calliopecruiser

I think a longer cruise is better with respect to getting to know people, because they're more likely to be more sociable because they'll see you more often.

Avoiding airports with a cruise vacation only applies to a small number of cruisers -- when I book a cruise, I still have airports (and air fares) to deal with. The only difference is whether I go to a hotel or a cruise port after I get off the plane.

Eating alone in a "fancy" dining room -- I don't like it on land, either. I don't mind a more casual restaurant, because I don't feel uncomfortable with a book or my phone during a meal in that setting, but in a more formal environment I feel uncomfortable reading my phone or a book. It seems to get in the way of the fancy table setting or the serving by the staff or something.

I'm looking at a Petra excursion by Jordan Horizons that specifically picks us up at the port, gives us an English speaking driver to Petra, and a few hours with a Petra guide from Petra (i.e. does not work for the tour company) - then back to the ship with the driver. Admission included, but the price (about US$250 per person for 2) seems too low. But they have excellent reviews, for what that's worth.

I don't drink much alcohol either, but I still want an "all inclusive" line -- my experience is better with all-inclusive, even if I don't consume as much food or alcohol as others.

People want things cheap, and then they want them cheaper - so many cruise lines have obliged. Cruise prices are falling, or at least barely rising, over the last several decades -- all the while cruise line prices for goods and services have increased. So, that means that they have no option but to spend less on each passenger for food, facilities, and amenities. In the late 1980s, Carnival was offering a 3 day Caribbean getaway for about $325 per person; now, it a little under half that amount. The cruise line that became Royal Caribbean had a week long Alaska cruise from Vancouver for $700 per person, but now that can be had for about $400-$450. If you want cruise lines to offer the level of service, facilities, and amenities they did 20 years ago, be prepared to spend more than you did 20 years ago, because the cruise line is spending more too. Get off the mainline cruise ships that cater to those who want the lowest prices, and sail with another line who charges more, but offers more.

The airlines got it all wrong -- they should be offering a free checked bag, and charging for any carry-on bigger than the underseat compartment.

Not nonsense, just different -- different wants, needs, and expectations. Travelling solo, my cruises are about $700-$900 per day, and yours are $100 per day (assuming solos pay double)........as long as we both get what we want and were expecting for our vacation budget, neither option is "nonsense".

Yes - as I said, for those making a strictly financial decision - looking for the cheapest option - it's easy to make a choice. But I'm not sure why you put that as a response to a post of mine - "cheap" is not a word that I even consider when I look for a cruise. For me, the cost or even the amenities aren't as important as the experience, and the "all-inclusive" experience is very different, IMO, than the experience on mass-market lines where passengers may or may not have pre-paid some things, and where extra tipping of staff, in cash, is common. YMMV.

Any recommendations for more "modern" places to see in Athens? By that, I mean not related to ancient Greece (i.e. not the Acropolis or its slopes, not the ancient Agora or the Temple of Zeus, etc). Modern museums or art galleries? Architecture?

No, you can't....You still have to show them your card when you get your drinks or go to a specialty restaurant, for instance, to show to them you've paid in advance. Showing them your cruise card is no different than showing them your credit card - you still have to give them "payment".

Ha! Neither am I.....it's one of the great marketing fakeries of luxury cruises. Perhaps in days gone by, when people packed and carried a lot more, but these days, more people are packing lighter and dressing more casually. that's the old "penny wise and pound foolish" situation right there. Very true.

If all you care about is the cost, then the answer is easy. If you care about the experience, then it might (or might not) make a difference, and the answer isn't as easy. I'd rather take a $4000 cruise and pay $4000 for it, than take a $1000 cruise and pay $2000 for it. YMMV.

There are several cruise lines that are virtually-all-inclusive; you'll pay more for the experience, but the experience is different. I think it's better -- I don't like having to "pay" for anything once I've paid for my cruise, whether I pay in cash or pay by swiping my card. I prefer not to even consider money when I'm on vacation, and premium or luxury cruise lines are just about the only way to do it. Whether you'll think the different atmosphere is worth the extra cost of the cruise is up to you.

That's the reason I started to travel solo too -- not as young as you (I think I was 29). I started with road trip vacations, since I didn't want to cruise then.

