Virtopia

Glad you decided but you'll never get a chance to celebrate your honeymoon and NYE on a cruise :)

First TA on Jewel is in 35 days but I fly into Milan in 30 days [emoji5] suitcase is out!

Cruising on my mind ...

The scopes have been the best part of today while I start to pack for my TA - absolutely hilarious!

Really enjoying this review and so nice you picked such a fascinating destination for your first solo cruise!

This has been quite a funny thread, besides the rude and insensitive comments.

I'll now be on the look out for pineapple magnets and stickers just for my sheer amusement!

My Speculation:

 

Oasis class replaces Liberty in Galveston.

Liberty relpaces Anthem in Bayonne while Anthem goes to drydock and Southampton

Allure is in Barcelone doing Med Cruises

Freedom San Juan

Navigator/Mariner 3/4 night Bahamas cruises

 

 

But also, Oasis class/Liberty in bayonne?

I hope this is accurate. I'd love to do a big ship from Barcelona in Fall 2020.

Looking forward to this thread - by the time it's done, I'll be getting ready for my first TA adventure.

With all these Harmony thread, I feel like I've been on the ship :) aiming to try Harmy or Symphony by 2020.

I hope they got that fixed for you - that's insane. The only time I've been quoted more whenI was attempting to book solo was on Viator.com when I was traveling to Italy. I looked into other accommodations that would fit for a solo traveler.

I have always been able to find someone I recognize from the ship sitting on the beach. I look for a couple with two sets of gear. I talk to them, asking how they like the cruise. I ask if the both go out at the same time to snorkel, and usually they say they take turns because of their personal belongings. I offer to watch their stuff while they go together, if the will watch my stuff while I go. I have always been able to goo out and enjoy myself without worrying.

I've done this as well or have asked staff to watch my belongings. Fortuantely for me, I've never had any issues with this approach so far.

I find that oddd. I've booked a cabin solo and was given a cabin with 2 pullman beds. Hopefully a TA can help you out.

I so want to go on this ship but if Navigator will be doing the same refurbishments next year, then I’ll be looking forward to the Bamboo Room next November!

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I had the 2 night BOGO dining package but I also switched to the 3 night dining for $76. I'm looking forward to it - I'll pick up a couple Diamond drinks before heading into dinner.

The times that I cruised solo and ate in the dining room, I had no issues eating alone. I had my iPad with me and I read while waiting for each course - it was great.

My next Caribbean cruises are next November and I will get off at every port. The only one I'd reconsider staying on the ship is Nassau but I haven't been there in years so it would be nice to check out what's new.

You might be missing out on some good GTY rates by only looking at solo rates, though typically those show up much later in the cruise cycle.

I will keep that in mind, thanks!

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I'm glad to hear this! I was booked on Mariner but had to change it to Navigator - I defintely hope there will be a Bamboo Room in the refurb as well!

I have never tried any of the above methods - I just put in 1 guest and if I'm happy with the pricing, I go with it. I book very early hoping to get a good rate and I haven''t been disappointed yet. I did my bucket list trip back in 2016 - a 10 night Med cruise on Rhapsody and it was well under $2K for an inside cabin ... if I remember correctly, it was around $1,600.

My last cruise, I also got a JS for $2K solo. That was in part to a website mixup but I took advantage :)

Naples is the only city among the possibilities you've listed. Orvietto is much smaller than Naples but quite easy to reach and it offers more than enough to fill a day.

 

 

 

Naples would require you to prioritize as there's much too much there to see and do. It is easy, however, and the excellent metro line 1 allows you to access most of the key sites quickly and easily from the train station.

Thanks for your recommendations. I googled Orvieto and have decided to go there. I’m looking forward to it [emoji5]

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I'm embarking on my first TA in a cople months and I'll have a spare day in Rome pre cruise. I'm looking for a nearby city to do a day trip.

So far, I've looked at Naples, Anzio and Tivoli. I don't know which one to decide on. The train fare to Naples is much more expensive than the other two but that is to be expeced. I'd like a city that allows me to explore a lot within walking distance of the train station. I'd love to go through a few musems and churches and also find a nice spot for lunch.

Also, a large group of my roll call is staying at the same pre cruise hotel near Terimi and we're trying to find a bar/restaurant to have a get together on Nov 4th. Any suggestions?

I try to make the Diamond drink period last as long as I can - I will get my first drink in the lounge and get my remaining 3 at speciality resturants or the pool bar. 4 drinks within that period of time is usually good to keep me for the night.

Here is the current Cabana prices:

 

The Waterfront cabanas, B1 and B2 are $495.

 

Standard Cabanas S1 - S9 are $395

 

Hilltop and Over the Water cabana la are $595.

This is insane. I remember when I got a cabana for $200. I'm glad I got to enjoy it when I did!

I'd defintely take the two rooms - I'm sure you'd appreciate the extra space and bathroom, like others have said.

I'd say ports and then ship. I'm a huge fan of Southern Caribbean cruises now, then Eastern and then Western. I love Curacao and Aruba. However, I know I want to do Oasis Class early 2020, so I will look at Eastern routes.

I've set up my cruises for next year so that I can have them paid off by the spring. It's such a nice feeling to get it out of the way early.

OMG you sooooo deserve this vacation - that is way too much!

I started cruising solo in 2010 and have loved it ever since. I've had a couple cruises with people since then but my preferred method is solo where I have my own space.

You will have an amazing time - you can move at your own pace and do what you want when you. I'm doing my first solo TA in November but my roll call is absolutely amazing. We've arranged pre cruise plans and also all my tours are with roll call members but I will still find time to spend with myself and realx on my balcony with a book and a glass of wine.

I can't wait! Have an amazing time - please come back and share how it all went :)