missj2016

I am 47 years old and over the years I often thought or taking a cruise but never did till April 2010. It was a short 5 day out of Mobile on the Fantasy.

To put it mildly I was addicted from the moment I saw the ship from the hotel the morning of the cruise. My wife and I had a wonderful time on that first cruise and even now we still love the Fantasy.

since that first cruise in 2010 we have been on a total of 10 cruises and have 2 more booked.

I only wish that I had discovered cruising years ago.

I am truly addicted to cruising. If I don't have a future cruse booked it drives me crazy, I can't sleep, eat, or think straight. I will sit for hours in front of a computer looking at ships and ports until I hit the book now button and get my fix, then the slow countdown to the cruise date begins.

once the cruise is over the whole process starts again. I see no hope of a cure. all I can do is treat the symptoms with more days at sea.

I assume that many here suffer from the same addiction, if so how long can you go without having a future cruise booked???

I can't say I'm hooked yet but my upcoming cruise will be my second one. I hope to do more and try different cruise lines.

URL=http://www.cruisecritic.com][/url]

We did this tour December last year. We had enough time to explore the ruins and our guide was amazing, no worries to return on time to the port, they have track the timing. We had used shore excursioneer in many other ports with no problems at all.

That's great to hear, thank you so much!!

Hi,

I really want to see the Uxmal ruins for my cruise in December. I was on SE's website and saw that they offered that tour for $20 less than Carnival so I put down the small deposit. My only concern is getting back to the ship in time since its another company. I'm almost considering canceling and booking with Carnival. Should I be too worried? My last cruise I didn't do any excursions because of the price but this time I feel its worth seeing the ruins. Has anyone used SE with good results?

I want to try kayaking too but I'm saving it for Freeport since it appears there isn't much there! I'm booking it through the cruise line. Have you checked that out or are you just looking for an alternative?

Hi! My boyfriend and I are cruising on a 5 day with Carnival Elation in January 2017.

 

We were looking for good places to snorkel out of and are having a hard time deciding. We are stopping in Freeport, Half Moon Cay, and Nassau. We have decided that Half Moon Cay will be a great place to just have a relaxing beach day.

 

So many people have recommended Blue Hole in Nassau and a few people have recommended Paradise Cove in Freeport.

 

I was wondering if anyone has done both to compare the two. I really want a good experience for the both of us because this will be his first cruise! Thanks so much!:):D

What date are you cruising? My cruise is on the Elation as well January 28.

I have done a solo kayak booking and ended up with a partner assigned to me. His wife was okay with that, they had a friend along and the wife and friend were partnered for the kayaking. I suspect that the operators plan for this, and the guide might partner with you if needed.

Awesome! I may not have to go solo after all. A friend of mine says she wants to come along! If not, this advice will be helpful! Thanks:)

I'm going to be cruising out of Jacksonville and I am in need of some hotel options. My plan is to come 2 days before the cruise to have a day to just hangout in Jacksonville before the cruise. I would like to stay close to attractions, shops, restaurants, and bars that I can walk to, I won't have a car. I also want to know cab service to get to the port. I plan to come down January 26. 2017 and my cruise is January 28. Thanks in advance!

Hello,

I am going on my first cruise (Bahamas) in January and I plan to take photos. I do own a canon rebel dslr however I don't want to haul it around. I'm opting to take my samsung dv150f. I am aware that a p&s can't out perform a dslr but I'd love to just take my small one and keep it moving. Taking both is not an option neither is buying another p&s with more bells and whistles. I want to work with what I currently own! Have you ever cruised and left the dslr at home? How did you pictures turn out? Please feel free to leave some pictures (specifically carribean) taken with p&s I love looking at photos! :D

I want to go kayaking while in Freeport however, I don't have buddies to join me on this excursion. Anyone do this excursion solo? I would also like to hear experiences from those who have done this excursion with family and friends.

I suspect you will get better responses in the Bahamas Port of Call forum.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=58

Whether Carnival or another cruise line, there should be more experienced cruisers who if not having done kayaking solo, they will have seen how it works for other kayakers.

For what it is worth, I did a kayak trip on a land vacation and I had the choice of paddling alone or with the guide. Often the guide will take on the solo person in the group or go alone. I found I was fine paddling on my own and I was close to 50 at the time....but it wasn't ocean.

Thanks for your response! I will check out the forum.

