fhowell2

Just off the Harmony. No Concierge Lounge, just a Diamond Lounge buried in the bow of the ship and totally overrun. Very dIsappointing.

Rick

Does my Carnival VIFP rank carry over to other lines in the Carnival family?

Someone at RCI has come up with the bright idea that you should include your photo on your new sail and sign for new cruises. I have tried 15 different photos and have been unsuccessful in finding a photo that works. Until I do I cannot print my sail and sign pass.

Has anyone else had the same problem? By the way, I am diamond+

Rick

I was just on the Allure of the Seas this past week and the Diamond Lounge was horrific. It was such a disappointment from my last cruise on the Allure when it was the Concierge Lounge. There was never a seat available between 5 - 8:30 in the evening. They no longer serve the full breakfast or the lunch that use to be available. And the real disappointment was that on formal night the hor d'oeuvres consisted of BBQ franks and Rice Krispie treats. Granted they had three versions of the Rice Krispie treats to choose from such as the multi-colored ones made with Fruity Pepples, the old fashioned RK treats and the RK treat covered with chocolate icing! I don't understand what is happening to this cruise line. My daugher was in the suite and had access to the new Concierge lounge where they were served bacon wrapped scallops on formal night. And as far as the drink coupons - that is a joke. If you order a dirty martini, Manhattan, or any drink that is a combination of different alcohols, you have to use two of the three vouchers. If you get the drink in the Diamond Lounge there is no limit however there are also no seats available. Our Concierge was nice enough to let us take the drinks out of the lounge.

 

Another disappointment was that they actually charge $2.90 for a small bag of popcorn. With all the cookies and hot dogs that are including in the price, why not a bag of popcorn? Princess doesn't charge for popcorn during their Movies under the Star so I don't understand with all the cuts RCCL has made why they can't afford to give the kids the popcorn.

 

Sorry I had to vent! I just got home today and couldn't have been more disappointed in what has happened to the cruise line I use to love so much.

You touch on the problem I have with the new big ships. You have to share space with another 5,000+ passengers wherever you go, lounge or not. I have been on Oasis/Allure one time each and that is enough for me. I am sticking to the smaller Mariner and Independence classes from now on.

Rick

Any more current news?

Rick

The weather service is predicting flood stage at New Orleans in approximately 3 weeks. How does this affect Carnival cruises out of New Orleans. Flooding is occuring upstream now and will reach NO approximately Jan. 19.

I have cruises planned for the Carnival Elation (1/18) and Carnival Dream (1/24). Anxious!!

Rick

V2G stands for "Vacations" then "to" followed by "Go". They are an online TA and also organize hosted singles cruises.

 

 

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Thanks. Probably a bunch of youngsters.

Rick

V2G singles Huh? What's that?

Rick

Rick , have you signed up for the NCL Star cruise roll call 11/29? They have a Meet and Mingle scheduled, mix of both families, couples and assorted others who seem to be friends traveling together. I am traveling solo myself.

I've signed up on the thread several months ago. The thread isn't that active but I will be more active as we get closer to sail time. Thanks for asking.

Rick

Hi, this is the first time I have posted on this thread although I have been cruising solo since 12/2012. I am a widower and will probably be a solo cruiser for the rest of my life. Oh well.

My next cruises are:

11/23/15 Carnival Paradise W. Caribbean

11/29/15 NCL Star W. Caribbean

01/18/16 Carnival Elation Mayan Peninsula

01/24/16 Carnival Dream Bahamas

05/05/16 Carnival Legend Hawaii

I'll be looking for other solo cruisers on each cruise.

Rick

Our last RCCL cruise one of the perks were priority tender tickets and on Allure May 2014 we were able to have the Diamond Concierge deliver them to us. This is no longer possible. Diamond level was also supposed to have priority boarding and disembarking, but there were never any signs to this effect in San Diego nor Oahu when we left. Before 2014 we always asked for early disembarkation tags and were given them to us by the Diamond Concierge. Again when we asked Zahide, she informed us that was no longer a perk.

Diamond+ had priority tender embarkation. Just flashed my seapass. I remember seeing this on the notices regarding tender tickets.

Rick

Heading to Hawaii on the Legend OS, May 14. RCI has single get-togethers, but solos aren't on their radar yet. We'll see what happens on this cruise. It is a 10 day cruise, so I won't hold my breath.

