SolocruiserMA

7 minutes ago, CruizinSusan70 said:

The Yacht Club has inside cabins and includes spa access as often as you'd like.

Funny you mentioned MSC Yacht Club.  That's exactly what I hooked! Interior with tons of perks including drinks. A small amount more expensive but worth it as its ultimately cheaper factoring adding in cheers.  

Carnival, If you read these boards,  a poor business decision led you to lose any future business from this single  cruiser who sails 4 times a year.  I'll be actively sailing your competitors.   

Phil 

Was booked for 9/16. Spa inside.  It was about 300.00 additional over a standard inside.  Worth it to me on a Canada route. 

The offer as spa insides don't exist,  was 100 pp spa credit that can only he used for treatments. And a standard inside. 

So 1 massage in essence and a standard inside. 

I calmy called and canceled. They waived the 250.00 fee as I explained I understand the need to make a business decision but I shouldn't  be forced to take less than after the fact. The rep agreed with me.  At least make me whole. 

Carnival,  I tried, really I did.  

Trying  MSC  next.  

16 minutes ago, kwokpot said:

Polo shirts, short sleeve button shirts, linen sweater,long sleeve shirt,Khakis, nice jeans, Boat shoes,loafers,Nice Leather dress sneakers are all appropriate Men's wear for the dining room. Of course you can dress up, but it's not necessary. My husband and I no longer bring any sports jackets of any kind nor ties and we only have slacks and both nice polo type shirts and long sleeve button shirts with loafers and/or dress sneakers.

Edit: Attached is a photo of our closet on the Edge during the inaugural Eastern Caribbean cruise in December, 2018. 

Thank you very much ! Very helpful.  My poor hubby is a diesel mechanic and, will obligingly wear what I buy and pack for him.  I just don't want to torture the dude.  LOL.  That's comfy yet, smart enough to blend in. 

JamieLogical, thank you for asking this question! My husband Ed and I are also switching from NCL to Celebrity,  after a very long time with NCL. We have the Apex booked for March 2022.  I have similar concerns as you mentioned and,  this is giving me reassurance it was a good decision!  

Thank you again, 

Philip and Ed. 

20 minutes ago, tallnthensome said:

Yea, I understand and we know what to expect but I guess in my eyes increasing the total cruise cost 25% to go from an inside to OV doesn't give me a warm fuzzy feeling. Why I'm seeking the largest inside cabins if there are any. Very little info out there on these four cabins. The insde cabins on deck 5 look much smaller then the four aft deck 10 .... but drawings can be wrong in reality. 

Oh, I still throughly enjoyed the voyage and ship.  With enough cocktails in me,  makes any room look like The Ritz!  I'm far too cheap to stray from my inside cabins. You have the right mentality.  I'd rather cruise 3 times a year in a closet than once in a balcony.  

My one time on the Escape from NY  to Bermuda in 2018 ish was in a standard inside on deck 5.  As my handle states,  I usually cruise solo as I was on this cruise.   This was a teeny tiny closet of a room for just me. I can't imagine 2 or more in it.  After 20ish cruises, it was the smallest room I've ever had.  

As a lifelong New Englander, I vote October.  The foliage will be in some state of change, crisp mornings and evenings, limited danger of tropical remnants coming up this way.  Lobster is also tastier when it comes from cooler sea temperatures. Hard shell is always sweeter than a molting lobster.

September has pool weather possibilities, October that's a no go on swimming even for this hearty soul.  Though the sea temperatures will still be very chilly. High 50s low 60s probably.  I'll swim in the sea if it hits 65. Much lower it hurts.  

Hopefully my rambling helped. 

On 11/16/2020 at 12:40 PM, Orator said:

How many vacation weeks do you have? Do you believe that your generation will develop loyalty to any one line? I love to see a mixture of demographics on a ship as it makes it more likely I can learn from others.

I receive 4 weeks paid vacation, 10 floating days PTO, 11 holidays per year, plus my birthday off. More time than I can generally even use so it builds up in my vacation bank. My balance is currently nearly 9 weeks PTO After 11 years with my firm. 

I usually take 2 10 day cruises plus a trip to Asia or Europe for a week. I'm very brand loyal. Once I find a brand that pleases me, I'd rather trust in them and worry about bigger fish in life. I only fly BA for example regardless of price. I know how they work, they know me, easy peasy. 

Celebrity got me to at least try out the Edge for a week. We shall see. 

