Solo Cruiser Memphis

2 minutes ago, majmaj4 said:

If you have them set it up as twin beds they usually move the beds next to to wall, and put the end tables in the middle, the. You could look out the window easier.

Thank you!  That's a great idea 🙂

This will be my very first RC cruise and I've always traveled solo in the NCL studios or balcony rooms.  I will be on the Brilliance of the Seas in an Ocean View room.  The photo pictured on the website has the bed in front of the window.  I thought it was an odd placement since I can't really look out the window unless I am perched on the bed.  The bed doesn't obstruct the window of the NCL Ocean view rooms.  The reservationist said "in all his years of working for RC, no one had ever brought up bed placement.  The window isn't meant for you to look out of but as a source of light".  ok, well, I have a light switch for that.  It doesn't look like the bed can be rearranged in the photo.  What has been your experience?  Is the window worth it if you can't look out?  Thanks and looking forward to my first RC cruise!

Thanks all!  I called NCL directly.  They said the promo was per person and not per stateroom which is why I'll only get one meal.  Shucks.

thanks! It is a 5 night cruise and booked originally in the spa balcony.

Apologies in advance if this has already been answered.  I'm traveling solo in a Spa Balcony cabin. I have the specialty dining perk but can someone explain why i don't I qualify for 2 meals since I am in a cabin for 2 and paying extra for my room? Only 1 meal is on my reservation.

On 1/13/2022 at 8:06 PM, snickers93 said:

I have been on 5 cruises and never been to the spa.  The reason is that I am unsure of what one can do with a spa pass.  I have sailed mainly with NCL.  I read about the heated loungers.  However, why do people buy spa passes?  What do you enjoy/do in the spa area?  I don't want to be pressured to buy things.  Is that common?

Also, what is the expected etiquette?  Do people wear their swimsuits to the spa or change there?  I am truly newbie in this area.

Any tips would be appreciated as I am debating on bidding for an upgrade to NCL spa balcony suite.  

 

I am usually in the solo cabins and while I absolutely love the cabin type and storage, the showers are small. I get ready every day in the spa bathroom. Huge private showers with benches and jets and a nice area to get ready while enjoying the ocean views by the large windows. Fluffy robes complimentary. A spa pass is a must for me! Other features that people have mentioned are nice too but I really like the extra space to get ready and they have lockers so I can keep my items safely stored.

On 7/28/2021 at 9:25 AM, winterbliss said:

I'm probably not supposed to say this but have you considered the notion that until well people stop getting tested, that this will not change?

Does this work with bills?  If we stopped paying them month after month, maybe they would magically go away? LOL

I keep seeing posts from people talking about July sailings but I still don't see where NCL is cruising out of US yet. I was interested in booking an August cruise out of Miami but when I called the toll free number, it was highly suggested that I book a refundable airfare ticket in case there still is no sailing. Why would I do that?!  Is anyone else hesitant to book and take time off work for a cruise that may not happen? I'm so frustrated but maybe others see something I'm missing.

I don't really care for breakfast food so I was excited to see that the last 2 NCL cruises I've been on have had a hummus bar complete with cheese, olives, pita, etc. at the buffet.  Perfect for me and a nice addition for people that don't care for the typical breakfast of bacon and eggs.  Had a hummus breakfast every morning and savored every bite!

On 12/13/2020 at 10:57 AM, BirdTravels said:

We select high decks (quick walk up to the open decks) with a room near an elevator lobby. The "best rooms" per NCL are midship, but our old knees rather be a bit forward/aft next to an elevator. The balconies on the Breakaway are the smallest in the fleet, but for us, being able to get outside, sit, and watch the sea, they are good enough (we have sailed on the BA 5 times).

 

wrt to the Spa balcony, I would personally defer for a future cruise. Even late in the year, I think that ship activities (including use of the spa) will still be limited due to COVID mitigation.  

Thanks, I was thinking the same thing about the spa and how COVID will affect the Thermal Spa Suite.  I purchase it every cruise but may need to bring my own spa treats from home and do in-cabin face masks and soak my feet in the bathroom sink LOL.

I booked my first balcony cabin (go me!) today for a December 2021 sailing.  As a solo traveler, I have always booked a Studio Room but with COVID-19, I think I would go crazy if an outbreak happened and I was quarantined to an inside studio cabin.  You may already know what the categories mean but I had zero clue!  I talked with an NCL Cruise Consultant today and here's what she told me:

BA - Top Decks - most expensive Balcony Category 

BB - Mid Deck Balcony

BF - Lower Deck Balcony - Views not as great

BC - Balcony is not in the middle.  Cabin is either towards Aft or Forward - can be more expensive depending on choice

Sailing on the Breakaway.  Do you have a favorite "regular" Balcony stateroom location?  Wish I could afford the Spa Balcony or Haven!  Maybe one day :)

On 5/8/2020 at 8:21 AM, NutsAboutGolf said:

So far, NCL at the corporate level and at ship level has not shown they care about social distancing.  If they decide to allow practice social distancing, there are many "creative" things they can do:

1.  All dining venues offer take out, order from your smartphone/tv/stateroom phone, show up, get a to go bag; most will eat in their stateroom, anyone is welcome to eat anywhere

2.  Extend dining hours for all dining venues, open 30-60mins earlier and/or close later

3.  Better buffet, staff served, have a more attractive food selection and more live cooking stations

4.  Buffet has a MDR menu station, mirrors the MDR menu, no MDR-FOMO

5.  Better room service options for all passengers, expand the selection and quality, allow room service in the MDR menu, allow specialty dining delivery with a slight discount

6.  Offer a MDR forfeit discount, for example, a $100 OBC on a 7 day cruse, perhaps allow one or two visits yet all other visits will induce a charge

7.  Casino dining while playing, as an AP, I've been in casinos all over the world; most offer dining while playing, personally not my jam yet many seem to demand it

8.  Have complimentary roaming heated carts that serve pizza by the slice, a typical NCL slice of pizza costs them less than a quarter, fill the passengers up, they won't be as hungry and will order less in the MDR

9.  All MDR desserts are to go, speeds up service

  

 

She'll find one if she goes on a cruise without him!

I always cruise alone and have met many people that travel without their spouse or loved one due to work schedules, motion sickness, etc.  I love meeting new friends but will stick with my bf LOL

11 minutes ago, PortFees45 said:

Won't be an issue because nobody is sailing on a cruise ship in 2020. I guess some people spend longer in the "denial" stage of the grief process than others. 

Totally agree but I do think this will affect the cruising industry and so many others (Disney, amusement parks, concerts, etc) for a few years.  We'll have to see how this plays out.  Have a great night

Settle an argument between me and my boyfriend please!  I love cruising and my boyfriend hates them (though he's never been on one).  He says that it will be impossible to feed everyone in the future on cruises because they have too many people to feed and the capacity in each restaurant would be limited due to new social distancing guidelines. I tried to explain that there are many restaurants on a ship but I can't find the maximum capacity in individual restaurants, just the max capacity of the ship.  I'm sure cruise lines will institute new rules but he is convinced that people will be waiting for hours just trying to get something to eat.  I just don't see that happening!  Thanks!

I've only been on NCL ships because of their amazing solo traveler program.  I would like to try RC but can't seem to navigate their website to find a solo room.  There don't seem to be many solo cabins and when I do find a ship with them, they are already sold out. Does anyone have any tips?  I called the toll free number and they weren't much help.  I am not willing to pay double.  Thanks

5 hours ago, puppycanducruise said:

You can't.

Cruise Critic does not allow private messaging.

Hmmm. Thanks

Every time I try to compose a message to another cruise critic member, I get a message that pops up and says "You are allowed to send 0 messages per day".  What?!?  How do I bypass this?

Silly question but are beach towels provided on NCL Bliss?  I'm packing in a carry-on for an upcoming 7 day cruise so I don't want to add anything unnecessary.  Towels are bulky!  I guess I can always use the towels in the cabins?  Thanks

I am one of "those" people who have to unpack, iron and hang everything immediately when I get to the room.  I ask my room steward when I first arrive for an iron and ironing board and have never had a problem. 

I usually tip $1 per drink.  The bartenders remember you and will bend over backwards for you when they see you.  It's amazing how little they make so I don't mind tipping extra for good service.  It isn't required but always appreciated

Thanks JamieLogical!  That really helped 🙂

I'm trying to decide on my free offer.  It's between the Specialty Dining Package and the Ultimate Beverage Package (or whatever it's called now).  I know with both packages, I'll have to pay gratuities and such, just wondering what is the best bang for my buck.  Does anyone know the prices of the "free" offers (aka how much do you pay in taxes/fees)?  I'm not much of a drinker and I don't know the average prices of the drinks.  If I get the specialty dining package, is it like the main dining room where you can order 2 entrees and all the desserts (kidding) if you want or are you limited to one app/entree/dessert?  I've been known to order 2 desserts (don't judge hahahaha).  I usually only order two drinks per day so it might be cheaper/about the same to just pay for my own drinks.  On the specialty dining offer, how many meals is that?  Thanks all!

Thanks...seems NCL gave me the wrong information.  They told me that Joy had the same things as Bliss (sauna, salt room,  pool, etc) so I wasn't sure why they wouldn't offer weekly passes.  This is definitely a cruise I will cancel. 

I booked a cruise on NCL Joy for October. My main draw has been the thermal spa suite weekly pass offered by NCL but I didn't see this as a choice.  I called NCL directly and was told Joy would NOT have a weekly pass for cruisers.  You must book a spa service to use the facilities.  What?! This makes no sense.  She said this could change if enough people are upset by it so call please and let them know it's a great addition.  It's my main "activity" since I don't hang out at the noisy,  overcrowded pool.