kikimom

Paul Gauguin is offering zero single supplement on select cruises. 

https://www.pgcruises.com/promotions/solo-travelers-save?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=us_ofr_oce_pg_bkg_13378_b2c_solo_travelers_jan24

29 minutes ago, Iamthesea said:

Could you point to where you have seen this?  I cannot find anything. All I see is the following:

Drydock: Carnival Sunshine – January 4, 2025 – February 15, 2025

I don't remember exactly where I saw it, but it likely was in a comment on a thread here.

I believe the ship is due to go to dry dock for refreshing next month.  I was on it last month and thought it was definitely time for that, but did not find it dirty - just well-worn.

My husband passed unexpectedly earlier this year.  I took my first solo cruise two weeks ago - a short 5 day to Nassau.  Sort of a test trip prior to a three week adventure to Rome with a 17 day transatlantic cruise to NYC that I'm taking next month.

I really enjoyed the freedom that traveling solo provides - not having to share the cabin.  Going to bed & rising when I wanted.  Doing whatever I chose to do.  I found it very easy to strike up conversations and met some fabulous people.  There were times I keenly missed my husband, so I took time to remember the great vacations we'd had & shed a few tears.  But, I'm determined to focus on the positives.  I learned long ago that I can determine my mood by choosing to be grateful and joyful for past experiences, current situations, and adventures to come.

Hope you have a terrific trip!

Was on the Sunshine a week ago.  Always love your reviews and this one will help me relive my recent one!

On 9/19/2022 at 9:19 AM, kikimom said:

My husband died unexpectedly in January of this year.  We had so many plans to travel with one cruise (September 2023) already booked.  I realized that no one is promised tomorrow, so I began to explore solo travel.  Cruising is my favorite way of getting from here to there, so, thanks to this board, I learned of the MSC Seascape inaugural TA coming up in November & booked it!  Also saw a good solo fare for a quick 5 day Carnival cruise out of Charleston & am leaving next week for that cruise - sort of a test drive for traveling solo.  Thanks to all those here who have provided firsthand experiences and encouragement to just get out there & get traveling!

Back from my first "test drive" solo cruise.  Hurricane Ian provided some anxious moments (wondering if Charleston would get hit hard & my car parked outside at the port flooded or swept away), but gave us a bonus day onboard which was lovely!  Found I had no trouble striking up conversations with people anywhere/anytime and loved the freedom of having the cabin to myself & not having to coordinate with another person.  But, I did keenly miss my husband.  It was a bittersweet trip. 

I'm questioning if I ventured out too soon after his death and if a three week trip (17 day TA) in just 45 days will be too much for me???  Have to figure it out quickly.  I welcome others thoughts/experiences  on this.  TIA

My husband died unexpectedly in January of this year.  We had so many plans to travel with one cruise (September 2023) already booked.  I realized that no one is promised tomorrow, so I began to explore solo travel.  Cruising is my favorite way of getting from here to there, so, thanks to this board, I learned of the MSC Seascape inaugural TA coming up in November & booked it!  Also saw a good solo fare for a quick 5 day Carnival cruise out of Charleston & am leaving next week for that cruise - sort of a test drive for traveling solo.  Thanks to all those here who have provided firsthand experiences and encouragement to just get out there & get traveling!

Loving your review!  I'm on the Sunshine in 19 days (Spa balcony-5 day Bahamas) and have one of the L-shaped balcony cabins for an 8 day eastern Caribbean cruise next September.  Thanks for sharing!

Answered my own question by searching on the webpage - bottle of wine per adult is still allowed.

Just got an email about my upcoming Bahama's cruise which said:

I've never gotten an email with an upgrade offer, but have gotten one on my manage your cruise page on the website.  Just got one this morning - upgrade from deck 2 interior to Spa Balcony on deck 11 for $250 & I'm sailing solo.  Check there frequently.

I'm hopeful that the ship will be ready on time, but let's say it's not and my scheduled sailing is cancelled.  I'd get FCC and could rebook, right?  So, if it was ready in January or February, I could rebook the Rome to NYC 17 night cruise.  It could be higher priced or the cabin I initially had might not be available, but I could use my FCC (and other $$ as needed) to rebook, right?

