Sasksilver

7 more days to the Epic!

I'm just reached my one year milestone on the 31st of January. Hard to believe I found this thread about three years ago...retirement seemed so far off. Not so much anymore. I'll be out of the office in 10 months with the last two spent vacationing. :) I'm booked on the RCCL Anthem Jan 6-18 so far...thinking an NCL cruise in December might also be an option. Or....so many options...

8 days and I will be on the Epic! First "mega ship" experience, looking forward to some warmer weather:D

15 days to the Epic...take good care of her for me. :)

The threat level has been set at 2. Keep in mind, this is the same level as Mexico and other Caribbean countries at all times. This is not to say it isn't worrisome, simply that everything is relative.

As another post mentioned, you need to assess your own risk and security.. Ultimately it is a personal choice. I, for one, am planning to join an excursion in Jamaica - we're be over 100 miles from the area under the heightened threat level. On the other hand, I'm not planning to get off the ship in Mexico. That has more to do with the fact I've been there several times before....and on one of those occasions we were stopped by armed police in our taxi. Fortunately all was well but I admit to being frightened.

Following ...I'm on the Anthem Jan 6-18, 2019 so am reading every Live review I can find. Great way to learn about the ship, so thank you for doing this!

Following...I'm on the Anthem a little less than a year from now on a 12 night. I'm in one of the teeny tiny cabins with a balcony - the price was right for a solo cruiser when I booked it last spring.

Glad to hear that St. Maarten is coming back - love Maho Beach and the airport. The catamaran cruise sounds perfect too! I've never been to San Juan so won't have anything to compare it too.

Thanks for the review!

I like my alone time, but I also enjoy meeting people. For the latter, I join the Cruise Critic roll call, and on that other social media site that shall not be named, I usually find a similar group. It's worked well - I can do things on my own but I have options to join others for meals, excursions, trivia, etc.

Enjoy your cruise!

Following...found this post today, read all 15 plus pages in one sitting. OMG, I haven't laughed so hard in a long time.

I've done several solo cruises, but did the Allure TA with friends, they hated the ship, I loved it...especially the park! I've got the Anthem booked for January 2019 solo. Hope I have half as much fun as you are having!

47 days!!! I am so over winter and so ready for the Epic.

NCL has several ships with studio cabins especially meant for solos. These are interior cabins and quite small at 100 sq ft., but unlike most interiors there is a "porthole" window that lets in ambient light from the hallway. One of the biggest benefits is the solo lounge and concierge who will arrange dinners and other events. You can join in on as many or few as you like.

Other cruise lines will offer select cabins (usually interiors) for either no or lower single supplement. Check out solo cruise boards here at cruise critic. I happened to see a Princess Canada/New England this fall with no single supplement. The itinerary has been on my wish list but the cost seemed prohibitive until that cruise.

There are other websites you can check out...none of which I can post here. Try searching solo cruises. Good luck and have fun!

This is my first foray to Orlando, but I've chosen to do a fly, snooze and cruise using the Comfort Inn in Cocoa Beach. I'm picked up at the airport by the shuttle, taken to the hotel for overnight, onto the port on cruise day, and then back to the airport after the cruise. I have no idea what the Uber cost would be, and the cost of the shuttle is included in my hotel costs. It's a convenient way to get to where I need to be, and since it's about an hour from the airport to Cocoa Beach it made sense to take care of transportation both coming and going.

Good luck!

For those who have Amazon Echo/Alexa you can ask her how many days/weeks/months, etc. until your retirement date. Fun way to count down the days. I assume other similar devices can do this as well.

I have a calendar count-down - for the days, but since retirement is still a ways away, I'm using my marble jar. Each marble represents a month....I started with 48 marbles, I'm down to 12. When I lose all my marbles I'm out of there! Official retirement date is January 31, 2019 but I've kept enough vacation to be able to walk out the door at the end of November 2018. I'm not wishing the days away but I'll be very happy when that day arrives.

