Alone But Not Lonely: My April 23 Escape Cruise!

[Travelgrrl]

In general, the Solo Lounge is for the benefit of people staying in the Solo Cabins. They do prop the door open for the nightly meetups which are for all singles onboard.

 

The Solo Lounge has a machine that makes amazing cappuccinos, lattes etc, there are juice, cold water, and treats there so I am pretty sure they don't want other folks visiting and taking advantage of the resources (the same way they keep us hoi polloi from the Haven area!).

 

However, in April I went to get coffee one night and there was a large family that included grandparents, little children and everyone in between that was camped out in the Solo Lounge, playing a board game. Obviously, they weren't all staying in the Solo section, and it did irritate me a bit, especially because they were LOUD.  On the other hand, I minded my own business and went upstairs to my cabin.

[cruiseny4life]

23 hours ago, Travelgrrl said:

I believe you can reserve that 90 days out (someone correct me if I'm wrong) for many restaurants. I had one dining chit and I made a reservation for Cagneys ahead of time.

It's 120 days in advance for reservations. 

 

I'm really loving your review so far and you haven't even gotten to the good sailing/ports part yet. Thanks for sharing your experience with us!! 

[Travelgrrl]

Will post another segment tonight!

[Travelgrrl]

I put my cell on airplane mode, and went to get tidied up for the first Solo Cruisers meetup at 6:30 PM in Tobacco Road. This was the only time that we met there, all other times were in the Solo Lounge, but this way, those who were sailing alone but NOT in the Solo cabins would know where the lounge was for the daily meetings. They prop the hallway door open for this – otherwise the Solo cabin area is accessible only by key card. So we tromped from Tobacco Road to the Solo Lounge.

 

My main question was: “How does the coffeemaker work?”  I had heard that it made ‘good coffee’, and was eager to find out if I needed to hit Starbucks for my morning cappuccino. The Solo Cruising Host was Christina, she had lots of enthusiasm but it was hard going, to get all of us middle aged people to play a game! There were quite a few people there for the two meetups I attended (well, accidentally stumbled into a third one) so if you're looking to meet people, that's a good way!

 

The group then gathered together for a combined dinner reservation, but I begged off because I had previously made a reservation at Taste. I alternated between Taste and Savor most nights, each time at 7:30 but I could not get the same place every night. You can’t make a dinner reservation for one, so I mine were always for two and when they said: “Only one?” I said “Here’s my date!” and indicated my book. I had already finished book #1 “The War That Saved My Life” which is a YA book that I adore, and was on book #2: “A Tree Grows In Brooklyn”; also a re-read.  Because the latter was a trade paperback, I didn't mind getting it damp at the beach, and ended up saving that book for the beach later in the week.

 

I wasn’t sure I would like dining alone, but it was nice! I was seated at table 20, which was a beautiful two top by the window, overlooking the sea. I’m not much of a bread person, but there was a good variety in the bread basket, and the bread was lighter than air, with a delicious crispy crust so I devoured a piece, slathered in butter, every night. One evening they even had the ‘Tasty Bites’ that Royal Caribbean used to make! 

 

I had a Shrimpcake (like a Crabcake) with a lovely sauce, then a bacon, walnut, and orange Spinach Salad. My entrée was Pork Ribs, which came with corn on the cob, onion rings, and cole slaw – too much food for me to finish in one sitting!  I did a masterful try though, and those who are worried about portion size being too small can rest easy. In fact, the food in the Taste and Savor dining rooms was better than most cruises I’ve been on, including Royal, Disney, Princess and Carnival. I was honestly really impressed with the food on NCL!  

 

Because I couldn’t manage dessert, the waiter sent me with some Lava Cake to go. I had brought a $10 bill with me, and gave it to the Waiter (there didn’t seem to be Assistant Waiters) and explained that I had pre-paid my regular tips and this was just a little extra. 

