registrarln

I'm 59 and doing my 4th solo, balcony and all. I always sit at a large table for dinner and end up meeting the nicest people. You always get a good seat at the shows because single seats are easy to find. With the exception of Falmouth Jamaica, I have always felt safe on excursions. There are other people on them and you easily make friends. Enjoy your first solo!!

Thank you so much for this! I'm going to look them all up now. Much appreciated.

Cruising next September out of San Juan PR. Any helpful hints on who to fly with and best time to purchase ticket? I can leave from SFO or OAK. I don't mind going a few days early or staying a few days if it helps. Feel free to email me registrarln@icloud.com

Hi, Lisa here. Doing first solo next month. Can't wait!

Any solos on Freedom of the Seas in May?

Hi, all

I'm doing my first solo in 4 weeks. 7 nights. I plan on eating in the MDR. It's nice to know that the Lido and room service is always there if I panic, but I plan on having a blast! I do have a balcony room so if the crowds are too much, I have my own little hide-away.

I'm a very early riser, coffee drinker and smoker so I'm looking forward to having all that freedom to do what I want when I want and not be on anyone else's schedule (which is usually opposite of mine).

I'm doing two excursions as I not quite ready to walk around I my own. But I hoping it's a good experience and that ill meet people. If it all goes well,which I'm sure it will, ill go ahead and make that final payment on my 11 day solo in September.

I simply love cruising!!!

Cheers!

I'm reading all of your posts and am amazed at your savvy! Wish I knew what you all know.

Looking for help with Royal Princess, Sept 21, 10 day caribbean. Balcony. Solo. Right now DD category has me at around $3000 (with insurance, et al). Based on your experiences, what is the likelihood this price will come down before July final payment?

Solo, plus airport shuttles (x4 - home and port), air fare from West coast, dog sitter.... It's another $1000 on too of that.

Anyone have any insight they can offer? And no, I won't do interior room. It's as another poster said, it's a balcony or it's no cruise :)

well its a good thing neither my girlfriend or I drink very much lol :p but I'm just a very organized person, i like to have my ducks in a row as soon as possible, hence my questions :o

You and I must be kindred spirits. I start planning and organizing way in advance. I'm just about done shopping for my May cruise, which is booked last fall. I have my excursions reserved, the ice show reserved, my air, shuttles, hotel...everything.

And...for my September cruise, I already have my air, hotel and shuttles taken care of. Haven't booked excursions yet but that's mostly because I can't find ones I love yet.

So, planning early is fine. I keep a list of what I want to bring on my suitcase and check items off as I put them there...like binoculars, sun hat, flip flops (sandals), etc. that way I don't forget the little things.

I'm excited for you! Which ports are you stopping at?

Hello everyone, my name is Michael and I'm 23 years old. I have just finished booking a cruise for my wonderful girlfriend and myself aboard Allure of the Seas for next February 28th. I have lots of questions because I have never been on a cruise in my entire life. My father always said cruises were for old people :roll eyes: and my mom never wanted to go because she said because she does not know how to swim that we shouldn't go :( . I finally got around to booking a cruise on Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas which sets sail exactly a year from today, February 28th, 2016. I was hoping some of you could help me because I have a lot of questions right off the bat, and I figured I'd make a thread so that if I had anymore, I would just post them here for all of you wonderful cruisers to help me answer.

 

A little info about where I will be on the ship. My stateroom will be 10329

 

well here goes :o

 

How does ship boarding work for Allure of the Seas? Is it "first come first served"? Or does it go by your deck or Stateroom number? Also can we go right to our stateroom when we board to put stuff down and get settled? Or do we have to wait until a specific time? What is the earliest I can board?

 

How do checked bags work?

 

How late do all of the different eateries stay open?

 

What do the "for fee" eaters generally cost?

 

How far in advance can I book excursions and shows?

 

Can my family come to the port to see us off? How far can they go without actually getting on the ship?

 

What are some things I should bring on the boat with me? I know about the basics, but are there things that you came to realize would be really nice to have after realizing you didn't have it?

 

How much cash should I bring with me, just a ballpark number, I don't know who takes what nowadays haha.

 

Is there a set time that I have to be back at the ship for departure from the ports of call? where can i find that out when cruising?

 

If I think of anymore I will post them in later posts. Thanks in advance for all of your help! :D

A lot of what you are asking will be in the daily cruise newsletters you'll receive each day...when you can get off, when you have to be back on.

Specialty restaurants are usually around $20 - 40 per person.

How far you can book excursions...if you go to RC website, you should be able to find that out.

What to bring? Again, lots of good websites with lists that should help out. For me, personally - power strip (blow dryer, flat iron, iPad, cell phone), bungee cords, meds for seasick/Pepto for tummy/aspirin.

Most ships board first come, first serve...unless you get priority (frequent cruiser programs). Your room probably won't be ready until later so don't plan on going straight to your room. Keep a small carry on with you in the interim, in case you need anything before your luggage arrives (medication, sunscreen, etc)

Lastly, please know that alcohol is expensive! So be careful. I've seen people with 5 pages of on-board charges just from all the alcohol they consumed. Can add up to quite a bit. I'm lucky here...I don't drink:)

Most of all, have fun!!!!!

Happy cruising!

KruzNut: I'm going in September and am looking forward to it. And I always form my own opinions, too.

I'm trying them. Can't find much about them, but worth a chance.

Newbie to solo cruise. How is it on a large ship? Looking forward to having cabin and balcony all to myself!

I'm reading all the threads about this May 3rd cruise being a charter. This is my first RC cruise. I don't know what a charter is and now I'm concerned about what I've gotten myself into. I'm a bit of a cruise newbie so I would love any input from you more experienced cruisers. Am I going to regret this trip?