Congrats to all who have retired this month!

Congrats Sentrydriver! Sounds like you are enjoying your retirement.

I'm still counting, 12 more marbles to go. These days I'm thinking I should take a few extra out of the jar every month due to the stress I'm under both at work and at home. Just have to tough it out and hope that 2018 is a better year than 2017 has turned out to be.

Following - this is a cruise on my bucket list and I am thoroughly enjoying seeing it through your lens!

393 days to the Anthem. Thankfully I have another cruise only 70 days out..with NCL

Following! I have cruise envy...11 weeks to the Epic, your live reviews will keep me laughing. Have fun!

83 days until I'm on the Epic....it sure seems like a long time but it will be here before I know it!

83 days for me!

I've been very fortunate with table mates, though on one cruise we had an older couple from Texas. She barely ate a thing, just picked at whatever she ordered while he inhaled his food. She was very proud of having won a prize for sharp shooting back in high school and regaled with stories of how she would handle a burglar should one break into her home. I bet she weighed 80 pounds soaking wet, so I hope she never had to test her theory.

Another time, we were seated with a group of Asian women. They clearly spoke English as they conversed with the waiter, but refused to talk to us. We never went back since it was only a four day cruise, instead visiting the buffet and finding a table to share with more congenial company.

90 days to the NCL Epic! I can hardly wait.

I retire in 2 1/2 years!!! Going on a cruise to Alaska to celebrate!![emoji106]

 

 

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The time will pass quickly (at least when you look back). I started my countdown at 48 months and I have only 13 months left. Like you, I have a cruise planned..though I'm heading south!

Enjoy!

I recently sailed on the Crown Princess solo - there was an advertised special for solos (no supplement) for inside cabins in the spring. After I joined the roll call, another solo cruiser made contact and invited me to join a FB group. As a result of posting on the roll call, and joining the group - I sailed solo but with a group of 14 other solo cruisers. It was fantastic and if I were to sail Princess solo again I'd definitely look for other solos. BTW we did win a trivia type contest...and shared the bottle of champagne on our last morning - mimosas for everyone. ;)

I'm sailing NCL in February, I already know three of the solos from a prior cruiser and expect I'll meet many more. But it definitely helps already knowing others before you get on board.

In any event, any day at sea is a good one in my books!

While not strictly a solo / single supplement bargain - it is a bargain. Star Princess 7 days Vancouver to Anchorage May 12, 2018 $1798CDN + port fees and taxes for an obstructed oceanview (Deck 8). Only available through Expedia (hope it's not bad to post that). If this post disappears I'll know for next time. Book by Nov 16 for $150USD OBC plus free gratuities.

I'll be on the Crown in just under a week. I've sailed on it previously, and have been on Royal and Regal as well. I happen to love the Crown. I'm in an inside cabin on Caribe Deck. I'm steps away from the Aft pool, and mid way between the dining room and buffet floors. Perfect!

I prefer the mid-ship stairs and missed them on the Royal. I also enjoy the additional lounges, fewer people and find the Crown never feels crowded. I've yet to experience any illness on any Princess cruise ship, but am very careful to wash my hands frequently, don't touch the stair railings with anything but an elbow, and keep an eye on other passengers in the buffet line. Knock wood, it's worked for me so far.

As far as service goes, I think you get what you ask for. I've never had an issue, though have been with others who have. Sometimes it's all in how you approach a situation. I never forget I'm on vacation and feel incredibly fortunate to be able to travel.

Enjoy your cruise!

I'm doing a cruise in Feb 2018 out of Port Canaveral. I've booked a fly, snooze and cruise package in advance of the cruise so will be staying in Cocoa Beach. There is supposed to be local bus (I've done some research but haven't written it down) that will let me visit Canaveral.

Post cruise, I'm taking the same shuttle back to the airport and then will taxi it to a hotel near International Drive. I have no interest in Disney but this might be an option for you - couple of extra days pre and post cruise and you'll get to see everything you want to see. :)