JetSet2B

I avoid all photographers during my cruise.

As per my siggy, I've always wanted to do a TA but for SOME reason, I feel like it has to be on the Cunard to get that old school, ocean liner experience. I'm willing to pay the 175-200% it costs. I think 2015 is going to be the year which means I am looking to book now! I've done lots of trips abroad but I feel like this will be the biggest one yet, because it will entail coordinating air and boat travel, planning activities, etc. I'll be watching this thread carefully!

Has anyone done both? For some reason, I feel like I'd go crazy if I went to a beach resort by myself but I LOVE solo cruising. Does that make sense? At least, there are tons of people around on the cruise ship and I never feel truly alone even though I am by myself. Also with the beautiful spaces on the ship and entertainment, I can mix things up very easily without being bored. I think I'd get very bored after about 3 days on a beach resort. . .or maybe not. I keep telling myself I want to try to compare but I chicken out. (Keep in mind I have travelled solo to Europe by myself several times, so it's not the solo traveling that is the issue.)

I LOVE the flexibility of being alone, people watching, doing what I want, etc. I catch up on all the books I have on my Kindle.

I find that the better the dining experience on the cruise, the more I come out of my shell. I have had poor dining experiences on RCCL and better ones on CCL so my last cruise felt more social. I don't mind eating in the MDR by myself in the morning but admittedly, for dinner it's awkward so I will be requesting a large table on RCCL so I blend in a little more.

I do enjoy the anonymity of cruising but by mid-cruise, people seem to notice the solo cruisers LOL. I've had people come up to me and ask me if I was alone and how I like it LOL. They are always shocked when I say "it's my Xth solo cruise! I love it!" I thin it just depends on what you like.

I'd like to be loyal to one line but I like RCCL and CCL for different reasons. In the end, I go with the best price for the time frame that I'm searching for. I'm going on a NCL cruise in January and for some reason, I don't think I'll enjoy it but I'm going to check it out. One day, I hope to do one of the more "luxury" cruise lines and of course a Cunard TA.

I've booked guarantee interior rooms twice (once on RCCL and once on CCL). Got upgraded both times: to a promenade and to the highest category of interior rooms (forget what it's called but it had a French door/window). Since I don't spend a lot of time in my room, I always go for the cheapest option.

Ok, the PW seller was trying to sell me a giclee. I remember writing it down because I never heard of it. So I would have been buying a photocopy. I will be so much better informed for my next cruise. I'm hoping to get a legitimate Tarkay serigraph. If not, I'll try to find a Govezensky on land.

Are serigraphs the same as giclees? If not, what's the difference and how do you know what you're getting? What's a decent price for a serigraph?

I fell in love with a Tarkay on my last cruise and it was a serigraph but I didn't know what that was. I was being heavily pressured and didn't like that so I walked away. Have no idea if it was legit or not...

There will be plenty of cabs and people wanting a ride back if you go to Grand Lucayan. When you get off just confirm when the latest ride back would be. If you feel nervous come back a little earlier. They like to fill up cabs so the chance of you being alone is almost nonexistent. It is much more economical to do it on you own. I would not be afraid to do it on my own there.

 

Also, for the poster on the 1:30 port schedule....earlier this month I was there and Carnival Pride was docked too. The taxi's pretty much scheduled around the Pride's passengers. I was on the very small Bahamas's Celebration and sort of had to confirm that they would be running later for non Pride guests.

Thank you!! I'm going to brave it and head to Grand Lucayan. I'll report back after my cruise. :D

I'm also considering since it's such a short docking time (7am-1:30pm) in Freeport, it might be better to stick with Carnival's excursion to avoid cutting it close. I understand it's overpriced but I guess you pay for convenience...

Bumping! Now that my cruise is just days away, I'm trying to finalize my plans. Carnival is offering a shop/beach break excursion near the Port Lucaya market. The beach is public. They also have the Taino beach excursion which includes lunch but is pricey. . .I think I'm going to brave the cab to Grand Lucayan. My ONLY concern is coming back. I'll potentially be in a cab by myself. Thoughts??

