vms

Thank you for your continued live report! I'm excited to be doing the Hawaii portion next year and interested to hear about your explorations in each port.

Yes to both. I had put a cruise on hold, then let it expire without making the down payment because the only option was a non-refundable down payment and I needed to check with family before I skipped Thanksgiving to go on a cruise. The PCC called to check to see if they could help me book something since the hold had expired, and when they got voicemail they followed up with an email.

And it worked, because I ended up calling them back and booking. :)

Thank you for your thorough and informative answer! I appreciate the detail, since I've seen notes for at least one tour of Mauna Kea that state they won't accept anyone who has been SCUBA diving within 24 hours of tour start. Sounds like they are erring on the side of much more caution than the SCUBA Agencies recommend. I always dive with a computer, which will also help me monitor the situation.

Thank you also for the information re: altitude sickness vs DCS. I did experience some issues with headaches during a visit to Colorado Springs a few years ago, so it's good to have that information.

I learned a lot from your post, and am glad I have time to check into NITROX certification. Most of all I'm glad that I'll get to do both items I really want to during my visit to the big island, as long as I'm planful and safety conscious.

From what I've been reading, going to the top of Mauna Kea is enough altitude that it's considered as if you are flying from the perspective of getting rid of nitrogen in the blood after diving. We have Kona on day 6 and Hilo on Day 7 of my upcoming Hawaii cruise.

Is there a way to be able to do both? Is the diving good enough in Kona that I should skip Volcanoes National Park, or if I have other dive opportunities (Oahu, Kawaii, Maui) should I skip diving the big island?

We had Silent Disco twice on the Infinity a few weeks ago- once around the Martini Bar and the second time in the lounge on Deck 11. Even with it not starting until 10 or 10:30, there were a dozen or so kids joining in when it was in the lounge, including one ~5 year old who was sliding across the dance floor to everyone's delight.

When it was at the Martini Bar, there were plenty of people dancing on the other side of the atrium where the seating area is, so no worries about having people of all ages there either.

Not sure what it is for 2 weeks- just off the Infinity for 1 week and it was $249 for the 7 day unlimited package.

What is the cruise that has good solo pricing? which ship?

Eurodam 18 day Hawaii cruise RT San Diego on November 11, 2018. The single supplement for an inside was around $300. Not sure if it's still available and you may need to call since the deposit was non-refundable and the website wouldn't allow me to book just the deposit and not pay the cruise in full at time of booking.

At the time, only insides and outsides had the discounted supplements. I booked a cabana for the length of the cruise when I put down my deposit and got everything for several thousand dollars less than booking a balcony cabin. I'll need to put clothes on and not wander around in my PJs, but otherwise I feel like I got the best of both worlds as a solo traveler!

Just off Infinity yesterday. When I got to the Martini Bar on the first day, I introduced myself and upgraded to the premium package. When the bar opened, I told the bartender I had upgraded with that I've had all the martinis on the menu several times, and would they please make me something of their choice. He asked a few questions about my preferences, and for the rest of the week, whenever I arrived, I had my name shouted in hello, and asked "surprise?". I got so many delicious concoctions with all sorts of interesting names. ;) At one point, it even seemed like a competition between a few of the bartenders to see who could make my next drink.

So no issues with getting them to make things not on the menu, in my experience.

Hi Jacqui,

I'm a first time HAL cruiser, going on the 18 day Circle Hawaii on November 11, 2018 on the Eurodam.

Thank you for adding me to the list and for all you do in putting these Bon Voyage threads together!

Paul - After watching your wonderful Martini Bar video, you confirmed for me that it was indeed "my" Agus!! I so hope he will still be onboard on November 6th. We used to chant Ah-goose, Ah-goose! Also, I think I saw another of "my" old bartenders in the video - Imadi by any chance?

 

Thanks so much for keeping us entertained!

Agus is the best! I was on the Millennium with him a few years ago, and every time I came to the bar, he'd call out my name. It made me feel like a celebrity! :) We were in Bali for 3 days during that cruise and loved to tease him how he didn't have a traditional Balinese name. So glad to see he's still delighting folks on X!

Thank you so much for this review! I enjoyed getting to sail along with you.

Most of my previous cruises have been solo on Celebrity. There's often a solo/singles meet-up, but I've never gone to one. I meet people at the Connections party, or at trivia, or at the dinner table, or by the pool, or my favorite haunt-the Martini bar. I've never wanted for nice people to chat with when I wanted them and never felt beholden to anyone when I wanted my personal space or just didn't feel like meeting up for dinner one night.

There have been a dearth of single men on my past Celebrity cruises recently, however. Almost everyone I've met cruising solo has been female. Maybe I'd do better if I went to the singles meet-up. ;)

Good luck, whatever you decide!

