solocruiserfrwa

I took the Oosterdam across from Ft Lauderdale to Rome in March--an earlier crossing than normal so that it could go into dry dock for two weeks for a refurbishment. I met several fun people on board and we really enjoyed our time. BTW, we boarded the Koningsdam for the first two voyages for 19 days total and had mixed feelings about the new class of ship. That being said, the staff on the O were all pleasant and fun. Our favorite was happy hour in the Ocean Bar. I would definitely recommend the O!!

If you're drinkers and like Happy Hour, go see Dora and her crew at the Ocean Bar. We had the best time on the TA prior to dry dock last month!!

How fun that must have been to learn it was themed after you booked! I've only seen one other TC fan on the regular roll call for the cruise---but have just gone back through and saw your many posts--I knew I'd seen that cute avatar before!!) I ponied up for the spendy (I had never used or heard of that word before moving to WA from CA 10 years ago, I guess it's more universal!!) things because YOLO. I think the games and demos are going to be a lot of fun as well. Did you sign up for the meet and greet? Sounds like they have enough signed up to have it. I find these are hit and miss for meeting people but typically go anyway if I haven't found another group on here.

Jami

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Hi Tom and Dan! I'm Jami, going solo and looking forward to the Top Chef activities onboard. It's my first time on Celebrity, but have cruised a bunch before. I always come home with one or two family friends and look forward to this getaway!!

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I just booked this cruise last night and am going solo---in the past 10 years I've only traveled with someone I knew one time, so I'm sort of good at the solo thing. I've met great people on each cruise, and we've even connected again for other cruises since we met. It's nice to know that you can hang out with someone you met, but you can also spend time doing whatever you want without that "what do you want to do? I don't know, what do you want to do?" dialogue!

Anyone else going on this cruise?

I've placed a deposit on Ms Koningsdam's inaugural voyage out of Rome in Apr 2016. Should be a great cruise!

Flight was pretty good. Walking to the mall now. The hop on, hop off trolley might be in order.

Flight was pretty good. Walking to the mall now. The hop on, hop off trolley might be in order.

At the airport in Seattle! So looking forward to much warmer temperatures this week.

Wow, Ken, you guys have it all going on with the excursion planning. I have zero planned. That could be a good thing or a bad thing! The history of SJ on foot sounds interesting. Who knows, I'm going to wing it. Definitely need to decompress from a stressful few months at work. See you all soon! One more day (and it's a throwaway, going to a seminar in Seattle all day) then off to FLL first thing Friday. Safe travels to everyone!!

Jami

Does anyone have specific shore excursions planned (ship tours or otherwise)? I've been procrastinating making decisions, hope I don't regret that! In other news, HAL sent me an upgrade option today. I'm in a Verandah Spa Suite, and I don't think I had to pay the full 200% single supplement as I typically see. But the upgrade is an additional $300/pp, or $600 for me... Not sure it's worth it for a few more sq ft in a different class of suite. Thinking I'll pass.

I would say that so far my best experience has been on an 11-day Mediterranean cruise from Venice to Lisbon three years ago this month. I met some great friends and saw wonderful European history. I'll likely take another one soon---and we're trying to get another reunion cruise together in 2014. I doubt I'll go to Mexico again, and this will be my third trip to the Caribbean. Is like to go to NE/Canada again, that us nice in September to see the fall colors (although we've had a great month of turning leaves ourselves this past month!!).

I think I've only been on the Zaandam (twice to Alaska, once in 2005 and again on 2012--the second time I tried the land combination and spent 3 days in Denali, which was beautiful) and perhaps the Westerdam for an overnight repositioning from Vancouver to Seattle. Not sure about the second one, I wasn't on it long enough to remember!!

Definitely looking forward to seeing the Nieuw Amsterdam. I've enjoyed time on Royal Caribbean, and have been on a few Carnival and NCL cruises (the Hawaii island cruise on NCL is fun if you haven't had a chance to go on land) but prefer HAL and RCI. I need to try Princess abc Celebrity one of these times.

The rain has come to the area and traffic is a nightmare along with it. Two weeks and counting to start this getaway!!

Jami

Ken/Micah,

I see that Cathy is making a list, but I don't think I've seen anything formally set up. Royal is good at holding a Meet and Greet for CC members, but I've not seen it done on HAL, so we may be on our own. I met these two guys from South Carolina on a Royal cruise, and one of them kept the list going and then set up a bunch of fun group events like a cabin crawl, slot pull and gift exchange. It was exhausting to plan and keep track of everything, don't know how he did it!!

I'm coming in Friday night, flying all day on Alaska (it's a direct flight, though---the only one I could find from Seattle, but I got it for $5 and 55K miles, so that seemed to be a bonus), staying near the promenade, I think. Can never remember which hotel I booked, a Hilton or Hyatt or Sheraton.

Will definitely look for you in the Crows Nest on sail away.

Smfguy, CC blocks out names of other sites when you post about them, so we can't see the site you're on the chats with. I found you guys on the one that starts with Meet, is that the one? I couldn't find an active chat there though.

Anyway, time is ticking and this cruise will be here before we know it!

I think HAL has a listing in the daily calendar for Friends of Dorothy gatherings, although I can't be certain. I've been on other lines where they gave a message board with note cards and you can start your own gathering.

We could always pick a time and place to meet the first day if everyone wants.

After taking way too many clothes on my last cruise in Hawaii, I'm hoping to go minimal (in number of items!!) and plan to have laundry done on board. My luggage is always overweight at the airport as well, so I'm forcing myself to take the smaller suitcase.

Looking forward to meeting everyone on a few weeks!!

Jami

I just booked this cruise! Coming from Seattle, but I grew up in Rio Vista and still have family in Sacramento.