JoseyP

Yah, there was a time a few days ago that there was no single supplement, and inside guarentees were going for $399 (!). It was only up for a few hours, so I almost think it was a mistake. Skyrocketed back up to over $1500 before the day was out, though.

 

 

You bet. I've only been on the Getaway and Escape, so I'll see how the Jade compares.

I like the Jade. was just on her in Oct. For me its a good size ship with a good floor plan. Like Gem.

NCL Jade, Jan 26th, anyone?

 

Good deal for a solo IX.

Wish i could go. There is NO single supplement for an inside. Enjoy the cruise!

Hello to all

Going to be sailing on the Carnival Miracle January 13th through the Panama Canal solo.

Getting a divorce and have been contemplating not going but I have wanted to do the Panama canal since I learned about it in Grade School. The cruise is paid for so her goes nothing.

Would appreciate any advice or wisdom as I start the next chapter in my life

A lady only 2 pages back may be doing a Panama Canal cruise on Cunard in Jan. She was thinking of cancelling and many of us have told her why she should go, if possible. I am glad you definitely are going to go. The canal is fascinating. I have done the partial trip.

You will probably have a great time, and a wonderful adventure.I'd also say keep reading the solo cruiser thread. There are lots of tips and info here. happy holidays!

Novice Ann,

I understand, especially since this is your very first cruise! If it really seems like too much nervousness and discomfort, you should cancel. In our strongly "couples or friends" culture, cruising solo may not be for everyone. I don't know you, and couldnt tell you exactly what to do. But if you are up for a real adventure in a great setting, and possibly meeting new and interesting people, and seeing the amazing Panama Canal, and being free to do just what you want to do, without having to run it by anyone, then please go for it. i have been on 3 solo cruises I think. One was trans atlantic. i love the freedom of it, and the sense of adventure. Had a great time every time! Best wishes in what ever you decide!

Thanks for reminding us about the great things to see, I grew up in Brooklyn and love going past many of my childhood memories.

My favorites are in Coney Island, I would love to ride the Parachute Jump & the Wonder Wheel, both landmarks that can be clearly seen from the port side.

I mentioned that Coney Island can clearly be seen---problem is that once the ship passes Manhattan, and you go under the bridge, people think its all over with, and leave the decks. They forget about Coney Island! i grew up about a mile from Coney, but we hardly ever went.

And goin away you do know your history!!

This is such good info to help plan my day ... I have looked at maps and it is really hard to tell how far everything is from where we dock ..we want to make the most of our time there..We are not afraid to use public transportation in different cities ....But it really helps to look ahead to find the best and easiest routes Thanks so much

Your welcome! sometimes people don't even reply to a post like mine. It is an experience to take the NY subway. Just be aware of your surroundings, trust your instincts,and you'll probably be fine. I have done it all my life! You said it is hard to tell how far everything is from where you dock (at about 55 st. on the west side). If you see a map of NYC, the blocks are generally rectangular. If you count on the short side of the rectangle, that is a short block. 20 of them make a mile.So for example, walking from 40th St. to 20th St. streight down is about a mile. With the long side, that is counted as 3 short blocks.So you see, walking all the way downtown from midtown is over 2 miles, and you reallydon't wantto do that if your priority is to take the ferry and seethe Statue of Liberty. Hope that helps, when you see a map of the city.

You can also see the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges port side.

Coney Island is quite easy to see.

going underthe Verrazano bridge is fun and different. Have done the sail out out of NYC many times since i am from here.

jldevlin, i would suggest taking the train (subway) to where you takethe ferry. It would save you time and not tire you out. Then come up again to mid town by train, and walk around midtown, or you can stay downtown and see the 9/11 things. Hope you have a great time in my city!

Coney Island is very easy to see, but remember youhave to pass Manhattan and most of Brooklyn. The Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges are not mentioned. You can see them too on port side.

I am from NY and sailed out of NY almost countless times, so all of this is not such a big deal to me, but my whole family still loves going under the Verrazano Bridge. It is fun and different.

Hello Jamman 54,

Went thru your Splendor review......my family does large family cruises on her and we have been on Splendor at least 3x now. I don't like her decor, but everything else is just fine! I hate people who put down Carnival when they really give so many people a LOT of pleasure and fun! We will be on the cruise after yours, July 7.

Some of your pix were gorgeous and I relived all the islands......

JoseyP

I enjoy old San Juan myself. And people like it because it is still in our country. I always like stopping there. There is a lot to do. And you feel like you are in Spain. In fact on our family cruise in July, we will go there again.

josey.......gotta get outta here soon!

Thanks American Bear,

Now I understand more about why Martinique.

josey

Hey Mike,

my aunt has a house in Naples and is a "snow bird". I just went there for the first time in Feb. She is not a cruiser tho.

If they REALLY want our business, they would not sail from Martinique. Most people would not take the extra time or money to fly there.

I leave on the Divina at 5 today for our trans Atlantic to Rome!!

OK, thanks now I understand. But i still wouldn't call it steerage. Gland you enjoyed the Divina.....I had been reading your thread. My trans Atlantic people boarded today, and I will get on Wed or Thurs. in NY.

I don't understand how some people say the food is terrible, and some say it is great.