I wasn't sure I wanted to do any excursions simply because I can't seem to justify the prices. I know I can book cheaper at the port but to be on the safe side I am going to book with Carnival. I would love to kayak has anyone done this solo? I know generally many people go and pair up with family members or friends but being that I'm cruising solo, do you think I'd have a problem being paired with someone? It probably sounds silly but never know. If anyone has done this excursion, please tell me about your experience! Thanks in advance.

I don't know those ports (I have only been to the Caribbean once or twice in my life), but I have wandered around cities and beaches alone in many places in Europe, North America, Hawaii, and New Zealand. Next spring I'll be wandering around Tokyo on my own.

I'm going to take my chances and venture but just be cautious of my surroundings. The only port I'm considering doing an excursion is in Freeport because it doesn't seem like there is anything close by.

Half Moon Cay is a private beach island. If you are interested in doing a beach day then no need for any excursions.

 

Nassau Bahamas is very easy to do on your own, I have been there maybe 10 times solo. There is so many things that you can actually walk to, that is exactly what I did.

 

There is many stores nearby walking distance, there is a beach called Jankanno Beach, very easy to walk to. My favorite is Ardastra Zoo and Gardens. I have walked there a few times on my visits to Nassau. If you are interested just grab a map in a large building after you get off the boat. They actually have this tour from NCL but they charge I think a little over 50.

 

I would just like to go to the beach and sit in the sand and snorkel. Any suggestions as what to do with my beach bag with towels, cabin key, money etc while i am in the water?:confused: I will be doing this in Hawaii and the Caribbean.

Thanks

 

Most are suggesting waterproof bags so that you can hold on to your items while enjoying the water activities.

yellowbird23-I would have done the same by asking to walking back with someone else. I will definitely check out that beach you mentioned. Man those excursions are so expensive that's why I'm trying to see what else I could do besides stay on the ship. Thanks for the input!

Half Moon Cay is a private beach island. If you are interested in doing a beach day then no need for any excursions.

 

Nassau Bahamas is very easy to do on your own, I have been there maybe 10 times solo. There is so many things that you can actually walk to, that is exactly what I did.

 

There is many stores nearby walking distance, there is a beach called Jankanno Beach, very easy to walk to. My favorite is Ardastra Zoo and Gardens. I have walked there a few times on my visits to Nassau. If you are interested just grab a map in a large building after you get off the boat. They actually have this tour from NCL but they charge I think a little over 50.

 

http://ardastra.com/

Thanks for the information! I will look into doing some of the things you mentioned. I'm actually sailing on Carnival but for my next cruise I'm considering NCL.

So that you know, Cruise Critic has forums for most ports - that might help you with decisions and piece of mind.

Half Moon Cay is a private island for one or two cruise lines. I doubt there will be any safety concerns there that are different for any other travellers - most might be dealing with too much drinking, undue care if snorkelling, and trying to keep your 'stuff' safe. There is a thread on this solo forum about keeping your stuff (key, money, phone) safe when swimming that is worth reading. As a solo woman, I see no threats there.

Nassau - also another recent report here of a woman who wanted to see some famous steps - went and lived to tell the tale. In the town, there is no problem to wander. I did get my spidey sense up when I got to the government house. I wanted to go over the hill (but can't remember where to - it was 8 years ago) and I felt better turning back. I have since travelled a number of foreign countries alone and may feel quite different about Nassau. I don't know Freeport, but would assume similar as it is also Bahamas. Personally, I don't think any of these places require excursions. I always feel more confident and empowered when I research a place myself, review the maps, what to do, and even use the TripAdvisor or CruiseCritic forums before I go - and when I arrive I feel I have some familiarity with the place.

Thank you for your reply. I have read a couple forums here. I will search for more. I know I read about the recent spike in crime that's what concerned me. I hope to venture out some because it don't feel like it makes since to get to a new location and not explore to see what there is to offer. I'll definitely be conscious of my surroundings though.

I will be going on my first cruise/solo cruise on 01-28-17. I'm excited and I don't mind going it alone but I am however concerned about my safety. At this point, I'm unsure if I will be going on excursions. My question is, do any solo travelers, especially women feel safe walking the ports alone? Do you try to join someone to wonder around? I will be going to Freeport, Nassau, and Half Moon Cay. I know people say to book excursions privately because its cheaper but my concern is how sketchy that can be. I also don't want to risk missing the ship and taking tours alone.