VISTA / FIRST LIVE / FIRST SOLO - Nov. 1-8, 2019

[bnbeyer]

Hello all!  I've cruised twice on Carnival (1985 and 2019), twice on Princess (1984 and 2001), and once on Royal Caribbean (2016).  My Carnival cruise in June 2019 was a fairly extravagant family cruise with my husband, two adult sons and spouses, and teenage son with flights and time spent in Puerto Rico, drink packages, and family portraits. It was my gift to them for a family reunion 10 years overdue.  What I didn't know when I booked that cruise almost a year earlier was that I was going to be changing careers and taking a 20% pay cut a month before that cruise!

 

2019 has included so many crazy life changing things, including a high speed head on collision car accident in January (the other driver's fault), overcoming deep depression, changing jobs/careers after 22 years to follow my passion at age 52, mending some broken relationships with my sons, and finding true gratitude for my life, all of the good and bad along the way. My first solo cruise is my celebration.  (And I give credit to God for all of it, but I don't intend to preach to you.) 

 

Anyways, did I mention that the June cruise was extravagant? I also spent a lot of time in the casino. Probably too much time. But I had a lot of fun, so I'm not going to dwell on that other than to say that those one armed bandits are called that for a reason.  Now I'm getting casino cruise offerings out the wazoo.  The first was a bounce back for a free balcony for two with encouragement to select the Nov. 2 Vista with a seat certificate for the $250k slot tournament finals.  I was going to go with a girlfriend, but she had to back out.  My husband isn't interested in going right now and will stay home with the dogs and the teenager in school.  So I'm going solo!  I also got an Ultra offer that I selected to go with my sister in April on the Carnival Breeze.  I'm considering a Premier offer for a Panama Canal cruise next September for my husband's and my 20 year anniversary, but I haven't booked that yet.  I might as well take advantage of these free offers while I can.  I essentially paid for them already!

 

I have enjoyed reading several LIVE reviews here this summer, and I thought that might be a fun thing to try while on my own solo cruise.  Feel free to cruise with me!

 

Some things I'm hoping to fit in, but I'm confident I won't be able to do them all are:

 

 

Activities		Food and Drinks
Beaches/snorkeling		omelete
Sunset		specialty coffee
Sail-away on balcony		Jiji free lunch
Serenity deck		Cucina free lunch
Mimosas on my balcony		Bonsai Sushi lunch
Thrills theater		Guys Pig & Anchor lunch
Sky bike		Blue Iguana mexican lunch
Water slide		Serenity deck salad bar lunch
Ropes course		pizza delivery
Michaels crafts?		Alchemy bar creations
trivia		Spiked shake
bingo		specialty cakes
dance class		Afternoon tea?
casino drawings		deli?
casino lanyard
Dive in movie
Piano bar
Comedy club
Production Show

 

 

Here's a picture of the casino offers, and below is a picture taken of me a couple weeks ago during a business trip with my new team.

 

 

[bnbeyer]

I forgot to mention the itinerary!  

 

Nov. 1 - Travel day

Nov. 2 - Galveston, TX

Nov. 3 - Sea day

Nov. 4 - Sea day

Nov. 5 - Montego Bay

Nov. 6 - Grand Cayman

Nov. 7 - Cozumel

Nov. 8 - Galveston and travel home

 

 

 

[alliecat1970]

so excited for you and me and I'm not even there a solo perspective I am interested in this version due to this purpose I am hoping to be doing the same.                    Thanks again Janet 

[Joe817]

I really look forward to your review. We have the same 3 itineraries next September. Good luck on the slots tournament! I'm rooting for you! 

[mlshum]

Following!

[sid_9169]

Looking forward to the review... I will, however be requiring a royalty payment for the use of the "Ship name / Live / Solo - Sailing date" title format...

