Solo Cruiser's Roll Call

[farmersfight]

18 hours ago, DSJ28 said:

I'm pretty excited to have my first solo planned for later this year.  MSC Divina - wonderfully affordable balcony to launch my solo experience the right way 🙂

 

I saw your other post about this in the "POST Single supplement/Solo bargains HERE" thread (which I replied to). Again, congrats and I hope she sails!

Edited March 29, 2021 by farmersfight

[DSJ28]

On 3/29/2021 at 1:27 PM, aVacation4me said:

All time best cruise was solo to Alaska! A little 70th birthday splurge, aft concierge cabin on Celebrity Solstice. I loved it, was treated like royalty. as far as dining, there were many options...could sit alone at my window side table, ask to be seated with a random group, eat at the buffet, or choose room service. I ate many meals, by choice, on my (larger than those beside mine, 2152) balcony...yes, food was hot when it arrived. Loved the buffet for breakfast and sometimes lunch because of the variety, but dinner on the balcony or MDR was the best (MDR with and w/o the company of others). I was welcomed by the small groups on the Juneau whale watching tour and on the sea plane tour in Ketchikan. Dining with new groups was always a good time, and I was often invited by those I sat with to have drinks with them afterwords. Staff was the best, catering to my every whim, such a pleasure! I met with the concierge manager and we got along so well he sent me flowers and chocolate covered strwberries, and the young man even escorted me to my seat for dinner one evening, where two ladies my age sitting nearby were obviously jealous, one uttered, "well, la de dah." (their reaction was very satisfying, thank you). Loved that I went where I wanted, when I wanted, and best of all, could keep my cabin cold, which I prefer. Embrace the solo trip, smile at everyone, and for timid folk, I guarantee the solo trip will be a great experience.

Thanks for sharing this!  The Solstice is beautiful - I'd love to see Alaska on her decks!  I'm thrilled to know you had a great time and I'm confident I will as well. 

[DSJ28]

On 3/29/2021 at 2:10 PM, farmersfight said:

 

I saw your other post about this in the "POST Single supplement/Solo bargains HERE" thread (which I replied to). Again, congrats and I hope she sails!

Hi Mr Awesome Future Cruise guy! I am trying to get my list to be half as glorious as yours.  I've scheduled two trips after my solo, both with friends.  I'm looking forward to them, but this solo trip feels...I don't know... special.  Like I've got a date with my favorite person...ME!!  

[farmersfight]

2 minutes ago, DSJ28 said:

Hi Mr Awesome Future Cruise guy! I am trying to get my list to be half as glorious as yours.  I've scheduled two trips after my solo, both with friends.  I'm looking forward to them, but this solo trip feels...I don't know... special.  Like I've got a date with my favorite person...ME!!  

 

"Mr. Awesome Future Cruise guy", wow, thanks (I'm blushing). All my future booked cruises have been made possible by me being retired (all that free time on my hands), my decision to make cruising my RAOC (retired activity of choice) and me being addicted to ships. Well, I recently booked cruise #12 & 13 (Ovation OTS). Cruise #14 (Ovation OTS from Honolulu to Vancouver) is "on my radar" and will be booked as soon as RCI opens up the booking calender out that far. Thanks again for the compliment regarding the length of my future (booked) cruise list!

[DSJ28]

3 minutes ago, farmersfight said:

 

"Mr. Awesome Future Cruise guy", wow, thanks (I'm blushing). All my future booked cruises have been made possible by me being retired (all that free time on my hands), my decision to make cruising my RAOC (retired activity of choice) and me being addicted to ships. Well, I recently booked cruise #12 & 13 (Ovation OTS). Cruise #14 (Ovation OTS from Honolulu to Vancouver) is "on my radar" and will be booked as soon as RCI opens up the booking calender out that far. Thanks again for the compliment regarding the length of my future (booked) cruise list!

Excellent!  Well deserved retirement time, I'm sure!  Which cruise are you most looking forward to? I see you have two transatlantic trips planned.  There's nothing better than sea days to me - so of course, this is on my short list for 2023.  I want to fly to Europe and cruise home.  I've reached a point in my career where I can take 3 or 4 weeks off if I plan far enough in advance and with limited access for urgent business matters.  After this first solo trip, I'll know better if I am comfortable doing a TA solo.  

