SASSYnLV

On 6/1/2022 at 1:37 PM, crimsonbird said:

We are on aloha this coming week.  5 cabins away from Sassy..near the elevators.  It's hard to believe that Princess would continue to subject guests to this odor...and perhaps more importantly, to the unhealthy source.  Keeping 🤞

 

You can smell it outside the theater too, it's not just deck 12. Also noticed it one night, the elevator area closest to Planks at back of buffet. 

On 5/29/2022 at 11:03 AM, TracieABD said:

Day 2

May 29, 2022

Princess Cays

 

It’s Back! The Smelly Smell from H3LL!

 

Hi friends-

 

When we returned to our room last night, at least 50 nautical miles behind us, the smell was there. And it was worse than ever. We are not sure what it is (any guesses????), but this was my solution… I dug around my med bag and found a small tub of Vick’s! I rubbed a little under my nose- and voila!!! The icky smell was lessened (there is not enough Vick’s to make that smelly smell go away)! Problem solved!

 

I slept well and I think Jon did too. The gift of an interior cabin is for the most part, they are very dark and quiet. I love that!

 

We negotiated the International Cafe this morning for our coffee. We traded our mini bar for two coffee cards. They have charged our account for the cards- and will remove the charges soon. This is a new procedure to us. And we are trusting the process. 

 

There has been a little confusion (and I use that term liberally) at the Passenger Services Desk. There is a sign for Suite and Elite, but there are no stantions to  divide the two lines. We just stood in the one line. We were actually working with the PS rep, when a man created a new line for Suite and Elite. Then a guy in the reg line said that he was also Suite/ Elite. There were words and tempers. Nothing came of it, but we have noticed that people seem to be a wound a little tighter on this cruise. I chalk it up to the long periods of isolation throughout the pandemic. Many of us are learning to negotiate the world again. It has been hard on many. I am holding a great deal of space for those who are re-entering the world.

 

We are currently in the Sanctuary, with absolutely no plans to tender ashore. (Still listening to the Serenity Stewards turn people away). It is pretty gray and a little rainy, but it is quiet and peaceful and just what the doctor ordered!

 

Would you like cucumber water or citrus water?

 

Thank you for following along! 

 

More later-

Tracie-Lynn

I was on Caribbean princess,  may 21 to 28.

On aloha, 243. I too had that horrendous stench numerous times in my cabin.  There was also an odor at the entry to the theater.  It's been that way for at least 3 weeks.

I'm supposed to go with a group to the Panama Canal in January on Caribbean princess.  I don't want to go.

I notified the CEO of a major travel agency and he told me he would be contacting upper Princess management 

I just got off of Oasis of the Seas last Sunday - quite a few people had to park at the other terminals and take the shuttle back to terminal A for Oasis. I was up on the top deck and got to the terminal at 11 am.
When I walked out from baggage claim to the street - the shuttle buses were there for people parked in the other lots. Since you leave your ticket in the car, I guess you could say your car is parked at the other terminal.
Now, I'll be going on Empress in January, and when I looked to see what terminal to park at - all they tell me is that RC is terminal A. grrrr I will be calling them to find out which terminal.

I think this is a great thread, which should continue to be resurrected periodically. Many of us are in the same boat. I thought my own kids might have written the original post, until I saw how old it is! I am also in my early 60s and widowed after a 30 year marriage. I really didn't want to spend the next 20 years without having vacations. My kids are starting their careers and serious relationships, and don't have vacation time to travel with me. As a caregiver for my spouse for more than a dozen years (early onset Alzheimers), raising a family on my own and holding down a profession with long hours, I didn't enter widowhood with a network of possible travel buddies. We had cruised often as a family, so I decided to try a cruise as a solo last year.

 

Speaking to a point made by OP, I don't view singles cruises as something marketed by cruiselines for our age group -- plus OP's Mom is more likely to meet other widows and independent women cruising alone than men in their 60s/70s on cruises anyway :-). And many of us aren't looking for a new partner. If OP puts aside the idea of a singles cruise, cruising is still enjoyable, relaxing, and a chance to meet others and have new experiences in a structured setting. It's a great option for someone who loves to travel.

 

Yes, my 1st solo cruise had a few bumps. It felt very sad and lonely at times, surrounded by all of the couples and families. I was on a RCL cruise (very experienced with the brand, and the best port for me). I wasn't able to get assigned dining, and ended up being put at a table by myself in the dining room. I didn't meet any other solos in my age range. On the other hand, I enjoyed resting, catching up on my reading, and conversations with a few people during the week. I'll be repeating the experience in August this year. I've booked a JS this time, since I do enjoy time in the cabin and balcony. (I've had 2 NCL experiences, and did not enjoy the NCL experience even though NCL offers those single cabins. My last NCL cruise was with the kids for their graduation. I had a solo balcony cabin, which cost less than one of the single cabins -- however, I did not have access to solo lounge.)

