coastcat

1 minute ago, JamieLogical said:

 

I assume the connecting rooms weren't an issue?

Not at all. Of course, if my neighbor had been a wild party animal cranking up the music, I would have noticed... But without actually looking at the door, I never would have noticed it was a connecting room. 
 

The water closet is a bit cramped so I just left the door open when using it. That’s one of the little luxuries of being solo - privacy! lol

3 hours ago, JamieLogical said:

But then two days later, one Studio opened up so I jumped on it. It's 10531, which is the furthest end from the Studio lounge and *does* share a wall with the public hallway. Oh well, at least I was able to get ANY Studio!

Don’t worry about that too much. I was in 10535 - the one that connects to your cabin! I didn’t notice any significant noise from anywhere, and despite being at the end of the hall it’s still a short hall. It’s a quick walk to the Studio stairs and then up to the free espresso.

2 hours ago, tvetan said:

Could you please tell me if the smoking section of the casino is in a glass off room like on the Bliss.  If you could answer me here or pm me on facebook robyn logsdon

Yes, the smoking area of the Joy's Casino is in a glassed-off area like on Bliss.

2 hours ago, tumblew467 said:

I just looked up starbucks on the bliss and it says this under the description.  Now if I use a GC  does this pertain to it? Or is it only if you charge it to your on board account.

Items on menu are individually priced. A 20% gratuity and specialty service charge will be charged at time of payment.

No matter which way you choose to pay for your chestnut praline latte, you'll be charged the gratuity.

1 hour ago, GracyandGravy said:

Do you know for sure if the Starbucks on board will accept a GC? I know that certain Starbucks (like those in grocery stores) don't work quite the same way in regards to rewards as the standalone stores. You can earn stars but not redeem them. I'm not sure if GCs work the same way or not.

The Starbucks locations onboard are licensed stores, like those found at Target and supermarkets. You can use Starbucks gift cards and the Starbucks app. An internet connection is not required to use the app.

If you have a Starbucks Rewards account, you will earn stars but cannot redeem them. FYI, if you are doing a Star Dash that requires purchasing specific items, you won't get credit for them if you buy at licensed stores (something about the point-of-sale system being different). If the Dash requires making X number of purchases or purchases on consecutive days, you will get credit. I completed a consecutive day Dash while onboard Joy last week!

I was on this cruise as well, also in a mini-suite. Having sailed on Bliss previously, I already knew to (1) head for the less-crowded aft elevators and (2) hang out in the Observation Lounge as much as possible. In fact, I selected a cabin on 15 mainly to have quick access to the OL for scenery, chilled water, morning pastries, and adult beverages. They also had scones in the afternoon, and I may or may not have eaten a few pounds of whipped cream over the course of 5 days.

Based on the cheeriness levels on my bus after leaving the second winery, few of those free bottles of chardonnay made it back to port unopened.

My pre-booked reservations were La Cucina and Cagney's but I was able to swap them out for Ocean Blue and Le Bistro after boarding. That was a good move.

What I never figured out is why there were so many school-aged children on board. Didn't classes already start in most US schools?

Not sure I'd do that itinerary again, but Joy is a beautiful ship and I wouldn't mind a return visit.

Ah, Bliss... you'll have a great time. Such a beautiful ship and so much for a solo to do. Or not do. I mostly lounged around in the Observation Lounge and on the Waterfront.

Caveat: Unless you like an extra firm bed, ask your steward to add an egg crate mattress pad. Other than that, I thought the Studio cabin was perfectly comfortable for one person. There's plenty of storage and my 28" rolling duffel fit just fine under the bed.

There is orange juice available in the Studio Lounge. Convert that free bottle of sparkling wine into free mimosas!

The Atrium is by the forward elevators (the boxes with Xs in them in this graphic). The CruiseNext desk is opposite the Guest Services desk and is very clearly signposted. Say hi to Sammie Jo!

FWIW, embarkation for the January 12 cruise was fine. I got to the port around 10, got through security in about 10 minutes, and was making the rush to grab an Ocean Blue reservation by about 11:15. 
 

Disembarkation, on the other hand... I’m still onboard because we didn’t get clearance until 8:30 (self-assist was supposed to start around 7).

On 1/14/2020 at 6:18 PM, eroller said:

Love the renderings of the "new" SPIRIT.  Personally I think she has the potential to be the best ship in the NCL fleet.  Mostly adult oriented without all the "attractions" hogging up the deck space.  Can't wait to see the finished product, and I only wish she were sailing closer to North America.  

I’m on Joy right now and am a bit sad when comparing photos of the original open deck areas to the post-conversion (lack of) space. It looked more peaceful in its pre-laser tag days. 
 

The rendering of the new Spirit convinced me to switch my autumn vacation plans - I bought CN certificates right after boarding and immediately booked a balcony for the Thanksgiving sailing in Japan. 

4 minutes ago, CarelessAndConfused said:

 

Yes.  If it's not too much luggage, it's a fairly doable walk  (1/2 mile or so).

That's from the Crowne Plaza. The Doubletree is over 2 miles away from the World Cruise Center.

39 minutes ago, Cheesegirl23 said:

I'm so glad I booked my studio on the same floor as the lounge then!! LOL - my first time is coming up in march!

Eh, it's worth the precarious journey. I drink tons of water along with the espresso and it was very convenient to have the Lounge close by, even if it did mean navigating that vertical sobriety test...

My next three booked cruises are all solos on different ships, none of which have Studios. I'll need to pack multiple insulated water bottles so I'm not wandering the decks at 3am in search of chilled water.

2 hours ago, smplybcause said:

 

I resemble that remark! I try to stay on the same deck, but the stairs are narrow enough that they can be managed compared to the public stairs. Love the access to ice water. 

