robmac330

17, Norwegian Dawn Boston to Bermuda on 8/18!

I'm tempted to pay the $20 and then list the ports of call for a World Cruise, just to see how much of a fraud this really is

I think I've run into 5 or 6 of them. Most are claiming they're not trying... gravitating toward a couple selections again and again. The "guy from Norway" thought he was in the mid 20s at the start of day 3, which is where I was at the time.

 

I could be anywhere between 30 and 55 right now... it really is tough to keep track. My new routine is just to stare at the coolers until I see something I don't recall having.

One of my local bars has an ongoing contest like this, and they keep track of it in a fun way using passports. As their foreign beer selection varies over time, the idea is to fill in a certain number of different beers from each country. When you fill a passport, you get a plaque with your picture on the wall. You'd think if NCL was limiting the number of people who signed up, they could do something similar, or at least print extra stacks of the current menu for personal tracking purposes.

Spice H20 is Adults Only more because it is supposed to be a spot for those who don't want to lounge in the sun while kids run all around, alcohol has nothing to do with it. All other bar areas are open to everyone (obviously not serving those who are underage). The one exception on Escape I believe is the District Brew House, which is also 18+. NCL also has a policy that minors aren't allowed to be unaccompanied after midnight or 1am, although I don't know how much they enforce this

I don't think we're allowed to recommend specific services or brokers, but I know a lot of people have said "if I was going to insuremytrip using a .com website, there's one with a lot of options for me to insuremytrip"

Doug -

 

 

Way back around post #7, I asked for the District Brew House beer menu. In hindsight, I realize that was pretty rude of me because (A) I didn't even wish you a good cruise, (B) You don't know me, and © It's kind of presumptuous to ask someone to do some work for you while they're on vacation

It's a couple years old, but I would assume pretty indicative of what's available:

http://eatsleepcruise.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/District-1.jpg

http://eatsleepcruise.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/District-2.jpg

http://eatsleepcruise.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/District-3.jpg

http://eatsleepcruise.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/District-4.jpg

I wonder if they use the same brand of onionorcreamymustarddippingsauces I use at home...

You'll love the Escape. Great ship. UBP is the greatest.

That's what I keep hearing. I had been booked on Epic for essentially the same itinerary, but when I was changing dates anyway, my sister (who works for a retail distributor that operates shops on some of the major cruise lines) told me she had heard a lot of great things about Escape from coworkers. Then when I saw the District Brew House concept, I was sold!

I think Texas and NY won't let you use UBP while in port but I know Florida and New Orleans still charge sales tax on UBP.

New York allowed the UBP when I was on Breakaway in February. We just paid around 33 cents per drink in tax until we got out into international waters.

Not exactly a "solo supplement" but if you're like me (a solo trying to work up the rewards status ladder while not having to constantly shell out for an interior) a good number of NCL Breakaway, Epic, Escape, and Getaway itineraries are all included in this month's Latitude's Insider offers. A lot of "GETAWAY on an ESCAPE from the cold" offers for January-April 2018 for the Caribbean, as well as a 12-day Transatlantic on Breakaway that would net you 24 qualifying nights (12 nights + 12 bonus); enough to push most Silvers to Gold status and Golds to Platinum status.

After realizing the trip I had booked was returning Easter weekend, thus making flight prices ridiculous, I've re-booked and will be on NCL Escape March 17, 2018. Looking forward to seeing how the math works out with 4,000 passengers + an open bar package + St. Patrick's Day + international waters

Welp, you're only 3 days in and you've already convinced me to rebook from Epic to Escape next March! Also, as I'm cruising solo, I'm considering trying my own hand at a LIVE

Mine came from Norwegian's Upgrade Advantage, with the subject line "Reminder: Information About Your Cruise + A Chance To Upgrade!"

You don't need to know who your PCC is to cancel the cruise.

 

Just phone NCL and cancel it.

Good to know, thanks!

I booked directly with NCL online for a cruise in March 2018, only to realize that the return date of the cruise is Easter weekend and flights will be ridiculously expensive to get back home. I'm trying to change my itinerary to another week, and from what I've read on here I know I need to call my cruise consultant to cancel the first trip and re-book, which leads to my question: How do I know who my PCC is?

I've looked my documents from NCL, and through several threads on here, but can't seem to find that info, so any help is appreciated :)

Tito's and pineapple juice. Unlike a Screwdriver you can still taste flavor of the juice, so if you got a weak pour it's easy to down, and even with a heavy pour it still tastes good. 4 or 5 of those on the pool deck and I'm ready to join the belly flop contest!