I'm a Gen X'er who is Platinum Plus with NCL. Realizing about a year ago I was growing tired of NCL, I decided that I'm finally in a financial position to look at a more premium cruise line. So, I booked a Celebrity Edge voyage, a voyage on the Scarlet Lady, and MSC Yacht Club to try to find my new preferred line. 

I suspect lots of my generation are in a similar position, having student loans gone, a house with equity, and a career with 10 years of seniority. It's only natural to start to explore. 

Celebrity would be negligent not to try to capitalize on that reality. 

12 hours ago, DaCruiseBug said:

 

As someone that's sailed on a few NCL and a few Celebrity cruises i'm going to throw in my opinion on the matter.

 

The first disclaimer that I will give is that i'm in my mid-30s and have been on 9-10 cruises including Carnival, MSC, Celebrity, Royal, and NCL. I've stayed in an inside cabin (Edge January 19) and done the Yacht Club on MSC.

 

The Edge is simply an amazing ship. It has some of the best technology onboard, the best quality of food, best service, and also best entertainment. There are some mixed reviews about the "infinite veranda" concept but I think it's blown a little out of proportion.

 

While on the Edge I noticed a stark contrast in reviews mostly based on age. A vast majority of those who weren't fans of the ship were seasoned Celebrity cruisers 60 and up. Most of us that were 40 and under absolutely raved about our cruise. I think it comes down to adapting to change and some people simply don't like how Celebrity has changed their product.

 

The first thing you'll notice is that Celebrity unlike NCL doesn't nickel and dime you about every single thing. Believe it or not I find the pricing of Celebrity to be just as competitive (if not cheaper) than on many NCL sailings. The classic beverage package on Celebrity includes bottled water unlike the "deluxe" package on NCL and you don't have to pay any additional fees on it if you get it as a perk. NCL rips you off with almost $200 per 7 day sailing in "gratuities" on their "free" beverage package. You don't have to worry about Celebrity doing that.

 

On the Edge class ships you'll have access to all 4 dining rooms and if you choose the dine anytime option you can literally go to whichever dining room you prefer and whenever you want. Each dining room has the "standard" daily menu plus a list of items specific to that dining room. The service is IMPECCABLE and the food on the Edge last year was 100 times better than anything I ate on NCL including their specialty restaurants.

 

Cabin sizes overall are bigger and more comfortable on the Edge compared to any NCL ship i've been on. I've been on the Getaway, Escape, and Sun. As a matter of fact, our inside room on the Edge felt bigger and more comfortable than a balcony on NCL.

 

The boarding experience will blow your mind. You upload a picture of yourself on the app and when you arrive at the pier you drop off your bags, stop and talk to one of the agents for about 1 minute and you're walking onto the ship with no wait. From getting out of our Uber to walking into our cabin it was about 8 minutes. That included dropping off our luggage.

 

As far as the entertainment goes i've always enjoyed it on NCL. However, the talent onboard the Edge last year was like nothing i've ever seen on a cruise ship. The entertainment was simply impeccable.

 

Believe it or not there is 1 thing NCL does better than Celebrity, or any other cruiseline for that matter. The Spa. Not saying that it wasn't impressive on the Edge, but the setup and the facilities in the Spa on the Escape were amazing. Having that hot tub and big hot water pool in the spa on the Escape makes a huge difference!

 

Anyways, enough with my rant about how much I love Celebrity. If you have any other specific questions please feel free to ask! I'm booked in an AquaClass cabin in April on the Apex and spent less than NCL wanted for any regular balcony cabin on a similar itinerary and I can't wait!

DaCruiseBug, thank you kindly for your in-depth comparison between your experiences on both NCL and Celebrity. 

As a man barely clinging on to his 30s I don't consider myself a traditionalist. I'm very excited to try out The Edge especially after the thoughts you've shared. I'm in a panoramic ocean view as I figured it should be light and airy and at the time, a considerably lower price to an IV cabin. I reckon I'd seldom open the balcony window anyhow.  I'm very easy to please generally. A gin martini, not too dry before dinner and a drambuie on the rocks after usually does the trick. Well, lots of good books to read whilst I people watch pretending to read. Lol 

NCL just hasn't done it for me the last few voyages. Shame as I hit platinum. I agree with you on the spa! A magnificent place. But the prices are through the roof!  

Good food, entertainment, a beautiful ship, and the endless majesty of the sea. I'll take it! 

