Sungold

Thank you for the advice!  I know that curry is a dish, but I understand that curry powder is also an ingredient in other Indian dishes.  Whether tikka masala or butter chicken contain it, I don’t know.  I thought I might like tandoori chicken or shrimp if it wasn’t too spicy.  

I am someone who does not like hot & spicy food... and I especially dislike curry. Even the smell of it makes me nauseous. So I have avoided the Indian food, although there might be some dishes I would like. But they need to post on each dish what it contains. If I see that a dish contains hot peppers, sriracha, curry, etc., then I know to avoid those dishes.

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I booked directly through Royal back in August, initially was having issues with website so booking was made over the phone. Although the current rate is lower than what I paid, it is slightly higher than the offer I found a few weeks ago but may still drop. The studio interiors on Adventure are currently $868 Canadian total with non-refundable deposit and $50 OBC or $920 Canadian total with refundable deposit and $25 OBC.

 

 

 

Instructions are as follows:

 

 

 

1. Click on the link I provided in my previous message.

 

2. Select Book Now.

 

3. Choose 1 Stateroom, 1 Guest.

 

4. Choose Interior then either Non-Refundable (1st option) or Refundable Deposit option (3rd option).

 

5. Your Studio Interior stateroom will automatically populate, BOGO savings applicable for this offer.

 

 

 

I'm going to continue monitoring these rates until final payment as OBC was not offered at the time of the booking. $25 is better than nothing!

I just did a mock booking using your link. I was given 2 interior choices: standard interior at $1198 US; interior with Promenade view at $1372 US. Studio was not presented as an option, so maybe they are sold out. Also, $100 OBC with the non-refundable deposit.

Pam

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I have done specialty dining a few times; once with a 3 or 4 night package, and other times taking advantage of half-price promotions on the first night of the cruise. The food is certainly very good, but the portions are so large...often I am full before the entree comes. Last time I wasted half of my steak, and got my dessert packaged to take back to my cabin. I felt bad about the wasted steak and vegetables, but after a very filling French onion soup (my favorite) I could not eat much more. So I probably would not pay full price for specialty dining, but will occasionally take advantage of a sale. Maybe skip the appetizer next time!

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I have sailed solo on all my cruises (13? 14? I need to do an inventory). My very first cruise was on Costa, and they only offered fixed time dining. I was assigned to a table for 10 near the front of the dining room, and everyone was nice enough. But each night less people showed up, until on about the 4th night I was alone at the table. They served me just the same, but it was very uncomfortable [emoji21] sitting at a large table like that, very conspicuous because of the location, with everyone else passing you while coming in and out. It was my first cruise, and it didn’t occur to me that I could ask to be moved, and no one on the wait staff suggested it. I just figured that was my assigned table and I was stuck with it. For the last two nights, 2 nice couples at a nearby table for 6 asked if I’d like to join them. One of the gentlemen spoke to a waiter, and they were fine with changing my seat. After that experience, with subsequent cruises, I always choose the “anytime dining” option. When I show up for dinner I let them know that I don’t mind sharing a table; sometimes I wind up sharing, sometimes I’m alone at a table for 2. Either way is okay.

As for trivia games, I generally play alone as my own “team”. I have never felt obligated to join a team by any cruise line, although if someone asked me to, I probably would, to be polite. What I’m saying is that I never got the impression on any ship that they discouraged solos from playing. Roll calls for specific cruises, as other people have pointed out, are very valuable for those who’d like to make some acquaintances before boarding. Cruising solo is about freedom. Don’t feel like you “have” to do something if it makes you uncomfortable!

Pam

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EASTERN CARIBBEAN CRUISE $643 SINGLE OCEANVIEW Celebrity Cruises : Celebrity Summit

 

 

 

Ship: Celebrity Summit

 

Cruise Line: Celebrity Cruises

 

Sail Date: Sunday, Oct 22, 2017 from Bayonne (Cape Liberty), United States

 

Return Date: Saturday, Oct 28, 2017 to San Juan, Puerto Rico

 

VISITING Philipsburg (St. Maarten), Netherlands Antilles

 

Charlotte Amalie (St Thomas), US Virgin Islands

 

PLUS TAX 143.35

 

BALCONY SOLO $748

 

YOU WILL NEED TO ADD 1 WAY AIRFARE SAN JUAN/NY $130

Great solo balcony fare! Those of us from other parts of the country would have to fly one-way to NY/NJ, and then from San Juan back home. There would be no need for us to return to NY.

Pam

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That is great, but I wish they had similar deals for their ships leaving from Florida! Sometimes you can find some deals, but it's not that easy.

Pam

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RCL Adventure - Dec 2, 2018 - 6 days

 

 

 

• 
   
  
• Itinerary: Ports:; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; George Town, Grand Cayman; Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico; Cozumel, Mexico
   
  

 

Solo inside - $462 + $112.48 port taxes refundable. New solo cabins on deck 2. Non-refundable booking is less, but it's nonrefundable ($250).

 

 

 

I had to call to book this. Online booking would not complete.