Edited October 26, 2019 by sid_9169

[bnbeyer]

Just now, sid_9169 said:

Looking forward to the review... I will, however be requiring a royalty payment for the use of the "Ship name / Live / Solo - Sailing date" format...

 

LOL!  The sincerest form of flattery....  

[Saint Greg]

I'm in.

[Shaded Lady]

1 hour ago, sid_9169 said:

Looking forward to the review... I will, however be requiring a royalty payment for the use of the "Ship name / Live / Solo - Sailing date" title format...

But Sid, @bnbeyer is a member of your tribe, so I'm sure a discount on the royalty is warranted!

[bnbeyer]

2 hours ago, bnbeyer said:

I forgot to mention the itinerary!  I can't believe I cut my cruise short by a whole day!  Here is the correct itinerary.  I would edit the post and the subject line, but it isn't letting me.  Now to get packing...

 

Nov. 1 - Travel day

Nov. 2 - Galveston, TX

Nov. 3 - Sea day

Nov. 4 - Sea day

Nov. 5 - Montego Bay

Nov. 6 - Grand Cayman

Nov. 7 - Cozumel

Nov. 8 - Sea day

Nov. 9 - Galveston and travel home

 

 

 

 

Edited October 26, 2019 by bnbeyer

[JandPB]

Here and ready to travel along!

 

[hladygirl]

I took my first solo cruise this past May. I was a little nervous about going alone but ended up loving it. Do what you want when you want. You will have a great time. Enjoy!

[MEUB1112]

Great Start, will be following along.

[SenatorsFan]

Hope you have a great time! I'm sure you'll be able to accomplish a lot on your list!🍺🍸🛳️

Heather

[cc-riderslc]

Following. We are doing the family cruise thing that you did earlier. Looking forward to what you like about the ship. 

[bnbeyer]

I'm trying to get my packing done, but that's never been my favorite thing to do.  I did manage to pick out my clothes for the trip yesterday. I'm trying to not overpack, but I know there will be stuff I won't use. Along with my clothing, my packing list is below.

 

The beach chair at the bottom of the list is really cool.  I got it at Amazon (link) last spring for putting on my bicycle bag, and I've used it for various events this summer. It's got a nice high back, arm rests, and a drink holder, unlike most of the lightweight chairs. I thought bringing this might save me a few bucks on beach chairs and give me a little more freedom on where I want to go and how close I want to sit to the water. I also have some cardboard coasters in the chair bag to prevent it from sinking too much in the sand.

 

straws

clorox disinfecting wipes

highlighter

clothes pins

beach blanket

magnets for door

clips for towels

water proof phone cases

outlets/chargers/power strip

sticky notes

ziploc bags

sunscreen / aloe

hats

$1 bills and rolls of quarters, detergent, dryer sheets

bluetooth speaker

water shoes

beach bag

snorkel gear

medication, jewelry, bathroom stuff

jacket/sweatshirt

beach chair

[glrounds]

I almost always cruise solo, so will find this one very interesting. Looking forward to it.

 

[deedle7544]

Loving this already!

[jimbri]

Have a great trip!

[19cruiser59]

Following !  

Best of luck in the tournament!

[marci4tony]

You will  be getting off the shop one week before we get on - We are on 11/16-11/23.  I will follow your journey, and it will undoubtedly be informative and fun! 

 

I have been accumulating items to pack for a month now - I am usually a walking medicine cabinet! LOL 

 

**btw... pepto bismol can not be purchased on a cruise ship.  If you have an upset stomach from eating/drinking too much, it helps to have your own supply - just saying.  Avoid going to the medical team and asking**

[Irene225]

Following along as we will be a few cruises after you! 

[jbhcw]

Following!  Have a great cruise!

[Yuridog]

I absolutely love the beach chair. I didn't know such a lightweight/portable chair exists. I will have to be buying one pronto!

 

[marci4tony]

You actually pack around a beach chair?  That's pretty cool! 

 

Ashirene - when are you on Vista?