Kilmarlic

I sail in 12 days. I'm more concerned about the flight in 10 days (Can you say grossness overload?) But the flight is always my least favorite part of the trip for a variety of reasons.

My Mom is a worrier and the Coronavirus is her current argument against my travels. My rebuttal is simple....life is short. I come from a family of heart disease (strokes, heart attacks and high blood pressure most notably) diabetes, obesity, vision problems, addictions and cancer. Hell I've had a pacemaker since my 40's. My first husband died suddenly at 33 years old. I value life.  My point is I can quarantine myself within the confines of my home because of a slight risk of a virus or I can exercise some common sense and travel. I intend to live out my days as a very happy traveler.   

Bathroom spray, small hand sanitizer, towel clips, power converter or usb charger, travel diary, insulated cup....

I've never sailed Carnival before. To say I'm excited is an understatement because this has ended up being next year's Christmas present to my sons and grandsons. It started out that friends were going to celebrate a birthday and invited a group of mutual friends to tag along. I was planning to take my Daughter In Laws who have both wanted to cruise with me. I had the travel agent price out the 3 of us going big with a suite and all the perks or going smaller and taking the "Boys" with us. Turns out the price was comparable and now my Christmas shopping is done!! 

The stops are Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel.  We've got plenty of time to plan excursions, find the best places for a couples massage (that will be their anniversary presents) and debate the drink package.   I'm most interested in tips, tricks and suggestions that you guys might have concerning the grandsons. They will be just under 4 years old at the time we sail.  

Thanks for all the help to all the questions I'll be asking that are Carnival & port specific.   - Iris

I did the party bus in Aruba last year on Royal. I absolutely loved it. Great way to see the highlights. The energy from the bus driver was contagious. I will do it again. 

I'm sailing Feb 23 on Empress with stops in Costa Maya, Cozumel and Belize. I'd really like to take a ship sponsored excursion to visit the ruins but I'm clueless when it comes to deciding. I know some will offer cheaper alternatives by going outside the cruise line but I will more than likely being doing this solo so I want the peace of mind that comes with booking an RC excursion.  For those who have been there and done that please offer some guidance. 

You can spend your entire time walking around the fort if you want. We chose to do the guided part as soon as we docked and then later took advantage of the amazing snorkeling opportunity. There was plenty of time (in my opinion) to enjoy the Fort.

One of our party did get fairly sea sick on the ferry ride back so make sure you have Dramamine, patches or the wrist bands (whatever you know works for your party).  

Fort Jefferson was probably the first place I ever put on my bucket list. I was probably in 3rd or 4th grade when I read about it and knew I had to go see it for myself. That was probably around 1977.  Well I finally got to go in 2015. It was AMAZING. Everything I had ever imagined and then some. You just can't fathom the remoteness until you're actually there.

One of the amazing things about the trip was that the entire family (16 adults and 3 kids) all wanted to go. No one was willing to miss out. Most of the adults are history buffs to some degree but probably half were not familiar with the existence of the Fort. They quickly learned.

Now I want to make a second trip so I can just take it all in...again. I might decide that my 60th birthday should be spent primitive camping there in a few years....just so I can add it back to the Bucket List.

The whole point of the trip to the Keys had been to celebrate my 22 year old now Daughter-in-law's graduation from college. I was amazed to hear her tell friends that the highlight of the entire week long vacation was the trip to Fort Jefferson. Knowing that it beat out the Duvall Pub Crawl, ParaSailing, Shopping and everything else that a Florida vacation had to offer makes my soul happy.

Checked in early to the Holiday Inn at the Port. Older hotel but I LOVE the location. The energy at Bayside Marketplace is incredible. So many food options we're going to forgo the traditional turkey. Opting instead for an array of appetizers. (And maybe a few drinks)

Yall keep an eye out for me. I plan on wearing a PINEAPPLE shirt to the meet & greet.

I'm currently enduring THE longest work day in the history of mankind. While I'm stuck in a cubicle, my suitcases are hanging out in the trunk of my car. Overnighting in Norfolk, VA tonight before a 6:30ish flight in the morning to Miami. To say I'm excited about this cruise is an understatement of epic proportions.

Our roll call here and on Social Media has gotten busier. Safe travels to everyone cruising with us. Also a very Happy Thanksgiving to those reading and following along.   - Iris

I think you and your sister are in for the trip of a lifetime.

I totally understand the packing list. I'm packed and ready to head out tomorrow and I know I have things in my suitcase I won't use but I'd rather pack them and not need them than having to hunt around the ship in the middle of the night for something minor that would have fit in a Ziploc baggie.

1 thing that I use at home that I've found extremely useful on every vacation & cruise is Dr. Bronner's 18 in 1 soap. I can wash clothes, dishes (I take my Yeti & straw everywhere too!), my hair and body with it. I keep some in my 3-1-1 bag for everything. If you decide to take some, try it at home first. I need a little more conditioner in my hair with it but I find it less of a problem than some of the products that are sold or given away in the travel size containers. There are also some bar soap options for multiple issues.

Enjoy every moment of your trip!!

- Iris

On 10/26/2018 at 10:13 AM, fish6 said:

Hi Iris.

 

I will be on this sailing as well......going solo for the first time ever! Are you on the cruise critic roll call?  

 

Donna 

Hi Donna. I'm so very excited for this cruise. My solo status just changed for this cruise as my cousin will now be joining me. Her name is Donna too. You are welcome to pull up a lounge chair (or dining chair) and join us. I look forward to meeting you.  - Iris

BBC's make an excellent choice for breakfast! Don't judge. lol

I've got a Pineapple shirt that I think I will wear on my cruise in 5 weeks.....all in the name of research for my beloved Cruise Critics. If I fail to report back after the cruise yall can just assume that I met a wonderful couple who decided to take me home with them.