I am booked on the inaugural cruise of the Seascape and wondered what happens if the ship is not ready by then?  Would I still get to travel on the inaugural trip if those dates work with my schedule? 

2 hours ago, shipgeeks said:

Tap water (in your cabin) is fine.  We pack a wide-mouth water bottle for each cruise, and just fill it in the cabin and/or buffet (from a glass, not directly from the dispenser).

Thanks.  I always bring a large water bottle, too.

16 hours ago, bones774 said:

This is what it says on Booking Summary page:

MINERAL WATER AND COFFEE IN DINING ROOM

That doesn't bode well.  Need to study the drink packages - with so many sea days, it might make sense to get one.

12 hours ago, bones774 said:

Ha ha, I grew up in the boros, NYC but right now i'm sitting in my camp at the Great Sacandaga, you should know it?

Know it well!  I lived in NYC for a decade after college graduation and Northern NJ for the next decade before the South lured me away.

5 hours ago, bones774 said:

you and I are looking at the same cruise. i hope to use the same strategy too. I had so much Pellegrino at end of last cruise i had to leave it in the cabin. There was also spring water choices. They call the waters either Gas or Flat.

See you onboard

 

PS-print out the portion of contract that says waters included in case you have to do maitre'd thing again

Hope to run into you onboard!  Where's home for you in NY?  I was born & grew up in Schenectady.

16 hours ago, bones774 said:

When i sailed MSC before covid with USA ticket purchase, there was initially some confusion about the water deal but after speaking with maitr d they straighteend it out. i was able to horde water, pellegrino, during meal times and picked up at the bars.

Thanks.  I drink a gal. or more of water every day.  I don't mind filtered water but my cabin is a good ways from the buffet.  Hopefully, I'll be able to use your strategy.

8 hours ago, perakcruiser said:

 

OK, one important thing you need to know (for all cruise lines). If you ask anything you need to provide the information WHERE you booked the cruise. If you booked this Italy to USA cruise with MSC USA or MSC Italy that makes a huge difference. Or MSC UK, MSC Germany, MSC Singapore, different legal systems, different terms and conditions. Totally different.

 

If the gratuities are automatically charged to your onboard account? - Depends on where you booked.

 

If the gratuities can be adapted/removed? - Depends on where you booked. Most markets even cannot remove if beaten up but the staff directly after embarkation (happens not too often).

 

If you get free water in the dining room? - Depends on where you booked.

 

If you get free coffee in the dining room? - That privilege seems to be restricted to the British only 😄

 

One thing is the same for all. 24 hours free water, coffee and tea (and milk) at the drinks stations in the buffet. So if you have no drinks package it is a good idea to select a cabin close to the buffet. If you have a cabin front ship on a lower deck you will probably die of thirst on the way there. Life saving 1 liter bottle mineral water should be €2,90 plus Service Charge.

Thanks for all the info. 

10 hours ago, Heartgrove said:

 

Here is the answer to one of your questions on the website.

 

https://www.msccruisesusa.com/manage-booking/before-you-go/service-charges

Thanks - I must have used the wrong words (gratuities, maybe?) when I searched.

I just booked the Seascape inaugural cruise in Nov. from Rome to NY & I have tons of questions that I haven't been able to find the answers to at the MSC website.

How much are gratuities/day and are they automatically charged to your onboard account?

I am sailing solo in an interior room, fantastica level - is the coffee & water only available in dining venues?  I drink lots of water and if it's not available anytime, I might have to take a more serious look at the easy drink package.  If I had to purchase bottled water, how much is it?

Not in YC, so what dining venues will be open to me - both included and upcharge?

I'm sure I'll think of more questions, but that's enough for now.

Thanks in advance for any assistance!

Solo on MSC Seascape Nov. 19 - Dec. 6, Rome to NYC.

June 2021

https://www.hollandamerica.com/blog/topics/news/holland-america-line-extends-pause-of-cruise-operations-through-dec-15-2020/

Wonder how long before other Carnival Corp brands follow?

She is one of my favorite reviewers - so much fun!

Willdra's Bodacious CarnivalBreeze April 27-May 4 Cruise