Rick

Sorry you had such a bad time on the Freedom. I will be cruising the Freedom in mid-March and will be looking forward to it. I have been on clunker cruises before and I will say 'stuff happens'

If your photo problem is still unresolved, then Royal Caribbean has not fulfilled the contract they made to supply you with the photos/cd you ordered. You can complain to the credit card company and quite probably get a refund.

Good luck on your future cruises. I wish everyone could have a great cruise every time.

Rick

Cruising on 12/06/2014.

Anyone else?

Rick

Hi, NYB. You should join the Roll Call for the Splendor cruise for Nov 16 right away if you haven't already and ask if there are any solo cruisers on that thread. Find out if the Roll Call has a Meet & Greet planned. Once on board you can check the Fun Times newsletter for any Singles meetings. I found that they usually are poorly attended. It does not mean there are few solo cruisers on board.

 

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All good suggestions. There is usually a bulletin board near/next to the guest services counter with group meetings posted.

Rick

Independence of The Seas November 22, 1014

 

What do solos do when on "anytime dining"? Eat alone, ask to be seated with someone? Who do you ask and when?

Thanks

Anytime or traditional dining - as a solo, I ask the Maître D to sit me at a large table of adults. Odds are that there will be someone to talk with.

 

 

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The last time I tried anytime dining, I asked for a large table and got one along with 5 other people. had a great time that night. The next night, large table with one couple from Scotland. Their brogue was so thick I couldn't understand them and they had problems with my "California" accent. so we just sat and looked at each other. I ate at the buffet for the rest of the cruise.

Since then, it has been early dining all the way, with no problems.

My first solo cruise is on Allure on Nov. 30th. Anyone else going on that one?

I was on the 8/31 Allure cruise. There is so much to do, your head spins. One tip-look ahead at the entertainment you want to attend and reserve tickets for those events, like plays and ice shows,

One more tip-Go to DAZZLE when there is a live band. It's HOT!!

Rick

Maria, that was cute...

 

I'm sure if Rick and I were on the same ship we would have a pleasant time.

Hi Rose Mary, It is good to hear from you. I am sorry to hear about Joe. We had a good time when we visited you. I remember you had a grand-daughter, hope she is well.

It took me a while to get going and start traveling again, but I am doing it. I will be traveling solo for the near future, because that is the ways things are working out now. I am on facebook, search me out and we can reminisce off this website. Take it easy and maybe we can cruise again.

Rick

So.... DO it!

I thought long and hard about telling you to MYOB, but decided not to. Happy Cruising.

Rick

Well, I am going to give solo cruising a try. Prices came down so I booked Allure of the Seas, CentralPark balcony. Instead of my usual "My Time” dining, I selected early seating at a large table where I hope to meet nice people. The wonderful and supportive people here are responsible for giving me the courage to try this. I am excited beyond belief. I joined the roll call for thecruiseand already made some good contacts. Thanks to all of you. Now if solo rates would just come down...

My wife passed away 2 years ago. We cruised frequently and I am fortunate enough to carry on solo. The first couple of times were awkward, but it became easier. I am back to planning ahead a year or two, just being pickier

I tried my time dining for a bit, but that did not work for me. I am back to early dining at a large table. I am favoring Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Carnival because I book on board and get favorable rates on balconies on all these lines. I have been buying future cruise certificates on board also. These also save me in the long run.

This year I went Celebrity(April/10day) from Hawaii to Vancouver, RCI Liberty(Med/7 day) in June. For my birthday in Sept., I spent 3 days in Seattle, then took an 8 day Alaska cruise on the Carnival Miracle. All planned out and paid for last year.

Later this year, I will be on the RCI Navigator(Oct.) and the RCI Independence (Dec.). I was able to get excellent rates using future cruise certificates and Diamond+ discounts.

I get involved in the on board activities, especially trivia, and card games as much as I can. Each activity seems to draw a different group of people and this will widen your circle of acquaintances/friends on board.

As for cruising with a roommate, she would have to be special. 'nuff said.

Hope this helps.

Rick

Thank you. All my points are correct now.

Rick

Does anyone know when the double points for single payers began? I have a cruise on the cusp.

Rick