GaryT-UK

Thinking back our guide mainly kept us moving, as there was a lot to see and we had limited time as we were heading to the airport.

We also jumped the queue for the bus tour of the launch pads which takes you on to the Saturn V centre, and we had our own bus on the way back too.

If you do go on your own I'd make sure you check these bus times (I didn't have to think about that on the ship's tour, so I'm not sure if long waits are a big issue) especially if you have to be back at the ship early.

I wandered through the market on the way to Columbus Cove. I had a sunbed by the water, so alternated between relaxing, swimming, grabbing a drink or two (included in the premium drinks package) and generally having a relaxing day.

The buffet was nice enough. I thought the activities were expensive for what they were, but I can't say I missed not doing them.

On the whole it was a very enjoyable day.

I had my first RCI cruise on FOS in October and I really enjoyed it. It's a great ship and I'm definitely considering another cruise with them. The Ice Show is well worth seeing and I also enjoyed the Dreamworks parade on the last afternoon (I had a great spot outside the Bull & Bear pub, which was handy for an afternoon beer too!) but there were lots of other highlights too, I was never bored - I'm sure you'll have a good time.

The hostesses were outside the restaurant throughout the day taking reservations when I was on board in October. That said I didn't book as I like MTD so I can eat when I'm ready. I just turned up and always got a table for one with the same waiters, and only waited for a couple of minutes once while they got the table ready. I was generally going around 7- 7.30, so I could be finished in plenty of time for the 9pm show, and I did notice there seemed to be long queues as I was leaving, so it maybe gets busier after 8pm.

Hi all,

 

I have 2 solo trips next year with RC which I'm really looking forward to. I've sailed on RC several times in the past and like them very much but can't help but wonder what some of the other cruise lines would be like for a solo?

 

I've read so many good reviews about NCL Epic but I'd like opinions/thoughts on other lines as well.

 

Preferable Celebrity and Princess. (Carnival is not even an option-did them many years ago and have no interest ever doing them again).

 

So what do all you seasoned solo's think?, good and bad views appreciated.

 

 

 

Thanks

 

Patty

 

Personally I'm all in favour of trying something new - I've just had my 11th solo cruise, but the first with RC, and loved it - I'll definitely sail with them again, so I'm glad I tried.

I generally don't think being solo makes much of a difference (unless different cruise lines' single supplement policies bother you), although I've also read the NCL solo cabin reviews and I'm curious too.

I really enjoyed my two Celebrity cruises, which were a bit more "refined" for want of a better word, whilst RC was more about the fun - I enjoyed the 2 different cruise experiences.

That said Princess doesn't appeal to me at all, despite friends giving them good reviews, so I'd also consider what appeals to you. If you like the sound of it give it a try. If it doesn't suit you at least you have your favourite line for next time.

On the Freedom of the Seas in October we also stayed on Ship's (Florida) time for the week, so we were an hour different when in Grand Cayman.

They do sell the packages on board, so I'd assume you can buy it at the start of your second week. I think it was more expensive than buying in advance though.

I've just had My Time Dining on Freedom. On the first night, not knowing how it worked, I said I didn't mind a table for one or a large shared table. I got a table for one, and after that they always seated me with the same waiters whenever I arrived (I didn't make any reservations). To be honest I didn't notice any shared tables in my section of the MTD dining room (on Freedom deck 5 is the My Time section). However this suited me perfectly fine. The hostesses are outside the restaurant during the day taking reservations and they were really nice, so I'd have a chat with them on the first afternoon and see what they suggest.

On Freedom a couple of weeks ago it was $32 for 6 cards, or $55 for electronic boards that gave you 33 chances and they were doing a buy 2 get one free offer with them. I only played the cards - didn't win at bingo, but did get a t-shirt(!) and free cocktail :)

I'm just off the Freedom & the sticker was on my sea pass at check in. The soft drink cup was in my cabin. People were buying on board though and they were collecting their own cups from various tables around the ship.

I've just had the Premium Package on Freedom. I did the maths and decided it would probably work for me, and pre-paid before the cruise - after that I deliberately didn't count drinks to check I was getting my money's worth and as a result enjoyed the convenience of it, plus it's nice to just have that extra drink without thinking you've got to pay for it. I tried lots of different beers, went for some of the more expensive wines with dinner, had the odd cocktail, $10 Champagne at the very nice Champagne bar, and spirits as a nightcap? However I also enjoyed the Freestyle soda machines during the day, and picked up bottles of water every time I went back to my cabin. I think I got good value for money, and tried lots of drinks that wouldn't have been possible on lower packages and would definitely choose this again.

