Ellipooh

I appreciate the "small plates" explanation. That's not immediately apparent from the description, and I assumed the Plus benefit would serve 2 persons sharing one dessert. As a solo traveler, I was trying to figure out how to maximize this, but now I understand that the benefit is essentially a single meal.

I’d count that upgrade as a score, regardless

Chef Darren McGrady, personal chef to Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Diana, Prince William and Harry, plus serving five U.S. presidents - …how on earth did he manage all of this?🫢

So here we all are, waiting anxiously for one of us to actually board so then we will all know for sure…until we find out that the people on board in the same cabin category are still being given conflicting information and benefits! 😝 Then what?

Who gets invited to the Go Lounge? Only suite pax? All suite pax? Or is there some other criteria?

I do not intend to criticize, I’m just trying to put myself in OP’s place — what would I really have done? And would my plan have had any more success? The answer to my first question is, I would have refused to move as instructed. Not at 0630 and not into 40° weather. I completely understand that the ship personnel were quite rude, obstinate, and unforgiving. But I can be that way too. So that leads me to my second question: would refusing to budge have had a better result? Or would I simply have been arrested?

Yikes. What a horrible experience.

I'm in the same boat as you (see what i did there?). I have been on a couple of cruises since my DH died, with mixed results. Is it as much fun? Of course not, not even close. But it's still a cruise, it's still a vacation, and it's all part of the process. And you'll likely find a fair number of other solo cruisers (for one reason or another) on board. The suggestion to enjoy your meals with others is a good one, with one caveat: The natural tendency of others is to ask if you're traveling alone, and that means (repeatedly) explaining why you are alone, which can be upsetting and awkward for everyone. So much so for me, that I have started dining alone just to avoid a still very difficult subject. Maybe I'll grow into it. But meanwhile I am still cruising. I'd encourage you to give it a try, even if you end up in a smaller cabin than you're used to. Just go and see what happens!

How was your walk-away from your Sanctuary reservation handled? Was there a refund requested/offered/provided?

As an alternative, there are a limited number of cabins available on the Emerald Princess 15-day full transit that also includes the solar eclipse.

Okay, I'm convinced I'd like to try VV. And I'd pay good money to someone who lets me know the next time they offer status matching. But they probably never will again...

Well I have been looking at the solo pricing, and I'm impressed enough to keep VV under consideration. There's a lot to like. And no one has mentioned this tidbit, which I think could be very useful: Change the name on your voyage up to 48 hours before you head out if you can’t make it, or want to change whoever is sailing with you.

I would love to try Virgin, I suspect it is particularly well-suited to me. But traveling solo and paying a 100% supplement on an already-increased fare puts it out of reach. I wish they had better options for solo travelers!

^^^^This. I love Sabatini's. I certainly prefer it over Crown Grill, but you will find many others who feel exactly the opposite. Sadly, the days of 5-star truly fine dining on board have sailed, unless you pay for the top-notch all-inclusive lines. The Specialty Dining options on Princess are a lovely evening out to a special dinner. Enjoy your cruise.

Sorry, “caffeine free Diet Coke” IYKYK (now someone is going to ask me what that means!) Anyway, I prefer a caffeine free option for a late-nite mixer.

I flew across country with ashes in a non-biodegradable urn. TSA was very respectful. As I had been told to expect, they immediately flagged the item from the conveyor belt and sought out the passenger to whom it belonged (me). They had me step aside while they performed a wipe down check and then carefully returned the box to me. It was very much like the process of being randomly selected for an additional security check.

On previous Princess cruises, I checked two 12-packs of CFDC by simply affixing a luggage tag to each. That’s no longer permitted?

As always, “worth” is in the eye of the purchaser. I’m not a meat eater, but I definitely enjoy Sabatini’s; my DH and FIL loved CG on our trip to Alaska. You can expect to see more seafood options in the MDR, especially salmon, but not overwhelmingly so. My advice would be to splurge once early in your voyage and then decide whether to go back again later.

Wait - That’s the one you all remember so fondly? Yuck, I didn’t like those at all. Shapeless and not very sturdy. I thought everyone was reminiscing about the canvas-y white one with little blue logos across it. Now that one I saved and still use.

How did you know how many pax went ashore? I couldn’t discern anything from the accompanying picture.

Ughhhh.

Very much enjoying your review - my first of yours, and it's delightful. I'll be doing a full transit in April, and appreciate your helpful hints tremendously!

I’m sure I had fresh limes in my Princess cocktails in the past. Have I been imagining things?

Isn’t there a valid insurance-related reason to wait for Final Payment? I’ve always gotten by with Princess insurance, but my next two cruises are solo and abroad, so I’ve signed up for a 3d party policy with extra medical, delay, cancellation, repatriation, etc. Since I’m being charged for the insurance based on monies spent toward the cruise at the time those monies are spent, I was advised to wait to apply my collection of Gift Cards to my account. Was that incorrect advice?

That sounds messy