saatuk

I travel solo. I leave the HSC in place. Since I rarely see the Main Dining Room (from New Orleans, do not cruise for the food), I cannot speak to that. However, I always tip my steward in advance, room service, and bartenders. Oh, and the wonderful members of the crew who get me on/off the ship in a wheelchair!

 

Thank you for mentioning the bartenders. They aren't often mentioned. As a solo cruiser I regularly sit at the bars and appreciate the attention I get - and yes, I have often had bartenders go way above what's necessary.

 

P.S..Hopefully those who travel SOLO more often like Ruth, will weigh in here..

 

 

As solo cruisers many of us don't know how much couples are tipping their room stewards so can't really comment on the comparison. I like to think the tips I leave are generous.

To not have a dry cleaner closer than 20 miles shocks me.

 

 

Lots of people in this world live farther than 20 miles from _any_ town. It's actually quite common. It's a rare small town that has a dry cleaner. For that one usually needs a city, and there are even less people who have one of those within 20 miles.

So far people seem to be ignoring the major factor that is the weather.

 

A couple of years ago, in early December cruising the Bay of Biscay I knew I wouldn't be sitting out so booked an inside. (I never saw anyone in a pool :) ) Last December, for contrast, I went to South America, so I considered a balcony important.

 

To me it comes down to the amount of use the balcony will get.

Totally depends on the destination. In many European cities, I almost never book a ship excursion, because I'm very comfortable toddling around by myself. When I was in South America, I was less comfortable, so I did mostly ship trips.

 

 

I totally agree. In December I was in Callao/Lima and wouldn't dare go around alone there. Other South American ports varied, but even one that looked OK to me (Valparaiso, Chile), the guide (private excursion) had people wrapping camera straps around arms, etc due to theft. I've not felt uneasy in the main part of any European city. The Caribbean Islands are a breeze. I don't have enough experience of Central America to give advice.

]We now seem to have a destination concierge….i don’t have a clue why or what she does vs the excursion desk, but seems like she has some special tours and private things.. I’l find out more….and who has access to her.

[/font]

 

Some of us used her (Marina) on one of the earlier cruises for the Lima stop. We booked a van with driver and guide with her and the price was very reasonable ($40 per person).

Honfleur - took the ship excursion, but left the guide and walked around by myself. Really enjoyed it and accidently found a butterfly greenhouse (past the main part of town headed towards the Seine). Lovely church, and I don't usually bother with them. It probably would have been cheaper to take a taxi.

 

From Le Havre - I haven't seen anyone yet mention Mont St Michel. Being close enough to get there was one of the main reasons I booked one of those cruises. It's a bit of a trek, but the Mont is a special place.

I would assume since the ship has almost 2 full days in BA next weekend they will repair it there and probably ship the life boat there. I am so glad that ship is sailing, I am also on that cruise next weekend.

 

Ship _anything_ from the Falklands to Argentina? Surely you jest. Argentina still thinks they should own the Falklands.

[quote=vacation luvver;41098619 A solo who drinks will spend more on cocktails than a couple who are teetotalers. A solo who books the ship's shore excursions will spend more than a couple who go sightseeing on their own. A solo who plays Bingo will spend more than a couple who don't play Bingo. A solo who eats in surcharge restaurants will pay more than a couple who do not. And on and on.

 

 

While you're right, as others have pointed out they go by 'average spending'. I just wonder if they really calculate this or just assume that it's the case.

 

I'm recently home from 22 days of b2b cruises I sat at tables of 8 on both cruises and on the 22 days I was the only person to buy a bottle of wine and, being a wine lover, I bought one every day (and brought the remainder to my room for lunch the next day). I spent way more than the other 14 people combined (occasionally someone would buy a glass of wine). I seriously wonder if this made the statistics.

 

Interestingly my preceeding cruise put together a table of solos. There were 3 out of 7 who bought a bottle of wine every day, and most of the others bought one occasionally and if they didn't they bought a glass of wine.

 

I know it's apocryphal, but I really wonder what the statistics say or if they just assume.

We used to enjoy walking to town from Havensight. It was just a right distance for us. We never felt safe or comfortable walking from Crown Bay and it is a bit further.

 

 

Of course this being the internet, someone has a different point of view :) I quite enjoy the walk from Crown Bay. I'm ready for a couple of beers when I get to town.

I'm late to the fray here, but I'll jump in anyway. :) In a way I understand the OP's concerns, but I think the OP has too high expectations. I've sailed solo on Carnival, Princess, and Celebrity and will be on Westerdam in a few days (8 :)) and expect the same there. I don't expect any extra consideration from the CD's staff - maybe because it doesn't happen, and it doesn't. Should it happen - I don't know and don't really care. I've not been on a cruise that I haven't met lots of people and had numerous cruise friends. I talk to people, sit on bar stools, share taxis or excursions, sit at the biggest tables available, and look out for myself. I'd probably be annoyed if the staff tried to arrange things for me.

 

I'm happy cruising but do feel sad for people who have troubles. I hope the OP can find a good fit.

Some roll calls take on a life of their own, some are stillborn. QUOTE]

 

I'm on one that's past final payment and there are 16 posts. 16! Now it's a Caribbean cruise and it's easier to do those without organizing, but 16!?

 

Meanwhile, the best organized roll call I've been on, also past final payment is over 700 and just starting to get rolling.

 

In other words, you're absolutely right.

I'm looking forward to this one. Just a lovely 15 day itinerary.

 

I'll actually be doing it as the back half of a btb. I'll be doing a 7 day Caribbean out of FLL before it, but I'm waiting to book a ship (3 available) until after final payments, hoping for a good deal.

whatsinport.com is a good source of information for ports. Usually pretty good, but occasionally off.

[quote name='sussanahrose']Would some kind person please explain the bar setup package - understand it's around $80 and you get a bottle of your choice of spirit, mixers and ice but is this just ONE bottle of spirits for the duration of the cruise, if so, it's a very expensive bottle, and on the other hand a very cheap alternative to going to the bar!!?

Appreciate helpful comments, thanks.[/QUOTE]


You get ONE ONLY one-litre bottle and you choose it when you buy the package. Yes, it's an expensive bottle, but it's convenient. :) You also get some mixers. I've only done this once, but my room steward asked me which mixers I'd like. There was also a small box of snacks, which was pistacchio's, etc. The ice is replenished regularly (if there's a knock at the door it's probably more ice).

We also bring a small can of Febreze and I spray the drapes, throw pillows and other fabric surfaces.

 

 

Please don't do that! Think of the next people to use the cabin who may be allergic to various chemical smells - and febreze is certainly something that triggers my allergies. You could screw up their vacation.

Ship - Equinox

Deck - 7

Cabin # - 7210

Class – 2A

Starboard or Port Side - Starboard

Bed near?(balcony or bath) – Balcony

 

Quiet Cabin (With comments on problems. Note if connecting. ) – yes

 

Balcony View - Give comments on view, noting if location of any obstructions was an issue. – Between the two 'humps' so can't see either forward or aft. Not really a problem

 

Balcony Size? Normal or oversized for class? - Normal

 

Was wind a problem? No

 

If an aft cabin, was soot a problem? N/A

 

Any specific problems with this cabin? No

 

Any other comments?