My local TJMaxx had both the Baggalini brand bags in several sizes and colors as well as a couple of Vera Bradley Back Packs.

Yep. I came home with one of each as well as a new make up bag, travel journal and a travel adaptor.

I love to Journal (not just on vacation). I do have a special journal for my cruises and I love to browse back through it as I prepare for an upcoming cruise. Knowing I wrote down the cabin steward's name or the great waiter at the pool bar helps make it much more personal. After I come home I might add a picture of the towel animals or the answer sheet from the trivia contest to the pages.

On my last cruise, I sailed with my step sister so I bought a travel journal for her too. On one of the last days of the cruise she commented that she hadn't written in hers so she'd just copy from mine. WHAT?!?!?!? That may have been the defining moment in deciding to cruise solo from now on.

For my 50th birthday I cruised and one of the stops was St. Thomas. My grandson Thomas was only a few months old at the time so I came home with a ton of "St. Thomas" branded things for EVERYONE in the extended family. The baby loved his stuffed turtle. Every trip since then has resulted in another turtle of some sort for him. His favorite is the Jamaican Turtle with dreadlocks and a rasta hat.

I bought a simple $2 woven Jamaican anklet braclet that is tied on for my cruise to mark my divorce becoming final. I wear it everyday. I'm still wearing it a year later later. It hasn't faded nor has it come undone. I have a back up in my desk drawer. Every time I look down it reminds me to simply keep putting one foot in front of the other.

OMG!! This post was written just for me. My PF was just diagnosed last week. I've got a cruise to the ABCs coming up in November.

Currently I'm sleeping with a "boot" at night and wearing Nike's during the day. No barefeet for me (that's the hardest part!). I hate wearing shoes.

The diagnosis was the perfect encouragement to purge my shoe collection, not to mention the task was long overdue.

I have several outlets available to try on some of the suggested brands and styles. Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

- Iris

I love Janet Evanovich, Sandra Brown & James Patterson. My Mom loves Debbie Macomber & Nicholas Sparks. Any of those authors will provide you with a ton of options.

I came across a couple of authors just by chance that I've fallen in love with....Bill H Myers and Tim Dorsey. Both write about adventures in Florida. Very light, easy reading....Perfect Vacation type books.

Enjoy!

I just want to thank yall for all the kind words and support from my post yesterday. I've always known that I wasn't the only 1 in this situation and my reasons for cruising solo had to be similar to others. Thanks for reaching out.

I think you'd still be able to enjoy the Oasis. The ship truly has something for everyone. I hate crowds. The only time I really felt the ship was too crowded was right when a show or event would end and everyone would sort of pour out into the hallways. Lingering for a bit cured that problem.

This will be my 4th cruise. All have been with Royal and always with other family members. Originally this November cruise was also going to be with either my step sister or a cousin. But then I had an idea....or several brain farts....this trip is on MY bucket list...I paid for it...I'm the one working fulltime....I'm juggling family (multiple generations under my roof) obligations....I NEED A BREAK.

The answer was right there in my cruise planner. I called the TA and streamlined that reservation. 1 guest. ME!!!

I'm not sure what I'm looking forward to the absolute most. Could it be the cruise itself? The alone time? The new Crossword puzzle book that I haven't opened yet? The new titles that I've loaded on my kindle to read? The excursions that are exactly what I want to do? The choice of where I want to eat? When I want to eat? How about that drink package? Let's not forget that no one else will be sharing my bathroom or bedroom space. I don't have to remind anyone else to take their meds. Their health and happiness has absolutely NOTHING to do with me.

Why haven't I done this sooner?

I have been reluctant to fly alone. I don't love flying and thought that I'd feel safer traveling with someone else. That line of thought is malarkey. My traveling companions have never been pilots or aircraft mechanics. They couldn't help me change a tire on my bike. If anything they've added to my list of worries. Can they keep up changing gates? Do they have all their documents? id? I tend to go in mother hen mode and assume responsibility for those in my "care". They've been perfectly happy to let me assume that role of planner.

My last cruise was the turning point. My "AHA" moment of sorts. Traveling companion "enjoyed" poor health the entire trip. Couldn't be bothered getting dressed to go get something to eat. Wanted me to order Room service for her. Claimed she didn't know how. WHAT???!!! I came back from dinner to find the room service tray sitting on MY BED. Not on the desk. Not on the nightstand. Right smack in the middle of my freshly made bed. That's just 1 example from the 7 night trip.

My divorce was final this past year. My sons are both grown, married and have started families of their own. My step father passed away and my Mom moved in with me because she didn't feel comfortable living alone. My youngest son and his family are building a new home. Their previous home sold much quicker than expected so they moved in with me. My step sister's poor health ( NOT!!) keeps her from experiencing life (ie. holding a job) so she moved in too. There is literally NO ROOM AT THE INN!!

So if yall see me getting really, really excited for this coming trip, please celebrate with me. I'm flying out Thanksgiving Day and setting sail on Friday. No cooking. No dishes. NO WORRIES!!!

- Iris:')

99 days til I cruise Solo on Navigator of the Seas to the ABC's from Miami. - Iris

99 days til Navigator!!!

I'm excited to try out the Port of Miami. I'm sailing with GTOGirl and PTAngel too. Since I'm flying in Thanksgiving Day and not really looking for much in the way of entertainment for the 1 night pre-cruise, I've opted to book the Hampton Inn Blue Lagoon near the airport. I thought the rates were good and the reviews were favorable.

The thing to remember is I'm boarding a cruise ship and sailing away!!

- Iris

I'm interested in your review of the Curacao excursion. Thant's the one I'm leaning toward for my cruise in November.