Safe voyages to you! 

Philippe

Hey

On 10/11/2020 at 6:19 PM, hungry1 said:

Hi Philipe,

 

I just wanted to say hello and wish you a great journey.  I did the same thing as you a few weeks ago and booked a sailing with Celebrity for the first time on the Edge as a solo cruiser.  However, I wanted as little hiccoughs as possible, so I booked it far out to April 2022 on a sailing that @sandancer is also on.  Part of my decision is as a solo cruiser the staterooms are larger than most solo staterooms on other cruise ships.  Also, very few solo staterooms have access to sunlight like the infinite veranda solo staterooms.  

The good news is that bar sales are what help keep the fleet afloat.  So even if the Martini bar is packed when you go, there will be other choices to get a beverage like Sunset bar, Eden, the casino bar.  I hope to do the same on my voyage.

You'll have to give me feedback about what you thought after your cruise.  

 

Douglas

Hi Douglas,

Oh ye of little faith. Actually,  a more sound decision. As a CPA,  I'm naturally more risk averse, turning over a new leaf perhaps. LOL

I hope your voyage is everything you thought it could be! I intend to compose a most likely substandard review of my voyage. I'm happy to share my thoughts and observations with you. 

Stay well,

Philippe

3 hours ago, jelayne said:

We will see on you board!  
ps-  we didn’t have a problem getting my pre-dinner  martini or  Bailey’s nightcap ( and of course wine with dinner & late afternoon margarita 😀).

I see we share mealtime priorities. Hahahaha. Let's just hope it goes as intended. I can't wait after 2 cancelled this year. 

Thank you everyone for sharing in my excitement!  I'm an eternal optimist. Helpful in life I've found. A week aboard any ship is better than doing my own cooking and cleaning. I'll take it LOL. 

I have reservations about the lack of bar space. A pre and post dinner libation is a must for me.  But if it's truly terrible to snag a space, my liver will be thankful at least. 

I too am going early April. The 4th to be exact. I will need to bring actual slacks.  So accustomed to the anything goes attitude of NCL. 

After many cruises on NCL, I decided to jump ship and try Celebrity. I'd like to think it's because I'm eminently more sophisticated, worldly, cultured, and debonair than I was but nah! I'm the same old me and NCL prices are off the wall lately. So much so, my FCC's are patiently waiting a future price drop from NCL. 

To the Edge I come! Well, hopefully and fingers crossed.

Stay safe everyone and wishing you many journeys in the months and year ahead. 

Solocruiser MA aka Philippe

I'll share my most vivid cruising memory with the forum in hopes of stirring all of you to bring to mind your most vivid cruising memories too. 

I took a 10 day Southern Caribbeam cruise on the NCL Gem in March 2019.  Our very first port was San Juan, Puerto Rico. It was a late visit. 3pm to 10pm. 

Finally not being solo, a miracle of miracles, I decided to check off an item on my list and do a "tandem kayak and bioluminescent bay tour".

A bit of background. I'm of average fitness, barely clinging onto my 30s, and kayak often in lakes. I booked through NCL, which I almost never do. I can usually find local attractions on my own easy enough. Gosh, I'm glad I did! This excursion was the marine equivalent of 40 years schlepping through the desert! Get your life preservers on for ride. 

I should have figured, this tour had all the hallmarks. The three little people walking logo under activity level, the time it started was 315 and the time ended was 9:45, 15 minutes in either direction of our port visit, and to the word "brisk" mentioned several times in the description. But, I figured I have done similar activity and I'm not quite yet ready to hang my adventure hat up. 

The tour bus is waiting for us as we disembarked. It was a regular size School Bus and there where exactly 10 of us on the tour. We were absolutely hustled on, air conditioning blasting, which felt really good as it was still sweltering in the Sun and we were all in our bathing suits as instructed by the tour description.  Off we went for a short ride through the Puerto Rican countryside. Well, it wasn't really short. It turned out to be almost 2 hours with traffic. Surveying the other victims, the age ranges were a husband and wife similar in age to me and their two children who were young teenagers. Quite a few people who must have been in their 50s or 60s I imagine and the rest in their 20s. 