[farmersfight]

16 minutes ago, DSJ28 said:

Excellent!  Well deserved retirement time, I'm sure!  Which cruise are you most looking forward to? I see you have two transatlantic trips planned.  There's nothing better than sea days to me - so of course, this is on my short list for 2023.  I want to fly to Europe and cruise home.  I've reached a point in my career where I can take 3 or 4 weeks off if I plan far enough in advance and with limited access for urgent business matters.  After this first solo trip, I'll know better if I am comfortable doing a TA solo.  

 

I have 2 TA's planned? Wow, I need to go back and look at my list; I've lost track, lol. As far as the cruise I am most looking forward to; I'd have to say the last one I booked- the Ovation OTS B2B (which will become a B2B2B). 10-day NZ cruise followed by a 17-day TP from Sydney to Honolulu. Now I need to get from Honolulu to Vancouver (the cruise that is "on my radar").

Edited March 31, 2021 by farmersfight

[Summerstravel]

Solo cruised booked on the Norwegian Joy out of Jamaica on September 11 2021. My 4th cruise was cancelled from a US port so I am going to try something different. This will be my first solo cruise and first time in Jamaica. I plan on staying a few nights in Jamaica pre cruise.  The prices are really good for this cruise so I booked a balcony.  

Tracie 

[farmersfight]

20 hours ago, Summerstravel said:

Solo cruised booked on the Norwegian Joy out of Jamaica on September 11 2021. My 4th cruise was cancelled from a US port so I am going to try something different. This will be my first solo cruise and first time in Jamaica. I plan on staying a few nights in Jamaica pre cruise.  The prices are really good for this cruise so I booked a balcony.  

Tracie 

 

I think we're on the same frequency Tracie, as I recently booked the Norwegian Gem out of Dominican Republic on September 12, 2021. Again, same as you, this will be my first solo cruise and I booked a balcony. Here's a difference; I'll be staying 4 nights (vice a few) in the Dominican Republic pre-cruise.

[GTVCRUISER]

 Just booked the Koningsdam  Dec.5 2021 out of San Diego to Mexico 

[coastcat]

Oh, so many changes… to my great amusement, there is only one cruise I had booked for this year that is still on the schedule. Of all cruises, it’s the weekend Carnival Radiance sailing - the one I booked just because I thought it would be funny to see how I coped with a weekend cruise. 
 

I was booked for the Jamaica debut of Joy but changed that in favor of the August 7 Bliss debut; a week later the Joy sailings were cancelled anyway. All my travel arrangements were refundable so no harm done (although not all the Joy passengers can say that, unfortunately). 
 

The current 2021 lineup:

August 7, NCL Bliss to Alaska, Studio

September 5, Majestic Princess to Alaska, obstructed balcony

December 3, Carnival Radiance to Mexico, small interior

December 6, Navigator of the Seas to Mexico, promenade view interior

 

(I cancelled both the October MSC and Christmas NCL cruises because 2022 is going to be expensive…)

 

2022:

February, Mariner of the Seas, western Caribbean, aft balcony

March, Celebrity Edge to Eastern Caribbean, Single Infinite Veranda

May, Carnival Magic, Eastern Caribbean, cove balcony

June (lift & shift from 2021), Quantum OTS to Alaska, Studio Balcony

September, NCL Prima inaugural transatlantic, Studio 

 

NCL FCC covers all the Bliss cruise plus a good chunk of the Prima one. I’ve got 2020 pricing on Quantum, thank goodness. 
 

Now, where the heck did I store my cruise gear?

[Crew News]

Just found this thread and thought a Holland America Line (HAL) point of view might be helpful to those solos planning future cruises.

 

I have been a solo cruiser since 2016 and find that my cruise time is filled with gathering information for my "Live from.the.." thread I post each day on the Holland America Forum.  Armed with my portable scanner, I collect dining and bar menus, special events fliers, and Shops liquor price lists.  Once in awhile, I will take my infrared thermometer to check minibar and Room Service food temps to factually contribute to HAL Forum discussions.  My information gathering has brought a lot of interaction with crew members who remember me on subsequent cruises. It also earned me a thumb drive with more than 2400 HAL recipes.

 

Paying the 100% solo surcharge of 100% on HAL is not enjoyable but necessary.  The Carnival Cruise Line stockholders on board credit (OBC) is a nice plus when it is not shared with a traveling partner.  After many HAL cruises and frequent interaction with the crew, I have learned a lot of tips to enhance my cruising   experiences.

