bobbisailsolo

Has anyone ever chosen their cruise, purchased their air, then waited to book the cruise till the last minute when prices are at their lowest? Assuming you don't care about cabins, do you think it's doable. Using FF mile , if you weren't able to book, you could just return them to your account. I just hate paying more that someone else for the same cruise. Bit if you wait till last minute to buy your international flight, the prices eat away a good chunk of the savings. does this sound too risky. Looking at something on OCEAN PRINCESS

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quite another to refuse to tip when your actions are now impacting the wages of others.

 

 

 

Why should people from other countries be responsible for making up someones wages in the USA? surely it is for the employers to pay a decent living wage.

 

 

 

After all those people can choose how to spend their hard earned wages.

Sidari,

Perhaps you should just think of the tip as part of the cruise price. The philosophy is the the employee will put forth more effort if he feels part of his pay is based on his performance. Some lines used to be no gratuity (HAL for one), but the rates then were higher back then. Our prices on nearly everything are cheaper in the states, because waitress's and help staff do get tips. What's the difference if they get the money from the employer (via higher wages and higher prices) or from the customer. It's all a wash.

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AMOMONDO, I'm 60. Are there others my age or is it primarily middle aged couples. Being it a 2 week cruise to Norway, I wouldn't expect lots of young couples or a party atmosphere? I like to sit in a lounge and watch the scenery, maybe finding someone to chitchat with. Not a lot of noise or children running around. And, I don't want to dress up. Not even on formal nite. Are there quiet places to sit and read when the weather is cool? Or will the ship have lots of commotion where I might have to get up at 6 am to to get a seat outside or a table at the buffet. Are the other solo travelers and events for them to meet and get together? Is there nice music in the evening? Where I can relax with a drink? Just that type of thing..

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Thanks canny for the suggestion. I'm going to look there.

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I was looking at the Splendida which sails up the coast of Norway. I'm really not a big fan of the large mega ships, so thinking this may not be for me, after reading the comments?

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According to the MSC rep I spoke with today, the US site should have the additional itineraries for sale within two weeks.

 

However, after converting the prices from the UK site to USD, the 14 day will be no bargain at all (of course, that assumes the pricing will be similar). In that case, I'll be back to stalking the Princess trip.

Seems there are mixed reviews about MSC. I still think it's a great itinerary, but the ship seems awfully big, 3900 passangers. Of all the ones I'm considering, the HAL RYNDAM is the smallest ship... And I do like HAL, but the CARIBBEAN Princess has what I think is a better itinerary. Both 14 day cruises, both sailing from London.(which is neither here nor there). If prices were comparable, OCEAN PRINCESS would be my first choice, followed by HAL PRINSENDAM, both which are smaller vessels. Fortunately, I can wait to book till last minute, if I need to, as I really don't care which cabin I end up in. Looking at the 2014 prices today, even on the OP and the Prinsendam, they are about 1/2 off which puts them in my price range. I've been told when cruising the coast of Norway, the smaller the ship the better...so you can get closer to the coast.

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It doesn't. We used to think Carnival was the bottom of the barrel. After one MSC cruise, MSC quickly replaced it.

Ha! that made me literally laugh out loud.

Considering a cruise on MSC Splendida sailing north cape.. I really don't know anything about the line, other than its Italian? How does it compare to the mainstream US lines? Is it like NCL, very casual, where the food is so so, but the service and itineraries are great and well priced? Or more like Princess, a bit more classic? ... Or HAL? Or RCL very family friendly. Just trying to get a feel for it, to see if it's for me. The itinerary is better that the HAL and Princess, but not sure if I'd like the atmosphere... Being a very casual cruiser, preferring a laid back atmosphere.

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I'm american...most of us don't like it burnt. Sometimes the bacon here is very fatty. So it has to be cooked slowly so that the fat dries out but the lean meat doesn't burn and remains chewy. Undercooked or raw bacon in the states means the fat is still rubbery, for lack of a better word. Bacon cooked to fast and burnt can cause cancer..or so we are told.

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Has anyone done a solo on MSC? Looking to hear about your experience... And wondering about single supplements. I found a really great North Cape cruise for next summer. Rates aren't even published for stateside yet.

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Sippican, the 14 day looks like the perfect itinerary. I wonder why it's not on the US site... I travel solo, so I'm really curious what the offer... When I tried to look at a 2014 cruise, it wouldn't even give me a cabin..

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cnd crsr, thats just the info I was looking for! Someone who has done both, and had a preference. Looks like I will stick with my original plan and do the north cape, and will look for an itinerary that goes as far north as possible as Pam suggests. Thanks to all for the help!

Thanks Gary, yes, their are other lines. HAL had a nice Northcape, and I did book a Northcape NCL on impulse, but will probably cancel. I like the Prinsendam and Ocean Princess Norway cruises, but right now the cost is soooo high for a solo/singles on these smaller more intimate ships. So I suppose I'll just sit on it till airfares are out... And see if I can use my ff miles

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I can view the MSC itineraries on the website, but am unable to figure out how to see the prices!

