madcat444

18 hours ago, cruiservictor said:

That’s very interesting because we have to ask for it every time. Never gets applied automatically, whether we book online, via the app, via the kiosk, etc. 

When I book online it automatically applies the Latitudes discount. This is on UK booking site 🇬🇧 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

On 2/28/2020 at 9:10 PM, martincath said:

Additional comments in red now that you've provided more info  - sorry to harp on about skipping the NCL tour again, but you really are crippling the logistics of your visit if you choose to take it unless it's an evening walk:

Personally I'd suggest ignoring the $50 excursion voucher, and if you don't want to hire a guide to take you on a bike or walk this is what I'd suggest instead: drop ~USD$10 on access to Fisguard Lighthouse/Fort Rodd ($3pp for both), Hatley's gardens ($5), and a day pass on the buses ($5). Start off with a walk into the Inner Harbour area - but not along the shorter but less scenic way NCL suggests, instead follow the waterfront around (45mins leisurely pace) past Fisherman's Wharf. When you get to the Inner Harbour, take a free tour of Parliament, then head over to Hatley & Fisguard on the bus - walk all the way back if you like (~3 hours), but busing there will ensure you arrive in time to get into these ticketed attractions before they close. Stop off at Esquimault park on the way back if you want to see the other garden I mentioned above, and on returning downtown wander through Chinatown (very small), around the Governors House (pretty, and nice gardens), and finish up with Beacon Hill Park as it's getting toward sunset. Instead of a paying a guide, buy a good guidebook - $20 or less should cover an up-to-date copy of Rough Guide or Lonely Planet that will give you great info on history.

 

If you want to spend more $ on museums etc. fantastic - the Royal BC is a great museum that you can easily kill 3 hours in even without watching their IMAX movies. Just make sure you check opening hours on your date, as by far the biggest problem for cruisers to Victoria is that it's the fogey-est city in Canada - the sidewalks get rolled up reeeeeeeeal early, virtually nothing that needs a ticket will let you in after 5pm unless it's a Fri/Sat in summer when the Royal BC does stay open later. Given you have a long stop that starts at noon, make use of that first 5 hours to get inside ticketed places - unless the NCL walk starts after 5pm that's another huge logistical strike against it, as there's nothing on the route that can't be seen whenever.

 

BTW, I've been where you are but worse - we actually gave up $150 of 'free' NCL vouchers because we were unwilling to compromise the quality of our vacation time by going on something 'meh' that it covered rather than paying for something better ourselves. If you have no better alternatives, sure there's no harm in going on this excursion as 'anything is better than nothing' - if it's not good you can just walk away at any point and you're no worse off. But you have been pointed to a lot of alternatives that do address the requirements you've listed, by several folks on the thread. Many times the best answers you get here come from people answering a question that you didn't actually ask 😉

Thank you Martin, I for one found your post very helpful and appreciate the time you took to post it.  Like the OP I was curious about the NCL tour as I will find myself in Victoria with $50 shorex credit but, especially after reading your posts, am willing to forego the credit and utilise suggestions from your post as walking slowly kills me! 😄 

Thanks again 😁

8 hours ago, Pat.D said:

 

Oh no don't miss it!!!  Specially if you're an avid snorkeler.  The ABC islands are a paradise for divers and snorkelers.  Heck, Bonaire is such an amazing snorkelling place that you can literally walk off the ship, walk 100ft and jump in the ocean and snorkel right there. (no I'm not kidding!  I did it!)

 

I attached a few underwater photos I took literally next to the ship when I was there last year hoping it encourages you to go!

 

I'm sailing the NCL Breakaway solo again next week and I'll be snorkeling and scuba diving in every port.  I am FAR from being a social guy, but I always meet people and make new friends on solo cruises.

 

Pat

 

Love the pictures Pat - heading off on Epic 6 Feb to Bonaire etc so here's hoping I get to see similar.
Also, on Bliss Panama Canal trip in April so that should see some good trips too 🙂 

Fiona

21 minutes ago, Judyrem said:

Thanks for the kind words Fiona,  I am on Adventure of the Seas RCI.

No problem 🙂 

I've been solo on Adventure and met lots of nice people.  Look in the daily cruise compass for solo meets.  I think RCI do solo lunches but definitely go to the first meet and hopefully you'll find other solos.  If not, set dining can be good for meeting people.  I travel mostly on NCL who are great for solos but was on RCI Spectrum in May 2019 and met really, really nice people who I'm still in touch with on a regular basis.

Enjoy 😄 

3 minutes ago, Judyrem said:

I have an eight day solo for the first time on Feb 1, and I am having second thoughts!  I was actually willing to lose money and not go!😲

I am not shy or reserved but I am still quite anxious about the whole thing!  I am going to the Meet and Mingle and doing a pub crawl and a room crawl.

