mtwingcpa

I honestly don't know. The thought of it is wonderful (and if $$ was no object, even more wonderful) :D But in actuality I think I'd be happier on a grand voyage, something about half the length.

I've been thinking about a world cruise, but have pretty much come to the same conclusion. On occasion I've been away from home for several months at a time, but that's on dry land and within reach of a GOOD WiFi signal (I tend to suffer from "internet addictive disorder"). :-)

Not sure I could make it for over 100 days, especially with a number of ports or destinations that I'm not that excited about. But the idea of a grand voyage of 40 - 60 days, going to parts of the world I'm especially interested in, sounds about right. :-)

We took our first cruise and I actually came back three pounds lighter and the food was good.

I've had similar experience. I think its because, even though there is tons of food on a cruise ship, snack items are not readily at hand like they are at home. In other words, if I want a snack, I have to go somewhere to get it, and that cuts down on consumption. :-)

I also prefer reviews that are short and to the point. Many so-called reviews are more like travelogues or blow-by-blow narratives. In other words, I would distinguish between "reviews" and "blogs." While I certainly respect the effort that people have gone to, I rarely have the time or interest to read the latter. Just my opinion... :-)

Allow me to post an alternate scheme that MIGHT work:

Get off the train and spend the night in Santa Barbara (rather than downtown LA). Book the Santa Barbara Airbus (sbairbus DOT com) for a ride to your pier. Reverse this scheme on your trip home.

Sorry to sound dim, but how do you access your emails when you´re offline? I´m new owner of an android tablet or is it an Ipad thing?

On my Android tablet, using its built-in email interface, it automatically downloads and stores roughly the 25 most recent messages. You can access them by simply loading the email app, whether online or not. Naturally, your mileage may vary, but try turning off your WiFi interface and see if this works for you.

I've done it with no problem which doesn't mean there isn't a security problem but only that I didn't have a security problem. But boy, it's so slow and frustrating to do.

I'll "second" both points. :-)

It once took me well over 5 minutes just to LOG IN to a credit card account! After that experience, I found ways to automate everything.

I try to NEVER access my financial accounts online while traveling. And I would certainly never do it from other than my own computer. But that's just me. I have a VPN (virtual private network) tool that I can use if access is absolutely necessary, but since I don't really understand how it works, I'm not sure if it really increases security... :-)

It is not a requirement and I know many people whose first cruise on a line or a ship was a World Cruise but if it is possible it would be a good idea to take some type of cruise on a line if a World Cruise would be the first time you sail with it just to be sure you will be happy for all that time.

Excellent point!

I was planning to jump on a repositioning cruise this spring on the line(s) I'm considering. HAL and Princess have a number of boats heading up the west coast to Alaska. On the other lines, I'm not sure about their west coast (or other convenient) offerings...will have to check. Most any line will no doubt be different than my previous experience on NCL or the Alaska Ferries. :-)

Normally I don't use travel agents. But this might be one case where I'd consider it since there are lots of bucks involved and I'd suppose the perks (and planning assistance) MIGHT be significant. :-)

Keith - Thanks for the additional options. :-)

Just preliminarily, I'll probably rule out Crystal, Silversea and Oceania due to cost. And I will likely rule out Cunard due to "excessive formality" :-) although I really like their itineraries.

So I suspect the choice will boil down to HAL vs. Princess. And at the moment, with its restrictive smoking policy and west coast departure, Princess is in the lead. :-)

I can't quite believe that I'm seriously considering a round-the-world cruise in early 2015! :-)

So I'm trying to identify the lines that offer such cruises embarking/debarking in the USA or Canada. Thus far I've found HAL, Princess, Crystal (might be too expensive), and possibly Cunard.

Are there others that deserve consideration? Thanks! :-)

Have any of you solo travelers ever experienced this kind of discrimination before?

I'm curious: Where did this cruise embark from? I've not heard of this kind of situation on cruises embarking from the USA. But if elsewhere, who knows... :-(

If I recall correctly, Foremost offers a special "vacant home" policy.

They note, by the way, that in their scheme of things merely being away from home for an extended period of time (such as snowbirding or on a vacation) does not mean your home is vacant. "Vacant" in their book means that you have completely moved out of the place with no intention of returning.

As I recall, there might not be much available (other than fast food) in that area. When staying there a few years ago I ate dinner at a hole-in-the-wall Asian place a block or two north on the other side of the street. It was OK on a one-time basis. I had breakfast at a fast food place...I think it was a McDonalds.

