PG_traveller

I also read your MSC report and enjoyed it very much. I love reading reports from other solo cruisers. Have a great cruise! Can't wait to read about it.

Yes, we see the prices in Canadian funds, which is a blessing and a curse as our exchange rate is about 1.35. The sticker shock is real, especially if you started by searching on an American website, and then switched to the Princess website.

It's there for me, also in Canada.

Right? It shouldn't be that difficult. I travel solo also, so with the third and fourth passenger free promotion that is on right now I am paying as much as a family. I should be able to choose the cabin I want instead of rolling the dice. On another related note, why do they load those ships up with mostly balcony cabins with no couch? I was shocked to find out that you had to pay extra for a couch on Princess. I have previously sailed on Carnival and HAL and not run into that problem. I also started looking at MSC and same thing. Balcony cabins have a couch.

When I went on the Regal in February of this year I booked a deluxe balcony and was told I couldn't choose my cabin, which I assumed was because it was only a few months out. I got lucky and got upgraded to an aft facing deluxe balcony. I want to book the same cruise for next February (10 months from now) and again it won't let me choose my cabin. I can see that there are lots of deluxe balcony cabins available, but the only way you can choose your own is if there are three or more people in the cabin. This really sucks as you are paying the "choose your cabin" price, but can't actually choose your cabin. Anyway, my question is, if you call Princess and book with one of their vacation planners can you choose your own cabin?

Your Embarkation Day plan is fine. I used Galveston Express. The Disembark Day is tricky. Although Enterprise was open on Sunday, it was a bit of a madhouse. If you are counting on Enterprise to pick you up at the port, better have a backup plan like Uber, which also seemed to be a madhouse. Several people I talked to were waiting (and waiting) for drivers. I just took Galveston Express back to IAH and sucked it up and hung out there all day. My flight was not until 6:15 p.m. Your cruise line will probably have an excursion that goes to the Space Center and then to the airport. That would probably be the easiest.

I also used Galveston Express both ways without any problem. Yes, Enterprise was open on Sunday. Tons of people there returning cars, waiting for rides, etc. They even had a shuttle to the port. A one way rental will cost you extra, but should be doable.

Bring a few laundry pods or those detergent sheets and dryer sheets. It cost me $9 to do one load, and while there is nothing you can do about the cost of the machines, bringing your own detergent and dryer sheets will help, especially if you are doing several loads.

I totally agree with the OP, the Plus package elevated my cruise from a nickel and dime frugal vacation to a luxury, no stress vacation. And I don't even drink alcohol. I got a couple of mocktails, Cokes, Perriers, bottled waters, and specialty coffees per day. I sampled a couple of the specialty desserts, had unlimited wifi, and of course the gratuities were included. It probably doesn't pencil for me, but I don't even care. I will most likely get the Plus package again if/when I cruise on Princess again. Life is short. Enjoy it. PS: I forgot to mention that I bought the package when I got onboard as I was able to apply the $50 OBC from my travel agent, and the $25 credit for cruising out of Galveston so that brought the price down.

I always travel with a small fan. On my Regal Princess cruise I also brought an extension cord since I read that there weren't an plug ins beside the bed. Neither one was a problem.

I totally agree with both of these points! Not being able to choose your own cabin is super annoying. On my last cruise I got lucky and got a bit of an upgrade to an aft facing balcony cabin, but I would much rather be able to choose my own cabin. And as a non-drinker I would love that option for a no alcohol Plus package.

It's good to know that Princess cruisers are such an evidence based, scientific bunch.

I arrived in Galveston two days before my cruise, which left on a Sunday. I rented a car and intended to just drop it off on Sunday, because as you said their website says they are closed on Sundays. But when I arrived at their location their were tons of people there! Dropping off, renting cars and ... they even had a shuttle taking people to the cruise port! I wish I would have known that in advance but I had already pre-booked an Uber. Anyway, if you need to rent or drop off on Sunday I would call them because they were definitely open.

If you are doing a one way rental they will charge extra for that. You could take a shuttle from IAH to Enterprise in Galveston and rent your car there. That's what I did. If you are a Costco member, try Costco Travel dot ca. They usually have the best prices.

I just finished my first solo cruise, and this was me too. I had room service for breakfast every day. Nothing beats coffee and pastry on your balcony in your jammies. I had the pizza on the pool deck one day, a sandwich at the International Cafe a couple of times, and the rest of the time I ate at the buffet. I ate inside the first night as it was cold outside, but the rest of the time I took my plate outside. I was trying to be mindful, as much as possible, not to get Covid on the cruise and I succeeded.

