Misself

On 3/4/2019 at 6:56 PM, pf778c said:

Butterfly & Lois,

 

I'm the rebellious poster that revels in solo travel, so blame me!  I can understand how you may be a little apprehensive on your first solo trip, Butterfly, but I just wanted to interject that it's not necessarily something that you need to apprehensive about.  A woman enjoying herself on her own, is not necessarily brave, it's delightfully self-indulgent!  Unfortunately, women suffer this stigma more than men.  We are expected, and unconsciously, come to expect, that we need to be chaperoned in some way, any time we are in public, a Western state of purdah, if you will!  As long as you are open to meeting people and making new friends, you will.  Often, I find the most difficult part of socialized when traveling as a solo is managing to find time by myself!  I've been known to request a table for one behind a pillar in order to have a quick breakfast or lunch before going ashore or to trivia, etc. so I don't feel guilty when new friends see me and ask me to join them in a more leisurely meal!  You're going to have a fantastic time.

 

Bechi

A woman enjoying herself on her own, is not necessarily brave,it's delightfully self-indulgent.....I love that and it is so true! 🙂    I will say use that phrase next time someone says I'm brave to go away on my own.   

A lot depends on your budget.   There are some cheap hostels (with private facilities) near the port.  I stayed in Hostal Barcelona last year.  It was VERY basic but clean and I could walk to the port in the morning, picking up the Port bus to take me to the terminal.

I personally prefer to save as much as possible on travel costs, so I use the Airport Aerobus for a few Euros, which drops you off in Central Barcelona.  This year I have managed to book a low cost hotel very near Placa de Catalunya so just a few minutes walk from the bus drop off.   Then in the morning I will get a taxi down to the port which I understand is fairly cheap.

I found this website very helpful with the travel options

https://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/airport/transport/barcelona-airport-bus-aerobus.html

Check the various hotel comparison websites for accommodation to suit your preferred location and budget.  

1 hour ago, Lois R said:

Hi Rebecca, I have been sailing solo for 16 years and LOVE IT. I am sailing again next month too.  Are you nervous about "other people" thinking those things about you?  To be totally honest, people are really into themselves while on vacation and really don't care about the status of other cruisers. In other words, I seriously doubt anyone will care if you are traveling on your own.  You may get a few folks who might make a comment about sailing own your is brave, etc...(After all these years I still get that line sometimes) but if someone has an issue? It is their problem, not yours.   Anyway, no reason to "become bummed" about sailing solo.  It is the only way I cruise.

 

Hope you have a good time

As Lois said above, I doubt anyone will find anything 'strange' about you being on your own.  To be honest I think a lot of people are fascinated and probably slightly envious that you have the courage to go away on your own.  I found a lot of people when they find you are on your own, like to try and talk to you.  

I've done 4 solo trips and my 5th is later this year.  While I still enjoy going away with my friends, I'm equally excited (and probably a little bit more!!) about my solo cruise.   

Just chill out and enjoy lots of people watching (particularly the couples and/or families that are becoming frazzled with each others company ;-))

P&O UK are just trialling a drinks package, but limit 15 drinks a day. 

17 hours ago, adam_s_allen said:

Also there is no happy hour on NCL

Every hour is happy hour 😀🍸.

4 hours ago, hallux said:

Guess I'll add myself to this "solo roll call".

 

I'm booked on the Norwegian Bliss for the April 28 to May 4, 2019 trip from LA to Vancouver.

 

This will be my first true solo trip. I've cruised in cabins by myself but was with my parents, siblings and niece and nephew the first 2 times.  This will be my first NCL trip, previous 2 were Royal Caribbean (Explorer and Anthem).  I've driven a bumper car at sea, time to drive a go-kart!

So jealous!!!!.  Really want to try Bliss, it looks amazing, but once I've added flights from UK it's sadly out of budget for this year.    I've just booked Epic so while I'm onboard I may get some cruisenext deposits to use for Bliss at some point.

Have fun, I'm sure you will enjoy your first true solo trip.  

x

Just booked NCL Epic for 2 June (Western Med).  The Studio price dropped today by £140 (around $182 I think), having been tracking it for a few weeks.   Just got to the 100 days so possibly that's why.   

Anyway hope to meet some great Solo cruisers again 🙂

Having taking the plunge and booked, my cruise countdown tells me it's 100 days to go.  Perhaps the 100 day marker is the trigger for drop in price!  Anyhow I'm happy I've got something to look forward to 

I'm sorely tempted!   I'm talking myself into booking it .   