I just came to the Holland America board a few days ago because I am considering my first HAL cruise. Seeing this list of future cruisers and the Bon Voyage threads is something that makes me want to cruise Holland America. I'm not even on the list, and I feel special just reading it and being able to virtually celebrate with people.

So thank you to all who help to keep this running. It is just awesome!

Please let me add my thanks for such an informative review! I've been looking at an 18-day cruise on HAL on the Eurodam but was concerned about the HAL stereotype of rolling up the carpet at 10pm. This review has put my mind at ease that there are plenty of places I will enjoy on the ship. And add me to the Cabana contingent! As a solo traveler, it's a giant pain to try to keep a seat- everytime I get up to go the restroom I'm risking my stuff being moved for someone to claim my chair. Having a reserved spot in the shade sounds like heaven to me.

Depending on what time you're arriving in Singapore, it is quite easy and convenient to go back through customs after your initial check-in and boarding and catch either a taxi, an uber, or the MRT subway system back into the city. So if you arrive at 10 or 11 am, you should have plenty of time for check-in and going back out for lunch/sightseeing before you need to be back at 7 pm.

Just be sure to keep the small piece of paper you'll receive when arriving in Singapore in your passport and don't lose it. The customs agents will check for it when you come back through the terminal each direction.

Apparently it is a website problem- I'm so used to complaints about Celebrity's website, it didn't even occur to me that would be an issue on another line. :')

I could put down a $300 deposit via the phone, which is non-refundable, as Scrapnana said. No idea when the website will be fixed, but good to know for others who may be looking at deals.

 

ETA - I just did a dummy booking as a single and then as a double. The single made me pay the entire amount now whereas the double gave you a choice of paying the whole amount or $600 or any amount between the two. I hope you call them and find out why the discrimination against solo cruisers.:confused::mad:

Thanks for double checking! I did a dummy booking on two different computers, just to make sure it wasn't operating system or browser based, and I'm relieved to know the issue can be replicated.

I also tried booking through some online travel agents and either couldn't get the same rate or was told no cabins were available for only 1 person. I will call and see what they say.

I debated about posting on the HAL board or here, but I'm starting with the Solo board since I think there's a better chance someone here will know.

I found an interesting HAL cruise with a low single-supplement. I haven't previously cruised HAL before. When I went in to make the booking, expecting to pay just a deposit, the website showed that I would have to pay the full price- no deposit was available. This is for a cruise in November 2018, so not after final payment.

I've never seen something like this before. Is this a solo-thing, a HAL thing, or just this particular cruise thing? The cruise is 18 day Hawaii RT from San Diego.

There was a Catholic priest onboard for Easter last year, but no other types of religious leaders. My mother was very disappointed to not attend an Easter service- she did not feel comfortable as a non-Catholic attending the Catholic service.

Thanks for doing this! I'm another of those wondering about the differences between a President's Cruise and any of the others. Looking forward to your reporting.

Cheers!

It's never fun to have to miss a port. On my first cruise, we floated offshore of one port for almost 2 hours, hoping that the conditions would improve so that we could dock, until it was finally determined that we would have an extra sea day instead.

While there isn't a lot of time, you have the chance to make alternate arrangements. I hope you are able to make it work-as they say.

I would never want to spend my precious vacation time doing the laundry, but I agree that the prices onboard can be eye-raising. All of my cruises with Celebrity in the past few years have had a "all you can fit in the bag for 1 price" laundry day, which has been well worth the price from my perspective.

Others have provided the correct information about bringing wine onboard.

I wish you a good cruise and if your experience with Celebrity isn't what you're looking for, I hope that you will find a line that better meets your needs.

Celebrity Century cruise to the Western Caribbean in 2006. Jamaica, Grand Cayman & Cozumel. Missed Costa Maya 'cause the waves were too high to dock.

I will be solo on the Infinity 9/24/17 , I cruised solo last May on the Infinity, nice ship

I promise to take good care of her for you. :) I've been on Millennium and Summit, so I'm interested in the small differences between Infinity and her M-class sisters.

Solo on Celebrity Infinity 9/17/17 Pacific Coastal. Excited to have my first balcony cabin!

Great review! As a solo, I normally end up in an inside or oceanview (first balcony in just over a month from now!) and I agree that there are plenty of spaces outside the cabin to enjoy.

Never been to a solo meet-up on board, just head to the martini bar and usually find my people of all party sizes there. :) I've alternated between anytime dining and asking to be seated with others and fixed dining. Most dining companions have been delightful either way.

Thanks for your honest review- it was great fun to read!