Fisherlady48

I am enjoying your review. I like what you did in St. Kitts, I too travel solo and the 2 hour tour plus beach is exactly what I want to do on my cruise. Thanks for your humour. Its appreciated.

K

13 night trans-Atlantic from Fort Lauderdale Florida to London, England for $606.16 (inc. tax) on Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas.

That is a fabulous price, however the return air fare to Dulles is over $1K.. ouch..

I wonder when the Queen starts her season. haha

K

Don't post cabin number on the boards.

this is the best advise. I will post my deck, but not the cabin, however I am an older woman, ie late 50's so am not worried about being followed, and I almost always travel solo.. Next up a 12 nighter..

K

what kind of cabin do you book? inside/outside?

Great prices.

K

the air fare kills the deal.

I've never used Priceline before, but while fooling around on the site I got the idea. My question is this: If you bid a higher dollar amount will you get a better hotel? For example will a $120 bid get you a better hotel than a $70 bid even though they are in the same 4 star category? Thanks to anyone that can help.

No, I would start with the $70 and then go up in price rather than just start with $120.

K

Paperclips, I see you are in Kitchener, I lived in London for a few years, hubbie was Royal Canadian Navy!

If you can find good air fare many times the repositioning cruises are some of the best bargains for singles. They are looking to fill the ship.

K

Laura, I also live in VA. What a small world!! You should ask your TA about Royal's $50 on board credit, perhaps you could get that too. I am dining late. I want to try chops at least one night on board. I love having the excitement of waiting for a cruise date to arrive!!

see you on the roll call.

K

Did your TA give you some of your onboard credit?

I got $50 from RC, I am Emerald and do not really have any idea of how that all works. I know on Celebrity everyone boasts about Elite or better, I just enjoy the cruise I am on!!

Talk soon, and yes I am also over on the roll-call.

what is your name?

Just curious,

Kathleen

ps I think we have several solos on board this cruise!!

Outstanding, maybe the upgrade fairy will visit next.

Did you get an obc from both your TA and the cruiseline?

We should talk on board!!

K

After my husband died, I had some real issues about whether or not I could take another cruise.. alone .. The first cruise I took with a group ended up not quite how I had planned. oh well, live and learn

the next cruise I took, I started talking with folks on Cruise Critic and what a difference!! We all shared a table at dinner, I went on one tour with another couple, and we all had a blast. We have kept in contact with one another and have a blog still going on CC. This was a Granduer repositioning cruise out of New Orleans.

as for scary people on the ships that may or may not post here on CC, if you are brave enough to post your picture, that goes a long way to reduce fears about meeting strangers.

Lois and I were on our last cruise together, the 3 nighter on Reflection, but unfortunately even though we were right down the hall from each other our paths did not cross!! But based on her review and mine we each had a great time!!

I am scheduled on a 12 nighter in April, yes another repositioning and am so looking forward to meeting some of the folks from CC.

I have found as I have now been travelling solo for some years, that I do not like over organizing the groups, although some of the activities are fun. And like so many on board here, your safety is really up to you.

If you would not do something at home, why would you do it on a cruise ship? And the officers, staff, everyone on board will help you back to your cabin if you need assistance.

I love roaming the ship early morning in search of that just made pot of coffee!! (note, do not look for good coffee on Princess,its not there ) :D

I have tried the "escorted cruises" thru a company that starts with V and ends with Go, can I say that? I do not need hosts to entertain me,and sorry your two or 3 receptions.. eh.. I did meet a few folks and hadfun but I am solo, probably will be for life, although Trainman gives me hope!! haha so no more paying more for the same cruise just to have some hosts.

any way, a cruise is a great way to travel, and when you look, you can find some bargains!! Happy sails to all

K

I went with choiceair. It was a slightly more than the deals I could find, but I opted for the security of cruiseline air for this trip. I am not staying any extra. I get into San Juan about 1230...plenty of time to get to ship and go explore some...

Jeff this is fabulous. I will be leaving out of Baltimore on the same day as you leave SanJuan. Its an easy $10 drive from the airport in a cab.

have a great trip!!

Kathleen

I just booked RCCL- Enchantment of the Seas-April 13, 2013-

12 day Caribbean Escape-oceanview cabin for $886.22 after savings certificate of $225. Also got an OBC. I think a very good deal!

I think we got the same deal!! I just booked this as well. My price was a tad higher but I prepaid the gratuities!! and they gave me an obc.

woot woot.

