NotThePest_Too

2 minutes ago, JoseyP said:

 

Again, all the best for 2020!

another Brooklyn girl.  JoseyP

Hey Josey P.

All the best to you also.  Here's to New Adventures.  Yep I loved that cruise so much I'm saving up for a longer one.  Hopefully a repositional cruise again.  Didn't even know what that was when I booked, LOL.  

For the "new" apprehensive solos for the two weeks it took me with my self-talk of "Are you crazy; You could spend that money on something else (What, just exactly what); Who do you think you are (negative self-talk from my childhood);  What will people think (Came to the conclusion that's their problem); What will people think on the ship (Again their problem - there were a few solo men who thought I might be hooking - again their problem and I knew where to tell them to go  To Jesus, their mother, to hell, etc.)    Each and every time for those two weeks when I had wrestled with to go or not to go, there would be someone behind me, beside me, in front of me who I didn't know and wasn't talking to  me nor I to them but, in their conversation to each other would answer my questions! 😮   Gpd was that you?    My granddaughter who was 6 tracked all my ports using Google Earth and asked for pics of animals I came across along the way.    She even warned me to watch out for whales and then I sent her  pictures of the Royal Princess (at that time the largest cruise ship to circumvent South America) against other ships at port which were mostly cargo.  Go find you Roll Call for your ship and try to get in on excursions (all the companies --- some I booked through my travel agents partnering companies, mostly all I booked with well healed cruisers who were known to the tour guides and companies and guaranteed  back-to-ship on time or we would be driven to the next port.   I think I did only three Princess excursions one being a home hosted meal (there was only 10 folks on that one and there was only one), a roof top barbecue in Buenos  Aires.  The food was fabulous cooked by one of that city's famous chefs.

All the best and happy new year

I did a 49 day South America Cruise on the Royal Princess, my second ever cruise.  My first one I went with a group from the Rec Center I go to (an exercise class) I hated it because of the "group" I was with.  Thank God I hadn't "roomed" with anyone and had the room all to myself.  After sorting out that my dislike was not because of the cruise or ship but the folks I had chosen to cruise with.  I booked the S.A. cruise 12 months out with the understanding if I didn't start to feel comfortable with what I was getting ready to do, I would cancel before final payment.  I'm glad I didn't cancel and went.  I had a blast.  I had became a Certified Group Exercise Instructor within that year and was able to teach a Chair Aerobics class, my speciality, on the cruise.  No payment, it was open to anyone who wanted to join in and I made friends with the Cruise Director, the Port Expert and a lot of other cruisers.  I had a BLAST!  

32 minutes ago, GTVCRUISER said:

Back from my solo cruise on the Royal Princess

I was on her for the 49 day grand adventure (Feb 2nd - March 23rd).  How did you like her and did you get a chance to interact with Matt O'Brien (Matt O') the cruise director.

Ramona

2 hours ago, GTVCRUISER said:

My next solo cruise in 11 days on the Royal Princess

Got off of her on March 23rd, 49 Day South America Grand Adventure.  She is a beautiful ship.  Say hello to Matt O' (aka, Matt O'Brian), the cruise director.   

Ramona   

On 3/2/2019 at 9:45 PM, wrongheaven said:

Hi, I'm Rebecca, 41 from NYC. I just booked my first ever solo cruise on the Norwegian Escape April 21-28. I usually cruise with my parents on Holland America, but they are on a longer cruise at that time and I am a teacher, so restricted to the school break. 

 

Excited and nervous about cruising solo. I definitely don't mind being on my own and I am social enough when I need to be. I guess I am most nervous about people thinking I'm crazy/odd/weird for being on my own, and not eventually becoming bummed out over being on vacation on my own. 

 

Honestly, I am just looking forward to unwinding with a good book and relaxing. Teaching is exhausting! 

I'm 19 days into a 49 day cruise, single and solo and loving it. What are you really "afraid" of?  (Rhethorical)  If you don't get that answered and "straight"before your trip you will be miserable onboard. 

Ramona

16 hours ago, JoseyP said:

LOVE this- Once the cruise bug bites......excellent! 