 

Back to my room to rest, relax, watch some Derry Girls, and eventually eat my dessert. Each night I charged my phone and packed my beach bag for the next day. Took another precautionary Bonine and off to sleep, perchance to dream.

 

Below, two photos of the piggies I was starting to leave around the ship. I looked up duckies, but these little guys stole my heart. I made tags that said "Keep or hide - You decide!" and tied them with iridescent ribbon. The other photos are of the stunning view I had from my solo table, and also a very twee little butter dish that caught my fancy. I forgot to take photos of my food, because I'm an old.

 

Next up: Sea Day!

 

 

[James_Elmore]

Enjoying your writing style. 

[Travelgrrl]

41 minutes ago, James_Elmore said:

Enjoying your writing style. 

 

Awwww, thanks!

[Travelgrrl]

Monday, April 17                  

 

Today was a sea day and I got up early to head up on deck. I slept fairly terribly because the bed was SO HARD, that I suffered. Had to take Advil in the middle of each night! I could already tell that I had my sea legs, so I didn't need Bonine for the rest of the trip. 

 

I tried the Studio Lounge coffeemaker and I’m here to tell you that the cappuccino was amazing! Super strong espresso, foamy foamy milk, and free free free. There was even a “2X” button to get a big cup!  I was in heaven!  This sounds stupid but I enjoyed this Studio Lounge perk (for the ease of it as much as the gratis nature of it) that I would seriously get another Studio Cabin just for this!

 

Took my book and had coffee on deck at Spice H20 which is a nice spot for an early morning on deck. They have a coffeemaker so when I was out of my double cappuccino, I got a refill of regular coffee.   

 

Around 9 AM, I headed to the Garden Café for the first time. I really, really hated the layout of this buffet. The food was in long narrow corridors, with lattice separating passengers from the seating area. I guess I’m used to a more open area, with various food stations, not everything being clumped together in narrow gauntlets, and people just tripping over each other. On the other hand, there seemed to be more seating in the buffet area than other lines have had. I never had to wait or look long for a two top, and often got one right next to the windows overlooking the sea. 

 

Today I got one of those tables! Ordinarily I’m not a breakfast eater, so I’m not picky about what I eat. I generally had a roll with cream cheese, a boiled egg, and some bacon and sausage. Iced tea was available and I liked the taste of it, too. 

 

I got busy and visited the library (It’s near the Showroom archway) during its very limited hours, and checked out Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr, as I was well into book #2 of 3 that I had brought with me, and it was only day 2! I had read Cloud Cuckoo Land a year or two prior, so was happy to read it again. It's by the author of the Pulitzer Prize winning All The Light We Cannot See (coming to Netflix this November!) but it's wildly different, with scenes from modern times, the future, and ancient times. The first time I read it with some trepidation because: Constantinople? Space ships? but it all ties in wonderfully at the end and is an extraordinary celebration of the love of books.

 

I was kind of surprised that Norwegian has an actual staff member in the library to check out books (hence the limited hours) rather than most cruise lines that just keep the library / card room open and books are checked out on the honor system. You know, where they treat you like grownups! 

 

I also stopped by Guest Services to have a charge removed, my first of many stops there this cruise, for various silly reasons! This time was because I had prepaid for a transfer back to the airport ($25) yet I also signed up for a bus tour of Miami on our departure day that would drop me off at the airport, which seemed redundant. Finally got to the front of the line, and for some reason, they had no record of either purchase. So they made me come back later with the paperwork (which you better believe I had! 😆) which seemed like a lot of waiting in line for $25. 

 

Following those two arduous visits, I went back to my adorable cabin and took a nap! A travel day Saturday, an embarkation day Sunday, and a terrible night’s sleep combined so I took an unusual-for-me nap. By doing so, I completely forgot our Cruise Critic meetup at 11 AM!!! Literally my only scheduled activity of the day, featured prominently on my typewritten daily list – and I still forgot! Mea Maxima Culpa, Cruise Critic rollcall friends.

