dappledumpling

Thanks for letting me ride along with ya.. perfect countdown for my Utopia sailing tomorrow.  

I really enjoy the 4 nighters have been twice this year on allure and have 4 booked on Utopia for the fall.. I live 2 hours from canaveral and work fri, sat and sun.  So I walk off ship at 7am and am usually done and ready for work by 10am.. Its like running to the beach for a coupe of days..  I also have back to back 5 nighters since it works well with schedule.

Love the options and I will sail any length cruise... A day on the water always beats a day at work

I dont see it listed on either of my january voyager  sailings.either..

I agree with taking a PPI (nexium, omeprazole or protronix) once daily to prevent during the cruise but just short term.. Another alternative would be a H2 antagonist like pepcid (famotidine) 

For the immediate relief tums  rolaids etc work well although can cause gas. At bedtime I prefer gaviscon as It is a superior product if lieing down. (real good for that alcohol induced night time heartburn)

On 7/14/2024 at 7:12 PM, shandryl said:

 

Princess for sure and its been a few years but pretty sure RCL does too. << I will know for sure next year. Got a RCL "Solo" cruise in 2025

I have been on 4 RCCL solo cruises this year and Very few attended the solo meetups. Depending on ship they have been at 5 or 7  .. I have 7 more cruises this year 6 solo (one going with my son).. Love solo cruising  and meet lots of people around ship so i am meh on the meetups... also not looking for love just a group of fun people to enjoy a drink with..

I may be weird but I prefer shorter cruises  4 to 5 nights.Cabin doesnt matter looking best bang for the buck but with specialty dining.. (6 short cruises in next 5 months)

I am lucky I live within a few hours of multiple ports.

2 hours ago, sassyshar said:

It's unfortunate that the BOGO isn't made  available to solo cruisers.   It would work the same, a single paid for meal, and next meal free.   Maybe I'm missing something in the equation.   

I am a solo cruiser . Done 5 cruises this year and only one isuue using bogo..Normally paid at first night and they comped night 2 at whatever restaurant I chose. . One couldnt figure out to do it, called a manager and they decided to just set me up for 50% off both nights.. so worked out.OK.

Glad you decided to go for it, My wife passed last year and we cruised for may, many years. was unsure when I booked my first solo.. But I really enjoy the freedom. 11 cruises this year  8 will be solo.  Now planning next year..  Enjoy your travels..  Also working toward pinnacle 1 cruise at a time.....

Loved the eggplant parm last month on the liberty... YUM!  shorts are fine at lunch

Love a good live review.. But will miss yours as I will be sailing the allure also.. Second time this year... Unfortunately your take on Royal food is shared..  I typically book the UDP when on royal and just calculate that into the cost of cruising..

A few more days!!!

My wife had a problem 10 years ago and the treatment left her with mobility issues. we started with a transfer chair to get her on and off the ship. plus location to location on the ship. Then we progressed to a full wheelchair and handicap cabins. (A good lightweight wheelchair is easier to push and maneuver.)  Then I made the best purchase of our lives, I bought a Eagle HD travel wheelchair (electric joystick controlled) and she regained her independence. weighs about 50 pounds which was no problem for me to toss around. 

The freedom it provided was fantastic... We used on cruises, theme parks.. the mall  wherever she wanted to go...  Not sure on your wifes illness but if not expecting mobility to return you might consider a travel power wheel chair.  We found scooters cumbersome and the 3 wheeled ones not as stable..

Hope this helps,

Rick

PS I dont mean to make this sound like a commercial but it definitely changed the last 4 years of her life.  

I just went on my first solo cruise in January (allure of the seas)  Had a great time so I jumped on Independence end of Febuary.  Wasnt sure how I would do as I had always sailed with my wife, but she lost her battle to cancer. Miss sharing times with her but love the solitude and solace that comes on the sea.

Next solo trip in 21 days mariner of the seas....

I set a goal of 10 sailings this year  Plan on doing one a month (taking june and july off) I have 4 cruise ports within 4.5 hours which makes short sailing work well.  

Funny after reading this post I went to my RCCL app and lists the event as Singles & Solo Meet up.   I have never attended one and I fall into both categories (Widower who still travels).. Who knows maybe I will check out the next one when I am on the ship, they are at 7pm which is when I normally dine. 

Both are great ships, just depends on what you priorities are...  Sailed Mariner in december and allure in January and had a great time on both.. In fact sail Mariner in April then allure in May...

Allure- love the dining (specialty restauarants)  japenese steakhouse and brazillian steakhouse

          -the vibe in boleros

          -tranquility of central park 

Mariner-less people.. (Did I mention less people)

            -the vibe of Schooner bar

As you can see I bounce back and forth

Rick

You buy a day pass.. No room but you get to use the amenities and all inclusive.

I am port specific..... port canaveral I like 11am as parking can be a challenge. But I like to leave as early as possible from there as I can head into work and utilize minimal PTO.  

Lauderdale or miami 1230 to 1pm.. gives me a little more drive time and less stress.  I will be one of the last off in those ports.... leisure breakfast to prepare for drive..

I personally am doing a 4 night cruise a month (occasionally a 5 night if friends call). I use to sail in only balconies and above  but as a solo traveler I dont need the extra space. I understand setting a goal as some of us are goal oriented.. I set 340 as a goal as thats when they reduce the single supplement. Will hit it in march.... then will shoot for 500  cause why not... lol.

If you goal is diamond  go for it.. hitting goals is great but the trip to get there is even better. Enjoy your travels

Rick

For allure the Hibachi or Giovannis,,, 

Chops on allure is hit or miss,  150 CP is nice but not a place I would want to dine with a large group.

I sail on halloween and luggage tags were available 30 days out

My wife 10 years ago got diagnosed with Peripheral neuropathy post chemotherapy. Like you she is good for a short time on her feet .  We started with a transfer chair then progressed to a regular wheelchair  and now she has a powerchair.  Apparently i like to drink and run into walls when pushing her. The power chair has been a great investment in our lives..  The mall,, seaworld,  disney and countless cruises have been tackled with this device. A regular room worked fine until we got the powerchair then an accessible room became needed..  Bonus showers have had seats in the accessible staterooms we have had.

Tender ports can be a challenge and we generally stay on board. Folding wheelchairs are much easier on excursions.. 

Hope that helps a little

We use resort for a day and booked rose hall hilton.  Lazy rive,r slides and swim up bar.

Lunch and drinks included.. its an allinclusive resort.  A little pricy but very nice.  There is a beah there as well..

I really appreciate you taking the time to post and show some pics. We are sailing the Muse next year in Alaska (First time with Silverseas) . And your posts and pics are getting us so excited...

Once again Thanks

both terminals have a loop to drop off luggage. At that spot  he can drop you and the luggage off then drive across the street and park.. Or he can valet park and stay with you. Both very easy

Tampa is one of the easiest ports

Welcome to cruise critic..

Tendered ports can be quite challenging with a wheelchair.  Ports that dock directly are easy access off. (ports vary on how accessible they are once on land) Let us know ship and ports and we can give you a better idea. 

Agree with previous poster if you can get an accesible stateroom it will make your life much easier.

2 hours ago, shepherdqueen said:

Are any of the Skipper's Grill or Snack Shacks handicap accessible without sinking in sand?

I believe skippers grill is accessible.. The snack shack in the thrill area is accessible, but I don't believe the one in chill area is... Could be wrong as I havent been there in a year