StollyBolly

We’ve not done Viking. I hope you find one to your liking. We have met solo travelers on cruises and they are always welcome to join in on trivia and meals. Most cruisers are friendly people. Too bad cruise lines are not more receptive to solo travelers.

Whenever I read reviews when booking a hotel or restaurant, I often wonder if people went to the same place. I think complainers are better at posting. Happy people just carry on. That aside, let’s talk cruising. You’ve never done one. I don’t know your age or what you’re prepared to pay. This forum may be a good start. Do you have a travel agent? If not, I suggest asking friends for one. Cruising is very personal. Do you like lots of activity and big or would prefer smaller with more personal service? We are smaller ship cruisers. Seabourn, Regent, Silversea. Plenty for us to do in our age group. Over 65. Active. Husband uses the gym. The ports are often smaller. I could complain about something on every cruise I’ve been on if I tried hard enough. I find more things to compliment than complain. In the main I’ve loved every one of them. Try it. Good luck.

I’m sure you have heard Iceland is expensive. It is! Just be prepared for that. Really nice people.

It depends on the port. In Europe it’s possible to find a nice restaurant with the local specialty worth trying. If nothing worth the money or looks dodgy head back to the ship. Sometimes just a beer or coffee for a rest from walking.

RC would be my decision. No question about it.

We find on Regent that many people still like the formal nights. I think midnight buffets are gone altogether. Seabourn does a lovely poolside event where they have stations with caviar, champagne, seafood, desserts, freshly sliced prosciutto. A little less formal because of the time of day, (usually 5 ish) but very well done. Good luck in your search.

I would guess the paperwork would make it impossible.

Ditto Essiesmom.

Is your kettle a dual voltage for the U.S.? Otherwise, don’t bother bringing at all. Just trying to save you luggage space.

Good to know it’s easier to get in than get out!

We flew out of Lisbon in April. One of the most complicated airports I have ever flown from. Not sure how easy to maneuver on arrival, but departure! We transferred to ship in Barcelona in Oct 2021 and it seemed relatively straightforward. If your cruise line has transfers, take them.

Bear in mind they like you out of your room by 8. And I presume all lines disembark by color code, based on your departure status.

I have the same problem with a cruise from 2018. Thanks for the input.

Best purchase I ever made was a backpack that folds into itself. Very lightweight. I bought it in Norway, but I’m sure they can be found. It can hold pool stuff or go on tours for carrying water, camera, small purchases. I take a small black evening bag that goes with everything. My purse I travel with works for land days. It’s a lightweight crossover. On ship I have a small bag I bought onboard years ago. You may find one in the gift shop. But that won’t help packing to leave. You’ll just be prepared next time with a nice useful souvenir.

Your travel agent should be able to organize

I think it depends on the port. If it offers something you want to do or see, definitely do it. If not, take advantage of the ship being less crowded.

The complainers are always louder (unfortunately). We had some real blips on our first Regent cruise. They were addressed and could not have done more to ensure our cruise experience was worth the money. We came back for 3 more, and they were fabulous. Yes, there is the odd evening when maybe service in the main restaurant is slower than you expect. The crew are people too. They work long hours and maybe have to cover for a colleague one evening. They usually make it right. Steak not right? They fix it. I’m just relaying one example. I’m not sure where the cruise lines are rated, but I stand by my comments about complainers. I hope you enjoy your next cruise experience more

The dining, the dressing for dinner, the hotel moving with me instead of me unpacking again and again, feeling spoiled. An altogether happy atmosphere.

Agree on TA charges. Seems strange.

We switched to the all-inclusive smaller ships in 2011, and have never looked back. The breaking point came while on a Royal Caribbean cruise the waiter brought the chit to sign for an espresso after dinner. I said “it’s coffee”. Then Seabourn had an offer. So we decided to splurge. Now that fare seems a real bargain. We started in St Thomas and it began to rain lightly. A gloved hand holding an umbrella was at the taxi door before I could get out right at dockside. Up the gangplank, into registration with a glass of champagne. I tell everyone, they had me at the umbrella. We are very lucky. We worked, we saved, married later so no college to pay for. This is our treat now. But for younger travelers or those with families, the ships with more activities are no doubt for them. It’s nice that now there are so many options.

That’s a hard one. We have had some great flight deals with lines so we have used them to book, and other times we’ve managed to beat the price. I’m not sure there is one answer to this. You may just need to do your own comparison. The answers above have all been great advice

I travel with my meds in one of those weekly pill dispensers. So does my husband. Never been an issue anywhere, including Canada. Maybe we’ve just been lucky.

Not sure how the gratuity process works on all cruises. We have only cruised on all inclusive for the past few years. But we always leave an envelope for our suite attendant(s) because they work pretty hard and make sure I have ice in the fridge, etc. we also slip $10/20 to waiters who have just done that little extra like arranged tables for a group. The other thing we have learned is do a gratuity for the crew fund that says thank you to all those who keep the ship clean, running and make your trip special.

I have a very strange request. We cruised from Tower Bridge to Norway in July 2018. I always save my daily daily programs as a memento of travels. I have every cruise since 2011 but that one. Does anyone know where I can access the itinerary? I

My first cruise (and second) was on Sitmar in the mid 70s. I see cruisemom42 also sailed them. I loved it. I was hooked, but had a gap of a number of years before I cruised again. And it was on a Princess ship that had been originally Sitmar! I still have menus from those first 2 cruises. In those days they were dated each day!