First Solo - Sunshine 8 Day Cruise Review Sept 8th thru 16th

[Darkingnj]

While reading your review, I wondered why you looked familiar...BCG...lol.

 

Thanks for the review, great pictures...enjoyed it.

[Fergus]

 

I honestly cant remember. The place is decked out in Ohio State college stuff/gear though. Its literally the first little bar you'll come to when you get off the water taxi. There was a chalkboard sign out front that advertised rum punch for $4

 

Thanks for your response!! :D

[kcross3625]

I am loving your review. I was on this cruise too, except with a large group. Quite a different dynamic with a group. I agreed the best jerk chicken we had was at Jack's Shack.

[GMRPHRN]

I am enjoying your review. I am cruising solo in February and again out of NY next September (on the Sunrise). For those reading along that have solo'd are you automatically seated alone in MDR? Because I would really like to be seated with others or with other solo travelers especially. My first cruise was solo but a singles cruise so I let a lot of people to hang with.

 

Also, I love cemeteries. Was this one in San Juan near the fort? Walking distance from the port or did you go on a car tour?

 

Thanks,

 

Ginger

[Lyncoya]

While reading your review, I wondered why you looked familiar...BCG...lol.

 

Thanks for the review, great pictures...enjoyed it.

 

Lol! Small world, huh?

[Lyncoya]

I am enjoying your review. I am cruising solo in February and again out of NY next September (on the Sunrise). For those reading along that have solo'd are you automatically seated alone in MDR? Because I would really like to be seated with others or with other solo travelers especially. My first cruise was solo but a singles cruise so I let a lot of people to hang with.

 

Also, I love cemeteries. Was this one in San Juan near the fort? Walking distance from the port or did you go on a car tour?

 

Thanks,

 

Ginger

 

Yes, the cemetary in the pics was in San Juan. I took a tour in a van, but you could walk here. It's near the El Morro fort.

[Lyncoya]

I'll be back tomorrow guys to complete the review. It's been a long week.

[Lyncoya]

I am loving your review. I was on this cruise too, except with a large group. Quite a different dynamic with a group. I agreed the best jerk chicken we had was at Jack's Shack.

 

Thanks! :D

[Lyncoya]

In the meantime, here are some random pics. MrFunInTheSun posted some pics of my ship in St Maarten. Here are a few of the Harmony and the Ecstasy

 

 

 

All 3

 

 

 

 

 

One of my favorite pics

 

 

 

[Lyncoya]

I had room 6103, category 4J. I've had this type of room few times. It's a bit more rocky up front, but it doesn't bother me. It's like being rocked to sleep at night. The secret deck up front is nice too. Here are a few pics of the room.

 

 

 

 

 

There was no couch or fridge. I didn't miss the couch and I asked my steward for ice and he kept the bucket filled everyday.

 

It was weird, someone had a 12 pack of water delivered to my cabin. I don't know who, but I kept that on ice. Also, I traveled solo, but I brought on TWO bottles of wine in my carryon and no one at the port said a word.

 

 

 

[Lyncoya]

And a few of my favorite sunrise pics. I TRIED to get up everyday to go out to the secret deck to take pics of the sunrise. It's one of my favorite things to do on vacation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[AmberTeka]

Is the Mall of the West Indies still in St. Marteen? It was a large building with a lot of nice , mostly French, goods.,.

 

I loved going to the shop that sold French perfumes, colognes, bath stuff. They sell it here at the Town Center, but it is not the same. LOVE that place. Your review was interesting to read. Keep that weight off, because you look great.

[LibratPDX]

I am enjoying your review. I am cruising solo in February and again out of NY next September (on the Sunrise). For those reading along that have solo'd are you automatically seated alone in MDR? Because I would really like to be seated with others or with other solo travelers especially. My first cruise was solo but a singles cruise so I let a lot of people to hang with.

 

Just let them know your preference when you arrive. I don't know if they can specifically seat you with other solo travelers, I've never asked (there might be a wait?). I just tell them when I prefer to dine alone or mention when I'd like to be seated with others who are also willing to share a table.

[georgiB]

I am following your review and very interested because I will be taking my first solo next August to Alaska.

 

 

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[UBP....YES!!!!]

Hello Lyn,

You look absolutely adorable, even your nails hahaha

Stupid Ex!!!😀

I’m enjoying your fun, informative review.

I have been on 27 cruises, on which 24 I have traveled solo. I love it, being to do what I want, when I want and hot having to wait on someone else.

I have never felt uncomfortable. Other passengers seem to be befuddled when they fine out I’m traveling solo??

It sounds like you had a blast..so happy for you.

Congratulations on your casino win!!!