 

When I got up, I watched half of the new Knives Out movie, which I had saved for the trip. I had bought a cheap little tablet for $60 and downloaded several movies and TV shows that I had been meaning to watch and enjoyed that immensely. This wasn't something I had done before on cruises, so it was a new joy, as I often sat up on deck at night under the stars, popped in my earphones, and watched movies!

 

At a late lunch in the Garden Grill, there was an entire roasted pig. I couldn't resist posing one of my little pigs near it, below.  Wild!  I read and chatted with friendly folks all afternoon. The Singles Meetup in the Studio Lounge was at 5 PM today (and every subsequent day), so I got ready awfully early. Put on a dress and everything like a real girl! 

 

At the Studio Meetup, we played a little game (And I got to meet the one and only Travelicious!). Once again, everyone went to dinner together, which was at 6:00 PM, which was way to early for me. I decamped up on deck with a double cappuccino (you know it!) until my 7:30 Dinner at Savor. I'm not trying to dissuade anyone from the Singles Meetups, but be prepared for a 5 PM meet time and a 6 PM dinner if you choose to hang out with the group.

 

I got a table by the window again! I had a Cobb Salad with no bleu cheese, Shrimp Pasta Ala Vodka, and took a chocolate mousse with me when I left, again duking the waiter $10. There was no show available, because of my dinner reservation time. NCL seemed to have one major show a night, and if you missed it, you missed it. This was the only cruise I've been on in 30+ outings that I never saw a single show! 

 

Instead, I took a cappuccino up to Spice H2O, read, and idly watched the tail end of a Star Wars movie. I will say their screen had terrific quality graphics! 

 

Back to my room to charge my phone, pack my beach bag for Puerto Plata, and watch the second half of Knives Out #2. Off to bed, to sleep, or to toss and turn all night! 

 

Photos below are: A wee pig and a big ol' porker, a serendipitous rainbow on my book, a view of the sky and a Spice H20 umbrella, me at dinner with another oceanside table, and the first of many room selfies. I'm rocking that barrette!

 

Next up: Our first port day, in the Dominican Republic!

 

 

Edited June 7, 2023 by Travelgrrl

[YVRteacher]

Loving this!

(I’m a librarian too and have read all the books you’ve mentioned.  I LOVED The War That Saved My Life.)

[floridafish]

enjoying. What are the age demos in the Studio cabins?

[brookie848]

Great review! As an FYI, NCL will provide mattress toppers/egg crates if you request one from your steward.

[Travelicious]

On 6/4/2023 at 10:50 AM, Travelgrrl said:

In regard to the first photo from the hotel that morning, I can't oversell the book I was (re)reading. I'm a children's librarian and I stumbled over this YA book about WWII: "The War That Saved My Life". It's the kind of book that when it's over you want to start right back at the beginning and read it again, and deeply wish there was a sequel.

 

There is a sequel! "The War I Almost Won", and it's pretty darned good, too. 

Ooh!  I just tagged this in my Libby app for when I finish current book.  I also see they have "The War I Finally Won."

[Ellis1138]

2 hours ago, brookie848 said:

Great review! As an FYI, NCL will provide mattress toppers/egg crates if you request one from your steward.

 

Amen to this. I'm always in touch with NCL ahead of time due to allergies and mobility, so during those back and forths, I ask for the topper, too. And then, because of my skin/dust allergies, I have to bring mattress encasements, allergy pillow enclosures, my own sheets and cases and spend an hour on embarkation day creating my bed. But once I finish, it's super comfy. 🙂

 

That machine is the same one that they had in the Explorer of the Seas (RC) and I adored it. I'm glad it has milk in it and not Coffee Mate (for those following that thread.) 

 

Thanks for the in depth stuff. I love your reviews so far.

[Travelgrrl]

11 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

Loving this!

