of Southampton on Aug 29, 2024. I booked an inside (as I always do) for a total of $2600 Cdn. 

I had a similar cruise booked in Jun 2020 with RCL, and of course we all know what happened with that. So looking forward to this one!

On 2/5/2023 at 6:40 PM, KYBOB said:

We did a similar tour the first of January but it was to the gardens and to a rum distillery. It was also chilly and glad we did not go to the beach. We though just a little more time could have been spent at the gardens, the rum distillery also what looked like another garden with several very large sculptures. 

Thank you for this review. I'm looking at the same excursion for March 2024. I truly enjoy botanical gardens and try to visit when it's an option. The excursion indicates at the rum factory that one follows the guide through the estate. Was that your experience?

Also, was there anything worth seeing close to the port?

There are some really interesting items in this thread. Something I take with me is an extra pair of glasses. I was grateful, when I broke my regular pair on a trip, to have the second pair. (I wouldn't have been able to merely repair them as the hinge was snapped off.)

Other items I take with me: a notebook - for the highlights, cold/cough remedies, a pack of disinfectant wipes*, towel clips, laundry pods and dryer sheets, and magnets.

*I generally use the wipes most often on my flights. A friend, who is a pilot for a Canadian airline, told me once that the crew are now responsible for cleaning between flights. He also shared some of the stories of what people use those trays for. In addition studies have shown that the arm and head rests are also repositories. You're in an enclosed tube with a good air filtration system, but...

Not strictly solo related, but for my fellow Canadians, NCL currently has an offer for certain cruises with Canadian at par. Since our dollar is at about 73 cents on a USD, it's almost a 30% savings. I'm looking at an Alaskan cruise in September, round trip Vancouver. I believe it is only available for the next two days.

My first cruise since March 2019! I'll be on the Majestic Princess to Alaska - May 7-21. I'm looking so forward to it!

I had an e-mail from Cruise Critic referring to this thread and I"m so glad I came to visit.  I am soooo missing cruising, and your photos are inspiring.  I'll even admit to a tear or two, especially the sunset photos from the ship.  When the deck is quiet and there are only a few people out, usually with their cameras, far away sounds from the lower decks of people laughing, and the sound of the waves as the ship makes its way to the next port.  I've been known to miss MDR seatings just to be able to witness the beauty.

Thanks for sharing your photos from memorable cruises.  Now if we can only get the transporter on all cruise ships!

I was on the Anthem of the Seas in January, and splurged on a solo cabin balcony.  It was fantastic!  There are only 6 such cabins on the ship, but are a number that are virtual balcony rooms.  Not the same, though in a pinch.  Good luck!

Way to go Owen's team (Lucan?)!!!  What a way to start a vacation.  I'll be following.

Following, I've booked the Brilliance for June 2020 so will be interested in seeing the ship from your perspective.

I've learned many of the tips that were posted, over the years, but learned two more today from this post.  Thank you!

I've placed an order for bottled water for my upcoming cruise (Mar 17/Crown), and checked out the cruise deck plans website.  I, like others have mentioned, love being near the Terrace pool.  Since I travel solo most often, and in an inside cabin, it's awesome to be near the outdoors for early morning pics.  Definitely my favorite place to hang out for a drink as well.

I've wracked my brain for something new to add but I've got nothing.  Happy cruising everyone!

Booked another solo cruise while on the Anthem in January.  This one is on the Brilliance of the Seas, out of Amsterdam on June 12, 2020.  A long way off but at least I have another cruise booked in the meantime.  I'll be on the Crown Princess out of Fort Lauderdale in just under 6 weeks. 

I've sailed three times in an NCL studio cabin and used the studio lounge regularly.  I will say the lounge on the Breakaway was incredibly tiny, but the area on both Epic and Escape were much larger.  It's hard to say how old the group would be, it depends on the cruise, but in my experience we had mid 20's up to 70's+.  