Have you booked your next solo cruise yet??? Hahaha

Brian

[campdaan]

Awesome review.

 

Great pics.

 

You look amazing.

 

Definitely gonna try the short ribs when I'm on the Sunshine next March.

[Treyatl2006]

You looking great! Great cruise... I always wanted to try the Sunshine!

[Lyncoya]

Hello Lyn,

You look absolutely adorable, even your nails hahaha

Stupid Ex!!!😀

I’m enjoying your fun, informative review.

I have been on 27 cruises, on which 24 I have traveled solo. I love it, being to do what I want, when I want and hot having to wait on someone else.

I have never felt uncomfortable. Other passengers seem to be befuddled when they fine out I’m traveling solo??

It sounds like you had a blast..so happy for you.

Congratulations on your casino win!!!

Have you booked your next solo cruise yet??? Hahaha

Brian

 

Thank you!! And yes, he's stupid!!! ;p

 

Yes...I got so may weird questions...you couldn't find ANYONE to come with you? Um...I didn't want anyone to come with me, damnit! lol

 

I'm thinking of going to Alaska solo next year!!! I've been wanting to go there for so long.

[Lyncoya]

You looking great! Great cruise... I always wanted to try the Sunshine!

 

Thanks!!! It's a great ship. :)

[Lyncoya]

Awesome review.

 

Great pics.

 

You look amazing.

 

Definitely gonna try the short ribs when I'm on the Sunshine next March.

 

Thank you!!! They were delicious! They were on the buffet one day and were even delicious then! Love 'em..

[Lyncoya]

Sorry about the delay, but I'm back.

 

The last day was a sea day. I literally slept until 9 on this day. (That's super late for me, even in the real world)

 

I went to brunch. I had my last steak and eggs of the cruise and fruit salad. And the biggest wine glass of tomato juice I've ever had. I love tomato juice. lol

 

 

 

 

 

 

I believe the ice carving demonstration was on this day, so I literally got a front row seat to that. They carve the same sculpture every time it seems

 

 

 

I also walked around the ship and just tried to get some great pics. I was trying to burn the images into my memory as this was the last day. :loudcry:

 

 

 

I had planned to get on one of the slides, for once, but they were closed.

 

[Lyncoya]

I had to finish up my bottles of wine that I carried on

 

 

The platinum/diamond party was also this day. 45 minutes of unlimited drinks. I swear, they kept them coming. I was double fisted. The appetizers weren't that great though.

 

 

 

 

 

Afterwards, I ate dinner at the buffet for the first time during this cruise. AND they had short ribs. Delicious. I think I went to a comedy show and Ocean Plaza to listen to CIA one last time. I also had one last spicy chipotle margarita at the Alchemy Bar and then went back to my room to pack. I placed my luggage outside and this spelled the end of the cruise. Noooooooooooooooooo!!!!!

 

I had such a great time though. I'm so glad I did this solo cruise. I honestly think that this will be my preferred way to cruise from now on, seriously!

 

[Lyncoya]

Final thoughts.

 

I was a bit nervous to try this ship because the reviews are mixed, but I can honestly say that I had absolutely NO complaints. The ship was clean, the crew was friendly and always smiling. The lines weren't ridiculously long. The cruise director, Mikey, was awesome and I don't normally care who the cruise director is. He was AWESOME.

 

ALL entertainment was awesome. The casino was a little crowded because this was a premier cruise, but it was really no big deal. The kids were well behaved. The weather was PERFECT! The food was delicious and the drinks were strong!

 

And I enjoyed my OWN company. Mission accomplished!

 

I have a million and one pictures. Tomorrow, I will come back and post random ones. I took pics of everything. I hope you guys have enjoyed! <3

[micha200]

I enjoyed reading about your trip. While you were there, I was doing my first solo on the NCL Bliss. It was fabulous. I ended up hanging out with other fellow solo travelers since it was so easy to meet them (there was a solo coordinator who arranged group dinners and activities for those inclined to join). I think I'm addicted to cruises now since I haven't been able to think about anything but my next one since I got home. I think I'm doing Alaska again next year but want to do another one somewhere else too.

 

Thanks for sharing.

[Lyncoya]

I enjoyed reading about your trip. While you were there, I was doing my first solo on the NCL Bliss. It was fabulous. I ended up hanging out with other fellow solo travelers since it was so easy to meet them (there was a solo coordinator who arranged group dinners and activities for those inclined to join). I think I'm addicted to cruises now since I haven't been able to think about anything but my next one since I got home. I think I'm doing Alaska again next year but want to do another one somewhere else too.

 

Thanks for sharing.

 

You're welcome! I'm hearing so many great things about NCL's solo cruising program. I wish Carnival did things like that. Maybe I'll have to jump ship.