(I’m a librarian too and have read all the books you’ve mentioned.  I LOVED The War That Saved My Life.)

 

I know folks probably think I'm ridiculous for pushing what is essentially a book for young people, but it really is that good. And it's the kind of book that you dearly wish for a sequel, and in an ultimate act of fan service, the author begins the sequel right after the events of the first one. So good.

 

5 hours ago, floridafish said:

enjoying. What are the age demos in the Studio cabins?

 

Of the people I met (by no means everyone, so there could have been some younger people there), I would say about 40-70? But let me tell you, this was a group of very attractive and interesting people! Our second game, mentioned above, had us learning 3 facts about each person at the Solo Meetup, and there were many highly successful people. I didn't sense a meat market atmosphere, but certainly I would have had the opportunity to have a wee romance if I had wanted to - something that just doesn't happen when you travel with a friend or adult child!

 

3 hours ago, brookie848 said:

Great review! As an FYI, NCL will provide mattress toppers/egg crates if you request one from your steward.

 

That did occur to me after several nights on the medieval torture rack, but I seldom saw my room steward and one Advil a night seemed to get me through.  My steward DID keep my room in tip top shape and I always had fresh ice in the bucket, so he followed the brief wonderfully. I believe he did in fact stop by twice a day. Sometimes I really didn't need service and if I saw him in the hall, I told him not to worry about it, but just to bring ice.  

 

Next time, I'll arrange for this ahead of time or once onboard. Thanks for the tip!

[Travelgrrl]

1 hour ago, Ellis1138 said:

That machine is the same one that they had in the Explorer of the Seas (RC) and I adored it. I'm glad it has milk in it and not Coffee Mate (for those following that thread.) 

 

Thanks for the in depth stuff. I love your reviews so far.

 

OK you are rocking my world, because I've been on a zillion Royal Caribbean cruises and have yet to discover this wonder. There, I content myself with one Cafe Lattetudes cappuccino a day. It must be in some fancy suite area? Surely not out somewhere where the hoi polloi can access it?  Because I was like a rat with a pellet bar, hitting the Studio Lounge for cappuccinos day and night, where in the real world, I drink one cup of coffee a day.  And I didn't start drinking coffee until I was about 45. Right along with picking up smoking.  Those things just go together, I guess!

 

And thanks much for the kind words.

[Ellis1138]

It was a really weird happenstance, but we wound up in a Grand Suite. So with that giant suite came access to the Concierge Lounge and the coffee machine. No hoi polloi. Honestly, hardly anyone in the suites seemed to know about it, either.

 

I started drinking coffee when I was 3 years old. My father kept trying to get me to drink milk for breakfast, but I wouldn't. So he made me coffee with lots of milk in it and called it "coffee milk". And that's how I have been drinking my coffee for my whole life. 

[Travelgrrl]

3 hours ago, Travelicious said:

Ooh!  I just tagged this in my Libby app for when I finish current book.  I also see they have "The War I Finally Won."

 

Travelicious herself is here!!!

[Travelgrrl]

34 minutes ago, Ellis1138 said:

I started drinking coffee when I was 3 years old. My father kept trying to get me to drink milk for breakfast, but I wouldn't. So he made me coffee with lots of milk in it and called it "coffee milk". And that's how I have been drinking my coffee for my whole life. 

 

This is so sweet. 

[Andoria]

On 6/5/2023 at 4:24 PM, Travelgrrl said:

In general, the Solo Lounge is for the benefit of people staying in the Solo Cabins. They do prop the door open for the nightly meetups which are for all singles onboard.

 

The Solo Lounge has a machine that makes amazing cappuccinos, lattes etc, there are juice, cold water, and treats there so I am pretty sure they don't want other folks visiting and taking advantage of the resources (the same way they keep us hoi polloi from the Haven area!).