 

I am also going to be taking my first escorted tour vacation in Europe in a week, with one of the major tour companies. (My company implemented a use it or lose it vacation policy, so we're being pushed to use vacation time this year. Two vacations is NOT customary for me!)I was told they'll rotate seats on the bus every day, so that everyone on the tour meets everyone else. I'm looking forward to finding out if this is another good option for a solo traveler in 60's who wants to continue having travel adventures. I'll get to come back and look forward to a restful cruise to recover...this has to be the best summer ever!

And I am bringing this back again...singles hosted cruises that are for the 40+ group have an average age in the late 50s. So, these cruisers are for people in their early 60s and up!

I was on the Allure of the Seas last August and we had an 82 yr young woman with us!

I don't get why people who have never done this assuming all these things.

Why not call the travel agency that books these cruises and say...What is the average age range for this group? They will tell you, and they will also tell you the male/female ratio.

If you're going to tell me that someone is their mid 60s can't have fun with someone in their late 50's...you are not being open minded. I'm not ready for medicare yet, and I have friends that I am old enough to be their Mom.

As far as a cruise being safe...no place is safe anymore. You don't leave you wallet unattended on you table while going to the buffet. You have to act just like you would act at a restaurant in your area.

No one is vetted on the ship, there is no background check done on the passengers.

You can google single hosted cruises or women travelling together to find web sites that offer cruises.

Loughlyn:

Just found this post and although I am retired and married and don't need singles cruise at this time I wanted to reply with a story from our last cruise on HAL earlier this year. We visited with a single lady several times during the cruise as she liked spending time on the aft deck where we tend to hang out during sea days and off time. She was having a blast. I think she was probably mid 50's and still working in a professional position. On HAL they have a "singles" meet and greet at beginning of the cruise apparently. She had attended and met some other single ladies, one from Ecuador. Several of them ended up becoming friends and spent a lot of time with each other during the cruise as we observed and they all seemed to be having a great time. But she and the lady from Ecuador especially bonded during the cruise. By the end of the cruise they had made arrangements for her to visit her new friend in Ecuador. Can't say if it ever happened but do know they all had a great time on the cruise. So pick a cruise carefully and I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how much fun you will have and grateful for the new friends you will make. I also believe HAL would be a great choice. Really, it is not all "old" people. Lots of variety across age groups especially on 7 nighters. BB King Blues club gets hopping! Hope this helps in your decision.

Jane

I did a solo trip out of Barcelona about 5 yrs ago on RC. I went to one of those singles meetups, it was before lunch in one of the lounge areas. About 4 women showed up.

When I suggested going to lunch, I received blank stares in return. I don't know what these women were expecting.

You got lucky.

I am recently widowed at 63 any ideas

Or suggestions we used to cruise 4

Times a year and I'm ready to go

Whats on your bucket list? I have a list of places I want to go to.

Read my previous post about how to find out about singles hosted cruises or low single person supplements.

Use google, just ask a question - ie...singles hosted cruises.

Not everyone on a singles hosted cruise is looking for a mate/husband.

I have a boyfriend who works non-stop and travels for work.

I can stay at home while he works or I can amuse myself. I choose to go do stuff. I have made many new male and female friends cruising. Not everyone is looking for love or lust on a singles hosted cruise.

PS - I will be your age, next week!

Where do you find out about single / solo cruises?

do a google search, in your browsers search box type - singles hosted cruises.

any cruise can be a solo cruise......but if you are looking for cruises with little to no single person supplement - there is a VACATION website that also has the words TO GO in it....on their website, is a list of cruises with little to no single person supplement.

The email I got was about a singles hosted cruise on Ruby Princess, so maybe not the same group. I'll look for this group's FB page, thanks -- though I was kind of waiting for this group's specific page, which won't be available for a while yet...they said 30 days prior. Guess I can ask though, in case someone has already started an 'unofficial' page :-}

Ruby Princess out of LA (san pedro) dec. 3 2016?

From prior experience some start an unofficial page a year before the cruise. :)

Because I've booked a hosted singles cruise I'm receiving the group's emails which share info and pics from their most recent hosted singles sailing. I was already looking forward to the one I'm on in October, but seeing the recap and photos is making me even more excited. They also recognized guests who had sailed on a hosted singles cruise 5 or more times...and there were plenty who'd done it 15+ times....all those returning guests can't be Hope to see more reviews and overviews from first timers. If you happen to be one, please share.

I think I know which company you are referring to. I just got back from a weeks cruise on the Allure of the Seas.

