sgregel
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Posts posted by sgregel
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Staying at Hyatt Regency Harborside, arriving Saturday around noon. I am planning on taking the water taxi over to Boston, returning before dark. I've read where the water taxi schedule is unpredictable, so I'm thinking about a taxi or uber back to the hotel. What is the best option (safety) for a single lady traveling solo? Also, traveling to the cruise terminal the next day, should I go with a taxi or Uber? The hotel is by Logan airport.
Sandy
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The non-smoking casino on Allure is small, but it was great that it was non-smoking. Just a few tables, blackjack and ultimate texas holdem. Ultimate was hand shuffled and dealt differently than the other casino. I liked it a lot better. No 3 card poker in the non-smoking casino. I believe they had roulette also. The regular casino has a non-smoking side, but you can still smell the smoke, it's just not in your face.
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I'm looking at my first transatlantic next fall on Royal Caribbean. I don't have the specifics nailed down, but plan to fly over and do a back to back with a 7 day cruise prior to the TA to Florida. I think the southern route will be better for me. I've done 2 Med cruises out of Barcelona and Rome. Flew nonstop out of Atlanta.
Sandy
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I just booked Acadia National Park Tours 3.5 hours. Will be in Bar Harbor 10/20, Royal Caribbean Serenade of the Seas.
Sandy
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Oh, no! Very disappointing.
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I see where they are no longer requiring masks onboard for vaccinated guests. I wonder if they are going to allow smoking in the casino. I hope not. We are doing a B2B on 3/7. Cruised out of Galveston in January when omicron variant was raging. No issues for us. We were very careful, wearing our masks and following all guidelines, particularly the max number of people in elevators. I hope they aren't rushing things by loosening a lot of guidelines.
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3 minutes ago, sabrefan15 said:
Just did B2B on Freedom from Jan. 17-24. Casino was open when in Coco Cay but not in Nassau.
Thanks so much for the info!
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Sailing B2B on Freedom in March. I thought I read somewhere that the casino is now open while in Coco Cay. Would appreciate some info from recent cruisers.
Sandy
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20 minutes ago, suncityga said:
Thank you for the wonderful review....we will be boarding the Serenade on Sept. 6th.
Quick question...Does the Serenade still have a library?
Thank you,
Lori
Hi Neighbor,
I'm also on the Sept 6th sailing. I just moved from Woodstock, GA to Jasper, GA in May. See you guys on board.
Sandy
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Just now, Tree_skier said:
That is exactly the tour we booked. You will have an amazing time.
Now, I'm really excited! First cruise to Alaska. Can't wait!
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I'm doing a similar tour in Juneau through the ship, Mendenhall Glacier, Whale Watching & Wildlife Quest. Hoping for good weather. i think this tour will be the best of the ones I have booked. So glad you had a great tour!
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7 hours ago, Bailey & Sophie said:
Bring a hoodie and gloves. I made a fleece ear band (not professional-held together with safety pins). Kept the cold wind out of my ears.
When you are close to the glaciers it does get cold.
You can view from the inside and be warm but nothing beats being outside to hear the glaciers calve.
Layers, layers, layers!
Thanks so much for the advice! I have a couple of jackets that I am bringing. One is lightweight, the other puffy and wind resistant with a hood. Lots of turtlenecks and jeans. The ear band is a great idea. I have ear muffs, but the ear band would be easier to keep up with if you don't need it.
Sandy
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I am thoroughly enjoying your review! I'm on this sailing 9/6. It's my first cruise to Alaska, and I'm very excited. I'm a little nervous about the weather, but I hope to be prepared. I'm bringing a rain slicker and waterproof ankle boots with good tread per the suggestion from another post.
Do you have to wear a mask in the casino? I'm hoping there is no smoking in the casino given the Covid restrictions.
Thanks so much! Enjoy your cruise!
Sandy
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10 hours ago, erby2283 said:
Thanks Sandy - but my cruise has come and gone as my comment was from over a year ago. Lol. But I do appreciate you taking the time to lend your expertise. I ended up taking all my tours with Italytours.eu and had a wonderful time.
Didn't notice the date.
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On 10/24/2018 at 2:20 PM, erby2283 said:
I am interested in booking several tours with JBL but am hoping to keep the cost in check. If I am the one who starts the tour sharing (where it's listed as my name with max passengers) and it's just two of us, what are the chances the tour is going to fill up? I would love another 6 to join us to make it more affordable but am worried to book a tour and end up paying 500EU for two of us. I believe you have to cancel within 7 days of the tour but is that is hassle?
I started all of the tours that I booked with Joe Banana (Italy Tour Sharing). My suggestion would be to get on the roll call for your cruise and post about the tours that you are looking at. If you get some interest, I would go ahead and set up the group. You just have to email them prior to the cancellation period to cancel. It really depends on how active your roll call is. You really have to promote your tour on the roll call. Most people don't want to join until the price drops. If you can get at least another couple to commit and join, you can post "if we get another couple to join, the price drops to $___." The price becomes more reasonable, and people are more likely to join.
Sandy
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On 9/23/2019 at 8:53 PM, jancl57 said:
We used Joe Banana (Italy tour sharing) in Naples. We did the Sorrento, Positano, lunch at la Tagliata ( superb) and
Pompei. We LOVED it. We are taking another Italy/Greek Isle cruise in May. Naples is a port of call and we are hoping to put together a tour to Sorrento, Ravello & Positano (hopefully with lunch at La Tagliata again). Can't say enough good things about them!