I can't even view 2015 itineraries!

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Mine was on the Big Red Boat (anyone remember who owned that line? was it Premier?). The itinerary was Bahamas, and the date - this is where it gets sketchy for me ;-) I believe was around May of 1994

 

Loved that cruise - I've been hopelessly addicted since then! :-D

 

Cathy

Yes, that's it! Premier. I had forgotten that! i went on both the Oceanic and the Atlantic, preferring the Oceanic...it was like a real ship, not like these floating hotels they have now.

My first cruise was four days to the Bahamas on the Big Red boat. I cruised with just my two boys who were 3 and 8 at the time. Best time ever. I think it was the Oceanic and it was August 1988!

Originally it was going to be Northcape. But I heard the Northcape it's self is no big deal. I have both a TA and Northcape cruise on my bucket list. So I started to think maybe I should combine Norway and Iceland and TA, and cross off two! I can do 23 days,... But not sure if I'd be missing some beautiful parts of Norway. I've cruised Alaska, and Cape Horn so I'm not sure if it's so much different. The other factor is kids on board. Though it's not that I don't like them, just don't want to be with lots of them. So it's quite a dilemma. I suppose I should just wait it out and see if the prices drop. Solo travers seldom get the deal that singles do... It's a matter of just getting an affordable rate. I have considered hirtigruten, but i can't help thinking it will feel like the ferries you take in the Greek islands.

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Thanks Pam... Were you on the prinsendam? Can you elaborate more about the cruise you took? Which ports did you visit? HAL has a 21 day north cape explorer... But it's a little to expensive right now. Will follow it to see if price goes down.

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I am debating between 2 Northern Europe cruises. The first is a 14 day north cape cruise which sails in June (only 1 date), the other is a 23 day grand adventure combining Norway Iceland and Transatlantic. The 14 day North Cape is about $300 dollars more... It has 9 mine days in port. The TA cruise has 11 days in port... So quite a few sea days. Which would you choose, if time is not an issue. I've always wanted to sail the north cape, but I suppose Iceland would be just as nice? Is the Norway cruise that much better to warrant the higher price? Which would you choose. BTW, I am traveling solo, 60 years old. Keep in mind these are launch rates. I can certainly wait to see if fares drop. All opinions welcome!!!!

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I am debating between 2 Northern Europe cruises. The first is a 14 day north cape cruise which sails in June (only 1 date), the other is a 23 day grand adventure combining Norway Iceland and Transatlantic. The 14 day North Cape is about $300 dollars more... It has 9 mine days in port. The TA cruise has 11 days in port... So quite a few sea days. Which would you choose, if time is not an issue. I've always wanted to sail the north cape, but I suppose Iceland would be just as nice? Is the Norway cruise that much better to warrant the higher price? Which would you choose. BTW, I am traveling solo, 60 years old. Keep in mind these are launch rates. I can certainly wait to see if fares drop.

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I've been reading that the preferred agents sometimes have better fares. Does anyone know who they are? Im looking at a 23 grand adventure on the Caribbean Princess in 2015 sailing Norway Iceland and TA. The princess website shows some categories already sold out, but I'm thinking the agents can still offer them as guarantees.

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It's funny, when I worked, I wanted a Long, relaxing cruise with lots of sea days, where I didn't have to do anything. Now, since I'm no longer stressed and all my days are at leisure, I don't feel that same need. But I think I will try it eventually. Possibly 2015 if I can combine it with something in Norway. Considering 23 day grand voyage caribbean Princess August 29, 2015.

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I wouldn't say they don't want solo travelers, I would say they don't encourage them. If you're willing to pay the price, you are treated well. The only ones I feel who suffer are the cabin stewards, who only get half the tip for cleaning the same size cabin, but even so, I've always had wonderful service from them. One thing I've found, is that the lines that do offer a better single supplement, only do so at full fare. When the rates drop, the supplement usually goes back up to 200% other than the very last minute deals. So in most cases you're back where you started. Oh well. Guess I can't blame them... If they can fill a cabin with 2 rather than one, and get double for excursions, drinks and so on.., I think though, solo travels are more apt to buy a ship excursion than a couple???? But as solo travelers, we get an entire cabin to ourselves!!! I never want to share a cabin with anyone again!!!!

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Any thoughts on this as a solo cruiser? I've always wanted to do one, but now I'm thinking it may be a waste of time, and boring... With a minimum of 4 consecutive days at sea and then some... I'm retired, so relaxation is not an issue anymore. But I thought I might just like the experience, kind of a bucket list thing. I'd like to hear from others who've taken a transatlantic. My vacation funds are limited to one or two trips a year, so I choose my trips carefully...

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I booked on the NCL Star, for the North Cape in Jun 2015. Haven't cruised solo since 2010 , been doing land vacations solo, which I equally love. The North Cape has been on my bucket list for some time. NCL, even with 200% supplement came out less expensive than HAL and Princess, but if princess comes down in price I'll book that instead, only because I prefer the itinerary.

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