I booked an ocean view guarantee that they assigned quickly. So I called and moaned about being up front, port holes instead of windows, under the anchor.. and low and behold I got moved just back of midship!! Still deck 2, but I do not mind. So looking forward to a bonus day in Aruba and all those wonderful days at sea.

This is my check on whether I can do a transatlantic. I think so, and from what Ive been reading, if you wait a bit, you can get great deals. so maybe 2014!!

See you on board!!

Kathleen

Great picture of your family!! Great story telling.

Curious? Was the last and only time you were on Monarch back in 2009?

I have been on the Monarch 3 times, but yes the last time was in 2009. I do so hope you find her in better shape than I did.

and I am happy you were able to snag such a great price.

I too never just look at one reviewer for a ship as we all see smell and feel different things on different ships. There is never a need to get snippy.. oh wait, its you.. never mind.

K

Monarch of the Seas SO cabin for 10/1/12 4-night sailing out of Pt. Canaveral. Single rate incldng taxes is $279. This is a special running until 9/4/12 (Tuesday). Airfares to MCO are pretty good out of NYC too. I have a hold on a cabin. Not too crazy about the ship but the price is great. The SO are the only cabins I would consider. Anything less are very tight and the decks are super-crowded. Once in a while you'll find the SO for the same or even less price as the regular OV and/or IS cabins. This is one of those times.

I have sailed on Monarch for the last time. It was the worse cruise I've ever taken. The beds are hard as rock, the entry ways to the buffett smell like cat pi s s.. aka mold, and she is past past her prime. I have read that the Monarch is the next ship headed to Pulmantur cruise lines, and may be based out of Aruba. But I am happy for you to get the price, wish it was on the Majesty.

K

It's no longer available. I guess I got in under the wire. I even was assigned a cabin. Not bad, an inside with a window.:)

Im so happy you were able to zoom in for this trip!!

September is a no travel month for me.. too bad as it tends to be the best value travel month of the year.

Have a great cruise!!

Kathleen

Today is June 12th, 2012.

 

I clicked on Zone 8 and 3.5 stars for 1 night...November 9th.

I bid 90.00 and it was accepted with taxes and fees= $107.55

Radisson Ambassador.

 

I was reading the last few pages of this thread and was hoping for

La Concha...oh well. I am sure for 1 evening this will be just fine:)

Lois, My Mother and I stayed here for one night last Nov. It was fine. Its a little dated, but clean and comfortable. Tiny casino in lobby.

K

One almost has to gamble on the European cruises to get the air fare.

Book the air and hope the cruise catches up.

I was supposed to go this year but could not have ever left the ship..

maybe in 2 years.

K

Usually RCCL is high quality but this is not true of the Monarch. I went on Monarch in Feb this year. The rooms are very small, the Karaoke and other entertainment is almost nonexistent. The seats in the show rooms were so uncomfortable I was unable to sit in one for an entire show due to back pain it caused. I met nice people and the food was good but while I always enjoy a cruise, the Monarch was the one I least enjoyed. It was not worth the $421 I paid and for me would not be worth repeating at any price since it wasn't worth the airfare and transfer fee I paid to get to Port Canaveral. They really need to retire the Monarch NOW!

I could not agree more. I stopped sailing on RCCL because of this nasty ship. Ready to retry with a newer ships.

RCL offers good single rates for some of Transatlantic cruises

 

13 nights Grandeur Of The Seas Aprl 18 from Miami - $772 total plus $25 OBC

16 nights Voyager Of The Seas April 14 from Miami - $1132 total cat Z $25 OBC

12 nights Jewel Of The Seas May 3 from Miami to Harwich $1022 total $25 OBC

They are great rates, but the airfare to get there and back are double these rates!! :(

Pat, you are correct. It his choice that he plays the piano. And again, it is his travel agent's responsibility to communicate his cabin choice to the cruise line. "Enough said"

I was not going to interject myself in this, however he is not the only passenger on this ship. People book many many weeks/months years in advance. It is the responsibility of his travel agent to get him the same room for his cruises. Not MSC. and it really will not be a big deal to have his room steward move his things for one week, then back again.

Just returned from a 7 day cruise on the Summit. Really glad to have had my classic drink package. A lovely pot of hot tea is around $4.00. Beer, Miller lite is $4.50, Malibu and Pineapple is $6.00. I had four pages of drinks. Wine for Pinot Gritio (sp) $6.00. Plain pineapple juice was $4 and diet coke was around 2.50. Latte's were around $5.00 so it was a great deal.

Cheryl does your card get swiped every time so you see what you consumed? Sounds like a good deal for 10 days.

K