If you haven't already, I suggest you join their social media page with over 3,000 members. Also there is an unofficial group page set up for your cruise on that big social media site, join it so that you can meet other members before your cruise. Just ask on the main social media page about the unofficial group page for your cruise. Someone will give you the name.

I am not social media savy, what site is it that has solo / single cruises listed?

these are hosted singles cruises - if you do a google search, ie singles hosted cruises.....you will find a few companies that do this all year long.

I believe I can't give you the exact name here.....so it is a 3 word company name...with the word Vacations in it.

on their site....you will also find cruises that sometimes offer zero supplement fees or less than the usual 150%.

Hope that helps.

I see they have a cruise to northern Europe 5/28/17 that looks interesting. I have been wanting to go there, but was apprehensive to do it solo. Just might want out. Thank you for your positive response. Any other suggestions/recommendations?

 

 

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they have a page on that big social media site......if you havent already join that page.

you will see many other women wondering if they will 'fit' in, what it's all about etc. their newsletter is also very helpful.

I have already signed up for their partial transit 10 day Panama Canal cruise Oct. 2017.

I did a Mediterranean cruise all by myself out of Barcelona about 6 yrs ago, no group. It was great! I could eat where I wanted to, at what time I wanted to. After a whole day of touring sometimes I was wiped out.

Has any one gone on a singles cruise sponsored by the large Internet TA that "goes" places. I noticed they have some for 45+ range cruises.

 

 

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Yes, I just got back from my 3rd singles hosted cruise with the go places group.

The average age on those 40+ cruises is actually 55. I suggest you sign up for their singles newsletters. After every cruise they have, you will get an email with pictures so you can see who/what goes on these cruises. Their newsletter will even say the average age is 55. By the way, I am over 55.

Actually the cruise I just did was an ALL AGES CRUISE and the average age was late 50's. We even had a 91 yr young woman on our cruise.

Most of the time there are more women than men and most of the women are not looking to hook up or even for a relationship. They just don't want to be doing things by themselves, ie meals, excursions, etc.

Its one week out of your life, what do you have to lose?

Thanks for the followup, Michael.

 

I've been on Carnival ships before, though not the Glory. Just over 100 people sounds on the small end from what I've heard about singles cruises, though your group would probably have been a significant portion of the singles on the whole cruise.

 

I'm surprised the ship didn't have the things the hosts needed. They had to know about this over a year in advance; after all, they agreed to book it.

 

Anyway, I make take a singles cruise sometimes and every little bit of information helps. So thank you for it.

I just got back from a singles hosted cruise. The cruise line changed the order of the ports and then changed which night was the 2nd formal night. We have themed parties....which some people dressed up for.

Originally our formal night was going to be the night of the group picture, so everyone would be dressed nicely. Instead the ship changed that which resulted in our theme night being changed so some people were dressed for the theme night and some weren't. The ships photographer who was taking the picture was not able to change the date to take our picture. This was all planned in advance and the ship changed things up at the last minute.

I'm a 61-year-old widow considering cruising for the first time, and a "singles cruise" is the LAST thing I would choose. I would go on a country music cruise first, and I hate country music. ;-)

 

I can't believe I'm that much different than many women in my situation who would be looking for:

 

- friendly people to hang out with (singles, couples, young, older)

- congenial meal companions

- relaxation

- nice places to hang out and read and stare out at the sky

- activities not involving being an a-hole (i.e. no belly flop contests, etc.)

 

I'd want to meet new people to be with on the cruise and also have some solo time to read and drink coffee, and go on some interesting excursions.

 

Not all of us are looking for a new husband, especially at our age!

I hope you are subscribed to this thread.

You seem to have some misconceptions about singles cruises. Not all single people on cruises are looking for a mate, especially at our age. I am the same age as you!

I just got back from a singles hosted cruise, it was all ages and the average age was 55. There was one woman who was 91 yrs young, imagine that!

What is a singles cruise? For the most part it is other singles who want to have breakfast, lunch and dinner with OTHER SINGLES. It's people who still enjoy life! People who like to travel and meet others from all over the world! We had a woman from the Ukraine and one from Barcelona on my singles hosted cruise last week on the Allure.

I don't know where you got your ideas from. smh

Totally disagree with you post. People need to have self control to avoid dehydration. However, water is available all over the ship for free. In the buffet, at any bar, restaurants or stateroom. You can still bring a sports bottle and keep it filled. So I really don't understand why its a detriment to the passengers?

 

 

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I live in Vegas. Do you know how many people get sick from not drinking enough water and drinking too much booze.

You give the average Joe too much credit.

I'm pretty sure half the people on this thread don't even sail Norwegian LOL

guess what!

if other cruise lines see that NCL can get away with this..overcharging for water, the will be next.

