OctoberLace

On 4/18/2022 at 11:51 PM, NSW519 said:

My first solo cruise will be on the Celebrity Apex - August 13 - Norwegian Fjords.

I did my first solo cruise on Celebrity Edge in October in the Caribbean.  I was booked Single Infinite Verandah, but for a small bid got bumped to Aqua Class and had a great time.  For my 2nd solo I'm going to the Norwegian Fjords August 14th on Cunard's Queen Victoria.  Booked an inside and got a free upgrade last week to a balcony cabin.  

On 2/25/2022 at 3:39 PM, nesila said:

just booked - Celebrity Apex Dec 17 - 6 night W. Caribbean

 

Solo infinite balcony - has anyone stayed in one?

I was booked in a Single Infinite Verandah on Edge in October, but got upgraded for a very small price to Aqua Class during Move-up.  It still had the Infinite Verandah, which was fine for me.  The cons:  The view is straight ahead, and you need to stick your head out of the window to see what's to the left and right.  Some complain that the inside A/C shuts off when the verandah window is open.  Pros:  You have more privacy than a normal balcony.  For a single person, the A/C shut-off doesn't matter, since there's no one else trying to sleep when you're there.  In my experience, a Single Infinite Verandah on Edge Class costs less than an inside or outside cabin for a solo traveler.  Getting Aqua without Move-up saved me thousands over booking it to start.  We did not have to wear masks, no one tested positive for Covid on my cruise nor on the sailing before us.  I only got off the ship at St. Thomas, due to port changes and limited options, but I truly enjoyed being back at sea again.  While onboard I booked a Single Infinite Verandah on Edge to go to Australia and New Zealand in March 2024.  An upgrade on Move-up would be nice, but if it doesn't happen, I'll be happy where I'm booked.  On that cruise I do intend to go ashore as many stops as possible and will have wonderful viewing on sea days.

I used Celebrity Air for my cruise on Edge last week.  As soon as I made my selection, Delta had it listed under my future trips, and I was able to choose seats right away.

• Ship:  Celebrity Edge
• Length of Cruise:  7 days
• Cruise Sail Date:  October 23, 2021
• Date email offer received: October 3, 2021
• Captain’s Club Tier:  Classic
• Booked through Celebrity Direct OR via TA: TA
• Current Cabin: Single Infinite Verandah
• Bid?  Yes/No: Yes
•  
• If YES -  Bidding Details: 

• Cabin Category: Aqua Class
• Bid Offer: $300 ($150pp x 2; solos must pay double)
• Notification Date:  October 11, 2021
• Accepted / Rejected ACCEPTED!

General Comments:  

• Got notice Sun, Oct 3rd and had options to bid on Concierge Class, Aqua Class, and several Suites.  Chose to bid just over minimum:  $300 ($150x2) on Aqua Class (preferred) and a back-up bid of $200 ($100x2) on Concierge Class.  On Wed, Oct 6th, bid status showed Aqua Class PENDING, Concierge Class EXPIRED, and I no longer had the option to Modify or Cancel. Checked a couple places and found others had this happen and were notified they won the bid 3-5 days later.  Today, Mon, Oct 11th was the 5th day, and I got my official upgrade notice.

10 hours ago, mayleeman said:

 

It will be interesting to find out if your move up attempt described in your reply to a 20 month old post works the same as that pre-pandemic one did.

A woman on a Facebook page for those sailing on Celebrity confirmed she recently had the same experience as me, and she got the notice that she had won 3-4 days later.  

On 2/1/2020 at 9:31 PM, Want2Cruise 701 said:

2 members on here have posted that they had placed multiple bids and one or more had said expired but one was still pending.  In both those cases, it turned out that they had won the upgrade for the pending bid.  I am NOT saying that is what will happen, just what others reported.  

I hope you're right, because that's my situation tonight.  I put in 2 bids 3 days ago.  My preferred bid is Pending, my backup bid is Expired, and the option ot modify my bids is gone 17 days before sailing.

