Thoughts on Second Cruise, This Time Solo

[gepgelmik]

Prologue

I went on my second cruise the week of Thanksgiving 2017, a 7day on the Anthem. My first cruise was also on the Anthem, a 10 dayChristmas/New Year’s 2016/2017 itinerary. The first time I went with my parents(we had separate rooms), the second time I went solo. This is kind of a review,kind of a narrative. A long, long narrative.

 

I booked my second cruise before I hadtaken my first one.

I booked the trip in October 2016 at a local travel exposponsored by the travel agency we all know. There was an RCI sale going on atthe time, so it was discounted. I got a free carry-on size Samsonite spinner asa bonus and a bit of onboard credit. Since it was over a year out, I wasable to get stateroom 6248, a super studio with a balcony on the hump. More onthat later.

 

This cruise was especially anticipated by me because of theroom, but also because it would be my way of congratulating myself on asignificant accomplishment- completing my doctorate.

 

 

I was really happy with my hotel/shuttle situation.

First of all, I don’t fly because it makes me feel like I’mdying.

 

My cruise started on Saturday the 18th, so my plan was to drivefrom Cleveland to NJ on Friday the 17th. I paid for a parking/hotel roompackage at the Embassy Suites, which was a fantastic, fantastic decision. Theyhave room service so I was able to stay in and rest. It was much cheaper andeasier than driving myself and parking. The only tiny problem with it was thejarring 30 minute ride to the port left me feeling awful. (That’s because 5days before my cruise I had to have gallbladder surgery. Surprise! There’sanother thread where I go into detail and agonize over whether I should go ornot.)

 

I’m mentioning this because people always ask about packing, andthe gallbladder thing interfered with my packing. I’m that lady that always has12 bags, three of which are full of yarn.

 

My packing was a swashbuckling adventure.

 

The Sunday (the 12th, I think) a week before thecruise, I was packing and sorting laundry until pain sent me to the ER at 2 am,so I never got to pack properly. I was marooned at my parent’s houseuntil Thursday, when I drove home and in a weird fog “packed” my bag.

 

No, I didn’t have any narcotics that day.

 

It was the best packing I’ve ever done. While I was packing,there was an epic movie soundtrack playing in the background. Of my mind.

 

I couldn’t swim because of incisions, so no suits or swim shoes.I took out my formal wear because…I have no idea why. I didn’t take any socksfor the same reason. I took a travel outfit (tunic and stretchy comfy pants), acouple of t-shirts, a pair of cargo pants, an endearingly loud Hawaiian shirt,a pair of jeans, a black pair of pants and a dressy top. I wore a pair ofsneakers and packed black sandals. I was short one pair of underwear andhad to wash them in the sink. Took my iPad and my knitting and headphones and toiletries.I put all this in a large spinner and a carry on spinner. The carry on spinnerwas empty except for my iPad and sandals, but whatever. I was out of it. I alsopacked a bag of popcorn…because I wanted to take popcorn. Don’t judge me.

 

The drive from Cleveland to NJ was long and occasionally ouchy.I was ordered by my doctor to stop and walk around every two hours, so I did. Iwas starving by the time I got there, because I think the after-surgery nursetold me not to eat anything greasy (and that’s all you can get on the road),but in retrospect I really think that was a hallucination. In any case, Ihaven’t had any issues eating anything.

 

Excursions enhanced my experience.

 

On the first cruise, I only booked one “excursion” (a beach bed)and only got off the ship at 2 of 4 ports. For my second cruise, I wanted tomake sure I used the ship more and went on land at every port.

 

In Port Canaveral, I didthe Pontoon Lagoon cruise. I enjoyed it, but it was two hours long, the seatswere extra hard, and my butt went numb. It’s literally a two hour ride througha man made lagoon in a residential area. You see lots of pelicans, pelicandroppings, and people’s yards. And also pelican droppings.

 

I got a bungalow onCocoa Cay. Yes, just for myself. It was fantastic, but the food wasdisappointing (you select your food the day before off a menu. Lots of tacosand taco-ish things). The “waiters” brought it out in those plastic to-gocontainers that make the food sweat, so of course the food was soggy. It cost175 bucks, so for that I thought I’d have a waiter bring me drinks, like lastyear in Labadee. However, I was happy with my choice. It’s impossible for me toget in and out of lounge chairs, and being around a lot of people and noisemakes me anxious. The cabana area was quiet, spacious, and beautiful. There wasa private restroom area.

 

I booked a third partyfood tasting excursion in Nassau, but due to misunderstandings on my part, itfell through. After that, I was hot, annoyed, and my knees hurt, so I got backon the ship. I had lunch, watched the people in Spectra’s Cabaret rehearse, playedtrivia, and watched ships. It turned out to be a great day, but I look forwardto visiting again and taking that tour.

 

The final excursion, anda highlight of my trip, was the sushi making class. The instructor, who has wonRCI’s sushi competition for a few years running, was fantastic. The sushi wasmiraculous…truly some of the most delicious things I’ve ever eaten. We made aspicy tuna roll, a shrimp tempura roll, some rice things (can’t remember thename), a crab cone and I think something else for less than it would have costto purchase. At the end we had a “graduation ceremony” where we receivedcustomized certificates and were able to take photos with the chef. It was acheap experience at around 30 bucks. I look forward to doing this again!

 

I thought the food was better this time.

