tropiclvrs

10 minutes ago, orville99 said:

Dined solo literally thousands of times during my career (20+ years averaging more than 150 days/year in hotels), and the only advice I can add is to pace yourself when you dine. I always ate a lot faster when dining alone, and it took me years (and about 40 extra pounds) to figure out how to slow down to a pace that I would be dining at if I was dining with others and engaging in conversation.

Great advice!  I tend to eat fast normally but would expect to do so even faster if I’m feeling awkward and want to get out of there.   
During my own time of business travel I’ve only had one dinner out on my own.  I sat at the bar so it was fine.  I’ve done breakfast on my own many times and that is fine for me also.  
I’ll try to keep things slow and just enjoy the meal and my quiet time.  

30 minutes ago, Wink87 said:

I felt the same way on the rare occasion when I traveled for work. I would take a book with me and before my meal arrived I would pretend to look at the book but was really spending more time people watching. You could take your cruise compass in with you and "study" that.

I like the idea of being a book and either reading a bit or pretending to read while actually people watching!

Hi All,

I'm going on my first solo cruise next week...starting off small with a short 3 day on Navigator in LA.  I'm leaving DH, and my two teens at home in favor of some much needed "me" time.  Not so coincidentally it'll also be my birthday on the first night of the sailing!  Although I love cruising with my family, I'm really looking forward to these few days so I can be on my own schedule, do what I want when I want to.

I've purchased the Ultimate Dining Package but I'm starting to get a little nervous on how it'll be seated by myself.  I figured I would be just fine dining alone as I'm not the most outgoing person there is but I'm afraid I'll feel awkward just sitting there with no conversation whatsoever.  What do I do...just sit and watch everyone else...lol?  Actually, I feel like they'll be noticing me more so since I'll be sitting alone and I'm starting to panic a little.

Does anyone have any advise or tips, or would like to share your own experiences on solo dining, especially in specialty restaurants?  I'm considering cancelling the dining package and could just go to MDR one night or WJ the rest.  Also, I'm not so sure I want sit with others.  I'm happy to meet and talk to people I've just met but usually don't love the eating with strangers part.

Any input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

I received only single points for my solo (double room) just recently.  Has the rule changed at all?  My solo fare was not 200%, 150% etc...I got a great deal!  Would that make any difference?

I'm going to call C&A but want to be prepared before I do.

I'm trying to decide between the hot rocks and swedish myself.  Is the hot rocks more just relaxing wit the heat, or do they actually massage too?

1 hour ago, jenmcnitt said:

I have an upcoming cruise in mid-February.   I just looked out on the Optum Store and both of their at home test options are out of stock.

Where to people order from instead as a backup option?  Thanks!

 

Keep checking every morning.  Even though they are out of stock today doesn't mean they will be tomorrow or even a few days from now.  You still have time, but I would also plan on scheduling an appointment through CVS or Walgreens.  They open up dates 2 weeks ahead so be sure to do it as soon as your date becomes available.

Is there a Diamond (not plus) discount?  I do recall getting 1 free day previously, so wondering if that is still available and especially for short 3 day sailings?  I’m thinking just waiting to buy it onboard since Day 1 isn't really needed, day 2 would be free with Diamond, so I would only need to buy for Day 3.  Does that sound right?

If bid is accepted and don't love the location of the newly assigned cabin and others in same category still are available, will they change if I call?

Now that they announced that the new round of cancellations are eligble for lift and shift, it begs the question..What about previously cancelled sailings?  Doesn't seem fair at all that those wouldn't be eligble, but yes I know things aren't always fair. 

I always look forward to your videos...awesome job!  I was following you along via CLR's Periscopes and IG posts for all 7 nights...make that 9 night SB2020 cruise. 

Thank you Dadof2kids...I appreciate this thread to quite simply just whine and complain In writing.  I’ve been doing silently or to my immediate family but this is somehow more therapeutic since so many of us are in the same position 
 

we would be getting ready for and leaving 2 weeks from today to head to Miami for April 11 Symphony.  First cruise since Aug 2018 (we’ve done other vacations) and was sooo looking forward to getting on the newest ship of the Oasis class.   
 

Here’s to hoping that July or August may be a go but the pessimist in me makes it hard to believe it.   

42 minutes ago, clayay said:

we got an email from our kids school today that basically said if anyone took a cruise over Spring Break they would require a mandatory self quarantine of two weeks no matter where they travelled or with who.

 OMG, that just seems crazy and unjustified at this point.  

Editing my comment because I did find something in our school district guidelines that says no visitors, students and staff who have a travel history over the course of the last 14 days to an area identified by the CDC as a level 3 Travel Health Notice. 

So, are cruises to the Caribbean at this time on the CDC level 3 Travel Health Notice ?

9 minutes ago, ginadcnj said:

We are booked with our 3 kids, 14/12/9, on the 4/11 Symphony sailing, so exactly 30 days out. We are still in watchful waiting mode. This is a LONG awaited trip...we haven't been on a cruise or other big family vacation for several years due to budget constraints and we really don't want to cancel/postpone, but we also don't want to either put other people at risk as vectors for disease, or risk getting quarantined on the ship. (No free upgrades to Owners Suite available on our sailing, alas!) I am assuming that by late March, we will have a much better picture of what our options are, both in terms of how this pandemic is playing out nationally and worldwide, but our own specific situation too. So we're just keeping an eye on things. 

We're on the same sailing with you with our 15 and 13 y/o (she turns 13 during the cruise).  Really don't want to cancel and just waiting to see how things progress as are you.  As of now my stance is that as long as the ship is sailing then so am I.  However, I do want to check into whether there is any health insurance issues if we do go.  We bought the insurance through Royal but I'm sure that's not going to be good enough if something more serious happens. 

Another thing someone brought up is that if the kids go on a cruise the school won't let them back in.  Our district hasn't said anything about that...yet.

Don't wait until the 30th for your doctor appointment.  I'm sorry, but that's just insane.  Go to an urgent care facility where they can check you now and prescribe necessary meds.  By the time your cruise comes around, it should be gone..or just an occasional lingering cough.

Thanks.  Not quite the response I was hoping for though .

Regarding the insurance....If we decide to cancel before the 48hrs, will they reimburse us for the insurance that was also bought through them?  Or will it be applied as FCC?

11 minutes ago, A&L_Ont said:

 From CC to FB no talk of money back.

Andrew, I know you usually cruise with O for spring break so I was thinking about you guys the other day.  Are you going this year?

Nice option to have for sure.....I only wish I hadn't purchased the insurance for this sole purpose! 

Edit

Family of 4 sailing for Spring Break on 4/11.  No fear here either!  At least not yet....LOL!

Would anyone happen to know if you can take Izumi  sushi "to go" with the UDP? 

Symphony 4/11/20 dropped to $61 today as well...not enough to make be bite.  With our diamond drinks, it just isn't worth it because all it'll do is make me drink more than I actually need to.

Good info to know.  I'm considering a 9:45am flight from MIA for our family of 4.  Taking a later flight is much more so I'm weighing the risks.  What is the typical time you can get off with self assist?

Yes, this is the Royal Colonial Hilton.  We were there last year.

I would recommend the Colonial Hilton for the day.  We were there last year with our 2 kids and had a nice time.  They have paddle boards to use and they give you a credit for food which was pretty tasty.

I'm assuming that the construction next door is still going on, but you can still enjoy the view and property nonetheless.