After a month or so of being with that small group, many of them won't be "strangers" - you'll be seeing many of the same people at restaurants, pool-side, or excursions. You'll get to feel you know a little about them after seeing them and overhearing bits and pieces of conversation as you cruise. Don't push yourself to be someone you're not, but don't limit yourself to only being who you were before, either. You don't have to "make friends" with people, but you also don't have to be alone -- even just being compatriots who share similar adventures will be a good start. You could start with a comment about a shared experience - a food you both ordered, or a place you both visited. If their answers are abrupt and perfunctory, that tells you all you need to know about them (that they're closed off socially), and it's not about you - so move on, and a little later try the same thing again with someone else. You can do the same with a favourite pastime that you might engage in on board, like knitting, putting together a jigsaw, or reading on deck.......you'll find many will comment on what you're working on/reading, and you can do the same. Again, it's a shared experience. If you find yourself at a group seating event (a large dining table, or a bus or something) try choosing a seat in the middle, and allow other people to sit around you -- that way you won't feel awkward trying to choose a seat, and you won't be tempted to sit on your own to avoid the stress of choosing who to sit with. You have the opportunity for small talk if you wish, but you don't need to - you can just smile pleasantly, say hello, and read your book (or eat your meal). Or you can practice small talk (it's a learned skill, like any other), and eventually you'll discover it will either lead you to better conversations (yea), or it will be an unexciting way to pass the time (not the end of the world) and you start fresh the next day. In general, most longer-cruising passengers (i.e. longer than a week's cruise) are laid back and friendly after the first couple of weeks that allowed them to relax from their home stressors. They're usually also very open to meeting new people. See if the ship's library has any games or cards, and invite someone to play Scrabble or cribbage or something too. And remember one of the things another passenger said to me on my first solo cruise: "You're cruising alone, aren't you? I wish I was!".........Not everyone cruising with someone is happy they're cruising with that someone - they may be looking to share conversation or a game of cards with someone else. Don't limit yourself to other people cruising solo. Go, have a great time!

Yup - from the company's point of view - they're perfectly happy for solo cruisers who are willing to pay as if 2 people were sharing the cabin . But from the cruiser's point of view -- they know they're taking up fewer resources and paying the same (i.e. as if 2 people were there), so it's no wonder they feel "gouged" at paying double. I know I do, and I won't pay double to cruise alone in a cabin. I'm OK and understanding about paying a supplement, but not double - that's gouging me.

No, it's not the same -- you're paying for the use of the space, but you're also paying for food and drink, and activities. A solo traveller may use the same cabin space, but they use less space in the theatre or swimming pool. They eat and drink less than two people sharing a cabin, and they use less laundry than a pair of people too.

Who cares why she didn't have anything other than sweatpants to wear? Really.....I feel badly for her. She might have not have had the time or money to buy some new clothes - especially in London, which isn't cheap, especially for their expected celebratory meals. She might not have been an easy fit, so it's not as simple as popping in to a nearby and inexpensive shop to buy something. Much gossip about a stranger's reasons for something that shouldn't bother anyone.

Has anyone had good experiences with a 3rd party excursion from the port at Aqaba to Petra that they'd like to recommend? Anyone have bad experiences they'd like to share? Given the distance from the port and what I've heard is a rather laid-back attitude to time schedules, I'm worried about the timing. Probably needlessly, but asking for others' experiences is always a good idea.

I'll be arriving on Seabourn at 7am - ish on Wednesday in early December, and leaving Friday at about 2 am -ish; I'm a 60 year old woman travelling solo, and I'm a kind of DIY tourist. My current plan is to stay on the airport side of the creek, probably the Radisson Blu, and primarily use the Metro and abra to get around to see some things I'm interested in. I like culture, history, and architecture, and I really really want to see the Museum of the Future and the Frame more than I want to see Burj Kalifa. I'm considering a marine tour around the Palm to see Dubai from the water side (when I'm awake, unlike when the ship comes in to port), but otherwise I'd like to get around and see things on my own, and I find taking public transit is a good way to get a feel for the place I'm visiting. I know Dubai is not really a pedestrian-friendly place, even in December weather, but I like setting my own pace. Are there any rooftop restaurants or lounges that you could recommend to me for an evening visit, even if I'm on my own? Any other suggestions welcome.

You could ask a travel agent and save yourself the hassle of doing dummy bookings.

Vancouver is already interesting - they don't need to do anything to tart it up. You have a great city waiting there, and you're upset that they didn't make it "interesting" enough for you while you wait out a technical problem???

LOL! I like options. It really isn't a big deal on a big cruise (as you said), but it's just a surprise (to me) that there's only one location on the ship. It won't make or break my cruising decision.

My pattern is not to travel with enough clothes for 3 weeks without laundry, so waiting until I accumulate enough to fill a laundry bag isn't a very attractive option. I guess they figure that their clientele are not the "self-serve laundry" types, or they figure that their clientele don't mind spending an extra $50-100 on laundry. The lack of included laundry options (other than my bathroom sink) is a real puzzler on a line like Seabourn.