prague70

In Skagway we did a 45 minute free city walk with a park ranger. Then we rented a car and drove to the Yukon. Often we were parallel to the railroad. In Canada we knocked on a lady’s door and ate fresh made cinnamon rolls in her kitchen( donations). I don’t remember how we learned about her but Canadians I have spoken to knew about her. All in all we had a great day. We even had time to walk around Skagway before we returned to the ship. 

At the beach I wear nylon board shorts. If they have a zippered pocket I put my cash and card in it. If there is not a  zipped pocket, I sew inVelcro which keeps the pocket closed. I swim and snorkel and everything stays put. 

I traveled solo on the Koningsdam in July. I found it easier to make reservation for dinner two or three nights at a time. I did not want fixed dining but wanted to sit with other people. If you just show up, you may be seated with people who have already eaten their appetizer!

I have always been seated with people who are entering at about the same time so we order together.

I am considering a cruise on HAL but, as I travel solo, I would like to know if there are tables in the main dining room where I could join others so I do not have to eat alone. Thanks.

You can sign up for early or late dining and will be seated at the same table with the same fellow cruisers and waiters each evening. If you prefer not to have to do that, you can request open dining and when you show up each evening, you can request to share a table and the head waiter seats you with others who have also requested to share.

This is interesting. Does anyone know if you get double credits with HAL?

You do not get double credits on Holland America.

Right now, Princess is offering a massive discount on a suite on the Emerald Princess for three different 14-day sailings out of Southampton, England. In all three cases, the solo fare is actually thousands of dollars less than the per person double occupancy fare AND thousands of dollars less than the solo fare for an interior, ocean view or balcony.

 

I am *so* tempted to jump on one of these cruises:

 

23 July 2016: http://www.princess.com/find/cruiseDetails.do?voyageCode=E628

20 Aug 2016: http://www.princess.com/find/cruiseDetails.do?voyageCode=E630

03 Sep 2016: http://www.princess.com/find/cruiseDetails.do?voyageCode=E631

I have a hold on a suite until April 1 on the Sept. 3 sailing. I could not believe the price. I have seen no roll call for this sailing. I do like to travel on independently created tours and am wondering---where is everybody!

There is a significant difference in price between Lindblad and Celebrity.

 

Is Lindblad worth this difference?

 

Thank you.

Yes, especially with children. Look for specials- 10% off , free airfare, children under 18 get 500 dollars off their fare on every cruise, something off if traveling with a group, etc.

We leave on Thursday for the Outer Loop on Celebrity. Doing Quito on our own and then on our own to Peru. We are using escapedtolatinamerica as our Peru travel agency and the cost for 8 nights in Lima/Urubamba/Aguas Calientes/Cusco/Lima is about $2600 including Lima to Cusco and back flights. The priciest part of the trip is the Quito/Baltra/Lima flights at $1600. But still much cheaper than going with Celebrity and much more ground covered. I wanted two days in MP in case the weather was horrendous . Hoping for some clearing at least on one of the two days.

 

Wish us luck! We are excited but also a bit nervous given the complexities of the travel, weather, food, altitude and language. But we are mid 50s, somewhat fit and pretty well-traveled so we're hoping for the best.

I did a similar trip about 8 years ago and had a wonderful time. It's good that your agent arranged to have you get to Aguas Calientes from Urubamba instead of Cusco. It makes the train ride much better. Also, you will get to spend more time at Machu Picchu because of the overnight stay.I drank bottled water and was careful about where I ate and had no problems. The only place the altitude bothered me was in Cusco but I followed the guide's recommendations and did okay. But then again, I get altitude sickness in Colorado. Our travel agent had all the transfers, guides etc. set up and we were well taken care of which I am sure you will be too. We did Lima on our own and had no difficulties sightseeing and were careful as we would be in any large city.

I've read of a few people who brought families with kids. However, Celebrity does not cater to them at all, so it isn't that common. The youngest "kid" traveling with a parent on our cruise was 26.

 

Also, I'm not sure it is right to say Linblad has better guides. The guides work for the national park, not Celebrity or Linblad. They freelance on the ships for various lengths of time and get various assignments with different companies. But the company does not train the guide in anyway.

 

I found the guides spoke to the level of the group. The more intelligent questions asked, the more specific information offered freely (in addition to answering the questions.)

You are correct about the training but Lindblad has in addition to these guides their own naturalists and specialists. You are correct that there were no special activities for children on Celebrity. That is why I wrote about Lindblad for people who want to travel with children.

well maybe with celebrity, this type of cruise is not intended for children...I sure hope not...we will be on it in dec of 2016...hope all the kids stay in school...

 

have not read that people bring their kids on the expedition....now you have me worried...

I suggested Lindblad for people who are traveling with children because Celebrity is not as good of a choice for kids as you noted. You will not have many children on your cruise. I was on it in June when most schools are out and the few children who were on board where well traveled and well behaved.