 

I know that dining is asource of anxiety for solo cruisers, but I wouldn’t sweat it. I took my Kindleto the MDR with me each night, but I was seated at a table for 8 with a nicefamily of three (parents and adult daughter). The other half of the table wasalways empty because that group had chosen a different dining time. There wereawkward moments as there are when striking up conversation with strangers, butoverall it was really enjoyable. I’m glad I didn’t chicken out and eat in thebuffet every night. Actually, I don’t like the buffet so I didn’t eat there atall this time around. I had lunch at Chops on the final day, and the food wasfantastic. The menu is abbreviated, but it’s ample and just as delicious asdinner.

 

On my first cruise, Iremember disliking several things I had in the MDR and being disappointed inthe service. Going forward, I’ll definitely choose the dining that allows youto sit at the same table each night- much better service. I was impressed withthe effort put in to make sure one of my table mates, who had a gluten allergy,was happy with her food.

 

The new room service menuwas also memorable. I tried pretty much everything, and everything wasdelicious and worth the surcharge. I recommend the cheesesteak, the cheese plate,the chocolate cake, and the hot cocoa.

 

My Super Studio had a lot going for it, but…

 

The studio room with abalcony made this trip affordable for me. When I first walked in, I felt a pangof claustrophobia, but it turned out that the room is just enough for oneperson. Just enough space, just enough storage. I missed was having a couch orchair to sit on in the room, as I enjoy hanging out in my room. I loved the oversize balcony and it gave mesuch a wider, more panoramic view. Before we left Nassau, they lowered andtested one of the little boats positioned right below the balcony, so it wasfun seeing that. I was very happy with the proximity of the elevators and thefact that I was right above decks where lots of stuff happens. It wasn’t noisy.

 

However, going forward,if I can afford it, I think I’d just get a regular balcony room. I want morespace than “just enough” space. If I had done my regular packing, I wouldn’thave had enough room for my stuff in the little cubbies. And I don’t likehaving to sit on my bed or a tiny round stool.

 

Remember you’re unique. Just like everyone else.

 

Many people in cruiseforums and other social media admit to feeling nervous about cruising becauseof various personal characteristics…disability, ethnicity, sexual orientation,weight, socioeconomic status, etc. I have “characteristics” myself, and I stillhad a great time. Don’t let whatever you feel nervous about stop you from beingyourself and having a good time. Don’t be afraid to speak up and ask for whatyou need to be happy and comfortable. Don’t let asinine comments on the boards criticizingother people’s characteristics make you think that cruise ship passengers arebunch of intolerant malcontents. People are nice, people are interesting, peopleare complex universes unto themselves.

 

Finally, it’s yourvacation, and you’re surrounded by strangers. For example, as a result of myhaphazard packing, I ended up wearing the same things over and over again. Youthink I care? I don’t care. I was on vacation.

 

Cruising while being alone

Sorry, mom and dad-I hadmuch more fun cruising solo. I did what I wanted, when I wanted, and it wasfantastic. I met all of the personal cruise goals I made for myself.

 

I knit a hat, so thatwas awesome. I won $234 in the casino. I met cool people.

 

Being familiar with theship made a big difference. I felt comfortable and at home this time, notoverwhelmed like the first time.

 

While watching variousgroups of people try to find and save seats and not be separated from the 28 bazillion people they were with, I laughed.Silently. On the inside.

 

Seriously though, cruisingalone lets you attain chillaxing nirvana. If you are a person who enjoys theirown company, I highly recommend you try going solo.

 

 

Voldemort may or may not have been onboard. Also miscellany.

 

Embarkation anddisembarkation were fast and easy. I was able to walk straight on and straightoff the ship. Easy peasy. The hotel shuttle was there when I got outside. Wewaited about 20 mins for more passengers, but when no one showed up, we left.(Drivers will go back and forth until everyone who signed up for the service iscollected.)

 

Okay, yes, boarding androoms being ready were delayed. They had to disinfect the ship because of thedreaded NOROVIRUS on the previous sailing. You couldn’t get your own coffee inthe café, etc, and they had fewer sales where people touch everything. Butfolks, it wasn’t like the staff were wearing hazmat suits. I think, in general,people over sensationalize or maybe just worry too much about the whole NOROVIRUSthing. It’s not Voldemort, for heaven’s sake. Yes, people get sick on ships.There were at least two medical emergencies on this ship. Unless you yourselfget sick, it’s unlikely to impact your experience. Wash your hands, get enoughsleep, drink enough water, don’t try eating everything on the ship and dressfor comfort, not necessarily cuteness.

 

Some GUY brought aguitar into 270 and was singing songs! Loud, sad songs sung by a random passengerguy. I went to my room.

 

I’m looking forward to booking my next cruise.

 

As before, my favoritething about cruising is being on the ocean. Peering out at the endless waterreally invites you to think about the grand scheme of things and your place inthem. I’m pretty sure my destiny is to go on as many cruises as possible.

 

 

 

No, I’m not sorry my post is the length of an epic poem.

[Clarea]

Very enjoyable report. Did you ever find "he who must not me named"?

[John&LaLa]

Glad you enjoyed it. I was one of the ones that encouraged you to go.

 

You should include the ink to that thread.

 

Or maybe Bob can. 😉

 

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[Tee & Chilli]

Excellent!

Here’s your first thread

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2563753&highlight=Gallbladder

[lbjen]

I don’t think it was a hallucination about the greasy food, my dad had his gall bladder out and was given the same instruction but it’s a permanent thing!

 

Sounds like you had a great time, I’m glad you weren’t still suffering after your surgery.

[Yvonne]

Really enjoyed reading your review, thanks for sharing and I’m glad you enjoyed your solo cruise.

[1lizette1]

Thank you for sharing. That was quite an enjoyable read

 

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