kbconthemove

I did finally decide on Tokyo, but that is out now as the NCL rep I've been dealing with and last communicated with a couple hours ago just emailed me and said the solo rooms are now sold out so I'll have to pay for a double room - even though he was supposedly holding me a solo room until tomorrow.

Oh well.. guess I'm not meant to go on a cruise right now.

I would close this topic, but have no idea how.

My apologies - this was my first post ever on a forum here and certainly regret posting it now.  I didn't see any way to close or delete the topic or would have.  I certainly won't be bothering you all anymore, and no - not using insurance to try and get a solo cruise.  I have a friend that is very iffy about committing and that really was the reason for my poorly worded post.

I will not be cruising any time soon as I did finally book a solo cruise and thought it was on hold for me through tomorrow and just got an email from the NCL rep I had been working with and he told me that someone else just took the last solo room so I'll have to pay for a double fare now.

39 minutes ago, patches33 said:

I'm booked on the cruise that you are considering.  Couldn't pass up the solo pricing. I was just on the Majestic in November for 21 day Transpacific Crossing and loved the ship. I'm also in and inside cabin which I am accustomed to. Really enjoy the darkness and typically very quiet since you're not hearing people on their balconies. There are lots of places around the ship inside and out to read and relax without always socializing with others. You probably don't have much room choices at this point but I chose a room on the lido deck so I can easily walk out side and go up one flight to the indoor pool and Hollywood Conservatory which are both great areas. Hope you decide to go. 

Thank you 🙂

14 minutes ago, JDincalif said:

Our NZ-SYD cruise out of Auckland had to skip something like four out of seven ports due to severe weather. So if seeing NZ is a high priority, it's best to consider more of a land tour than a cruise 

Thank you!  I have read that this has happened a fair amount and is def a concern for me

31 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

Is the main point of your travel to get to Sydney (or Tokyo)? Or is it the cruises themselves? Without knowing your full itineraries, number of sea days, other ports, etc. it is very hard to make any kind of recommendation.

 

As for the two cities themselves (since that is your title question), I would vote for Tokyo over Sydney. Yes Sydney is a pretty city but it's in a country that, in many ways is not so strikingly different from the US. (English speaking, former British colony, Western traditions, etc. etc.) Whereas Tokyo is completely different. I find Japanese history fascinating. I enjoy the culture, food, traditions, art, architecture. 

 

But someone else (including the poster above) will have a completely different take. In the end you have to decide based on what interests you. If you could only ever get to one of them, which would you be more sorry to have missed?

 

Thank you for the thoughtful input and I agree with you completely as to evaluating the purpose of the cruise and more details on it.

I would love to visit Aus & NZ and always have, but also feel I would prefer a ground tour to actually see them.  The only reason I would consider this cruise is the 5 days in NZ ports, but really only leave out of Sydney.  The cruise is 30 days, of which 19 are at sea - which interests me, but maybe because I'm a novice cruiser.

As for the Tokyo cruise it's 18 days through Alaska which I would like to see again and then 3 port days in Japan.  I would love to make it to Japan for the cherry blossoms, but the timing will be a little late for that.  Japan is the only Asian country I have any interest in seeing.

Thank you for the input - I have always wanted to go to Aus/NZ, but would want a lot more time to really tour it - but... now being old and poor, this may not be realistic, so thinking this would give me a chance to at least see it in case I never make it back down there and just deal with the sea days sitting and watching the ocean go by.

As for Japan, it is the only Asian country I have any interest in ever seeing so thought this might be a good cheap way to see it.

Finally have it narrowed down to a last minute cruise and would appreciate any input on either itinerary/plans as I need to make a decision quickly now before they are gone.  They are both very cheap right now, with Tokyo a bit cheaper.  Will be traveling solo, interior cabin.

1) Sydney to Vancouver - Majestic Princess - 30 days ($1650 base) - Flight LAX to HNL ($250)  1-2 day stay ($400??) - HNL to SYD ($250) overnight in SYD possibly (??) then cruise - main attraction is the several stops in NZ, don't really care about the rest and concerned about the # of days at sea.

2) Vancouver to Tokyo - NCL Spirit - 18 days ($900 base) - Flight LAX to YVR ($200) after cruise stay a couple nights in Tokyo for sightseeing ($400??) - then Tokyo to HNL ($250) - 1-2 days HNL ($400??)  - HNL to LAX.($250) - did AK cruise 2 yrs ago and want to go back, very interested in seeing Japan especially in Spring, even though a little late.

I don't drink so don't care about drink/SD packages.

Thank you all so much for the input ❤️

Thank you - didn't see anything pop up, but will check it closer 

The 20 hour flight doesn't thrill me much 🙂

Sorry for wording my first question here all wrong - was basically looking to see if the insurance worked like it claims on the cruise line websites.

Thank you all for the replies - I won't bother you anymore

Thank you - only rooms left above this are balcony at twice the price, which I'm not prepared to pay at this time.  Was really looking at only because of the low last min price

I'm seriously considering that last minute 30 day Tahiti/Hawaii/SP crossing cruise on Majestic Princess, but the thought of 30 days in inside cabin scares me. I've only been on one cruise with X and had balcony, so a bit spoiled.  I'm traveling solo and basically a hermit who doesn't drink or really socialize, but would like to see some of the ports and the price seems really good.

Any thoughts on this cruise situation would be appreciated.

I'm looking at a couple last minute cruises and wondering from experienced travelers (unlike myself) whether or not it is realistic to arrive in Amsterdam at 6am and fly to Barcelona for a 5pm departure?

I know MSC has great pricing, but to be honest from all the reviews and videos they scare the heck out of me with being so overcrowded and loud party atmosphere all day and night.  Not sure it's worth the lower cost when it looks miserable to me lol.

yes I do, ty for reply - and yes evaluating full cost, and looking at some rooms/sales and noticing how they do their pricing for 2nd person (i.e. 75% off 2nd person, so no savings really)

Thank you - I have been looking at that site now that I found it and it is quite helpful.  Still curious if the CFAR insurance works like it appears as it may save several hundred dollars over solo pricing.

Looking at this same issue and wondering if it's safe to book double then have one be a no show and get the 75% back in FCC as I do plan on getting the insurance anyway? 

I'm new to cruising so don't know all the ins and outs of course.  I've been on X once 2 years ago and got lucky with full balcony for solo to AK for $499 so I'm spoiled.

I will be traveling alone and looking at NCL primarily because of the solo rates, but in looking over several different options I'm wondering if it's worth risking buying 2 fares and having one be a no show. I do plan on getting the insurance, so looks like I would get back 75% of the 2nd fare in FCC if nothing else - but can't get a specific answer directly from the cruise lines.  I prefer the itinerary of a couple other lines, so why I'm asking.

So if anyone has experience or input on this, I would appreciate any advice.

As for me - cruised once to AK in 2022 on Celebrity and got great deal on balcony, so I'm spoiled.

I don't want to be around kids, don't care about onboard activities or fancy food, and want a good room, but really don't care. I would be cruising for the experience and the destinations/itinerary.