As we finally pulled up, very close to 5:30, the bright warm sunshine has faded away into the very beginning of dusk. A stiff nreeze was blowing on shore and we were looking at a vast ocean bay with a chop.  Lined up were 6 bright yellow tandem kayaks, paddles, life jackets, and safety gear.  We all signed the requisite if you kill me it's not your fault forum. Received instructions that we were going to paddle across this vast bay to the third opening in the mangrove swamp and turn left. Another clue should have been they sprayed each of us pretty heavily with bug spray and gave us each a safety whistle. Paddling across that bay with a fading sunlight wasn't too difficult. Heading into the breeze was a bit challenging as was synchronizing your strokes with your partner. After we dodged several moored sail boats that had to have been at least 40 ft in length and made it closer to the mangroves it became quite dark and it was a bit challenging to tell what was an opening between two mangroves and what was just a split in the roots of 1 mangrove tree. Wishing I was 10 years younger, so I could actually see something again, we went for it. Somehow, we guessed it right and our guide was up ahead.  He said rather calmly that we're going to paddle about 6 miles through the mangrove swamp and when we come out we will be at our destination. He advised us that it's going to be dark in there as light doesn't really penetrate through the foliage, we will be going against the current, there will be other groups of both kayakers and small motor boats coming in both directions, and there will be bugs of all shapes and sizes paying us a visit. He said but we are going to have fun. I do believe that was the only audible chuckle I heard from our group the rest of the evening. I took the whistle which you were to blow if you got lost and somehow he would find you and started the sojourn through the mangroves. At first the sea air must have been with us. I was wondering he you thought we were just a bunch of soft tourists who couldn't handle the stray mosquito or a bit of exertion. I changed my mind rather quickly on that front when I saw this terrifyingly large beetle looking bug land on my forearm and then a smaller looking bug landed next to it with a few mosquitoes thrown in for good measure. After I nearly became one of those soft tourists and paddled my way out of there, I composed myself enough to swat them away and paddle just a little bit faster. At this time it had to have been close to 7:30. We were about halfway through the initial 6-mile paddle in and the smell of the mangrove swamp was indescribably putrid. I'm from New England and I have smelled my fair share of fishing ports but this was like magnified twice! Mix that with the constant assault from every single bug species in Puerto Rico, utter and complete darkness, a group of people who quite frankly had no idea what we were doing, and various other groups of people coming in the opposite direction, who also had no idea what they were doing. It devolved into a cluster of about 40 kayaks and paddles, bouncing off one another for 2 hours whilst fending off attacks by bugs.  

With Herculean effort by all, our 40 years was up we thought. Arriving at the promised land of bioluminescent Bay. The 2 hours we spent paddling around where indeed one of the highlights of my life. Breathtakingly beautiful under the tropical moon.  

The guide said on the way back it would be a little bit easier as we're going with the tide. He said the darkness and the bugs will be worse however. And on that bright spot we continued Our Journey part 2. The same bugs were eager to see us again, the same stench permeated our noses, and now even bigger power boats were whizzing by us uncomfortably close in the dark. 

When we saw the light at the end of the swamp we realized then we had to travel across that vast bay avoiding the darked sailboats and their spider web of a lines. With arms absolutely aching, legs cramped, and backs screaming we paddled across Back Bay getting very close to several sailboats we simply couldn't see and shouted Land Ho when we finally saw the beach. If I've ever felt like an immigrant it was at that moment when a muddy, stinking, curled up, wretch of a human washed ashore so inelegantly on the beach that night. 

There was no Fanfare to meet us back the guide simply told us to get back on the bus as quickly as possible as we were running late. The two-hour ride back was certainly quiet. 10 exhausted masses of people stenching like the very swamp they were in 4 hours. Welted from head to toe with various bug bites. Surely I can say now I've caught a 1920s disease. I suppose another one to check off my list. They offered us refreshments, not a soul stirred from their seat. 

To tour guide said not to worry he has been in communication with the ship saying we were going to be very late indeed. I kept thinking about being so careful in the past to allow myself several hours before departure. This certainly isn't my first rodeo. And I wondered will they really hold a ship up for 10 people. 

My question was answered shortly after 11:30 when we pulled into port and I saw the bright lights of the ship blazing like a beacon on the shore. The Glorious lights. How I would have yearned for one in the swamp just a few hours ago. We hand to the tour guide whenever money was in our wallet. I'm still not quite sure how much that was. It didn't matter he brought us home. We file out of the bus. What a sight we must have been. The people on their balconies still up at that late hour are shouting to us welcome back you must be the 10 passengers we are all waiting for.  We go through the security scanner there is an officer just beyond him. He shakes our hand and said see, I told you we will wait. He said you're awfully lucky this is a Norwegian tour, if this was any other tour we won't have left hours ago.  