Thank you for the review:). We're doing this tour on November 15th. Could you tell me how the luggage was handled? Thank you.

 

You put your main luggage outside your cabin the night before & keep your hand luggage with you. They give you numbered tags (ours was #1), tours were first off the ship after the independent departures.

Once off the ship you collect your own cases from the carousel in the terminal before going through customs. I think there were porters, but I didn't need them.

Once outside at the tour bus you make sure your cases go on the bus you are travelling on. The driver and tour guide are there to make sure you are ok.

The bus was locked all day for our tour, so you could leave everything on the bus - I just carried a small bag with a bottle of water round KSC.

Then you take the same bus to the airport, pick your own bags off the bus and then head to check in.

I was on FOS w/c 12th October and it was Casey then. He (and the rest of the team) did a great job too in my opinion. Had a great time - hope you do too :D

I'm just back from FOS & the Ice Show is well worth seeing. I had booked online in advance, but they also advertised a chance to book reservations on board (I met a couple who did this) and there seemed to be a wait-list queue for spare seats at the show I went to as well.

I went on this tour from the Freedom last Sunday (19 Oct 2014).

Meeting time in the theatre was changed from 8.15am to 7am (for operational reasons) which meant a very early start. We were almost first off the ship, but had to wait for the bus and didn't leave until almost 8.30am. However we arrived at KSC just at 9am, which is when it opens anyway.

We had a great tour guide (Connie) who kept us all moving.

The tour included a quick trip to the Early space flight exhibit (a bit too quick), the Rocket park, Atlantis (awesome & do the launch simulator if you can), then we had a bus tour of the launch pads before getting to the Saturn V section for lunch.

We left at 2pm and were at the airport for around 3pm, though they say it's ok for domestic flights after 4pm & international after 5pm (you are at the mercy of traffic & also the rest of you tour group being on time).

As a tour it was one of the many highlights of my holiday. You don't have time to leisurely read everything, but it fills the time before your flight well. I'd definitely recommend it if you like anything space related.

I sailed on the Majesty in July and had a great time. The entertainment is excellent, food good and as you say one of the big selling points is the great itineraries they have.

I've only been on Celebrity & NCL so far and you have to realise it's almost a different type of cruise. It's not quite as fancy, the cabins are fine but not quite as modern, the entertainment very much caters to the British rather than US market and it's a smaller ship than some, so doesn't have as many facilities. However I don't see those as a negative.

Different things matter to different people, but I'd definitely say it was worth a try.

I agree with Sugarloaf that the Caves trip in Slovenia is very good. I caught the People Mover in Venice and then walked it to St Mark's Square, which took me about an hour, but you get to wander through the back streets on the way. I'd been to Dubrovnik before so went on the Konavale Wine Tasting tour, which was a little tourist train that stopped at four vineyards (for a bit of wine and lunch) and also a watermill. Was an excellent morning, especially as it was pouring down that day.

Found a much better deal on the dream, so have booked that. The ports will now be visiting are villefranche , Livorno , rapallo, Toulon, Barcelona ,Palma, olbia,sorrento , rome, Ajaccio , and palamos

 

Hi, I've been to a few of these too, lots of nice places and some where you can have a nice lazy day before busier ports the next day.

Villefranche - just had a wander round the beach & town.

Livorno - been 3 times, once did the Pisa/Florence trip, once wine tasting & once just explored the town. I'd do Pisa/Florence if you've not been.

Rapallo - again just explored, found the cable car up to a church & great views. May be worth checking the times in advance though as I think I was lucky to get there when it was setting off.

Toulon - went on a Sunday on my first ever cruise, they had a French Sunday market which was great, but everything else was shut. Also a little tourist train. I had no expectations of this port and it's still one of my favourite ever port days.

Barcelona - loads to do. HOHO buses are a great way to see the main sites - definitely worth planning what you want to see here. Easy to do on your own.

Palma - another of my fave places. Catch the bus or walk the seafront to the Cathedral, Palace & shopping area. Have also done the train tour (not on a cruise) to Soller which is good too.

Rome - been twice. I've done the ship's tours to the Coliseum & Vatican - would recommend both.

Ajaccio - another nice port to wander around. A lot did this as a beach day.

Palamos - another good beach day port. If you like art the trip to the Dali museum in Figueres is really interesting.

You'll have to let me know what Olbia & Sorrento are like :) Enjoy!!