So I've been monitoring Epic studio prices for June/July this year and they've been steady for last 3 weeks (generally heading down a little).  Today for 2 June it dropped by a massive £140!!  Is this a sign 😉

With UK bookings it's All Inclusive so no promo's to worry about...for studio's the price is the price!  

Wondering why the sudden drop for that week in particular??

I don't go to a restaurant to evaluate if I like the pictures on the wall or the way the tables are laid out.

 

I go there for the food. And Taste is a far superior option to the buffet or O'Sheehan's

That's what I think. I actually quite like the decor in Taste, and it's the only MDR option for lunch as I know Manhatten is only evenings. I just fancy a change from buffet or O'Sheenhans (even if its only for Embarkation Day and the sea day).

trying again.

 

thank you :d

There is only the stop at the Christopher Columbus monument. No stops, and no passengers added or dropped off, between there and the port.

Thank you. I think the diagram actually shows the port stops just inside the port so I thought they were on the road outside.

Hi

Does anyone know, is there only the one stop (by the Christopher Columbus monument), or does it pick up along the way also? I'm looking at the Barcelona tourist guide and the picture indicates 3 blue bus stops before entering the port? One of those is closer to my hotel :-)

Thanks

Thanks. I'm intending, if possible, to do it when I embark this year, save the scrum of the buffet!!

Hi

I've searching the threads and other websites and getting some conflicting information.

Although I've been on Epic before I've never gone to Taste for lunch. Is it open every lunch time or only on seas days (and what about Barcelona embarkation day??).

Hoping someone who has been recently can remember.

Thanks

I would definitely book the balcony! Although you wouldn't have general access the Studio lounge, you can still gain access during the solo meet up hour or so. On my trips on Epic I found the studio lounge pretty quiet at other times. Yes it was nice to have somewhere quiet to pop back to at the end of the evening to grab a drink and cookie, but for me the balcony perks would outweigh that.

Ha ha, this reminds me of several years back, we paid for drinks package on a Celebrity ship (3 night mini cruise). The first night my friend abused it so much she asked them to take it away from her!!!. So they then produced an itemised bill for the drinks already 'bought' that she had to pay for. It was quite amusing to see evidence of the bar crawl she had done that first night. She actually very nearly spent the value of the drinks package that first night, but didn't want the temptation of it for the next 2 nights.

So yes, I'm sure they can provide an itemised list of all the drinks you have consumed ;-)

Thanks for all the comments. Having now spoken to RCI they explained the fly cruise prices online are only approx (should have read the T&C's) and they confirm prices around 10 months before when flights are released . So booked cruise only at this stage and will decide on rest later.

Hint in case you didn't know, if you send them a screen shot of a cash back web site they will take the cashback off the cost. We got 8% which we would have got eventually back if booked online via the cash back site, but nice to get it immediately. (Only off cruise cost, not port fees or gratuities).

I wouldnt hesitate DIY.

 

Very easy to get from the airport to a hotel close to the port. Quite a few hotels have shuttles you can then take to the port on the morning of your cruise or you can arrange your own.

 

I agree it’s a bit daunting when from the UK but we found it so easy.

 

 

 

 

 

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Thank you, that's been a great help

Thanks Julie

That was one of the questions we were going to ask them, could we add on flights etc later if necessary.

Hi

Just looking for some opinions and thoughts about RCI Fly Cruise V DIYwhen cruising the Caribbean.

We are pricing up a cruise for next October. The RCI price goes up around £1,000 pp when adding on flights, transfers and hotel 1 night before cruise. We are tempted to book the cruise only price, but keep changing our minds!

It’s too early to check our flight prices for next October but looking at this year the prices are quite high, although obviously we are a lot closer so guess the prices go up.

Is it worth the peace of mind booking everything though RCI or could we get it a LOT cheaper by going DIY??? I’ve seen a link to Fly Snooze Cruise Port Canaveral Packages which may be an option, so next stop is to check these prices against RCI hotel/transfer prices.

So thought I’d ask the experts on here ;-)

any idea how much they would charge roughly for a Port Day pass? Does it just depend on how quiet it is?

Personally, I sometimes enjoy the atmosphere/music around the pool (especially if there is some live music going on), regardless of whether I intend going for a swim. Other times I'm happy to find a quiet place away from the pool deck.

It's available for my Epic cruise this October, and only says the tour is not offered on Epic, Jade and Star December through April sailings. But I assume your trip is June, so not sure why this would be.

I've have actually booked the NCL trip, although had the option of joining my roll call on a semi private. As I'm travelling solo I thought I'd prefer the safety of a guided tour (accepting the cost!).