I love your reviews!!! My first cruise ever was on the Sensation so I guess she started my addiction. I'm back on another Carnival cruise (my 4th solo) on the Pride coming up shortly. I hope I have as much fun as you seem to have in the photos! :D

I'm 33 and going on my 4th solo in a couple weeks!!!

It is very nice there. I would feel really safe at the resort, it is beautiful, and the group cab ride would work for a solo too.

Awesome! I will look more closely at the Grand Lucayan.

In Freeport.. you can get off the ship and go to the taxi stand where they will group you with a bunch of people for $10 roundtrip. Seemed very safe to be with a group like that. We were dropped off at the casino and it's a very short and very safe walk to the Grand Lucayan one way for a day pass or you go a different way and there is a public beach access. I'm not sure what the public beach is like but at the Grand Lucayan it was paradise and I did not have a care in the world. I could see being a single woman and feeling very safe there. There was a guy from the resort down at the beach keeping that area for the resort guests only and there were only a couple beach vendors that walked through. Hope that helps!

OK, I didn't realize they group people. I thought if I was alone, I'd be stuck in a cab by myself, which didn't seem safe to me.

There's the British Colonial Hilton within walking distance of the port. While they do charge if you wish to use their beach or pool, we were able to lounge by the pool after having drinks and lunch. I guess it depends on how many guests are there that day.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

That's in Nassau but I'm looking for something to do in Freeport. I already have that one booked :)

When we were in Freeport we did a non Carnival excursion to Paradise Cove/ Deadmans Reef. 35$ they pick you up from the ship and supply snorkel equipment and bring you back. You have to swim a ways out to the reef but it is well worth it. Lots of fish and things to see. People are very friendly. Google and it will come up. You don't have to pay in advance either and they pick up right there by the dock. Also beach there if you don't want to snorkel. Bar and food too.

Thanks! I will look into this.

Thanks again for the suggestions. I'll admit in the past, I was shy about going to the meet and greet (don't know why?!?!) but I may try this time. LoisR, I thought MTD was an extra fee--never did it before so I didn't realize it was free. I will probably keep my 6pm dining time and request a large table. Let me get over to the roll call thread and see if there are any other solos. . .

Right now, I'm thinking about the Taino Beach excursion for $99.

I'm looking to get a daypass for Freeport. I'm a little wary of taking a taxicab in the Bahamas by myself. In Nassau, I'm already booked for the BCH which is a short walk from the port. Are any of the beaches within walking distance of the port? If not, then I may just book one of the overpriced Carnival excursions because at least I will not have to worry about traveling in a cab alone.

Thanks in advance!

Thanks for all the tips everyone! I've never done MTD. I'm going to check and see how much that is. I may just request a larger table.

I always want to buy a caftan for cruising but when I look for them, I can't seem to find what I want. Just took a chance and bought 2 from Rachel Zoe/QVC that were rated highly. Hope they fit!

I'm going on my 4th solo cruise. For the first cruise (Carnival), I ordered dinner in my room every night and was too scared to venture out but on the final night of the cruise, I went. It was a table full of lovely people and I felt bad for not showing up.

For the second cruise (RCCL), I went the first night and there was a young couple who came and sat down without saying a word. It was awkward until others came (another solo female and an elderly couple). The young couple never came back after that.

For my third cruise (RCCL), it was me and a nice couple but they were late so I ended up sitting at the table for a long while by myself.

So, how do I break the bad cruise dining mojo? Should I request a large group? Should I just go back to ordering room service? I guess you never know what you're going to get. :confused:

I want to say it's a little bit more (maybe $5?) and there's no guarantee you'll get in if you show up. I booked my pass (you only pay $12 as a deposit) for my upcoming cruise in January. I went to the British Colonial Hilton once and it's perfect for me--short walk from the pier and closed off from the public.