You must be more nimble than I am! I made a lot of trips down that staircase with a latte in one hand and the railing in a death grip with the other hand. Yikes. Lesson learned: book earlier so I can snag a cabin on the Lounge level.

I stayed in a Bliss Studio on deck 10. 
 

If I recall correctly, there were three entrances to the Studio area on each deck. Studios were on 10, 11, and 12; the Studio Lounge was on 11. There’s a staircase right into the Lounge from 10 and 12 but for goodness sake, do not attempt it when very sleepy or otherwise impaired. 

13 hours ago, oakridger said:

Thanks Nemanoxer.  The catch with this is that for us cruisers from the USA, that's a very long and expensive flight to get to the Seychelles for a 7 day cruise!  I would love to go there, but might consider it as part of a longer cruise, from maybe Singapore to Europe or something like that.

Ponant also sails North American routes! The Caribbean ones are certainly interesting - like a 7-day roundtrip leaving Martinique and visiting Guadaloupe, Grenada, St. Lucia, and the Grenadines. On their Alaska Juneau-Vancouver sailings, the highest solo supplement listed is 23% and most were 5% or less. Okay, the fares aren't cheap but $6700 for a balcony cabin on a luxury ship with fewer than 300 fellow passengers...

49 minutes ago, wilmingtech said:

4.  There are 2 big crew turnovers coming up on the Joy.  The first is January 12th and the next is March 15th.   Just a heads up for those cruising those weeks as service can tend to be a little off when they have large turnovers of crew at the end of their contracts.

Oh dear. Well, I need to thank you a second time for a second warning - first the security line at San Pedro, and now this. I'll be on the January 12th sailing.

Packing a little extra patience into my suitcase...

1 hour ago, wdsted said:

I too hope it comes back because I miss all of the posts about how unhappy folks were with their free/almost free flights.  🙂

 

LOL! That thread was certainly educational.

I was tempted by the savings represented by the airfare discount, but it looks like I can get an open-jaw flight (SEA-NRT and HKG-SEA) for under $800 without having to pay NCL for a deviation or be subject to their scheduling whimsies. And then I decided to book a New Zealand cruise instead so it;s a moot point.

Since SuperShuttle is no longer an option I'll be using Lyft from LAX in a couple weeks. I figured things had settled down after the rough launch and it's reassuring to read your report. I'll keep an eye out for the green sign!

They're back now, but only for select Hawaii and Asia sailings. I did mock bookings for September 2020 cruises - from Seattle, it's $599 airfare for a Japan sailing and free airfare for Hawaii.

2 hours ago, Cruise Raider said:

 

I even heard Super Shuttle will no longer be servicing LAX, maybe the whole company is going under (I've heard differing accounts). 

 

SuperShuttle is ceasing operations on December 31.

If you are able to store your bags, it would be tempting to have brunch in Long Beach before heading to LGB for the flight home. I love that little airport - it looks like the set of a 1940s film noir.

4 hours ago, wilmingtech said:

Got on at 12pm, Haven Tour and now sitting in American Diner.  Crowds outside are long @12:45pm

 

Uh oh. My upcoming Joy cruise will have the same 3pm departure time and the eDocs stated that boarding would start at noon. I'd planned to arrive around 12:30, figuring the initial impatient crowd would have dissipated and security/boarding would be a breeze. That worked great in Seattle but...

You and Spaniel Lover have just saved me from an annoying start to the journey. Thank you! I'm staying nearby and will instead arrive extra early. Better to wait post-security in a chair than pre-security trudging in a vast line.

Fun solo times ahead:

• January 12-17, 2019: NCL Joy, Mexican Riviera (discounts = mini-suite)
• June 1-8, 2019: NCL Jewel, Seward to Vancouver (inside)
• August/September 2020: hoping to snag a last-minute discount on a HAL or Princess Alaska cruise out of Seattle
• January 3-13: NCL Jewel, New Zealand & Australia (celebratory treat = another mini-suite)

Although I’ve booked the last one ($50 deposit so why not), I might swap it for an October/November Japan cruise if I get my dissertation finished earlier than expected.

57 minutes ago, oakridger said:

Hi coastcat!  I sail solo  most of the time and made myself a sign on a neon colored 3X5 card that said "I'll be right back!".  When I found a table in the buffet and left to get my food I left the card at my place as well as when I got up mid meal to get extras or dessert. The waiters all loved the idea and I've not had my food removed or chair taken since.  It worked great at the bar for bathroom breaks too!!!  I even lent it to a couple other solos at the bar when they left for the bathroom.  It makes a great conversation piece too 😊!

Happy solo sailing,

~Nancy

You are my new hero! That's a brilliant idea.

Just now, JamieLogical said:

 

It's basically exactly the same as a classic mojito (muddled mint and lime), but uses ginger ale instead of soda water and a stronger rum. Plus it comes with a little piece of candied ginger on a stick!

You had me at “stronger rum.”

Just now, JamieLogical said:

 

Look for a bar tender named Nestor from the Dominican Republic at Sugarcane! He is the best bar tender I have ever had anywhere. Just an awesome human! I loved him so much that I went to visit him every day, even when I wasn't getting a Mojito. He turned me on to the Ginger Mojito though and I am so glad he did. I always liked classic Mojitos until I tried that and now I can't go back! Anyway, I asked him if he will still be on board when I return to the Bliss in March and he said he would, which means he should be there for your February sailing. He might not be at Sugarcane by then though. He gave me the impression that the bar tenders do often get moved between bars.

I didn’t even try the ginger version. Why didn’t I? I love ginger. Thanks for the tip, that will be my first drink onboard on the Joy next month!