callmedeb

Well, I'm a female solo traveler and I don't get it. Remember, your cabin door actually locks, which is traditionally a very effective method of keeping out unwanted visitors. It's not like the presence of a name tag with a single name on it somehow magically opens the door from outside.

Lucky you. A locked door doesn't always work. People have keys and all in room "extra" locks can be over-ridden if you know how. It's why I carry a plastic door stop.

I hope that you never have to experience anything that changes your world view for the worse. Blessed Be.

I would love to live in the world that some of you seem to. A world where a woman travelling alone isn't a target (no matter what her looks, age, etc.). A world where she doesn't have to have 360 deg knowledge of all that is around her at all times. That's not my world or the world of any woman I know.

Although I am not constantly vigilant when alone or continually on high alert to potential danger, the awareness is always there and will never fully go away.

Why not take measures to mitigate the potential danger? I always take my name tag down and tell the steward not to replace it. Simple safety measure when travelling alone.

I travel frequently for business and also carry a plastic door wedge to use on the inside of the door at night. You do not want to hear the story that necessitated that.

I am safe and feel safe 99% of the time, but it only takes once. An ounce of prevention et al.

I was trying to figure out how a ship got into Lake Ontario. :):p

You all do know that the great lakes, including Lake Ontario (where Toronto is) is a major shipping channel right?

There are MANY large ships in the lakes, lol.

http://greatlakes-seaway.com/en/commercial/index.html

I know height wise, cruise ship have difficulties getting past Montreal, but still...

;)

Deb

I lose weight every time I go on vacation, I know i'm lucky. I tend to make better food choices for some reason. Plus there's the additional excercise (above my usual workout) of walking and exploring ports.

Although I can never say no to scones and cream ;)

Cheers,

Deb

Sprinkles are for winners.

This is my new life motto.

How much was the enclave on Regal?

 

Laura

I'm trying to remember off-hand, I think I paid around USD $250 for two weeks.

Totally worth it for me =)

I like both (and I am under 50).

HAL wins on food, room stewards (I've yet to have a great one on Princess), Library, Pools, Thermal Spa, bathroom size.

Rowdiest crowd was on my last Canada/NE cruise, partied to the wee hours. Caribbean tends to be livelier.

PRINCESS wins on activities, night life, entertainment staff. Food is good, with some great moments.

TIED with Amazing Staff, Casino, bars.

I used the Enclave on the Regal this past January and loved it. It included a hydrotherapy pool as well. The HT pools are only on the Regal & Royal I believe.

QUESTION: I'm travelling on the Crown next March/April. Worth it to get a Thermal pass without the pool? I'd only use the dry sauna and beds... Your opinions are welcome!

Cheers,

Deb

I feel as though i am taking the cruise with you! Great Job - I look forward to your next installment!

I've never seen this on Princess, BUT my Dad and I did a Bar Crawl on Holland America (Eurodam - Canada/New England). We had a blast and met a lot of great people. Our "leader" was the oldest in the group, 93, under his own steam.

A lot of fun and not at all "tacky", lol.

Deb

The Pan is great.

I like to stay at the Fairmont Waterfront, it's just a great location and you can walk to the ship (it's directly across the street).

My company has offices in Vancouver and we put people up at the Metropolitan, our Board likes it, so it must be good ;)

I've cruised Solo on Holland America and am looking forward to my first solo on Princess next year.

I met a great group of people on Cruise Critic Roll Call before ever setting foot on the ship. We even pre-formed our trivia team, lol!

Even when I cruise with friends/family it can almost be like a solo cruise as we have varying interests. We'd come together for dinner and that's about it.

Cheers,

Deb

Looking Forward to your report!

I participated twice this past January on the Regal (I was on a B2B) and had a blast.

It was fun interacting with the performers/musicians and performing with a live band instead of a Karaoke track.

I didn't make the final three either week, and definitely performed better the first week (I did not have enough gin before my second performance ;))

But it was a blast, I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Deb

If you sit next to my wife at the pool you'll change you tune real quick.

She's the only person I know that can get on a crowded elevator on the top deck & talk to every person person before she gets off. :cool:

Your wife and my Dad would get along, lol. We always say "he can talk to trees"

That particular gene my sister got the majority of, I can only activate mine with copious amounts of gin ;)

Deb

Great ideas all!

Except for the actually talking to other people. Who wants to do THAT on vacation, lol ;)

Deb

I have a question...

I'm cruising solo next year. HOw do I best "protect" my chair if I need to leave to go to the bathroom? In the pool? Grab a bite (to take back to my chair of course)?

I am being serious (not sarcastic). I liked the idea of a sign (I am in the pool) but wonder if there are better ideas out there.

And FWIW, I am enjoying the stories on this thread :)

Anyone thinking of going to Cuba should do so with an open mind and forget about all the negative publicity and make your own decision about the country and the people. Get away from the hotels (do not be afraid to leave the hotels) and see the country and Cuban people.

Hear Hear.

Having travelled to Cuba at least once a year for the past 15 years (half the time as a solo female) I can honestly say that Cuba is the island I feel safest on. I am not a naive traveller either I've felt more threat in a so called democratic state than I ever have in Cuba.

Are there problems? Yup. Just like any other country struggling with change and trying to emerge from their third world status.

The people, for the most part, are open, honest, hardworking and educated. They are not kept unaware of the outside world as some seem to think, and man do they love to talk - about anything - but especially politics. If that's them being restricted? I'd hate to seem them with free speech, lol.

You can argue that the government has their hands in everything and I'd agree with you. But that can be said about anywhere. There is propaganda on both sides of the story though.

As an aside, I have never understood why Americans are content to do business and travel to China, but not Cuba. Aside from the $$$$$ to be made in China... oh wait.

If you don't want to go to Cuba, don't. Your choice. I think you're missing out, but that just leaves more Cuba for me.

Deb

My Dad did the Helicopter tour/landing on our trip in 2009. He absolutely loved it and still talk s about it to this day.

I learn something new here every day.

Today I learned about burning crushed nuts and embers looking for fuel.

;)

Deb

we would do the tour with the flamingo gardens addition, but thought that would take more time and put us in a tight squeeze. I assume they are separate bus loads - one going to the airport after the boat ride and gator show, the other heading on to the flamingo gardens?

 

Thanks for the input.

 

Don

We did both, but we had a late flight. But like I said, we were at the airport by 11am.

I've taken the Everglades excursion twice. Wasn't really happy with it the second time (this past January). The smell from the, what looked like to me, sewage/chemicals by the boat dock was nauseating and the Gator show was nothing special. Our first visit (two years prior) was MUCH better.

On the brighter side, we LOVED the Flamingo Gardens part of the tour and wished we had more time there. Next time we are thinking about renting a car and just spenind the day at Flamingo Gardens. It was fantastic.

We we're at the airport by 11am btw.

Cheers,

Deb

Full Cruise only

I love it for all the reasons stated above. My current booking is also currently a solo cruise. I'm kind of hoping none of my friends decide to come with me ;)

One suggestion is to join the roll-call for your cruise. You can "pre-meet" people that way so being alone is so overwhelming.

Cheers,

Deb

I guess the OP should have packed the only things you need for a cruise, a good attitude and a bright outlook.

I hope his cruise improves.