Carnival will start charging more for their bottled water. Its all about what the market will allow. Just you wait!

But it happens everywhere. I think Disneyland sells a 15 ounce bottle of water for $2.79, which would equate to over $5.50 for a liter of water.

Look, when you buy anything at an airport its highway robbery. One time while looking for yogurt at the airport I did find different prices at different kiosks. Just because it happens everywhere, doesn't mean its right.

Some of us like to carry a bottle of water while on our excursions. The water on the ship makes my ankles swell after a few days. I drink tea and coffee at my meals, so I have no choice as to make my own hot drinks...and this is enough to make my ankles swell up. It appears also, I am not the only one this happens to.

What NCL wants to charge is offensive!

Huh?

 

Carnivals policy is allowing 1 bottle of wine per person, cans and drinks in cartons okay too up to 12oz per container. just no plastic bottles brought on.

 

RCI policy is 2 bottles of wine per room, and they have not allowed carry on cans or bottles of soft drinks/water in years, though they rarely enforce it.

you are right, they don't enforce it, I have done it!

Yuk!

I am one of those people that dislikes the taste of tap water on a ship?

Doesn't quench my thirst.

Bottled water is the only way to go.

The water on every different line of cruise ships makes my ankles swell after a few days, it does have more salt in it.

In addition, on one cruise, don't remember which cruise line, Celebrity or Princess, at the buffet the water reeked of bleach. I almost spit the water across the table! I got up, found an officer and told him to smell the water. He went running into the kitchen.

And did you notice in their article that if you are making babies formula you are allowed to bring on bottled water. So, the water isn't that great for babies. And for some adults with certain medical conditions you need a note from you md.

I think they are being very honest about it, this is truly a safety and security risk, they said it twice. Just like on the Airlines. If everyone is going to bring on containers and let's be honest many bring on bottles that are filled with Alcohol that are trying to beat the system and it has been happening for many years now. our world is changing and they have to protect their customers and their brand.

We live in a world where you do not know what can happen next and Cruise Ships hold thousands of people.......it is an absolutely horrible thought but they have to be aware and keep us safe.

So if they want to do that, then I am fine with it. Just like at the airports, keep me safe that is all I ask. You want me to take off everything but my bra and underwear so be it. I would rather be safe then sorry.

I know many may not feel the same way, but my two cents.

This is in the big picture of things.

Also a side note, I have been on over 30 cruises myself, almost every line. The "Tap" water on the ship IS purified water? I have never noticed a difference.

I think I could do more more damage to someone's "safety" with a heavy glass wine bottle then a 12 ounce plastic bottle.

Just saying....

Safety haha what a crock.

just curious do you think people have the equipment at home to shrink wrap a 24 pack of bottles? you know when you buy them in any store they have that heavy duty plastic all around them.

I worked in a store for years where we shrunk wrap baskets, and our plastic was nothing like the stuff around water bottles.

There is always final payments every single day.

 

This is not that big of a deal that everyone is making it out to be. The ship water is actually better than bottled water. Most people get the UBP so you can get all the soda you want unless you don't like certain brands.

 

They are probably sick of all the delivering and processing of all the packs of water, soda, etc when boarding. I don't blame them for this at all.

 

Even though I used to bring in soda before I think it's more pain in the ass to lug all this soda. I think you all can survive a week without it.

The ship water is not better than bottled water. It has salt in it, in fact so much salt that my feet swell after a few days, and it is not from the food. In the dining room, I do not eat off of the menu, every night I have fish with no salt on it, and no salt on my steamed veggies. I watch everything that I eat at the buffet, no fried foods, no foods in sauce etc.

For me its the price gauging for the water that infuriates me plus the gratuity fee. Is someone going to put the water in my cabin fridge and open a bottle for me every day? What service am I paying for? Them to deliver it to my room? smh

Charge a reasonable amount for water. They probably buy millions of cases of water each year for their ships.

I have never had to lug my water when going on board. I leave it with the porter with my luggage and I tip them.

well, there you go! if they don't answer their phones now, call them first thing in the morning.

Norwegian Star Oct 23 - inside guarantee $682. Sailing from Rome. This is after taxes and port fees. Does anyone know if I can place a 24 hour hold?

why not just go to the web site for the cruise and see if it will let you?

you may get a response after that deal is gone, then what?

I know there are 55+ cruises and there are single cruises, but are there any single over 55 cruises? I want to get my dad on one.

the average age on the 40+ singles hosted cruises is the high 50s - people close to 60 yrs old......give him a cruise for a birthday present.

went once to a meet and greet...no men, about 5 women..when I suggested going to lunch...all I got was blank stares....go....but don't be surprised by the turn out.