LasVegasSolo

MKING8288. I did read you post and made a note for the Marriott thanks for the info. If the Marriott does not work I will try the Hampton. When I come in all I want is something to eat and relax before starting the cruise. It is in December and I come in from Denver so just getting to New York is always my first goal. After that it is all gravy. Really appreciated all the information makes it much easier.

I have a Princess going out of New York and booked the transfer from the airport to the ship so I was going to look for closer lodging that has free transportation to and from the airport. Just me. I have sailed out of New York several times and this is the first time I am not staying closer to the port.

I have not run into that with any line including HAL. I usually book solo and then tell my sister to see if she wants to come then I add her name. If not off I go.

Hi congrats on joining the cruising world it is addicting. I have cruised several lines.

NCL on Epic (the first ship with solo cabins) and Breakaway. If you get things like the drink and dinner package you would probably be happier because you will not feel so nickeled and dimed. If you have no problem with being interior for a single person the solo cabins are fine. They might be 100 sq ft but it isn't like regular interior or balconies are much bigger and it is usually at least 2 people. The NCL ships that have the solo cabins are larger so there is more offer.

Carnival ships are called the "Fun Ships" again the larger ships will have more going on (Dream, Magic, Breeze, Vista). I have been on the Conquest more than once it is a smaller ship so does not have as much going on as the larger ships.

RCCL has the mega ships again there is all kinds of things to do. RCCL also has the virtual balconies on some of there ships so you get the sight and sound of what is going on outside if you did not want to go for a balcony, I enjoyed it.

I will slightly disagree regarding the excursions. If you hook up with someone who knows the ports and is reliable then give it a try. If not try the ship excursions because they do give you a safety net also you might run into more people that you have something in common with you because they are also on the excursion. I went on one excursion that was for the entire time we were in port. It was a ship excursion and the ship did wait on us because of that. This was in Cozumel and by the time we were back the entire port village was completely closed up that was how late we were.

The major thing you need to know is each cruise line and ship has their own personality it is driven by the crew, the passengers on the cruise and the overall cruise line culture. You might need to try a couple to fine the best fit for you but it is so much fun trying the different ships and lines.

Good luck, enjoy, try not to over think or you will drive yourself crazy. The boards are a great place to fine information but keep in mind it is an opinion and everyone has one.

I also booked the single infinity balcony just out of curiosity. I think the room look like a lot of fun. I do Celebrity multiple times and have enjoyed no matter what room. Also I think anything on Edge especially the first 6 months is going to be high but the innovations that have been released so far are too tempting. I go in January 2019.

Sorry for you loss. As far as cruise lines if you can handle cruising on the same line as before and you have some kind of status start there. Consider that most of the time it will cost the same now as it did when you went with your husband. If you do not think you are ready for the same cruise line look for an itinerary that you are interested in within what you want to spend. If you do not mind inside cabins go mid ship all the way around. I sleep so good because it is dark, peaceful and if there is weather I feel like I am being rocked to sleep. The insides tend to be less expensive. I also do not spend that much time there because I am always out somewhere out on the ship so I get lots of outside time. I hope you are able to find something that makes you happy so that you can combine it with your other great cruising memories. Good luck.