I am so glad you posted about this specific tour. I have it booked for my November cruise. I did the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento and Pompeii 2 years ago with Joe Banana (Italy tour sharing). That was my first trip to Italy, and I tried to see as much as possible. When I saw the La Tagliata website, I had to book this tour. I am really looking forward to it!
To the original poster, I booked 3 tours with Joe Banana (Italy Tour Sharing) 2 years ago. It was a wonderful experience. I have booked 2 tours with them on my trip next month.
Sandy
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21 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:
That's one of my favorite times in Rome -- not so crowded then. Hopefully you will get the sunny with gorgeous azure skies November weather, and not the wet November weather. Either way, it's all good in Rome...
When I first started traveling solo, I would often book a walking tour or two to help me get oriented to the city. You might want to do that. Some places offer a "Twilight Walk" through the center of Rome, and there are also some foodie walks that combine a bit of sightseeing/orientation with some opportunities to taste local food.
The walking tour sounds like a great idea! I have only been to Rome once, and did a tour through ItalyTourSharing with some other cruisers. We hit all of the main attractions, but I want to experience more of the city, particularly the food. I'm excited!
Sandy
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On 6/28/2019 at 5:35 PM, cruisemom42 said:
Hotel Nerva is in a good location, particularly for the ancient sites (Colosseum, Forum, Palatine Hill, Circus Maximus, Baths of Caracalla, etc.) . I've stayed there as a woman traveling alone; the hotel is family-run and service is very friendly. The area is safe, although it can be a bit dark at night just along the narrow road where the hotel entrance is. (No worries though, I never felt unsafe.) . If you get a little bit away from the Colosseum and into the Monti area, there are some good restaurants and it is less touristy.
Enjoy your time in Rome and feel free to ask if you have any specific questions.
I am traveling solo on a cruise the week of Thanksgiving. I'm flying into Rome a couple of days early and just starting my research for a hotel. I'm a little nervous about being in the city alone. Hotel Nerva looks perfect. Thanks so much for your post. It's at the top of my list.
Sandy
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I am a Prime member and get email offers for a free cruise regularly. The last 3 cruises I have taken have been free inside cabins. I travel solo and they give me double C&A points as if I had paid the single rate. It's wonderful! I have no idea how they calculate the points. I play tables mostly, but also slots. I spend a lot of time in the casino and usually play the minimum bet. Lately, it's been $10 on the tables. I love getting the free drinks. I just got an offer for a free inside cabin on a 7 day Med cruise out of Rome. I booked immediately. Can't wait for that cruise!! Will be on Adventure 1/27.
Sandy
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I'm on the Adventure sailing 1/27. I play tables mostly, and the $2,000 pre-purchase is very tempting. I know I can play thru the $2,000 before the cruise is over. I don't have an issue with the way you play thru the chips. My concerns are as follows:
- Chip denominations are based on availability. I want $5 chips to play on $10 min tables. What if they don't have enough $5 chips? Will they break them down later?
- If the table minimums are over $10, I probably won't play. If I do, it won't be $2,000 worth.
- If I'm not winning on the tables, I'll switch to slots for awhile. I can't use my chips for the slots.
I'm a prime member, but I have to see "firsthand" how this program "plays out" to see if it's for me. 😉
Sandy
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Hi sdear,
We are doing the 6 night on Adventure Jan.27th. I am also a casino prime member. Haven't sailed this ship. How was the casino? I play tables mostly, & my sister plays slots. Do you know what the table minimums were? Was the casino crowded? I was thinking about buying the $2,000 in chips to get $200 in promo, but I can't get good info on the program. I think I'll just see how the program works when I get onboard. I might take advantage of the offer on my next cruise.
Sandy
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Thanks for the info C-Leg & Taylor. I'm still trying to decide what to do in Cozumel. If I can get some participation from the roll call, I might consider this tour.
Sandy
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So how much time is spent at each bar? Do you have time to check out the beach and/or order food?
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I'm new to this forum, and have just read thru the thread. My first solo cruise was Jan 2017 out of Galveston, TX as a test run for a solo cruise in the Mediterranean. The passengers on the Galveston cruise were the friendliest I have ever experienced. I'm going again out of Galveston Sept.16th.
I love the casino and spend most of my time there. My Galveston cruise is a free cruise based on casino play. The casino is a great place for a solo cruiser. Like others have said, a kindle can be your best friend. I will be sure to take it with me to the main dining room in the event I end up dining alone.
I have requested a large table in the main dining room. If I'm not happy, I will request another table. Don't hesitate to ask for a different table. For me, dining is the biggest anxiety of traveling solo. I go to the buffet for breakfast and lunch, but want the dining room experience for dinner. I'm prepared this time with my kindle.
I have no problem going on excursions or walking around the ports alone. Just do your research in advance and be safe.
Sandy G.
Boston - Taxi / Uber for Solo Traveler
in East Coast Departures
Posted
Thanks so much for your quick response. I definitely prefer Uber over taxis. I appreciate the feedback on the safety issue. I feel more comfortable about not having to rush back to the hotel. I wanted to do 2 days pre-cruise, but the hotels were just too expensive.