 

However, in April I went to get coffee one night and there was a large family that included grandparents, little children and everyone in between that was camped out in the Solo Lounge, playing a board game. Obviously, they weren't all staying in the Solo section, and it did irritate me a bit, especially because they were LOUD.  On the other hand, I minded my own business and went upstairs to my cabin.

Could you hear the loud people from your cabin? I'm wondering if my room is too close to the lounge now.  My parents are in their 80s and booked an aft cabin. I don't think they're going to want to walk to my cabin all that much even for an amazing cappuccino:)

[Travelgrrl]

7 minutes ago, Andoria said:

Could you hear the loud people from your cabin? I'm wondering if my room is too close to the lounge now.  My parents are in their 80s and booked an aft cabin. I don't think they're going to want to walk to my cabin all that much even for an amazing cappuccino:)

 

My cabin was on 12 and the Studio Lounge was on 11, so I didn't hear a thing once I went upstairs. And I think that group was an anomaly and people didn't seem to hang out there other than in small groups of 2 or 3. But for sure the lounge is kind of open, and open to the interior staircase that connects it to the 12h floor. When I say that NCL 'propped the door open' during Solo Meetups, I mean the door to the exterior hallway on deck 11. The Studio Lounge itself was open all the time.

 

But I have never heard anyone complain of noise from that area in all the research I did for the cruise, so I'm sure you'll be fine. And you'll be that much closer to the goodies!  😆

[Andoria]

I went ahead and booked a studio room after your review. I've only ever sailed in balcony cabins before and I've always thought to myself "I wish I had my own room":) I need my quiet time. 

 

I got  Cloud Cuckoo Land and The War That Saved My Life from my library so I'm excited:) I've read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn 10+ times since I've been 12 and it's my favorite book.

[Andoria]

6 minutes ago, Travelgrrl said:

 

My cabin was on 12 and the Studio Lounge was on 11, so I didn't hear a thing once I went upstairs. And I think that group was an anomaly and people didn't seem to hang out there other than in small groups of 2 or 3. But for sure the lounge is kind of open, and open to the interior staircase that connects it to the 12h floor. When I say that NCL 'propped the door open' during Solo Meetups, I mean the door to the exterior hallway on deck 11. The Studio Lounge itself was open all the time.

 

But I have never heard anyone complain of noise from that area in all the research I did for the cruise, so I'm sure you'll be fine. And you'll be that much closer to the goodies!  😆

Thanks! I remembered that I have noise-cancelling headphones so I will keep my cabin where it is.

[Travelgrrl]

4 minutes ago, Andoria said:

I went ahead and booked a studio room after your review. I've only ever sailed in balcony cabins before and I've always thought to myself "I wish I had my own room":) I need my quiet time. 

 

I got  Cloud Cuckoo Land and The War That Saved My Life from my library so I'm excited:) I've read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn 10+ times since I've been 12 and it's my favorite book.

 

I'm frankly a little choked up that you would be inspired by my review to book a Solo Cabin, and I hope you love it as much as I did!

[Travelgrrl]

Tuesday, April 18  Puerto Plata: Taino Bay DR  (Docked from 7-4) 

 

Our first port day! This was a port I hadn’t been to before, so I was excited. Originally I had signed up for NCL’s Catamaran and Fricolandia tour – until I read on these boards that you had to take a nearly 2 hour bus ride to the catamaran site, and obviously an equal amount of time back. I wasn’t interested in spending 4 out of 7 hours of a tour on a bus, so I cancelled it. I had imagined stepping off the ship and the catamaran would be right there (or perhaps a block or two away!).  This was also my most expensive excursion so I was saving by not doing it. Something like $149 minus NCL’s $50 off deal = $99.  

 

In terms of tours, I almost always research and make my own plans and I feel this gives you a smaller tour group, a longer tour day, and a lower cost. But on this trip, since I was alone, I decided to take advantage of NCL’s $50 off tours offer for most ports. This one being the exception, now that I had cancelled the formal tour. 