 

RAMONA!!! so glad you posted!  so you are having a blast!  Yay!  great picture.  thanks so much for posting. I have been wondering about you, so far away.  Hope the fun keeps lasting! good for you. 

joseyP       Please post occasionally and tell me where you are! I forgot to check your itinerary, and now of course it cant be found on line. and the picture is beautiful. Makes me remember sunsets on Regal Princess, which is the same as your Royal.

Just in case we cross paths in BROOKLYN here is my cleaned up pic from our first formal night

Ramona

Solo,  single, and having a blast on the Royal Princess: Early Morning Sunrise on the way to Brazil.  

So, with two checked luggage, a carry-on, a backpack and three over-the-shoulder bags (athletic; 2 beach bags), personal stuff AND two cases of personalized shirts (Ts, V-Neck, Pocket Polo) about 40 of us ordered from Custom Ink memorializing this 49 day trip around South America, I'm ready to head to Port Everglades tomorrow.  

So for all those I've encouraged, Pi$$ed off, or folks just don't care... safe travels going Solo and/or Single.  

Ramona

2 hours ago, Lois R said:

Hi, I was just giving a couple of my experiences.  I don't depend on someone else for me to have a good time.....was just pointing out a couple of different things that have happened to me in the past.  I love cruising solo....actually, it is the only way I sail......out of nearly 50 cruises...….the % of them have been ALL GOOD!....that started in 2003....and  my next one is in 2019 so I have a great stretch of them.

 

I wasn't calling you out but continuing the conversation regarding being solo while traveling and as an extension, while going to the theater, while "fine" dining.  If it wasn't thought of as an "other" then this entire "thread" or special grouping wouldn't exist. 

Ramona

4 hours ago, Lois R said:

Hi Ramona, your post was very thoughtful.   I remember when I first started cruising and found Cruise Critic. I always sail solo and so I wondered what the roll calls were all about. In my case, I am quite outgoing and it is easy for me to meet people. I also agree with you about expectations.  I went through many friendly roll calls and meeting people and others, not so much. As the years have gone by I know my own part of things have changed.......a friendly roll call can enhance the cruise experience, but a slow one cannot detract from the onboard experience......I love cruising!

 

I have been cruising solo since 2003......thinking back over the years? I have had some wonderful roll calls and others? They were definitely in the "not so much" territory LOL....oh well, that is how life goes. There was a family on one in the early days and we actually spoke on the phone before sailing. Then, after meeting on the ship, I realized they did not want to have anything to do with me. It was very weird and to be honest, I felt badly for a couple of days.

 

Then there was one (we sailed to the med) and had lots of tours together (doing them independently) and it was awesome!.....one of the best cruises I have taken!

 

I am cruising in April and the roll call is quiet but everyone seems nice........will see what happens but I am looking forward to the cruise!

 

Again, I agree with much of your assessment to things.......I go on cruises for me! I may have learned the hard way on some things but try to use that "Life can give you lemons" thing LOL.......made some good lemonade.

 

Glenn, hope you have a great cruise too

 

 

It's a false premise to assume if you have a group or in a group you will have more fun or not be lonely.  Learn how to become your own best friend.   

It's better to live in the corner of a roof then to share a house with a quarrelsome wife/husband.  Proverbs 21:9   Think outside the box of what that is saying.  On the roof gives you no shelter from the elements; under the roof your out from the elements; however...

My first cruise ever (Nov 2017) was with a group ...OMG!!  An exercise instructor puts together trips.  Thank God I soloed with the room 'cause I would have been in jail.  I had  sworn I would never get on a ship again.  When I got home and calmed down and evaluated the entire 10 day cruise (Panama Partial Transit), I did have a great time when I kept away from the group.  All my excursions were not with that group. 

Ramona

18 minutes ago, JoseyP said:

I love you Ramona!   

from,

the other Brooklynite, JoseyP

Your big trip is coming up!!! South America! wow....

Thank you JoseyP and with 75 people for Chair Aerobics, I'm praying I can talk the ED or CD into giving me two time slots.  LOL, I even posted links to the type of music (Youtube) and the BPM (beats per minute), 128-140, and even more people signed up.  When I did that I had like 48 people, than I got the rest. I kinda think that was the wrong move -- LOL. 