I'd even take an obstructed picture window over a porthole if they cost the same.

...and along with that point is the question of location. On most NCL ships the obstructed view cabins are on deck 8 (a great location in my opinion) while the portholes are down on deck 4 or (maybe) 5 (not as convenient in my book).

And in this context I suppose it's also worth noting that a porthole is considered an UPGRADE from an obstructed view. So if you really want the cabin on deck 8, don't book it as a "guarantee." :-)

I haven't sailed in either, but I think I would also prefer the obstructed view.

Hi folks:).....so, is 2014 bringing you any solo cruises?:D

I've taken a couple of years off to focus on other things, but hope to get back into it in 2014. :-)

Thinking about something to the South Pacific or maybe a full 'round the world. Obviously, this will take some planning! :-)

Both upgrades/upsells and OBC are possible.

I have also seen them honor an OBC promotion that has expired. But I have not seen them give an OBC as compensation for a price drop. Sure, maybe it's happened, but it would appear to be a rare occurrence. It seems that an upgrade/upsell (subject to availability, of course) is far more likely.

And I also agree the best way to approach this is with a long, patient conversation. If, by contrast, one was to simply "demand" something, I wouldn't expect successful results.

My experience is similar to others: No refunds or OBCs, but an upgrade is possible. And when I say "upgrade," I really mean "upBUY." That is, by spending a little bit more money, maybe you can buy up to a better cabin at the new, lower price. And I always approach this situation with the idea that I will end up spending more money, not that NCL will necessarily give me something just because I asked (maybe they will, but maybe they won't).

In fact, I often consider this possibility when booking. I'll initially book a cabin at the lower end of what I consider acceptable, thus leaving some room to buy up if the opportunity presents itself. Either that, or I book at the last minute when prices MIGHT be lowest.

Isn’t it time that the United States of America started to respect visitors to their country?

I don't think TSA or CBP (or whatever the agency) discriminates just against foreigners. We Americas have to endue the same "attitude" and poor service when attempting to return to our own country! With few exceptions, it is the most unpleasant part of my trip. :-(

I've been to many, but not all of the ports in question. If I were going back, I would prefer #2. But if you haven't seen the Panama Canal and #1 includes that as an excursion option, then #1 might be the way to go.

• Guests may stay in their cabins and enjoy continental breakfast, eat breakfast in one of the main restaurants or eat at the buffet or casual restaurant until their colored luggage tag is called or until the last and final call, which is normally around 10 a.m.

On the last couple of cruises I was on, they clearly wanted people out of their cabins by 9:00 - 9:30.

I stopped going to roll calls when I started to read about cabin crawls, gift exchanges, slot pulls, someone became a bit too controlling of everyone, the demand for cabin numbers and full names........ Some of it turned me off.

I'll "second" that. :-)

I've also dropped out of roll calls when there was too much DETAILED discussion of medical problems and why people might have to cancel. If someone can't go, they can't go. But there's such a thing as "too much information!" :-(

I no longer make "shared service" shuttle reservations when arriving at LAX. You might get a slightly lower price with a reservation, but I'm not convinced the service is any different (at least, that's my experience). But be sure to allow sufficient time because many of the drivers won't leave the airport until their van is (mostly) full.

I don't expect the ship (or hotel, or resort) where I vacation to do anything to help me meet other solo travelers, so I wouldn't say that they did anything wrong by not offering that to me. The only thing I would say would put them in the category of "doing a bad job" with solo travelers would be if I got worse service or rudeness from the staff because I was solo. All I expect is to be treated the same as everyone else.

Amen to that! :-)

In fact - and I'm not picking on anyone here - but I find it ironic that many solo travelers want lower fares, but ALSO want the cruise line to offer special hosted services tailored to them. Seems like a contradiction to me...

The Grand Wailea, a 4 star hotel, like most hotels I am aware of, allows smoking on their balconies.

In Washington state, the "25 foot rule" arguably prohibits smoking on hotel balconies. And most local hotels that I'm aware of conform to that rule.

I am merely pointing out that smoking on hotel balconies is not universally allowed. :-)

I've checked with my own insurance company (in the US) on this. They claim the limitation only applies if I have COMPLETELY VACATED/MOVE OUT OF the home. It doesn't apply if I am merely AWAY on a long vacation, but fully intend to return.

Naturally, your mileage may vary, so check with your own insurance company.

Norway.