We were definitely starving, cold, wet, itchy, and sore. Our clothing certainly wasn't the same color as when we left any longer.  I was very grateful for a hot shower that night and the largest breakfast at sea I've ever had the next morning! 

That, was my most memorable time on a cruise. I hope that when we all can cruise again, you all have memorable moments  that you cherish as much as I have. 

I have 2 cruises booked on the Gem, my favorite ship. A 6/26 to Bermuda, I give that 0% chance of happening. Also an 11 day Southern Caribbean leaving 1/3. That's 50/50 in my eyes at this point. 

I love NCL and am standing with them in this crisis. Though hoping my January cruise happens! It was a killer deal in October. 

My hubby and I are in the Twilight of our 30s. Last March, we went on an excursion marked challenging. It was night kayaking bioluminesent bay in Puerto Rico. 

It was quite a workout! We kayak quite a lot and are average in fitness. We started on a beach, had to kayak across a very windy and exposed ocean bay. Through moored boats. It was about 30 minutes of paddling. Then into the narrow, dark, buggy, smelly mangrove swamp channel. Against the current and navigating away from other boats and kayaks. Paddled across the sheltered bay then back through the swamp. All in all about 4 hours of pretty intense activity. 

We got back to the ship late at night, wet, muddy, swampy smelling, and starving. But, with amazing memories of a special place. 

We now know that challenging means challenging lol

Don't worry about being treated like steerage. My partner and I are platinum and only ever book the cheapest non sailaway interior. (Usually deck 4). Never once have I ever felt discriminated against. The way I figure, NCL needs us plebes who book inside cabins to fill the ship and make money. 

Relax and enjoy!!! 

Phil and Ed

My husband and I have had successes at these events far more often than misses. 

They seem to be 7:00 ish on most ships. A good time for a convivial post or pre dinner libation, if that's your thing. 

Have a wonderful time! 

Phil and Edward

I've been blessed enough to cruise out of NY in March the past 2 years. Both on the NCL Gem. A "midsize" ship.  Last year's 10 day Southern Caribbean was remarkably smooth. It felt like a lake 9 out of 10 days. The weather started and ended a bit chilly but 8 out of 10 days were warm enough to drink al fresco. I say try it! Winter/Spring cruising out of NY is my favorite. Low prices, limited kids, and an escape from the cold. 

If you had any other questions feel free to ask. We are going on a 12 day winter. NYC sailing in January just to have a snowy cruise. Lol

Thanks for the heads-up! My 11 day January 2021 on the Gem is now double points. Platinum here I come lol

We cruised on the Gem last March. The cruise terminal is plenty large. They did the sailaway party in The Spinnaker Lounge. The first 1 and a half dayd6 were only warm enough for the hot tubs. But, by day 3 it was nice out and pool/lounger weather. 

I can't help with kids as I don't have any but for adults, I always found enough inside activities. 

The waterside is very sedate! Very dull. But, the ship is beautiful especially The Great Outdoors. 

We liked it so much we are going on another 10 cruise this winter. 

6 hours ago, andychris said:

Any information on the 10 night from NY in February.  Any info and tips would be appreciated.  Are there more activities indoors for the first and last couple of days since it will be cold.

Thanks!! 

They seemed to host the usual activities but moved them to indoor locations when cold. I didn't sense a greater emphasis on scheduling additional inside activities due to weather constraints. 

Mind you, we were never bored and it warmed up quick enough for my Bostonian butt to spend lots of time at the great outdoors starting the afternoon of the second day. 

15 hours ago, yearsofcruising said:

did the 10day Gem last March as well. Did you miss the Antigua port and go to St. Maartins instead of St. Kitts ?

We did miss St Kitts. They routed us to St Maartin. It's alright, we hung out on Orient Beach but we were really looking forward to trying a new island. Antigua was removed before we sailed. Lots of changes to this itinerary.....  

We are looking at Bermuda next year. It's our favorite quick cruise. We are 3 days from Gold, finally lol 

My partner and I did 10 days on the beautiful Gem in March. We are younger 30ish and always found things to do during the day. I enjoyed the napkin folding, sushi making, and other cooking demonstrations. Also, dance classes were fun and the karaoke tryouts. We wished they had some additional enrichment opportunities but we realize it isn't Cunard and put on out party hat's until we do a crossing.