Looking at two cruises, both on thompson celebration. 7 ports are the same( Dubrovnik , katakolon ,Corinth ,itea,Corfu town,kotor,and Venice . However there are four different ports on each of the cruises. If you had to pick would you choose either koper, sibneik , korcula and Bari, or the other option of rovinj, Trieste ,zadar and split. Thanks

I've only been to 4 of your choices:

Koper - went in July and took the trip to the Postojna Caves - well worth it in my opinion.

Korcula - agree with Kruzseeka, its a nice small port to explore. I went on a tour to Vela Luka to see a bit of the island (& did a bit of wine tasting) and still had plenty of time to explore.

Zadar - was another stop this summer. A nice town to wander round, there are a few ruins, a good seafront walk if you don't want to go on tour. This had the option of a tour to Krka (see below).

Split - Didn't really have much time to explore the town as I did a trip to the Krka National Park trip, which has huge waterfalls, something different after places like Venice & Dubrovnik.

If I had to choose I'd probably go for Koper & Korcula, but I'd go back to the others too.

You also have some great stops & tour opportunities with the other 7 ports, so it might be worth considering what you would do there and then see if the other places offer something different that you like.

My suggestion would be to not worry about the so-called single supplement. Instead, simply decide on a budget (say, $200/day including any supplement) and then look for cruises/cabins that meet that guideline. Otherwise, in my opinion you will unnecessarily restrict your options.

I entirely agree with this - single supplements are almost a fact of life, so I don't really look at them. I choose my dates, the general area I want to sail and then see what is available on the ships I like and if I can afford it. (Sometime I can, sometimes I've had to look elsewhere).

I haven't tried the NCL solo cabins (but would consider them as the reports on here are so good) but I know having sailed with NCL that they have a very different cruise style to say Celebrity (which is a bit more formal in my opinion - but I like that). I'm trying RCI next as I've heard they are great fun.

I think you have to consider what type of holiday matters to you and hopefully you can find a cruiseline to match and afford their prices. Plus reading all of the brochures to find out is great fun in itself :)

Maybe it's been asked, but is it rude to bring your kindle in the dining room I'f you plan on dining alone? I personally don't mind, but would like to know others opinions.

 

Kim

 

In my opinion if you are dining alone reading is no problem, other people probably won't even notice. I often find when at a table on my own though I end up chatting to people at tables on either side, so maybe don't be so engrossed in your book that you miss that chance.

Other than that it sounds like you are going with the attitude that you are going to enjoy it - and I think that's the most important thing when you are on your own. Hope you have a great time :)

[quote name='dav3']Great tips! I'll be doing Royal's Majesty OTS in February solo and the only part that I'm feeling awkward on is eating in the MDR solo. Reading your posts, it does seem I can request a table for 2. I do enjoy some type of activity while eating, so I'll probably bring along my kindle. I'm introverted and find it hard to keep a good conversation going with people I'm just meeting.[/QUOTE]

If you are on My Time dining rather than fixed seating maybe keep your options open. I often ask for a table for one, but say I don't mind sharing. It's pot luck what you get then, but sometimes it's nice to meet new people and if it doesn't suit you or your not in the mood for company you can always go back to just asking for a table for 1.

I have decided to take the Freedom of the Seas ship's tour to the San Gervasio ruins in Cozumel in October. However there are two tour options - a 3 hour tour of just the ruins or just over 4 hours including 1.5 hours at a beach.

Personally I can take or leave the beach part, but I wondered whether anyone else has done this tour? Is it worth going to the beach, is it something to be seen, or better to get back to port and have more time to explore the town for the rest of the day?

Are there free beaches near the port, or are they all beach clubs?

Thanks for any advice.

They were on the first sea night when I was there. The Captain's reception lets you meet the Captain and have a photo taken on the way in while you're all dressed up. You get a free glass of wine and canapes and I think Muzzik Unlimited were playing, then they introduce the senior officers and you go off to dinner. Its something different and if its your first cruise I'd say its worth seeing and worth dressing up for.

You'll get an invite to the formal dinner as its the only night they have an early and late sitting. If you get invited to the one you don't want you can change it the next morning at the restaurant. Also some invites are for the Seven Seas restaurant, other's the Four Seasons. We only found that out as a group of us went for dinner and had different invites - but they sorted it anyway!

Even if you don't go to the formal dinner (you can eat in the buffets still) you can still go to the main show as normal afterwards.

Enjoy :D

As Celebrity and Royal Caribbean are part of the same group I'd also suggest that they are trying to distinguish two different products, Modern Luxury vs Family Fun, so the overall Group has products that appeal to as wide a market as possible.