I booked this cruise because it is to the ABC islands and I am an avid snorkeler.

 

I am seriously doubting my decision,  I keep saying to myself I  must have  been crazy!

 

Please don't cancel - give it a go as I'm sure you'll love it and if, for some reason or other, you don't enjoy it too much you'll be able to say you gave it a go and not have any regrets going.  

Which ship are you going on?  It sounds like they have a few activities already planned so when you get talking to others that'll lead to more.  You say you're a snorkeler so chat with others on the roll call and perhaps see if you find fellow snorkelers who may have trips booked.  If you go on trips, be it through the ship or independent operators, you'll meet others.

Go, have a ball and make some memories - then plan your next solo trip 😁

Fiona

1 hour ago, BruinsFan08 said:

I'm looking to do my first solo cruise this Thanksgiving (avoiding family). The Bliss is the same price for a studio or a balcony. I think I'd prefer the studio lunge area over the extra space in the room, but I haven't pulled the trigger yet. Did you go in studio or solo in a regular cabin?

If the perks are the same and you think you'd spend a bit of time on the balcony I'd go for that. You can still go to the solo meets in the lounge but you wouldn't have access throughout the day. 

Guess it depends on the itinerary and what you like to do. 

Same price I'd go for balcony 😁 

15 hours ago, peteukmcr said:

There is a climbing wall on deck 16.

Thanks for clarifying Pete 🙂 

14 hours ago, RedwingHockeyFan said:

Actually, When it gets windy up there it can be pretty scary especially if you are afraid of heights.  When I am tethered like that it usually doesn't bother me but when it is windy it isn't as much fun.

 

I have only been on the Getaway but it has a climbing wall.  As someone else has replied, the Breakaway does as well.

Thanks, but my response was a bit tongue in cheek 😛 

1 hour ago, RedwingHockeyFan said:

There is no fee for the ropes course.  Walk the plank is part of the ropes course, however it can be blocked off on days with high wind.

Thanks 😄 
Surely high winds make it more interesting, no?!?! 🤣😆

Do you happen to know if there's a climbing wall as deck plan indicates yes but couldn't see one on any videos I've watched?

Fiona

Great review - looking at booking BA for end of September in a solo cabin.  Travelled quite a few times with NCL and love them for the way they accommodate solo pax.

Could you tell me if any of the activities such as Walk The Plank, ropes course incur a fee please?

Thanks,

Fiona

9 hours ago, The_0neuk said:

is it too early to reserve one with my towel 🤣

Not if you're German!  🤣😆😋

9 hours ago, Lloyd555 said:

More pandas... and balloons.

 

Oh, I love these 💖🐼

I just booked a balcony on Star Princess July 14 Alaska Southbound for $499 solo. I have only sailed with Princess one other time, but somehow I got this discounted offer with them. I think I got the last balcony but they have insides for $249 and oceanview for $349 under the offer I received. Soooooo excited!

 

I live in Anchorage, AK and have been waiting for a deal like this for a while!!

Awesome price - may look at Alaska for next year. Enjoy :D:D

Just booked Studio Balcony cabin on RCI's new Spectrum of the Seas. Dubai to Singapore 4 May 2019

Drinks package, WiFi and two nights pre and post cruise :D

Three cruises booked now:

MSC Seaside in November and NCL Epic in January - I had better calm my jets for a bit!! LOL

Nice but we hope it works better then there web site.

Let's be honest, there's no fear of it being any worse! :p

Works well as you can charge/use two or more things at once assuming you have two adapters :D

The MSC ships I've been on have had both European and US sockets :)

.....i didn't have to log onto ships wifi! :D

HI, can I ask if the 12 vouchers you mention in the Fantastica package are included as I didn't had them on my cruise last year nor on my one for March?

Just curious...:confused:

Answered my own question - this isn't applicable in the UK

I'm a TA fan too, great opportunity to chill and, hopefully, grab some sun on the way across. Managed to get a balcony this time so fingers crossed for long, sunny days :D

Yes, I saw that deal, it's with CN? I'm travelling solo so it wasn't much use to me though PFC did great deal on the trip too last week hence the reason.....

:D

Hopefully as I really struggled to find any last year on Brazil to Italy crossing :(

Are you flying from Gatwick?

Cool, good to know there will be other English speaking guests onboard :D

I'm interested in the replies as I'm jumping on in on March 21 for the transatlantic from Barbados to Italy :)

Thanks Vida, I appreciate your help :)

At a guess, could you give me an indication of how much taxis would be from the port to Corcovado and back please or if it is easier to take a taxi into town and from there take the train or shuttle?

As I'm on my own I'm trying to keep costs low and also ensure I'm back on board in time!! :D:eek:

Thanks again,

Fiona:)