SoloAlaska

In September one year I saw a bear maybe 300m from the ship in Ketchikan while on a pub crawl. The people who took the bear tour that day did not see any.

Both are great as long as you don’t mind the rain or the possibility of rough seas especially on your last day. I’ve done early and mid September and will be doing late September this year. It’s personal preference but I don’t cruise when schools out and can’t take vacation in May so September is my time for Alaska. seeing bears is never guaranteed and you never know where you will see them. One year I saw one right in Ketchikan but people who took the bear tour saw none. The salmon are still running in mid September but be ready for the smell of dead salmon, it’s the not so sexy part.

Where are you from, how tolerant are you to cooler weather? I see people wearing big parkas when I’m in a fleece only. So if you’re from Florida you’ll need to pack more than if you’re from Minnesota for example. I’ve attached my packing plan for my September cruise. May I would plan about the same. This is a very paired down wardrobe since I’m traveling very light but it gives you an idea what I consider essential. This is my third Alaskan cruise.

A good test for travelling solo is do you enjoy going to a restaurant alone or a museum. Take yourself out on a “date night” and see if you enjoy the freedom of doing what you want when you want. I have anxiety but it’s much lighter when I travel solo plus worse case reach out to your support network virtually when you need it. You’re 30 it’s time to enjoy your life. Im 34 and took my first solo cruise at 31 so I get it. If your therapist thinks you’ll be fine just and you like your own company just book it.

My dark skinny jeans and sneakers (leather) with a silk blouse is more dressed up than many others.

I know a lot of people who love AllBirds. They are made of wool so I can’t wear them sadly. Socks are optional, they don’t smell as much because they are wool, they look good, fun colours.

I haven’t taken my RCI cruise yet but this is something that people do. This cruise I have a ghost on the reservation and can change the name up to 3 months out if I want to bring someone for free. This isn’t a guaranteed cabin however and was suggested to do this by the TA so that I don’t have to reprice if I decide to bring someone. This cruise was booked 2 years ahead and was single at the time.

All cabin categories now have solo options on NCL not just tiny cabins, I’ve never even looked at a studio (aka the small cabins on NCL). My upcoming RCI trip is 95% supplement, it’s a lot more expensive than any NCL cruise I’m booking plus the drink package and wifi isnt included. I’m only cruising RCI because it was someone else’s choice.

Celebrity and MSC are known for doing the exact same thing. The question is are those points worth $1500. NCL is really positioning itself as the destination for solos not just by the pricing but also with the solo events hosted. Solo cruising is a booming market right now but not all lines are embracing it.

Book a ghost and you’re good to go. One of my friends is my go to ghost booking. One day I hope she joins me on a cruise.

Haven’t waited more than 5 minutes for the tram both times I’ve been. I’m sure it’s often busier than that but they move people through quickly. The nice thing about the tram is it doesn’t take long and you can place it wherever you have free time in your schedule. If the weather isn’t clear it’s not really worth going though.

It may have been an issue with one vendor being out of passes but they are offering a different tour with another. Have you looked at booking the tram separately? If you have FAS atleast the first person would be free.

Ya I went out occasionally but wasn’t a drinker. Well till after my divorce then I started enjoying a cocktail especially on vacation.

Well I was 19 wearing cute Patagonia halter tops and dresses to go out to the bars at the time (Canadian so 19 is legal).

Yes it was. Was on a TA in early December and there weren’t many kids but the club still ran. I don’t know the hours but I know the kids I met enjoyed the activities.

I love reading one star reviews in general they are often very entertaining. This applies from cruises to random stuff on Amazon and everything in between.

Absolutely it was a surprise and we missed Bermuda but it was nice to see a bit of NYC again. Unfortunately I was really sick so I only went out once but my view of the intrepid was pretty cool.

We ended up having 2 overnights in port due to weather. It was odd to have a floating hotel in NYC.

Why 100 bags, haven’t they heard about gallon size freezer bags.

Most rules are in reference to men. Like no tank tops or open toed shoes. Follow the mood not the letter.

I find there’s a weird thing where the price listed is actually for 2. Have you looked at the price at the end of a mock booking. They are higher though than some other lines your right.

I once told a Patagonia rep that the word that described Patagonia for me was sexy. Patagonia chic is why I love Alaska cruises.

USD are really handy because they come in low denominations for small tips. My last cruise was mostly in Europe and I had USD to tip and Euros. Mostly the Euros for tipping for excursions and USD for the bar on the ship. I wouldn’t bother carrying Sterling since turnover day is when most of the crew are working their hardest and won’t be getting off the ship, they have little use for currency that they won’t be able to use. Euros they can use in most ports where they may actually get off the ship.

I only buy black luggage since to me it looks more professional when travelling on business to have matching luggage. I made fabric handle wraps out of fabric I bought on an Alaskan cruise. Each handle wrap has a bright orange strip. Each family unit has a different main fabric. This way when we go on a big family cruise with 12 people anyone can identify which luggage belongs to the family and pull it off the luggage belt but when we get on the ship each main fabric identifies which cabin it goes to. I like systems and organization even when travelling.

Thanks I will definitely be ordering some. Since I am planning on hiking several days in a row I’ll leave my 2 pairs of hiking pants but will add the silk as a layer. Nights camping they will be perfect pjs too.