JoseyP

We are fresh off of Divina today after having sailed the 4 night "Songs Of The Sixties" cruise. We normally travel in the Yacht Club because of the privacy and Le"Muse, but the Yacht Club was chartered so we decided to sail in steerage to see what it was like. First,,the buffet is fantastic!!! We ate there at least twice a day and found nothing we didn't like. Pasta made fresh daily,,breads,,rolls,fresh out of the oven,,,pizza,,,let's not even go there!!! AMAZING!!! There is almost to much food to be quite honest!! We did find the service at the Garden Bar to be quite slow,,especially between late morning to mid-afternoon. That bar is just to small and way under staffed to handle the amount of guests who are at the Garden Pool area. I think removing the Disaronno sculpture and that whole island area at the end of the bar would then allow for more bartenders to service that area. Other than a couple of other minor details,,we would happily sail in steerage again,,especially in another aft balcony stateroom,,nice and quiet back there!!:D

Mike,

how on earth do you call an aft balcony stateroom "steerage"??

people fight to get those things!

I will be on the Divina for the first time on Thursday.

We booked and are so damn excited to try MSC Divina. I called today to ask some questions and the agent was SUPER helpful and not pushy or sales pitch at all. First cruise line I call with questions and it's not trying to upsell me some junk. I guess what me and my wife are most stunned about is the price/value which is several thousand dollars less than DCL and only couple hundred more than RCCL. We're still wondering "what's the catch?"

I am going on the Divina trans Atlantic next week! It leaves out of NYC and I couldnt resist. The price was really good, and my brother was raving about the ship! (but not raving about many of the European passengers). Said they were rude to my mother, an older woman. He was on Divina in December, and got an outrageous deal. Anyway, this should be an awesome adventure. Nice itinerary too. So when are you going?

Loyalty programs are OK, but i sure wouldn't choose a cruise because of my loyalty status. I am platinum on Carnival, because of price, and convenience of where the ship leaves from, and my generous mother taking us all on family cruises, and she picks what ship we sail. There are also limited options out of Ny. It is nice to be platinum on Carnival, and have my laundry done, but I never pick a cruise because of it.

When a line asks for your comments at the end of the cruise, they ask a good question: What kind of cruiser are you? and I always answer: itinerary driven.

A cruise has to be in my price range, have an itinerary I want, and be at a time I want.

I think as I have cruised more, I am interested in sampling different ships and lines, but I think a new cruiser should not be so concerned with the ship, because any one that is 3.5 star or more will seem amazing to him, but concerned with the timing, price and itinerary of the trip.

Disagree with Caulder 60:

the cheapest time is usually after Labor Day to right before Christmas.....you can check yourself; Caribbean cruises are at an all time low now!

You don't need a birth cert if you have a valid passport. That is just bringing important stuff out of the house and country for no reason.

I personally don't think a drink package is worth it at all. It depends on you.

I don't print out luggage tags or even a ticket. I just show my passport and get on the ship. But do them if it makes you feel better. Believe me, they dont care if you have a printed ticket or not; they know who is going and on their list.

Don't BRING sneakers, wear them. invaluable. Or your most comfortable walking shoes. The rest of the things Caulder says to bring are good ideas, if you use them. Don't forget SUNGLASSES. Pack lighter than you want. You will buy T shirts and things. BEST Wishes!

Sorry, I've been on about 14 Carnival cruises and one very recent Royal Caribbean. The food is better on Carnival, by quite a bit, in our estimation. Of course, I still hope you have a great cruise, and report back as to how you think the food is on your ship. And food really is very very individual, and subjective a topic. It's not that ALL the food was awful, it is just that we were expecting somewhat better in the main dining room. SOME dishes were definitely under par for us, and food came out cold......there was absolutely no chance of getting beef cooked "medium". Either it was too rare, or over cooked.

We were just on Brilliance of the Seas, and our food was hit and miss too. People are talking about lobster, well, we had NO included lobster night. And there was no smoked salmon at the Windjammer breakfast. Many people have commented about the declining quality of Royal Caribbean food. It was my first cruise on them in 9 years, so I really had nothing to compare it to on the same line. Overall, Carnival's food was much better, and I had delicious lobster, and desserts. on Royal, most desserts were nothing to write home about. I actually lost weight on my trans Atlantic cruise. Some of my husbands food was served cold also. Good think I could rely on a good shrimp cocktail every night.

Can't understand the name "Oasis of the Seas"......listen to me people- an Oasis is Wet in the middle of Dry-(desert) and Oasis of the Seas is Dry (hopefully) in the middle of Wet.

The name makes no sense to me. We thought of Chicken of the Seas too, as many other have probably.

I like Beacon of the Seas....... and Allure of the Seas is a beautiful name.

I think they should bring back "Sovreign"

how about "Menace of the Seas"? Magic of the Seas I think would be nice, even if there is a Carn. Magic. It is a name people can relate to.

My husband thought of D'STILLATION of the Seas......(a party boat).

Dear Lou,

was looking at the "thread" for my cruise and was then going around the site. Saw the thing for the next name of a Royal Carib. ship. "moneymaker of the seas" is really good, and accurate, and my husband likes "Chicken of the Seas"......but anyway, had to comment of your picture of the Regal Empress. I thought she was built in the 30's. I took my first 2 cruises on her out of NY. That is when I got hooked on cruising. My mother treated me, in 2002. I still have the 2003 brochure, but then she left NY harbor. I think I still have a key too! You will see in my signature that my first 2 were on Regal, and she is so tiny compared to the ships today. What happened to her?

It was like an alternative to the big ships and large lines----