Thanks for the info! I am interested in this cruise, but RCI's rotten website will not let me look at any individual cruises, whether by date, itinerary or ship. All links bring me to a blank page. I will have to try using my iPad or desktop, but Royal notoriously has the worst website in cruising. People constantly complain, but it never seems to improve. [emoji35]

Pam

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Solo Cruiser to Alaska .........https://youtu.be/DAXtayRrAys

I'm flying to Alaska Wednesday for a cruise that starts Friday. How cold was it? I'm a Floridian who is stressing about the weather.

Pam

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Pam, They do the same thing here in the US. I just checked Celebrity Infinity for 5/17/17. They are selling veranda cabins at $1599 per person ($3198 for a couple), yet, when I change it to 1 person, the same cabin price jumps to $5298!:eek: Same cruise is selling interiors at $1179 per person if booking for two, but change it to 1 person, and they show no cabins available. Pat

Hi Pat, I just sailed Celebrity for the first time in January, a 4-night one on the Silhouette. Normally Celebrity is too pricey for me, but for this one, for some reason, the single supplement was quite low, about 30%. I had a balcony for about $569 plus fees. I booked 3-4 months ahead of time, probably with a Labor Day sale. I'm thinking maybe this sailing was not selling cabins as fast as they would have liked.

Pam

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Wendy-Europe, thanks for the info and illustration... and that seems grossly unfair. I have to say, though, all of my cruises except one have been solo, and I have been able to choose from different levels of cabins within a category. I've also only paid one port tax and fee, not double. I have never sailed on MSC, but I have sailed with NCL, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, etc. All my cruises have left from U.S. ports...do you think maybe they do it differently from European ports?

Thanks, Pam

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Thank you for the awesome review and pictures. I also sailed on Empress this past fall. I loved it and never felt I was on a "small" ship. Your balcony was indeed a treasure! Thanks for sharing, and please post reviews again.

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Boy, if people think magnetic message boards are eyesores, what must they think about people who decorate their doors? [emoji79] I have done so when sailing during the Christmas season, and also over Halloween. I always got smiles and nice comments. But go ahead, flame away! [emoji91]

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I have bought nice lanyards in the gift shops for about $10. I don't get holes punched in my cards, I get the lanyards with the rectangular clear plastic holder attached. I put my ship card & driver's license in them, so they are handy when returning from a port. Depending on the port, I may put the whole thing in my purse or beach bag. If I'm dressed for dinner it goes in my dressier purse. Never thought it was tacky, but whatever...different strokes for different folks.

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Are there any issues with bringing smoked salmon from Alaska home, if I will be flying from Vancouver (Canada) home to the U.S.?

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I am also taking my first Alaska cruise on May 26, near the beginning of their tourist season. I'm also stressing about what to pack. I live in Florida, and am very sensitive to cold temperatures. I bought a lightweight packable parka, gloves, and winter boots, as well as waterproof "duck shoes" that are fleece lined. I still need to get a hat & scarf. These things add weight to the suitcase, and I don't know how much room I'll have for dressier clothes for dinner. Is the dress code in the MDR more relaxed on Alaska cruises? This will be on Royal Caribbean. Thanks!

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I am really amazed at the lack of cooperation you received, being a Platinum member. I hope this gets resolved successfully for you!

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One thing I would say about the specialty restaurants, is it helps if you have a big appetite. The portion sizes are large, and there are several courses. In some restaurants they do a la carte pricing so that wouldn't be an issue, but in the steakhouse I always had to eat only part of the courses to be sure I had room for the rest. In other words, food was wasted, and I felt bad about that...but money was partly wasted, too.

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Here is a daytime photo of the main pool area.

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Thanks so much for this great review! You saw more of the ship than I did, and I was on her an extra day. Fabulous photos, too!

Pam

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I just departed the Silhouette on Jan. 12 after a 4-nighter to Cozumel. I had a deal on a concierge-class cabin, so gave Celebrity my first try. My cabin was 2101 (deck 12) and I don't think I've ever been in a more conveniently placed cabin. It was just steps to elevators, staircase, and the pool deck. I only had to walk up one flight of stairs, and was at the buffet restaurant. I enjoyed Celebrity and the Silhouette very much. They don't often have bargains for solo travelers like me, but I will continue to look!

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I have dined both solo and with others in the MDR. I have read that if you prefer not to dine alone, you can speak to the Maitre D' at the beginning of the cruise and they will make an effort to seat you at larger tables with others. Or, you might meet other singles and arrange to eat together. But I have found if you just show up for dinner and tell the hostess you don't mind sitting with others, they are likely to still seat you at a table for 2.

Pam

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Wow, charging for popcorn...that is pretty greedy. We all know how cheap popcorn is. Even Carnival serves it free during the outdoor movies.

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Heading out on Celebrity Silhouette 1/08/17!

Pam

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I am having difficulty getting to the online check-in page, glad to hear it isn't just me. (Using iPad and Safari.) Guess I will have to call the PVP.

 

 

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Just an update...I went on my desktop computer and was able to complete check-in using Firefox. They really should work on being compatible with other browsers, or at least tell you that they don't work well with Safari and others.

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