10 hours ago, arendezvous5 said:

I had first seen it at $119 last week but now went back up to $219 for my sailing. When did yours drop?

About a month or so ago.  Prices are back to$219 for the week now.

On 9/29/2021 at 12:20 PM, SNJCruisers said:

Just went on the app and it looks like the menu has expanded at Eden.  Previously it was 4 courses and you had an A or B choice.  Now, it looks like 8 apps, 9 entrees and 4 dessert choices.

Apps...1) Bouquet of Garden Greens, 2) Agean Sea Ceviche, 3) Bazzar Bowl, 4) Sheep's Milk Gnocchi, 5) Mulligatawny Soup, 6) Truffled Huitlacoche Risotto, 7) Pan roasted Carabinero Shrimp, 8 Reuben Raclette.   Entrees...1) Fresh Grouper, 2) Nova Scotia Lobster Casserole, 3) Branzino in Crispy Bread, 4) Atlantic Salmon, 5) Pan seared Corvina, 6) Free Range Roasted Chicken, 7) Free Range Lamb Loin, 8Filet Mignon and Mini Shortrib Wellington, 9) Truffle Celery Root Parpadelle Pasta.  Desserts...1) Lemon Meyer Tart, 2) Butterscotch Creme Brulee. 3) Strawberry Delight, 4) Azteca Chocolate Pie.

That looks much better than the currrent sample menu I found.  That had 3 appetizers, 3 entrees, and 2 desserts.  

On 10/1/2021 at 3:57 PM, kwokpot said:

The Edge Thermal suite pass normal prices are:

$219/7 Day/1person pass

Or 

$399/7day/couple pass

 

I'm on Edge 10/23/21.  I originally booked the 7-day pass for the Thermal Suite at $219, but it later dropped to $119, so I was able to cancel and re-book.  

On 9/28/2021 at 9:08 AM, cangelmd said:

What kind of food do you like? Are you in a suite? An IV?

We did Fine Cut for Valentines Day 2020. Sat at a window table and ate early, 6:15-30. We had the same concerns as you did. Eating early let us avoid the noise and watch the sunset from the window. Like in Luminae, they fill from the windows out, so it got busier as the evening went on. We found the steak only so-so, but I think we should have sent my husbands steak back, honestly. We did not spring the extra charge for the more aged or prime - I can’t remember what the extra charge steaks were, now.

Eden was amazing from a food perspective- best food we e ever had on a cruise. Very much a foodie place, if you are into that. The show has changed, so it was less intrusive when we went, and even less so now, I think. You could arrange with maitre d ahead to get one of the tables in the back corner and it would be quieter and more romantic.

 

The most romantic to me would be a balcony dinner delivered by your butler - they would make it super special.

 

I vote Eden, but that’s because of food.

I"m traveling solo on Edge and booked dinner in Eden for my 70th birthday on October 24th.  The 5 course menus and related YouTube videos made it look like a perfect choice for me.  However, the current sample menu is far less interesting, offering only an appetizer, entre, and dessert.  It's sad enough to find that solo cruisers must dine alone at every meal, so I hope the dining experience will not be disappointing.

2 hours ago, Tijmen said:

I'm on my first time solo cruise on NCL Epic, 26 September from Barcelona. Anyone else solo on this one?

I'm not on your sailing, but I booked a Studio in 2023.  Let us know what you think of those cabins!

On 8/1/2021 at 11:10 AM, Traveling Mike said:

Note:  I do not mean "Relationship" as just taking someone back to your cabin.  It is spending time and doing things with someone you could be interested in.

Mike, I think I know what you mean.  I'm not looking for a hook-up relationship, but it would be nice to have a male friend with similar interests with whom I could go to dinner, attend events, and dance.  

On 4/20/2021 at 4:04 PM, BLITZMA said:

I have cruised for 60 years but never alone.  Are there senior single cruises?  Do you go solo and hope to meet people?

Are there better ships or destinations that are better? post COVID - I need to get out and live!

