SoloAlaska

I was worried about the seas on my upcoming TA so I got myself an Emeterm bracelet and tested in on my Alaskan cruise a few weeks ago. Worked like a charm and yes I get monitor sickness and sea sick.

I wish I had the schedule right now where I could do that TA to Europe and then back. It’s a great deal if you like lots of sea days.

You can’t bring a keurig since it has a heat element. There’s an amazing hand pressed espresso maker though that works Nespresso made by wacaco if your looking for an option.

I have never seen tax applied to a gratuity. That is indeed very odd. Might be because it’s also considered a “service charge” which might be taxable. I pay tax on everything I buy at home so this isn’t outlandish to me but taxing on gratuity is very odd.

Sunscreen I am very picky with. If anyone knows the brands of sunscreen in duty free on NCL I’m all ears. I bought some on my last Celebrity cruise since they have my brand and a better selection than Sephora. One thing to note is each county has different rules for meds so always carry what you want in original packaging just in case. My basic kit has antihistamines, Sudafed, muscle relaxants, Advil, Tylenol, heartburn chews, plus things like a few bandaids etc. from home (Canada) plus I bring Dramamine less-drowsy from the US. When we got to port in Vancouver a bunch of Americans where surprised to learn they could buy muscle relaxants OTC in Canada and had directions to the nearby pharmacy. I’ve been stuck in the US without them and will never travel without. The rest I can easily grab at a US pharmacy so on land trips I don’t pack too much OTC.

Love the addition of the bars but I would also recommend bringing an electrolyte replacement if you want to be even better prepared. Also love the pulse ox.

I originally booked guaranteed interior for my upcoming TA (15 nights) but when the price dropped I’m upgraded to FAS OV and couldn’t be happier. I like waking up to natural light and with jet lag and all it will be a good perk to have a window. Price dropped again so I’m adding the drink part of FAS now. I usually cruise interior without any problem but I’m solo and it’s a good way to make me get out of my cabin and enjoy different spaces onboard.

I hadn’t thought of this for my upcoming cruise of September 4-19. I’m not a big Christmas person and find the holidays hard. Might have to play into it in a fun way.

I did the same cruise on the same ship a year apart and the difference was very noticeable. We still enjoyed our meals but the menu is more limited and some of my favourites where gone. The meat was lower quality from what I saw in my plate. Yes lots of mash potatoes now. Presentation was basic at best, it missed the detail and garnish it had even a year before. It’s not a bad meal but only one dish did I consider fantastic and “inspired”.

I’m not a buffet person either but on my Millenium at least the omelet station also did toast so just need to grab fruit and your good. It surprisingly wasn’t too crazy and with a smaller group it was always easy to find an available table. MDR didn’t open on some days till 7:30 which when you have an earlier port day and wanted to get going wasn't great. The apple pancakes are delicious though, I had them most mornings.

Exactly and I for one will not. Just did my review today and stated unless there is a major change for the better they have lost my business. I have 40 plus years of cruising ahead of me and will find a line that I like the value of.

I haven’t been on the princess boards but this thread was specific to being charged more than double as a solo traveller. Other lines aren’t charging more than double that I’ve looked at. My NCL cruise coming up has no single supplement and my Royal in 2025 at least isn’t charging a full double. Celebrity is charging anywhere from a little more than double up to 4 times more for solo travellers. When it comes to the changes in the industry they are all over I agree. I just got off my cruise last week and the quality was worse than I expected on Celebrity. Prices have skyrocketed since last year and that includes many things I was surprised onboard by. Eg my scotch of choice last year was $11 and exactly a year later is $15 plus gratuity of course.

Bring a copy crossed out with the right number just in case. Could make life a lot faster depending on how your getting to the port. Our train handled the luggage and people who waited for the porters to write tags made the process much slower.

Is princess also charging more for solo than 2 passengers?

Just check in when you wake up the next morning. Worse case it will be an hour later or something. The time depends on the itinerary and port. So far my check ins have been 11 at the earliest and as late as 5:30 but that is on trips that sail away was as late as 8pm.

I keep hearing about all these amazing perks and people with tons of OBC etc… I seem to not be in the know. I need to up my game and find a good TA. Spending 23 nights this year at sea and hopefully down the road the goal is 100+ nights a year.

Might have to start sewing handling labels into my hand made items now.

Last week Celebrity Millennium was also delayed clearing in Vancouver.

After my last cruise I would say bring your own tags. In Alaska I did a transfer by train from anchorage to Seward and the people who didn’t bother bringing their tags made the process so slow. All we had to do was drop off our luggage but when 100s of people are confused and unprepared before 6 am it can be a mess. Best part of taking the train is that your luggage beat you to the ship.

Haha that’s because sometimes your on land and there’s no service on those stretches.

Try not to think of this next time you fly but your aircraft mechanic may be working over 70 hours a week. Recently found this out, my friend works 7x12 hours scheduled and sometimes more and then has 7 days off. He use to work 6x12 hour shifts with one day off earlier in his career.

Met a couple who cruise full time last week and she works 8 hours a day online. It’s amazing what one can do now. My next cruise I will be working but don’t need a great connection since I will just occasionally backup my files which I can do in port worse case. Long term I am thinking of maybe cruising for 3-4 months a year and I am probably 35 years from retirement. Might as well enjoy life and the flexibility technology gives us.

Didn’t everyone know that Celebrity's motto is now “pay more for less”

Celebrities new solo pricing has turned me away. I’m trying other lines now and have no plans to cruise celebrity again until they value my business.

2 cruises on the same ship a year apart and what a difference in MDR. So much more mashed potatoes which don’t get me wrong I enjoy but it is just about the most uninspired side dish you can have. The whole MDR menu was uninspired and slow to come out of the kitchen. Also why is it impossible to get a side portion of a dish on the menu.