Vagabondvoyager

2 hours ago, uktog said:

I’m on Quest just now. There have been folks using the library every time I have been there. There are also 4 groups onboard including Music at Sea. They are holding events from time to time in the Library. There was also a Sabbath Service there the other night. The Hotel staff are rightly unsure how all these groups could be accommodated if the library became another bar. A bar would not be an appropriate setting for some. 

I was on the Quest over Christmas and on the Pursuit in June for 17 nights.  Everyday when I went to the Library, there were people in there reading or doing the puzzles.  It is the one place where guests can go that is quiet and comfortable.  How many bars are necessary on a ship?  If drinking is that important to you, book your cruises on Carnival.

11 hours ago, May B said:

My recollection of the library on Quest and the other original Azamara was of the most beautiful room I’ve ever seen on a cruise ship. I hope the beauty will still be there, even if the books aren’t.

According to the article that I read, the library was completely gutted, including the beautiful painting on the ceiling.  Makes me sick.

Kathy

2 hours ago, lahore said:

In my opinion, for what it is worth, diversity is important and I feel very sorry when people (other passengers, cruise line directors) decide that we are all the same.  

By way of example, we don't drink alcohol, and I do tire of people thinking most decisions revolve around a need to have a drink.  Also, not everyone goes on a cruise to socialise - I love the peace and quiet of watching the waves and adore being at sea - my work requires me to be constantly surrounded by people and to act gregarious even if don't feel like it; I don't seek that out on holiday.  If I did, I would go on a mass market line, which I purposefully don't. Further along that line, what is wrong with having a place that is quiet and not always filled with people (e.g., a library)?  As someone else said, aren't there enough bars onboard....how many do you need?   
 

By now you may have a picture of me as an old fuddy duddy; in reality I am not at the upper end of cruise age groups by any stretch and I am told that I can be great fun. It's so difficult to find somewhere quiet on cruise ships, can we not eliminate any more?

My feelings exactly!

Kathy

I just read an article about the renovations being done to the Azamara Onward.  The article stated that the beautiful library was removed and replaced with a bar.  This is so sad.  The libraries on the "R" class ships are one the main attractions on these ships.  They're a beautiful place to go and relax and bring back the old days of cruising.  I just can't believe that some corporate head made this very bad decision.  I'm sailing on Azamara because their ships are unique and are a throwback to when cruising was an adventure.  I definitely won't be sailing on the Onward.  If Az intends to remove the libraries from their other ships, I won't be sailing on them either.

9 hours ago, Robjame said:

I have seen no Vista Cruise where the solo cabin is more than any balcony cabin. 

I would be interested if anyone can point me to such a situation. Every Vista cruise I have looked at has the solo cabin priced at less than the price of a French Verandah (2 persons)... and it is what the solo passenger has to pay that is the issue.

I was quoted the price of $9999 for a solo balcony on the LA to Miami cruise sailing November 3, 2023.  This quote came directly from Oceania.  Paying double for a balcony cabin on this sailing would have been cheaper than the smaller solo cabin with the tiny bed.  

10 hours ago, pinotlover said:

Prices are based on double occupancy. Do you normally get a discount at a hotel if only one is staying instead of two in a room? Is that price gouging also for not charging you half rate?

When I stay at a hotel, I do not have to pay double for a room because I'm staying by myself.

12 hours ago, LGW59 said:

Then why do you not pay the lesser price for the regular balcony cabin, if it is less, you win.

Because it is still price gouging the solo passengers.  You are missing the whole point.

22 hours ago, Robjame said:

The solo cabins are priced as A4 cabins with the amenities that a concierge cabin carries. The pricing seems to be 1.83 of the pp charge of an A4. In other words a solo traveller would pay one and 5/6 what a traveller would pay who shared accommodation.

I would agree that it seems like a lot even though it appears that the solo cabins have extended balconies.

Having said that, it looks like Oceania gauged the market well as the solo cabins were fast to sell out.

