littlebrownbook

I'm booked on the Koningsdam to Alaska for a cruise   / land trip. As I'm only bringing carryon I was hoping there will be no formal days in the first 3 days. Can anyone here speak to that?

It's way out of my comfort zone.  I live alone quite happily, but  meals would be a sad time for me on a ship.  Normally at home I eat in front of the tv or computer, but don't see much point of staying in my cabin to eat room service, and I am too shy to join others. Often the solo dinner events are  empty.

On 3/28/2021 at 10:09 PM, taznremmy said:

 

I remember my first solo cruise.  Pictures being taken, everyone seemed to be "coupled up"....It was definitely outside of my comfort zone.  Now, I wouldn't cruise any other way.  I have had friends travel with me, sharing a cabin; now when they say "can I come"  my response is "sure.....but get your own cabin".  To me, it is the perfect way for a solo person to travel to locations I would have otherwise not gotten to see.   Enjoy!!

On 5/8/2021 at 12:28 PM, Blackduck59 said:

 

While I did "like" the gist of that post the "interprovincial" part is very much a non starter. I have commented many times on another board about border closures within the same country.

It seemed to work well for the "Atlantic bubble", until they relaxed the checks

11 hours ago, TeaBag said:

To go early to see Singapore is a really good plan.  DH used to work in Singapore and I loved my days as a tourist.  I am sorry we are not going to be in Singapore for a few days also, since we added on the Japan segment.  Since we sail at 6PM we won't be able to see the gardens at night.  if you do go early, make sure you see the night Safari.  It is great.  Last time we were in Singapore it was also on a cruise and we flew in a few days early.  Unfortunately I had Sciatica and was not really able to walk very far so we missed the whole new botanic garden area with the Ferris wheel.  We definitely want to see that this time.  Sentosa is another place you should try and see.

Here is the link for the roll call if you are interested in joining. 

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2767493-azamara-journey-may-13-2022-spice-route-cruise/?tab=comments#comment-60623728

 

Hopefully as we get nearer to the cruise COVID will be a distant memory (dreaming!) and we will be able to organize private tours.

Two other good things about Azamara worth noting: there is a free self-serve laundry  inc soap and iron, so you don't need to pack so many clothes.   Suits and gowns are out of place  on this ship.

Also there will be a wonderful BBQ buffet  called  "white night" held outside on the pool deck. Enough room for everyone . They  remove the loungers from around the pool, and move the tables and chairs outside from the buffet restaurant . Everyone, crew and guests wear white, the crew entertains on a small stage, there'll be dancing after dinner. Drinks  as always on Azamara are included.

1 hour ago, TeaBag said:

Yes, we are and we are so looking forward to trying Azamara.  I really like everything I read about it.  We have also added on the Tokyo segment but I wish I could change a few of the ports!!  I am disappointed that they are spending 2 days in Hong Kong and not going to Hanoi at all.

I look forward to meeting you. 

 I just wish we didn't have so many sea days. We were originally booked on  a Road Scholar Adventures Afloat trip,   had more land excursions included but was cancelled due to Covid. I much preferred that, as I am not really interested in India, but this is the next best we could find. I am also not really enthused about the  long plane trip to Singapore. We will probably go a couple of  days early, to see some of Singapore.

I now only travel on Azamara and use open seating at supper. The gratuities are included so  there's never a problem of coming up with  a slip of cash, or having tips added. They offer sedate activities eg trivia, lectures, music, rather than water slides, bowling alleys, rock climbing etc, and therefore attract a more mature crowd of 750 passengers. On  the 3 trips I've taken with them I've never seen a child, and only in Antarctica did I see  2 teenage brothers.

 I was thinking about your concerns re: others not tipping at the last supper: perhaps the tips were added to their bill, and they wanted to use the time to pack up?

 I'm from Brampton Ontario, just outside of  Toronto (don't hate me), and am travelling with 2 friends from Ottawa. Our  next trip is on the  Azamara Journey May 2022, Singapore to  Athens.

 TEABAG,  I think you're on that one as well.

Perhaps it's not a good idea to  expect to hold up a table for 30 minutes. Other people who have already been through the line , and are walking around looking for a table might find that a bit selfish on your part.    Same as hogging a sunlounger, then going in for breakfast. Those folks are not called chairhogs for nothing.

23 hours ago, squick64 said:

I don't normally want to eat in the buffet, anyway, so I don't fight it too hard. I was on a cruise once where we set our things down on a table and went to get in line, and a busperson had whisked it all away when we returned. The buffet line was like half an hour long, very badly managed, and he figured it'd been there so long, it'd been forgotten.

I will be travelling on Azamara Pursuit , Jan 5, 2000 from Buenos Aires. Although I will be rooming with friends, they are a couple and I don't always want to be the 3rd wheel.  There are a lot of sea days on this cruise. I'm looking for others to hang out with some days or to join up  with us for outings.

 Also, for those of you over 50, don't forget Road Scholar will find a room mate for you. These are not your typical cruises, they  are  more  culturally and historically  informative , for inquiring minds.

I’m kind of in the same “boat” as you except I have 2Y 9M 28D until I’m retired. I’m looking at world cruise options and reading every world cruise blog I can find. I’ve probably found more than a dozen blogs by lurking in the world cruise and roll call forums. I’ve learned a great deal about the lines that offer these cruises, their itineraries and their pricing options from reading these blogs. It’s kinda my latest obsession.

I don’t know your circumstances but as solo traveler, there is always that nasty thing called the solo supplement that is usually 100% of the PP fare so I’m going to use a travel agent that is a world “cruise specialist” in Seattle. They are experienced working with solo cruisers in negotiating fares and they offer discounts, perks, and OBC.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I too have used this travel agent, they do have excellent packages. I have never tried to go solo with them , but may try them for a cruise next year.

Check out Voyages to Antiquity. they have just one small (300+) passenger ship, called The Aegean Odyssey .

Voyages to Antiquity carries about 350 passengers. I was on it 10 years ago, it has since been refitted. Your cost includes wine with supper, and all excursions. The entertainment will be local singers, musicians or lecturers. There are only 2 dining areas, no waterslide, golf range, casino or rock climbing wall. It is geared to mature passengers who are interested in the history of the ports. Not a trip to take young kids on. The cabins are small but serviceable. Last winter they tried to make their first trips in the Caribbean, (I was booked) but as most of their ports were wiped out by hurricanes, the ship stayed in Europe. I believe they may also go East.

This has been fun, and no name-calling either. In Canada. we carry purses, never heard of a pocketbook

I call it pop here in Iowa. When people correct me and say its soda, I just remind them that it is correct to say Hello, not Hi y'all.

And to a Canadian, "all y'all: sounds like another language.:D

Check out Voyages to Antiquity. they have just one small (300+) passenger ship, called The Aegean Odyssey .

I have found eating alone to be the worst part of eating out anywhere. However while cruising, I go to the main dining room, and ask the maitre d' to sit me with a group. I usually do this even if not cruising solo. Many people are eager to share their table with others, I have never been left alone. Also if I make acquaintance with interesting people on board or on an excursion, I sometimes arrange to meet in the bar outside the dining room at a set time, then we go in together.