 

I’m embarrassed to admit that my new plan was just to stay at the port, when in the past I’ve been disparaging towards cruisers who did so. Like people who never even ventured the 3 miles to Mahahual from Progresso, and just shopped at prefab places at the port. And here I was joining that crowd! 

 

Suffice to say that Taino Bay port was a super fun, super cheap day! Gosh, they had hundreds of lounge chairs, a gigantic pool, hammocks, poofy chairs, poofy beds, restaurants and shops close by, and it was heaven!  

 

I got up at 7 AM, achy as usual from my very firm Studio Cabin bed, and to make matters worse, my beloved cappuccino machine in the Studio lounge was broken!  I had to make do with regular coffee, though I threw a little Bailey’s in it and headed to Spice H2O to read. Had breakfast onboard around 8:30, and by 9:30 we could go ashore.  

 

I grabbed my beach bag, headed to the dock, where there were motorized pedi cabs to shuttle you to the port – free with tips. When I last took a pedicab like this in December, the guy was actually pedaling it and I felt bad and gave him $5 for the journey. Since this was motorized, I think I tipped $3 each way? I acquainted myself with the port layout and then found a chair. 

 

The pool was warm and sparkling, pristine bathrooms, everything was wonderful – only the music was BLASTING. And there was no getting away from it; I could see speakers ringing the entire area and if I had more energy and chutzpah, I would have gone over and paid the DJ $20 to turn it down a little. Apparently someone beat me to it because within a half hour or so it was a good level. I swam, read, sunned, and lent my pool noodle to a family who was struggling to get two little boys into the pool. I started out with a lounge chair with a cushy cover, but soon was able to upgrade to a lounge bed with canopy right in the front row!  Again, this was all free. There were also people taking drink orders, but few and far between so I just wandered to a little bar off to the side and ordered my Coca Cola. In a bottle – YUM!  It was odd that no one was offering food orders, though there were several restaurants bordering the pools. So about the time I snagged the fancy canopied lounge bed, I went to the open air restaurant and asked if I could order food and take it to my spot, then return the dishes. They agreed, but there was a flurry of commotion about it so it was obviously not something that was common there. 

 

Delicious real guacamole ($19) and mixed ceviche ($20) were fantastic for lunch. Plenty for myself and I even shared with the couple near me. And two flat plantains!  After a long and relaxing visit, I made my way back onboard, stopping at an inviting shop to buy a carved turtle that just spoke to me.  

 

A shower always feels so great after time in the sun or sand, doesn’t it? The Garden Café buffet was open for snacks, so I grabbed something and went on deck for sailaway. I can honestly say that I saw nothing of the ‘real’ Dominican Republic, but also that I had a terrific, super inexpensive day! 

 

Photos: One small part of the giant pool at Taino Bay; some of the cushy seating available for free; two shots of a cool light fixture in the open air restaurant; guacamole, ceviche and plantains; me on my beach bed; obligatory shot of the ship; a cool kind of steam punk gorilla sculpture; mountains and fort as we sailed away.

 

Next up: One of the best dinners I've ever had on a cruise ship - and it wasn't in a specialty restaurant!

 

[CruisnHallelujahs]

Taino Bay looks fabulous!  This is exactly what I plan to do in November…a wonderful relaxing day.  Did you check out the lazy river?  Wondering how busy it is.  Thanks for sharing all that and the pics!

[Travelgrrl]

2 minutes ago, CruisnHallelujahs said:

Taino Bay looks fabulous!  This is exactly what I plan to do in November…a wonderful relaxing day.  Did you check out the lazy river?  Wondering how busy it is.  Thanks for sharing all that and the pics!

 

The lazy river was so new, I don't think many people knew about it. It was located near the far end of the  pool area where I was, to the right if you're facing the pool and the ship. At least the signs pointing it out were!

 

I love a lazy river but it slipped my mind, even though I had an inflatable noodle with me!