Maybe one day us Brooklynites will meet.  I think there is a Travel Show this weekend at the Jacob Javits Center, if not this weekend it may be next.  My hairstylist is going, also from Brooklyn.  Cruise Ship companies will be represented.

Ramona

14 hours ago, Grburkart said:

I realize this thread was written in 2013. You’re dead wrong when it comes to what you said about roll calls. 

I’m very new to cruising and I joined a roll call for my upcoming Princess cruise in October. I’ve made a few posts to introduce myself and I’ve made an attempt to talk to people but they are so cliquey they wouldn’t give me the time of day if I asked. They talk amongst themselves and have zero interest in newcomers. It’s really a turn off and I almost regret booking this voyage. 

On the brighter side, and I haven’t read all the thousands of posts in this thread, but there seems to be a better comradery on this thread. People actually talk to each other. What a treat!

 

Glenn

Glenn your experience doesn't match mine.  Having said that... every one doesn't click.  Just because you join a group, doesn't mean everyone will accept you.  I'm going on my 2nd cruise ever and this upcoming cruise (Feb 2nd), 49 days is filled with folks who have cruised before together at some time and point.  It is loaded with "Elite and Platinum"  passengers.  I at first read through as much of the Roll Call as possible so I could get a feel of the land.  I asked questions nicely, and as a Certified Group Exercise Instructor, I ran an idea I had regarding teaching/leading Chair Aerobics classes on Sea Days.  These folks don't know me from a hole-in-the-ground.

I have 75 people signed up for Chair Aerobics and 37 names to give to the ED of people who want to either learn and/or play Pickleball.  I also got a group order going of T-shirts, Polo Shirts, and V-Neck Shirts, which is being shipped as we speak to my hotel.  Again, these folks don't know me.  All they know is how I interact with them on the Roll Call.  I have email address (needed to communicate with them regarding shirts; Chair A. and Pickleball.  I've provided links to Youtube videos of Pickleball game play, rules, tips and tricks.  

In order to get friends, one has to be friendly.  Are you going to "Click" with everyone? NO.  Some folks you may Click and you may Cluck with others and you can't make a clucker click.  Your big toe is attached to your body and is a part of you and answers to your name; however, how often does your Big Toe hang out with your neck which is still part of you body and also called by your name.  You may need to do a personal check in the mirror and ask the question: Am I demanding from others what I am not willing to do for myself.  If the answer you truthfully give to yourself is Yes... Some changes in your expectations are necessary.  We are not disappointed by what we find, we are disappointed by what we expected to find.  We all need to learn how to manage our expectations.  

There are over 300 people on my Roll Call and for the 11 1/2 months that I've been on, I already know the people I'll click with but there is also a lot more I will Cluck with.  Find your clickers.

Ramona

1 hour ago, pc_load_letter said:

Could have purchased this...

 

https://brazynlife.com/collections/frontpage/products/the-morph-collapsible-foam-roller

 

Thanks for that info.  roller is not relevant for me as I'm flying out to FLL  at the end of the month, their deliver date is late January, I'm going and the would be coming.  It's a new product so I don't know how effective or ineffective it is for $68.  Even in its collapsable state, it still takes up room.  With my roller,I can  stuff things inside, LOL. 

When a product is new on the market and there is no stated ship out date just a by the end of the month/year ...what happens if they can't meet that date especially if you're away.   Thanks for the information.  I'll keep an eye out for it and test it out when I see it.

Ramona

1 hour ago, cementhands said:

I’ve only been on one cruise ship with foam roller. It was a Celebrity if I remember right. They had a few 24 “ rollers. I’ve got 3 different lengths rollers at home. 36” is what I need for my back. I’ve got a couple hand held rollers for my legs and I pack 1 for cruises.

Might I suggest a yoga mat bag and put your roller in that and carry it onboard if that fits.

Thanks I ve decided to repack and bring my Foam Roller, 24" with me in my suitcase.  Since it's hollow I can stuff some items in it.  If I was taking a shorter cruise, I would bring it in a bag over my shoulder.  However, because I'm doing 49 days that will be basically going through four seasons, especially 'round the Horn of South America, I'm packing for four seasons   I will also be teaching on sea days, Aerobics twice a day so I'll be  changing a lot.  The classes are volunteer and only for our very large Roll Call, 300+  and with 70 people signed on even if 1/3rd show up, it will be a large class.  Thanks for your input.