BLITZMA, my husband passed away almost 5 years ago, and our last cruise was in 2010 due to his health.  I've really missed cruising, so I decided my upcoming 70th birthday was the perfect excuse to go to sea on my first solo cruise.  I got a very good rate on a Celebrity's Edge Solo Infinite Verandah cabin doing an Eastern Caribbean itinerary.  My goal is to be at sea and enjoy the shipboard experience.  We only stop at 3 ports I've been to before, so I have no problem skipping shore excursions if need be.  I got a spa pass for the entire cruise and booked dinner in Eden for my birthday with some of the generous OBC received.  With that arranged, I followed up booking a Cunard cruise in August 2022 to the Norwegian Fjords during a 4th of July Sale requiring only a small refundable deposit.  After reading many of the posts here for singles, I decided to put another small refundable deposit on NCL's Getaway in October 2023 (another birthday cruise) doing a Baltic cruise from Copenhagen that includes 2 days in St. Petersburg and a day in Estonia, which is one of my personal bucket list itineraries.  Traveling Mike was one of those who posted positive comments about the NCL solo cabins, and getting that itinerary a a good price including air locked it in for me.  In this case, one of my knitting friends with whom I've gone to many pre-Covid knitting events has decided to join me.  We both booked the solo cabins, agreeing that we can't be sure what life will bring in 2 years, so if one of us cannot go, it won't impact the other's booking.  My first solo cruise is now 53 days away, and I'm excited about this and hope I can continue to tick off my cruise bucket list.  

There are also solo cabins on Norwegian and Royal Caribbean ships.

Is that maybe why my cruise on the Edge 10/23/21 is coming up as;;
 

Your upcoming vacation

7-Night Undefined

Departing October 23, 2021 On

44 minutes ago, julig22 said:

As of 7/7, NCL had 150% (normally 200%) solo, as follows:

Encore, 7 day Alaska 9/25-10/16/21

Epic7 day W Med from Barcelona or Rome, 9/5-10/24/21

Getaway 10/11 day Greece/Italy, 10/4-10/25/21

Jade 7 day Greece/Italy, 9/26-11/7/21

50% airfare is currently in effect - 90 day p6olicy exception for Epic, Getaway and Jade if booked within 60 days of sailing.

I booked NCL Getaway a few days ago, Studio cabin 30% off plus various perks, including 1/2 price airfare, sailing the Baltic R/T Copenhagen with 2 sea days and stops in Berlin, Estonia, St. Petersburg (overnight), Helsinki, and Stockholm, 10/17-26/2023.  Deposit was only $125 and fully refundable. I booked air to arrive day before the cruise leaves and depart the day we come into port, with the hotel to be determined later.

On 1/31/2020 at 12:43 PM, neeuqdrazil said:

 

I've done two solo TAs on Cunard, and have some tips (especially when you're dealing with lots of sea days.) 

 

- Go to the talks/activities/classes that they're offering. Check your daily schedule to see what's on offer, and check some of them out. Even if it's something you wouldn't normally try, you're never going to see these people again (unless you meet someone you really click with), so put yourself out there. 

- Instead of reading in your cabin, try reading in one of the lounges or bars (or multiples, until you find the one that feels 'home' to you.) 

- When you arrive to dinner, ask the maitre'd if you can be seated at a table with others. 

- One of my favourite ways to pass the time is to knit, so if you're a crafter (of any portable sort) take your craft along. There have been afternoon crafting circles on both of my TAs, and they're not all knitters - I've seen a few cross-stitchers, a few needlepointers, and I've even been tempted to pull out my drop spindle at times. 

 

Enjoy your cruise! 14 days sounds like heaven. 

I'm a crafter as well and always take something to work on during my cruises.  One time it was cross stitch, and the young Russian lady who took care of our cabin told me it was the most beautiful stitching she'd ever seen.  At other times, I'd take my knitting and always have people stop to admire it.  The one instance that really surprised me was a comment by an 80 year old woman who was one of our tablemates (I was 60 at that time).  I knitted 3 pairs of socks during our 2 week Panama Canal Cruise, and she said, "Why bother making socks?  You can buy them cheap in the stores!"  My late husband spoke up and said, "I've never bought a pair of socks that felt so good on my feet as the ones she knits for me."  I've booked my first solo cruises for 2021, 2022, and 2023, and you can bet I'll be bringing my knitting, crochet, and/or stitching with me on every one.