Gonzo,

 

Thanks for the great review.

 

I am an avid sea kayaker and have researched kayaking and diving in the Galapagos. It is my understanding that there is only one company permitted to allow kayaking in the archipelago. As a side note, it is also my understanding that the companies permitted to do snorkeling can't to diving. I was told you don't really need to dive, as the snorkeling is so great, but it is actually easier in my opinion to have a regulator and be able to be under water, if only a few feet vs a snorkel full or partially full, of salt water.

 

Glad you had a great trip.

 

Happy sailing,

Jenna

I went with Celebrity in June and at that time the water was very clear. The water was not that deep and people were able to dive to the bottom. I did not but was able to see fine by just floating. Before you book with Celebrity, please read the information on Lindblad vs.Celebrity on this site. There was too much down time between the morning and afternoon activities, many people on our ship were ill (not seasick) and precautions weren't taken as they had been on other Celebrity ships with norovirus. Especially if you are traveling with children consider Lindblad. They have special activities-dinners, panga driving lessons, hikes, kayaking etc. for children.The dinners on Celebrity were way too late for children and the guides were not up to par. Lindblad is more expensive but at times they offer free airfare and if you can find a "Friend for Life"-2 trips with them, you can get a 10% discount. Nancy

This is something I plan to do in about 18 months. Something I've always wanted to do. Can't think of any reason NOT to.

 

Anybody here done this cruise?

I just returned from Galapagos on Xpedition. I recommend that you read some of the comments about Lindblad vs. Xpedition. I have sailed solo on both lines and Lindblad provides many more activities. There was too much down time between activities on Xpedition. The first would start at 8 am and the next not until 3 or 4 and nothing to do in-between. Lindblad has naturalists who are visible on the ship- lectures, dine with guests, etc. Lindblad is more expensive but you can get a 10% discount if you know someone who has sailed with them twice. You come to Galapagos to see the islands and not sit on the ship.

We just returned from touring the Galapagos on the NG Endeavor. We sailed the Galapagos with Celebrity in 2007. Comparing our two experiences, we found the Lindblad ship offered more snorkeling opportunities and seemed to keep us busier than Celebrity. Of course, we are 7 years older too:). Lindblad offered a Junior Ranger Program, zodiac driving lesson (issuing a drivers license) and a pizza and movie night for our Grandchildren. My vote would go to Lindblad if kids are involved. Lindblad offered the ROV camera, but I only remembered it being used one time. Still, it was interesting. The nightly recaps seemed to be more of a learning experience than Celebrity's, but in an entertaining way. Lindblad's glass bottomed boat was a draw for my non-snorkeling hubby, but he said it was more of a seasick experience. Many passengers shared his opinion, so I wouldn't let the availability of that feature sway your decision. We had read on these Boards to be prepared for less than great dining experiences. All 6 of us in our group, including the kids and picky son-in-law, found the food to be really good, not 5 star, but consistently much much better than I have experienced on several of the large cruise ships, who aren't operating within the constraints of using locally sourced foods.

Our kids and grandkids went home after the Galapagos, while my hubby and I took the extension to Macchu Picchu.

Feel free to ask any more specific questions about our experience.

I have to agree with this. I have sailed with Lindblad twice and Celebrity several times.We just returned from Galapagos on Xpedition and were disappointed. There was just too much down time. They started tours at eight and then we hung around the ship sometimes until four for our next tour. There was nothing special for children as I have seen on my two trips with Lindblad (Antarctica and Baja). There was so much down time between the two excursions that dinner was not completed until 9:30--much too late for the kids.Also, at least thirty people were ill (fever, vomiting). On our last night at the Marriott more people were ill. Lindblad may be more expensive but if you can find a "friend-two or more cruises", I think you can get the 10% discount plus 500 dollars off for each child.

Thank you Lois!

 

I am just little nervous here. I know once on board I will have a wonderful time and will find many things to do or not do as I want to. I think eating in Blu will be a wonderful experience and hoping to meet a lot of new friends.

 

Our roll call is not very active, however the other two couples on it seem very nice.

 

Thank you again for responding, I appreciate it.

My sister and I ate in Blu for dinner fifty % of the time. The tables were so close together that we ended up talking to the people next to us including a set of sisters two times and a Canadian couple twice. They seemed to seat us in the same area each night. I ate breakfast by myself in Blu every morning and ended up talking to others at the next tables. I have traveled solo on four Celebrity cruises and have always gone to the main dining room as soon as I board and asked to be seated at a large table. I have had to do this because by the time I signed up for the cruises, early dining was closed. I have had lovely table companions and have even ended up going to the beach, etc. and playing on trivial pursuit teams with them. I think there is an activity for solos posted by the reception desk but I have never looked into it.