I'm from the city and still live in the city! :D Thats one of the perks I liked about that ship leaving from NY since I don't have to buy a plane ticket and im literally 10 mins away from the port by taxi. Yea I've thought about maybe cruising during the school year with the school holidays but idk yet :P still pondering that idea.*highly unlikely* lol I feel like i'd rather cruise next time in mid August instead of July.

I would HIGHLY recommend the Breakaway (or whichever ship takes its place in 2018) to Bermuda during the summer. It's a fantastic island and the entire trip is far more laid back with the single port of call over 3 days. My mom's a teacher, and we're actually doing the Boston>Bermuda itinerary on Dawn in a few weeks before she has to go back to work, but I've also done NYC>Bermuda solo and it's a great trip!

ahh good idea. However that does mean traveling to another state to get my cruise of course. I've been spoiled since I was able to get on my cruise from NY since I live in the city. And I'm a teacher so I know i'll see the kids when im off. I thought about cruising during the holiday/spring breaks but I hear its a lot of kids too.

Unless I'm reading this as you moved out of NY, you can get on a cruise from Manhattan year-round, as NCL has ships departing from there year-round. I've done the Bermuda itinerary in July and the Bahamas in February, both solo and out of NYC.

As for the crowds of kids, it's not as bad during the summer, compared to February/April/Christmas vacations. Since it's a 3 month period, there are a lot of families, but also a lot of 20s/30s who have time off as well. And with the Breakaway/Epic Class ships, the studios help keep the price down for solo cruisers, with the added benefit of rooms that, while well appointed, encourage you to spend your time elsewhere on the ship.

Not technically a doc, but a credit card to set up on-board charges

I'm 30 now, and took my first solo cruise when I was 27. I was on NCL Breakaway, so my experience is from a ship that caters (in some ways) to solo travelers. They had meet and greets scheduled each day, which was better attended early in the week, and was a good way to meet other solos. You're also not limited to just meeting other solo travelers, that's the great thing! I've sailed with groups of friends before, but you don't want to spending every waking minute with the same people, so we would strike out and meet other people too. If anything, you're better positioned to meet people because everyone is in vacation mode, which in my experience makes most people more outgoing and willing to chat with a stranger.

I'm going to start with your 2nd and 3rd questions, and recommend Norwegian Cruise Line or Royal Caribbean if you want good nightlife. NCL puts an emphasis on its themed parties, and RCI has been making a big push to reach out to younger cruisers with their new ships.

When it comes specifically to Australia, it looks like Royal Caribbean has more of the itineraries you're looking for, with several ships departing Sydney with stops in Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Loyalty Island. If you can hold out, I've heard Ovation of the Seas (one of their newest ships) is quite nice. If you're looking for Asian itineraries, you may have to be willing to fly north to somewhere like Shanghai. That's where Quantum of the Seas (another brand new megaship) is based, sailing to a variety of Asian ports of call. An advantage to Quantum is it has studio cabins that are specifically designed for a solo cruiser and don't carry the dreaded Single Supplement (where they make you pay for 2 people in a room, even though you're the only one). Fortunately both company's websites make it easy to narrow searches based on date of the trip, ship, or departure port.

As for meeting other solo cruisers, it's as easy as you make it. Every solo cruise I've done has, at the very least, had solo cruisers Meet and Greets on the first night or two of the trip. On NCL ships with studio cabins, they have a meet up every night in the studio lounge area, which is usually better attended early in the cruise as people make friends and form their own little social groups.

Hope this helps, and welcome to the magical world of solo cruising!

Every time this poster posts, there are a few who take the bait.

At some point I expect their username will switch to TheAnswerMaySurpriseYou or TheAnswerToThisQuestionAndMoreComingUpOnActionNews8

I'll be checking off a bucket list trip when I go solo to New Zealand for the December 9 2017 cruise on Celebrity Solstice. Can't wait!

I did Solstice last summer to Alaska, fantastic ship! I suspect it's even more fun in warm weather where you can take full advantage of the real grass area on the top deck!

I would 100% recommend the 7 day over the 5 day. Having the extra 20 hours gives you that extra bit of time as you explore the island. A lot of the tours and excursions on Bermuda are at least a half day, so it's nice to have that extra time to also tour on your own, whether it's shopping in Hamilton, the National Museum in the Dockyard, or any of the locally run historical tours in St. George. The 5 day just offers too little time, especially as the only port of call for the entire cruise.

Booked in the Studios on Epic March 24-31, for my First Annual 30th Birthday Re-Do! Only my second time fully solo (have gone single along with "couple" friends) so any advice is appreciated