On 6/4/2021 at 11:32 AM, Bigmike911 said:

I travel on Cunard's Queen Mary 2, and I have traveled with a pal where we had the beds in Twin mode. On my last two voyages as a solo. I had the bed in Queen mode and it seemed more comfortable.

 

I asked my Butler if these were new beds and he said no and explained that When the beds are in Queen Mode a cover layer of memory foam is added to the bed to eliminate any space. between the two  twin beds.

 

So for me traveling solo, it will be Queen mode just for me. 

Good to know, Mike.  I'll keep that in mind for my solo cruise on the Queen Victoria next year.

I've updated my plans for solo cruising 2021, 2022, and 2023.

10/23-30/2021 Celebrity Edge Single Infinite Veranda - 7 day Eastern Caribbean R/T Ft. Lauderdale

08/14-21/2022 Cunard Queen Victoria Inside - 7 day The Fjords R/T Southampton

10/17-26/2023 NCL Getaway Solo - 9 day Baltic w/overnight St. Petersburg R/T Copenhagen

Thank you so much for this review!  I'm sailing the Edge solo for my 70th birthday in October, and all of this is so helpful to me.  I downloaded all the dailies and will make notes!

2 hours ago, MorganClark said:

NCL's single suite? Is that different from NCL's studio cabin?

I realized I meant the Studio Lounge, not Studio Suite.  Anyway, I think the quarters may be too tight for my comfort.

I'm wondering if the NCL Studio cabins would be too tight for someone with claustrophobia.  I've only had a problem with that when I had an MRI, but I'd hate to book a cruise and have a similar response to tight quarters.  My late husband and I booked an inside cabin years ago on RCCL's Sovereign of the Seas, and after one night I asked if there were any outside cabins available and got moved for only $50.  I could have tolerated it, but that was 120 sq. ft., so 97 sq. ft. including shower seems tight.  On the other hand, I've had absolutely no problem when I've booked an inside cabin on Cunard and Celebrity.

I've seen a lot of comments saying NCL's Single Suite is great for solo travelers, and NCL seems to do a lot of my bucket list destinations at really great solo rates.  Any input on your experience with these cabins will be greatly appreciated!

OOPS!  Cruise dates are Oct 23-30, 2021 for Celebrity and Aug 22-29, 2022 for Cunard.

I decided it was time to travel again, so in mid-May I booked a Celebrity Edge Single Infinite Veranda cabin doing the Eastern Caribbean October 22-29, 2021.  It's my birthday present to myself as I hit a milestone birthday.  My late husband and I had sailed on Celebrity four times and enjoyed every sailing.  The solo price was really good, and I ended up with some nice OBCs.

On Thursday I got an email from Cunard announcing their 2021 Independence Day Sale.  The next day I went under deposit for the Queen Elizabeth R/T Barcelona sailing August 23-30, 2023, with stops in Villefranche, Rome, Naples, and Majorca.  The prices in this sale are the best I've seen for solo travelers on Cunard.  This will be my second cruise with them, and I'm even more excited about that than my October trip.

Needless to say, I'm hoping to start working down my bucket list of places I'd like to go to, and cruising is something I love, and a fairly safe way to travel solo!

On 6/26/2021 at 12:16 PM, coastcat said:

Could you please report back on the Single Infinite Veranda experience? I have one booked on Edge for next March. I'd also love to hear about the thermal suite; I'm a big fan of the NCL version and wonder if the Celebrity version is also worth the money.

Absolutely, Coastcat!  I'm quite interested to see how I like the Edge and the Infinite Verandah as well.  As for the Thermal Suite, I had a pass to the Holland America Thermal Suite on a Panama Canal Cruise and really enjoyed that.  The Edge version has so much more, so I'm sure I'll make good use of the 7 day pass.