However, your numbers really are meaningless as the solo passenger is paying for a smaller cabin and a really small bed in a terrible location on the ship.  As far as the concierge lounge, who needs it?  This solo cabin pricing is a huge disappointment and a slap in the face for solo cruisers.

I have waited with great anticipation for the launch of the beautiful Vista.  I was particularly excited about trhe solo balcony cabins new to this ship.  However, when I was pricing different cruises, the price I was quoted for the (smaller) solo cabin was more than if I paid double for a regular balcony cabin.  What a disappointment!  For years the cruise lines have been ripping off the solo passengers by charging them double (we don't eat double nor do we make double messes) and I thought I would see a reasonable price for a solo balcony.  But this pricing is really adding insult to injury.

4 hours ago, UWDawg said:

In the 9/1/21 Viking TV broadcast about the Viking World Cruises there was a specific question and response related to solo travelers.  My recollection was that for the longer World Cruise segments they assign a crew member (Assistant Cruise Director of entertainer) to help ensure the solo travelers don't feel alienated: they coordinate a meet and greet session for the solo travelers, coordinate some events for the solos, and reserve dining spots so that solo travelers aren't dining alone.  While the video is 1: 23:11 long, the question on solo travers was several questions into the Q&A section starting and can be found at 1:12:45. Very entertaining video filled with useful information.  https://youtu.be/vm7owkYAHvM

 

Thank you for the link to the video.  It was quite informative and the pictures were great!

Kathy

I just booked my first Viking cruise on the Orion in November this year from FLL to LA via the Panama Canal.  This topic may have already been discussed, but I just don't want to read 50 some pages to find out!  I will be sailing solo.  What kinds of programs does Viking have for solos?  Will solos be able to dine together during Covid?

Thanks, 

Kathy

Currently, an RT PCR test is required by RCI, even for fully vaccinated passengers, five days before arriving in the Bahamas before boarding the Adventure of the Seas.  My friend and I, who are fully vaccinated, will be arriving in the Bahamas on July 16 and then boarding the Crystal Serenity on July 17.  Crystal is not requiring a RT PCR test before boarding, but will do an antigen test prior to boarding.  We will then be sailing on the Adventure OTS on July 24, which means if we get a RT PCR test done 5 days before arriving in the Bahamas as RCI is requiring, our test results will be 13 days old by the time we board the Adventure OTS and completely useless and maybe not even acceptable to RCI for boarding.  We have tried to contact RCI about this situation and to see if they would accept the antigen test offered on day 5 of the Crystal Serenity cruise, but have gotten no response.  Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to solve this dilemma?

I think this whole incident was a tragic accident.  That poor grandfather did nothing wrong.  It was an accident.  The cruise line did nothing wrong.  It was an accident.  I can't believe charges were brought against that grandfather.  That family had gone through enough misery.

I have my first AZ cruise booked on the Pursuit leaving Miami on April 5.  In August, I was on the Oceania Insignia which is a sister ship to the Pursuit and I just loved her.  This blog has answered all my questions.  Many thanks to Host Grandma Cruising for all the work you have put into this blog.  Great job!

Kathy

I sail solo a lot. When I pay for 2 passengers, why doesn't the cruise line give me double points? Seems fair to me.

The airport bus to Venice will drop you off at Piazzale Roma. From there it is a 10 minute walk to the Best Western Hotel Olimpia. You will have to cross one small bridge. I stayed at the Olimpia in 2013 and was very happy with it. On cruise day, you can walk to the Piazzale Roma and take the People Mover (about 1 Euro) to the cruise ship terminals. I'm in my 60's and accomplished this myself without any trouble. Hope this helps!

I'm on the February 21 sailing of the Anthem and I hope that captain is in charge of my cruise! I think the captain and crew did a fantastic job dealing with one of Mother Nature's surprises. A few weeks ago, the news predicted 1 to 3 inches of snow for my area and we actually 20 inches! Weather reports and predictions are not always spot on. The captain, the crew, and the passengers deserve a round of applause for a job well done.