Ramona

Looking for someone with knowledge of  equipment  in the Royal Princess Gym.  I need to Roll Out my back at least every 4/5 days due to scoliosis.  I have a slight "S" curve but I begin to get very uncomfortable and move into lower back spasms when I'm off my Foam Roller for awhile.  My Question is do I make room  in my suitcase for my Trigger Point, This   Or does Royal Princess have them?  Mine is hollow so I can put things in the hollow part; but I was wondering if I  really can do without packing one.  I could go to the spa and get a message but that would become very expensive as I would need to spend a heck of a lot of money getting those every 4/5 days.

Thanks in advance for any information.  I'm sailing off on Feb. 2nd 2019 so for me, my repacking is of the essence.  

Ramona

18 hours ago, BellaRaina said:

Royal Princess, January 19 - January 26, started as a pair, but now I'm solo.  I've done many solo land adventures but this will be my first solo cruise.  

I'l  be on the Royal on the 2nd of February.  One of my fellow cruisers on my adventure will be getting on the 26th when you get off and will be staying on  for the Feb 2nd embarkation.

Have fun! 

8 minutes ago, elycelynne said:

Emerald Princess round-trip LA/Hawaii, this coming January 18th (two weeks from this coming Friday).  Celebrating my retirement which officially begins tomorrow! 😁

Congratulations!   Enjoy your retirement and don't forget to continual take care of yourself.

Ramona

4 hours ago, Markmom18 said:

Hi Skipperanne,

  Having a great time is certainly what I'm looking forward to on my 1st Solo cruise! 🤗🛳 .   I was thinking that many daily activities I already do are by myself, on cruises with my husband! 🙂  Just the Solo dinner question keeps popping up in my head. 

  Thanks for replying !

  🌸🌸 Bobbi 

Hi Bobbi.   Before I found Cruise Critic and thus my Roll Call, my travel agent put me down for Traditional Dinning in a group if ten (I'm booked on Royal Princess). I now know if the group is not to my liking, i can have my table changed. My first cruise I didn't know that so I suffered two days then ate in the buffet and I knew those people, LOL One of my exercise instructors arranges  yearly cruises. Lesson:. Just because you know people in class, doesn't mean  you should vacation with them. I had a fabulous time hanging with people I didn't know. Thank goodness I did a solo cabin cause I would have ran screaming off the ship. 

Ramona

2 hours ago, Markmom18 said:

  Hi Ramona,

   I got a notification that you replied to my post!  I joined my Roll Call about 2 months ago. I'm the 7th person, so nothing happening there yet. No conversation about any subject. I guess it's too early. I leave the last Sunday in March.

  So, hey thanks for posting!

  🌸🌸 Bobbi 

You may have to jump in and ask questions on your Roll Call.  I think because you are already registered on CC and in a Roll Call you have the ability to "peep" in on other Roll Calls.  Check out the Princess Roll Call February 2, 2019 Royal Princess South America Grand Adventure..  There are approx 300 Cruise Critic Handles  (usually two people, partners, per Handle) and over 130 pages (40 posts per page).  Albeit that thread has been going since Aug or 2017. 

All our Meet & Greets (3) are signed up on there.  I'm doing a Chair Aerobics class on sea days and I have signed up participants I'm tracking on a spreadsheet.  There are 55 folks willing to be worked out on Sea Days.  There are custom shirts that can be ordered, Pickleball Play, card games, cabin crawls,  Water Aerobics plus more stuff arranged through that Roll Call, as well as Private Excursions.    Sometimes ya just gotta jump in.  It also helps if your  itinerary  has a lot of sea days to do stuff.   We have on the Call, several language teachers who are willing  to have  informal language classes,  crafters who are willing to share their knowledge.  Ya just gotta jump in.  IF you start something, then you have to be organized tracking CC Handles hopefully people trust you to give you their email address and you give yours, cabin numbers so you can keep in touch.  If you have a Meet & Greet on board and include the executive Sr. Officers which include the Entertainment and Cruise Director, you can negotiate times and rooms for your events and be included in the Ship's daily newsletters.  