 

My hobby and reason for cruising is searching for interesting-photograph subjects in ports so the ship is not my destination and needs only to be a comfortable respite when port photography is ended.  That being said, a covered aft balcony where I can take photos of the scenery on both sides of the ship is a huge ship plus to me.  The latter translates to fully-covered Deck 5 balconies on Vista-class HAL ships, especially in Alaska.

 

I have met many solos through HAL roll calls who just want a good/relaxing vacation and the ship is everything to them.  Solos can have amazing times even if they never leave the ship. 

 

Like me, add a purpose to seek information that you can share with others.  Many spend their cruise time managing families and don't have the time to gather that a solo does.  Keep a little notebook with you to record useful tips, amazing menu items, packing tips, etc. that you can share here on CC.  Also record crew names so that if you see them again, they will remember you for asking their names.  Drop a Comment card at the Front Desk as soon as possible (not at the end of the cruise).  Their smile of gratitude will brighten your day.

 

My most interesting dining event occurred at a large table with bot solos and couples.  A solo Polish surgeon, covered in expensive jewelry (several rings on each finger, bracelets, and necklaces) admitted to cruising to meet her seventh husband.  The previous six all died of natural causes.

 

As a solo, I have learned to seize the moment to not only enjoy myself but to give a bit of advice to my fellow cruisers when I return.

 

My upcoming cruises on HAL are Caribbean in both Nov and Dec this year, Pacific Coastal and Alaska April 2022, and Panama Canal Nov 23.

 

[coastcat]

1 hour ago, Crew News said:

Many spend their cruise time managing families and don't have the time to gather that a solo does. 

I think that's one of the joys of cruising solo. I'm not coordinating schedules or making compromises. It's a chance to focus on doing things I want to do, including nothing at all.

[Lois R]

8 hours ago, coastcat said:

I think that's one of the joys of cruising solo. I'm not coordinating schedules or making compromises. It's a chance to focus on doing things I want to do, including nothing at all.

I echo you 100%👍.....besides, in my case, I have nobody to travel with so it is really good I love going on my own!

[enyliram]

hi sailing solo on regal princess dec 4 2021.

[gailellen12]

I will be solo on the Viking Orion cruise around Bermuda that begins on August 3.     I have done solos before so no problem.  Teaching this year was quite exhausting - even though I am only part time.  Looking forward to my time (planned and unplanned) on this luxurious  ship.  Gailellen12

[Lois R]

Hi Solos, it is JUNE😃 and so now I can say, I  SAIL NEXT MONTH👍😃🙂

[Midwestern Cruiser]

Just booked a HAL B2B!  Great deal on Nieuw Amsterdam Feb 19 & 26 (buy separately).
Hope I'll bump into some of you there :-}

[reeinaz]

NCL Breakaway 9/26/21 NYC to Bermuda

CCL Horizon B2B 12/5 and 12/11 Miami to western and southern Caribbean 

CCL Conquest 1/17/22 Miami to Bahamas

NCL Jewel 3/2/22 Panama Canal

 

[journeymore]

Celebrity Apex December 27th 

 

[GTVCRUISER]

I am addicted 

[alviriv1]

RCI Brilliance of the Seas - January 13, 2022. Looking forward to a relaxing trip with no kids or husband to worry about. Just doing what I want when I want, no schedules and no keeping up with other's needs.

[Lois R]

29 minutes ago, alviriv1 said:

RCI Brilliance of the Seas - January 13, 2022. Looking forward to a relaxing trip with no kids or husband to worry about. Just doing what I want when I want, no schedules and no keeping up with other's needs.

Sounds like my kind of cruise too🙂 it is my way every time........LOL I have no husband or kids.

[Malamel]

I’ll be on my 3rd solo cruise in a few short months! NCL Breakaway 9/26 to Bermuda, I can’t wait, it’s been 3 years since the last one!

[littlebrownbook]

On 3/28/2021 at 10:09 PM, taznremmy said:

 

I remember my first solo cruise.  Pictures being taken, everyone seemed to be "coupled up"....It was definitely outside of my comfort zone.  Now, I wouldn't cruise any other way.  I have had friends travel with me, sharing a cabin; now when they say "can I come"  my response is "sure.....but get your own cabin".  To me, it is the perfect way for a solo person to travel to locations I would have otherwise not gotten to see.   Enjoy!!

 

[littlebrownbook]

It's way out of my comfort zone.  I live alone quite happily, but  meals would be a sad time for me on a ship.  Normally at home I eat in front of the tv or computer, but don't see much point of staying in my cabin to eat room service, and I am too shy to join others. Often the solo dinner events are  empty.