I just completed my first solo cruise on the Regal Princess out of Galveston and it was great! I'm thinking of booking the same one in 2025.

I was on Regal recently and tried the Premium cakes, you know for research purposes. In order of preference: Chocolate, Black Forest, Red Velvet. But they are huge, and Princess could easily make them half as tall and they would still be premium. They were at the International Cafe, btw. I never did get around to trying the gelato premium desserts. Maybe next time.

There's no reason you can't stay on the ship on port days. It will be delightfully not busy. I just completed my first solo cruise on the Regal Princess, and there were meet ups advertised in the Patters, but I never went to any. I am just not that kind of person, being an introvert with some social anxiety for good measure. That being said, I did have some great spontaneous conversations with people, and that was perfect for me. I never did make it to the dining room. I intended to try it for lunch one day, but just never made it happen. I ate mainly from the buffet (took my plate), the International Cafe, and once I had the pizza by the pool. I had coffee and pastry delivered by room service in the mornings. Sigh. I really miss that.

Tony & Jenny Barnett from the You Tube channel La Lido Loca are doing almost the exact same itinerary. Might be the same sailings, I'm not sure, but you should check them out. They also have a Facebook page I think. Anyway, I second the idea about keeping it simple whenever possible and taking the least amount of luggage possible. If you can manage with only a carry on and a backpack that would be ideal. You can get laundry done on the ships. Seriously, the few times I have taken too much luggage I always regretted it. Like last year when I went to France solo. I rented a car, but the place I had to pick up the car was down the street, and in a car parkade. Had to negotiate cobblestones, curbs, steps, etc. Not fun. Wrecked a wheel on my suitcase. Make sure your phone plan will work over there for Uber. Have a great time!

I just completed my first solo cruise, a seven night on Regal Princess out of Galveston and I loved it! As soon as I got home I started researching cruises for next year. My hubby and I used to cruise a lot, but this was my first time going by myself. What was great was that I could be around people if I wanted, and alone if I wanted. I spent a lot of time reading both on my balcony, and around the ship. I often got into interesting conversations with strangers. It was nice being pampered for a week, and nothing beats that first cup of coffee delivered by room service in the morning on your balcony in your jammies.

I used Galveston Express yesterday from IAH to Galveston and they were reliable and professional.

I don't drink alcohol either, but I have decided to get the Plus package. It includes the gratuities and wifi, which already adds up to $41. The premium desserts - meh. I might have one or two just to try them. But I do enjoy mocktails by the pool, Coke Zero, water, Perrier, cappuccino, frappes, etc. With the Plus package I won't feel like I have to nickel and dime these things. It also includes the room service charge, so I may do that occasionally.

First of all I am very sorry for the loss of your son. I can't imagine anything harder than losing a child. I'm also very sorry for what you are going through with your husband. My husband passed away eleven years ago. We used to travel a lot. After sitting around feeling sorry for myself for a couple of years I decided to try solo travel. My first trip was just to a National Park near me for one night. It did feel a bit strange, but it was OK. Next I decided to go to Vancouver Island for eight nights. Well, after four nights I was very homesick and I had had enough so I changed my flights and came home early. Since then I have gradually been increasing the length and scope of my solo trips and this past summer I went to France for three weeks. I have my first solo cruise coming up in a couple of weeks., so we'll see how that goes. It will be my first one without him, so I am a little bit nervous, but it will probably be fine. My point is, for your first solo trip I would recommend something shorter, where it is easier to bail if you feel overwhelmed, homesick or sad and like you just don't want to be there any longer. I wish you all the best.

I am in a similar situation with a flight leaving at 6:15 p.m. The cruiseline offers a couple of tours, one around Galveston and one to the space center. They are a bit pricey, but solve the problem of what to do with your luggage. I also considered renting a car, but Enterprise seems to be the only rental agency and they are closed on Sunday when we get back. I decided to just take my time getting off the ship and then take the shuttle back to the airport and tough it out waiting there.

I have a cruise coming up out of Galveston, Texas on Princess and cruises seem to be cheaper out of there. Hotels were a bit pricey, but I found a condo on Booking.com that is reasonable. Or you could stay near Houston airport and get a shuttle to the port. As far as the flights, you can set notifications on Google Flights for when prices go down.