Anyway jump over and read or skim some of the conversations.  By the way, I'm a very new cruiser, my upcoming cruise will only have been my second cruise ever.

Feb 2nd Roll Call

Ramona

1 hour ago, Markmom18 said:

A Question.  Do I have to read each post to find out if there are other solo passengers on my cruise?

Thanks,

🌸🌸 Bobbi 

No you don't but if your notifications are set correctly, you should get a notification that someone has "quoted" you which usually means someone has made a comment on your posts.  

I'm going single and solo on a 49 day cruise in Feb, the 2nd, and I've not found anyone here who is doing that cruise.  However, I am also on the Roll Call for that cruise (Royal Princess) and there are a few people traveling solo but they haven't posted here.  

Ramona

3 hours ago, Croptop said:

 

Wow! 49 days around South America. Colour me jealous. I hope you have the best of times. Will you be posting a "Live from..." thread either here or in the Princess forum?  I would love to hear about your experiences and impressions of this voyage.

 

As for me, I'm just under 2 months from sailing on the Emerald from L.A. to Hawaii. The trip can't come soon enough.

I haven't even considered posting a "Live from..." I would have to learn how to do that.  What I will be doing is keeping a video journal for my Grand Kids, 3 & 7, and probably making a "secret" Facebook page for a few of my friends and relatives. 

We have a very active Roll Call, over 110 pages @ 40 post per page with a lot of people volunteering their time to do seminars, water aerobics, hosting High Teas, Cabin Crawls, Slot Pulls, Poker Games, etc I myself will be heading up Chair Aerobic Classes, two per day, (53 CC members signed up)  on Sea Days and organizing Pickleball play, also on Sea Days.    Hope I don't come back to land needing a vacation from my vacation.

Ramona

I posted a couple of months ago but am doing it again.  I have a little over two month count-down for the Royal Princess' South American Grand Adventure 49 days.  Anyone on here going on the adventure?

Ramona

1 hour ago, cb at sea said:

Is "shipping" cheaper than checking bags on the flight?  

 

I see no one has answered you.  No it isn't.  You have to put into the mix, your personal budget, can you afford it;  how much do you value your piece of mind; where is it being shipped to, i.e. is the port in your own country or overseas.  

I'm doing a 49 night/day cruise so I know I will not be able to do a carryon only.  I have priced out, Luggage Forward.  (There are two other companies that will also ship your luggage from home/office to your ship) What you decide to do is based on your "pocketbook" and piece of mind and peace of mind.  

Hope this is helpful

Ramona

This is my BIG problem.  The font size and shading.  I now see the post numbers are there, but unless you have very young eyes, that powder baby blue is... well it's very, very difficult to read, sea.  The fonts are so small that the screen shots you posted in answers I can't read even using the magnifying function on my phone.  Ugh.  

Again I understand how difficult, time consuming and detailed doing a migration and conversion but please take into consideration not everyone can read the fonts or the subtle shading.

Ramona

Please add back the Top of Page function and the ability to format fonts using size and color.  Thank you

4 hours ago, Charles42 said:

Instead of a number you will see a little line icon. If you click that you will get a parma-link to the post. Example:

Which gives me that link to copy and paste into the post. When you do it shows like this:

 

The fonts are so small, more so when the post is quoted that I cannot read the fixes.  So the instructions, though probably on point, do me no good.  I know you posted previously how to change the size and color; however, I cannot read that either.  "Theme"  I cannot not find to do a fix.  

I've been through several conversions but none as massive as this so I know the agony.  I'm not IT but I did a lot of stressing of the new systems.    Thank you for your time and effort.  

I'm a member of the Royal Princess Feb 2nd Royal Princess South American Grand Adventure.  One loaded up here it's 137 pages.  Since the search function is not up and running I can't find the posts I done that I really need to access as I post a weekly update for a Chair Aerobics on board class (participants); Pickleball and those who want to order T-Shirts.  There is also signatures (not me) that have spreadsheets with multiple tabs tracking handles, names, cabins, activities signed up for, hotels staying in, etc.  Will we have to start all over again?  The Roll Call has been going since March 2017 for a sailing in Feb 2019.    This is kind of scary.

Ramona.