I don't need to be "herded to dinner" but enjoyed the opportunity to have my meals with other solo cruisers. It is a great way to meet others.  On the first cruise I met a great group and sailed with two of them again a couple of years later.  

As for the size of the cabin, I think they are plenty adequate for one person.  There is lots of storage, two small closets, shelves, and cupboards.  What I like best is these are not like inside cabins with no light.  The porthole window with its blinds allows for diffused light to come in from the hallway.  I don't feel like I'm locked in a cave at night.  Also, I don't spend a huge amount of time in the cabin, sleeping, showering, changing clothes, etc.  Don't need much more than that, and while I love a balcony, the cost is generally prohibitive for this solo.

14 minutes ago, lovesthebeach2 said:

 

We did Brilliance to the British Isles this past May. It was so beautiful and we lucked out with warm sunny weather every day.  You will love it!

Brilliance is one of our favorite ships, we’ve been on 5 times and have another cruise in 3 weeks with this itinerary.

I've heard great things about the Brilliance - I'm definitely looking forward to a smaller ship experience with RCI.  The Anthem was terrific so if it is half as good, I'll be thrilled.

Thanks for the great review!  I'm just off the Anthem (Jan 18) and booked the Brilliance for June 2020 (British Isles) so the info on the ship you've provided is very helpful.  

Following, this is on my bucket list.  Enjoy your cruise!!

On 11/21/2018 at 9:47 PM, bob brown said:

I have been cruising solo now, for a couple of years, but on each of the five or six, I have known some friends from previous cruises, so did not feel so 'solo'.   

Now, I am about to embark in January on a 180 day (six month) cruise around the world, and other than some 'roll call' conversation's, will not know anyone from before.   I really had to dig into my savings to afford this 'bucket list' cruise, and tried in vain to find anyone to share it with.   But it is my retirement gift to myself, so am really looking forward to it, as well as hopefully making some great new friends among my fellow 'worldie' shipmates....

Wow!  A world cruise sounds marvelous, and as another poster has said, by the 180 days I'm sure you'll have found many friends.  

I also travel solo most of the time, NCL is great for that if you don't mind the studio cabins.  I don't because I love the diffused light from the hallway (never as dark as an inside), I enjoy meeting other solos in the lounge, and I really don't spend much time in my cabin.  I can grab a seat outdoors somewhere when I feel the need to watch the ocean.  There are some cruises though, Alaska comes to mind, where I would only book a balcony so it will remain on my bucket list for time being.

My suggestion is to watch the websites - I booked my RCCL cruise about 18 months out because the price was right and I got the cabin I wanted (a studio with a balcony).  Also keep an eye on this site, an unannounced sale of inside cabins on Princess (no single supplement) for a Canada/New England cruise was found by another CC member who shared the info - I scooped that one up in a hurry!  

Good luck!  And share any great deals you find....after you book of course. 🙂

42 days until the Anthem!  

The last week is upcoming, just 4 working days to go!  

Oh my, I love this thread!  My cruise isn't until March but I'm looking forward to several of the items already mentioned.

The goat cheese souffle is my absolute favorite - on the last cruise I had one for an appetizer and a second one for dessert!  I also the burgers at the grill when I need a quick lunch.  I'm not sure if they still have them but there was a breakfast sandwich at the I.C.  Yummy! 

Following, I'll be on the Breakaway in just 19 days!  First time in NOLA and so looking forward to it.

January 27th - duly noted!  I'll be off the Anthem on the 18th so I'm sure by the time you sail I'll be going through major cruise withdrawal. :)

Wow, what an incredible review...just found it this evening and have read all of the posts.  I'm on the Anthem in early January and all of the info is welcome.  I'm actually thinking I may do a BOGO (and this from a cheapo who rarely does specialty dining).  I'm a little disappointed at the beer menu, pretty short but they have my fave, Blue Moon so I'll be good.  The one thing that surprised me was that the Solarium Bistro was not a la carte.  Definitely going to check it out.

Hope you had safe travels home!